Picture Download.

Posted on June 7, 2011 by Mandy

My posts have been too wordy lately.

I’m just going to post a bunch of pictures I should have shared before. When they were taken.

Ruby is almost 4 months old, and Ronan is 2 years 4 months old.

Cute! Easter! Pictures!

Posted on April 24, 2011 by Mandy

The title says it all, friends.

This next one is my very favorite of Ronan… but Brock was helping Ruby with her massive noggin!

Finger Paints.

Posted on April 11, 2011 by Mandy

Today, Brock was running to Target to get a few things. I asked him to pick out some paints for Ronan, and he said no.

He brought some home anyways.

Just A Bunch of Pictures

Posted on March 24, 2011 by Mandy

I have been taking lots and sharing few.

Also, I got a new lens for my camera. I have a few pictures from before I started using my 50mm f/1.8 (which I LOVE) and a few from after.

First, a terrible picture of Ruby… but an amazing hand-knit sweater from my Grandma Fran. Simply Amazing.

So lovely.

Chillin’. Sometimes, when Ruby is fussy, she does really well if you just lay her down… she wants a little alone time.

This is my best attempt at a brother-sister shot so far. Not working out so well.

I think she’s gonna be a pretty blue-eyes like her big brother.

Pictures from here on out are with my new lens!

The focus is wrong, but I love the picture anyways! Ronan’s favorite hang-out.

Playin’ wild with Dad!

I love to watch them. Oh so very much.

<3.

Sweet Ruby face!

And even though I just took this picture a few minutes ago, it’s my new favorite.

I still have a lot to learn – about photography, lighting, my new lens… but I’m having a lot of fun. And catching some great memories while I’m at it.

Ronan Turns Two.

Posted on March 5, 2011 by Mandy

Several weekends ago, friends of mine threw a second birthday party for Ronan.

I can’t help but want to share how incredibly grateful I am, not only to the friends that organized the party but also the friends that came to celebrate. I cannot imagine what I would have done, were I required to put on a birthday party myself with an almost two-week old, but the most likely outcome is that there wouldn’t have been one.

I didn’t want this post to get wordy… I really just wanted to share a few pictures from the day. I didn’t take enough, and I hate always feeling that in hindsight.

Anyways. Without further ado.

Fox!

Violet!

Uncle Brady holding his niece for the first time.

Presents!

Violet helped Ronan until he figured out the whole “present opening” thing. She was a pro!

Then he got the hang of it.

Until someone got him the WORLD’S BEST CAR! (Aunt Amanda and Uncle Josh!) Suddenly, he wasn’t interested in any other presents.

Ronan and Violet climbed into the tent together… there were many chuckles about appropriate behavior.

Cake!! That green car came on top of the cake between the candles, and Ronan was trying to put it back. Both hands are reaching to attempt to stop him from burning himself.

Aunt Amanda helped Ronan blow out his candles.

Nom.

We realized we forgot to sing “Happy Birthday” and so started while he was eating. He REALLY enjoyed everyone looking at him and singing, and held his hand out for more.

Cake face.

I realize how late this post is, and I apologize. I already have guilt over not making a big to-do over his second birthday as I probably should have, but I’m going to forgive myself just this once. And I’ll say it, because it’s true… I can’t believe my baby boy is two.

Project 365 {Week 4}

Posted on January 29, 2011 by Mandy

Hooray! I have officially stuck with this project longer than I thought I could!

I’m still really enjoying it.

Without further ado, here are this weeks pictures:

January 22nd

This is my first ever SOOC picture! I usually fiddle with light and shadows, but this one turned out exactly the way I wanted it.

January 23rd

Evidently, all little boys eventually start lining their cars up. This made me grin.

January 24th

This is our cat, Wash. I bet you didn’t know we had a cat. Do you want him?

January 25th

Every now and then, Ronan lets me take a sweet picture with him. Seriously though, could this child look LESS like me??

January 26th

Little black and red shoes. He’s grown out of them recently, time for new ones.

January 27th

I finally washed some baby clothes – these are the ones I have set aside for my birth bag (which I have not yet packed!)

January 28th

We took Ronan to Chik Fil A, and he asked very nicely for a “Bah-oo?”… he didn’t let go of it all day. This was post-nap snack. His eyes are so intense. Love him.

Thank you for joining me for another week! I hope you are enjoying yourself as much as I am.

And don’t forget to check out some of the other projects at naptimemomtog.com!

I am 38 weeks pregnant, and Ronan is 23 months old.

Project 365 {Week 3}

Posted on January 22, 2011 by Mandy

I didn’t have a great photography week.

Not only did I have a hard time remembering to take pictures, I didn’t really get into what I was taking shots of. I took one or two of each subject and moved on. It doesn’t make for great photos.

I also didn’t attempt to take many pictures of Ronan this week, which is unusual. I have tried to challenge myself by not using my kids as my ONLY subject (and this may get harder when baby girl arrives).

To the other linkee’s: I try to comment on as many of your posts as I possibly can. The weekends are really tough for me as I work the overnight shift, and sleep during the day. Please be patient with me! I will get to commenting a little later in the week! And THANK YOU for all of your comments – suggestions and constructive criticism are always welcome. I’m here to LEARN.

On to this week:

January 15

Ronan loves his chalkboard. Each creation makes me grin.

January 16

I dunno why… change on a paint can caught my eye. The blue will one day be the guest bathroom.

January 17

Some of the sweet colors in Baby Girl’s fluffy stash. This picture doesn’t do justice how TINY they are.

January 18

This was a gift from my Grandma. The detail of her wings struck me in this one, even though it seems like her hands and book are out of focus. It also plays the most beautiful song.

January 19

Ronan finds this position to be the most effective for playing with cars. I love it.

January 20

Hula HOOPS! If you don’t hula hoop, you should. Speaking of… now that I’m 37 weeks and full term, I need to get back in the groove.

January 21

The first preview of the nursery. I know, it’s BRIGHT. But I’m really diggin’ it.

Thanks for stopping by! Don’t forget to check out a few other 365 projects at naptimemomtog.com!

Snow!

Posted on December 19, 2010 by Mandy

A wordless Sunday post… Ronan’s first snow this year.

(Yeah, Canada. This is how much snow we get. It was gone in an hour.)

24 Weeks and 20 Months.

Posted on October 22, 2010 by Mandy

Also known as six months.

Not really, until tomorrow, but earlier is better than later is better than never.

When I was pregnant with Ronan, I realized that people don’t like to hear that you are miserable. When they ask how you are feeling, they want to hear that you feel great. I never did. But I bit my tongue, smiled and said, “I’m doing awesome!” over and over again.

This time, I answer with honesty. I feel fantastic. The little things that annoy me – not being able to get up on my own, having trouble rolling over in bed – they are so trivial compared to how glad I am to be pregnant. I was flipping through photo books of newborn photography and became desperate to hold one when I realized I’m more than half way there. I will be holding my brand new baby in four short months.

My belly is getting pleasantly bigger, and I’m finally out of that awkward phase where I don’t look pregnant enough for maternity clothes, but my regular stuff doesn’t fit. My boobs have blown out of proportion… my previous pregnancy D-cup bras are starting to feel a little snug. I find myself wondering how to manage them. Ha!

My hips are spreading and my feet are growing. I desperately need a new pair of shoes for the winter, and I have had NO chance to go get some. Every pair I own has been pinching my toes, and I keep telling myself, “I’ll go tomorrow.” I have yet to be successful.

This little baby girl is still a mover and a shaker. She is quite predictable with her active times, and she turns flips and somersaults with regularity. She goes crazy whenever I have anything even remotely sweet… Chik fil A milkshake? CRAZY BABY!

Not much else has changed. The time is flying by faster than I could have imagined, and I still find myself going insane with impatience. I’m glad she wont be here tomorrow… I’m not ready. But I can’t wait all the same.

Ronan turns 20 months old tomorrow. You can do the math… 4 short months until we have a baby – those same 4 short months until my big boy turns two years old. He is such an amazing kid, so smart and inquisitive, active and fun. He LOVES to be chased and tickled, signing “more” before you even stop. We get occasional hugs and kisses, when he’s in the mood, but he’s always up for a good bribe. (Fruit snacks for kisses is a favorite of mine.) His appetite has been down lately, and I’ve been struggling to get him to eat nutrient packed food to keep him going.

The last two days, he’s had a fever of 103+. I don’t know what’s up, but we’re just waiting this one out. My poor, sick boy is sitting on the stairs next to me, watching “Ratatouille” without moving, a paci in his mouth and a paci in his hands.

A bunch of recent pics, because I want to post them and wont have a chance later. Lets just blow our whole load on this post, and get it over with.

I am 24 weeks pregnant, and Ronan is 20 months old.