The project I alluded to completing last week . . . I finally have a website for my photography you guys!
I still have no idea what I'm doing yet, but managed to stumble my way through buying a domain that I then couldn't use with the free version of ShowIt. Gina hooked me up with the reference to Show It sites, a website that offers 5 free pages specifically geared towards photographers.
I vacillated between my full name and what I went with for quite some time and ultimately think that I made the best choice . . . although I figure I can always change my mind!
So take a looksie: Leah Maria Photography
Or become a fan: Leah Maria Photography's facebook fan page
I welcome any constructive criticism, so long as they're things that I'm able to actually act on. :) Please keep in my that I'm a little limited due to my refusal to take on the overhead of anything more than free.
Sunday, January 31, 2010
The Big Reveal
Friday, January 29, 2010
[Insert Witty Title] Random
What an exhausting week, eh?
I've been pulling some long days here in order to leave for Isaac's appointment without using PTO and due to the opportunity for overtime. Let's just say I need a change.
We found out that Isaac's weight and height have not changed more than a few ounces over the past 1 1/2-2 months. The doctor isn't concerned, yet.
I forgot to brush my teeth this morning. It was just one of those mornings where my mouth felt clean and I didn't realize until I was on the bus that my breath wasn't fresh.
First wedding of the year is tomorrow! I'm 2nd shooting for Gina Zeidler and I'm so excited for this opportunity for some prettiness.
My Dad and Stepmom will be watching Isaac tomorrow evening for the first time and they are so excited!
The bathroom project is still charging ahead, fingers crossed before one year!
I have no joke, over 50 pictures of Isaac up in my cube. I'm totally that Mom.
I really think that our co-sleeping has been the reason I've been able to continue pumping successfully. We nurse throughout the night and I think it encourages my supply.
Isaac still only has two teeth and has bitten me a couple of times, but thankfully nothing severe. Still no sign of the top two coming in yet.
Thursday, January 28, 2010
He has a voice!
This was supposed to be in time for my Wedded Wednesday post yesterday, but unfortunately my time was too tight with Isaac's 9 month appointment.
A la Johanna's Q&A a few months back, I thought it was well past due that Tony share his voice. This blog has been around well over 2 years now and he's never shared his thoughts [well that he's known of]. I'm not sure if it'll live up to the hype, no I'm not pregnant lol, but reading his answers really made my day!
So without further delay, I give you a Q&A with my husband, the father of my child and the best looking hockey ref I've ever laid eyes on.
Q: What is one of your favorite things about being married?
Oh yea about marriage as a whole. If you're about to get married, my hope is that you would have realized this person is your best friend and friendships, especially a best friendship, constantly need adjustments. There are so many things that life throws your way and you need to learn how to adapt to each other, as well as change your old ways to make it work. If you truly believe it will always be the same as when you are dating/engaged/newlywed, you are sadly mistaken. OK that last sentence, could come across as a downer but I don't mean after you get married everything goes downhill, you just have to constantly adjust to ensure it doesn't.
Constantly talk and share what you are thinking, even if it is the most insignificant thought. Forgive and move on when needed. If you let issues build or hold a grudge you will never be happy.
Q: What is ONE habit of mine you wish to abolish?
Q: When did you feel established in our marriage?
Q: What issue common to marriage did you think we would encounter, but didn't/haven't?
A: Fighting, We just don't fight. Well, I guess we do from time to time, but we get it out and move on. I feel we communicate well so fighting is few and far between so when it happens we say what needs to be said and figure out a way to get through it or change course.
Q: Finally, as an addendum to our emailed question. Where do you want to be in 5 years?
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Wedded Wednesday
of married bloggers sharing their inspirations,
anecdotes, struggles and thoughts regarding
the amazing union of two separate people, as one.
9 Months
So my baby boy turned 9 months yesterday, to the day 1 year that I have been at my current employment. Kind of crazy.
He's amazing. Not sure if I've said that lately, so I didn't want anyone to be concerned. He still is. :)
We're working on all sorts of things, like eating plastic:
Establishing a solid growth of hockey hair, with curls, just like his Daddy.
Just look at his head of hair. It's so beautiful to me, I'm not sure why, but it is. Even though I know it's no longer baby hair. *sniff
Isaac also just started waving! He will wave buh bye about 25% of the time we say it and finds endless entertainment in watching his hand as he does it . . . but only with the right hand.
He's also growing more and more bold standing and walks with his CAT truck all over the place!
We're still nursing, with no end in sight. Isaac has had a few scary chokes on food, although they were not intended for him, but we're working on moving out of the baby food. We go in today for his 9 month check up and we'll find out how he's doing on height and weight.
His favorite thing to say is D'oh. Everything is d'oh and he says it repeatedily, "D'oh, d'oh, d'ooooh, DD'oh." :)
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Update on Sarah
Well, there hasn't been a lot of progress or deterioration in Sarah's condition since she was first admitted in early December.
They do think that it is similar to the undiagnosed disease that Abbi succumbed to and have again, only been able to treat the symptoms. Sarah was just recently given a g-tube which is greatly helping, as she has had several days without eating or drinking. Their goal is 900 calories a day and Sarah is not within sight of it. There have also been some breathing difficulties.
An exciting update is that Todaze Hair in Blaine, MN will be opening their doors Sunday, February 14th to raise funds for my cousin's family through a cut-a-thon. Appointments must be made and only cuts are being offered, but it is a fantastic way to support their family by offering a minimum $15 donation.
Please call: (763) 717-1439 to make an appointment!
Thanks for reading this you guys, because even if you are not local, I covet your prayers for my cousin's family.
Again, to stay updated on Sarah's journey you can read here.
Monday, January 25, 2010
Wrap Up
I don't even know why I refer to them as chilled down weekends anymore, they're all low key lol.
Friday night, hmm. I don't think we did anything. Zilch. Nada. Just existed at home together.
Saturday, I didn't shower until 6:30, had FSN on for 12 hours in honor of Hockey Day Minnesota and worked on a major project yet to be revealed.
Minnesota has been nasty nast the last couple days, with freezing rain and snow. Apparently the weather knew to morn the Viking's chance of getting to the Superbowl.
Yesterday Tony served at church for the first time and even though I didn't help, I love the fact that we're plugged into a home church!
I have a couple of posts in the pipe line and I hope they turn out better than this one.
Let's sludge through Monday!
Thursday, January 21, 2010
Me and my buddy - Pasta.
My Mom accompanied us out grocery shopping last weekend, while Tony was at hockey. She thought that the plastic on her box of pasta would be fun for Isaac to play with and he agreed, but these pictures? Way too funny not to share.
Isaac was perfectly content to just chill with his box of pasta!
I know I'm completely biased, but is this not the cutest picture?
Oh and apparently you shouldn't try to mess with his box of pasta. He was about to throw down.
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
Do you see what I see?
2010, originally uploaded by allpossible.
We've got a standing baby boy! He does it periodically and has been amping up the seconds. It just seems crazy to think that just months ago we were excited by his ability to hold his head or grasp a toy . . .
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
Pump Update
Whew. We're not out $280, just $22.
On your suggestions, I did call Medela. Our conversation was short, but she did provide me with the notion that I should replace the power cord. This was all that was divulged, as I truthfully stated I did not purchase the pump but was given it by my sister-in-law. I knew that it was single user pump, but did not know that the customer service rep was required by the FDA to discontinue our conversation. I'm not upset about it, but it was another frustration. [Let is be known, my SIL did not use the pump].
So, since that was our first and only option . . . Tony set out for a 9 VDC, which suprisingly was hard to find. We made due though, or Tony did by adapting the pump. :)
Not what I need right now . . .
My pump just died. This is when I wish I were a big influential blog and Medela would hear my cry and just bestow upon me a new pump . . .
I hope Tony can fix it tonight. Not that I have any clue how.
Gah. We do not have money for a new one.
Boo.
ETA: Let's keep in perspective here Leah. I'm still incredibly blessed. Just frustrated.
Weekend Recap
A weekend recap on Tuesday isn't nearly as bad as my NYE recap, because I had yesterday off! Whoo hooo! :)
Friday night Tony and I met up with my brother and Tony's friend Scott at good old Acapulco. It's been a few months, so it tasted amazing! Nothing will ruin food more than working at the establishment lol.
Saturday we experienced a bit of a heat wave and decided to get Isaac out in the snow for the first time, since it was a balmy 35*!
Take note of that tongue placement . . .
Hey guys, it looks warm out!
Daddy kisses me, I kiss dump truck.
Allie was stoked to get all of us outside, poor thing has had zero entertainment lately. :(
What do you know? He's cut out to be a Minnesotan!
Hey you guys, this is fun! Why didn't we do it sooner?
A little snow angel action.
Proof that Mom and Dad didn't just leave him out in the snow. Note that Tony's just in a sweatshirt. :)
And I'm rocking just a sweater. You should see us when it hits 60*'s again, pasty legs everywhere!
Saturday night was a whirlwind of events, as I'm really good at double booking myself now. It's been happening for awhile, where I'm fully aware that I made plans the same night, on the same date and yet somehow it escapes me that I can't actually be at two places at once!
We managed and I had a fun time out celebrating with friends for a birthday celebration dinner, followed by game night with my high school friends. Sidenote: it's always so odd to refer to them as high school friends as we get together quite regularly. I had to leave early, but the hour I did spend was hilarious. Sounds like the rest of the evening just built upon it! Next time, next time.
Kier demanded a group shot. :)
Sunday I was up early to make chili, which I had been trying to do for 4 days! Turns out it was the chili that just should never have been made. While yes, I understand I probably shouldn't have done this, I think it's fairly normal that I did. After throwing all of the ingredients in and establishing a good simmer, I ran downstairs to shower as Tony and Isaac slept upstairs. Minutes later my shower was interrupted by Tony bellowing my name. Turns out the main floor smoke alarm had been disarmed (Tony grrr) and Tony had been awakened by our bedroom smoke alarm going off. He started calling my name and immediately grew concerned when I didn't answer, since he didn't know I was in the shower. Smoke was on our first two levels and there was pandemonium all around. We have no idea what caused the smoke! Nothing was burning! So very odd, but I will not use my Grandma's old pot for awhile. It's one of those old enameled ones . . . :(
After the chili we went to church, followed by loading up the chili to watch the big game at my brother's house. The last time I made the chili I used a 1/2 cup of cayenne pepper + jalepeno + chipotle peppers in adobo sauce. Yes it was spicy . . . but it was good! This time I scaled back the cayenne to 1/4 cup and let's just say next time, there will be a further reduction!
The Vikings definitely beat the Cowboys, but apparently Isaac wanted to add his own excitement. Remember how his tongue was curled under in the first picture? We think he was doing the same when he bonked his head on the coffee table. This being the result:
The cute was at least 1/2" long, diagonally across his tongue. This picture being a few minutes of crying and sopping up blood later. It was absolutely terrible and we weren't sure what do to! We couldn't understand how it was only on the top of his tongue when his teeth are on the bottom, so we were very concerned that his teeth punctured his tongue (thankfully not so!). After a few phone calls, it was determined that we should wait it out. Isaac only cried for about a minute or two and the blood stopped flowing within 5-10. Our bodies ability to heal are just crazy and you can barely even see it today.
After the game I got to spend some girl time with Nadia and we whipped up two meals for this week as we caught each other up on life! Now we have nummy lasagna, a pork tenderloin, broccoli salad and red pepper hummus for the week, in addition to the chili leftovers!
And finally, after Nad's, we went to our friends to watch the season premier of 24. Super long, but fun, food filled day.
Yesterday was not however lol. I cleaned the crap out of the house, while Tony worked on the bathroom. I'm ready for another weekend now. I'm exhausted.
NYE
What? Is it too late for a New Years Eve recap? Better late than never is my new 2010 motto. :)
We had the invitation to be festive, but ultimately decided to stay in. While we had eager babysitters, neither of us wanted to be transporting Isaac with the drunkards in the early morning. As for the 2nd option, his first overnight . . . it just wouldn't be fair to Isaac or the Grandparents watching him. We're still co-sleeping and I think getting Isaac to sleep well without me would be near impossible.
So we made the best out of the evening that we could! :) Isaac ate some num numms of dried bananas and strawberries.
While Tony and I had a verified feast of appetizer goodness.
We had some salami pepperjack crescent things that I made up, Trader Joe's rice balls, another made up queso dip, lil smokies in bbq sauce and shrimp with cocktail sauce.
I don't even want to tell you how much of this food was eaten, it was all super good!
Our plans consisted of watching the Wild, watching Ice Age 3 and finally watching the ball drop.
Both Tony and I found it wildly comical that by the time the ball dropped I was drinking water out of my wine glass, after one glass, and he had poured himself a huge glass of milk. Now if that isn't telling of 2010 and the coming decade, I don't know what does. :)
Friday, January 15, 2010
We've got tile!
He's got less than a month to complete this baby! For his own pride, he wants it done before a full year since it was torn out . . . which happened February 7th.
Thursday, January 14, 2010
That'll do.
The picture's a little old, but the memory is not. I want to be here, in bed with my family. I think it would do this soul well.
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
Wedded Wednesday
of married bloggers sharing their inspirations,
anecdotes, struggles and thoughts regarding
the amazing union of two separate people, as one.
Although this email response was written a little over 5 years ago now (December 29, 2004), I can't help but want to share it.
On this day, 5 years ago Tony and I met face to face for the first time. We'd been emailing each other for close to 4 weeks and the heart behind these sentences was always apparent to me:
As a set up, Tony asked me where I would like to be in 5 years, and then answered his own question. This is his response: In five years...I want to be happy, I don't want to be searching for irrelevant things. I would like to be established as well. (Career, Home, Financial Stability). I want to have friends that I look forward to hanging out with (which I have been blessed with). I want to have a stronger relationship with God...One to base a Marriage on and one to help teach my children morals and to help them build integrity. I would like a wife to look forward to spending tons of time with and hate the times being away from her. I want to smile every time I think about her and I want to get that feeling you get when you know you are in love and the feeling never leaves you. I want to live a life with no regrets and one that develops endless opportunity for me and my family.
The first time I read these words I broke down. Can you blame me? I knew God had orchestrated Tony's sudden appearance in my life, but I could not believe the depth of the man I was speaking with, already jokingly referred to as my future husband.
While our lives have not been trouble free, nor do I think Tony has attained all of his above wants on this 5 year mark, I can say with so much joy that he has come close. :)
I've needed to be reminded of Tony's place as the head of our household lately. Sure there are days I think I'm absolutely fabulous and am pulling my weight, Isaac's weight and what I may consider on some days Tony's dead weight, but the reality is, it's that above vision with God as our provider that will see us through. Tony needs my support to continue and I want nothing more than that, because his heart is absolutely devoted to us.
Monday, January 11, 2010
Respite
Our family seems to be under attack right now, or as the saying goes "when it rains, it pours."
Isaac started to show signs of being sick early Friday night, with an infrequent cough. The highlight of my night was being locked out of the house due to a vehicle and key switcheroo, so that my car's heat could be fixed ($50!).
By Saturday morning the cough was very prominent, accompanied by a stuffed nose. I had no clue how bad that night would be.
The only sleep Isaac and I got was when he slept on me, propped up in the glider. These bouts of sleep were very short lived. He also kept arching away at the breast when in bed, screaming. My poor little guy just could not get relief. :(
It was by far the worst night since he was a new born.
Last night was definitely a step in the right direction, as we did get some sleep, save for the slight punctuation of Isaac losing his diaper around 3:00 am . . . resulting in my being directly peed on. At least Tony and I found it funny!
Thankfully Isaac was able to snag an appointment today and we've been given the word that he has a slight case of Bronchitis. We're very hopeful that Isaac will have a quick response to the amoxicillin.
I'm sure due to the sleeplessness of the weekend, I had to battle with a migraine today at work. Nothing less than prescription meds usually touch my migraines, which not only was I without, but actually are off limits due to nursing. Today was roooough and I'm so looking forward to eating a meal! I thought I was going to lose it frequently throughout the day, so I didn't have much of an appetite. I'm really hoping tomorrow will be a better day.
**Picture relates 3 things:
1). Bags under Isaac's eyes due to poor sleep
2). His two [count them] two teeth
3). That even though he has mastered his sippy cup, he doesn't always want to drink the water he gulps into his mouth - resulting in a super soaked shirt!
Friday, January 8, 2010
Thursday, January 7, 2010
Welcome to Minnesota
Where the women are not dainty eaters, the men are husky and the babies are hearty. :)
Okay, let's not over generalize the whole state as blubbers, as we are consistently ranked in the top 5 healthiest states in the US, but the point is this whole nationwide cold-snap we're experiencing? I don't want to hear about 20* freezing temps. Don't get me wrong, I understand the impact of these temperatures in the South! I just want to brag upon my fellow Minnesotans/Dakotans/Wisonsinites/and well even Iowans.
Without wind chill it was -18* Saturday morning. We've had a few high's of zero lately, but for the most part have remained below.
Oh and the heat hasn't been working in my car for about a month.
With this weather even Isaac had to bust out the Carhartt's.
I hope you're all staying warm, regardless of what your perception of cold may be!!!
Wednesday, January 6, 2010
Wedded Wednesday
of married bloggers sharing their inspirations,
anecdotes, struggles and thoughts regarding
the amazing union of two separate people, as one.
Well, I'm in a little funk right now. I think it's a combination of winter weather, general distance from Tony, the last post, lack of soccer, a position of ambiguity due to an ongoing unresolved new venture and extreme negativity towards work right now. It has made for a fantastic crappy mood.
And this mood wants nothing to due with my hubby. It's not fair to him and I need to shake it off.
I think this is one of the major disadvantages of being a woman. Sometimes you can be vividly aware of the pain you are in or are causing others, but still wallow without taking action. Sure I'm affected by several situations out of my control, but those items should not force me into a place of complacency. There are things that I can change and I should not forget about that, starting with my attitude.
The way to get started is to quit talking and begin doing.
Walt Disney
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
Big Time Bumming.
Male reader(s) - please stop reading.
Well, it happened. It was inevitable, but still unexpected.
Last week, my period returned.
I was extremely unprepared for the amount of emotion I had to deal with, as I didn't think it would be a very monumental experience.
I was just shocked by the knowledge that my baby is no longer, well a little baby. He's a hustling bustling baby, and this is just the beginning of the ways I'll be forced to acknowledge this.
My mind just kept coming to the road block that it shouldn't be happening yet, and then I had to work through the knowledge that I'm not exclusively bf'ing (pumping, sometimes supplementing and solids) and that it really has been 8 months!
The flip side of course - my body is ready for another baby! Hold up there ladies, my body. Not me, not us lol, but my body. :) We've still got to hold off for awhile . . .
Monday, January 4, 2010
8 Months Old
I seem to be getting worse and worse at these! Isaac celebrated 8 months the day after Christmas!
Isaac's first tooth popped through and rapid progress was made on the 2nd!
He's busy fine tuning his motor skills, although we're not sure when the walking will commence. He bebops on the edge of the coffee table and will sometimes pull back so that he's balancing by himself.
We started puffs, cheerios and fruit.
Isaac also graduated to the convertible car seat! So much roomier for him.
He has definitely mastered his sippy cup, although I think he doesn't realize the main point is to drink.
