Note to self:

Never leave a bowl of noodles within arm's reach of a baby while you are darting to the potty with your toddler.

2/52

I know I'm late, which is NOT a good way to start a commitment. It's especially disappointing once you see how simplistic these *giggle* "portraits" are.


Apologizing now.


It started out that I was going to take pictures of Tarryn and me trying on fun things while we were school clothes shopping yesterday. We ran out of time so I had to come up with something else. ....well, I forgot about it until about 7 this evening. I really didn't want to take a picture to be reminded I could look this frumpy so I thought, "Hey! Corban loves to clomp around in my shoes so we'll take pictures of our feet!" Corban was ALL for it! Heels and Runners. (Kellan even wanted in on the action!) Well, there's only so much you can do with fast feet before they get bored so Corban decided to take over the photography session.




He had me blowing kisses, sticking my tongue out to the right, the left, up to the nose, down on the chin, winks, no winks, etc. Once he realized he wanted to actually be in the pics, I was pulling the ol' ape arm technique and we goofed around for a good 15 minutes; and 83 shots later, these are my second week's results.

Hey, at least they're memories.



No promises, but, better pics next week...I hope!

Happy Birthday, Beautiful!

Wow; I never thought I'd get this done! Editing the seven minute video of the cake, picking music, going through hundreds of pictures and then realizing how many of your child you DON'T have. (That's what happens when you have your own personal family photographer. *Britt, expect a call on this. ;0))

Anyway, I sincerely hope you enjoy glancing through Kellan's first year, at least half as much as I've enjoyed living it.

Happy Birthday, my beautiful, sweet baby!

Fifty-Two Weeks

Inspiration hits us in the most unique ways, same with the people we meet. In this case, I've done both! Photography is something that I really want to get in to. What better way than to look at other photographer's work? Somehow whilst looking through various photographer's blog sites I stumbled upon a pair of women that have started the most brilliant idea and challenge that I now feel I'm ready to embark upon.

As we all know, our children's albums are filled with their shining faces and glowing personalities. Christmas and birthday pictures are filled with their delight as they open the presents, First day of school pictures have the kids sporting backpacks and new duds, zoo pics, sibling pics, silly pics, rough-housing with dad pics, but they usually are missing something very important in their life. Me.

This is where the challenge comes in. One photo a week, for 52 weeks. One year of pictures with my children. The rules are simple: The photo must include me; all or part doesn't make a difference. One of the children, all of the children, my husband, ...whatever. As long as I am a part of the family album. Although the rules are simple, I know that this may become a challenge in more ways than one as I am forced to accept myself for who I am and post pictures in all my beauty (or lack of) and also reach out and get creative behind the lens, while being in front of the lens. I'll probably have to continue to remind myself (and you) that it's not about the quality of the photo, it's about taking the photo.

I'm excited and a little scared to start this new challenge as it may be hard to stick with for an entire year but I'm certainly going to make an effort! If you'd like to join in on this project with Amy, Jeannette, and me leave me a comment here or email me at summer@myfuller.us and/or plan to come back every Friday to see the most recent picture. Here we go!.........

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1/52

Who better to take my first picture of my 52 week adventure with than the little man himself, who is celebrating ending his first 52 weeks of life? My sweet Kellan who helps me to gain a new look on things, even to find every blade of grass interesting. Happy Birthday little guy!

Childish

We went to the Zoo yesterday and all the way there I had to listen to Tarryn (my 'tween-ager' ) tell me how she didn't want to go because "the zoo is childish." She then continued to tell me that the only thing she wanted to do at the zoo was go to the gift shop because she wanted to purchase a stuffed monkey TOY so the stuffed monkey TOY she already owns wouldn't be lonely.

Are you seeing the irony in this? Mom, Dad, is this seriously what I was like with random thought processes? No wonder boys get so confused about girls. No wonder girls get so emotional when we can't think straight! No wonder we only have 1 daughter. No wonder I'm scared about what's coming ahead very soon in the future with the very real teenage years. Am I ready to be told I'm embarrassing her? Am I ready to be told I don't know anything? I guess these little glimpses of what's ahead are to prep me but I'll be the first to admit it... I'M PETRIFIED!!! Will I loose my sweet baby girl forever?
Only time will tell which will be worse...1 teenage daughter with attitude, or 3 teenage boys that will most certainly eat us out of house and home. WHAT WERE WE THINKING?!?!

Bring on number ONE!

It's funny how perspective changes with each child you have. The first had her clothing pre-washed in Dreft, binkies were sterilized if they hit the floor, and there was a BIG first birthday bash with family and friends all around to celebrate. The second, we skipped the dreft and pre-washed with regular detergent, binkies were washed under the tap but not sterilized, but he still had a large first birthday bash. Then the third rolls around.... Why pre-wash at all? Wiping the binky off on the burp rag or (an embarrassing secret of mine) I've even stuck it in my mouth first. Party? Secluded and intimate with only siblings and parents of the birthday boy. I'm not certain why, maybe a big party just wasn't what I felt he needed. And now that number four (or "quatro" was what we'd call him in-utero before we knew the gender) is turning one, I'm not certain what to do. My heart wants to have a get-together; nothing huge, just close relatives. But will Corban (my third) feel bad later? Should this matter?

Then you've got the differences in first cakes. It seems that each one has been slightly disappointing in what I thought would be a big dig from the birthday child and the funnest, cutest pictures:
Tarryn didn't want to touch her cake and when I stuck her hand in it, she cried. (*The next day she was diagnosed with crupe so she is forgiven.)
Makade was a sport and took a bite or two but was done.
Corban didn't even get to touch his cake because he went for the candle and burnt his finger instead. (*Yes. I was the brainless parent who didn't think that one through.)
We are pretty certain that Kellan's appreciation of food will help him to go far in the cake smearing, but I'm trying not to get my hopes up.

So whether there will be a small party or a more intimate one, we will be welcoming Kellan to the wonderful world of being ONE with a cake and loads of kisses on the eighth of this month. Isn't having a birthday on 8/8/08 enough reason to celebrate? Family, expect an un-official invite. : )

2 Weeks Left..... & Time is Ticking

I saw a sign a while ago that has eaten at my heart since. Even though it was advertising water-craft toys such as jet-skis it pulled at my heart strings by the simplicity and reality of the words:
You Only Get 18 Summers With Them.
Half of my time with Tarryn is gone and at the moment I can only think of about 3 choice seasons of summer that we've had. I'm so glad we went camping this summer but now I find myself in a rush to do something more since the children go back on the 18th of this month. I vow to myself, my children, and blog readers that I will be finding things to do with each of my children for the remainder of this summer. I know that it's not only summers that I can do things with my children, I need to reach out and expand all year round. Any great ideas would be helpful for this new goal of mine.....BLAST THAT SIGN!