Saturday Photo Shoot

It's a lazy Saturday, we're all still in our pajamas, sipping coffee and taking photos of our sweet babe.  Dylan is growing and changing so much.  Here's a few photos I took today.  I'm no expert but I'm happy with how they've turned out. 

P.S. My photog friends...I'm sure you could pick apart my edits but I'm trying. :-)

Photo Fun (When I Should Be Sleeping)

It's getting late and I should be sleeping...instead I'm trying to learn how to edit photos using PhotoShop Elements.  Let's just say I've had a few choice words during the process.  I am the least patient person, ever.  And I am technically challenged when it comes to learning new things, especially when a computer or a remote are involved.  

Before:

After: 

This one is Straight off of Camera (SOOC)

After editing:

I know I have a lot to learn and not much time to devote to learning...but I'm excited to expand my knowledge and skills.  What do you think?

In all seriousness, I have  to get to bed.  Good night blogger world.

Almost Silent

I am sitting in an almost silent house; with the exception of the washing machine running diapers and a grunty baby sitting next to me.  Marissa is at the sitter's today to visit her friends.  I'm enjoying a hot cup of coffee without the sound of Mickey Mouse on in the background and enjoying just a few minutes of "me" time.  Not that I don't love my time with Marissa and Dylan, but I just need 10 minutes for me.   It's glorious.  Though I will soon peel myself off the couch to shower, put away laundry, vacuum, dust and steam the floors.

Right now my life revolves around my children.  I've become the person that everyone hates; the mom who only talks about her kids.  I'm sure my friends (especially those without children) don't really understand.  I don't have extracurricular activities, I can't just pick up and go out for a drink or pull an all nighter.  Heck, I can barely stay up until 10:30 on a good night.  Even having a friend over for a cup of coffee or a glass of wine without interruptions is impossible.  I don't have time to sew, scrapbook or do things that make me who I am.  I want to make time to learn more about photography so that I can capture these sweet faces that I see daily.  The sweet faces that will grow up all too soon.  I manage to snap a few photos a couple times a week.  Between waiting for good lighting in our house, nap times, story times, meal times, play times, laundry, dishes, chores and temper tantrums...I pull out the camera for a few minutes and then it's time to put it away again.  Most of my photos are of a sweet little toddler running away from the camera and a little boy who is either sleeping or looking to eat.  

This is my life.  I'm a mom to two sweet babes that have made my heart grow a thousand times over.  I love it and I wouldn't trade it for the world, but I'm still entitled to enjoy a few minutes of silence here and there.  

Dylan is sleeping from about 9:30 PM until 4:45 AM, which is AWESOME (and I know I shouldn't complain)...however, and a big however...he is then awake until about 6:00 AM.  I feed him, change him and get him back in bed but he doesn't sleep.  He grunts.  He doesn't cry, just grunts.  And grunts...and grunts, which makes it impossible for me to fall back asleep.  Then around 6:00 AM we've both had enough and I bring him into our bed and try to get another hour of sleep before Marissa is up.  I hope he figures it out soon because I am not friends with 5:00 AM, at all.  

We've had a few beautiful days this week.  I bought a double stroller off of craigslist and have been taking the kids on walks in the afternoons.  A little exercise and fresh air is good for the soul. 

Anyway, what is a blog post without pictures?  Without further ado...

Marissa feeding Dylan a bottle.  Marissa had a long bottle strike so we've been giving Dylan a bottle a day so that he is comfortable taking it when I go back to work.  So far, so good!

 It takes precision skills to hit the mark.

 There we go!   Good job, Marissa. 

 Marissa being sweet to baby brother during tummy time.

 Refusing to look at the camera for mommy.

 I could take pictures of his eyes all day long.  They are gorgeous!  

Perfection.

I was able to snap a few pictures before he went back to this...Marissa was trying to help but I decided it was time to put the camera away. 

I was able to catch an action photo of Miss Priss.  I promise I don't neglect her.  It probably seems like I only take pictures of Dylan, which isn't true...she's just a moving target and doesn't sit still for the camera that often. :)

Dylan's 1 Month "Birthday"

Baby boy will be exactly 1 month old in just a few minutes.  He had his 1 month check up this morning and he is growing so much!  Here are D Man's stats:

Height - 21.5 inches, 50th percentile
Weight - 9 pounds 11 ounces, 47th percentile
Head Circumference - 14.6 inches, 27th percentile

He gained 2 pounds since his 4 day check up and grown 3 inches since birth!  The doctor is happy with his weight gain, sleeping patterns, eye movement and growth.

This past month has been full of new adventures.  Our family has expanded but it's hard to remember life without our "D Man."  Marissa is the greatest big sister you could ask for.  I know the next month will hold so many new adventures for us.  I was looking back on pictures and videos of Marissa and we will hopefully get Dylan's first smiles and coos within the next few weeks.

Chillaxin'

 Love these lashes <3

 First smile caught on camera

 Such a grumpy look, but he is a happy (grunty) baby.

 My handsome little boy

Look at these chubby cheeks! 

How can you not love this face?

 I think he's going to have his daddy's eyes. Love!

It's Winter?!?

Apparently winter hasn't gotten the memo...it was almost 70 degrees today.  Marissa, Dylan and I went to the park for a little fun.  I am loving being home with my kiddo's. :-D

4 Weeks

Dylan is 4 weeks old already.  We've settled into a nice routine and I'm feeling pretty good about life.  It's crazy, hectic and busy at times but I wouldn't trade it for the world.  Dylan is sleeping great.  He goes to bed around 9:30 or 10:00 PM and wakes between 3:30 and 4:00 AM.  Most of the time he goes right back to sleep after I nurse him but there's a few nights where he is up for an hour after he eats.  I can't complain too much though.  We introduced a bottle of pumped milk last Friday and have been offering a bottle a day in hopes of avoiding a bottle strike like Marissa had.  Some people have asked why I don't strictly bottle feed, honestly, I don't have the time to pump all day long and chase a very busy toddler around.  I also don't want to, nursing is such a great bonding experience for mom and baby and it's the best way to keep my milk production up.  I also loathe pumping.  I'm so not looking forward to returning to work and having to pump...but I do what I have to do, it's all worth it in the end.

4 weeks old:

My parents are coming to visit this weekend.  Dad had knee surgery last Friday so hopefully the road trip isn't too much on him.  I know they are excited to get some quality time with the grand babies.  I don't know if they will recognize Dylan.  He is growing and changing every day!

Marissa has teeth coming in all over the place, I can barely keep count.  I think she has 10, possibly 11 teeth now.  That's a lot of teeth in 5 months!

I have 8 weeks of maternity leave left, which I know sounds like a lot but considering the last 4 weeks flew by, it really isn't that much time.

I've been working on numbers with Marissa.  This is her saying "I'm One!"

 I love her pig tails. :)

I think I forgot to share Dylan's first bath picture, he was not and is still not impressed with bath time.  I'm sure that will change with time. 

Danny and I are going to see The Red Hot Chili Peppers in May.  I'm excited and it's something to look forward to!  It should be a good time. :)

Mommy & Me Monday