Sunday, May 31, 2009
Saturday, May 30, 2009
Sweet Little Ollie
I was so honored (and um, nervous) when Brian and Beth asked me to take a few pictures of Oliver so they could get one for his birth announcement. They didn't realize that with me there is no such thing as "a few pictures". I took about a million, of course. And I narrowed it down to a couple thousand "keepers" and then further narrowed that down to a few hundred to edit. I had so much fun today with little Oliver. It was so nice to have a model who didn't want to couldn't run away!
I have no idea which picture they will choose, if any, but these were some of my favorites. Of course it helps when you have the cutest little model in the world to work with.
Ok, these are not really for the birth announcements, but don't you just love little baby feet?
And I snapped these while Beth comforted Oliver half-way through our photo torture session. Don't you just love Mommies and babies? I do.
Sigh. Too bad I didn't have my good camera when either one of my kids were newborns..... sounds like another good excuse for another kid to me....
But, Matthew will tell me just to find some more friends with newborns, or acquaintances, even strangers on the street cause there will be no more newborns in this house to photograph.
I have no idea which picture they will choose, if any, but these were some of my favorites. Of course it helps when you have the cutest little model in the world to work with.
Ok, these are not really for the birth announcements, but don't you just love little baby feet?
And I snapped these while Beth comforted Oliver half-way through our 
Sigh. Too bad I didn't have my good camera when either one of my kids were newborns..... sounds like another good excuse for another kid to me....But, Matthew will tell me just to find some more friends with newborns, or acquaintances, even strangers on the street cause there will be no more newborns in this house to photograph.
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
A Fantastically Fishy Fourth Birthday!
Dear Evan (continued),
Now you are no longer a baby. You are four years old. I can't really explain how I feel about that. In some ways I'm sad that you are growing up because I know you are becoming more independent and will be moving farther away from me. But, in so many other ways, I'm so very proud of you. It is amazing to your dad and I to see how much you've grown. You don't notice it on a day to day basis because it is so gradual, but then all of a sudden you can reach things you couldn't reach before. When we were putting you to bed on your birthday you just reached up and got your milk cup right off the top of your dresser. We remembered when you used to have to climb on your toy box to get it (and it wasn't that long ago!). You amaze us everyday with the things you say, the things you can do, and the things you've learned. You are such a remarkable kid! We love being able to do all kinds of fun things with you now that you are getting older and we love being able to sit and talk to you. We love to hear the things you think about and dream about. Sometimes we argue because you want to be more independent than we think you are ready for and I know that is a battle that will most likely continue for a while. Sometimes you get frustrated with us and sometimes we get frustrated with your behavior. But, we hope you know that whenever we have to talk to you or punish you, we do it because we love you and want you to become a wonderful man someday. But, more than anything else, we want you to know that we love you more than anything. And everyday we have with you is filled with joy. You make our lives fuller and more rewarding than we ever imagined they could be.
Someday, I know you will want to know what you said on your fourth birthday. You were very excited when you went to bed the night before your birthday. We talked about how you would be four when you woke up. We kissed our three year old goodnight for the very last time that night. The next morning a big four year old bounded into our bedroom. You were very disappointed, however, because much to your dismay, when you awoke the morning of your birthday you were not "all grown up". Your legs were the "still the same" and you couldn't "reach your arms any higher than before". You told us that you "didn't feel four years old".
We explained to you that growing up was a gradual process and you usually didn't notice it overnight. But, believe me, buddy, you are growing so fast! Sometimes it feels like it happens overnight to Mommy and Daddy.
We decided to let you get some fish for your birthday because you wanted a pet so very badly. So, after we ate breakfast we headed off to Petsmart to get your new pets.
Here you are in Petsmart shopping for your fish and fish supplies.
And here you are on the way home, holding your new pets on your lap for the ride. See how big you are? Daddy had to move the carseat straps up when we got home and you have almost outgrown your carseat!
When we got home, you and Daddy set your new aquarium up in your bedroom. Your very own pets!
You picked out four fish because you are four years old. You picked a shark fish and three tiger barb fish. Daddy let you have a little catfish, too, just because it was your birthday (and because Daddy usually lets you have anything you want, anyway ;).
Here are your three tiger barbs. You named them Stripey, Pokey, and Silly. Unfortunately, they are no longer with us, but suitable replacements have been procured.
We sat outside until a storm came and then we went inside and the three of us played some board games until bedtime.
Now you are no longer a baby. You are four years old. I can't really explain how I feel about that. In some ways I'm sad that you are growing up because I know you are becoming more independent and will be moving farther away from me. But, in so many other ways, I'm so very proud of you. It is amazing to your dad and I to see how much you've grown. You don't notice it on a day to day basis because it is so gradual, but then all of a sudden you can reach things you couldn't reach before. When we were putting you to bed on your birthday you just reached up and got your milk cup right off the top of your dresser. We remembered when you used to have to climb on your toy box to get it (and it wasn't that long ago!). You amaze us everyday with the things you say, the things you can do, and the things you've learned. You are such a remarkable kid! We love being able to do all kinds of fun things with you now that you are getting older and we love being able to sit and talk to you. We love to hear the things you think about and dream about. Sometimes we argue because you want to be more independent than we think you are ready for and I know that is a battle that will most likely continue for a while. Sometimes you get frustrated with us and sometimes we get frustrated with your behavior. But, we hope you know that whenever we have to talk to you or punish you, we do it because we love you and want you to become a wonderful man someday. But, more than anything else, we want you to know that we love you more than anything. And everyday we have with you is filled with joy. You make our lives fuller and more rewarding than we ever imagined they could be.
Someday, I know you will want to know what you said on your fourth birthday. You were very excited when you went to bed the night before your birthday. We talked about how you would be four when you woke up. We kissed our three year old goodnight for the very last time that night. The next morning a big four year old bounded into our bedroom. You were very disappointed, however, because much to your dismay, when you awoke the morning of your birthday you were not "all grown up". Your legs were the "still the same" and you couldn't "reach your arms any higher than before". You told us that you "didn't feel four years old".
We explained to you that growing up was a gradual process and you usually didn't notice it overnight. But, believe me, buddy, you are growing so fast! Sometimes it feels like it happens overnight to Mommy and Daddy.
We decided to let you get some fish for your birthday because you wanted a pet so very badly. So, after we ate breakfast we headed off to Petsmart to get your new pets.
Here you are in Petsmart shopping for your fish and fish supplies.
And here you are on the way home, holding your new pets on your lap for the ride. See how big you are? Daddy had to move the carseat straps up when we got home and you have almost outgrown your carseat!
When we got home, you and Daddy set your new aquarium up in your bedroom. Your very own pets!
You picked out four fish because you are four years old. You picked a shark fish and three tiger barb fish. Daddy let you have a little catfish, too, just because it was your birthday (and because Daddy usually lets you have anything you want, anyway ;).
Here are your three tiger barbs. You named them Stripey, Pokey, and Silly. Unfortunately, they are no longer with us, but suitable replacements have been procured.
Later that night, after Chloe went to bed, you and Mommy and Daddy ate dinner on the porch. We had some little birthday cupcakes for you and sang Happy Birthday to you and let you blow out your candles (more than once), since yours and Chloe's party is still a couple of weeks away.
You were very silly with your cupcakes! You ate three!
We sat outside until a storm came and then we went inside and the three of us played some board games until bedtime.
It was such a very special day! We loved every minute of it. We hope you did, too.
Happy Birthday, Buddy! We can't wait for many more special days to come.
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