Five years since the day we said I do.
Four awe-inspiring children.
Three career changes.
Two hearts.
One you.
Happy anniversary, John.
I love you.
PS - Can we go to Fiji again soon?
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7.17.2009
7.16.2009
Two year checkup.
Catchy, original title. I know, I know...
So we headed in for The Peaches two year checkup this past Monday + I was incredibly surprised to learn that they are not only on the charts for their actual age, but they are in the 50th percentile. For everything: height, weight + head circumference! Well, except for our little guy who is apparently trim + falls into the 15th percentile for weight. Anyway, they are doing perfectly well, their doctor had absolutely no concerns at all.
It is just crazy to see just how far they have come.
Two years ago, James was born at 2lbs 10oz + 14 inches.
Today, James weighs 24 lbs 6 oz + he is 34 inches tall.
Two years ago, Ella was born at 1lbs 10 1/2oz + 13 1/2 inches.
Today, Ella weighs 23 lbs 3 oz + she is 33 3/4 inches tall.
Two years ago, Cameron was born at 2lbs 7 1/2oz + 14 1/4 inches.
Today, Cameron weighs 23 lbs 12 oz + she is 33 1/2 inches tall.
On the way out, they got to choose a lollipop {one of their very favorite things at the moment} + Cameron refused to take one of her hands off of the stick to hold John's as we walked back to the car.
I just realized as I was writing this post that I forgot to blog about their NICU developmental follow up back in May! There really isn't much to report because they were on track {actually, ahead even, in most areas} for their actual age + were discharged from the program.
I cannot believe I am typing this since there were many moments when I never thought this day would come...but my premature babies are now fully caught up toddlers!
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So we headed in for The Peaches two year checkup this past Monday + I was incredibly surprised to learn that they are not only on the charts for their actual age, but they are in the 50th percentile. For everything: height, weight + head circumference! Well, except for our little guy who is apparently trim + falls into the 15th percentile for weight. Anyway, they are doing perfectly well, their doctor had absolutely no concerns at all.
It is just crazy to see just how far they have come.
Two years ago, James was born at 2lbs 10oz + 14 inches.
Today, James weighs 24 lbs 6 oz + he is 34 inches tall.
Two years ago, Ella was born at 1lbs 10 1/2oz + 13 1/2 inches.
Today, Ella weighs 23 lbs 3 oz + she is 33 3/4 inches tall.
Two years ago, Cameron was born at 2lbs 7 1/2oz + 14 1/4 inches.
Today, Cameron weighs 23 lbs 12 oz + she is 33 1/2 inches tall.
On the way out, they got to choose a lollipop {one of their very favorite things at the moment} + Cameron refused to take one of her hands off of the stick to hold John's as we walked back to the car.
I just realized as I was writing this post that I forgot to blog about their NICU developmental follow up back in May! There really isn't much to report because they were on track {actually, ahead even, in most areas} for their actual age + were discharged from the program.
I cannot believe I am typing this since there were many moments when I never thought this day would come...but my premature babies are now fully caught up toddlers!
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7.14.2009
Two in review.
The Peaches were so excited for their birthday this year + they spent weeks leading up to the big day {and the big day itself} running around singing the Happy Birthday song!
When prompted, they proudly announced how old they were {except Ella who spent the day as 'no' years old}. Cameron even learned how to hold up one finger on each hand to indicate her age. They seem to know that their birthday is a shared one, though I am not really sure they understand any of the why just yet.
The day was rainy + wet, so I didn't get the chance to have an actual photo shoot with The Peaches; but hopefully this weekend will allow me some time to do their 2 year portraits. And sadly, I have no images of The Peaches with me from their birthday either. I need to get an assistant shooter for these events, I think :)
We spent the 1st half of the day doing things they love to do...breakfast with candles {they helped blow them out, Ella tried to grab the flame again this year}, watching Little Einsteins + Sesame Street, taking a bath, going to the Children's Discovery Museum {which, they insisted was actually an inside park} with Mommy, Daddy, Lada + Nana and eating lunch at McDonald's {where they got their very first Happy Meal + a toy that went with them to nap}.
After naptime {which lasted until 5pm + I had to wake them up} they had dinner. I made spaghetti bolognese, but Cameron is the only one who actually ate it. James had grapes, raisins + pumpkin bread; Ella had plain noodles + raisins. Then we got to enjoy the 'just choc-yate' cupcakes. At the last minute Cameron decided that instead of blue frosting, she actually preferred purple. Thankfully I waited until the last minute to frost the cupcakes! James stuck with orange + Ella with pink. Cameron + James loved the Happy Birthday singing; Ella wasn't quite so sure at first, but she warmed up towards the end. Of course, they all really enjoyed eating them! {There are a few cupcake pictures are here.}
When the resulting the sugar rush hit it's high point, they ran around the house like crazy people. They could hardly contain their excitement for each new present + bounced around the room from person to person + gift to gift. It was pretty hysterical to watch.
Then it was off to bed...
I think that I can confidentaly say that they thoroughly enjoyed their day, because every morning since their birthday, they wake up singing 'Happy Birthday to...' + every day they request 'more presents' + 'nother one birthday'.
Coming soon...the birthday party recap, our trip to South Bend, details on The Peaches' 2 year check-up + lots of summer fun!
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When prompted, they proudly announced how old they were {except Ella who spent the day as 'no' years old}. Cameron even learned how to hold up one finger on each hand to indicate her age. They seem to know that their birthday is a shared one, though I am not really sure they understand any of the why just yet.
The day was rainy + wet, so I didn't get the chance to have an actual photo shoot with The Peaches; but hopefully this weekend will allow me some time to do their 2 year portraits. And sadly, I have no images of The Peaches with me from their birthday either. I need to get an assistant shooter for these events, I think :)
We spent the 1st half of the day doing things they love to do...breakfast with candles {they helped blow them out, Ella tried to grab the flame again this year}, watching Little Einsteins + Sesame Street, taking a bath, going to the Children's Discovery Museum {which, they insisted was actually an inside park} with Mommy, Daddy, Lada + Nana and eating lunch at McDonald's {where they got their very first Happy Meal + a toy that went with them to nap}.
After naptime {which lasted until 5pm + I had to wake them up} they had dinner. I made spaghetti bolognese, but Cameron is the only one who actually ate it. James had grapes, raisins + pumpkin bread; Ella had plain noodles + raisins. Then we got to enjoy the 'just choc-yate' cupcakes. At the last minute Cameron decided that instead of blue frosting, she actually preferred purple. Thankfully I waited until the last minute to frost the cupcakes! James stuck with orange + Ella with pink. Cameron + James loved the Happy Birthday singing; Ella wasn't quite so sure at first, but she warmed up towards the end. Of course, they all really enjoyed eating them! {There are a few cupcake pictures are here.}
When the resulting the sugar rush hit it's high point, they ran around the house like crazy people. They could hardly contain their excitement for each new present + bounced around the room from person to person + gift to gift. It was pretty hysterical to watch.
Then it was off to bed...
I think that I can confidentaly say that they thoroughly enjoyed their day, because every morning since their birthday, they wake up singing 'Happy Birthday to...' + every day they request 'more presents' + 'nother one birthday'.
Coming soon...the birthday party recap, our trip to South Bend, details on The Peaches' 2 year check-up + lots of summer fun!
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Balance.
I am working on working on catching up after a whirlwind start to our summer.
I feel like I haven't had the chance to just sit + be still in what feels like forever. Sure, that is probably an obvious statement coming from someone with a family of six. Particularly since I have four children, one who is constantly going to or from somewhere + three who are, well, two. I expect to be busy.
But...I need that me time, that stillness to be able to collect my thoughts + move forward with my days. And I haven't had that for well over two months. The few quiet moments I have had to myself have been so filled with exhaustion that I haven't been able to do anything other than rest my body + my mind by sitting on the couch, watching television. And that makes me feel lazy.
Don't get me wrong, we have had such an amazing first half of summer, filled with lots of togetherness + family. Giving us all a chance to reconnect + enjoy each other in a way that the busy-ness of the school year just doesn't allow. And I have thoroughly enjoyed all that this summer has gifted us with so far...in addition to the experiences I have posted about already, we managed to find time to take a trip to South Bend to visit Gram + Grandpa Lou for the 4th of July, celebrate The Peaches' birthday + have a party, squeeze in a 2 year check-up, spend time with some friends, take many trips to the park + do lots of swimming in our backyard. {details + images which will be featured in several upcoming posts}.
But...all of our adventures have left me precious little time to work on anything else + so my house, my work, my blog, my photography...my self, really, are all suffering.
Keeping balance in life is such a delicate task, because if you let the scales tip, even just a tad, in one direction or the other, you find yourself off track completely. And back at square one.
That is where I am at right now...
I am still trying to find a schedule that will work for me, one that allows me enough time to express my creativity + focus on my work, while allowing me time to also take care of my family + my house. I am getting there, slowly. Very slowly. But I am getting there. I have recently discovered that if I pick just one thing each day to do from each category of what I hope to accomplish, I have much greater success overall throughout the week. However, if I let one day go it can turn the entire week into a disaster.
There are days I feel so alone in this struggle, but I cannot imagine that is so...if you are willing to share them, I would love to hear your thoughts on balance. Do you find it difficult, as I do, or are you able to maintain balance? I want to know...what works for you?
This is totally unrelated to the post, I included it, really, just because...a snapshot from yesterday of some afternoon summer fun.
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I feel like I haven't had the chance to just sit + be still in what feels like forever. Sure, that is probably an obvious statement coming from someone with a family of six. Particularly since I have four children, one who is constantly going to or from somewhere + three who are, well, two. I expect to be busy.
But...I need that me time, that stillness to be able to collect my thoughts + move forward with my days. And I haven't had that for well over two months. The few quiet moments I have had to myself have been so filled with exhaustion that I haven't been able to do anything other than rest my body + my mind by sitting on the couch, watching television. And that makes me feel lazy.
Don't get me wrong, we have had such an amazing first half of summer, filled with lots of togetherness + family. Giving us all a chance to reconnect + enjoy each other in a way that the busy-ness of the school year just doesn't allow. And I have thoroughly enjoyed all that this summer has gifted us with so far...in addition to the experiences I have posted about already, we managed to find time to take a trip to South Bend to visit Gram + Grandpa Lou for the 4th of July, celebrate The Peaches' birthday + have a party, squeeze in a 2 year check-up, spend time with some friends, take many trips to the park + do lots of swimming in our backyard. {details + images which will be featured in several upcoming posts}.
But...all of our adventures have left me precious little time to work on anything else + so my house, my work, my blog, my photography...my self, really, are all suffering.
Keeping balance in life is such a delicate task, because if you let the scales tip, even just a tad, in one direction or the other, you find yourself off track completely. And back at square one.
That is where I am at right now...
I am still trying to find a schedule that will work for me, one that allows me enough time to express my creativity + focus on my work, while allowing me time to also take care of my family + my house. I am getting there, slowly. Very slowly. But I am getting there. I have recently discovered that if I pick just one thing each day to do from each category of what I hope to accomplish, I have much greater success overall throughout the week. However, if I let one day go it can turn the entire week into a disaster.
There are days I feel so alone in this struggle, but I cannot imagine that is so...if you are willing to share them, I would love to hear your thoughts on balance. Do you find it difficult, as I do, or are you able to maintain balance? I want to know...what works for you?
This is totally unrelated to the post, I included it, really, just because...a snapshot from yesterday of some afternoon summer fun.
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7.12.2009
Update: And the winners are...
{Oops...I forgot to post two of the winners for Giveaway #3! For a list of all of the winners check out the post below.}
Giveaway #3 - comment 25 Carolsue + comment 14 Jen
Congratulations!!!
Please send me an email in the next few days so that I can get your winnings to you!
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Giveaway #3 - comment 25 Carolsue + comment 14 Jen
Congratulations!!!
Please send me an email in the next few days so that I can get your winnings to you!
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And the winners are...
{I am so sorry these are a day late!}
Giveaway # 1 - comment 28 Barbara Manatee
Giveaway #2 - comment 11 Cris + Annalisa
Giveaway #3 - comment 17 Aune + comment 25 Carolsue + comment 14 Jen
Giveaway #4 - comment 6 Jamie + comment 2 Shannon
Giveaway #5 - comment 15 BoufMom9
Giveaway #6 - comment 15 Helen
Giveaway #7 - comment 38 Linda
Giveaway #8 - comment 20 rebecca jeanne
Congratulations!!!
Please send me an email in the next few days so that I can get your winnings to you!
Subscribe to Little Bites of Heaven.
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Giveaway # 1 - comment 28 Barbara Manatee
Giveaway #2 - comment 11 Cris + Annalisa
Giveaway #3 - comment 17 Aune + comment 25 Carolsue + comment 14 Jen
Giveaway #4 - comment 6 Jamie + comment 2 Shannon
Giveaway #5 - comment 15 BoufMom9
Giveaway #6 - comment 15 Helen
Giveaway #7 - comment 38 Linda
Giveaway #8 - comment 20 rebecca jeanne
Congratulations!!!
Please send me an email in the next few days so that I can get your winnings to you!
Subscribe to Little Bites of Heaven.
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MCP Actions is giving away...
MCP Actions is giving away a brand new Tamron SLR lens to one lucky reader!
You can enter here!
Their timing is incredible, since I have been browsing for lenses all week. My favorite lens has the tiniest little crack + I need to replace it soon!
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You can enter here!
Their timing is incredible, since I have been browsing for lenses all week. My favorite lens has the tiniest little crack + I need to replace it soon!
Subscribe to Little Bites of Heaven.
Follow me {littlebites} on Twitter.
Visit my print shop.
7.10.2009
Two years ago...
I began this on their birthday, July 8, but did not finish it up until today...
Two years ago today I said hello to James, Ella + Cameron for the very first time.
James Andrew
Ella Elizabeth Garrett
But they persevered, amazing all of us. And now those babies, my babies, are two. Which means they are officially no longer babies, but instead toddlers. Two is the magical age for preemies. The time when they catch up and are measured alongside their peers. When they were born, that day seemed so far away; an almost unattainable goal. And now their birth day seems like the day that is so far away; fuzzy + distant, surely warped a bit by time.
In some ways, I feel that we are exactly where we should be + yet in other ways I feel like time has gone by faster than I can take.They have thrived over the past two years, growing into these incredible people. Still small, but with enormous personalities, full of life + full of fun. They cannot learn fast enough + keep busy every moment of every day, always doing something.
And me? Strangely, I am in a similar place to where I was then. It is different, that is certain, less scary + not nearly as overwhelming. It is fun + entertaining, exciting + rewarding, challenging + limit pushing. But...here I am two years later + still, I am not sure what I can hope to expect from each day.
Subscribe to Little Bites of Heaven.
Follow me {littlebites} on Twitter.
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Two years ago today I said hello to James, Ella + Cameron for the very first time.
James Andrew
Ella Elizabeth Garrett
But they persevered, amazing all of us. And now those babies, my babies, are two. Which means they are officially no longer babies, but instead toddlers. Two is the magical age for preemies. The time when they catch up and are measured alongside their peers. When they were born, that day seemed so far away; an almost unattainable goal. And now their birth day seems like the day that is so far away; fuzzy + distant, surely warped a bit by time.
In some ways, I feel that we are exactly where we should be + yet in other ways I feel like time has gone by faster than I can take.They have thrived over the past two years, growing into these incredible people. Still small, but with enormous personalities, full of life + full of fun. They cannot learn fast enough + keep busy every moment of every day, always doing something.
And me? Strangely, I am in a similar place to where I was then. It is different, that is certain, less scary + not nearly as overwhelming. It is fun + entertaining, exciting + rewarding, challenging + limit pushing. But...here I am two years later + still, I am not sure what I can hope to expect from each day.
Subscribe to Little Bites of Heaven.
Follow me {littlebites} on Twitter.
Visit my print shop.
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