The Mattila Update

New Bloggy Blog! {ch. ch. ch. check it.}

2010-07-29T10:25:00.000-07:00

So it isn't finished BUT I have a new blog started! Please visit it. Bookmark it. Come back and look at it often! I'll be updating more often now that life here in the James and Amanda Mattila household has become a little less insane. http://family.amandamattila.com/

And now for something completely different...

2010-07-22T12:38:00.000-07:00

Woo! I just got off my butt and started installing the wordpress application onto my other domain that I already host for my business blog...and am creating a new family blog! Big pictures! Easier to update = more updates! I'm excited. It probably won't be done for a little bit but I'm hoping to get pictures from our move and our recent vacation up in Michigan up asap! I will make a post when it is up with the new link.

YIPEE.

Izzie is 11 months old!

2010-07-15T05:02:00.000-07:00

Wow, 11 months old! She is almost a year! Amazing how it flies. I've been thinking about her birthday and I'm going to do a little party here. My mom and Steve and possibly Chrissy, Roger, (and hopefully more) are maybe coming down the weekend of her birthday. It is Steve's 50th birthday and we originally had planned to go to Lake Michigan but with the move, it was going to be a lot so they might be coming down here. Plus, Steve is into the Civil War stuff and wants to see some battlefields and such. I came up with some ideas for her party so I plan to start once I get back from Michigan. I found a dress for her that I just love... here!

So, what has our precious Isadora accomplished in the last 11 months? Besides being the little angel that has us wrapped around her tiny finger... she has 2 teeth, eats table food, she climbs (yay, another climber), can walk more than we can count her steps, tries to blow kisses (which looks like smacking herself), she claps when we say clap or we clap or we sing a song that has clapping, dances when we sing or music is on, says "mama, dada, hi" along with babbling which sometimes sounds like words. The other day, I think she sang "abcd"!

Stafford.

2010-07-12T07:27:00.000-07:00

Still no pictures to post. One, I lost my cord for hooking up my phone to the computer. So I have to find that. And every single time I finish a client order and I think I'm going to be able to start my personal ones, another order comes through! Seriously, I was so excited last Thursday night because I finished everything that I had on my plate and my plan was to blog and edit the kids' pictures over the weekend. I no sooner got the words out of my mouth to James "yay, i'm excited that I'm all caught up. Those wedding album orders will hopefully not come in until after our vacation" that I check my email and have the orders! Blah. And because I'm so, um, compulsive about work orders that I've put it on hold. So you all will be bombarded with photos soon. soon.

We are moved! Our new address is 72 Belladonna Ln. Stafford, VA 22554

We had checked on several townhouses/houses to rent but the process was taking a long time. We ended up renting a townhouse sight unseen over the internet/phone just to get us moved out there. The townhouse is nice. Now that I've gotten it pretty unpacked and organizing it, it is a lot better than I was thinking. All of our stuff in boxes...staring around at the place I was really unsure of where all of our stuff was going to fit! But it is going well. And feels even more organized so far than our last house. Maybe because of my huge closet! lol.

James is really liking his job. It is more organized and he works with some nice people. We just found a few sitters so we will have a date soon. We did have a trial run last week and went to the bank (woo hoo for a date! ha.) and to starbucks. That was really nice to get out even for a short time.

The kids are good. Isadora is walking. She gets going and she clears rooms. She does a lot better if she is holding something for balance. So it is really funny to see her carrying a bucket around the house. :) They love having a pool! With it being so hot here, the water is really warm too. We haven't done too much exploring since we've moved. We probably won't get into a normal routine until after summer because we just nicely moved and are heading back to MI for a trip with James' family. Then I fly back in not even 2 weeks later for a wedding. And my parents are coming down 2 weeks after that! I did find a Trader Joe's, so that made me happy. And we have some very convenient stores/shopping near us. With it being so late in the summer already, I'm not sure if Berlin will be able to go to preschool now. I'm a little bummed. Even if we do enroll her, we are planning on moving in 6 months, so we may not be able to keep her in it anyway. So I'm going to do some searching now that I have the internet! Just got it on Wednesday!

Hmm. I can't think of anything else to write now...so talk soon!

Distance.

2010-06-04T12:08:00.000-07:00

Not sure about making the heart grow fonder but man, sure makes us miss him! The kids really miss James and so do I. Elijah about breaks my heart when he calls around "daddy, where are you?". The week has been going well though so far. God really has granted me patience because I'd think I should be pulling my hair out by now. But I'm not... Thank you God! James is in Virginia working and looking for a place for us to move. Last night he looked at a couple of houses and as I write, is looking at more. I hope, I hope! Work is going good for him but it is long days Mon-Thurs, so he is tired. It will take him time to get used to working 12 hours. Plus, he could probably use a wife to cook him healthy meals rather than eating junk to keep him going.

Elijah locked my keys in the car today--well, I did with his help. He threw a fit as I was buckling him in and grabbed at my keys in my hand...setting off the panic button. I turned off the panic button and he knocked the keys out of my hand. I shut the door to the van, not realizing he must have hit the lock button too. Door shut, kids buckled, phone, purse, and keys in the car. NOT cool. It is pretty hot too. So big ordeal with having the cops unlock the door. They couldn't open it. The other police department was on the way but would take about 15 minutes in traffic, lock people were going to be a little while, soooo the police said that they would have to break the window open if no one came soon. Ah, I was stressed because I know how hot it can get and wanted the kids out, but also didn't want my new van window broken. Grr. But animal control came! My hero! They wedged the car door open enough to stick a pole through and hit the unlock button.

I've gotten a lot packed already. I started unloading things from the studio today and that made me sad. I barely got a chance to enjoy having it. The basement is about 3/4 packed, kitchen is packed except necessities, bathroom packed, kids room mainly packed, my room packed. Garage, photo equipment, and rest of basement needs to be done. I'm going to try to get my wedding editing done this weekend but other than that, try to relax. Then I'll just have to have it go time once we find a place and plan a day to move.

News: Isadora cut a tooth! And I'm going to be an aunt again!! My brother Roger and his wife Sarah are expecting! We don't know the due date yet but sometime late Feb or March is the guess at this point.

Virginia.

2010-05-27T08:17:00.000-07:00

Well, a lot has happened since last post. A LOT. Most of you know that we are moving to Virginia. James applied for a job which he thought was in Detroit and it turned out to be in the DC area... he went through some tests and they determined he was qualified to do the job, sent him on a bus to Dulles, Va to the M.C. Dean headquarters for an interview, and then offered him a job that was to start on May 24th. The company is very big and has huge opportunity for advancement and educational training which James plans on taking up. We'll see where this opportunity takes us. We weren't sure whether this was the direction we wanted to go since we are both against the work 80 hour weeks to have a bunch of stuff that you don't get to enjoy and miss out on your kids life mentality. But we like food too... and clothes... and a house. So since Michigan has nothing for him he took the job and are moving. The idea is that it will be temporary until the next opportunity arises-- hopefully in Michigan by our family!

So we headed out this last Sunday to Dulles for him to start. The first couple of days was going over company employee handbook, 401k, insurance stuff, as well as a CPR class and certification and then OSHA safety training. Wednesday he started his first day on the job and he is assigned to building a hospital at a military base in Fort Belvoir. I'll let him tell you the details about his new job. We are looking for a place in Woodbridge. Possibly further out to Warrenton or Remington but I'd like to find something closer so he doesn't have a long drive to work. Especially because he has had to work 12 hour days so far and we aren't sure what they are expecting of him in the future. They say overtime is optional...but we aren't so sure if optional means that if you option out that you don't get a job.

Everyone said that Virginia is beautiful...and they weren't kidding. It is so pretty! There are some not so great parts near the capitol. We had to stay in Alexandria and both of us hated it. Looking for a place is getting off to a slow start. We thought we might just do an apartment at first but finding a 3 bedroom place is proving difficult. There aren't any vacancies or even soon coming. I did find one that we really liked in Leesburg but we think that it might be too far of a drive, especially for an apartment. We'd be more willing for an awesome house or something. We are also finding that apartments are about 1700-2100 for 3 bdr. Houses for rent are really expensive too...anything under 2k is a townhouse and not very big. So we've had to increase our house budget we originally thought. It is a little nuts to me considering what housing costs in Michigan are like... and that like 2 hours from the area he is working it costs even less than Michigan.

The kids are doing good. It is a little boring for them but we are making it. My sister, Sarah, is awesome! She made us snacks for the road and got the kids presents to open on the ride to keep them busy and happy. That has helped a lot--the flashlight toy she got them really helped when I was stuck in the hotel room and ran out of ideas to entertain them. We went to a park the other day. It was really pretty... although I'm not sure if it is just like this here but everytime I was out in the middle of the day around grass, we would get swarmed with gnats! In our eyes, mouth... bleh! So the park trips have been short.

I haven't taken many pictures but here are some from my phone.

Minivan! Yay for room! Kids love it...and so do we! We picked up dual dvd player for the drive too!

Dodge Grand Caravan :)

Kids opening their gifts from Aunt Sarah!

This is in Pennsylvania on our drive in... different to look at than Michigan!

We had to stay in a really bad hotel... longer story... and so I booked a new one and I was SOOO thankful! I took this picture to send to my mom because I couldn't have been happier to see this.

Park we stopped at...river is behind those trees.

More later!

Wow. Juggling acts aren't easy!

2010-04-21T10:17:00.000-07:00

This blog isn't over! I promise! I've just had a whirlwind lately. Some of you know of James working in Pennsylvania the past 2 weeks...on top of all the other stuff, it makes it hard to find time to blog. I plan to pick it up again on a regular basis the minute things calm down here. But, in the meantime, make sure to check my Photography Blog at www.amandamattila.com/blog which should stay updated. I plan to add more of my personal life on there as well. Not as open as I am on here... but you know... pics of the kids and stuff.

My new blog makes it super easy to do the photos too because I can load them right from my blog site...I don't have to host elsewhere which is awesome.

So for a little update of the last month or so:

Berlin is now sharing a room with Isadora. Eli has his own room. Good...almost all around! Isadora is getting older now and I trust Berlin with her. Elijah had given Berlin a black eye while she was trying to sleep (on accident) because he wants to play at bedtime. Now that they have their own rooms... Bedtime is SOOO much easier! There isn't anyone to feed off of when behavior is less than optimal.

My dad, Angie, and grandma came to visit at Easter with Myah. I was pretty excited to meet her! She looks just like my dad. She was a sweet baby...and all the kids liked having her around. It is unfortunate that I won't be able to be around her as much as she grows up. We had a nice Easter though with both of my sides of family...felt like I was 8 again.

Elijah is saying a lot more now. I think his frenulum is receding a little...not that I'm sure it effects it or not. He has a dentist appointment next Monday to check everything out. His newest things is "no, wait" "not yet" and "in a minute". Irritating but funny too. And I'm just so happy that he is putting more words together.

Isadora is growing so quick! She says "mama" and "dada" with purpose. As well as babbles a lot. She can crawl and has pulled herself up to standing. She tries to walk along things sometimes but not so great. She was really proud of herself by taking the walker across the kitchen...big smiles. She is teething really bad these last 2 weeks. I'm taking her to the doctor today though because I'm wondering if her whines also mean an ear infection. We'll see. For the most part, she is a super happy baby...and a mama's girl. She is eating a ton now...which now includes a bottle a day, usually. As well as cereal, veggies, and fruit. She has eaten banana and baby rice puffs too.

James has been working in Erie, PA as well as odd jobs for this same contractor. He just got called back for some work at CCM where he sorta was employed by for the last 2 years. I'm not too keen on him working there so I'm hoping he'll find a job with a more communicative, competent and honest boss...that pays him. He was offered a job in Tennessee... the job isn't a for sure yet. We will find out in July. We are talking about going down to there to do a test run with the contractor at the beginning of July to see about it. James has been gone a lot so we haven't had much time to sit down and talk things through...so we'll see. Weighing our options and praying on things. He still plans on going to school this fall to pursue writing in some fashion. He also started a blog that he hasn't published yet. He has some really great ideas that I'd love to see written. Time...time... ah, not enough time.

Me, not much of an update. I've got the studio but haven't had many opportunities to do anything yet. So... we'll see.

Pictures soon... I hope! I do take a bajillion. :D

March 11th.

2010-03-10T21:16:00.000-08:00

Here are a few recent pictures! I'm still waiting on my lens to be fixed but I got my brand new camera! I LOVE it! I have not played with the video part yet but I will when I get more time. I have lots to say but now that I've done the P365 blog and loaded these pictures...it is 12:30am and I'm tired.... so photos for now!

Elijah is in a stage of liking getting dressed...which includes putting on a LOT of layers. So far the cutest is him wearing full snow outfit, minus the pants. The snow boots and diapers are so cute!

James had to finish a test for Journeyman update...which he did in December. But he finished the test in 2 hours instead of the mandatory 15 contact hours...so he had to leave the computer logged in for a couple of days... finally done! Now, hopefully he will get his masters license.

daddy love.

If she isn't sleeping, this is her usual position in the swing... playing with her feet.

DJ came by to hang out... it has been a long time!

They missed each other :D

We stopped by Holly and Joel's for a little while. It had been 3 months since we had seen them...so it was nice. Gabe wanted me to take his picture...this is how it started.

And this is what it led to....

With All My Love, Kenneth.

2010-02-25T11:29:00.000-08:00

Kenneth Coy. Photo taken March 16, 1946.

My grandpa passed away yesterday morning at 82 years old. He told me last week that he knew the cancer had spread and he wouldn't being going home and not to be upset. He said he had five great children and is happy with that. I didn't get as much time with him as my other grandparents but I will forever remember going over to his house as a young child, just enjoying the peace and quiet. Taking walks to feed the ducks at an area pond or just down the street. I will also remember how he reminded me every time I saw him about how much I loved going to his house to have some quiet and how he thought it was funny for a kid so young. :) Sending me home with National Geographic magazines and old records whenever I'd visit. It has been interesting this week to find out about his life... like serving in the U.S. Navy and that his career was as an upholsterer.

I don't really know what else to say but I thought it would be weird to not post on an event in my life since this is my life event blog.

Because of my grandpa being in the hospital, my aunt and uncle and cousins came out from Florida. Although the circumstances aren't great, it was really nice to see them. I miss them lots. I don't even like the sun bathing, very hot weather, shorts, bathing suits, having to wear sunscreen, possibility of hurricanes, or the weird grass down there but whenever I see them, it makes me want to move!

Birthday Funs. (POST #250!!)

2010-02-21T08:44:00.000-08:00

WOW, 250 posts! I can't believe it! Well here are 2 days of snapshots... The day after Eli's birthday we went to Chuck E Cheese. Then we had a sibling GTG and had a kid-free night!

Driving... i like this new toy camera :)

James wasted Eli at the whack a mole, ha ha.

The kids just kept wanting to ride this Barney train. Berlin sat there with her arm around Barney.

He liked putting the tokens in.

The look on her face... i love seeing her happy.

This game was lame. But Eli thought he was a big boy.

On our way to Nana & Papa's house... he is saying hi.

What a wonderful thing to see in February... THE SUN!

i liked both of these. :)

Tim and Cody were the hosts of sibling GTG night

Playing games.

Happy Birthday John!

more Christmas?!

2010-02-18T17:50:00.000-08:00

And more from James' camera of Christmas...

Pre-Christmas baking.

John and back of Ethan's head at Christmas

Katie Pie! Yep, just gave you that nickname for the minute.

He was into taking CLOSE ups I guess!

Bob.

Opening gifts.

Adorable hat made by Aunt Erin.

Izzie and Papa.

Tree. Someday all the ornaments will go on...but we will wait until kids are a little older.

Eli opening stocking.

New robe.

opening an awesome journal... i had picked it out but totally forgot about it. I was excited all over again!

Hannah Montana!

More Thanksgiving?!

2010-02-17T17:34:00.000-08:00

Yeah, behind on posting some of the photos that we took because they have been sitting on James' camera. I have a list of to do's that I'm really hoping to get to this week! Every time I think I'm going to have time... I end up with something getting added that needs to take precedence. 'tis life. I did manage to cross something off my list though....getting the pictures off of James' camera. Really, my motivation for that is that I am super paranoid that we are going to lose all of the video that we have taken of the kids. I wanted it backed up. I have video from when Elijah was born that I really wanted saved. So I have quite a few on DVD now and on the backup hard drive. I ran into a little hiccup because my iMac doesn't support the firewire cable that I already have for video transfer so in a few more evenings it should be all done once I picked that up. It is sort of nice because it doesn't take up all that much time since I just plug it in, record, and walk away... add a title page and burn. I'm not fancy about it.

Anyway, below are some photos from Thanksgiving at my mom's house.

Izzie, Matt, and Chrissy.

Sarah, Ryan, and Steve watching the game.

Uncle Bruce, Alissa, and Aunt Barb.

Randoms from his camera and my phone (i apologize for the blurry, dark mess that are most of these images...my fault)

Isadora and daddy.

Pudding face! Are we bad parents that we laugh?!

looking good in his winter scarf...

out to dinner with my parents

this is just gross. Berlin added shrimp tails, crab ragoons, and fortune cookie to her ice cream.

He sat there like this just so serious. What a silly kid!

One of the MANY self portraits that Berlin takes.

TwentySeven!

2010-02-16T17:10:00.000-08:00

I had a great birthday! My mom came and watched the kids for James and I to have a date day. It was really nice to spend some with James without the kids, especially since it has been 24-7 kids without a break of work or anything lately. We went to the ice skating rink by us, to the DIA, and then to eat some mexican food.

After a wonderful breakfast prepared by James, he brought out my gifts. A tri/monopod! I haven't had a tripod in a couple of years... and have been wanting one to do some long exposures.

Camera was out...so of course she had to pose. She says she learned this pose from Hannah Montana.

Eli too!

Berlin helping open my presents.

Yep, I read kid books.

woo, weird to see pictures of me without makeup on. don't worry, there aren't anymore! lol.

Here I am after my triple axel. That James just couldn't catch me in action, I'm too fast for him. :)

James

One of those days.

2010-02-13T18:48:00.000-08:00

It has just been one of those days... among other things, cake baking was a mess....

First cake... burned on bottom, not right on top. Maybe the butter recipe was messed up because of the butter I used? Not sure... but a mess.

Treats that did turn out. Silly things.

The last straw... 3rd cake. I'm done.

Isadora. 23 weeks.

2010-02-09T18:25:00.000-08:00

Isadora army crawled out of her room and into the kitchen while I was making dinner. I just had to take a picture. :D

Playing in her room, I just liked the drool and the angle of this one.

Mom, mom! Look, I'm strong!

2010-02-03T20:49:00.000-08:00

We had a pretty long day today. I kept thinking all day of what I was going to do for my project 365 and ended up doing none of my ideas. I did try to jump out of the car to get a picture of James pumping gas...but ended up getting out too late and he just stared at me like I was an idiot. I am a little bummed because I'm finding that my focus is off again! I have had this issue several times for several different reasons...and now after a focus test AGAIN, I'm thinking that there is something up with my newest lens. It keeps front focusing so it will have to be sent in for repairs. It is my fave all around lens though so I'm not looking forward to being without it. At least it is under warranty and will be covered for repair!

Anyway, the second picture needs an explanation...or should have one. I told Berlin that if she ate all of her dinner that she could have some of my soda. I poured her some Virgil's Root Beer--but only a little bit. I explained that it was a strong pop so I wasn't giving her a whole bunch. (it is kind of like dessert in drink form with all the flavor and sugar). So she drinks it and then comes running into the living room holding Elijah's toy lawn mower over her head. "Mom, mom! Look, I'm STRONG! I had strong pop!" This girl says the funniest things all the time!

Even with the 'amanda you are an idiot' look on his face, i wish the darn picture was sharp. grr.

De.ve.lop.

2010-02-02T11:10:00.000-08:00

I am currently participating in another project called Develop on Fridays. Taking time to develop myself personally is really feeling great. Anyway, here are a couple of shots from that lesson. To view the fave shot go to my other blog here! Also, there is a description of the lesson too. Also, just a couple of random shots from the day.

Coffee Beans. Lesson ONE.

VIEW my fave shot.

Berlin was dancing and singing while watching herself in the tv.

Eli watching her from the couch with a bowl of crackers.

Baked these yummy Wild Blueberry Muffins for breakfast. They are so good. The recipe has sour cream in it and I think that just makes them special.

A quick blackmail shot of Eli. Berlin started running around in her bathing suit and she put one of her other ones on Eli. He was so excited...had to take a picture!

July in January.

2010-01-31T20:18:00.000-08:00

Because I am that behind. I just got to putting photos on the computer from July. Things just got way too hectic with weddings, my brother's wedding, bridal showers, James' back, and my big preggo self being super tired. SO, now here are a few posts from July all in one! It is actually a little sad because I miss grass...and sunshine. But instead of being grumpy, I will rejoice in the day that the Lord has made...even if it is in Michigan and cold and snowy. :)

NANA CAMP. I didn't take many pictures. The one day I had no flash on accident and the other times, it was just too much work to keep up with Eli and take pictures. But I did get a few:

Marble painting. Berlin.

Kaylee.

Egan.

They all look so serious! Eva.

Owen and Heather.

Grace.

Pudding Painting. NOT the best idea to teach your kid to do this...because he started doing this with yogurt at lunch time. But it was fun. :)

He looks like a big ol' chunker.

ha ha. Messy BOY.

RANDOM SHOT.

Eli was quiet and I found him curled in the bitty baby crib with a baby. So cute.

4th of JULY weekend. Little Ethan was born soon after the carnival trip...who would have known?! Heather and I took Owen and Berlin to the carnival. They had a blast. The kids and I went to the 4th of July parade in Clawson and the kids came home with a whole basket of candy...which made them very happy. Eli really liked all the dogs in the parade. And Berlin was amazed by these crazy stilt jumper people (i was amazed too.). Then for the 4th, we had a picnic dinner. It technically wasn't a cookout since I cooked in...but Holly, Joel, Gabe, and Levi came over and we went to the fireworks in Clawson.

Moon Bouncing.

Happy jumping. Owen.

Playing putt putt. Which she really didn't like all that much.

Owen... definitely more into sports than Berlin.

Cheers!

Levi. 11 months old.

Kids being silly.

Gabe being cute.

James' Birthday. THIS is why I blog, I can't even remember what we did! I'll have to ask James. I know that we went to the movies and I think it was to see Harry Potter. But with his back hurting we didn't do much. Anyway, I thought these pictures were cute.

Opening gifts. Is there a resemblance? hmmm.

well, we could just pretend. :) lol. (this one we took for Holly... knowing she love Beckham hotness)

Little girls... little girls...

2010-01-31T08:12:00.000-08:00

Ever watch Annie? That song is in my head. The one that Miss Hannigan is singing when she is drunk and depressed. I like that movie. :)

Anyway, here are a few shots from the other day just playing and entertaining Isadora.

Berlin entertaining by dancing and shaking toys.

Berlin trying to tickle her...Izzie "what is she doing?!"

"Oh, that is what she was doing...." tickle.

sister feet.

baby feet.

izzie pie.

izzie and her bitty baby. she did smile and talk a lot when I put her with the doll, but i like this stare down.

Job?

2010-01-31T07:37:00.000-08:00

I know that a TON of people are without a job right now or things are not very secure where they are at. So because of the flood of unemployment, all these applications that James is filling out isn't going to have the impact that it would have a few years back. And really, sometimes it is just in who you know.... SO, if anyone knows of a company needing an electrician let us know! Email me: imagesbyamanda@gmail.com

He has applied several places in Michigan, Virginia, West Virginia, Kansas City, D.C., Chicago, and Ohio. We would obviously prefer to stay in Michigan, so Mom... don't freak out. :)

Warm Legs.

2010-01-30T10:00:00.000-08:00

This is my first attempt at some pictures with her leg warmers. I now took some better ones that I will post later... I like her pink ones better. This color irritates me a little... but I still got a couple cute pictures of Izzie, so why not post?!

Izzie finally finding her feet.

Smiling at Daddy

I just LOVE this part of her arms... rolls, so cute! And I like when she sits like this because it reminds me of a muscle builder or something.

Little fingers.

Mr. Robot-O.

2010-01-29T10:00:00.000-08:00

Elijah got a robot for Christmas and the kids play with him by running away screaming "robot!!". Then running back over to destroy him. Then away again. It is a very loud playtime with Mr. Robot. Anyway, I was trying to think up a project for the kids to do and decided that we would make little robot men. We still aren't done with it as we have worked on it a little at a time.... dragging the project out so they won't lose interest. AND so that I don't have to think up a new concept yet.

Anyway, here is robot making:

Berlin fresh out of a bath got red paint flung on her from Elijah. See the paint? And the stripped down Berlin....

Nice to have Elijah interested in painting...unlike at Nana Camp this year.

One of the boxes... it now has some arms but still legless.

Painting some gears to make it look mechanical.

her goofball faces :)

NEW look?!

2010-01-28T18:52:00.000-08:00

SO, I made my own background for the blog! You like???? I still have not gotten to my photography blog but it will be updated in the next couple of weeks. Hoping that will look super awesome.

If you are a reader of my blog... look to the right and FOLLOW me! I also have a new blog to check out: www.embracelife365.blogspot.com and you can follow that too!

Well, I am off to have some yummy oreo pie and cuddle with my Izzie. Night!

AngelPie.

2010-01-28T11:35:00.000-08:00

Izzie Pie Punkin Doodle. Or AngelPiePunkinButt. Or.... :) This is why Berlin calls people names...because I do. I've always called Berlin by random pet names. Berlin doesn't have the sweet pet names for people down yet...she calls us things that end with poop. or tomato. or pickle. So weird.

My Izzie Pie has the sweetest smile.

LOVING her frozen blueberries.

Embrace Life. Project 365.

2010-01-28T08:29:00.000-08:00

Embrace Life Everyday.

Visit my new blog for project 365!

Snow Angels.

2010-01-26T08:58:00.000-08:00

We finally had some good snow! Good [good]: Adjective; satisfactory in quality, quantity, or degree. Snow [snoh]: Noun; a precipitation in the form of ice crystals, mainly of intricately branched, hexagonal form and often agglomerated into snowflakes, formed directly from the freezing of the water vapor in the air.

The day that Berlin and I got sick we went outside for a little snow fun. This was the first time that I took Eli out to play in the snow. He LOVED it. The boy/girl difference is funny. Berlin likes to play in the snow but doesn't want it on her. Eli just jumps right in face first! We did some sled pulling around the house and snowball fights...although it wasn't that great of packing snow. The kids did some snow angels and then we came in for hot chocolate. Unfortunately, I was unaware that Berlin was getting sick. In the middle of one of my picture takings is when she got sick the first time. I thought it was a fluke thing from being overly excited about the snow... I was wrong. Should not have let her stay outside when she begged to still play. And also shouldn't have let her have hot chocolate but lesson learned.

Elijah all bundled up.

Falling into the snow.

After she got sick and told me she was fine and wanted to still play.

Wearing himself out.

Snow angels.

Berlin trying to pull Eli in the sled.

James saying "what, a picture?!"

Elijah and hot chocolate. SO funny to hear him say... it sounds more like tribal speak with clicks and ahs.

A Very Merry Christmas: Part Two.

2010-01-25T10:18:00.000-08:00

On Christmas morning, we awoke to hear Elijah playing with the kid sized drums that were supposed to be gifted to him and Berlin. Eli was not so happy on the other present giving occasions due to the giving and then the taking away. For our at home Christmas giving, we allowed him to check out his presents and things went a lot nicer. I had to wake up Berlin and she took a little coaxing until she heard Eli banging on the drums...then a very excited and inquisitive Berlin sat up "ummm, WHAT is Elijah playing with?!". Berlin was our christmas elf handing out gifts. Now that she knows letters and what our names start with she was proud of herself to have the ability to "read". She is such a helpful sweetie. Christmas morning is so wonderful to experience with children. I feel so lucky to have my family.

After a slow morning, James and I had my family over for dinner. My mom made yummy prime rib after much discussion over what would be the Christmas meat. I'm not a huge fan of pork--especially ham, so I was very happy with her surprising me with taking over the meat cooking AND not making me eat ham. We had a great dinner and then spent some time visiting. My mom's dad, my Grandpa Ken, came for dinner. It was momentous as my mom had not spent a Christmas with my grandpa in 30 years. Let us just say he likes to stay in. It was a nice gift to have him spend some time with everyone. After visiting, we exchanged gifts and then relaxed for the rest of the day. This was my first Christmas at home in 7 years and I have to say that I really liked it.

Elijah drumming. *Note: The drums broke on the 3rd day. He bangs a little too excitedly.

Izzie and her stocking.

Is this for me?

Checking out his bubble mower.

We got Izzie this owl bank. I was excited when I found it because it matches some of her bedding and decor. And I've had a fondness for owls since I was little.

**little tidbit** my grandma betty gave me a charm bracelet when I was little. she died before adding a lot of charms on it, but the one i remember her giving me was an owl. she told me that the owl was for wisdom. i've always felt like her giving me that charm was like her gifting me wisdom or something. and every time i see an owl, i think of her. it depresses me greatly that i don't have that charm bracelet anymore. something happened to my jewelry box in one of our moves and it is gone. :(

Berlin and her newest Olivia book... Olivia's personality reminds me of Berlin.

Eli opening his play food cookie set.

Mr. Potato Head.

Berlin opening her register for playing store.

Berlin checking out Eli's toys.

Eli checking out Berlin's toys.

Izzie.

Mr. Potato head glasses.

Berlin trying on her new robe.

James and his Chelsea FC mug.

Sarah and Lucas.

Mom and Steve opening their gift from us kids. BluRay player to jazz up their new tv!

Roger and Sarah. First Christmas as married couple!

Grandpa Ken. The looking over the glasses means he doesn't like his picture taken.

I think this is a pretty perfect photo representation of uncle chuck. i swear that i can hear him saying "hi there" from the picture.

Aunt Chrissy was a superstar gift giver with this Hannah Montana doll for Berlin. She then decked herself out with the Hannah Montana outfit, microphone, and doll....and put on shows for us all. It was a delight.

A Very Merry Christmas: Part One.

2010-01-24T20:34:00.000-08:00

So there is a big lack in christmas photos this year. James took some with his camera and recorded some video that I have yet to go through...so maybe there will be additions to this later...but not likely. But with my arm/back thing I couldn't lift my camera much....nor did it put me in a caring about pictures mood. Anyway, we celebrated Christmas the Sunday before at Bob & Judy's with all the kiddos. And then celebrated with extended Mattila family at the traditional Christmas Eve dinner at Grandma Mattila's condo. We had a great time. The kids got along very well...which was really nice. We were blessed with a show from the older kids doing music which I am sure is the first of many. It brought back memories of my cousin and siblings doing shows for my grandma. She was put through some very interesting skits and song performances.

The kids gifts were awesome. Berlin is now really into her dolls and dressing them up into different outfits (usually they are going to a wedding she says). They got a ton of art supplies which were seriously depleting from all the painting projects, so there has been some new painting excitement with new colors and brushes. BOOKS, books... so happy for some new reads. I'm surprised we fit all the gifties in the car to take home! Erin made some hats for the girls and shark mittens for Elijah. They are so awesome! I need to take a picture of them to show you! Anyway, Christmas was great.... here are a few pics.

Bah Humbug! :) Isadora's first XMAS!

some beautiful ladies.

Berlin was very excited to wear her sparkle shoes and shirt.

Opening stockings.

Elijah got a snake in his stocking... and he LOVES snakes. Or rather LOVES pretending to be scared of them and comes up with ways to destroy the snake. :)

oooh....

Presents! Berlin and Eva.

James, Isadora, and Timmy.

Kiddos and Judy.

This photo will work much better when they are all out of diapers.... Hopefully.

Some of them cooperating for a minute. :) Kaylee, Grace, Eva, Berlin, Owen, Egan.

Lucas Steven {newborn}

2010-01-20T10:56:00.000-08:00

My step-sister Sarah and her fiance' Ryan welcomed their baby boy in December. He is now a little over a month old but when he was 11 days old, I photographed him at their condo. Here are a few!

i personally like this grunge edit...

feeties!

Isadora 4 months old.

2010-01-19T12:36:00.000-08:00

More pre-christmas pictures.... Izzie turns 4 months old! She rolled back to front on Dec 13th and quickly became a pro at rolling. She is trying to push herself up but mainly spins around to reach different things. I started her on baby food on Dec 28th. So far as of today she has had cereal, peas, and sweet potatoes. She does pretty good with the food. Although, since she has had sweet potatoes she isn't as fond of peas. She babbles a TON. She wants to talk so bad. Her 4 month check up was before christmas and she weighs in at 14 lbs 7 oz. 24 1/2 inches. She is 75th percentile for height and weight and right at 50 percent for head size. Doing real well and healthy. :)

This was right after I cut Berlin's bangs... they are growing to a better length now, she didn't hold still and i cut it a bit too short.

Isadora wearing a poncho made by my great aunt Judy.

Early December Catch UP.

2010-01-18T11:53:00.000-08:00

Over a month has passed, sorry! It isn't laziness... I promise. Besides the busy holiday time, I also injured myself and then got sick...several times... all in a row. AWESOME start to the new year. BUT I am all better now! Actually, it was a blessing to some extent that I got hurt because I had stretched a tendon in my arm back in September.... I had it x-rayed to check for a break or something, but they said it was tendonitis and that I needed to rest my arm for 6 weeks and sling it. HA HA HA HA.... yeah right! So I dealt with the pain and tried to take it easy when I could. But then I lifted a very heavy light pack and battery into my trunk and pulled my neck. Not a big deal I thought and went about my daily business. I started acting like a goof one night about 5 days later and somehow put my whole darn back out. It messed up 2 ribs and pinched a nerve in 3 spots, making my arm go numb and me a big poopy mess. So CHIROPRACTOR here I come! After a couple of weeks of the chiro, it is pretty fixed. I can still feel it messed up a little but it is getting better. Anyway, I was on the couch for a whole WEEK with my lovely husband helping me. BUT then, I got sick... with the flu. That lasted for 6 days. Went to the bank, did some errands, came home to play with the kids outside. Berlin started crying that she didn't feel good... and then up came her lunch. And again. And again. Then I got sick again! And James. We think that one was the Norovirus. SO glad that Eli and Izzie didn't get it. The blessing? With all that resting on the couch, it significantly helped my arm. Woo!

2009-- GOODBYE! I'm glad to see you go! I'm looking forward to 2010. Although, as weird of a year as it was... I am thankful in a way for all the weirdness. I didn't think that I could love James anymore than I already did...but this year has really brought about an openness in James and has brought us even closer. Also, I got a brand new daughter! So can't complain too much. :)

Here are some pictures from PRE-Christmas December.

Asking to talk on the phone.

Talking to grandma.

p.s. didn't have a flash handy, so excuse the grain... chandelier light doesn't do that awesome.

Izzie at 14 weeks.

Playing on my background while I was playing with a simple light setup.

sweetie pie.

Isadora in a drawer. That kinda rhymes.

Kids waiting to decorate tree.

Berlin with her ornament from my dad and Angie.

Eli with his.

izzie with hers.

Elijah only wanted to put the ornaments up high.

Crazy Christmas tree picture...

Pretty lights...

James decorated outside for me this year!! It was pretty and the kids thought it was awesome.

Eli and Izzie hanging out.

Berlin and Izzie.

Random Izzie playing.

Huh?!

Her first time in the jumper... not enthused. She doesn't seem to like it all that much still, just for about 5 minutes to touch buttons. She doesn't feel the need to jump yet.

Movie time! Taught Berlin the BEST way to eat popcorn... with M&Ms!

Okay, more pictures soon! Still have early december and then Christmas!

project 365

2009-12-14T20:38:00.000-08:00

starting in 2010, i'm going to attempt to take a picture every day for the year. not sure what I'm going to do with them once I have them,...but it will be a fun little project. :)

anyone else interested in joining?

creating.

2009-12-13T20:22:00.000-08:00

Berlin Mae, 1 year old.

I've been trying to take a break from work photography so that I get passion for it back. I feel like I've gone a little stagnant. bored and boring. and uncreative. i'm going to continue this break for a little while. so far i haven't had a huge break because of orders and such but even the slow down has been great for my creativity. i used to paint, draw, attempt to crochet, sew, make various items like soap, as well as bake. I wasn't always good at everything (remember my crappy totes that i tried to sell at a craft show... *cough cough (lame)*) but I was at least having fun. Almost everything I'd do would give me a sort of high. Right now I'm sort of on one of those highs for scrapbooking again. I haven't done it in a while and got back to Elijah's album. I'm all caught up to present time now. So far, 88 pages! I have some ideas of books that I want to get to but I think I'm going to start Izzie's and then do a family album. I've come across some really amazing websites for papers and elements. I've also already learned a few things that will help me when designing people's albums! so yay!

I can't wait to share all the neat things that I'm learning! i think i may even get the wacom tablet out and try to draw some of my own elements which would be nice to learn. I'm even more excited to get Elijah's book to print!

If you are interested in digital scrapbooking, check out www.blurb.com. They make it really easy to design and order albums using their program. Also, hit me up if you are interested in more links for papers and such.

izzie pie.

2009-12-10T08:12:00.000-08:00

i got a new boppy cover because i think my last one has seen it's last day. i like the bright pink. and i think izzie does too. :)

oooh.

2009-12-09T08:03:00.000-08:00

While James was gone at the store with Berlin, I had a nice quiet hour or so with Eli. It was really enjoyable! He played in the tub...I gave him a mohawk which lasted a whole second with his thick hair. But he has been making this really funny face which is usually accompanied by him crossing his legs and saying "oooh" really high pitched. He kept doing it in the tub and I got his picture. Funny kid.

Ice Princess.

2009-12-08T11:10:00.000-08:00

Today I took Berlin to the ice arena to ice skate! I had SO much fun! Berlin did too! She recently watched Ice Princess and was really into it. I took skating lessons when I was 4 and I still remember loving it. SO I thought I'd take Berlin. She did great. She kept watching the girls doing jumps and spins and would attempt to copy...and was a little anxious to try to do it alone but she skated for over an hour with a smile on her face the whole time!

Lucas Steven is born!

2009-12-07T22:35:00.001-08:00

In an attempt to stay up til the middle of the night because I thought I was in for a long night... I drank some starbucks at 10:30, so now I am awake at 1:30 am. Thank you peppermint mocha. Oh well, now I'll get a post up asap! I got the call that Sarah was heading to the hospital to have Lucas...she didn't get there until about 9 pm and by 11:30 he was born! Lucas was born 6 lbs 10 oz. 20 inches long. Sarah is doing great and Ryan was all smiles as the proud new daddy!

Ryan coming to tell us.

inked.

Grandma

Aunt Chrissy

Grandpa

Happy little family (minus ashton)

Chef Elijah.

2009-12-07T07:42:00.000-08:00

Here is Eli, cooking up some cuteness. :)

Enjoying the "fruits" of his labor. lol.

Happy Turkey Day!

2009-12-06T08:49:00.000-08:00

We had a really nice Thanksgiving this year. We went to my parents' house to be with family. We had a FULL house as usual there. Not counting kids-- 18! The food was good...company was wonderful. My mom decorated real nice downstairs and made some really pretty centerpieces. She cut out the centers of apples to put tealights in them...which I thought was pretty festive. I don't have a picture of it though. Girls played Cranium while the guys watched the Lions lose.

Isadora and Chrissy

Sarah

Uncle Chuck and Berlin

Izzie Pie

Alissa came in from Florida. I haven't seen her since Eli was born so it was really nice to see her!!

Ashy

Aunt Barb had a super cute outfit on, per usual. Roger. :)

James

Mom and one of the turkeys

One of the table centerpieces.

Berlin.

Elijah-- wouldn't hold still for a minute!

Izzie in her cute outfit... first Thanksgiving.

The kids played with this box forever! Ryan pulled them around for a fun ride. Gotta love uncles.

Steve watching the game

The guys. James, Ryan, Charlie.

All I want for Christmas {James and Amanda}

2009-11-26T18:36:00.000-08:00

Sorry for waiting so long to get this up...been busy. Posting from my phone! :)

James:

iTunes gift card
Assasins Creed 2 video game. (xbox)
Left 4 Dead 2 video game ( xbox)
xbox controller- prefer colored fun, not white
Them Crooked Vultures CD
Wolfmother (cosmic egg) CD
Microsoft xbox live points card

Amanda:
beaded necklaces
victoria's secret Amber Romance perfume and lotion
Abercrombie 8 perfume
iTunes gift card
Paramore CDs: Brand New Eyes, All We Know is Falling, Riot
Sondre Lerche CD: Heartbeat Radio
good water bottle- NOT aluminum
slippers- fun monkey ones from target or pretty ones from kohls size 9
Urban Outfitters gift card
Books: Parallel Worlds: A Journey Through Creation... By Michio Kaku
Hyperspace: A Scientific Odyssey.... By Michio Kaku

Thanks! Hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving. Ours was great!

Shake up the Makeup.

2009-11-24T10:56:00.000-08:00

Isadora is now 3 months old! She is now reaching for things--doesn't have a far reach yet but anything she can get she chews on. Slobber all over her clothes and blankets... pretty funny when she is sitting with me while folding laundry because I have to watch that she isn't eating the socks. :) I found out she is ticklish too. She laughs so hard if I tickle her neck or her thighs. LOVE it!

Below are a couple of pictures of her from last weekend. I got a camera off ebay to hold me while I get rid of my other one and so I was doing some test shots to make sure it was functioning right. YAY for working equipment! I'm planning to do some more pictures of her for actual 3 month pretty ones that I'd want to hang up....but I think these ones are cute too.

Also, today while looking for the cotton balls for our art project, I came across my Mary Kay kit in the basement. Berlin was amazed by all the stuff and wanted to play with it. SO, I got her out a mirror and some sample stuff and let her go to town. She did pretty good. The second time she forgot what the sample lipstick was and thought it was for eyes, which was a little harder to get off...but it was a fun time watching her. She was bathed before James got home though so that he wasn't horrified by his 3 year old with all this makeup on. Uh, it was cute but I don't get those stage mom's that do this to their kids.

Isadora, 3 Months.

All I Want For Christmas. {Elijah}

2009-11-18T10:50:00.000-08:00

Elijah is 1 1/2 and into everything! He likes animals, dancing, and painting. He also likes to drum and do anything athletic.

Eli is in clothes size 2t and shoe size 7 toddler.

Pajamas-- size 2T or larger.

Drums... electric.

Magna Doodle-or something of the like. I heard that they have glowy ones now...but the original is just fantastic.

Art Projects- He particularly likes watercolor paint. So watercolor paper and paints would be nice because I go through it like crazy!

ROAR! He likes anything with animals. Dinosaurs, puppies, lions, snakes...etc.

Little People. (we have the airplane, race and load carrier, dump truck, racetrack, day home, and carnival) but he plays with these all the time. I think he would really like the Learn About Town set or the Noah's ark one if they still carry that.

Helmet for bike riding.

Tricycle. The Radio Flyer one seems nice. I think it would be nice for him to not ride a pink one anymore :)

Scooter-- Radio Flyer makes one that is easier for smaller kids.

Kids size balls: football, basketball.

Gator Golf game.

Travel games or thing to occupy in the car.

All I Want For Christmas. {Isadora}

2009-11-18T10:18:00.000-08:00

Izzie is cute and little... she is about 13 lbs and 23 inches. She is wearing clothes 3-6 months now. She is all set for summer clothes for next year due to the massive amounts of dresses that Berlin had...and some that I bought before she was born. Her room is done in pink and yellow. She is holding her head up and rolls front to back but trying back to front. She is a happy princess. :)

Anyway, here are some ideas for Isadora.

Piggy Bank.

Bitty Baby. Or bitty twin. Sure she is too young now but eventually, she is going to want one like her sister and cousins. Either blond with blue eyes, or light skin with brown hair and brown eyes.

Pajamas. 6 months and up.

Soft balls and blocks. Such as: Bright Starts

JJ Cole Essentials Blanket. Don't care what color, but it is water resistant and nice for outdoor playing.

ANYTHING from Janie and Jack.

Pacifier Pod.

Bike Carrier for back of bikes. We do a lot of bike riding as a family. It would be nice to take Izzie. :)

Isadora is hard because most of the essential toys for her age, we have. But if you pick out something and have doubts, just ask!

All I Want For Christmas. {Berlin}

2009-11-18T09:35:00.000-08:00

I have been trying to get the kids' Christmas lists down...so I'll be posting a blog for each kid.

Berlin is now 3 1/2 going on 15. She is mommy's little helper. She likes all things rock and roll and pretty. She likes to tell stories, do learning and art projects, and make believe such as dress up and puppets. If something has sparkles, she is going to LOVE it. She likes the color PINK. And blue. But doesn't like the color green....in her mind, green is for boys.

She is in size 4T and wears a size 9 toddler shoe.

Leap Frog TAG reading system

Fancy Nancy Book for TAG And other TAG books that are for the ages 3-5 or so.

Books. We could use some good storybooks for her that aren't board books... she really likes the Olivia book she got last year.

Leapster.

Games for Leapster. Such as Disney Princess game.

Drums....electric. This will also be on Eli's.

Drum..this one is cute.

Pram for baby doll. LOVE THIS ONE!!

Art project items. Paper, paint, jewelry making, kits of any kind geared to 4 year olds.

Toddler Luggage for staying with grandparents!

Hannah Montana singing doll. Yikes... yeah, she loves this thing.

American Girl Items Below: (she picked these out.)

Ballerina To Be outfit.

Snowy Owl outfit.

Bitty Baby: Blonde hair/blue eyes. She has a bitty twin but pointed to this too...

My kids...grease balls?

2009-11-13T09:35:00.000-08:00

Ew. I was gone last night at the store and James gave the kids a bath....not realizing that I had left my bath oil next to the kids' soap. SO when he was getting the kids' jammies ready, the kids dumped 1/2 a bottle of bath oil (of a 30 oz bottle!) in the tub. Eli's hair looks ridiculous. I gave him another bath this morning and it is still not wanting to come out all the way.

I'm really looking forward to this weekend! My friend is opening her photography studio and is having an opening party. So James and I are going to that and then out afterwards to a movie! Very excited for a night out! I hope everyone has a nice weekend!

Thank You Thursday. {Fearless Communication.}

2009-11-12T10:00:00.000-08:00

This is a bit off from my other thankful posts. I was going to write about these super good brownies that I discovered but at the moment...I am just really thankful for good communication.

I was in a funky mood and feeling just... well, "AHHH!"... if you've had those days. But really, I had nothing to complain about other than my dumb camera. I just felt off. And NOW I feel better! Amazing what a little talking with your husband will do. I'm so thankful that I am able to talk with James about anything. I know a lot of women that can't talk to their husbands like they do their friends and I've always felt like we can talk about anything. We may not always have answers for things but at least there is understanding and a whole lot of openness.

As well as feeling better from talking with James... My mom and Kate are always especially good to bounce things off of. So thank you... you talkers that help keep my sanity and keep me focused on the things that are important.

Joys of an internet society.

2009-11-11T11:53:00.000-08:00

Well, I didn't do that great at having a blog post everyday for the month of November...which was my original goal. I usually will blog several in a row and schedule them but I forgot over the weekend that none were to be posted. Oh well. Also, I am camera-less for a little while since my one camera is in the shop and the other one is being borrowed. So sorry for no pictures. I am looking into doing a little switcharoo with my equipment since I keep running into failures and stuff. One downside to all this fun technology. It isn't always dependable.

SO, since no pictures...you get to read my randomness! lucky you! :)

I just adore online shopping! I usually buy online for all of the business stuff. But clothes and other personal items, I just haven't done much until now. I started more when I found out I was due with Izzie...bought her crib set online for a fraction of the cost it would be at the store. I've been loving the joys of shopping online for clothes for the kids as long as it is a store that I frequent and know the sizes. No dragging kids through a store...which seriously ruins concentration when deciding what to buy. I can compare and even plan outfits buy searching different stores at once! UH, and it sort of stops this really annoying thing that seems to happen every single time I go shopping for the kids' clothes... SIZES! I can see right there if there isn't their size.

Where do I frequent? Well, since you asked....

www.target.com (they even have a newish boutique section that is so awesome)

www.amazon.com

www.littledreamerdesigns.com (if you scrapbook on the computer--love this!)

www.etsy.com

www.ebay.com

www.gap.com

Now, if I could just have my grocery shopping done online too... I'd be all set! I like to go shopping for fun. When it is shopping for needs, it stresses me out. So yay for online!

One of the paper packs that I recently got. FUN!

If the Bible read like a fortune teller...

2009-11-10T05:31:00.000-08:00

I'd be a little depressed today.

Thankfully, it doesn't. I've been having one of those days for a few days now. I just feel off. And a little confused. And frustrated. I can't even really explain it logically. Photography is slowing down now and I am so darn happy that it is. I had a bad few weeks with work where anything that could go wrong...does. And sometimes it leaves me questioning what I'm doing.

I opened my bible today and although I'm in Daniel, I open it and the first verse I read was Proverbs 13:19. Which in the bible that I was reading read like this: 'It is pleasant to see plans develop. That is why fools refuse to give them up when they are wrong.' Now I had to sort of laugh when I read that because when I was in junior high I used to close my eyes and just open the bible hoping that God would just have something to tell me on whatever page I opened to. I realize that it doesn't read like a fortune teller and don't do that anymore but thought that the verse I read was an odd coincidence for how I'd been feeling.

I read a little more on that verse and I think my version is not exactly worded well. The more I read on it with other translations...it doesn't mean wrong as in I'm wrong for my plans. But wrong as in evil. Fools refuse to give up evil because of the happiness it can bring. So coincidence, not really with reading more about it. Still something to remember though.

hmm. i'm in a weird mood.

Activities?

2009-11-09T10:41:00.001-08:00

Now that the hibernation season is coming, I'm trying to come up with more ideas for activities to do with the kids. Most weekdays I do a special activity just with Berlin while Elijah is napping because it makes the activity go a little smoother. And some nice one on one time with Berlin. But I'm trying to find some more ideas on what to do for both ages and abilities. I've been looking online but if anyone comes across any mom sites with fun ideas... let me know :)

thanks! now onto my fun activity time with Berlin!

Thank You Thursday. {Paper Source}

2009-11-05T14:17:00.000-08:00

Envelopes, labels, and paper... Oh MY! All of my packaging for mailers, cd cases (which I make from petal envelopes), pretty stickers, and pretty much any paper product that I use comes from Paper Source. Unfortunately, we don't have an actual location in Michigan to visit but online works just as well. The colors are always right on. They have beautiful products and a wide variety of colors. One big plus to shopping with Paper Source is that I can expect that my package will be on my doorstep the next day! They are speedy. Besides things that I use for business, they also have fun gifties and projects for crafters. Thank you Paper Source for being so awesome.

Halloween Part 2.

2009-11-04T08:00:00.000-08:00

I'm a little bummed that I didn't take pictures with my camera this year. I'm not sure we know how to use our little point and shoot yet because we get a whole lot of blurry pictures when it is set to auto. Either that or I am just not used to using one and expect too much out of that thing.

We went trick or treating in Lapeer with my parents, joel, holly, gabe, levi, chrissy, ryan, and sarah. The kids had fun. Elijah was really funny. It was exciting for me to watch him since this was his first year to trick or treat. At first, he kept trying to give the candy back. Then he was really excited running from house to house...saying "guleeggggulllleee" which is jibberish for candy. He roared at every scary face he saw. There was a vampire in a coffin--which was a live person that would start to talk but then go back to playing dead. He was so fascinated by it and kept wanting to go back and see him. It was so cold out but he kept wanting to go. Berlin started to get tired and was done after about 30 minutes.

Then we were off to Roger & Sarah's house for their costume party. I was feeling pretty crappy (i caught a cold or something ) so I didn't dress up. I wish I would have now. There is always next year... But we had a good time. We played rock band--which now I really want! Berlin and Eli loved it too. Berlin actually did pretty good at the drums. Everyone had pretty cool costumes. I have some better pictures on my phone from the night but I haven't loaded them yet...but you'll get the idea.

Berlin and Gabe. Gabe was Link from Zelda...but a lot of people didn't get it.

Saying hi to Levi...little Yoda. His Charlie Brown costume didn't come in the mail on time. ;(

Their first house!

He was super speedy. Per usual.

Trick or Treat!

Eli with his grammy.

Chrissy and I. She was a pirate but I don't know if I got a full picture of her. :(

Eli with Grandpa. He was staring at the coffin guy in this one.

Izzie all bundled and sleeping in the stroller.

Ryan and Sarah. They dressed up as a priest and a pregnant nun. SO funny. She looks amazing... 8 months preggo!

Steve and Roger. Roger was a bull rider. Man, I need to get the other pictures loaded.

Mom was a cheerleader. :)

Matt was Ramathorn from Super Troopers. HILARIOUS.

Rock Band.

Halloween Part 1.

2009-11-03T11:38:00.000-08:00

Halloween started early this year. We were blessed with Timmy and Erin joining us for the weekend! We hung out at Bob and Judy's...eating way too much junk food (but really worth it, yum!), took family pictures, decorated pumpkins with the kiddos, did a pinata and a tractor hayride, as well as family games. It was nice time!

Berlin decorating her pumpkin

Judy and Eli

Berlin--apparently a grumpy bunny and Cowboy Elijah

Pinata Fun!

Berlin taking her turn.

Heather and Ethan.

Nana helping Elijah get a good swing in--that pinata didn't want to break!

Getting her loot. Which Eli stopped at the first piece of candy...didn't get the concept yet.

Papa giving all the kids a tractor ride.

All the kids were just adorable. Egan was a SUPER cute monkey but I didn't get a good picture of him....
Kate, what an angel!?

Erin

The cutest cowboy in the WORLD!

yum...

Little Timmy/ Big Timmy

Ms. Berlin with a wig and hat.

Beefy Light Stand.

2009-11-02T10:00:00.000-08:00

I've been in need of a good light stand for some time now. I finally ordered one this last week and tried it out the other day. The stand is from the Alienbee company. Now I can use my super awesome light without worrying it is going to crash and smash! Took these two of the kids with bribes of candy.

Alienbee is set up behind and camera left. Reflector is to the right. ISO 100, 1/160th, F/4.5 These have a new action that I got for free... it is a cross process called Funky Monkey. And I LOVE it for details. Shoes and rings look amazing with this.

Isadora 10 Weeks.

2009-11-01T13:28:00.000-08:00

Because I'm a photo mom, I take lots of pictures. I realize that everyone doesn't document every couple of weeks...but I do. So yeah, might be overkill...

Izzie rolled over today! She rolled from her front to back. Milestone! I need a baby book really bad for her so I don't forget this stuff. I think I'm going to make her one instead of buying one though...so we'll see if I can hurry that up. So here are a couple of pictures of her in my room after she rolled.

Thank You Thursday. {Virgil's Root Beer}

2009-10-29T16:00:00.000-07:00

I've been brainstorming like mad for my business. Reading a TON whenever I'm able and coming up with ideas for marketing, my branding, as well as what I want to do. One thing that I'm really going to be revamping is my online stuff--my website needs a rehaul for what pictures I show but the blog could be better for sure. Including actually posting often... right now I really don't like posting on my business blog. i'm trying to get James to take over for me. :) Anyway, one thing that I was thinking I'd do is have a daily theme of posting and Thursdays is going to be Thank You Thursday.

I'm going to try it out on my own blog first though because I'm not going to be redoing my online stuff until this winter. And this week I am thankful for Virgil's Root Beer! I know I've already posted before about how much I love Trader Joe's... but really, they rock for bringing the quality. Virgil's is a gourmet root beer, hand crafted and microbrewed with herbs from around the world. Immediately you can taste the different flavors: clove, anise, molasses, and flavors that you wouldn't expect in root beer like wintergreen. Their website says that they are "what Ben and Jerry's is to ice cream"...and that is the truth. I don't particularly like to drink pop as a usual beverage... I stick to my water, tea, and coffee. But when I want a treat-- this soda does the trick.

Bath Portraits?!

2009-10-29T10:00:00.000-07:00

I just LOVE this black and white conversion. It only works for some backgrounds or lighting though. This one is Milk and Cookies. :)
Lashes. Details of my baby boy... <3

His shell watering can thing that is a must have in the bath.

Berlin

How can you not love this face?!

2009-10-28T14:19:00.000-07:00

Disappearing eyes? Check. Wide smile? Check. Super cute? Check! This one has his daddy's smile.

Silly Face.

Peek a boo!

I think I could take his picture all day long....

Watercolors.

2009-10-26T08:21:00.000-07:00

One of our projects of the week was watercolor paint. We spent about 1 1/2 hours with it...which is unusual for Eli. He usually doesn't get entertained for long periods of time but he loved it.

LOOK MOM!

Pretty pictures.

Berlin and a Camera.

2009-10-25T08:29:00.000-07:00

I know, I'm not real creative with the blog titles lately. But... here are some pictures courtesy of Berlin.

a noodle, part of their lunch. alphabet noodles from Trader Joe's. Cheap excitement.

Eli.

And Izzie.

She took a picture of my dirty laundry too...but I didn't feel like showing you all how much I'm behind on laundry!

Can't think of a title.

2009-10-24T07:54:00.000-07:00

Yes, we look a little silly...hence, the picture. When getting ready to go outside, I put on a hat and then the kids wanted hats too. But we hadn't gone hat shopping yet. so...

James took this of the kids. Super kids! Nana had made Eli this awesome cape. And Berlin is using the batman one of James'.

Striking a pose for daddy. I love dress up time!

Eli fell asleep by the door after throwing a fit because I wouldn't let him stay up to see Aunt Chrissy when she was here. He usually sleeps with a blanket over his head.

Someone took this of James while I was at a wedding...he went to his parent's for a function...think it was Judy's birthday.

Eli eating a cupcake in that Eli way.

John.

Kids can make hygiene so much fun!

I look like a goof. Taking a picture while driving isn't that safe. Tim and Kate in the back...Chrissy not in the picture... on our way back from a MWEP event.

Izzie is doing great at lifting her head. She can now lift up on her arms. She has amazing strength that just appeared!

Berlin is really into taking pictures. She was taking a ton of me and izzie. And a few blurry ones of Eli in the tub...but i won't post those ones since you can't tell what they are. Hilarious though because the other day she got ahold of my phone and I turn it on and see 35 pictures of Berlin! Close up, hair, nose, binky, Eli's belly.

Eli is not too happy with not being allowed to play with the camera. Berlin took this one too.

She asked for a picture with Izzie.

I was baking cookies before a meeting with a client, so I put on an apron. My super cool one that is handmade by Judy. Berlin then insisted on an apron too. I went to take a picture of Berlin looking so cute in my huge starbucks apron and she requested that we take silly ones and motioned that we hold the camera in front. I think she gets that from her cousin Ash.

And the Myspace photos are starting already....

and the next post will be a few pictures that Berlin took while I was blogging this! She went and took some interesting photos of her lunch. :)

Rainy Day.

2009-10-23T10:00:00.000-07:00

Berlin is growing up so fast! She is growing out of her clothes again...which took me by surprise because she leveled off for a little while... maintaining a weight of 29 lbs and 35" tall. She has only gained 1 lb but now 38" tall and grew 2 shoe sizes. She has a lot of interests. Right now she is really into drumming. She makes drums out of everything and uses her "swizzle sticks" which are plastic straws and spoons to bang on arrangements of tupperware or bowls or boxes. She likes boys lately...grrr. There is a tv show called Fresh Beat Band and she loves all the dancing (she knows the dances and songs and performs them wonderfully)...but the boy on the show is her friend. As well as a guy from Imagination Movers with a backwards hat--which apparently makes a boy cool. And my cousin Cameron is her topic of conversation also. Whom also wears a backwards hat. :) So funny. She really likes to tell stories. I enjoy listening to the things she comes up with. But besides her playfulness, she is also a great helper! She helps whenever we ask and is really just a wonderful oldest daughter and big sister to the other kids.

Here is a little collage from a rainy day we had:

Dragons and Fairies, Oh MY!

2009-10-23T07:42:00.000-07:00

This year we went to the Ren Fest for the first time. I've wanted to go for a long time. I really like that sort of thing. I dream of living in a castle and wearing ridiculous dresses. :) It was raining and very muddy but we had a good time. I think it may be a little better to go when we don't have to push around a stroller... or rather, when James doesn't have to push a stroller. We saw a neat band, I think they were called Tartanic. They had bagpipes but rocked it out sort of punk style. My Scottish heritage has me predisposed to liking kilts and bagpipes.... mmm and Scottish accents. (Gerard Butler or Oliver Wood (harry potter quiddich captain)... anyone?!) ha ha.

ANYWAY, we went to the kid's area and Berlin made a magic wand. They we saw a puppet show with a crazy dragon and a fairy. She reminded me of Whoopi Goldberg. Eli thought it was so funny when the dragon exclaimed that he "LOVED CHOCOLATE". He just cracked up.

Berlin petting the dragon.

Crazy Eli in the car.

More of crazy eli.

This is random, but I got this SUPER good cream soda and was playing with the camera, it has a fantastic macro function. This is the top of the bottle...close up.

Isadora. 2 months.

2009-10-22T10:00:00.000-07:00

Izzie is now 2 months old! She is 11 lbs 7 oz, 22 inches long. Doctor said perfect health! She is in the 75th percentile for weight. 50-75 % for height. And just under the 50th for head. She is still the sweet and easy baby as before! Sleeping and eating really good. She really never cries....she wimpers when she is getting hungry and then goes back to being content happy girl! She is now cooing and smiling and laughing socially.

Little Izzie-Pie.

7 weeks old. A little cool out and raining but took her out for a quick picture.

Mom's Birthday

2009-10-21T10:00:00.000-07:00

Not exactly posting in the strictest chronological order.... Happy Birthday to my mom back on Sept 4th. We got together at the parent's house for some food and sun.

James. If you notice the previous posts...he was beardless. This was taken in the process of shaving. Does he look like a creep or what?! ha ha.

Izzie, One Month Old.

2009-10-20T10:00:00.000-07:00

Izzie turned a month old. I have no idea how much she weighed because she didn't have her checkup until 2 months. But here she is. I wasn't huge into taking pictures that day. She hadn't yet smiled and not really cooing at this age yet.

Randomness of September. Mini posts!

2009-10-19T10:00:00.000-07:00

Random morning.

Our friends came up to visit (kevin and melanie) which was totally awesome! It stinkers that they moved so far. From our night at Kevin's dad's house.
Joel and Michael and poker.

melanie and holly

Kevin and James

James joined a group called Halo 3 in the workplace. They got VIP access to play the new Halo ODST game before everyone else. James thought it was pretty fun...and nice to see people question why they got to go ahead of everyone. They had this truck with the game inside. Pretty beefy truck!

Elijah, the cutest boy ever!

We have been trying to do projects a couple of times a week besides the regular playdoh and coloring. This day we did some stained glass painting things.

September fun!

Took these after a wedding on Sept 27th...driving the back roads of Elba.

Holland.

2009-10-18T10:00:00.000-07:00

After Izzie was born, we realized that we really need a point and shoot camera. I was walking around taking pictures right after having her because it was hard to try to show people how to use my big ol' camera. A lot of pictures came out blurry and if you look back over our family pictures, I'm usually not in them. SO we got a new camera for James so he could take pictures. It is pretty awesome too. It has HD video capability and well, I'm not a camera salesman...but it was nice for the money. So we took lots of pictures on our first little trip as a family.

After the summer of not doing anything...I was super antsy to get out of the house and do something! I really LOVE Lake Michigan and want to make it there at least once a year. So when Izzie was 3 weeks old we headed over for the night to Holland. We visited Tunnel Beach on Saturday for the sunset, went back to the pool at the hotel, then back to the beach, Holland State Park on Sunday. We also stopped downtown Holland and had a healthy lunch of Kilwin's Ice Cream. YUM! The kids enjoyed the beach. Elijah especially liked the sand. He was allowed to be covered in sand and didn't get in trouble when throwing handfuls into the lake! He likes to throw sand but usually it ends up in a cousin's hair so it was a nice change. I really enjoyed sitting on the beach with Izzie and just watching the kids (and James) play and make sandcastles. Just smelling the air at the beach is worth the drive.

On the drive over.

The water was 58 degrees.... COLD!

But Eli didn't mind the cold. He was shivering away but jumping right in!

Izzie- 3 weeks old.

Funny picture of Isadora on the beach.

Togetherness. :) The sunset was gorgeous...although i didn't capture it well.

Sandcastles.

Getting water to dump on the sandcastles was his delight.

I like this picture. Berlin didn't take to the water as much as Eli.

Izzie and I.

At the hotel in the morning.

Looks like I really love that ice cream! Us at Kilwin's.

Enjoying his healthy lunch.

Sunday at the beach. Decided to put life vest on Berlin to help ease our minds. She felt special with it on.

Snack time.

Sleeping babe.

She looks so old when she makes this face.

Roger + Sarah!

2009-10-17T10:00:00.000-07:00

So I haven't had much of a chance to edit these either... most are mine but the family pics are a courtesy of Kate...who totally saved my butt for their photos. I was obviously very pregnant and distracted...and not comfortable walking, let alone carrying my camera around and taking pictures.... Anyway, Roger and Sarah were married on August 8th! Here are some pictures from their day.

I can't believe that my little brother is married!! It is amazing to think of 14 years ago and how much he used to drive me nuts. Yeah, we didn't along a lot of the time when I was in Jr. High and thinking I was all cool. He was into Bush and Green Day...wanting to make a band and use garbage can lids for drums. Silly kids. We both had attitudes and tempers. I remember the times we got along too... we liked to play football and people would always underestimate us because, well...I was a girl, Roger wasn't all that big, and Matt was really short. But it was so much fun to waste them and see the looks on their face! Ha, or riding bikes in the rain and having crab apple fights. I love my siblings!

Sarah and her dad, walking to the aisle.

Married!

:) Silly Roger.

Sarah looked beautiful!

And Roger was handsome...

Berlin was in a not so fun stage at the moment, but she looked SO cute. here she is playing with a worm.

McNutt side of family, except we are missing James and my kids!

Schneider side... we are a big group!

My siblings. Yeah, holy legs Amanda! That is what one looks like when they have gained 60lbs!

James and Roger.

James and I.

Dancing queen.

showing us all up.

Chrissy and Jackie.

Sarah and Ash

Uncle Ray, getting groovy to Billy Jean.

Uncle Bruce and Aunt Barb

Grandma Shirley. Eat right people and you can be moving on the dance floor like this at 80!

Steve

Matt and James...are these manly poses?

Mom... she looks like she doesn't know if she is having fun... ?

Catch up August.

2009-10-16T10:00:00.000-07:00

August misc.... Riding bikes was a usual evening activity. Most of August was a whirlwind of new baby and my brother Roger getting married...so...

Elijah on Berlin's bike.

Berlin and her scooter...and Grandma.

Bike time, she hauls on this thing now.

Eli is a little too small for scooters but he insists. Riding with Aunt Sarah's help.

Get out of the way Berlin! Grandma likes to scooter too! :)

Bedtime. Routine had to change a little because of the new baby but story time is still a must.

Baby fingers.

9 days old. Tried a couple of shots but the mosquitos were bad...tried again the next day.

10 days old.

Berlin, out in the backyard for a little photo session...although not the best light...as her hair looks on fire in some. ;(

I always want to remember her face like this!

She wasn't cooperating so I told her she could jump off the chair...that made her happy.

Finally, geez! Welcome little Izzie!

2009-10-15T10:00:00.000-07:00

It has been a couple of months since an update, so I thought I'd try to catch up! There will be a post everyday until I get caught up. I'm through with caring if the pictures are edited because I'll probably not get to them for a while. So as everyone knows, baby #3 was born and we did finally choose a name! Isadora Lee. She was born on August 14th at 2:07 pm, 7 lbs 6 oz, 19 1/2 inches long. We were stuck on a name for a while and by about 7 pm we finally picked one, landing on Isadora because I had thought of the name a long time ago and liked it (but with a list of 30 names we liked, it wasn't even on it!), I like it more when it is pronounced Ee-sah-dorah, but since all the EEEEE names in our family, we are pronouncing it in an Americanized way. We made the decision after loving the nickname Izzie. When we were choosing a name for Eli, we really liked the name Israel for a boy, with the thought that Izzie would be a neat nickname too...but since we already have a Berlin, thought another location name would be silly. Lee is both my mom's middle name and James' uncle Kevin's middle name...which Izzie just happens to be born on his birthday.

So okay, the labor and birth of Izzie:

7:30 am, not feeling good. Thought I was just crampy and grumpy.
9:30 am, still not feeling good and feeling bad that I was being a grump to the kids when they were climbing on me. Called James to see if he'd be able to come home early because of how bad I was feeling.
9:50 am, realized that I was in labor. Or some sort of beginning labor. Duh! Called James again to tell him that he should probably come home.
Started packing a bag for me and the kids. But debating on whether I should call to have the kids picked up. Contractions about 8 minutes apart.
10:17 am, called Sarah because contractions were consistently 7 minutes apart. She didn't answer!! She had been to a concert the night before and I sort of panicked! :)
10:30, Sarah called back and I told her I needed her to come and she left to come get the kids.
11:30, kids are gone and I was starving. So we stopped at Jimmy John's for some food. Contractions now getting a little nuts and anywhere from 3-5 minutes apart.
12:10 Checked into hospital. Contractions changed to 10 minutes apart and I was mad. I thought that somehow it was false labor. Triage left me alone until 12:45...can really make a person cranky.
12:45 Checked me and I was only dilated to 1. Depressing... or so I thought.
12:50, water broke spontaneously...which completely freaked me out. If you've only ever had it broken for you, it is a whole new thing the other way!
12:51, PAIN! and more pain.
12:55, they decided to bring some lady in for an ultrasound. I about punched her in the face when she kept telling me to hold still and lay flat. Yeah right lady!
1:05, worried I was going to have the baby in triage, they hauled me up to the birthing center.
1:15, in a little panic because i really wanted an epidural and was worried that she was coming too fast for me to get one...and realizing that the pain really sucked. They checked me and I was at 6 cm. I had progressed from 1 cm to 6 cm in half an hour.
1:30, anesthesia! please!
1:35, epidural finally there. They asked me before they stuck me if I thought I'd be needing to push soon. I lied. I knew it would be time soon....but I really wanted that thing.
1:40, epidural in and feeling a lot better. Dilated to 9 cm. Could actually talk, greeted my doctor, and told James to tell my mom that she would not be there on time.
2:00, she was ready...
2:07, Izzie is here!

Pretty short labor. Not the easiest of the 3, Elijah was more planned and even though longer, it was more time to get used to the oncoming delivery. But WAY better than the 23 hours of Berlin!

Bringing Isadora home was great! My step-sister Sarah and her fiance' Ryan took the other 2 kids for the weekend and we were able to spend some time just the 3 of us. Izzie so far has been such an easy baby! Even though doctors say that I shouldn't allow it, she occasionally will give me 4-5 hour stretches of sleep. Usually at least 3-4 at night.

Anyway, here are some pictures of her first 5 days on this Earth. Thank you God for gracing us with such a sweet gift! I'm so thankful that my life is in His hands.

Izzie's room, pictures aren't hung yet, but with all the switching back and forth, this is where she ended up.

Baby quilt made by Nana Judy. JUST awesome!

Tea Party dress, I didn't have to buy too much for her because of having lots of stuff already for a girl, but I wanted to get a few special outfits for her only. Janie and Jack is the best! I wanted something pretty but classic looking. I got a couple of really cute dresses. And picked one up for my little sister Myah too!

Just born, 1/2 hour old!

Aunt Chrissy & my Mom.

James' mom (aka Nana)

Happy Grandpa and Grandma

First bath time!

Berlin checking out her new sister.

Aunt Sarah, Ashton, Izzie, and Berlin.

The new family unit! Elijah a little more excited about the hospital than the baby.

A resemblance? :) She was so excited to have a little sister!

Nice and content after her bath.

Baby crib view.

Not so content face. Hungry...

Eli checking her out, Berlin singing her Itsy Bitsy Spider before leaving for home.

Great Grandma Mattila holding Ethan Rome (6 wks) and Isadora (2 days).

Great Aunt Margaret

Great Aunt Jo Ellen

Cousin Emma

Aunt Heather

Ethan (6 wks) and Izzie (2 days). Wow, what a difference!

Papa

3 days old, so small in that big swing!

Cutie! 3 days old!

YAWWWWN.

Aunt Kate :) lol.

She does this a lot. :)

Asleep on my bed.

It is late and I should be sleeping.

2009-07-28T21:27:00.000-07:00

The baby is making me sort of uncomfortable right now so I thought I'd get up and get myself so tired that it won't even matter that I don't have any room to expand my lungs! Ha. Nah, it isn't that bad really.

So the past week was pretty good. My wedding on Saturday went well. I finished up my portrait sessions that were scheduled. Only one wedding to go (besides Roger's) and then all the editing catching up and then hopefully, baby time! I sort of have a plan that as soon as I'm caught up with work that I'm going to do all the myth tricks to see if any work. Just for funsies.

I HAVE to post a picture soon of the kid's rooms. My mom is super awesome and came down to help me switch the rooms around (and also cleaned my basement while I took Berlin to dance!). So the baby will have her own room...and the other 2 are sharing. Which has been an adjustment. Not going the best lately, but we'll keep trying. Besides the rooms, I need to post a picture of the baby quilt that Judy just finished! It is so perfect! Slightly vintage-y and very pretty!

The Wholehearted Child I've just started reading this book again and I'm pretty impressed with it so far. I laughed when I saw the picture on the front and it boasted "fresh" ideas. But in an effort to continue with my business plan, I've thought that I should read up on the homeschooling stuff since that is something that has been on my mind for our family future. Figure I should take that into account when planning for the business. I'm hoping to find another photographer that homeschools so I can get some input from someone that runs a business like this as well as devotes themselves to homeschooling.

Here are a few pictures from weeks ago. I'm pretty behind on family picture posting at the moment.
Giggle baby, he just loves this thing.

Eli likes to take the stuffed dogs for walks. He really likes animals a lot.

Just hanging out before bedtime.

Berlin in her jammies, riding her scooter.

Sarah's Bridal Shower.

2009-07-21T08:50:00.001-07:00

The end of June was Sarah and Roger's bridal shower. Once we found out the guest list was larger than expected, we had to fine a spot to host it and thankfully, Herbal One ended up being a perfect place. Those of you that don't know, my mom owns Herbal One (a super awesome weight counseling place) in Lapeer. We didn't do many shower games but we did steal an idea from Erin's shower and do the questioning the bride and for every question she got wrong, she got a piece of gum. I forgot how big Bubble Yum was! It made it a bit difficult. Also, we had the guests group up and make beautiful bridal gowns out of toilet paper. That was pretty hilarious. And some, surprisingly, made some pretty nice ones. Who would think?! Food was super good. And the dessert was...well, let us just say that you couldn't just have one of those carmel brownies. Here are pics!

Sarah made up these little chocolate bags.

Food!

Okay, enough food pictures.

Aunt Barb looking a little like a mummy bride.

My cousin Sara (who happens to be Sara Jean McNutt...and Sarah will soon be Sarah Jean McNutt.) designing a dress for Sarah's friend. (sorry, can't remember her name...mallory?)

Watching the hilarious designing... Tina, Sarah, Chrissy, Mom

Sarah's boss, Aunt Sally, Aunt Julie

Mom

AND the winner is! (friend, designed by Sara and Ashley)

Runner Up Stephanie.

What is this!?

Aunt Sally doesn't like her picture taken. :)

Cousin Ashley

Get that gum in there!

Getting answers wrong...not a good thing.

She isn't too mad about the wad of gum she had to have. :)

Opening gifties.

Roger's friend picked this gift out.

Very excited about waking up to pancakes.

The bridal party will be doing a dance at the reception...Sarah is demonstrating.

The End.

Tasty Tuesday.

2009-07-21T06:00:00.000-07:00

I just love chicken piccata! This was a pretty easy meal that I made thanks to Trader Joes being so darn inexpensive and awesome. Chicken Piccata and Lemon Pepper pasta was a super yummy meal!

Another Baby!

2009-07-20T10:34:00.000-07:00

I just found out today that my step-sister Sarah and her fiance' Ryan are expecting a baby BOY! Yippee!! They are naming him Lucas Steven. Yay for babies!

Around the yard.

2009-07-16T20:13:00.000-07:00

Berlin likes to ride her scooter and I reserve it mainly for late evening when it isn't so darn hot. So the other day, I let Berlin stay up a little later and after her scooter riding, we walked around the yard looking at plants. She was so excited when she found a pickle plant! Mom, mom... LOOK!! Pickles! I think it is actually called a moneytree. Not sure though. But I thought it was funny.

News update: James tried working this week. He worked the past few days and he is feeling good! He started physical therapy exercises and they seem to be helping now. Hopefully soon he'll be able to stop the chiropractor or at least go less often. We are all adjusting though. It has been months of him home. I miss him being here and so do the kids. James is feeling the lack of free time and thinks it would be way awesome to just be paid to stay home. Don't we all! :) He isn't officially "back to work" yet though. His boss has work for the next few weeks but hasn't taken him off lay off yet. So we'll see. James had decided on school though...but then started working. So hopefully it doesn't derail his plan.

By the way, I just LOVE my camera and my new lens. I know I was getting irritated by pictures not looking right to me and now that my camera is fixed...I'm SO SO happy! Looking back over pictures from the past couple of months, I notice the back focusing so much. Also, I discovered that my new lens is a Macro too! So I can get pretty close for details. And now I can sell my macro lens i had!

Look Mom!! Pickles!
I've always loved the way that Queen Anne's Lace looks when it is dead.
Flies are gross.
How cool does this look?! It feels like wood but is the inside of a dead flower of some sort.

Little Model.

2009-07-15T07:29:00.000-07:00

So the workshop on Saturday went okay. It wasn't horrible but I didn't learn anything like I'd hoped. It seemed a little unorganized and the photographer wasn't very friendly. Berlin did good when people talked with her like a kid...but some people liked to just tell her poses and not interact with her...which didn't go so well. She would rebel and say "NO!". I think they made her uncomfortable. Those that interacted with her said they got great stuff though. She is a HUGE HAM with the camera! I haven't gotten any pictures yet but I snapped a couple...not very good because my position and the lighting direction was bad... but you can see her outfit! I thought it was adorable! I MUST get one of these headbands for her!

I picked up this chair at my neighbor's moving sale. The wicker in the middle of the seat is broken but I thought I'd try to fix it up. I saw girls in country dresses in a field on this... or a baby wrapped up in gauze lying on it outside.

Just a random shot of berlin trying to put her foot in the camera...but i managed to get her face. I love the sweater thing she is wearing...got it on accidental sale from Gap (they marked it wrong! :))

Dancing Days.

2009-07-10T08:26:00.000-07:00

Berlin started dance class yesterday! It is a preschool dance to just get warmed up. She had a great time! She was a little bummed because she said she wanted to do Plies (i think that is how it is spelled)...but she did do some jazz stepping across the floor...which turned into a twist sort of bunny hop. She cracked the parents up by her spontaneous change of the dance move. We could only peek through this little part in the blinds to not distract the kids...which stinks for trying to get pictures. But here are a few that I took. Also, a random one from this morning. The kids huddled in the coffee cart table thing. Pretty much a daily ritual for them.

Other news, which isn't really news... Eli went to the pediatrician on Wednesday. They don't think the lip tie will have much impact on his speech. They would like me to see a dentist but we can't until he is over 2. They think it will affect his teeth and he will probably need braces. I'm just hoping he won't need it cut. He is going to be seeing a speech therapist for more evaluation. They did order a hearing test and some horrible blood tests. (seriously traumatizing for me and him! he turned purple twice from not breathing and we had to lift him up and sorta shake him. Why they would strap a kid down and do that to test for LEAD?! i really feel like with the next one i'm just going to do the typical shots and tell them to kiss off for the random testing for anemia and lead.) His hearing test is on Monday, although I'm sure he doesn't have a hearing problem. I'm pretty convinced at this point that if the lip tie isn't affecting his speech...it is just because he doesn't want to yet. Berlin talks for him a lot and he is able to communicate pretty effectively.

Ha ha, and in MY week. I had some focusing issue with my newest camera-5D. Which is out of warranty. I sent it in to be checked and found out that to get it checked (without repairing the problem, it is going to be $202...then if there is a problem, it will go up from there.) So that stinks. Then, I'm trying to shoot the other day with my backup camera and I get an ERROR 99 code...which is basically like the check engine light coming on in your car. It could be a number of things wrong including a bad shutter. SO now I have to send that in to be checked and pay for that to be fixed. So now I am camera-less and have 3 sessions next week and 3 weddings coming up. I'm sort of in a panic to try and find a camera or 2 to use. I also just sold one of my lenses to a girl in Canada...and I stupidly shipped it through US Post rather than Priority and international doesn't track....so it has been 13 days and she hasn't gotten it. It could be held up in customs and so I've got one annoyed girl emailing me everyday. Fun fun. BUT in good news, Berlin was asked to be a model for a Child Photography workshop by one of Kate's old friends that is hosting the workshop...the photographer is from Seattle and holds these workshops around the country to teach people techniques on child portraits. Because Berlin is going to be modeling, I get to attend for free basically--I don't get to shoot, but it should be some learning. Plus, I get more pictures of Berlin! :) That is tomorrow afternoon...so pictures should be soon!

Berlin before class.

Waiting for class to start.

A little glimpse of her.

So THIS is why Eli can't talk!

2009-07-05T16:59:00.000-07:00

Elijah fell and hurt himself on the basement floor yesterday. He was bleeding from the mouth and I wasn't too worried since mouth cuts usually bleed a lot. He fought me to check him so I left him alone. Just for curiosity tonight when we were playing outside...I checked his mouth. And noticed THIS.

See how the lip is connected to his gums...through his two front teeth and to the back of them?! I looked it up and found that it is a problem just like being tongue tied. It can cause problems with breastfeeding (hmm. well that answers that.) and can cause delay in speech since they can't move their mouth properly to pronounce many sounds. So now I need to get in contact with a speech therapist and a pediatric dentist. Find out if he should get a frenectomy (the surgery to snip it). I guess it can eventually recede but if it doesn't it can cause problems with teeth as well as continue to make it difficult to talk...even with therapy.

Can you have your cake...

2009-07-05T08:05:00.001-07:00

and eat it too?

Just a little Sunday morning thinking. James is unsure what he plans on doing for a job. He needs to figure something out that he is interested in that he can do instead of electrical and make a plan to get there. It makes me start thinking about the original plan and our roles. For a while I thought I could handle switching roles and once the baby is born, for me to work. But I don't think I could really. I'd end up being a grouchy poop. Because of my personality, I'd want things still to be done the way I'd do them. If something isn't done, I take it on myself to get it done...which would make me exhausted to take on that supermom role. I already get exhausted but at least now I'm not resentful. Which I think I would end up being. Anyway, I still like photography and honestly have been a little lazy on the making money side of things. I've kind of waited for money to come to me...not tried to go out and get it. Or implemented any of the plans to make money. So my goal for the week is to come up with a business plan. Time to stop being willy nilly! (i love that term!) Figure out what I want and then plan for it...and hopefully get there by the end of 2010. That has been the year that I've had in my head for a couple years now. So if I can get things rolling in the way I want by next summer, I think that'd be fantastic! I've kept myself down a little bit by keep saying that I need to be better first. Obviously, I think I should keep learning. But I have a few friends that are less consistant, with less quality and make 90k+ a year. So that gives me motivation. How could this solve James needing to figure out what he is doing? I don't know really...but this is my jumble of thoughts. How do I start making more money while keeping the family as a priority and not burn myself out? Business plan is necessary.

Father's Day.

2009-07-04T11:36:00.000-07:00

I'm still catching up on photos from the past few weeks. Seems like I'm taking a ton of pictures everyday! We had spent Father's day with my parents this year...which is a first since James and I have been married. So it was nice to see Steve and spend time with James, relaxing outside. We had steaks on the grill and watched Eli play in the little pool. He played in the big pool too but the water was too cold for James and I so he had to wait until someone braver took him in. Eli is SUCH a fish. He just jumps right in. Water fights are pretty typical summer fun at the Schneider house...always a blast. Steve's dad was up from Florida and so he was able to meet the kids and there was a spontaneous visit from Uncle John, Uncle Denny, and cousins Grace and Cameron. Berlin just ADORES both of them. Grace especially because she is such a sweetheart. Cameron, Berlin just thinks is the coolest kid on the block. She was talking about how cool kids are supposed to wear their hats backwards. Funny. (she also met some of his friends that weekend and had a little crushy on a 9 year old boy. man, it starts so young!)

And for something totally random and not related to this post... I'm so drooling over this computer! A photographer just got the 8-core and loaded 1800 files in less than 90 seconds! Yes, I'm jealous!! It wouldn't take me all day to edit a wedding if my computer wasn't so slow!

Berlin & Cam

She dishes it out...

But she can take it!

Cam

Eli attempting the watergun.

James! And my belly :)

Happy Father's Day!

Grace

Uncle Denny, Grandpa Schneider, Steve, Uncle John

Someone gave him sugar in drink form!

And he is happy about it!

Ha, and Ryan won't be happy about this! He fell asleep and they were going to squirt him with water but he woke up when I took this picture. :)

Steve planted zebra tomatoes. half animal-half veg...hmmm... interesting.

Sarah & Ryan.

Roger.

no words necessary.

Denny and Steve.

Yum...watermelon!

Cole trying to steal his watermelon. NOT having that. :)

I just liked this one.

Will Eli be a skater too? Or like his mom who falls on her butt? Really, it hurt!

Uncle Denny and Eli

New Lens! 24-70mm yay!

2009-07-02T18:00:00.000-07:00

My new lens arrived tonight! Canon 24-70mm 2.8L USM lens! I had to sell 2 lenses to afford it but it was worth it. This should be a better all around lens for weddings. I'm excited! I did a little testing tonight to check it out...plus to check out my 5d which seems to have a backfocusing problem...that or I am crazy and all of a sudden don't know how to use autofocus (which is doubtful). So I'm sending it in to be checked out. I'm going to miss it for the next couple of weeks.

Anyway, here are a couple of my test shots with my new lens! Also, I'm feeling teachery and decided that I'd post my straight out of the camera (SOOC) files as well as the finished. I get emails sometimes about what I do to the pictures...so thought I'd share. None are really super touched up or anything...just basic.

SOOC

Skin softened and sharpened

SOOC

Slight skin smoothing (for guys i do less than girls), sharpened, curves, a little contrast and saturation boost.

SOOC

Cleaned up face, skin smoothing, sharpened, slight contrast boost

SOOC

Skin smooth, sharpened, ran an action called Pool Party at 20%, burned bushes a little to darken and make more focus on berlin's pale skin.

This picture isn't perfectly in focus, but i like it...so i'm keeping it. :) I just skin smoothed, ran an action called Winter Fade at 30%, then increased the contrast.

Okay, well just felt like sharing my excitement! Now I'm off to enjoy my ice cream bar and watch a movie while James is hanging out with Joel. :)

July already!

2009-07-02T05:55:00.000-07:00

Wow, this summer is flying by! I can't believe that June is gone! Just started going through pictures from the last week. I liked this one of Berlin. She is now found walking around in her dress up heels daily. I love it!

Off to Nana Camp! Have a wonderful day!

Weekend Plans.

2009-07-01T14:05:00.000-07:00

We were hoping to be able to rent a pontoon this year on Lake Orion...but things fell through. So I've been looking up where to go for the 4th of July fireworks this year. Last year, we went to the Lake Orion fireworks and the spot was great at the St. Joseph's Catholic church....big and roomy and the kids played at the park until the fireworks started. BUT we missed the finale! The whole thing was displayed below the treeline. I came across this website that lists the michigan fireworks displays.

We aren't for sure as to where we are going for the 4th yet because Holly and Joel will be joining us. But I did see that Clawson is having a carnival, parade, and fireworks. I'm planning on taking Berlin to the carnival on Friday night anywhere from 3-9pm if anyone wants to join me!

Cuties!

2009-06-22T13:13:00.000-07:00

I posted the last little session with the kids on my business blog. Go to Amanda Mattila Photography Blog to view the pictures and slideshow.

11:16 pm...do you know where your children are?

2009-06-19T20:15:00.000-07:00

Random title. :)

It is getting late and I'm tired...but I'm backing up some memory cards before going to sleep. I just wanted to write and say how amazing my kids are! I'm so darn lucky. I went out today and did a mini portrait session with each of them and it was fantastic. I can't wait to show you the pictures!

I talk with both the kids a lot. Even if they don't understand what I'm saying...but Berlin is such a talker too that it ends up with some very interesting conversations. Today, without going into detail, we talked about weddings and why James and I are married. She is so inquisitive and I wish I could record her talking so that I don't forget this time of her life. But while thinking about that...how great it is to have these little interactions, I was thinking about how lucky I am to have the time do spend with them. Before I know it, she'll be driving a car and he'll be joining a rock band or something. I'm going to miss these days that my hair is twisted up in funny ponytails and decorated with a million clippies and glitter. But I'm thankful that I have them at all.

Good night!

2009-06-17T15:00:00.000-07:00

A few weeks ago, I had another photography group meeting. I only went for less than an hour because Erin & Timmy were in town...but it was still fun to get a few shots. I've been rather lazy about editing them but these were a few of my faves!

Tiger Stadium

Not sure what building this is, but it would be way cooler without the sign. :(

Streetlamp. edit 1

and streetlamp edit 2. couldn't decide...

Fox Theater. I really like this picture.

Fox Theater minus the cab and fisheye.

Random building detail.

Mattila Fam GTG.

2009-06-10T17:19:00.000-07:00

Erin and Timmy came in from KC a little over a week ago. We went to Bob & Judy's... ate food, ice cream (of course!), enjoyed the weather, and played some Wii bowling. Here are some pictures...

Egan, looking like an adventurer in that hat and long grass.

Eva

Elijah

weeeee

Kaylee in the sandbox

Climbing back up the slide.

Grace Anne.

Egan and sand.

Really, he is a happy boy! He just likes to brood like his father.

Berlin, a little grumpy because she was told by Egan not to throw sand.

Owen in his cool car.

Owen.

Vroom.

Judy (Nana) making sure we all get our ice cream fix.

Ice Cream Pie. Two awesome-tastic concepts in ONE.

Yeah, unfortunately I forgot to bring a flash again...and only one lense... so these are a little grainy and soft. Sorry. :( also, i stink and only got this picture of Erin the whole time she was here!

Erin.

Owen.

Aunt Kate & Egan.

Timmy.

Judy and Kaylee. Wii Fun.

Tim.

James. He played pretty good left handed and lying on the couch. :)

Bob

Kate and Dave improperly using that chair.

Berlin trying to play.

Hands on my Feet.

2009-06-09T20:30:00.000-07:00

Okay, one of many slideshows to come! This is just one of those random morning events that I felt I should document. I didn't have a flash on me and all I had was some window light and not very much of that....so it is super grainy and not all the way in focus...and yeah, my kid still has some sort of food on her face. I think it is frosting from a cinnamon roll.

Berlin discovered her gloves in her drawer. She came to me like this... :)

Tasty Tuesday.

2009-06-09T12:22:00.000-07:00

I've been trying to come up with new recipes to try. If anyone has any to share... please do! One of my faves that I got from someone is Mexican Chili and I got the recipe from my lovely sister-in-law Cody. I think she made it for our family when I had Eli. Bringing home baby time is awesome for learning new recipes! I also have come to find an amazing Chicken Noodle soup recipe and Chicken Tetrazzini recipe from that. Although, NOT a huge fan of actually making the latter... unless I'm in the mood to cook.

Anyway, I made the Mexican Chili for dinner the other night. I make it like once a month because I love it lots. Did I mention I've been on a Mexican kick this whole pregnancy?!

Yum!

Mexican Chili Recipe

1 lb ground beef
1 large can corn
1 can diced tomatoes
1 large can chili beans (with seasoning, like brooks mild)
1 packet taco seasoning
cheddar cheese, sour cream, tortilla chips

Also have been weirdly obsessed with drinking Orange Juice. Really weird for me because I really really DON'T like oranges. And I'm not one for juice. I usually stick with my water, tea, and coffee. Yes, it is in a Guinness glass.

Overworked?!

2009-06-08T23:08:00.001-07:00

I think I really need a new computer! I spent about 5 hours editing this evening and was running a batch resize and my computer shut down. I think I overworked it. I think it got overheated somehow. Seriously, I know I did a lot of files but it was only 5 hours of work...geez.

I'll bet a new computer could save me a lot of time with this post processing stuff.

I was told tonight about this really great plug-in for Photoshop... Portraiture. I downloaded the trial and am in LOVE! It totally rocks and saves me time. It is on my list of things to get for helping me save time and do great pics.

Uncaged: Night 2.

2009-06-05T18:48:00.000-07:00

Last night didn't go too bad with Eli. He took a while to get to bed but then he stayed in bed all night. So that was nice. Naptime today did not happen though. He just wouldn't go to sleep. He fell asleep on the couch tonight with James and so we ended up putting him to bed a little later and he cried for about 5 minutes and is now asleep. Yay!

It is weird to think about him being a "big boy". I still think of him as my baby. So the discipline and stuff seems different with him.

Poor kid though---he is teething again. He is getting a molar. And possible front tooth too. So eating hasn't been so great. Today he barely ate anything. He cried and cried when we gave him chicken and potatoes. Coleslaw he was downright offended by. After like an hour I finally was able to give him some watermelon and cottage cheese just so he'd eat. Lunch, he turned down cheese and chicken noodle soup. Last night, couscous (which he usually loves) decorated our floor. It was a mess. He is even refusing milk. He doesn't refuse graham crackers from Berlin, of course! OH, the fun stuff with a new toddler!

James has an MRI scheduled for tomorrow. Today he is feeling a lot better. Pinching but at least he can get comfortable when lying down. And he can walk to the kitchen and bathroom without too much pain. But the nerves keep moving spots to target. It will be his hip one minute and then the next it is his calf. So he never knows what is going to affect what. Anyway, I'll keep you updated on the results!

Okay, pictures soon! I'm like 1/2 done with editing my last wedding. I ended up not doing any work today except laundry, dishes, grocery shopping, doctors, and nap! I had some crazy leg cramps this morning. They lasted forever! I've been having morning sickness all week and hip/pelvic pain but yet... I love being pregnant. I'm so happy to feel her moving around. She is liking my ribs for some reason but she is pretty small right now so it isn't painful. Even with all the stuff going on...I'm really trying to enjoy this last pregnancy. :)

Random note: Berlin is crazy with her stories! She usually has lots of stalling tales to tell us once she goes to bed. She is scared of her closet because the doorknobs look like eyes...or she is in desperate need of cereal in the morning and must tell us now. Tonight, she is insisting that there is a cock-a-doodle doo in her room.

Released from the Cage.

2009-06-04T17:33:00.000-07:00

So, as I said in my last post...Eli had gotten out of the crib. I was really hoping it was a fluke after much much trying... but nope, he is a pro at getting out. He lifts himself up and over with almost all upper body strength. Thankfully he hasn't fallen out but I was worried about him hurting himself, so tonight is the first night in a toddler bed!

It is a little after bedtime and we read him stories and prayed. He wailed at his door the second we walked out but after calming him twice, it is now silent! Let's hope!!

Now with this new development, we may be making changes to the baby room plans. We were going to have the baby share with Berlin....but Eli and Berlin sharing for now is seeming like a possible option.

UPDATE: okay, like a minute after publishing, he started wailing again.....

What A Day!

2009-06-02T16:02:00.001-07:00

So today was one of those days. Here is how I woke up: **warning** don't read if you don't want to hear about gross things.

Elijah somehow climbed out of his crib noiselessly and went in the bathroom to play in the toilet water. This is the first time he has gotten out of his crib and Berlin just so happened to have peed in the middle of the night and we didn't flush.... so fun fun clean up! Wet toilet paper all over and the rug was soaked!

Berlin went poopy on the toilet and somehow managed to get it ON her toilet seat and on her back. Then after a shower, she started to poop a little and got it on her towel and underwear because she thought she just had to toot. Yep, i'm talking about poop on my blog. I'm cool. Life of a mom I guess.

Okay, so after THAT.... I made the kids breakfast of eggs, toast, and raspberries. I usually add fruit along with protein and grains and just happened to have chosen the very stainy raspberries today. I should have known with the way the morning started. Berlin proceeded to throw up her breakfast all over the carpet. So I ran to get the 60 lb carpet cleaner from the basement (that thankfully I still have borrowed from my mom) and scrubbed the carpet to get all the stainy seeds.

I feel like my morning should have been classified as a sitcom morning or something.

I have absolutely no motivation to work right now. I have several orders to put in and a wedding to edit. I have baby on the brain right now. I just want to organize and clean but haven't because 1. I've been to busy cleaning up messes 2. been at the doctors 3. feel like i should be doing work. I'm going to plan for getting some things done tomorrow afternoon though and hopefully get everything done this week so that I can focus on the baby stuff that I want to.

I had a check up today and things are going well with both the baby and I. James and I have been spending more time talking about baby names and have it narrowed to five. We had a longer list of names we had kind of liked but then we each listed our top 5 faves and took off those that didn't match. I'm debating sharing the list. Mainly because I know which ones people will like but I don't want to base it all on what other people would choose. We are going to use only family names for the middle name though...so as of right now the middle name will be Christina, Elizabeth, Jane, or Anne. I wanted to try to use Lee (my mom's middle name) but it doesn't fit with any of our choices.

Keep James in prayer. He is hurting worse today (worse than he ever has). He must have moved wrong or something and he is getting some really bad nerve pinching. We learned a few things about what is going on and what we are going to be having to do. He is going to be scheduled for an MRI now. The doctor is a little concerned because of the progress being so slow and wants to make sure that it isn't a tumor in his spine or something else foreign causing the discs to separate. Another issue may be that his ruptured disc may be very very large and unable to shrink...which would also mean surgery. So right now we aren't really hoping for any of the things it could be...but kind of just hoping for it to disappear miraculously since all of the options suck. The doctor had put James in traction and started the spinal decompression which is giving him some relief and was making a good difference until this afternoon. Anyway, please keep him in prayer for the doctors to direct him in the right way and for his pain to be relieved.

Now, I must go figure out something for dinner. Have a nice night!

When you wake up in the morning...

2009-05-31T08:29:00.000-07:00

It's a quarter to five...and you just can't wait to come alive...
You brush your teeth. Shhh shhh shh shh shhh shhh shh shhha

So I haven't updated in a couple of weeks. Been pretty busy lately and haven't had a chance to edit any new pictures of the kids. Here are a few that I hadn't posted but had gotten ready for the blog a while ago. Carl planted lots of flowers at this house and so I had lots of fun discovering all the flowers here. Bleeding hearts are so odd looking to me.

Why the weird title and song? Elijah and Berlin got motorized toothbrushes for Easter and they just LOVE them! Eli is a bit picky and won't brush unless he has the baby orajel toothpaste on it but he walks around the house brushing. I took a few pictures.

James started traction yesterday. He was hurting a bit worse afterwards but said that he could feel a relief while the machine was going. Just in a few days, the pain is moving up out of his knee and up into his hip. It has made a big leap in the past week....which had started in his ankle and calf. The doctor said that this is very good news. They didn't have a great outlook on this to begin with because of the length of time he has had it, they were worried about nerve damage and a very long repair time....but they seem to think he is recovering well. If anyone in the Sterling Heights area ever needs a chiropractor, this guy is amazing! I hurt myself somehow last week. Went to one chiropractor and he hurt me worse and actually sprained my neck. I went to James' guy and he fixed me in 10 minutes! It was pretty cool.

I have plenty of pictures from the past couple of weeks to post. Memorial Day and Timmy and Erin being in town...plus, I went to Detroit with my photography group again for a short while yesterday and got some more pictures from that. SO after I'm done with work pictures...I'm excited to get some up of the fam!

Paint Ball.

2009-05-12T09:42:00.000-07:00

The weekend before last we went out to my parent's property in Fostoria to play a little paintball. I went to take pictures but ended up playing too. I looked like an oompa loompa though. In 75 degree weather, I wore a full body carhart suit with 3" foam padding wrapped around my belly! :) James really shouldn't have gone because of his back but he tried a little....ended up laying on the ground after a while though. It was an interesting day. Berlin was really freaked out at first because she thought we were getting hurt...but then she loosened up and tried on the mask, saying "let's go!" and trying to rally support of her playing what she calls "cracking" too. The noise of the guns is the reason for the name I'm assuming. Elijah was asleep most of the time but he woke up as we were leaving. We thought it would be funny to put him by Chrissy's friend's truck with tires bigger than him. He thought it was so fun to run under the truck.... I didn't think that was so great myself. Anyway, here are a few from the day:

Gorgeous windy day!
She is standing where my parent's house will someday be built.
Silly wind!
Heave ho! Off to working Steve goes...
Mom & Berlin

It was super bright outside otherwise this would have been some cool sticks to take pictures by...
Same with these knotty things.
Lee's new old Ford truck that I've informed him he will be driving for Roger & Sarah's wedding. I LOVE IT!
Roger's friend Brent.
Lee in action. Somewhat reminiscent of big foot sightings...I think...
James coming back from playing.
How cool is this mask?!
Berlin worried about the crackin'
Kendall and Chrissy.
My mom.
Chrissy taking a break.
James talking man things.
More man talking.
Berlin & Chrissy by Kendall's truck. Isn't this gigantic?
John looking all cool-like.
James and Steve.
Roger in action.
Eli & daddy
After I played--no oompa loompa pictures... sorry!
Berlin ready to play.
Bubble gum is exciting.

James trying to rest.
Eli on the giant tire.
Randomness.

Feel like you were there?

2009-05-07T14:59:00.000-07:00

You have to feel like you live with me with all these pictures I post!!

It just dawned on me today that I've only got 14 weeks left until baby girl arrives! I am so not prepared yet! I'm on the search for a baby crib for her. I'd like white this time. We aren't sure where we are going to have her nursery now. Originally we thought we'd give her Eli's room but we've been debating having her share with Berlin. Not sure what would be better for our sanity. Changing both kid's sleep patterns or just Berlin's? I like that my Eli sleeps through the night. Not sure I'm wanting to mess that up by sharing with Berlin. He knows sleep time is sleep time...Berlin, doesn't really always care.

Anyway, I've found a couple cribs online for a decent price but once you add in a $70 shipping charge, it is making me want to check out garage sales or something. I've got her crib bedding already! I ordered it a little while ago and so excited to get it all out and displayed. I'll have to take a picture because Dwell Studio discontinued it and I didn't save the picture.

Okay, so here are a million pictures from our trip to the park! I've noticed how many more pictures I have of Berlin than Eli and I'm trying to make up for it by taking lots now.

He kept picking up the wood chips around the park and putting them in the play structure holes.
He makes this face a lot! Also, has been doing that cheesey grin like Egan! I love it!

James attempting to stretch out his back... didn't work.

That No Fear thing of toddlers means he likes to just step off of structures, even if he is like 3 feet off the ground.

The new way to swing.

Debating going down the slide...
Look! A cow and a dinosaur! lol. I honestly do ride this silly thing most times I'm at the park and other adults aren't around.
Thrilled with all the wind.
Once she realized I was taking her picture...this is the face I get.
Very windy.
I like kid feet.

Turtle Power!

2009-05-06T12:25:00.000-07:00

Here is a little taste of our weekend! :) We like to bike ride--lots. So this last weekend while on our bike ride to the park, James spotted a teeny turtle. We stopped to show the kids and ended up taking it home with us. Berlin has named it Daisy (which is also the name of her made up friend...who has quite the attitude according to Berlin)... although, she is now insisting that the turtle's name is just Turtle. We've kept it this week, we got it some turtle food and read up on painter turtles...but the thing isn't eating its food...so we may be letting it go. But so far it has been a neat experience.

Here are a couple...many more from the weekend to come (including the paintballing!):
Tired girl...she has been asking for naps!

I'm prejudice, but isn't he the cutest?!
This squirrel is a freak of nature.
He let me get so close!

oh so serious...

People Mover.

2009-04-29T10:22:00.000-07:00

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.

2009-04-28T07:59:00.000-07:00

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.

2009-04-28T07:20:00.000-07:00

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.