Big Ol' Man

We've recently taking to calling J-Hawk our "big ol' man", and several variations of this. He really is a big man. I'm not sure how much he weighs at this point in time, but my biceps that carry him around in his baby carrier tell me it's a lot and a half. I don't want him to grow up, but I'd surely not mind it if he could be walking if he insists on growing so fast.

He will go in for a 4 months check up not too long from now. He was about 15.5 at his last check-up, so who knows what to expect at this one. They may tell me he weighs more than I do...which would feel about right. He is not just solid, but he's long, and got big hands and feet. I'm not exactly sure where this kid came from. My other two are definitely more on the petite side. Merrick especially. Maybe God knew they will need someone to whip them into shape, or at least he will need some muscle to defend himself from the eldest hooligans.

He is doing lots of cute things, like babbling and trying to grab things, sitting up in his saucer and laughing at us. He is not a fan of sitting contentedly and playing, but insists that there be someone looking at him most of the day. (Thankfully it doesn't always have to be me...but adoration from just about anyone will do. And since he is pretty adorable we usually let him get away with that.) He also has recently started "yelling" at us if he needs something. Not crying, giving you a tongue lashing in baby talk.

I feel like he will be ready for some real food in the very near future, since big ol' men cannot live on formula alone. (I think the other two started around 4.5 or 5 months, but like I said they were not linebackers) He is thoroughly rotten, since he has 4 people telling him all day how handsome he is. He is really such a sweet happy guy most of the time...seemingly pretty laid back unless food is involved. He may just be trying to lull us into a false sense of security, though, like Tirzah did before him. So I'm not keeping my heart set on having a calm one to add to this crazy mix just yet. ;)

The first shot is for Macro Monday

Check out more shots at Monday Rewind, and And Then She Snapped

The third shot is for Tones on Tuesday, Communal Global, Sweet Shot, and Happiness Project

We all scream.

I would be lying of if I said we aren't a loud family. So the phrase "we all scream for ice cream" is about what happened last night. I had acquired a gift card for Cold Stone Creamery (Literally...we found it. Finders keepers right?) and Billy was working late.

There was lots of screaming, with or without the ice cream, so it seemed like a good time for it. When I was pregnant with Merrick I was on a first name basis with the local Cold Stone employees...and also did some screaming if there weren't enough Oreos in my Oreo Overload. Hey...hormones. Now I can't afford ice cream from this place AND pay my rent so it was a special trip. I wonder if Merrick felt at home on this trip back there?

It took them a lightyear to pick what kind of ice cream they wanted. When your 2 & 4 your ice cream flavors are selected based on color, not flavor. And there were A LOT of colors. They could have had vinegar-flavored blue ice cream and Merrick would have HAD to have it. Then we had to pick toppings. I think that was another light year.

It was all worth it thought once they were up to their elbows in melted sticky and having a blast. I sampled their selections to make sure I am educating them properly in the sweet tooth department. Not bad. I think they are on the right track. ;)

Check out more shots at Simple as That, and Sunday Snapshot.

Merrickism

My oldest always says things that make me laugh. The way he comes out with things...and the way he words things...hilarious. I've even deemed these phrases "Merrickisms" and if I tweeted them as often as they happen I'd make a nuisance of myself even more so than I usually do. ;)

Speaking of Merrickisms, yesterday at breakfast he came out with a doozie. I overheard him explaining to his little sister that Jesus died and rose again in a tuna. I believe he meant the "tomb", and I also believe he has his Jesus and his Jonah mixed up. I nearly spit out my coffee...and then laughed until I cried. He was totally serious about this.

Later on that same morning I noticed he had started calling his little brother "J-Buzz-Lightyear". Such a big name for such a little guy. Merrick informed me that "J-Buzz-Lightyear" was awake and ready for his breakfast. He's so helpful. Speaking of his new brother, he also thanked me for "getting this new brother out of my tummy".

A few more before you go? He is not so great at taking his naps anymore, but he does have to have quiet time in his room. And quiet is used very loosely. When I questioned him about all the noise and lack of sleep recently he gave me several reasons for this, my favorite being he had gas...in his eye. Oh, and that there were ants outside his window swinging in their webs. Ants these days.

Check out more shots at Wild Wonderful Wednesday, and Wordless Wednesday.

The next to last shot is for Give Me Your Best Shot, This or That, and Show Off, and the last shot is for Texture Thursday.

Dandy-lies

...the radiant dandelion, shining in the grass, like a spark dropped from the sun. / Beecher

It's always funny how when your kids mispronounce something, that's the official name for it around the house. What used to be a dandelion is now "dandy-lies", even when it's just Billy and I talking about them. The kids love finding these; you'd think they were roses instead of weeds that people all over the country spend money trying to get rid of.

When they bring me a bunch of them, so proud of themselves for finding these unappreciated weeds, I kind of think they are roses, too. It's a win-win, since they keep the yard free of them in the process. It's the little things. ;)

The first shot is for Macro Monday Monday.

Check out more shots at Monday Rewind, and And Then She Snapped

The last shot is for Tones on Tuesday, Communal Global, Sweet Shot, and Happiness Project

From our blog:
http://bunchofbarrons.blogspot.com/

Once in a Lifetime

Every spring is the only spring - a perpetual astonishment. :: Ellis Peters

I was able to do an engagement session for a couple the other day. The girl is someone I have known since I was in high school, and she was in middle school. It was fun to see how well life is going for her and her hubby to be. They seemed so genuinely happy together and spent a good amount of time laughing at each other. Perfect engagement session material. ;)

I also saw the quote at the beginning of this post and it got me thinking about engagement sessions in general. Sometimes as a photographer it may feel like just a gig, a job, another scheduled session on the calendar. This time with two people who might giggle if you ask them to kiss, instead of maybe a little baby, or a family with lots of kids running different directions. But when I really think about it, that's not what it is at all.

Just like every Spring can be seen as "just another Spring", it can also be seen as something totally unique and special...something you've never seen before. For every engagement session I do, it's a little reminder of that sweet time in my life several years (and babies) ago. It was just us...we were all that we needed. I love getting to see that familiar, but totally different, glow around two people getting ready to start their life together. That "just us" solidarity in their faces.

While this engagement session may be one of many I do in my lifetime, it's a once in a lifetime for this couple. I love getting to be a part of that, and am grateful for the reminder of that sweet time in my life. Congrats to Sarah and David! :)

 Check out more shots at Oh Snap, Photo Friday, Fabulous Friday.