Family Photos- Wordless Wednesday Edition

We had a session with Colleen Reed Photography at the end of August. I forgot to post some of our favorites. It's been so fun to watch my children grow through her eyes...she has an amazing eye and gets just the right picture.

Just think... we were once this tiny:

Quinlin- 2 1/2 months

Owen- 3 months

Hunter- almost 12

our family April 2010

and now... these were taken August 25, 2011. Hunter 14 1/2, Owen 3, Quinlin 19 1/2 months

It's funny to look back on how we've grown... especially even pictures of Hunter. Sean and I refuse to think we are aging...ignore the grey hair and wrinkles. Poor Colleen- I always stress about my eyes and needing airbrushing! But she puts up with us... and we're glad for it!

Dear Quinlin- 18 Months Old

My baby girl is a year and a half. 18 months... no longer a  baby but a full toddler. It's exciting and sad at the same time. Sad that she's growing up. Sad that I will never have a tiny baby again. But- exciting to watch her grow and learn and be the sweet little girl that she is.

She has a doctor's appointment next week where I will know her height and weight. Guessing now, I would think she's 29 or 30 pounds... She's seeming to hold steady a bit weight wise. All her running around may be slimming her down.

• She's in 18, 24 and 2T clothing. All depends on what it is and the brand. I, unfortunately have learned that I can no longer buy ahead for her. I bought her 18 month clothes last year for this summer and my neice Grace inherited them as Quinlin couldn't wear some of them. Her clothes have ranged. I'm hoping that maybe next year, she can still wear some of the 2T items. We'll see.
• Size 4 diapers still
• Size 5 shoes.
• This summer has gotten her hair so blonde- and long and curly! And- she tans! Quinlin and Owen have both inherited Sean's skin for sure.
• We are a big girl and no longer use a high chair. we are in full booster seat mode at the table. We also have dropped our binky except for sleeping. Somehow at school, she can nap without one yet at home needs it.
• Favorite things- books, Eeyore, white plush blanket, Owen, Elmo, doggies, playing in the pool, Karen (her daycare teacher)
• Words (I should write these down as I know I'm going to miss some)- mama, daddy, Owen, Hunter, hi, bye, ball, bow, all done, all gone, "Where'd Daddy Go?", binky, juice box, cup, milk, doggie, "Hi School", Elmo, binky, pizza, cheese, cracker, cookie. Her vocabulary is really starting to come together.
• The newest is singing twinkle twinkle little star... you can't necessarly make out all the words, but she has the tune down and lights up if you start singing with her.
• She is the happiest, sweetest baby. I wish she'd smile more for pictures, but she is on the go. She'll say cheese and smile for a second, but that's it. Maybe I need to invest in some decent camera equipment. (thank goodness for our session at the end of the month with The Colleen Reed to give us some good updated pictures!)

18 months has been a big step for Quinlin. At 17 months, she started the transition to toddler 1 and starting yesterday, spent her first day away from the infant room. She loved it- loved sitting like a big girl at the table to eat, loved playing on the playground, learned how to nap on her cot and not a crib.

Happy half birthday baby Girl! We love you so much!

Weekend Recap/ Menu Planning Monday

We had a very low-key weekend. Friday, I picked the babies up from school and went home and picked up Sean, Hunter and his friend Michael and we decided to go o McDonald's for dinner (so much for my menu last week). I hadn't set anything out to cook and with Hunter's buddy over, we thought it would be fun. So we drove up there so Owen could experience the McDonalds playland. Do you think he liked it?

He loved every second of it! So did Hunter (though he's probably too cool to admit it). Quinlin too- you could just imagine her little legs kicking with delight. I know she wanted to get out and play- but no way! We came home and instantly threw them into the tub to try and disinfect them!

Saturday was a crazy morning. Our contractor came over at 8:30am. Sean's parents (yes- both as his dad was released from the hospital on Friday) came over about 9:00am and our photographer, Colleen, came over at 11:30am. Sean's folks didnt stay long- maybe an hour- and as soon as they left, I kept trying to get Owen in camera mode. We practiced saying cheese, wearing a santa hat. I bribed him with candy so he would wear his sweater (good stuff- I should add bribing to my Mom of the Year post). All in all, the pictures, I hope, turned out great- and no- we weren't naked as I once feared because I couldn't find outfits. I kept it simple- we didn't need to color coordinate- just look nice. So- that's what we did. My parents came over during the end of the photo shoot to pick up Hunter for the weekend. They took him to Billy Elliot (play) and then to the new Harry Potter movie. Sean ended up making two trips to Home Depot and I think, one trip to Lowe's for materials that the contractor needed. He became very stressed about the whole thing- the money the bar was costing, the time it was taking, having to bring Owen with him... so we stayed in the remainder of the day.

Sunday morning we went to my parent's house for brunch and to deliver our queen mattress that used to be in our guest room. Three kids in a four bedroom house eliminated our guest room and we had hopes of building a guest room in the basement so saved the mattress. Well- that theory didn't work as the box spring wouldn't make it down the stairs and into the tight turn to the room that would have become a bedroom. So- off to my parents house it went. We left there and rushed home to watch the football game (not sure why we were rushing since we had dvr'd it and could listen on the radio). The game was frustrating... and my fantasy team faired no better. so- losing day all around.

So- nothing crazy and exciting... you know you're getting old when you no longer have the fun, crazy stories from a weekend and are in bed by 9:30.

On to the week. With a short week, I haven't put too much thought into our menu. Our menu planning monday, inspired by Org Junkie:

Sunday- baked chicken breasts with broccoli
Monday- Vidalia Onion Roast hoagie sandwiches with horseradish and a side of cauliflower
Tuesday- bbq chicken and roasted potatoes
Wednesday- tacos
Thursday- Thanksgiving! We're having fried turkey, sweet potatoes and stuffing (thanks mom), mashed potatoes, green bean casserole, dinner rolls and Hunter is making a strawberry cream pie courtesy of what he learned in home ec class.
Friday- leftovers
Saturday- burgers and hot dogs

Hopefully I will do a little better sticking to this menu than last week!

Tell All Tuesday

• I am so thankful for my parents and in-laws. Between the two of them, my kids have been watched, my laundry has been done and my house has been cleaned. The stress of having the situation happening with Sean's father has left us constantly running around and the house has fallen apart. It was so nice when I came home after work to a clean home. Thank you moms!
• Hunter starts basketball for his rec league on Thursday. I'm excited for him- I think he got on the team he wanted with one of his really good friends.
• Still working on the big project at work. I took a class about artsystem tracking and it seems totally overwhelming. We'll see how it goes. I am hesitant to use it though until I have everything done in the project. Then- I think it will be such a great addition.
• I entered Quinlin in a cutest kids contest through facebook. If you want to vote (please vote), all you have to do is log into facebook and become a fan of Colleen Reed Photography. Go to the Cutest Kids Contest and "like" photo 16. (Thank you!!!)
• Owen went to sleep in his crib but crawled out overnight and slept on the floor. He prefers it for some reason.
• My fantasy football team won again- woot woot! We are on a roll winning 4 in a row. I'll take it but wish my fave NFL team would be doing better!
• I have a neverending to-do list... even with my clean house- there is so much to get done.
• I have family photos on Saturday for my holiday cards- can't find an outfit and Sean thinks I shouldn't spend the money when I have a closet full of clothes. I guess, in the long run, people won't be looking at us anyway- more looking at the kids.
• Cool giveaway on facebook... A Wedding Wish. She's offering up a $50 gift card to a store of your choice! Check her out!
• My menu planning already has failed as we ended up getting take out yesterday since Sean's mom was over seeing the kids. Hopefully my thawed out chicken will still be good today? yikes!

Our busy week

Well- I knew going into it this week would be busy. Let's start with Sunday!

our photo shoot...The bee tried to eat the elephant.

Monday- the dentist. Ick. 1 cavity. To be filled in November.

Tuesday- Hunter's sports awards and choir concert. Doesnt he look cute thrilled to be going to a concert?

yep- the only one wearing a tie.... I came home and played with this:

Wednesday- a day to do nothing. A day to enjoy our kids and watch the Teen Mom reunion on my dvr...

Thursday- a cool day at work... could this be my new BFF?

After work, I went out to dinner with my 6 closest real BFF's.

Then there is Friday- busy day at work and then the weekend. Woot Woot!

Tell All Tuesday

Random thoughts:

• I have so much to do! I am working on a huge project at work and it is taking over my world. I go to bed and dream about it, think about it, plan next steps. I love it...but cannot find a way to wrap my arms around the whole project to finish it. The good thing is- I kind of volunteered for this project. Anything to make myself more useful/valuable can only be a good thing, right? I'm waiting for my boss to come in today to check on my progress and let me know if I'm at least heading in the right direction. I think I am- and am, in fact, quite proud of what it is shaping up to be. It's art related, and because I work in the sports industry, this project is completely out of my expertise, but I'm getting there. I'm going to be an art pro before you know it!
• At home, I did not do any cleaning this weekend, aside from laundry. And- I'm ok with that. We spent the weekend at home, but my priorities were my children- all three of them. Hunter needed me because of his surgery, and the babies always need me, so my messy house can wait. I'm hoping to tackle something tonight. Once I get organized to a point, Sean said we can get a cleaning lady. Please let me get organized soon.
• The dentist last night wasnt that bad. I actually like him- and this is the first dental office I have been to where I dont get talked down to. One cavity- so could be worse. It just means I'm stuck going back in November. Yikes!
• I came home from the dentist and Owen was waiting for me- kept asking for me when I was gone. It totally melted my heart. I think his routine was thrown off a bit since I'm the one who always picks him up from daycare. So- it was nice to have some extra cuddle time with him.
• I missed out on cuddle time with Quinlin as she took a nap when I got home. So- I got to feed her her bottle at 7:45 and put her to bed. She decided she didnt have enough time with me and preceeded to wake up at 1:20am. Back to bed she went about 1:45 but I was up the rest of the night.
• Dropped Owen and Quinlin off this morning and Owen was especially clingy. I felt bad leaving. The guilt of being a working mom. Then more guilt as Sean told me about a co-worker (or someone) who has a 2 year old son who was just diagnosed with cancer. I cannot wait to pick my kids up today and hug them.
• Hunter is getting more and more independent. Has a sports banquet at 4:15 today and he is hanging out with his buddies after school at a local restaurant and then heading to his banquet (which I'll miss- again the guilt of being a working mom). I get to pick up the babies from daycare, run them home, pick up Hunter and take him to his choir concert. I wish I could be in two places at once.
• I cant get Adam Lambert's songs out of my head. Driving.Me.Crazy!
• Is it wrong that I love Teen Mom and 16 and Pregnant? I'm incredibly excited for the new seasons to begin.
• My Fantasy Football team blows...
• The babies had their photoshoot with my friend Colleen Colleen Reed Photography and I am having trouble picking out which photos to get on a disc. They are all so good! Do you not die over this face?

Or this one?

Love them!



Picture Day

Owen and Quinlin had picture day at daycare last week. We got the proofs back yesterday. My children are sooooo cute in person, not always the most photogenic, though when taken by the right photographer (ahem- plug for Colleen Reed Photography- http://colleenreed.zenfolio.com/) they really come out so adorable. (so- if you need a photographer, Colleen's your girl!)

The photographers that came to the daycare werent able to quite get the images I am used to. Quinlin was a ham... Owen- not so much. Pardon the quality- we were given a photocopy of the images so these were from my cell. These were my two favorites of Quinlin's. Not sure yet which one I'm going to order. Maybe I'll do both. Not sure which one will go in the class photo too.

Then there was Owen...

Could he look any more miserable and pathetic? He looks like he was just placed in time out. Again- even if I dont order a picture (which I almost feel obligated to because I dont want to show favortism with my children) I still have to pick a picture for his class photo. Ugh.

Luckily I have a small halloween photo shoot scheduled with Colleen this weekend. She can get Owen to smile!