Finding Nemo Redux

A couple of years ago, I took these photos of Nicholas and our pet fish, Nemo...







I printed a couple of these out and have them hanging in my bathroom, above the garden tub. Well...Nicholas has grown, poor little Nemo has passed on and we have a new fish (also named Nemo), and...well...the bathroom could use an update. So.....Here is Finding Nemo Redux:





Gosh, how my little guy has grown!

Project 52 {week four} - Happy Birthday Mike!

Happy Happy Happy Birthday Mike! We LOVE you!

4.

You know those days that you know that no matter how much time has past or whatever has happened since, you'll always remember everything about that day? You remember it like it happened yesterday and every detail is sharp in your mind. Four years ago today is one of those days for me. I remember the entire day...like it was only yesterday...and as I think of that day, I can NOT believe that 4 years have passed. I remember the restless night with an ineffective epidural and Mike dozing on the couch (or *trying* to) and Sarah the anesthesiologist telling me that I couldn't push the button so often. I remember the pitosin making my contractions less and less bearable and making me thirstier and thirstier. I remember the exact moment I hit 10cm. I remember pushing for 3.5 hours and having Dr. T coming in at 11 am to tell me that my little guy hadn't moved at all...my response? "Can't you cut him out, like right NOW?" and I remember waiting that extra 30 minutes for the anesthesiologist to arrive and get me prepped for surgery. I remember shaking with fear and excitement. And, I remember 11:34 am...one of the happiest moments of my life when Nicholas was born....I remember as if it were yesterday.


Happy 4th Birthday my sweet prince. I love you with all my heart. I'm so proud of who you've become...so grown up and so handsome.

Project 52 {week three} - The last day of 3!

On this day, four years ago, I woke up, rolled my giant self out of bed and thought to myself "any day now, little guy, any day." At 1pm, my water broke and I was admitted to the hospital and put on Pitosin...just a matter of waiting. Nicholas was born on January 17, 2007...but on this joyful day of leaving the "three's" behind us, I thought I would reflect on his previous birthdays before I post his 4yr pics tomorrow.

A tiny little guy going home for the first time:


The photo I used for his birth announcement - He's about a week old:


My favorite from his FIRST birthday cake smash...after he'd destroyed the cake, he gave me this look as if to say "what cake? I didn't see any cake"



The little stinker finally posed for his 2 year photos...*sigh*...taking photos of him has been a challenge since he was 1...but every once in awhile I've been able to get some FANTASTIC captures.



And, lastly, his big 3rd Birthday Pirate party!!!



Wow...time has flown, but we'll get to that tomorrow. Come back tomorrow to see what a handsome FOUR year old he makes!!!

Project 52 {week two} - self portrait challenge

It's that time of year again for Shanna's annual Self Portrait Challenge. Ummm...it's hard to get one that's in focus! But...it is what it is.

Resolutions

Every year, I try to make a few realistic resolutions and on occasion, I even keep them! LOL This year, I thought that I'd have a better chance of sticking to my goals if I write them down.

1- The obligatory weight loss resolution- I exceeded my goal for last year, but would love to keep going. I think about 10 more lbs should do it (ok...plus the 2 I've gained since Thanksgiving).

2- I really need to drink more water...not just to help with resolution #1, but also because it's soooo dry and I feel practically dessicated! I have a harder time drinking water when it's cold, but that's also when it's the most dry and I need it the most. My poor little cracked fingers...lotion just isn't enough!

3- I'd like to assume the best in everyone and everything. Not only do I LOVE this quote, but it's my new motto for the year!

Happiness is an attitude. We either make ourselves miserable, or happy and strong. The amount of work is the same. ~Francesca Reigler

4- I plan to waste less time on the internet. It's a great tool and a great way to stay connected, but it also has a way of sucking me in and I lose track of time so easily...so when I'm more efficient with my time on-line, I have much more time to get the things I really want done finished!

5- I need to stop being lazy and work more! I need to get more work done for my day job and get my papers out. I need to work more at home to keep organized and keep the house cleaner/less cluttered. And, I need to work more to come up with new and more unique ideas for my photography business, not to mention developing a better organization system for paperwork and workflow.

6- Lastly, I need to play more...I'm always working on something, and forget to take some time to just have fun! =)

and since a post just isn't quite the same without a photo...here is a photo of my berry pie...not sure why I'm so drawn to this one, but I just LOVE it!

Project 52 {week one} - Snow Angel

One of my goals for this year is to post at least once a week for fun...personal photos, etc...I had a ton of fun with my 25 days of Christmas, but I just know that I don't have time for a Project 365! LOL...Crazy! Anyways...to kick off the year, here is my snow angel! Last year, Claire was just a tiny baby and this is our first real snow storm of the season, so this is Claire's first experience with SNOW! It was quite an adventure to stuff my 16 month old into her 6-9 mo snow suit. It was a scene straight out of A Christmas Story!







And...I think she likes snow just about as much as I do! LOL

Happy New Year!!!

Wishing you all a

HAPPY

HAPPY

HAPPY

HAPPY

NEW YEAR!

Eggnog Cranberry Muffins

Ingredients:
For the muffins:
2¼ cups all-purpose flour
1 tbsp. baking powder
¼ tsp. salt
1 cup plus 2 tbsp. granulated sugar, divided
2 large eggs
¾ cup eggnog
5 1/3 tbsp. unsalted butter, melted
1 tsp. almond extract
1½ cups coarsely chopped cranberries

For the topping:
½ cup sugar
½ cup all-purpose flour
½ tsp. ground cinnamon
4 tbsp. unsalted butter, slightly softened
½ cup chopped pecans (optional)

Directions:
Preheat the oven to 400° F. Line 14-16 muffin cups with paper liners. In a medium mixing bowl, combine the flour, baking powder and salt; stir to combine. In a large mixing bowl, combine 1 cup of the sugar, eggs, eggnog, melted butter and almond extract. Stir until well combined. Mix in the dry ingredients just until incorporated. Toss the chopped cranberries with the remaining 2 tablespoons of sugar, and fold into the batter. Divide the batter evenly between the prepared muffin liners, filling them about two thirds of the way full.

To make the streusel topping, combine the sugar, flour, cinnamon and butter. Cut the butter into the dry ingredients until a coarse, crumbly mixture forms. Stir in the pecans if using. Sprinkle the mixture evenly on top of the muffin batter.

Bake for about 18-22 minutes, or a until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Let cool in the pan for 5-10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack and let cool completely.

Source: adapted from