Pearl Jam - Just Breathe

My Little Shutterbug

On Friday I took Sam down into the city for a visit to the ENT. His ear tubes are doing well, and his hearing is perfect! While we were there he asked if I would take him up into a very tall building. Since we were in the neighborhood of SOB's hospital, I took him up to the 8th floor bridge. It's not the tallest building in town, but it's glass on all sides, so the views are pretty cool. Luckily I also had my camera with me. He was so excited to have a picture of the event.

Lately he's been very interested in taking pictures. When my parents were here, they let him use their camera all the time. And he's been asking me to let him take pictures with my camera. I'll usually let him duck his head into the strap with me and take a few shots. Like this one of Maggie:

Not bad, huh? Finally, after a long lecture, I let him hold the camera all by himself. He is only three, but I think he understood the responsibility. Plus I was sitting three feet away from him. I guess that's why he decided to make me his subject:

After almost a year of using his toy camera Santa brought last Christmas, I think he's ready to graduate. I'm not handing over my DSLR for good just yet, but I think I remember where my old point-and-shoot is hiding!

For more best shot Monday fun, visit Tracy Clark at Mother May I.

Imagine...

The hearts this one is going to break one day! Did you see the shoes? Thanks to my dad for snapping this photo of my Lulu!

Visit Megan at Mental Inventory for more imaginative Theme Thursday photos!

The Great Room Swap of '09

Oh. My. God.

My parents are here, so we've decided to re-arrange my head house a little. Sam moved upstairs. You know, back to the room he originally started in when we moved to this house? Then we moved Lucy into Sam's old room and the baby into Lucy's room. It was already pink and the crib doesn't fit through the door, so yeah. Baby in there.

Moving the furniture was the easy part. The hard part? Moving all of the clothes and toys and associated BS that comes with kids. I still haven't moved their toys yet, and Maggie's room still has the stickies on the wall from where it said 'Lucy'. The closets are still filled with their siblings' junk, except Sam, who has a closet full of dresses from Aunt Allison. We have a shelf out in the hall blocking half of two doors and piles of summer clothes on the floor.

But? We're having a blast. The kids are in heaven, I get to shower on a regular basis, and SOB's beer is getting consumed in record quantities! Plus I got a new Cheese Head picture on our trip to the zoo this morn...

Maggs came along, too, but there were only two head holes. I don't know what I'm going to do in the future. Here's a cutie picture of her anyway, just for fun!

Social

This has been quite a busy week for me. Last weekend we hosted my in-laws, then a good friend from college was in for a few days from sunny LA, which of course meant dinners out and maybe a cocktail or two. Wednesday night I hit south Philly with all three kids for some spaghetti and a reunion with some old internet friends. Tonight SOB and I are heading into town to see Pearl Jam! Just about the time that they take the stage my mom and dad should be arriving at the house to relieve Allison of her babysitting duties. Then tomorrow night me and my dad are going to see Pearl Jam.

Long time readers know that I'm a big fan, and this will be my 7th and 8th PJ show respectively. Beyond the general awesomeness of seeing two shows, these are the final concerts being played in the Spectrum. I'm sure saturday night is going to blow my mind. Taking my dad to see PJ is something I've always wanted to do, since he was the person who first introduced me to them back when I was in seventh grade, but we don't live in the same town, making planning difficult. They had already planned a trip to see us when the tour dates were announced, and I knew I was going to do everything in my power to get tickets for me and my dad.

Whew!

On sunday I'm going to spend as much time as possible in bed, thanks to my mom and husband, and hopefully by monday I should be back on my feet! See you then!

Maggie, Month One

Dearest Maggs -

Remember when you were born?

I do. You were already the sweetest thing ever and you were only a few minutes old. I know one day your brother or sister might read this and get angry, but I have never been more instantly in love with a baby as I have been with you. You are just so, so sweet and perfect and soft and cuddly and OMG I just can't stand to listen to myself when I'm around you. Maybe some of it is circumstantial, but this new baby phase has been such a delight so far that I can only imagine how much more fun it's going to be!

Aside from wanting to be held a lot, which I am happy to oblige you, you are pretty much perfectly content. You only cry when you are hungry or need a diaper change. And now that you'll smile at me, well let's say that the tiniest grin more than makes up for any crying that happens.

All of those colorful blankies you are asleep on were made by your great-grandmother Margaret. Some were for Sam, some for Lucy and one was just for you! I hope to keep them for the three of you to pass on to your children.

Your eyes are getting lighter, but let me tell you I seriously doubt they'll be blue like Sam and Lucy's. That's ok with me, because I have a sneaking suspicion that they'll be the same color as mine! With two blue eyed kids, I never realized that I kind of really want you to have my eyes. Or maybe they'll be a nice light brown like your daddy. Either way, I'm sure they'll be stunning.

Thank you, Maggs, for making our family complete. I love you baby!

Fall in a Puddle

It has been raining so freaking much here I'm starting to grow gills. The trees are just an amazing array of colors, and we only see them from through the windows. We had one nice day last weekend and were rewarded with three more rainy ones afterwards. Luckily we all got outside when we had the chance, and of course I had my camera in hand! The clear blue sky and neighborhood tree transformed this puddle in our driveway into something sublime!

For more Theme Thursday visit Megan at Mental Inventory!