People Mover.

I joined a photography group in Royal Oak. I attended my first meet on Saturday for a part in a series: Two Faces of Detroit. We went on the people mover and stopped at a the stops, got out to explore, and take pictures. I had a lot of fun and stepped out of my comfort zone by going by myself and meeting these new people. But I found out, it isn't that bad meeting new people! It was a different experience to shoot architecture and random things not people related. I'm excited to continue going to these meets and growing with my photography.

Check out some of my pictures at my Amanda Mattila Photography Blog!

p.s. This group would be a fantastic group for you hobbyist friends and family of mine to check out! RODP (judy, tim, chrissy, misty...etc!)

6 Months.

I'm now a little over 24 weeks along. The baby is growing stronger--kicking and moving a lot. Thankfully, I haven't had any issues in a while...not feeling sick or overly exhausted (partially because of James being home and helping me not overdo it.). I did gain quite a bit of weight in like 3 weeks time, which sort of freaked me out. I had only gained about 5 pounds up through 5 months. Very good for me because I was already up on my weight because I hadn't lost it all after Eli. But I had a big jump of 11 pounds at my last appointment! Funny how it coincided with James being home! Must be some lack of activity or something. Anyway, things are going well. We still haven't decided on a name but are actively looking. It is hard to find something on par with Berlin's name. Any suggestions are welcome!

Eli is teething! He has a new tooth coming in on top. He hasn't been too bad except that he doesn't want to eat as much and has been waking more at night. Teething tablets to the rescue! Thanks to Tim & Cody for telling us how amazing those things are!



Here are a couple of Berlin the other morning. She woke up and wanted to be a ballerina.
My goodness, this girl likes the camera!
Dandelions. I remember collecting them too, thinking they were beautiful flowers...

Sandy Fun.

I love that this weather has been so warm! Yes, rainy sometimes...but in between the rain, I actually go outside! Such a nice change of pace from hibernating all winter. Here are a few of the kids on a cloudy afternoon in their new sandbox:





He filled this bucket with sand and tried to drink it. Didn't taste very good.

Summer Resolution.

Who says that you need New Year's to make new goals?! James just gave up Mountain Dew! Those of you that know James.... yeah, this is huge for him! It has been since Easter. He is now drinking coffee because he kept falling asleep from lack of caffeine. But it is so much better than the amount of sugar intake. So funny too because Berlin was offended by him drinking it since it is a Mama drink. She ran to tell on him! He had his first cup of Starbucks yesterday!

A blog I read often, Moore Blog, challenged us to make a list of goals for summer... So here goes mine:

1. Try a NEW recipe more often ( i keep saying i'm going to do this but i only do it like once every 2 months)

2. Read my bible more

3. Evening bike rides with family

4. Go to the farmer's market--yipee for moving close to one!

5. Eat healthier and teach the kids healthier eating by doing it myself.

6. Go on more day trips!

7. Journal the kids' lives more often.

8. Have date night consistantly

9. Remember to teach compassion, giving, and love...not just numbers and alphabets.

10. Choose a NAME for this baby girl in my tummy!

11. Step out of my comfort zone and be more friendly to strangers.

12. Play in the sprinkler with the kids

13. Not just plant a garden, but take care of a garden. :)

14. Live simply--be more conscientious of the things I buy

15. Call/write my grandma at least once a month

16. Pudding paint with Eli!

17. Make my bed and get dressed before 10 am for some extra motivation for the day.

18. NO fast food. (usually this wouldn't be an issue except I crave salt when I'm pregnant...but i can't stand when I actually eat that stuff. AND panera doesn't count.)

19. Chill out on perfectionist behavior and thoughts. I'm the only one making myself stressed about silly things.

20. Finish the curtains for the bedrooms


So fellow bloggers.... let's see some of your summer goals!

Tuesday Randoms.

i'm a nerd. My hair is curly since having kids--I'm trying out leaving it curly more. Still learning how to make it uncrazy looking.
i was attacking james with the camera... i thought this picture was funny.
Monday morning.
Tried him with cereal and milk. He liked it and didn't make too big a mess either.
AND...she talks even while eating...

Eventful...yet uneventful.

None of our plans that we had for the Saturday worked well. We kind of got stood up, per usual, by our friends. So we ended up doing some yard work. Trying to dig the ivy out of the ground and off the house. So far the front is looking nice. We were both hurting after the garage and front got cleaned up...so we are saving the side and back for another day when we are recovered. SO SAD! lol.

Then we went on an unsuccessful hunt for a compact sandbox. We now have sand and sand toys...but no box. So that is our plan for today. Reason behind this need for a sandbox is that I took the kids to the park. Eli LOVES the sandbox. But, he kept putting things in his mouth. I've found glass there and other not so nice things lying around because some 12 year olds think it is funny to throw gross things in a kid's park. Anyway, Eli picked up a stick and was putting it in his mouth...and about 1 hour later--had a weird rash on his face on the side he was rubbing the stick. I'm a little paranoid, but thought it would be better to enjoy sand fun in a safer environment.

Also a plan for the weekend and week... pick up the door for Eli's room! Yay! And we are measuring the kitchen to come up with some prices to gut it out. (we found a few styles we really like). And check out landscaping and fence costs...these bushes around the house need to go. They are all falling down and looking messy.

Anyway, here are some pictures. I know it is a long wordy post! Sorry!





Elijah just woke up from his nap.
Still a little groggy :)
Poor boy fell face first on the cement the other day and got a boo boo on his nose.
Just hanging out on the steps.
I don't know what this look was for...

It was time for dancing--so Berlin said...
Eli is now saying Daddy. And when he says it, he screams so excitedly. Here he is seeing Daddy in the house and freaking out while Berlin is admiring a bug.
Not a better way to end the evening.
Yummy!




Believe it or not, Berlin was taking pictures...and she thought Eli needed his pictures taken in the bath. I love this one! :)

This Van is HOT!!

On my way to Flint yesterday I saw a van engulfed in flames. I normally don't do this, but I decided to pull off and take a couple of pictures. Unfortunately, by the time I got my lens on my camera the flames were already being sprayed and so you can't see the 7 foot flames pouring out. But I thought it was neat to catch the firemen in action.

Nail Art.

Beautiful nail stickers from Tim and Cody for Berlin's birthday.... this actually occupied her for about 1 hour! So cute. Although we now keep finding mini stickers stuck to our socks! lol.




After decorating my hair with multiple bows...it was my turn for nail stickers.

Green Thumb.

My mom gave me some beautiful flowers for Easter! I am going to try not to kill them. Hopefully I'll get out to plant them soon along with a few other bulbs I have. I plan to have a small garden this year since there is already an area here to do so....just have to dig the wildflowers out. I thought besides the veggies I could grow...Berlin might enjoy the gardening.

Another new addition.

It is official that my Dad and his wife Angie are expecting a little girl too! So, I will have a half sister and the kids will have another aunt, due September 3rd...and they are thinking the name Myah Rose. (I think that is how they said they are spelling it...) Very pretty :) I'm a little bummed that she is due so close to our baby because I'd love to fly down and take some newborn pictures of her...but we'll work something out.

We really need to get on picking out a name for our girl! We barely have anything to choose from. We have agreed on a couple of names, but I'm sort of losing interest in Zoey and Chloe. I want something pretty, something old, something interesting. I don't want any of those new 'put 2 names together and call it something new' things. I absolutely will not name her anything in the top 25 names for 2008 because I'd hate to have my girl go to class with 4 other Emmas or Madisons. Lol, or Bellas. Bummer too because I like the name Sophia but it is uber popular. Ah.... decisions decisions...

Egg-cellent Easter.

I hope everyone had a nice Easter! We did. James and Berlin got over the flu in time and Eli wasn't doing too horrible yesterday. The excitement kept him in good spirits.

Berlin and I dyed eggs on Saturday. Then decorated with stickers. It was a lot of fun! I was a little lazy in my artistic egg-spression. Lol...mom, that is for you. :) Ha. Anyway, Berlin did some really cool looking ones that reminded me of dinosaur eggs. We woke up on Sunday and Berlin searched for her basket. Eli wasn't feeling that great--so we made it easy for him. :) Then we did an egg hunt. Berlin was so egg-cited. Lol (sorry, couldn't help it!). Elijah had fun too but mainly wanted to crush the eggs in his mouth.

After church, we headed to my mom & steve's house for a super good dinner. And fun mini-desserts and cheesecake. (sarah has made me decide that all desserts should be made in miniature form. so cute that way! plus, then i don't feel guilty if i have like 4!). We did an egg hunt outside and enjoyed the sunny yet chilly day. All in all, it was an enjoyable Easter holiday.

p.s. one of the cutest moments of the weekend was Berlin learning about the meaning of Easter. She tried explaining it to Grandma and Grandpa using her necklace of the tomb she had made. "he was dead...now he's awive!". And also, asking James and I if she could have her candy and share it with God and Jesus when he comes. (she was asking this on Saturday night...I think she assumed it was like Santa Clause and the cookies.)



HA-this picture cracks me up. I used a wide lens close up...distorted fun. :)






Animals with WIDE LENSES! Meet Cole. :)

Running a bit fast at me.
Egg hunting is serious business.

Ashton with her big basket of eggs. :)
The Hunt continues.
Eli feeling really tall!
Chrissy. This is how we roll for Easter... boo-ya!
Roger.
James and Eli.
Cole had a blast once his leash was off!
Mom and Steve. The weird lines on her coat is because my lens got something on it.
I like this one. :P
Eli is tall again! Hanging with Uncle Roger.
He likes to blow bubbles with his spit. Yes, always a good time...
He liked this turtle. He even said 'turtle!'.
I LOVE LOVE LOVE this picture. The girls playing hopscotch.

Ash



Mom got into the old school action.
:)
I like this one too. Fun shadows.
Cole taking a breather.
Ashton, so serious.

Sarah stands like this. I think it is cute. :)
All of Sarah. :)