A-2-Z ... finally!!!

I'm not exactly sure why I always feel like "this time it will be better" in regard to my photography attempts??? It's not as though I'm doing anything in between to learn more or practice my "skills" ... but for whatever reason I keep subjecting myself to the torture that is seemingly self inflicted. It's just, I made a promise after the purchase of such a good quality camera that I would no longer go to studios for pics of my kids ... it's partially to make the camera worth all the money and partially a pride thing - maybe that's the problem, they do say pride goeth before the fall, after all. I just like the thought of being able to say, "I took that photo" - I wasn't just the frazzled parent standing on the side coercing my children to sit there and smile ... please sit still ... please listen to the lady ... hey get back here ... and basically going crazy while breaking into a sweat. It still amazes me that the kids, generally, cooperate for me better than they did in the studio ... I mean, Annicka was always cooperative, but the boys - MY WORD! Maybe it's that we're out and not just in a boring room? I don't know, but today they got an extra special treat for not only cooperating, but it was so windy and cold and they were real troopers - so we went to McDonalds for lunch ... and went inside! That hasn't happened since Zoey was born, so it was truly a treat! Anyway, I'm rambling now and I can't say I'm as happy with these as I wanted to be ... I'm not as happy with these as I've been with others ... BUT - I do finally have some decent photos of all four of my beautiful blessings: Annicka, Jericho, Liam (the "2" boys), and Zoey!

squeaky clean!!

there's just something irresistible about babies (& kids) after a bath! last night I picked out the boys' new(er) jammies that we got them at the mall in L.A. - they've been a real favorite: Jericho's because he loves them so much (Nana's been washing them nearly every day so he can keep re-wearing them) and Liam's because we think he looks so darn cute in them!!! so, of course, I just had to get some pics of the two of them all clean and looking adorable!

Nana ...

here's some pics of Zoey with Nana - aren't they adorable?!




(Zoey's really into expressing herself, just like her big sister and brothers - lol)

little darlin ...

update:

today we saw both Zoey's cardiologist and "g.i." doctor! The best news is that we get to stop the lasix!!! This is a big celebration, as Zoey has basically been on lasix since birth! It's also just one less medication, in fact - she'll now technically only be taking one medication, for her reflux (the others are vitamins/minerals & miralax - not sure what category that falls into)! The cardiologist said, again, that there is a small amount of "leaking" but that's normal and "everything looks good". At the g.i. appt they had to use that "silver" stuff to burn off the flap of skin that seems to like to develop around the g-tube ... that's our next goal, get rid of that darn thing (but we're still using it at her last feedings of the day - as she's usually asleep) ... we go back in two months and I'd love it if at that point we were done with g-tube! He prescribed prevacid, but said it may be hard to obtain ... he said that after time the zantac loses it's affect, so that's a good switch. Zoey is growing well and is even within "normal" on the standard growth chart, however according to the dietician's calculations she should be taking in 850ml a day - whatever! So, we're going with a new minimum of 700!! I'm going to give us a few days to work up to that, though! So, that's the update on our little princess, and here's a pic - just for the heck of it:

buddies ...

I have to say, Annicka does so good with the babies! Her and Jericho, on the other, are a different story - but we won't get into that! The other day daddy called me out to the living room to snap some shots of how cute these two were: Annicka playing the game and Liam holding his own controller, thinking he was playing too! As soon as he heard the click of the camera, he turned around and let me know he knew what I was doing "pitcher" he exclaimed! He then proceeded to keep me quite entertained with his cheesy grin ... it was hilarious and I couldn't help but laugh and snap away!






As you can see, Annicka is growing up! She loves video games and crafts, she's not too crazy about school (she's been begging me to homeschool her) but I think she enjoys it enough and she likes her teacher! We're looking forward to this Artesia School thing they're doing, sounds quite interesting and fun! We've decided not to switch schools, after all ... so she'll be staying at the same school next year and Jericho will start kindergarten there as well!

Liam is growing too and he is such a talker - always amazing me with his words/sentences! He can really keep us smiling and laughing and is just so darn cute! I still need to do more "two year" photos (and still need to do Jericho's) but I find myself a little short on time to do all I need or want! Liam says "Zoey" properly now, no more "Zoely" ... but it's still cute!

Jericho (though not pictured) seems to be going through a rough patch in life. This has been a tough year for our little guy (he, of all of them, has missed me most when I've been out of town). He can be quite dramatic and as much funny stuff comes out of his mouth, just as much weird stuff does too ... not sure if it's the influence of tv or just a boy thing? He's a good little guy though and he has a sweet little spirit, the ornery bugger!

We're all very excited at the prospect of moving to a four bedroom home soon! FINALLY! We should get a call sometime this week to set up an appointment to go see the home they're going to offer us, I can't wait - I'm so excited!

so, there's the update on the rest of us for now! God bless all! Off to Zoey's doc appointments in Santa Barbara now!

weekends ...

I know, I know ... the blog is totally dominated by Zoey - and has been for three months now! It's just that I'm trying to both keep everyone updated as well as keep a good record for myself, as I don't do any journaling OR scrapbooking these days! ... of course, there's also that same old fact that babies simply don't make sour faces or run off when they see the camera come out, so it's truly simpler to get lots of photos of the wee ones! But, here's some shots of the big kids and my baby boy - playing outside this past weekend. I love them so much. I love their smiles. I love their enthusiasm over bugs and things that we, as adults, take for granted. I love their orneryness (even though that can be obnoxious too)! I just love them for who they are and who they will be!

what kept me up till 2am?

no, it wasn't a certain little someone that kept me up until 2am ... she was sound asleep in her cozy little bed! It was something for her, though. A few weeks ago I was gifted a swing, not really my colors - but my goodness a free swing in great condition, AND it plugs in - so no batteries ... what a blessing! I decided to jazz it up a bit, though, and came up with the idea to make a new cover and mobile toys for it ... well, last night I was finally inspired enough to get going ... and once I started I didn't want to stop until it was done. So, into the wee hours I worked away. Can't say it's excellent sewing - by a long shot - but hey, it works and it has character! I did the best I could given my time and my sewing machine - I think I could definitely benefit from a new one! So, here it is ... and here's little miss testing it out today!