Boo!

 

 

Have a great Halloween everyone!

We are trick or treating and going to Boo at the Zoo this weekend. Jameson (I) am pretty excited to share the fun with you later.

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Pumpkin Patch Kids

This past week has been unseasonably warm, so we spent a lot of time outside last weekend. On Saturday, Brian and I went on a hike to Buttermilk Falls where we got engaged just over 3 years ago.

The falls were prettier this time around; there was more water. Also… I dressed nicer, and take better photos than when we were engaged. It was nice to come back there for the first time since then. The hike is always fun because it is not a true trimmed up trail–there are trees fallen across the path and you have to jump across a section of water in one place. So it’s a little adventure!

Meanwhile, Aunt Melissa baby sat Jameson (who slept away most of the afternoon and consequently was the easiest, more boring babysitting job ever).

He now has five teeth, going on six, and is occasionally cranky from teething, so we were happy he was such a treat for his grandma and Aunt Melissa.

Sunday, we went to Patterson Fruit Farm with his friend Jonathan and parents JP and Lisa.

Jameson was hard to take photos of because of all the activity around, but I did catch a couple good ones in my staged shots with the hay bales.

I must have a good eye for good photo shoot locations. A few people lined up behind me saying they were going to take pictures in the same spot!

Oh, and look at this ADORABLE baby. This is Jonathan, dressed up for the occasion. I love this outfit!

The farm was really busy. I think most everyone else had the same idea because of the nice weather… plus, pumpkins are actually expensive here (we didn’t purchase any), so I think that next year we’ll find a smaller, maybe more traditional pumpkin patch. Maybe one where we actually get to pick them.

Jameson loved the pumpkins; he was impossible to get looking at the camera, which is usually one of his favorite things.

Finally, I got a good shot in the “pumpkin patch”. Too bad the lighting was too poor to salvage in color. I went brown, but it’s still a great photo.

Patterson is really well known for their apples and apple fritters, so we bought both. My favorite apples are Jonagold, which are hard to find in the grocery store, so we bought a small bag of those. Last year I made some applesauce from the apples I purchased here, but I’m lazier busier now.

We ate one of our apple fritters each, fed the babies, and walked a little around the paths outside Patterson.

Then it was off to Holden Arboretum, which was also crowded in certain areas because of an event they were running for kids.

We played a bit, then meandered off onto less traveled trails. We may have gone in front of some kids to get this shot above…

Last time we were at Holden Arboretum, I was pregnant, and we talked about coming in the fall when the leaves were changing. I got my wish just over a year later, and it really was as pretty as I thought it would be.

I heard from Lisa that this coming weekend will be the best for observing the changing leaves, so hopefully it will be nice enough to spend some more time outside this weekend.

P.S. Jameson was forced to kept his shoes on the whole time, thanks to tight velcro.

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Welcome, Autumn

September 23rd was the first day of fall, but I pulled out my fall decor a couple weeks earlier. It is always exciting for me, because my house is already in fall colors with browns, maroons and oranges.

I had so much I wanted to share but I couldn’t fit it all in the board. I just love the vase with the mini faux pumpkins I bought at a craft store. I’m going on three years of using it and still haven’t gotten tired of it.

I love faux flowers, if they are quality made. I mixed my large floor vase with real dried cattails and grasses (also around 3 years of use).

Also toward the bottom are two plates that I painted at a class held by an All Fired Up store. This fall, I’m going to do a stained glass class. Fall is the best time for crafting.

And apples. I can’t wait to go to an apple orchard and pumpkin patch with Jameson.

But just when you think fall is really in swing, late blooming flowers arrive on scene. Hello, dahlias.

I hope they finish blooming before frost arrives. I would hate to see all their lovely potential go to waste. Happy Fall everyone!

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First Fourth

Jameson had his first Fourth of July this past weekend! It’s hard to get back to real life after a four day weekend, so I thought I’d try to extend the feeling a bit longer and share our weekend fun.

First, Jameson had to get dressed up in two holiday outfits. Luckily, there were four days in which to subject him to some photo shoots. I bought a little flag for him to wave, but he only wanted to eat it and poke his eye with it, so that didn’t happen (Brian took it away from me, sigh..).

On Saturday we spent the early morning at the farmers market. We picked up some amazing blueberries and black raspberries, along with our traditional salad lettuce mix. I couldn’t believe the black raspberries, they were across a couple stalls, so they must have been the fruit in season and perfectly ripe.

At the farmers market we also picked up part of Saturday night’s dinner, Ohio City Pasta. This is fresh pasta, never frozen. Here’s what it looks like before cooking:

We had red pepper, lemon basil, and garlic onion flavors. They stay good for about 10 days, so after having garlic onion on Saturday, I am looking forward to the rest of the week filled with tasty pasta goodness. (And these pastas, they only need butter or olive oil. They have amazing flavor all by themselves).

That night Brian and I watched the fireworks from our front porch. So fun to be able to see them, albeit far away, since we had Jameson and can’t go out late like we used to. And how amazing to sit there on a warm night together to do that.

Sunday we stopped by Brian’s parents for a cookout and brought over Jameson’s exersaucer.

Brian’s mother has filled a room full of Jameson items: crib, changing table, toys, burp clothes… everything he needs. It was so much more convenient to come over, and Jameson even took a nap in the crib.

We added those black raspberries from the farmers market to a fruit salad which we brought over to the neighbors’ on Monday for another cookout. Jameson enjoyed his friend Lily‘s pool and her toys. One toy in the mouth apparently means two more toys just arms length away. He took a little dunk and cried for a bit, but it was okay again after a little while.

Little champ loves to be held and swung by his arms. Immediately after sitting up by himself, he’s now decided that standing up is even more fun. Always looking to do things that he can’t quite do himself yet.

Hello handsome! Say goodbye now (oh well, he doesn’t do the wave thing yet, so we’ll just have to settle for a smile) Hey, look at that smile! A smile, in the grass!? Hurrah!

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Father’s Day: Brought to you by the letters D and A

It’s already Thursday, but I thought I’d give you a recap of how Brian’s first Father’s Day went! And of course, show you the awesome project that Jameson and I did (if you haven’t seen it already– I talked about it on Twitter and displayed it on Flickr; you can follow me!). I was waiting with anticipation to show you the project, and wanted to show it off early, but Brian couldn’t (or wouldn’t!) promise me that he wouldn’t peek. In any case, if you love it, file it away for next year!

I was inspired by this find on Pinterest. Just before I started  the new job, I had a day without Brian or Jameson. Well, before Jameson went to daycare that morning, I put him in a fashion show photo shoot with letters D & A that I picked up for about $3 each at Jo-Ann. I edited the photos in 3 different styles of black and white, in a number of poses, and printed them all off.

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Merry Monday: Happy Anniversary

Yesterday was our 2 year wedding anniversary. It arrived with much less fanfare than last year’s did. I actually forgot… like 3 times that day. In the morning, Brian was the first to say it. Then, I saw his card for me on the table, and I remembered to get his out. And last, he sent me flowers at work for the first time, and my Monday-mommy-addled brain said, why am I getting flowers?

They were lovely, and are still sitting on my desk just as lovely today.

We didn’t have time to share cards in the morning, so we saved them for later. I suppose I should be thankful I even remembered to get a card, but let me just tell you that I am SUPER awesome at card giving this year. Because of a website called tinyprints.

I got Jameson’s baby announcements from there, and was very impressed. Greeting cards are just as impressive: they can get pretty custom. Typically I’ll throw in an photo or two of my own on every card. I love that they can print on all sides of the card. I was sold, even at their regular $3.99 price (because let’s face it, that’s the average cost of a card in the store.) But then they ran a promotion then where I got to be a super sender for a year free, and now I’m hooked. They link in to my facebook and note birthdays to send me reminders. Which is a good thing, because the only downside to this service is that you need to have a week or so to spare to allow time for shipping.

I am a card fiend now: for Father’s day and birthday, Brian got 3 custom cards each (Sasha puppy wanted to send him a card too); Grandpas got extra cards from Jameson. I’m having a blast with it so far.

Here’s a few screenshots of my fabulous cards:

So celebration yesterday consisted of cards, flowers, and a wonderful dinner made by Brian (chicken rotini pesto, made from our very explosive basil plants). It was excellent. But I am even more excited for the weekend.

1) Our new couches arrive. Somehow we always end up getting one nice new piece of furniture a year around our anniversary and we call it our gift to each other (so far anyway, though that might be because of the new house! I think we will need to continue the trend… haha)

2) We are going on a “co-anniversary” outing with JP & Lisa. Jameson and Jonathan will be staying home while us new parents enjoy some time away visiting wineries and eating cheese. Lotsa cheese.

It’s only Tuesday though. I have a little while to wait.

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On [Almost] Father’s Day

This week as a single mom was more difficult than I expected. There was very little time to do anything– the couple days I was able to have a free moment was only because Brian’s parents came over to help out. Chores would get done while they played with Mr. Jameson, and so when he went to bed, I actually had some time to myself. I tried not to whine much, because after all, this was not normal for me– but for some women it is. What I’ve found, appropriately in time for Brian’s first Father’s Day, is a new appreciation for all that my husband does for his family.

So on this first Father’s Day for my husband, I have written a letter to him. I’m sharing it today because I am proud of the father he is and want to share it with everyone.

Dear Mr. Brian Sir,

On your first father’s day, I want to thank you for everything that you do for us:

1) Even though I am up feeding Jameson in the middle of the night, you are (almost) always aware of it too and will shake me awake if I don’t hear him crying. Even if I’ve already gone in to feed him. (Likewise you will get up for pacifier duty) You’re such a softy for a crying baby 🙂

2) We are a great team. You make dinner every night while I put Jameson to bed. When Jameson stops nursing, we will trade for a while if you like, give you a little break. I can make a mean pasta.

3) You give Jameson airplane rides. I pretty much suck at that.

4) Why is it we always have to trade bath nights? Do neither of us really like giving baths and we just haven’t talked about it? I am betting that when Jameson is sitting up and playing with toys though this will be your favorite thing. I know because you REALLY wanted that frog pod bath toy holder on our registry.

5) Okay this is the first number I’ve had to think a little bit about.

6) Oh my gosh, how could I forget your champion nap in arms skills? (Okay, your mother is probably best, but I will give you second place) I am far too boney/pokey for that apparently.

7) You’re also a great dad to the puppy. No one else picks up her poo like you do. I don’t. Picking up poo the size of 5 mice is not my idea of a good time.

8) One of my very favorite things about you is that you never really want to sit still. There is always something to be done! (Fun or chores or both!) Never a dull moment. I expect you will be teaching that to Mr. Jameson, though it may be a few years. (When do they start hating to do chores? That is when I will need that skill I’m sure)

That’s all. It’s awkward to stop at number 8, but I’ve run out of clever things to thank you for. In all seriousness, you are a great dad and husband. Happy first Father’s Day.

And I’m really glad your home.

Loves,
Your Favorite Lady, Mrs. Wifely

P.S. We will need to stop speaking with s’s and ly’s at the end of words to be cute, or Jameson will pick up on that and he’ll never talk right.

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Celebrating Mother’s Day (Weekend)

This weekend, I enjoyed the company of one of my oldest friends, Emma. Emma flew in for the weekend to meet Jameson. She adored him. This is her favorite photo from the weekend. I haven’t posted the rest yet. She likes the funny look on his face (this was near the end of their photo shoot and he was starting to get cranky!)


Poor little guy is coming down with a cold, so he wasn’t quite himself yesterday. Though somehow he managed to find the energy to plant me a little marigold at daycare; buy me a new Pandora charm; buy me roses and a card. haha


Most of my weekend was actually spent away from Jameson. Emma and I went to Melt Bar and Grilled (her request since she had never been). I enjoyed my Parmageddon and she had their newest permanent menu add, The Dude Abides which has mozzarella sticks and meatballs. We also tried their spinach and artichoke dip which was good and just a little spicy, and a local hard cidar.

I couldn’t believe the days this weekend turned out so nice! We had to walk around Legacy Village and stopped in the new Gymboree brand Crazy 8 store. I got Jameson an adorable shirt with a moving eyeball on it and finally found a nice sunhat for him, with a nice mesh inside for sweat.

We went on many walks this weekend and Brian even took Jameson to the park. I was sad to see the weekend end. Before dropping Emma back off to the airport, we hit up B.A. Sweetie‘s and picked up some candy. What a great place! I had never been there before, but they had all kinds of old-school candy in warehouse style: boxes and boxes of tempting candy and chocolate!

We spent Sunday evening at Brian’s parents for burgers. It was so nice to have someone there to hold Jameson so Brian and I both got to eat in peace, haha. It was a lovely reminder of how grateful we are to have some family nearby for babysitting, watching, or playing duty. And for my mother, I sent her flowers (tulips this year) like I do yearly, plus a new ebook that just came out with short stories by mom-bloggers called “Stories I Only Told My Mom“. I’m rather excited to read it myself too.

This year I’m particularly appreciative of how difficult a mom’s job is! And how nice it is for us to have family nearby, how difficult it must have been for my parents living so far away from family when I was born. Oh, and there was no Internet you know. I love how connected we all are now.


Mom, me, and grandma on Mom’s side for her first Mother’s Day


Me and Jameson, our first Mother’s Day

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Family Fun & Happy Easter

I have pictures in my queue for editing! We had a great weekend, visiting lots of extended family and enjoying Easter dinner. Friday night we visited my aunt and uncle, cousin Carrie and Brian and their daughters. So I was curious as to what exactly Jameson is in relation to their daughters, and my guess was second cousins once removed. Was I right?

According to Cousin Calculator, Jameson and my cousin’s daughters are actually only second cousins. Removed references a generation difference:

“When the word “removed” is used to describe a relationship, it indicates that the two people are from different generations.

The words “once removed” mean that there is a difference of one generation. For example, your father’s first cousin is your first cousin, once removed. This is because your father’s first cousin is one generation younger than your grandparents and you are two generations younger than your grandparents. This one-generation difference equals “once removed.”  The one-generation difference has nothing to do with age, but rather with descendance from the same person.

Twice removed means that there is a two-generation difference. You are two generations younger than a first cousin of your grandmother, so you and your grandmother’s first cousin are first cousins, twice removed.”

Therefore, my relationship to my cousin’s daughters is that we are first cousins, once removed.

Jameson sat in a borrowed high chair for the first time; not to eat, but just to sit with us as we ate salmon marinated in a honey and balsamic vinegar (plus a few other ingredients but we didn’t see the recipe). The fish was baked and was a little sweet. Very good. I forgot my camera though! I was very disappointed. They took a few photos though, I will have to see if I can get a hold of them.

On Saturday, we drove about 2 hrs and 45 min, Jameson’s longest car ride. He slept the entire time! We were so excited to see Brian’s grandmother in good spirits, talking and reaching out to hold Jameson. It is the best we have seen her in several years. We have some wonderful photos of Jameson and his great grandmother. I couldn’t help but be a bit of paparazzi, simply thinking that if my grandmother were still around, I would want a thousand photos of him and her together. We never know how much time we’ll have.

Sunday, I dressed Jameson in his Easter finest, and Brian was super pumped dressed to match him. We took some family photos, of which I only have one right now, but I have some great outtakes which I’ll be posting to flickr soon. We managed to get Sasha in the photo nicely, I think the only photo we have of all of us together, in focus (since she likes to move so much, of course!).

I don’t know if I have mentioned, but poor Sasha has been to the vet a lot recently! After the infection in her leg, she then got a hematoma on her ear, which I think is fairly common for dogs (could have been caused by her scratching her ear). We have opted not to do surgery on it though because of her older age and because antibiotics would be harmful to her already compromised liver. So it’s a big pocket of blood on her ear, but apparently smaller as far as hematomas go, and we’re just waiting for it to heal on its on. On top of that, she started limping again on Sunday so we have confined her again to the first floor. Brian had to sleep downstairs that first night but she’ll learn quickly again. We’re waiting a few days before going to the vet again; thus far, the limp doesn’t seem to be getting worse and actually seemed slightly better, we shall see.

Of course, the biggest, best news I have saved for last! On Sunday, Jameson rolled over, belly to back! I have yet to see it, and we don’t have it on video yet, but when we do I will be posting it (we have probably 20 minutes now from various 5 minute attempts of tummy time to get this rolling over on video, haha). His first roll was on Sunday morning while I slept in: Brian turned around while Jameson was on his belly and when he turned back, Jameson was happily on his back. He did it again later while Brian’s parents and sister were over for Easter dinner. None of us but Brian saw it though. For second I thought he’d do it once more after we put him back on his belly because he tipped himself but then he stopped.

Speaking of video, we have a lot of video captured on our video camera (as opposed to my camera phone which I used in his early days). However, we haven’t edited any of it. Brian’s been talking about exploring iMovie on our first ever Mac computer, but hasn’t had a chance yet. It won’t be long before I steal his thunder though and do it myself, haha.

This weekend is my birthday (and I will finally be on the later half of my 20’s), and Brian and I are having Brian’s sister Melissa babysit for us while we go out to dinner at a fondue place. I love going there because it’s always what I like to call a “slow” meal. Since Brian and I are very quick eaters, its always nice to go somewhere that forces us to slow down and chat a little. Melissa is excited because since Brian’s parents are out of town there’s no “competition” for Jameson’s attention. And a great time will be had by all!

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We’re Winners in my Mind

Well we didn’t win! Overall, I was pretty disappointed in the Baby’s Best Friend contest. They had a lot of technical difficulties with voting which eventually made them have to choose a winner alternatively, basically through the editorial team voting. We made the finalists, but didn’t win (I actually kind of felt one of the photos was taken really poorly, so I am surprised by that particular pick). Oh well! We’re still winners in my mind 🙂

I spent today learning more about Lightroom, so assuming I have time in the coming weeks, expect some higher quality photos from me with better skin tone. I spent a while reading about skin tone and downloading some free pre-sets to help my photo editing.

One thing I learned today was a feature of Lightroom 3 which is “Skin Softening” on the adjustment brushes of the Develop tab. I used it on our most recent creative photo today for April Fools! Jameson thought he would play an April Fools joke on Sasha. Luckily, we caught him before his plans went awry.

The alternative to this April Fools picture was putting him on a turkey plate 🙂 I didn’t think he’d lay still for that!

Today I got the supplies to make his Easter basket. I am hopefully going to photograph him in it this year. He won’t be getting any gifts cause he’s too young to appreciate them (we asked the Easter bunny to skip our house this year), but I’ll take some fun pictures of him anyway. I’m going to do the same project that mine and my siblings Easter baskets were made from! I had a hard time finding supplies, since they’re discontinuing the loopy chenille, so what I could find, I bought a few of (you know, for future children so they all can match. I’m obsessive)

Jameson’s is going to be mint green with white inner ears. I found a medium brown wicker basket which I think will work nice. If it doesn’t work out… well, I always have mine from when I was growing up! It’s yellow and will work for Easter photos!

The other day, Jameson started reaching out to grab Brian’s nose! I even got a few pictures of it, which hopefully I’ll have time to edit and post tomorrow. Have a nice weekend!

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