Can you keep a secret?

Time to say Goodbye

2010-11-08T21:58:00.002-05:00

I have been thinking about this A LOT over the past few months... I know you have noticed.

I am not here anymore.

I am busy with the kids all day and at night I work on pictures.

By the time I am done with that I just don't feel like updating here anymore.

I didn't feel like there was space on here for my client pictures and I didn't feel like there was space for my kids pictures on my clients space.

So, I am going to combine these two. Some days you will get to see pretty pictures of gorgeous people and some other days you will get to see pictures of MY gorgeous people.

I will try to make it a daily routine to update. At least more than twice a month.

I worked hard on this new blog. I hope you like it but for now it is time to say Good Bye on here.

Maybe one day I will be back here... when Finn is in school probably ;)

Please visit me at www.sonjabphotography.blogspot.com Please take your time to follow me over there.

I will close this blog down for good in a few weeks.

Thanks!!!

Happy Halloween

2010-10-31T20:22:00.002-04:00

from the gang

Kisses

2010-10-26T13:07:00.002-04:00

Someone learned how to give kisses. Probably the cutest thing ever.

Jake is laying across my lap!

Kisses from sonja mcgill on Vimeo.

Mario & Luigi

2010-10-25T21:59:00.002-04:00

Hello!

2010-10-13T11:40:00.002-04:00

prove

2010-10-05T21:19:00.004-04:00

Finn took the last dose of antibiotics yesterday and we are all healthy again.

Finn did get stung by a bee today and as soon as I saw what happend my first thought was "please don't be allergic to bees, please don't be allergic to bees" I know it hurt the little guy, but another trip to the ER is not on my radar for long, long, looooooooooooooooooong time. I hope that was enough o's.

And since we are feeling better and it is October. We had to get out of the house and explore.

Here is the actual prove that we are healthy again

sweet dreams

2010-09-29T21:58:00.002-04:00

I just tucked Jake in bed and before I could walk out he said

I love you and have a good night. And sweet dreams. Dream about me and how much I love you and that one day we will not be sick anymore!

Yes! Yes! Yes!

Basically we have been sick for 4 weeks now, probably longer. One gets sick, we all get it, by the time we are all better again, someone already caught the next bug.
As of right now. Jake is on day seven of amoxicillan, I am on day 3 and Finn on day 1 (with some other meds due to his allergic reaction) for strep throat. Scot doesn't have it yet, but 3 days ago he had food poisoning, which wasn't much fun either.

We are all sick of being sick and YES sweet Jake I will dream tonight of not being sick!

Good Night!

and because a post with no pictures is not a complete post, here is a picture of Jakey dreaming sweet dreams a long time ago at a Reds game

our sick finn

2010-09-12T10:59:00.003-04:00

Last week Finn was diagnosed with an ear infection. Poor kiddo was in so much pain that we decided to put him on amoxicillin.

He was doing great until this past Friday. Sometime in the morning I noticed he had a bunch of "bug bites" on his belly. Paranoid as I am, I called the Bug People. They came right out and inspected the whole house for over an hour and couldn't find anything. We thought he had a little spider in his onsie that bid him at night.

That evening I gave him his second dosage of amoxicillin for the day and was getting him ready for bed. Soon after I noticed that his whole body was covered with wells. I called the on call doctor and they told me to bring him in in the morning and to make sure his tongue and throat were not swelling.

He seemed fine except for the wells.

I put him to bed and went downstairs. Something nagged me to check on him again. I went in his room and he was still awake but doing funny things with his tongue. I did a quick mouth swipe, thinking that he has something in his mouth, only to discover that only my pinkie fits in his mouth. His tongue and cheeks were sooo swollen.

I scooped him up, loaded both kids in the car and drove to the Children's Hospital ER.

There we didn't have to wait long. He was pretty quickly diagnosed with a severe allergic reaction to penicillin.

After many many hours of tests and waiting that the swelling would go down and watching one of the weirdest show I have ever seen on Nick Jr. we could go home.

Yesterday his face and body were pretty badly swollen. His eyes looked like someone bunched him and in general you could tell he was miserable.

This picture is from this morning. He is looking already a lot better but still has lots of wells.

We are going back to the doctor in the morning.

Please send him some good vibes for a speedy recovery!

Have you missed these two?

2010-09-07T20:41:00.002-04:00

Finn 10 1/2 months! I started planning his first birthday party. People who know me know that secretly I have started planning it 6 months in advance... haha and the truth is, I knew where and what I wanted for his first birthday before he was born. YES I love party planning!

Jake now 66 months old... haha He loves Kindergarten, but his "teacher talks too much and gives him a headache!" Sooooo Jake to say that!

1st day

2010-09-02T10:27:00.003-04:00

Last week, was Jake's first day of Kindergarten. He was excited and so were we. We had a little celebration before with his godmommy, beautiful letters and notes from friends and family and a few little surprises for him.

Time came, we took a obligatory picture of him in front of the door with his backpack and his new outfit.

The bus came and he excitedly gave me a kiss and off he went.

But then the tears came. His and mine! It was hard to let go for both of us. The end of just hanging out and doing every day what we wanted, no schedule, no homework just every day a new adventure. But the beginning of so much more - new friends, new things to learn, new schedule... i think this will be good for us!

2 hours later the phone rang. It was the schools number... i picked up and said "what happened?" The school nurse was on the other line, Jake fell at the playground, he is fine but he won't stop crying for me.

So,Scot picked him up. 1st Day of Kindergarten a flop.

But now we are on day 5 and he loves it. Everyday he comes home and declares it "the bestest day in history"

This morning he got up with the wrong foot... trying to cheer him up I mentioned it is another bestest day because it is Kindergarten. He looked at me all serious and said

"I am done with Kindergarten! My teacher talks a lot and gives me a headache!"

You can never win with Jakey!

real quick

2010-08-26T13:42:00.004-04:00

It's been a while, huh?

I will update you later on what we have been up to since getting back from Canada.

But let me show you something first.

Today Jakey and I had a little photoshoot. We took some great pictures... picture like this one

But then THIS happened!

Recap

2010-08-12T09:50:00.006-04:00

Well, the postcards kinda faded out and now we are back in Cincinnati.

It got harder and harder to put our little Gremlin to bed at night and I was just too exhausted to keep up with the blog.

Then Scot came for the last week and we took a great trip to the Georgian Bay.

Here are a few of my favorites from our time in Canada so far.

I have lots more to share, now that I finally have little more time from Finnie... I don't want to jinx it but I am too excited so I must share... HE FINALLY SLEPT THROUGH THE NIGHT AGAIN!

cha cha cha

2010-07-28T20:33:00.000-04:00

I am a little behind on my postcards but will catch up soon. Promise!

Postcards from Canada - Day Ten & Eleven

2010-07-26T21:07:00.003-04:00

Yesterday we met up with a really great friend of mine and her family.

We spent the whole afternoon swimming, playing in the sand, talking, talking and talking.

Jake had an amazing time and so much fun with his new friends. I think they must have been about 6 hours in the water. They couldn't get enough.

Finn was loved by the two girls and they enjoyed playing Mommy with him.

At some point we had a little bbq along the river and later went back to the beach to enjoy the sunset together, take pictures and the kids take one more dip in the water.

I have tons of pictures and can't wait to show them to you down the road, but this computer doesn't handle my large file size very well.

Today should have been a relaxing day. My Mom was at work, just me and the boys. Finn was super cranky and Jake very annoyed by him... a mixture that was catastrophic. Therefor no picture... it took me 3 hours to just lay him down for one nap. I am exhausted and really hope tomorrow will be better.

Postcards from Canada - Day Nine

2010-07-26T20:59:00.003-04:00

Lots of rain showers today. But the good ones. You know the ones that just cool the air a tiny bit after an aweful muggy day.

We took a chance anyways and visited Glen Rock - a fossil area.

We found some very cool fossils and a turtle that Jakey named Rocco.

We were soaked and muddy at the end of the day, but Jake had a great time and kept telling me 'This is the most amazing day ever!'

at nine months

2010-07-24T10:29:00.000-04:00

Jake

Finn

Postcards from Canada - Day seven and eight

2010-07-23T21:54:00.003-04:00

Yesterday Jakey got a haircut. Oma took him and when he came home all he could tell me about was about some magical boat sitting in some womans garage. He thought it was amazing and told me about all the details. Even about the fishing hooks in the cupholders and the fishing net on the floor. I had to pinky promise him that as soon as possible we would go to see it. "And if you don't I will not stop talking about it". All day yesterday and today at the most random time he would say "I love that boat Mommy" haha
In the afternoon we did some lawn mowing for Kurt... something we have been anticipated for days... we literally watched the grass grow so we finally could sattle up and mow. It went okay. At the end the anticipation was bigger.
Jakey spent the night at the neighbors and didn't come home today until after noon. He had tons of fun and watched Ice Age with his new best little buddy.

We spent the majority today inside. It has been horrible muggy outside and Finn refused to sleep at all. More than even usual. It was a long day but at the end we were rewarded with an amazing rainbow.

Postcards from Canada - Day Six

2010-07-21T21:40:00.002-04:00

We met up with some awesome friends at the beach today.

You know they are good friends when your 9 month old baby snuggles up with them after meeting them for maybe 2 minutes.

The kids had a fantastic time swimming, chasing birds, making seaweed soup and just hanging out with us.

We left happy, full with memories and a little sun burned.

Thank you guys and hope to see you soon.

Postcards from Canada - Day Five

2010-07-20T21:06:00.002-04:00

We went on a hike today. Jakey swam naked in the creek and had lots of fun. We cut the hike short due to moskitos and lots of goose poop on the trail.
Oma made us some yummy vanilla pudding - our favorite. Even Finn had a bite or two.

Sonja

Postcards from Canada - Day Four

2010-07-19T20:39:00.003-04:00

Jakey got to pick what we do today. He picked McDonald's!
We had lunch there and he played in the playland. Why is the food at the Candian McDonald's so much better? You can't even compare the two. The McNuggets actually taste like chicken!
Anyways we did some shoe shopping for Mr. Finnie, played in the backyard, made a little camp fire and talked to Daddy-o!
I am trying really hard to get Finn back on a schedule. The last few nights have been very tough on all of us. But we are very slowly getting there.
We have some big plans for tomorrow and some bigger ones for Wednesday. Can't wait!

Sonja

Postcards from Canada - Day Three

2010-07-18T21:17:00.003-04:00

Dear Internets

look what I found today. I have been wanting one forever and by chance today found it today in the Antique Store next to my Mom's.
I can not wait to find a newborn to put in it... right now Finn will do.

We went today on an exploration. Sailed far away to a Jungle. Our captain kept us safe and our little sailor climbed high up to point us the way. We sailed through some bad storms and had to do a lot of fishing and swimming. Then we made bad pirates walk the plank and after that we all rolled out our hammock and had a good laugh.

Tomorrow it will just be me and the boys. Lets see what adventure we will be going on!

Sonja

Postcards from Canada - Day Two

2010-07-17T20:10:00.003-04:00

Dear Internets,

did a whole lot of nothing today. Just playing, playing, playing.
We made a fort with sheets and shared secrets... later danced outside in the rain and caught big raindrops with our tongues.
KFC for dinner and making big plans for a vacation while we are on vacation.

Sonja

Postcards from Canada - Day One

2010-07-16T21:23:00.003-04:00

Dear Internets
First full day in Canada and of course we went to the beach.
We built a sandcastle, swam, took a nap on the beach, played and most of all relaxed.
Both boys had a blast and Mommy got to enjoy. Later we went to the grocery and Oma bought us tons of snacks. This is going to be a good vacation.

Let's see what tomorrow brings.

Sonja

Finn

2010-07-13T10:18:00.003-04:00

our Finn - almost 9 months old

aka: Fin Fin, Finny, Monster or Gremlin (and we mean that in a very sweet way)

loves: cheerios, his bottle, his rabbit (hase), his brother, riding in his stroller, rubbing his head in your lap, anything with a cord, likes to climb, crawl, move, move, move

hates: diaper changes, & long car rides, pretty much everything that restricts his movement

laughs: when you say No, laughs harder when you try to teach him some baby signs

cries: when he is tired or hungry

learned: how to do the pincher, can stand alone for a few seconds, how to get the tray off his high chair, how to open the screen door... even if its locked!!!

favorite toy: whatever Jake has, my phone, Sophie, anything bottle or cup

favorite baby food: peach, squash, & bananas

He is a very big handful, sometimes even two or four handfuls, but he is such a sweet, sweet boy, always smiling and loving on you.

Yesterday

2010-07-07T21:26:00.004-04:00

Yesterday

I turned 31.

I got to snuggle with my buddy jamie.

I got to enjoy a nice lunch with the hubby at one of my fave restaurant.

The waitress brought me a rose and 3 !!! strawberry shortcakes for my birthday.

I returned home to a sick little boy with an unexplained fever.

We spent the majority of the day snuggling on the sofa and watched

The sword in the stone

twice!

All in all a good relaxing day.

Today

I went to NKU.

I have 7 classes left and want to get it done.

While filling out paperwork I realized how old I am

I am now in the last box...

Happy Birthday to me!

Happy Birthday America

2010-07-05T20:34:00.005-04:00

in no particular order

my 8 month old baby on a slip and slide. he had more fun than it looks and no babies were harmed in the making of these fun memories.

more firsts...

watching fireworks

sleeping during the symphony

hanging with dad

snuggling with my baby

more snuggles

little boys

us

scotty

Happy Birthday America!

early morning snack

2010-07-02T19:34:00.002-04:00

Lately Finn has been getting up at 6:15am! A little too early for my taste.

Daddy takes him downstairs, gives him his bottle in his little chair and watches the news.

I usually come downstairs soon after to this.

Love it!

summer

2010-06-30T09:34:00.002-04:00

20 years from now when I look at this picture I know I will remember this summer...

lots of pool days
his sun bleached hair
his slight tan
those sparkly blue eyes
lots of ice cream runs
my favorite shirt on him
the genuine smile
and every evening he tells me

"this was my favorite day ever"

I am loving this summer.

I am loving my boys.

and this is why I drink...

2010-06-29T22:16:00.000-04:00

ok I am just kidding. ;)

Breaking News!

2010-06-25T21:52:00.002-04:00

and now we interupt your scheduled programming for some breaking news...

Jake learned how to...

pick up his neck!

Yes you read right. I have an amazing child who declared today that he figured out how to pick up his neck.

You don't believe me?

Check it out for yourself!

He is soooo amazing!

Can you pick up YOUR neck?

at the lake with friends

2010-06-16T22:04:00.000-04:00

sigh... there is nothing better than relaxing at the "beach" with friends.

the kids had a blast and we moms (including my mom) could just relax.

the day couldn't have been better... I have learned a very valuable lesson that morning, even cost me for my mistake, but things have been taken care off and looking back it was a great day.

our little camp, the rest of the beach... and lake were taken over by a regatta.

this little guy played like this for a long, long time. just with his bucket, some sand and the water. he didn't move. i wouldn't know how to act if one of my kids did that. probably pack them up and take them to the doctors to see if they are sick. haha

fin fin took a long nap

later he woke up and was ready to play with his buddy

love his tanned little face with the oreo crumbs.

always pulling himself up on things

and my favorite picture of the day... hoping to go alot more this summer.

hidden gems

2010-06-15T21:40:00.000-04:00

i went through months of pictures on my little p&s and found these - hidden gems. not great quality but i love them.

my view at the playground. jakey played on the play set, and fin fin was sleeping on a blanket

seriously i don't know how to bathe this child anymore. he is so quick and constant moving. a few weeks ago, i tried the kitchen sink and it was actually easier than the bath tub.

doggie rodeo. a favorite past time in the mcgill household

love my underwater p&s for images like this!

first time in the backpack carrier. we took a short hike down to the river and caught some tadpoles.

last week... sometime. don't remember when or where that was. mom do you remember?

Brother Finn by Jakey

2010-06-14T21:13:00.001-04:00

Jakey took a few pictures of Finn, who he calls lately "brother Finn"

forever enriched

2010-06-07T22:29:00.004-04:00

last weekend i met up with a bunch of ladies in st. louis.

we "met" about two years ago on an online photography workshop and have since started our own group - enrich.

and yes these women have enriched me over the years. photography has become secondary and every day topics have taken over.

we have become very close friends and this past weekend we finally met up in st. louis.

it was bliss. i don't know how this past weekend could have been better... maybe if all the women could have met up. but we know that is an near impossible task. especially since half is from australia.

i haven't felt so relaxed and like myself in a very long time.

thank you enrich girls for this.

I don't know what it is, but these out of focus pictures belong to my favorite pictures I have ever taken... not sure what to think about that. and yes I do have some in focus ;)

shrimp, points, godmommies & cornhole

2010-06-01T13:01:00.002-04:00

Pretty much that sums up our Memorial Weekend.

It was one of the best! We had so much fun.

Last week I joined Weight Watchers... I know I realize I am not overweight BUT I am heading that direction. I have been going up 1-2 dress sized every year now... so even though I already lost my baby weight from Finn, I still need to loose the baby weight from Jake.

My goal is 15 pounds in 3 months. That is my 10% target.

That means since last week I am counting points. Never realized how bad I ate. Not really bad food but I would not eat a lot and when I would eat, I would eat double the amount that I really needed. So, I am trying to establish little better eating habits, I guess.

Sunday we had the absolute pleasure hosting a shrimp and crab leg boil with both sets of god parents. (Minus my brother) We are so lucky to have such close friends around us, especially not having any family here.

The boil was a hit. The food was so delicious. I couldn't even take many pictures, because I didn't want to waste my time and dig in.

Yes, I still counted my points (kind of) and was a little more careful with what I consumed.

Just like it is supposed to be... dump it on newspaper and dig in with your hands!

And the aftermath...

Just enough left over for very yummy scrambled eggs and shrimp the next morning.

Here are all the kids. They had a blast playing together. Ally and I made their little shrimp shirts for this boil.

The next day (actual Memorial Day) we met up with my American family (my host family when I was here as an Au pair). We had a great dinner and enjoyed a tournament of cornhole. The kids had fun and were entertained all evening long.

Sorry no pictures of that, since I forgot my camera at home.

All in all a very, very nice weekend.

But next weekend might even top that... Stay tuned for that!

See you soon!

water babies

2010-05-28T16:00:00.000-04:00

I am so so thankful that my children love the water as much as I do!

I recently read on a blog that I follow this and would love to share this with you guys

Dear Universe, please record these moments that make my heart sing and play them back to me as I leave this life so that I will know that I really lived.

My wish as well!

I forgot... Finn's first Baseball Game

2010-05-27T07:00:00.001-04:00

I could have sworn I posted something about Finn's first baseball game. But I checked, nothing... I haven't even uploaded the pictures, so I must have dreamed that. haha

We had a great time. The game was very exciting, even though the Reds lost, but we all had lots and lots of fun.

Finn got his first Reds hat and a certificate for his first gane, Jakey got popcorn (his favorite) and I got my Brat with Sauerkraut and Peppers... yum!

my Red Fans

(poor Finn really wants that popcorn... he even is drooling)

great cheese picture - a photographers dream NOT

flirting with the girl behind him

Daddy (or Shacky) took this photo ;)

best toy ever

2010-05-26T16:00:00.000-04:00

finn is our little gremlin. nothing is safe. he is just looking for something new to get in to, destroy, chew on, climb on, etc...

it is really hard to keep him occupied to get anything done.

but i think we (actually jakey) found the perfect toy for our gremlin.

take a look...

this actually keeps him entertained long enough for me to wash a few dishes, cook dinner or maybe just drink a glass of water myself!

bliss

2010-05-25T21:19:00.002-04:00

the #1 reason I like the house we live in (besides that it comes with a second husband, Stephen, who actually is handy and loves to fix things, but that is another post)...

OK the #1 reason I like living here is the pool. The pool is nothing fancy... actually it is pretty cold, and could use some updating BUT the pool is locating in my baby monitors reach! YES

so, I lay Finn down for a nap... grab Jakey (who knows how to swim) and lay myself in the sun... usually I get one to two hours of bliss. Ahhhhhh

sunkissed babies

2010-05-13T22:29:00.005-04:00

Something I have been struggling with for a while is being a perfect mom.

THE perfect mom.

I know I am not. I have been told I am not and I am not blind... my house is a mess, the laundry never gets put a way, I loose my temper, my 5 year old still doesn't know his ABC's, the little one always cries... I don't know how to sew, I forget things ALL.THE.TIME, bla bla bla... you get it.

Today, I loaded both of my kids up to drive an order to a client. Jake and I have had a cold, but we needed to get out of the house.

On our way home we decide to stop at the lake. We talked about it earlier in the day, but dissed the idea because it was raining and well we were sick.

I figure we stop anyways.

For days now I have the PERFECT image in my head of Jake out in an open field. There are lots of fields and wildflowers near the lake. Baby asleep, so I get Jake and myself out for a very short mini session. I am all excited, because the field is PERFECT... just like I dreamed about!

I take one picture.

This one

No, you see it right. It is blank. I forgot to set my settings right. After this one picture Jake is screaming, he is done... the sun is burning him up, the grass is too spiky, i don't want to, i don't want to.

Yes, I was mad. All I want is one PERFECT picture of my kid... and I can't have it. I just can't. I try, I really try. I even try not to try and leave him alone. Wait did this make sense? Damn this is my job and I can't do it for my own children.

I just can't be perfect.

I get in the car... Jake is crying. I am crying. And here is what he says to me (he really did say this word for word)

He says "Mommy, I just want to have a perfect day with you!"

I cry and ask "What do you want to do?"

"I want to go to the lake"

So, we go.

I was not prepared. Luckily I had a blanket (actually a sheet) in the trunk, I had a little bit of formula, I had sun lotion, a diaper... and i think that's it.

We get there. Within 30 seconds Jake is swimming in the water with his clothes on... well and his cold. Finn is eating fists full of sand. Both kids are splashing in the murky water, laughing and giggling. Finn spent 2 1/2 hours naked on the beach... I only had one extra diaper and the diaper he was wearing before was full of sand.

Finn was content. I was content. Jake was just soooo happy.

When we got home. I bathed my children. Washed away the sand and smelled them one more time... they smelled sunkissed and perfect.

I know I am not perfect. BUT I am perfect at trying to be perfect!

I have been trying

2010-05-08T21:30:00.000-04:00

Finn started being mobile just about when he turned 6 months. Since then I have been trying to take his 6 months pictures.

Let me show you what happens, when the boy sees me.

I see you!

haha I am going to get you!

yeah this is fun...

faster!

oh and she has that big black thing in her hands that makes "click"

why are you looking at me through this thing?

hmmm?

climbing on you!

This is a matter of seconds! I don't even get a chance to focus!

sneak peaks

2010-05-07T21:41:00.003-04:00

I had two sessions the last two day... and one more over the weekend.

I have been waiting for this session for a few months now and once it finally got warm enough, we had to reschedule twice because of rain. Yesterday we finally made it. Thank you Rosie & Family so much for agreeing to do this!

Little Miss Gorgeous! I have taken her Mommies maternity pictures over a year ago and since have watched this little cutie grow. Today we took her one year pictures and Mom & Dad had a great location in mind! I love trying new locations!

our Finn

2010-05-05T21:10:00.002-04:00

Finn is 6 1/2 months old

He is a big boy at about 19 something pounds and 27 inches long.

He is now crawling... which is more scary then exciting.

He says ba ba ba ba all day long.

He can drink out of a sippy cup.

He loves to eat bananas but only if they are purred well.

He likes his milk chilled... spits it out even if it is room temperature.

He likes to chew on every cable he can find.

He tries very hard to pull himself up on the coffee table.

He loves riding in his stroller.

He finds every outlet without an cover in a one mile radius.

He thinks the world of Jake.

He prefers taking a bath in the sink then the bath tub.

He gives good hugs.

He reaches out for me now, which melts my heart.

He got his first two teeth.

miracle

2010-04-29T12:44:00.004-04:00

i witnessed yesterday a miracle

i watched and photographed this little guy being born.

i have hundreds of pictures but have a hard time deleting just on single one. they are all special, all magical, all full of emotions...

i am just going to have to edit all of them.

i don't think the mom & dad will mind.

oh oh we are in trouble

2010-04-23T22:52:00.000-04:00

what a great trip

2010-04-21T21:00:00.005-04:00

sunday we headed to chicago. my dad, the kids and i.

jake woke up yesterday after the driving home the day before, he looked at me and said "that was a great trip"

yes it was.

we saw so much, had so much fun, spend a lot of time together, had a lot of firsts... just a great trip.

i know it is obvious and every mom thinks that but

i am really in love with my children

they have been sooo great and so much fun to be with

thank you opa for taking us

a few of my favorite:

we crossed a big intersection in chicago, jake looks up to me and says "why did the chicken cross the street?" i didn't care what the punch line was, it was just so hillarious at that moment

finn watching jake jump from bed to bed in the hotel room, with a big smile on his first, drool out of his mouth, watching every beat his brother does.

a lesson about quitting

2010-04-21T07:04:00.003-04:00

we signed jakey up for t-ball this season. not really because we cared for him to be good at a sport or even cared if it was tball, soccer, basketball, etc.
we signed him up because we wanted him to be part of something, have fun, try something new and listen to others. we've been having a lot of problems with him and the phrase "i can't do it". our son was becoming more and more of a quitter before even starting something.

"jake do you want to color?" "NO, i don't know how to, I can't"

"jakey, can you put your shoes on?" "NO, i can't"

so, we signed him up and we immediately heared "I can't!, I don't know how to play baseball"

first practise was tough... he screamed and screamed. seriously it was VERY embarrassing, but i wanted him to stick with it. he tried catching the ball a few times... couldn't, screamed, threw his baseball glove down and quit. quitting was not an option.

i asked him to sit, calm down, and watch the other kids play. a few minutes later he was ready for another try.

AND

he LOVED it! seriously, he totally enjoyed it. he ran after the ball from third base to first, he hit the ball, really really tried hard. and that's all i wanted!

he came home and asked scot

"did you hear me on the radio play?"

(scot always listens to baseball games on the radio)

last weekend was opening day parade and his first game.

YES i was very nervous for him to throw a fit again but no he surprised us again and had so much fun.

our number 7

picking out a bat

batting

hit

running to first base

and of course talking and talking to the other team

on second base

running home

end of the game

enjoying his well deserved snack at the end

and Fin Fin watching from the side... he turned 6 months that day

we couldn't be more proud of our Jakey. he did soooo well and most of all didn't quit. he is looking forward to next weeks game and so are we!

baptism

2010-04-15T22:20:00.003-04:00

last week our little finn got baptised at our church. for the occasion my dad flew in from germany and finn's godparents, ricki and rhett, came from SC.

what a beautiful day. everything was perfect. just like at jake's baptism. the weather was gorgeous, cakes were great, lots of friends around to enjoy this special day with us.

before the baptism. finn got a bottle before he drifted off to dreamland and only woke up when the priest poured the baptimal water over his head. doesn't jake look smashing?
i love this picture of us.

the cake i ordered with my brothers baptism cake topper.

he did so good!

with my dad after the ceremony

jakey with his godparents

my godson and I

the godparents with finn

Easter with lots of pictures and a few words

2010-04-05T15:42:00.005-04:00

friendship

mouth watering

sleepy head

tommy sharing his toys with finn

decorations

prepping food

asparagus

playing baseball with Dad

blooming

main course

hiding

this years golden egg winner

loot

chocolate bunnies

picture opps

exploding (both)

my favorite

play time

snuggles

Brothers

2010-03-24T16:20:00.003-04:00

The other day I tucked Jake into bed and told him how much I love him and Daddy and Finn loves him.

Jake: I need to tell you something

me: Yeah?

J: I don't really like the baby

(my heart stopped for a split second)

m: why?

J: because he bothers me! He cries so much and I cant think right when he cries!

As much as I wish for my son to be into his brother... it is just not happening.

We try everything from help out Mommy with the baby, telling him how great of a brother he is, spending some Mommy & Me time with him, include the baby in silly games and Scot even invented the game "Kung Fu Baby" (don't ask)

He doesn't want to be around him, doesn't want to kiss him, not hold him, hug him... nothing.

Jake is not mean to Finn. He would never hurt him and he doesn't get jealous. He just doesn't care for him and YES that does brake my heart a little.

But I do have hope that he will come around eventually. He will, right?

Wordless Wednesday doublepack

2010-03-17T09:12:00.003-04:00

(did that make you smile? It sure did when I found hime like that)

(Daddy playing dress up)

Laundry

2010-03-16T14:23:00.004-04:00

Laundry. Gah!!! Never ending. Seriously!

How come a family of 4 can produce 6 baskets of laundry a week? Seriously, HOW is that possible? I feel like I am doing constantly laundry.
Finn still throws up so much during the day that he easily goes through 4 changes of clothes. Then we have burp clothes, bibs, onsies, cloth diapers, almost every day I have to change the sheets in his crib, wash cloths...
Jake is probably the easiest! He loves to sleep naked (I Know TMI), and could care less if he is dirty. He hates to wear socks, so that is out too. He doesn't want me to change his bed sheets every week because he likes the smell.. LOL yeah he is strange.
I am easy too... since gaining so much weight during pregnancy I have exactly one pair of pants that fit me. I refuse to buy more before I get this weight of me.
Scot! Seriously... I think I need to take him to get his eyes checked since he always misses the laundry basket and can't see the wet towels on the floor hehe

So, I tried to do laundry twice a week. Mondays and Fridays. Last week I did it. This week not so much.

The problem is not the washing, not the sorting and for sure not putting everything in the dryer BUT the folding and putting away part is what gets me. UGH!
In our old house we had a large laundry room upstairs and I installed shelves that way I could get the clothes out of the dryer and immediately put them on the shelves. Here our laundry room, is more like a closet, downstairs and in the kitchen.

Am I the only one who has such a hard time keeping up with laundry? And if I am, what is your little secret to get this done? What am I doing wrong?

Oh and before I forget... the one thing that I hate more than folding laundry is ironing! I rather take the clothes that need to be ironed in the car and drive them to the dry cleaners and pick them back up again a few days later than to iron!

The only thing that makes folding laundry a bit sweeter is when this little guy "helps" me.

*** EDIT i just got an e mail from my mom

"You have never thought much about laundry. Here you scattered the whole basket full over the living room just after folded them up."

I told you I hated that part of doing laundry!

sit down this might be one of the cutest videos ever

2010-03-12T21:33:00.000-05:00

This video is about two weeks old and I sadly put today the bath bucket away since he got too big for it! ;(
The whale sounding noises you hear in the background is Jakey in the big bath tub. He couldn't handle not being center of attention for a few seconds!

Charlotte Sessions - Photography

2010-03-12T20:56:00.003-05:00

A few weeks ago I combined work with pleasure and Finn & I headed down to see our great friends in Charlotte, NC. My friend had a few sessions lined up for me and I had a blast meeting all of her friends and their little cutie pies.

We found THE perfect location, but see for yourself

this and that

2010-03-11T21:15:00.004-05:00

I am still here... just haven't had a reason to be too much online. And if I am, there is always something else to do.

We are all good. Jakey is enjoying the warmer weather and is excited to have met a few kids in the neighborhood. We registered him for little league baseball and Kindergarten all in one day... my baby is growing up!

Finn just had his 4 month checkup (but he was actually already 20 months old). It is confirmed. I gave birth to a pork roast! He is 27 inches long and weighs 18 pounds. Heavy!!! He has mastered rolling over and is now mobile. Seriously he rolls around the whole room! He is now eating solids and so far apple is his favorite. The past two days he decided he wants to hold the spoon while feeding him, which made for some interesting meal times!

Scot's busy... which is a good thing in this economy. He is planning on doing a few trips for work and I really do hope that works out for him!

I am good. I have been enjoying being home and... COOKING! seriously I don't know what got in to me but I am really enjoying it right now. The people who know me know that I hate to cook and even more go grocery shopping. So, far the past few years Scot has done both of these chores. I still refuse to go to the grocery store but I am cooking like a fool (like Scot puts it). I am even stocking my freezer with yummy meals! LOL YES I am proud of that!

And what kind of post would this be without pictures

this is what I get when I try to take a family picture

here is Finn with his spoon

We celebrated Dr. Seuss birthday by reading "Wacky Wednesday" and making a wacky lunch (octopus hot dog and green mac and cheese)

Good Night!

today 4 years ago...

2010-02-26T08:00:00.000-05:00

5

2010-02-25T21:39:00.003-05:00

Dear Jakey,

I just finished blowing up the balloons, baking brownies, wrapping presents and setting everything up for your birthday.

You will be five tomorrow. FIVE!

Honestly this has been probably the hardest birthday for me... FIVE! half of a decade old.

Next thing I know you will be ten, then fifteen and almost driving.

Please slow down!

This last year has been extremely important to us... you became a big brother, we moved, you learned how to swim, and learned so so many other cool things.

If I would have to describe you in five words, I would say you are

loyal (your friends and family are always on your mind and if you love someone you love them with 150% of your heart)

funny (you really do crack us up ALL.THE.TIME)

imaginative (you can play forever with a piece of wood which you named Rocky)

loving (again you have a huge heart for those around you)

and overexcited (I looked up a synonym for hyper - when you get going there is no stopping, sometimes this can be pretty hard on us but mostly you are a lot of fun)

Jake, you are an awesome Kid. You really, really are. A lot of people love you a tons and I totally understand why!

Finn already thinks you are the coolest thing ever and looks up to you. You might not understand this now, but I know later you will.

We love you, like you like to put it... ten much and ten much more! We are so so very proud of you and will continue to root for you in life.

Have a Happy Birthday, Kid!

Mommy & Daddy

fashion faux pas

2010-02-24T21:56:00.000-05:00

Just in case you missed him.

2010-02-23T17:36:00.000-05:00

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Sleeping babies

2010-02-20T23:13:00.001-05:00

I am here in Charlotte. For a little work and lots of fun. No husbands just the two of us and our two little babies. It feels good. At night when the babies are finally asleep we laugh and giggle about things only we can laugh and giggle about. Did I already say it feels good to han out with my friend? Well because it does!
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home sweet motel

2010-02-18T15:14:00.004-05:00

On our trip back from Canada we stayed in a rather shaggy motel... we were tired and didn't really care much to look for a different motel.

Jakey LOVES staying in hotels and he was so exited and thought this was our new home... it only can get better from a dirty little hotel room, right?

He documented the whole stay and I discovered today that he was able to take 133 pictures of one room!!!

I narrowed them WAY down to show you how Jakey loved our stay at the Motel 6!

the pool was a major hit... who cares if it was closed

essentials in every hotel room

the "magic key" to open our door was another big attraction and a reason to choose this motel over any home

yeah these are beautiful too.. and hey they worked

the oscar nominees were anounced that morning

packing

i love the concentration on his face

we actually had ONE towel

another essential ;)

three months old, one month late

2010-02-17T21:45:00.000-05:00

While in Canada Finnie turned 3 months old. I didn't have a chance until now to edit and upload his pictures.

A little late but still very yummy... so enjoy!

He can roll over, but is pretty lazy about it (just like his big brother)

He "talks" now

He found his hands and loves putting them in his mouth

He thinks his big brother is the coolest thing that is happening in his universe right now

He tries to sit and is in general a very strong baby

He is wearing now 6-9 months clothing!!!

He started a few nights ago on some baby cereal... so far so good.

Is in general a pretty happy baby and only cries when he is hungry or tired... and this guy is hungry A LOT haha

Jakeyisms

2010-02-16T21:21:00.001-05:00

Jakey to Finn while brushing his hair "I will make you handsome, so all the baby girls will like you!"

in the above picture Jakey is watching TV with his brain!

This one melts my heart... every time he sees us he says "Mommy it is so good to see you"

----

J: I love you Mommy
me: I love you too.
J: I love you more
me: I love you a gazillion times much
J: I love you ten bucks much

snowed in

2010-02-15T21:08:00.002-05:00

we are "snowed in"... at least for Cincinnatian's standard. But the good news is we are in our own home, we are sleeping in our own beds and enjoying each others company.

The moving saga is finally over.

Remember this house I said we be moving in? Well, we didn't! Instead we moved in a hotel, then with friends, then with other friends...

Maybe one day I will write this moving ordeal for you guys down, but probably not since I just want to forget about it.

The important thing is that we have great, great friends. Friends who took us in without questions. I got to spend two great weeks with my Mom and now the four of us enjoy our new home ten times more because of this ordeal. All is goo again in the McGill house!

Wordless Wednesday

2010-02-03T00:21:00.000-05:00

ok almost wordless.

My boys and I at the London Childrens Museum, having a snack break!

We have a house!

2010-02-01T00:17:00.000-05:00

Finally we have a house.

Scot found us a perfect little house.

Great area, great school district, great price & everything we need.

We are now looking forward to makeing it a home!

Email me at sonja.mcgill@yahoo.com if you want our new address.

Thank you Uncle Fredo!

2010-01-31T19:23:00.003-05:00

Jake loves this car.
He piles his toy soldiers in it and drives with them to battle fields.

I have to admit though... we never told him it had a remote control since I know my child... he will terrorize everything and everyone around him with it!

Thank you Uncle Fredo! We miss you and please come back soon!!!

Much Love,
Sonja & Jake

Multitasking

2010-01-31T12:14:00.003-05:00

What do u think?

2010-01-27T02:56:00.000-05:00

do i have a reheaded little monster on my hands?

in Canada

2010-01-26T02:16:00.001-05:00

some of you might know we are moving.
UGH i hate it... EVERYTHING about it. But we have to and that's just it.
It sucks. BIG TIME.

So to get away from all of it I took the Kids and fled to Canada.

We are here enjoying ourselves while Scot is doing the move for us.

We miss him terribly but are trying to make the best out of the situation.

So, I decided I am going to try to teach Jakey ice skating. I mean what better place to do this in... CANADA.

Here is how it went

after dragging him around the circle ONE time, I gave up. My back was killing me.
Poor Jakey really tried and like he said

"Maybe hockey skating is not really for me!"

While we killed ourselves on the ice, Finnie got to watch from a fron row seat!

Mr. Finn

2010-01-25T14:03:00.002-05:00

THIS might be from the past. But you know as soon as I type this I probably jinxed myself.

I believe in the power of the jinx... maybe I shouldn't.

We have more and more hours of the day that our little Mr. Finn is happy and full of smiles.

See for yourself

I don't think he neccesary got easier, I think we just figured him out more.
He likes to be fed a certain way, his milk must have a certain temperature, he likes to be burped, put down to sleep, changed... all a certain way - his way. He is difficult YES, but look at that smile and it makes everything worth it!

this post is for my brother

2010-01-21T21:20:00.005-05:00

this counts for yesterday

2010-01-10T12:07:00.002-05:00

here is my list (remember I love lists) of things I am happy about moving out of this house

1. the cats are not coming with us! don't worry they are going to a new and better home. i am not a cat person!
2. the spiral staircase! it looks cool but omg it is dangerous! just ask jakey, he lost his front tooth from falling down it!
3. the stairs that go in the basement or what we call the "baby death trap"
4. as a photographer i love, love the windows in the house, but paying for it every month in heating sucks big time
5. it is great to have 5 acres, but taking care of it not so much!
6. moving away from our neighbors. they are sure not the neighbors from hell but they are not the friendlist either.

so, now I feel better about leaving!

2010-01-08T21:22:00.002-05:00

Today was rough... still no house and we are leaving in a few weeks. Time is running up.

But at least I finished editing this beautiful wedding

2010-01-07T16:51:00.000-05:00

afternoon naps with my baby while it is snowing outside. Just heavenly! What was your favorite part of today!
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2010-01-06T21:46:00.002-05:00

A whole list of things that made my day

getting a good nights sleep

waking up and having a tickle fight with Scot and Jakey in bed

getting an awesome phone call with some great compliments

makeing important decisions and FINALLY having a plan on where we will be in less than 3 weeks!

evening shopping with a good friend

having Chipotle for lunch!

and these two:

sledding

2010-01-05T19:16:00.004-05:00

I am going to try something new... trying to focus this year on the positive! So every day (remember I said I was "trying") I will post something positive, something beautiful about our day. Even if it is something simple as a one line post saying "I had coco puffs for breakfast".
Other days I will try to post a picture of our special moment. And others you might get a video.
Today you are getting both!

The best about today was me and Jakey sneaking out (the baby didn't want to sleep, and Scot "really" had to work) and went sledding! Wow that thing is fast... I was terrified at times, but mostly the two of us squeaked for more. It was a lot of fun!!!

In the video you can see us just rolling and rolling at the end. I am totally sore but it was so worth it!

When we came home Jakey told Scot "I wish you were with us, it was soooo much fun"

Not me Monday

2010-01-04T13:52:00.002-05:00

Welcome to Not Me! Monday! This blog carnival was created by MckMama. You can head over to her blog to read what she and everyone else have not been doing this week.

A few night ago Jakey, my four year old, asked for a glass of milk. I brought him on up and was holding my breast pump in the other hand. He gave me a funny look. He didn't say anything, I didn't think of anything. He drinks his milk and tells me "Your boobie milk tastes soooo delicious. Thank you for giving it to me"! Not me did I tell him yes, it was in fact boobie milk (even though it wasn't) and not me have I've been giving him now every night a glass of "boobie" milk to make him feel special!

2010!

2010-01-02T19:34:00.004-05:00

2009 is over... over and out!

It was a great year!

We had our Finn... the best you can ask for!

The end was a bit rocky, but we are surviving!

2010 will even be better!

We set many goals and are eager to accomplish them!

We took this photo with a self timer the exact second the ball dropped in NY and the New Year started. It did the same thing last year.

I LOVE it. Seriously I think it is great. Our facial expressions are awesome.
Too bad Tommy and Finn are missing in the picture but they were there... just deep in their dreams ;)

Guten Rutsch!

annual christmas walk

2009-12-27T19:03:00.001-05:00

last year
two years ago

All I want for christmas

2009-12-25T17:20:00.004-05:00

.... a baby with a bright smile

... a little boy who feels tons better and got what he wanted from Santa

... a new house (and if I am not too greedy maybe someone who packs up our old one)

I got two out of those three things... hopefully tomorrow I will get #3. Wish us luck! We need it!

Merry Christmas from us to you!

2009-12-21T20:16:00.002-05:00

the reason why I don't have much time for this blog!

all day. every day!

makes it hard to type... work... think!

gotta run...

my twin... my son

2009-12-19T17:37:00.003-05:00

I got an e mail from my Mom yesterday.

Attached two photos.

One 30 years old, the other only 4 weeks old.

One with me and my Mom, the other with Finn and my Mom.

You tell me if we look a like or not.

when we get married

2009-12-13T21:41:00.003-05:00

(our wedding Dec. 31st, 2006)

Today Jakey jumped in my lap and told me

Mommy when I get bigger I will marry you. And you will be the most beautiful girl in the whole wild world. And there will be flowers everywhere and I will be soooo happy!

visiting Santa

2009-12-09T20:28:00.003-05:00

We took Jakey and Finn to see Santa last weekend.

Of course Jake asked AGAIN for a toy gun... oh boy I think we might actually have to get him one.

Jake;s face cracks me up on this one.

Oh and pssst... you didn't hear this from me but Santa is a childhood friend of Scot's! We had no idea and only recognized him because of his voice.

Finn actually fell asleep on Santa's lap and cried when I took him out of his arms!

Here one more "good" one of Jake!

bath time

2009-12-08T19:55:00.003-05:00

we don't just do bath time in this house because the kids are dirty... no bath time here is a way of saving our sanity! seriously!

if jakey gets too hyper... in the tub he goes! there he can't go anywhere and he has fun for sometimes up to an hour with out me having to entertain him non-stop.

if finn gets colicky at night and screams for hours with no end... the only thing that helps is water. so in his little bath bucket he goes and he calms down in an instant! He can stay in there up to 30 minutes and is in absolute heaven!

here are a few pictures from tonight's bath time.

please excuse the poor picture quality but the subject matter is way too cute and makes up for it ;)

i love me some naked baby butt shots

this pictures melts my heart!

i love how comfy he looks in there

tonight

2009-12-06T18:39:00.003-05:00

one is in the bath tub

and the other hanging out.

Peace out.

4 am

2009-12-05T04:40:00.000-05:00

Someone slept 7 hours and is happy now. So am I.
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From my phone

2009-12-04T20:49:00.002-05:00

There has been a lot of crying lately in our home. Poor Finn is not feeling very well and when the clock hits 7pm my little angel turns into a monster. So there has been lots of rocking bouncing walking spitting up and crying going on here and no time for this poor blog.
But I just remembered today I could update my blog via my phone. At least I think. We will found out later. This way I can rock/ hold/ feed Finn and let you know about our day. Today was crazy. Really crazy. The end! Haha
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Thanksgiving

2009-11-27T21:37:00.003-05:00

in pictures

pictures by my SIL Kolleen... my hands were full ALL DAY LONG!

catch up

2009-11-24T18:52:00.003-05:00

Trying to update you on the past few weeks in bulletin style

- Oma was here last week. It was nice to have an extra set of hands to help out with the boys.
- I have been super busy working - which of course is a great thing. I am booked out for 2009 and now taking appointments for 2010 already!
- Jake has been doing great. Still not interested in holding the baby to much, but he constantly tells him how much he loves him. Awwww
- Finn is getting bigger and bigger. A week ago at his one month check up he weighed 10 pounds and 13 ounces!
- Jakey got his H1N1 shot last week. Knowing that he "wiggs" out when he sees a needle I didn't tell him what was about to happen. Once he saw the needle it took three of us to hold him still! I felt horrible and was literally sick to my stomach doing that to him.
- Last weekend we went to Balluminaria at Eden Park. It was beautiful seeing the balloons glow. Jakey also got to see Santa there and asked him for a gun... yep that's right! He is still obsessed with guns... not sure if I ever mentioned this ever on here.
- Today Jake came home from school and told me that there is a new girl in his class "And Mommy I already love her!" He probably is one of the most loving little boys I know.

So, that was it for now... as the baby seems to be held every waken minute!

But I will update again with pictures of our Thanksgiving Feast!!!

Jakey's Indian name is "Swimming Fish"

outtakes

2009-11-15T11:18:00.003-05:00

this morning I bribed Jakey.

His task?

To hold the baby long enough for me to take a few holiday card pictures.

He failed. Because the "baby was looking at him".

So, change of plans... lets just lay next to the baby...

Here are the outtakes

BUT, yes I got one good one... the last one I took (my last shot is always my fave from every session... strange). But that one will be a surprise!

Jake still doesn't want to hold the baby, kiss him... or breath the same air as him.
But when he got up and we were done he said:

"I am so glad we have a baby!"

Thankful

2009-11-14T11:54:00.005-05:00

This being the month of November and Thanksgiving, Scot and I have so much to be thankful for - especially our FRIENDS.

We couldn't have survived this last month without friends.

Thank you for

cooking meals
picking up lunch for us
mopping my floors
folding cloth diapers
sending cards
sending e mails
sending lovely packages with wonderful gifts for Finn and big brother Jake
giving hugs when we most need them
holding the baby so I can at least take a shower ;)
taking Jake for an afternoon
keeping Jake overnight while I was in the hospital
doing my dishes

for diapers (we have yet to buy any)
for lunch dates and meeting me for cheesecake
sending me important information for Jake's school so I don't have deal with it
AND offering standing in line for me to sign him up (we are talking here about hours of standing in line in the cold... at night!!!)

homemade gifts and very thoughtful ones
letting us borrow so many baby items
for long phone calls - especially the ones in the middle of the night
for driving Jake to and from school

And so much more... all of you know who you are! Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!

eye candy

2009-11-07T01:15:00.000-05:00

3 weeks old

first check up

2009-11-06T13:14:00.004-05:00

our little Finny had his first check up today.

He got a clean bill of health. Everything looks great and he is doing wonderfully.

In fact he is not so little anymore.

He was born at 8.9 pounds.

Went down to 8.1 pounds when the home nurse came to check him out.

And now he is up to 9.12 pounds in less than 3 weeks!

I have a feeling this one is going to be just as big as his brother!

Happy Halloween

2009-11-01T14:13:00.002-05:00

Yesterday we celebrated Scot's Birthday (and my Dad's) and Halloween.

It was a great day and we had a lot of fun getting ready for trick or treating at night.

We carved some last minute pumpkins.

Hang up some ghosts in trees.

Added more decoration to the mix and went shopping for Halloween candy!

(Which by the way could be an entire post by itself and since I want to forget going to a "Walmart store opening ON Halloween to buy a few bags of candy" I will not bore you with the details)

But if there is one thing I DO want to remember from Halloween 2009 is

after the second house Jakey running down the driveway as a mummy. One hand he is holding a piece of candy and in the other he is holding his orange trick or treat bag. And he is screaming from the top of his lungs "I love Halloween"

Priceless!

(trying to be scary!)

(Finn went as "bundled up baby")

(the cousins)

What did you do today?

2009-10-30T20:24:00.002-04:00

Today was absolute gorgeous.

The weather.
The leaves.
The colors.
My family.

Just gorgeous.

So, what did we do today?

First we jumped in a big pile of leaves... with our PJ's... of course!

Then we jumped and jumped... and jumped some more on the trampoline!

What did you do today?

(Almost) Wordless Wednesday

2009-10-28T20:46:00.003-04:00

taken on my due date after a short evening stroll in the neighborhood and afterwards we treated ourselves to some delicious pumpkin pie

last day just me & jakey

perfect

2009-10-27T19:41:00.003-04:00

this picture is out of focus, off centered and the lighting is horrible!

(Finn's first bath!)

but this boy... he melts my heart and this picture with him in it, is perfect to me!

Can you keep a secret?

Time to say Goodbye

Happy Halloween

Kisses

Mario & Luigi

Hello!

prove

sweet dreams

our sick finn

Have you missed these two?

1st day

real quick

Recap

cha cha cha

Postcards from Canada - Day Ten & Eleven

Postcards from Canada - Day Nine

at nine months

Postcards from Canada - Day seven and eight

Postcards from Canada - Day Six

Postcards from Canada - Day Five

Postcards from Canada - Day Four

Postcards from Canada - Day Three

Postcards from Canada - Day Two

Postcards from Canada - Day One

Finn

Yesterday

Happy Birthday America

early morning snack

summer

and this is why I drink...

Breaking News!

at the lake with friends

hidden gems

Brother Finn by Jakey

forever enriched

shrimp, points, godmommies & cornhole

water babies

I forgot... Finn's first Baseball Game

best toy ever

bliss

sunkissed babies

I have been trying

sneak peaks

our Finn

miracle

oh oh we are in trouble

what a great trip

a lesson about quitting

baptism

Easter with lots of pictures and a few words

Brothers

Wordless Wednesday doublepack

Laundry

more videos

sit down this might be one of the cutest videos ever

Charlotte Sessions - Photography

this and that

today 4 years ago...

5

fashion faux pas

Just in case you missed him.

Sleeping babies

home sweet motel

three months old, one month late

Jakeyisms

snowed in

Wordless Wednesday

We have a house!

Thank you Uncle Fredo!

Multitasking

What do u think?

in Canada

Mr. Finn

this post is for my brother

this counts for yesterday

sledding

Not me Monday

2010!

annual christmas walk

All I want for christmas