tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-49032497886229053452024-03-13T10:16:38.396-07:00Jenski Family UpdatesJenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11971467024579189405noreply@blogger.comBlogger202125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4903249788622905345.post-64320356460140157572012-07-29T20:22:00.001-07:002012-07-29T20:22:42.041-07:003 and 1Well, I can officially say that I now know what life is like with a 3-year old and a 1-year old. Not easy. So fun, but nope, definitely not easy. Of course, it's not like I thought it would be, but some days I just look around at the chaos and it does catch me by surprise.<br />
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Some updates as of late:<br />
Alex loves swimming, reading books, watching one of her many princess movies (and even a few non-princess ones), doing ANYTHING outside, laughing, and just generally being a happy kid. She is SO smart (says her biased mommy), and comes up with the most amazing observations and comments on life. She is a master negotiator. <br />
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She is the pickiest eater, and generally eats like a bird. I'm amazed at how little she eats, and yet how much energy she has. Her favorite foods are not always the healthiest choices, that's for sure: macaroni & cheese, chicken nuggets, waffles & syrup, bean burritos, and anything sweet or junk-food related. She loves all her fruits, but is SO resistant to vegetables. It's a daily frustration for me and something I have a hard time relating to, because I pretty much love anything that is edible. We just keep hoping she will turn the corner and start eating more things. We don't make separate meals for her or cater to her tableside tantrums, but she is just stubborn and will skip a meal rather than eat a vegetable! Grrr......<br />
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Alex is an amazing big sister. I have no complaints in that department, and I'm just so happy to see her love and concern for Kathryn. She helped teach her to walk, she pretends to read books to her, she plays with her, and is always looking around making sure that baby sister is ok. <br />
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Kathryn has been going through a very needy stage lately and has been having some very serious separation anxiety from me. It gets to be so bad that I can barely walk out of the room at home without her screaming like it's the last time she will see me. She wants to be held ALL the time. Not exaggerating, seriously.....all.. the... time! Alex didn't go through this, (at least not anything noticeable) and I am not sure exactly how to handle it. My first inclination was to just let her cry for a bit (while staying close) and saying, "I can't pick you up right now while I'm cooking dinner, but Mommy is here, don't worry Kat!" Nope. Didn't help. So then I thought, maybe she just needs some Mom time, so I started picking her up--- while cooking dinner, folding laundry (her in my lap), sitting at the computer----pretty much anything. But it didn't really help reassure her; she still screamed bloody murder for the rare minute that I had to put her down. My back is killing me and although I love the extra snuggle time, it has been three months of this. Rich and I both noticed that Alex has started misbehaving and talking back more, and I think it's related to the need for attention since Kat has been taking nearly all of mine. We are hoping for a change on the horizon soon.<br />
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But Kathryn isn't all tears. She is a sweet girl who idolizes her big sister, loves food (I mean LOVES food, almost anything), and has now taken off walking & running everywhere. She talks a little, but most of her words are only understandable to us: she says MORE, GO, THANK YOU, BALL, BITE, EAT, BYE-BYE, HI, MAMA, DADA, THOR (our dog's name), WHAT'S THAT?, WHERE IS IT, GOOD GIRL, THERE SHE IS, and a few other little phrases that I can't remember at the moment. She is definitely a mama's girl and loves just sitting quietly on my lap, sucking her thumb and looking around at whatever action is happening in the room. <br />
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Life is just crazy lately. I'm a little overwhelmed with working full-time and the 1.5 hour commute I have everyday. I enjoy my actual job, but it takes so much energy to get the girls ready, get myself ready, drive them to daycare, then drive to my territory---I feel exhausted by 8:30 each morning! The daycare being so far away from my house, and my sales territory being pretty far from that---those are the two things that cause me the most stress. I keep trying to come up with a solution--I really do hate complaining about things without coming up with solutions, but I'm kind of stuck for now. Oh well.<br />
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There are so many other updates, but this is a crazy long post, so I'll end for now. <br />
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Some recent pics:<br />
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And a really cool look at Alex in 2010 and 2012......crazy how much she looks the same!<br />
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<br />Jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11971467024579189405noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4903249788622905345.post-39749833828402053832012-06-11T21:40:00.001-07:002012-06-11T21:40:27.572-07:00Kathryn's Cake Smash!Kathryn is 13.5 months old, and we finally got to do her cake smash photo shoot this past weekend. Every single weekend for the past 6 weeks, one (or more) of us has been sick with something or another. So even though I intended to do it at 12 months, it just didn't happen!<div>
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It was pretty entertaining to let her play with the cake, but she didn't get into it as much as we thought she would. Lately her appetite has been insatiable, so we thought she might inhale the cake faster than I could take pictures of it. But she was pretty dainty about it, and even when we helped her along with a few smears and handfuls of cake, she wasn't a huge fan. Oh well. </div>
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<br /></div>Jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11971467024579189405noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4903249788622905345.post-85717746744538677782012-06-04T00:25:00.000-07:002012-06-04T00:28:03.991-07:00Lollipop Girls<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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My girls. I love them. I'm trying to practice my studio photography work, and it's really quite funny trying to teach myself from youtube videos and various websites. I wish I had the time for a real class. So much more efficient.</div>
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This photo is definitely not going to win any studio photography awards. The lighting is pretty blah and I'm sure it breaks some rules in terms of angles of light and reflectors and white balance. </div>
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But I love it. It shows my girls' funny personalities. I love Kathryn's tongue coming out at the exact moment that Alex goes to swipe a lick from her GIGANTIC lollipop. I love Alex's hand that is about to jump off her lap-- I can just feel the excitement in her very core, and I can hear what must be going through her brain...."CANNNNNDDDDYYY!!!!"</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lDgkJS7xdWQ/T8xhnXUQnZI/AAAAAAAABbI/lBdsxFZI5MU/s1600/IMG_9322.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lDgkJS7xdWQ/T8xhnXUQnZI/AAAAAAAABbI/lBdsxFZI5MU/s640/IMG_9322.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>Jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11971467024579189405noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4903249788622905345.post-21100382744442364342012-04-30T22:59:00.001-07:002012-04-30T22:59:14.840-07:00Photo time with AlexAlex has definitely been needing some one-on-one time with me lately. Kathryn has been going through a very needy stage, and she is attached to my hip almost constantly, so Alex is starting to feel a little left out. <br />
<br />When we got home from work tonight, Alex said, "I want you to take photos of me, Mommy." That has NEVER happened! She hates the camera, or at the very least, barely tolerates it, and only with candy bribes coming every few seconds. So I immediately said yes, and she ran to her dress-up drawers, pulling out a tutu and pearls. I couldn't help but giggle. <br />
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I love my girl. She is growing up.<br />
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<br />Jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11971467024579189405noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4903249788622905345.post-85040568542983433322012-04-30T00:37:00.003-07:002012-04-30T00:37:56.741-07:00Kathryn's 1st BEE Day!Well, it's official. I have a one-year old. We celebrated the busy little bee with a BEE themed birthday party. I love my party themes, that's for sure!<br />
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And it was a fun excuse for a themed photo-shoot too. I dressed Kathryn in a cute little bumble bee tutu that her Aunt Katie found and took some pics to use for her invitations. Here was the finished product (minus our personal details, because HEY, I'm sure all of you readers--all 3 of you-- are nice, but we don't need to share our home address with the whole world! :)<br />
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I had a little onesie personalized with Kathryn's name on it from <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/ChristiCreations">Christi Creations</a>. </div>
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I got the party printables (other than the invitation) from <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/Dimpleprints">Dimple Prints</a>. </div>
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My friend <a href="http://elsiebakes.blogspot.com/">Laura</a> made the beautiful cake. Thanks Laura!! </div>
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The Menu: sandwiches ("HIVE yourself a sandwich!"), a vegetable platter ("BEE Healthy!!"), BEE-BEE-que chips (ha!), Honeycomb pasta salad, yellow & black licorice, honeycomb cereal snacks, Brownie & Pudding Push Pops, and Yellow Creme Oreos.Who knew they even made those things?! I am clearly not up-to-date on my Oreos; they had all kinds of those little cookies! </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo credit: <a href="http://www.sarahcrank.com/">Sarah Crank Photography</a></td></tr>
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Happy Birthday Baby KAT! It was a fun party, and I think Kathryn had a blast! She almost fell asleep in her cake, which, if you ask me, is a sure sign of a good party!</div>
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Stay tuned for her one-year summary another day! </div>Jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11971467024579189405noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4903249788622905345.post-57511065415345740002012-04-29T23:02:00.003-07:002012-04-29T23:02:29.223-07:00Happy Easter<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
We had a nice Easter celebration at the house with family. Alex actually got into it this year--she was ALL about the candy. Kathryn liked the plastic easter eggs and the noise they made when she shook them (full of jelly beans). Altogether a fun day of memories. :) </div>
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<br />Jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11971467024579189405noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4903249788622905345.post-11184758811046465522012-04-13T20:02:00.000-07:002012-04-30T00:47:15.896-07:00(almost) ONE!Kathryn turns ONE (!!!) next weekend. Please pass the tissues. :(<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.alikatphotography.com/">AliKat Photography</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>Jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11971467024579189405noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4903249788622905345.post-32727406784322202252012-04-02T20:05:00.000-07:002012-04-02T20:05:33.971-07:00An Easter Tea PartyI did a little Easter photo session for a friend this past weekend, and since I already had all the props set up, I decided to let my girls join in after she was done. We took photos in my mom's back yard to take advantage of her beautiful wildflowers. She is such an amazing gardener, and I have always enjoyed spending time in her garden, especially since I have a true BLACK thumb myself. Bonus: it makes for an awesome photo backdrop!<br />
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The theme for the photo shoot was an Easter Bunny Tea Party. It was an <i>imaginary</i> tea party for my cute little client, (no tea involved) but once she was gone, my mom said that just wasn't any fun at all. So she made some mint tea (caffeine-free) and sweetened it with agave nectar. She poured it into the tea pot and let the girls have at it. It was the funniest thing ever. Alex was very serious at first. She carefully poured the tea into the dainty cups, trying not to spill. And she shared with her sister too. Kathryn isn't exactly a pro at drinking out of cups without a sippy lid, so I was curious to see what she would do. Well, she tipped the cup to her lips and guzzled away!!! Of course, half of it ran down her neck, but she had no complaints. They had so much fun, they were completely oblivious to me taking photos or to my mom and I hysterically laughing in the background.<br />
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When Alex finished the last of several cups, she peered deep into the tea pot to see what was left. Then, with no hesitation, she lifted the pot to her lips and drained it! We couldn't stop laughing because it was such a dainty little set up and she was absolutely not dainty at all!!!! When she finished the pot, she reached for the saucer where she had spilled a bit earlier and licked that clean too. Let's just say that we need to work on our tea etiquette before we visit the Queen. ;-) And that must have been some TASTY tea! I didn't get a sip, but I'm fairly suspicious that it was light on tea and heavy on the agave nectar! ha!<br />
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<br />Jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11971467024579189405noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4903249788622905345.post-69778084818327514892012-03-27T21:49:00.001-07:002012-03-27T21:49:09.287-07:00It's Springtime in Phoenix!We survived the cold, dark winter that hits Phoenix. Ha! I apologize for the sarcasm if you are reading this from a place that actually does get hit by cold dark winters. But we deserve some amazing weather at least part of the year since we endure some crazy miserably hot summers. March is my favorite time of year in Phoenix. The mornings are crisp, the afternoons are in the 80s, and the citrus blossoms are ripe and heavenly-scented wherever you go. <div>
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We have been enjoying the weather by having a few picnics and taking lots of trips to the park. </div>
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This next photo just cracks me up.....It's important to go to the park with your pink purse and your puppy. :)<br />
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Look Daddy! A dandelion!!!!!<br />
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In other news, Kathryn was very sick recently. She had RSV, but after a very scary weekend of hearing her struggle to breathe, we managed to stay out of the hospital and battle through with only the home breathing treatments. She still has a nasty cough, but in comparison, she's a million times better. It was the most scared I've ever been as a mom. I slept on the floor of her room next to her crib because I was just terrified I wouldn't hear her if she got really bad overnight and couldn't breathe. She had this glassy-eyed, pink, dazed look to her all day long, and just clung to me or laid her head pitifully on my chest. So sad. But now she is back to herself, and her spunky little personality is here again! </div>
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Yesterday was Rich's birthday. We celebrated with a nice low-key dinner at home. I made Rich's favorite--Stir-fry Spicy Cashew Chicken for dinner and Alex helped me sing Happy Birthday. We had family over for a visit this past weekend. </div>
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Alex had her first swim lesson today. We talked it up for the past few days, and she was SO excited to go today. She kept telling me, "I'm gonna go SWIMMING!!!!!" But then we got there, and she realized I wasn't going in the water with her, and she completely freaked out. (They have the parents wait in an observation room because the students tend to learn better when they are alone with the instructors.) She screamed bloody murder and cried the ENTIRE 30 minutes of the class. But I couldn't believe that she complied with the little activities and lessons (jumping in the water, kicking her legs, swinging her arms) all while crying and sobbing "I WANT MY MOMMMMMMMMMMY!" She climbed over the edge of the pool a couple times and took off running, and the instructor had to run and catch her. Once, she came up to the glass observation window and plastered her red face to it, crying "MOMMMMMY, come and get me, I don't want to swim!!" It was heart breaking!! But when the class was over, I came around the corner, and she beamed up at me with her tear-stained, blotchy face, but with the biggest smile, and said "That was SO fun!" I couldn't believe it. She was so proud of herself for jumping into the water, and she couldn't stop talking about it all night. After dinner, we asked her if she was looking forward to another swim lesson, and she looked at us with a very serious face, and said, "No, that's ok. Just one day is good. I'll be fine." Ha!</div>Jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11971467024579189405noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4903249788622905345.post-62615614906521665342012-03-10T01:32:00.001-08:002012-03-10T01:32:52.276-08:00Sister LovingI always wanted a sister when I was growing up. I'm sure I imagined it to be much more starry-eyed and best-friend-like than it is in many cases, but still. <br />
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But one great thing about having kids is you get to re-do your own life through them. HA! (Harvard, here we come?!) I kid, I kid. But seriously, I am truly enjoying the view as I look down on my two little girls who are so loving with each other (yes, I KNOW that won't last longer than another month or two, but don't rain on my parade!). <br />
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For now, I see the big sister that Alex has become, and my heart just swells with pride. She is attentive, caring, and loves that baby sister with all her heart. It is a beautiful thing for this only child (me) to witness. And Kathryn--well, Kat's favorite person in the world is Alex. From the day we brought her home from the hospital, she has been following her big sister's every action with her eyes, and her face brightens even at the sound of Alex's voice coming from another room. She sits, playing with toys, (before recently becoming mobile) hoping that Alex will join her for a moment. And when Alex obliges, Kathryn starts giggling and bopping her head, just soaking up the undivided attention. <br />
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I feel like this is such a short-lived, beautiful moment in time. I know the day is right around the corner when Kathryn is going to become more intrusive into Alex's toys and playtime, which will cause bickering and conflict. I know Alex is going to be growing more independent and less interested in rolling the ball to her baby sister every night after dinner. I wish I could freeze these moments. The camera will have to do.<br />
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<br />Jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11971467024579189405noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4903249788622905345.post-26581320637091867482012-03-04T20:12:00.001-08:002012-03-04T20:12:12.944-08:00Kathryn on the Move!Kathryn started crawling a couple weeks ago, just days before she turned 10 months old. And wouldn't you know what made her crawl? Her loving dad? Nope. Mom? Not a chance. OH yes, it was the remote control. Because that (and the cell phone) are pretty much the coolest things in the house, worth struggling over, worth learning how to coordinate the chubby knees and hands into a not-so-graceful shuffle. One day she couldn't crawl, stuck in one spot in the middle of the living room, surrounded by toys, and the next day, she was ALL. OVER. the place! And yes, even though our life has suddenly entered a whole new level of complication, (baby proofing all over again) I'm so excited for her newfound freedom and sense of exploration. So is Alex. She keeps following her around, and sometimes she points and says "Look Mommy! Kathryn is under the table!!!"<br />
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She is more than a little proud of herself.<br />
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<br />Jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11971467024579189405noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4903249788622905345.post-57758343583939181082012-02-15T11:45:00.000-08:002012-02-15T11:45:18.962-08:00LOGIN CorrectI just wanted to see if I still remembered my User Name and Password for this account! Ha! Yep.<br />
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Things are wonderful and busy. LIFE. IS. GOOD.<br />
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Here are the girls' Valentine's Day Cards. Every holiday (even the silly commercial Hallmark Holidays) is so much better through the eyes of children. Alex was really excited for school. She decorated her own Valentine's Mailbox and all of the kids exchanged cards. I like that the school asked parents not to bring candy. It forced us to get a little more creative. She received temporary tattoos, stickers, erasers and bubbles. We brought little swirly heart straws. <br />
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Kathryn is almost 10 months old. She is *almost* crawling. She scoots on her bottom and bends to reach things. She loves standing (while holding onto something). She says "DaDa" and "MaMa." She has two teeth on the bottom. And she is really coming into her own personality lately. We enjoy her so much. She and Alex have started playing together lately, and it gives us a preview of the future when (hopefully?) they become best buddies. </div>
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Other than that, work is great, family & friends are great, and I'm trying to balance it all. I'm hoping to keep up with the blog again, because I really do cherish the ability to look back on it and see what our family was doing. Life is speeding by at a crazy pace. I love it. :)</div>Jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11971467024579189405noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4903249788622905345.post-42916757081869953542011-10-04T21:41:00.000-07:002011-10-04T21:41:05.327-07:00Accidentally on hiatusI must apologize for the lack of blogging lately. It's not that I don't have anything to say, it's that I just don't have the time to say it! I have been busy with life, loving on my hubby and girls, working, photographing, and just trying to stay sane. Life is good. <br />
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Alex and Kathryn are both doing great. We moved them back to the old daycare that is close to my work territory (but far from our house) and it was the right decision. Although it is inconveniently located, we feel completely at ease with the people caring for our children, and Alex is being challenged and enriched on a daily basis. She is so excited to go to "school" and she runs through the hallways to get to her classroom, happily screaming her teachers' names. When I pick her up at the end of the day, she yells to her friends, "BYE BUDDIES!" and to her teachers, "I LOVE YOU THIS MUCH!!!!" Even after eight weeks at the other daycare, she cried every single time I left her. We are so happy with the move.<br />
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Kathryn is really coming into her own lately. She is able to sit upright without support for a bit, she loves her exersaucer, and she is absolutely enamored with her big sister. Alex can make her bust into a fit of belly laughs just by looking at her and saying "Hi Baby Kat!!!!" It is hilarious and heart-warming.<br />
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Alex's favorite things lately are Snow White, Snow White, and more Snow White. Which is really funny, because I'm truly not a fan of the "princess culture." I don't want to raise my girls to be princesses. I hope they are intelligent, strong women who create their own destiny. The Disney Princess culture teaches girls that they should wait for Prince Charming, rely on their beauty, and simply exist in society as an object to gaze upon. So NOT what I want them to learn. Yet, here we are, at only 2+ years old, and Alex is OBSESSED with all things princess. Obviously I haven't gone out of my way to shield her from it, and I really don't worry that she will learn all of her life-lessons from the Disney movies, but isn't it odd how it has infiltrated our culture so much! But enough about that. I have a Snow White costume to purchase! *wink, wink*<br />
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Other things that Alex loves are Play Dough, cooking with me in the kitchen, and playing outside. She is definitely still her strong-willed self, and things have been very trying lately with tantrums and fits. She screamed bloody murder in the grocery store checkout line today for NO REASON! I have no idea what upset her, but there was no calming her down. I could not get out of there fast enough; it was pretty embarrassing. Let's just say the time-out corner has been visited frequently in our house lately. <br />
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I celebrated a birthday yesterday. I took the day off work and spent a wonderful day with my mom and the girls at the pool and Rich spoiled me with a fancy dinner out last night. He even arranged for the babysitter!<br />
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AliKat Photography is booming with business. I'm limiting my photoshoots to one a week so that I don't take away much time from my precious family, but I'm booked out for eight weeks! I'm even starting to get some paid gigs! Fun stuff! More than anything, I am just absolutely loving the creative fulfillment that it gives me. It is the perfect balance between my day job and my creative side. And I am learning so much with every single shoot. The more I do it, the more I realize how much of a novice I am, and how much I still need to learn! I am sure that I will be so embarrassed of these early images that I have taken in a few years, but how will I ever improve if I don't jump in and make my mistakes?! <br />
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Jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11971467024579189405noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4903249788622905345.post-23306180658790551972011-09-08T21:14:00.000-07:002011-09-08T21:15:26.682-07:00Now introducing....Well, I don't mess around. One week ago, I decided to really <a href="http://jenski33.blogspot.com/2011/09/taking-leap.html">do</a> it. And I did!<br />
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I'm so excited! I have been so sick this week, with a cold turned sinus-infection, turned chest nastiness, but it doesn't even matter, I'm still on a high because I am doing something new and exciting and creative!<br />
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My new business is called.....drumroll please........... <a href="https://www.facebook.com/AliKatPhotography">AliKat Photography</a>! After I posted my offer to do free photoshoots, I quickly became completely booked for the month of September, and I'm filling up October too. I have a maternity shoot, 2 newborn shoots, an engagement shoot, a 1 year old shoot and a family shoot.......Woohoo! I am not sure how I am going to fit all of this into my schedule, but we will make it work. I'm planning photo shoots for Sundays, when Rich has off, and luckily it is football season now, so it's not like we would be spending time together anyhow, since I become a football widow from now until Super Bowl. <br />
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And though people are reluctant to do photosessions with me for completely free, it really is a win-win. I am going to build up a portfolio and gain invaluable experience while they sacrifice their time (and probably patience). <br />
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The name AliKat comes from the source of my photography inspiration, my two girls. I got my first DSLR over 5 years ago, and have loved photography for nearly all of my life. But my passion for photography really took off after the birth of Alex (Ali) and has continued to grow after the birth of Kathryn (Kat). AliKat is the perfect representation of why I love photography---it's about making those memorable life moments last forever. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xHaLKoKHZDk/TmmR7CQM4hI/AAAAAAAABRo/7w7EYp5-ja0/s1600/Logo+Background+Black+Letters.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xHaLKoKHZDk/TmmR7CQM4hI/AAAAAAAABRo/7w7EYp5-ja0/s320/Logo+Background+Black+Letters.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11971467024579189405noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4903249788622905345.post-81615173713640508822011-09-02T11:43:00.000-07:002011-09-02T11:45:31.128-07:00Taking the LeapFor quite some time now, I have been struggling with a decision about my photography hobby. I have loved photography for the better part of five years, but despite some encouragement from friends and family, I have been very resistant to developing it into a business. <br />
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There are a few reasons for this:<br />
<ul><li>The first and biggest reason is lack of confidence. I recognize that I am still learning. I am a perfectionist at heart, and I cannot bear the idea of putting myself out there and not feeling like I am the very best at it. I can critique every single picture that I have ever taken. But when it is for my own personal enjoyment, and for the walls of our home, it doesn't matter that I have flaws. Charging people money for a talent that is still growing just doesn't feel right to me. </li>
</ul><ul><li>I am worried about turning something that I love into a chore. As it stands right now, photography is my outlet. It brings me joy and happiness, and I never dread taking photos. Never. But what happens if I <i>have</i> to take photos in order to pay the electric bill, buy groceries and clothe my children? Will I begin to dread it? Will I think of it as a JOB? It would be a great sadness to lose the joy that photography brings to me. </li>
</ul><ul><li>It's mine. Similar to my piano, I have a tendency to keep things that I cherish close to my heart. I took piano lessons for 12 years before I played in ONE piano recital. And the one recital that I did was for my 92-year-old Romanian classical piano teacher because it was my last year with him, and he begged me. (And he was the cutest man, my Mr. Grabow, I just couldn't say no to him!) I hated being the center of attention, sitting by myself at that piano, with all the eyes on me. It's not a stage-fright thing, it's a "I-don't-want-to-share-what's-mine-with-you-thing." Pretty selfish huh? :) </li>
</ul><ul><li>I'm scared. I am not a risk-taker. I like salaried jobs with 401Ks and benefits. I like guaranteed paychecks. I like to plan 6 months from now and know that I will be able to afford X dollars to spend at Christmas. Running a business is the opposite of this mentality.</li>
</ul>But I was reading from one of my favorite books, <u>Conversations with God</u>, and I came across a quote that spoke to my heart. It is a quote that I have loved and come back to many times, but sometimes you can come across something that you see every day, and suddenly it speaks to you.<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; line-height: 24px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i>If you think your life is about doingness, you do not understand what you are about. Your soul doesn't care what you do for a living--and when your life is over, neither will you. Your soul cares only about what you are being while you're doing whatever you're doing. It is a state of beingness the soul is after, not a state of doingness.</i></span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 24px;">And I realized that my soul is not pursuing this state of beingness. I have been pursuing a state of doingness for awhile now. </span></span>So I am thinking about taking that leap and pursuing my photography as a business. Because even though photography is just a different thing to be "doing," I know how my heart feels while I am doing it. It is that state of "beingness" that I need. <br />
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</div><div style="text-align: left;">And no, I'm not quitting my day job! I still need to pay the bills too. :)</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 24px;"><br />
</span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 24px;">So. I need experience! Lots and lots of experience. Before I take a single dollar, I want to have loads of photos of families and babies, and couples and kids (and not just my own!). Who wants free photos? </span>Jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11971467024579189405noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4903249788622905345.post-44022594030769284132011-08-30T00:18:00.000-07:002011-08-30T00:18:57.969-07:00Peter Peter Pumpkin Eater<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I'm out of titles for the blog posts. But when I'm trying to come up with ways to make my girls smile (or even just give me a disparaging look, in Alex's case) for the camera, I come up with random phrases, usually uttered in a ridiculous sing-song voice that would make most adults cringe. "Peter Peter Pumpkin Eater" (in a British accent of course) is a great one. It worked once. My jokes are only funny to them one time. Sometimes I can make Kathryn giggle, so of course I try to repeat whatever nonsensical thing I was doing that tickled her funnybone, only to get the most deadpan expressions, and I just <i>know</i> she is already embarrassed by me. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">In other news:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Kathryn has her first ear infection. Only three weeks in daycare and already on antibiotics. Lovely. (She's fine! In fact, I didn't even know she was sick, poor thing didn't get diagnosed until her well-baby visit. She is such a happy baby, she didn't even show any signs of fussiness!)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We will be trekking back to the old childcare place near my work. We have mixed feelings about the place they have been in for the last few weeks. The infant teachers have been great, but Alex's room is in a constant state of moving teachers back and forth between rooms (and children too) to keep the minimum State Child/Teacher Ratios. Instead of hiring teachers for each room according to the enrollment of that room, they just move kids and teachers around into other rooms when they exceed their minimum ratio. It doesn't sound that bad, but it ends up with Alex being shuttled into the one-year old room half the day and there just isn't any continuity of care. They also gave her foods that she can't eat (she's on this no-fruit diet right now due to a pretty unfortunate bout of Toddler's Diarrhea. ugh.) And a few other little things that have just added up to a general feeling of unease. So we are pretty excited to take Alex back to her old teachers and friends, and also to introduce Kathryn to some of Alex's former infant teachers who we all loved. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div>I didn't get laid off. I came back to work from maternity leave on August 1st, only to learn that my company was doing layoffs on August 18th. Not stressful at all! But luckily I'm still employed. This is the 3rd layoff in 7 years with my company and I have somehow managed to escape them all. This has nothing to do with my level of skill--I really do believe it is a matter of luck. Lucky us!</div><div><br />
</div><div>Alex is talking up a storm. She has a personality that makes us laugh (and pull out our hair!). She is in the full throes of the terrible twos. Lots of tantrums and stubbornness, followed by the sweetest periods of gentle loving. It is amazing how quickly she can go from happy to angry and back again!</div><div><br />
</div><div>We are all generally doing great. Rich has been working very hard, but we have been getting a babysitter sometimes so that we can enjoy date nights again (yay!) I'm really close to my pre-pregnancy weight. So close that I'm losing my willpower since <i>most</i> of my clothes fit me (though I wouldn't say they are all comfortable!) My goal is to stay focused on the diet until my birthday (in about a month) and then try to maintain from there. But my obsession with baking is not helping things. Ack!</div><div><br />
</div><div>Kathryn rolled over from her tummy to her back for the first time yesterday! She has been so close to doing it for awhile, and she was very pleased with herself! </div><div><br />
</div><div>That's about it! </div><div><br />
</div><div>And for your viewing pleasure...........</div><br />
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Jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11971467024579189405noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4903249788622905345.post-19287870888719427702011-08-14T18:16:00.000-07:002011-08-14T18:16:21.564-07:00Kathryn at 3 monthsI'm not sure why I'm surprised, but time seems to be flying by even more quickly with our second baby than with our first. I guess it is the craziness of taking care of two children that keeps us even more distracted from the clock. Kathryn's personality is really starting to come out now. She is so much more interactive with smiles and coos. She reaches for toys and pulls them to her mouth. She takes her binky out of her mouth and puts it back, and then she looks at us with this proud expression, as if to say "Did you see what I just did?!" She giggles, especially when you rub noses with her. Rich's nickname for her is Muncher or Munch (due to her healthy appetite!) and Baby Kat. I tend to like her full name, but sometimes call her Kit Kat to go with my nick name for Alex, Ali-Kat!<br />
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She has been doing great in daycare since I have returned to work. The two ladies that take care of her are really sweet, and they can't stop saying what an amazing baby she is. They said that they could only wish that all their babies were as good as Kathryn. I have been having a much harder time returning to work though. I just have such an awareness of how fast this time goes and how much I am missing by being away from her and Alex. <br />
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I'm still part-time at work, so I took some time last week to do a fun photo-session with her. In order to get decent lighting in my house at certain times, I have to open up the front door and set up my "studio" right in the entryway. It must be funny if any of the neighbors are looking in at me laying on the floor, standing on chairs and generally making a fool of myself while trying to get the perfect shot!<br />
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I love this expression full of attitude while she is in the bucket!<br />
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</div>Jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11971467024579189405noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4903249788622905345.post-42528244660955937522011-08-04T10:12:00.000-07:002011-08-04T10:12:46.063-07:00Peachy VacationWe decided that Phoenix is too hot in the summertime, and what better way to escape the heat than heading to chilly Georgia! Huh? Yeah, not really. Let's just say we didn't go for the weather. But we had a great time visiting family despite the humidity and heat. And Alex is a BIG big fan of the country. <br />
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Highlights of this trip:<br />
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-Alex's walks....down the driveway, through the fields, through the woods, around the lake, repeat.<br />
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-Alex developed a new hobby on the trip: stick-collecting. There were so many sticks everywhere that needed to be harvested! We eventually had to get her a bag because her hands were overflowing. <br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">-Riding in the golf cart. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div>-Three, yes, THREE trips to our favorite Georgia eatery, The Varsity. My arteries were hurting by the end of the week. But those who are from Athens or Atlanta know that you can't skip a deep-fried peach pie if the opportunity presents itself. Just sayin.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tZ8ffYqVqas/TjrPvhPWe2I/AAAAAAAABPw/o2BFasYx6cU/s1600/IMG_7837+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tZ8ffYqVqas/TjrPvhPWe2I/AAAAAAAABPw/o2BFasYx6cU/s640/IMG_7837+copy.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> <a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BlWuqU8M1Bs/TjrPxNGDfBI/AAAAAAAABP0/u2uPlT7L4gc/s1600/IMG_7937.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BlWuqU8M1Bs/TjrPxNGDfBI/AAAAAAAABP0/u2uPlT7L4gc/s400/IMG_7937.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">-Getting in some photography time (for me)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kbDsIKs2GCE/TjrSg-6GTlI/AAAAAAAABQU/CSkFxvWGHNg/s1600/IMG_7767+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kbDsIKs2GCE/TjrSg-6GTlI/AAAAAAAABQU/CSkFxvWGHNg/s640/IMG_7767+copy.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">-Spending time with some very special people. Alex and Kathryn were in heaven with all the attention and love from everyone. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CedgQk24hgI/TjrQvwqod3I/AAAAAAAABP4/rCd49kexfig/s1600/IMG_7739+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CedgQk24hgI/TjrQvwqod3I/AAAAAAAABP4/rCd49kexfig/s640/IMG_7739+copy.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Goodbye for now, Georgia! We will see you again next year!</div>Jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11971467024579189405noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4903249788622905345.post-75891161572269716222011-07-25T22:09:00.000-07:002011-07-25T22:09:40.951-07:00Look-Alikes<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oQziYfyMPgg/Ti5LD8dWfKI/AAAAAAAABPM/b-ChC1OYh2g/s1600/PTM+Storyboard+2+Up.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oQziYfyMPgg/Ti5LD8dWfKI/AAAAAAAABPM/b-ChC1OYh2g/s640/PTM+Storyboard+2+Up.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
The picture on the left is Alex at 3 months old, and the one on the right is Kathryn at 3 months old. It's safe to say that they are related, wouldn't you agree?! I can see some differences of course, but it is kind of amazing how similar they look! Kathryn is a bit cheekier (ha!) and I think her nose is a little different, but if you aren't comparing their photos next to each other, I bet you would have a tough time picking out which one is which! I'm pretty sure they will start to look quite different as they grow, but it's kind of fun seeing how similar they are right now! :)Jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11971467024579189405noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4903249788622905345.post-89447451796322818262011-07-12T21:38:00.000-07:002011-07-12T21:38:29.597-07:00Maternity Leave and Family PlanningLife is moving so quickly right now. I have 3 more weeks of maternity leave, and I have to say that I am dreading my return to work. Once I get back into the groove of things, it will all be fine. But thinking about leaving Kathryn for a full work-day when I have not been apart from her for longer than a few hours is making me so anxious. She is so sweet and easy, and I just savor our days together. We spend our time snuggling, listening to her cooing and smiling when we talk to her. She loves to watch her big sister, and she is obsessed with the ceiling fan and lights. <div><br />
</div><div>I'm sad thinking that this might be our last baby. I wouldn't say that a third baby is an impossibility, but it's definitely not a probability. We like the idea of being a family of four. Two girls, two parents. It works. But then I snuggle with Kathryn and take in her sweet baby smell, and I think, are these the last snuggles I will have with a newborn? Are these the last few times I will marvel at my baby smiling at me and cooing when I say her name? It makes me want to stop time! But three children seems impossible to us. Especially as a working mom. And I think it would take a small miracle to convince Rich to try for a 3rd! He doesn't even miss not having a boy; he is completely happy with his two girls. </div><div><br />
</div><div>And why, you might wonder, are we even thinking or talking about this only 2 months after I had a baby? Because I'm a planner. And part of me needs to know if this is it. So that I can prepare my mental image of what our family looks like. So that I can tell myself to savor each and every milestone. Which is hilarious, because it's not like I wouldn't be savoring them even if we were planning on having another child one day. But I just want to know. And life is funny, because sometimes you just can't plan things and you just can't know what the future holds. </div><div><br />
</div><div>Do other people think about this so shortly after having a baby? </div>Jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11971467024579189405noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4903249788622905345.post-11213082975440794862011-07-12T20:55:00.000-07:002011-07-12T21:08:45.793-07:00Alexandra is 2!Time to get some updates done! We celebrated Alex's 2nd birthday by going to San Diego with the family. It was nice not to plan a big party while I've been occupied with taking care of the new baby. Next year, the parties will recommence! :)<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">Alex and Kathryn were pretty good for the car ride because we left at 8 p.m. and they slept through most of it. I sat in between their two car seats so that I could calm down Kathryn if she got fussy for the long ride. It was beyond uncomfortable and totally unnecessary since she was completely asleep for the 6 hour drive. I won't be doing that again!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">We got to the hotel around 2 a.m. and got in a few good hours of sleep to help us make it through the day. On her actual birthday, we went to the beach. Although we took her to the beach in Maui when she was 7 months old, of course she was too little to get it. But this time, she looked out at the ocean with huge eyes and she played in the sand like it was the coolest sandbox. It was adorable to watch.</div><div><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The next day, we woke up early to get to Sea World at opening. It was a perfect day! Alex got to see all of her favorite animals (fishies, turtles, penguins, whales, OH MY!) and she was the center of attention. The best moment of the day was the Shamu show. Her mouth literally fell open when the show started, and she clapped and laughed through the whole thing. It was awesome to see the wonder on her face and to try to see the world through the eyes of a two-year-old. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">We inaugurated the double stroller for the trip, and it worked out great. Kathryn slept in it for nearly the whole day, and she was pretty much an angel baby for the entire trip! We are so in love with this sweet mellow baby! </div><div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FvU1os2hVFE/Th0SNDCKmXI/AAAAAAAABPA/OK1ENF30SYg/s1600/DSC_0232.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FvU1os2hVFE/Th0SNDCKmXI/AAAAAAAABPA/OK1ENF30SYg/s640/DSC_0232.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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We had cupcakes and gifts with the rest of the family when we got back in town. I would say that Alexandra was one spoiled birthday girl! <br />
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</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Happy Birthday to my BIG GIRL! I cannot believe it was only 2 years ago (and already 2 years ago!) that she came into our lives and brought us such happiness. I can't even remember what our family was like before her. We can't wait to see what this next year holds for her!</div>Jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11971467024579189405noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4903249788622905345.post-59493322790206390572011-06-25T09:56:00.000-07:002011-06-25T09:56:02.931-07:00Sister Photoshoot<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-a7USEczfaI0/TgYSVAcRpdI/AAAAAAAABNc/apU3vYaJuDs/s1600/IMG_7241+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-a7USEczfaI0/TgYSVAcRpdI/AAAAAAAABNc/apU3vYaJuDs/s640/IMG_7241+copy.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Pgk5nN0Hu60/TgYS0oLhONI/AAAAAAAABOI/JLybwOyj9rs/s1600/IMG_7364+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Pgk5nN0Hu60/TgYS0oLhONI/AAAAAAAABOI/JLybwOyj9rs/s640/IMG_7364+copy.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Z6rt1TlAu9E/TgYS3DTjM6I/AAAAAAAABOM/2STdeDyjWiE/s1600/IMG_7411.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Z6rt1TlAu9E/TgYS3DTjM6I/AAAAAAAABOM/2STdeDyjWiE/s640/IMG_7411.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>Jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11971467024579189405noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4903249788622905345.post-19065917115405954072011-06-10T22:02:00.000-07:002011-06-10T22:02:49.222-07:00PhotosI am having a wonderful time on maternity leave. I have been enjoying my photography hobby with my girls. Alex is not always willing anymore, but she tolerates me sometimes. And of course, Kathryn is too little to protest, so I have a captive subject at all times, although all this eating and sleeping that she does really can get in the way of her modeling time! :)<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qt_WGfFrmeo/TfL2reqZsoI/AAAAAAAABNY/7arqyfJ4Z-I/s1600/IMG_6715+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qt_WGfFrmeo/TfL2reqZsoI/AAAAAAAABNY/7arqyfJ4Z-I/s640/IMG_6715+copy.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>Jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11971467024579189405noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4903249788622905345.post-35357126434865652672011-06-09T14:33:00.000-07:002011-06-09T14:33:26.974-07:00Alex updatesAlexandra is growing up so fast. She will be turning 2 next week, and I am absolutely loving this age! I mean, yes, she is extremely difficult and willful and throws temper tantrums like any 2 year old out there. But maybe it is because she has always been a strong-willed child, it isn't much of a shock to have a little more of that behavior thrown into the mix. I think what I love about this age is seeing her personality come out more and more. We love all of the new words and expressions she uses. It is amazing how quickly she learns things. I have heard the expression, 'an explosion of words,' and it is so true! She says so many new words each and every day. <br />
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Some of our favorite things that she does or says lately:<br />
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She says "OKAY!" instead of saying yes to things. It's kind of strange. She will ask for something that she wants (like an M&M) and if we clarify, and ask, "Do you want an M&M?" she responds with "OK!" As if we are the ones who brought it up in the first place!! She uses different intonations and levels of enthusiasm depending on how she feels about the question. If we ask, "Do you need a nap?" she will say really slowly, "okkkaaaayyy" in a soft reluctant voice. If we ask, "Do you want to go play at the park?" she will say "O!!! K!!!!"<br />
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Her new obsession is climbing onto the barstools and sitting at the kitchen island. Of course I don't want her climbing on them unless I am sitting with her because I'm afraid she will kick off the island and fall off said barstool and break her neck. So as she was crawling onto one, I said, "No, get down from there. You don't need to be up on the barstool, you already finished your breakfast." She looked me straight in the face and said, "No! I DO need to be on it!" I couldn't stop laughing (to myself) at what a complex sentence she put together!<br />
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As we were leaving the house the other day, she looked over her shoulder at the dogs and said, "BYE BYE guys! See you in the morning!" We have no idea where she learned that expression. So funny, and such a long string of words for a 23 month old to put together!<br />
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We are going to skip the big fancy birthday party this year for Alex and instead we are taking her to Sea World next weekend. She is a bit obsessed with FISHIES!! lately. One of her favorite movies is Finding Nemo, so we are really excited to see her reaction to some real fishies (and whales, turtles and penguins)! It will be our first trip with Kathryn, and we also have both sets of grandparents coming along too, so it should be a great trip!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--GmJf9wscbI/TfE8Ha4A5GI/AAAAAAAABNA/0XEklEevTQM/s1600/IMG_0389.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--GmJf9wscbI/TfE8Ha4A5GI/AAAAAAAABNA/0XEklEevTQM/s640/IMG_0389.JPG" width="476" /></a></div>Jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11971467024579189405noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4903249788622905345.post-35699009049435293582011-05-25T07:38:00.000-07:002011-05-25T07:38:48.694-07:001 monthKathryn is 1 month old, and I sound like every other mom, but seriously, time is flying by!<br />
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We are adjusting to life as a family of four. I wouldn't say that it is easy yet (will it ever be?) but I'm managing the chaos with a bit more confidence every day. I even had my first evening parenting solo when Rich worked late one night---I made dinner, baths, books and bedtime for both girls--and I'm here to tell the story, so I guess that means we all survived!<br />
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Kathryn is an easy baby. I have been hesitant to really accept it, because I keep thinking that I will jinx it by saying it, but it's true. With all the days of endless crying, reflux and dairy allergies that Alex had, we were prepared for this crazy colicky newborn stage. We weren't looking forward to it, but we knew we survived before, and we could do it again. But Kathryn is just happy to nurse, sleep and be held. She doesn't cry much, and it's always for a "reason" (food, diaper, sleep, etc....). What a treat for us! I don't like the expression, "she's a good baby," because it implies that their temperament is their fault, and even with all of the screaming with Alex, we would never say she was a <i>bad</i> baby. Both of them are my good babies! But WOW, I will at least admit that Kathryn is easier. (Of course, who knows what is around the corner, I'm preaching from 1 month here!)<br />
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We are getting the sleep thing figured out, and I am hoping she will be a champion sleeper like her sister. She is doing great so far. She wakes up once or twice a night to feed, and goes back down once her belly is full. I'm having a harder time going back to sleep than she is! We moved her to her crib last week (from our room) and she adjusted right away!<br />
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Some pics at 1 month old:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HIrAr3PH3qo/Td0UHZFe3lI/AAAAAAAABM8/71FNk_TNguc/s1600/IMG_6328.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HIrAr3PH3qo/Td0UHZFe3lI/AAAAAAAABM8/71FNk_TNguc/s640/IMG_6328.JPG" width="426" /></a></div>Jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11971467024579189405noreply@blogger.com2