Baby Locomotion

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I love the idea of blogging. I can tell my side of the story, and share how I feel about things that are happening in my life. Unfortunately because of certain events that have taken place, I had to get rid of commenting on this page. I 100% believe in freedom of speech and I realize that by blogging, in general, you open yourself up for others' opinions. Trashing me and my family, anounomously, by way of a blog that I write about my son, is wrong. That is not why I write this blog. My intentions are only to keep in touch with and update family and friends that we dont see on a regular basis. This is for my son...and will not tolerate stupid, judgemental people to piss all over that. So, please read and enjoy the pictures of my BEAUTIFUL child. I'm not going to apologize for the things that I write, or anything that I do in my life. So if what I say affends you, then please move along.

>>For the friends that left comments for the anonymous commentor, I appreciate you looking out for us. That's the kind of support that we need right now.

Crib Cruisin'

An Update for Grandma and Grandpa!

Just a Ryan update for grandma and grandpa in Concho. I know you'll be down here soon. Ryan is now crawling at a more advanced level. He does less belly flopping and more actual crawling. He stands up on his own. We caught him this morning standing in his crib playing with his crib light. He can pick up food between his first finger and thumb. We have him eating yogurt bites now...they are delicious and he loves them. Its the first food that I have seen him get really excited over. He can hold his own bottle while sitting up. It took him a while with this one because he didn't like to lift high enough to expose his armpit. I would say he is advanced at this skill. He loves to get into everything. His favorite is trash cans. He wants to be in them, which is horrifying and gross. Don't worry, I keep an eye on him. He's 20 lbs and about 30 inches long. I bought him all new jammies because he doesn't fit in anything anymore. He's a big smiler. He smiles all day long. I think that's it for the update. He cant wait to see you guys!

Hop, Hop, Hop...Little Bunny.

Ahhhhh...the joys of parenting. For only a dollar and a trip to Target, you too could put funny bunny
ears on your kid. Then spend a few minutes laughing at them, while they cry. Ha!

Kid On a Box

I was in the office tonight looking at my new house online (yes...I have decided in my mind that I own a new home, it just hasnt found me yet). I put Ryan on the floor to play...well...by play I really mean destroy everything that grazes his finger tips. He likes to play with the door stops, dump over the trash cans, and turn the printer on and off. I looked away for a few seconds and looked back to check on him. He was sitting on top of a box. Its about the most random event to happen to me in a long while. I breifly looked at him, then did a double take. There may have even been a triple take. You just dont expect to look over and see your 7 month old a foot off the floor, sitting on a box. I made Shane wait all the way until he got home to hear the story, then see the picture. It was worth it.

I have a mortgage related phone call in the morning at 8. Me and Shane looked at eachother tonight at dinner and just laughed. He said "Ha...Can you believe this could actually happen?" I smiled and replied "I know and after everything that has happened; I kinda feel dishonest, like I'm cheating in some way!"

I spoke with the lender people over at our credit union. They seem to think that we can pull this off. They know how to do their job better then me, so Im gonna just go with it. She actually said that not putting me on our current home loan may of been a blessing in disguise. I'm forced to agree. I feel like doing my evil genius laugh...I'll check *Lindsay buys her own home* off my list of things to do this week.

>>I scrambled to find a camera to take the shot of Ryan on the box, so its not that good. I don't think its even in focus...but its funny. Enjoy!

Ryan Proofing the World...

My brother (Toby), Sister in law (Stefanie), and my nephew (Carson) were in town this weekend. We had fun hanging out together. We all went to dinner on friday and I had a chance to catch up with my friend Matt. Ryan was acting up and actually choked then threw up all over the table in the restuarant. I'm still not totally comfortable taking him out to eat, or out in public, for that matter. He has started to pull himself up into a standing position pretty regularly now. I will be Ryan proofing the world from this point on. He sticks his fingers into everything, knocked over an end table and was about 2 seconds from pulling my camera off the couch. I thought that the crawling was bad, but he has officially brought it to a whole new level of distruction. I am officially in the market to buy my very first home. I am looking at a few in Chandler and couldnt be more excited. I'm impulsive, so naturally, I thought of this idea about 3 days ago and I wont stop until its done. I've got the credit and its better than renting.
>>I am absolutely in love with my first run at flash photography. I spot metered and under exposed the flower; purposely blew out the background to give a back lit effect. I'm really loving the reflection from my dining room table.

A Whole New World!

I love the "Photography Tutorials" that I get when my dad comes over to my house. He's on a whole other level when it comes to the technical side of photography. I guess talent will only take you so far, but when you know how to use your equipment properly...it opens up endless doors and possibilities. Today was full of external flash, hot shoe slaves, lens pens, shutter remotes, ettl's, and some weird flash diffuser that looks like honey comb. Flash photography is something that I now zero about. I'm in the market for an external flash for my camera. They are pretty pricey, so I'm glad he knows whats up in that department. He left me his flash to play around with...we will see what I come up with. At the end of the day, I can honestly say that I learned a lot but still have a lot of work on my hands. I'm excited to direct the photo shoot for our Christmas card this year. Its going to be amazing. My dad came up with the idea, now we just gotta make it happen. You will all have to wait and see Christmas 2009! I took a picture of this card that Ryan got from a girl at daycare, when I was messing around with my stuff today. I thought it was cute and wanted to share it. I think he may have a girlfriend already!

It Needs to be Said

If you know me, then you know my list of pet peeves is painfully long. Certain accents that shouldn't be accents, repetitiveness, some mannerisms etc. The fact that I have pet peeves is annoying to ME. My latest and greatest is one that I REALLY hate. When people from out of state seem to think that everything from their home town is the only way things should be done, or the only way food should be prepared...give it a rest! There had to be some reason that you came to Arizona...right? There are a lot of things that make Arizona a great place to live. Our sunsets, weather, the Mexican food. I hate the phrase "People in Arizona don't know how to drive!" Probably because people from Arizona aren't used to driving in the elements...I am a native to this state and have only seen snow twice in my life. So if you are expecting me to drive in it; you are crazy. Or; isn't Arizona notorious for being a transient state? So basically its full of people from all over the country, or maybe those bad drivers are from where you came from? I dunno...?!??! I'm going to go ahead and marinate on this one, and then I'll file it away into my huge pile of annoyances. Next time I'll let you all know why I think Rachel Ray is ridiculous!!

>>No Brady has not been on weight watchers! The picture was taken about 5 years ago with my very first Canon SLR. Me and my love affair with photography has existed for a long time. Brady's figure...that has been gone since this picture was taken.

Licking Walls...No Wonder He's Always Sick!

No Pictures On This Post

In an attempt to clean up our computer and make it "work better", Shane successfully uninstalled DPP. That's the software I use to process my photos...so I can post anything until Shane fixes the problem he created when he was trying to fix the computer. I have some good ones of Ryan crawling around, and licking walls. He gets quicker everyday. He now wiggles his butt and does what I have named "The Worm Dance", Shane calls it "The Monkey Dance". Its all the same none the less.
Work is going very well. I am working like a maniac. The more I work and the better I do, the better equipment I can buy for my camera. We've been over prices before, and photography has to be one of the more expensive hobbies. I am noticing that my residents at work have been abused for so long, that I think they just want someone to talk to. So the more I talk and smile, the more money I make. It's not too bad.

Changing Everyday For the Better

I am working today, which I don't mind because this is time that I get to be alone to just process. Shane got his new work schedule this morning. He will be working Saturdays. So what do you do when daycare isnt an option? Thankfully we have someone that can watch him every Saturday. I'm really excited about his new schedule because we will have our days off together. So our weekends will be spent during the week versus on the actual weekends. I am doing well at my new job, and making a lot more $ than I thought I would. So that's helping me get outta bed and gets me going in the morning. We have started looking for a house in "town". We like the Ahwatukee, Chandler and S. Scottsdale areas. I think that is what I am most excited about; MOVING! I will miss our current house, but I know we can't stay here, no matter how much we want too. I just want the stability back in our life.

In other news: My new buddy Taran wants me to photograph her and her son. I am so EXCITED. She really loves B&W portraits and that's what I would consider my specialty. So everyone is happy. She has a son Ryan's age and I cant wait to meet him. I think she is amazing too...

Fun with Bokeh!

I figured this one out all by myself! It's a home made Lensbaby. I make myself smile sometimes.

It's Worth it Because I Love it!

I decided early that today was a Costco kinda day. I needed formula for the kid and dog food for the boys. I also found some really cute Dr. Seuss shirts for Ryan. He likes Dr. Seuss ABC's, and the Foot Book, and I thought it was a great way to support Seuss. As I was driving to Chandler I noticed that there was snow on Four Peaks, and most of the other ranges in that vicinity. I thought that was pretty neat, and worth sharing. It looked huge, like Mt. Everest or something. You could tell that the McDowell's and Superstition were still in the Phoenix area because they were the normal blue color, and just behind them were the snowy peaks. It created an interesting effect with the depth of field as I was driving out of Maricopa. I was kicking myself for not bringing the camera with me. Would of been a neat shot.

I found the lens I want to buy as I was online window shopping today at a few of my regular sites. Its a Canon EF 50mm L 1.2. Its $1400. If I buy the regular Canon EF 50mm...its only $100. That's a really expensive "L". Kidding; I know why it makes it so much more expensive. I just don't know how I'm supposed to afford all of these lenses. The other one I want is $1200. I might have to get another job. Dad: I am your only daughter. Remember that the next time you are in the mood to buy stuff! Ha Ha! Its worth saving for, I found something that I have fallen in love with. I could do it forever, whatever the cost.

What To Do, When There's Nothing To Do...

I'm struggling to find things that I actually want to blog about. Its a nice release at the end of the day to sit and just write it all down. Even though its boring at times; this is my life. I'm adjusting to the new schedule pretty well. I have emotional breakdowns at least once a day. I think that my child resents me for leaving him with the new mommy that I bought him at the daycare. I'm sure these thoughts will pass as soon as I get it out of my head that we are not independently wealthy, and I DO NEED TO WORK! My job is a job. Plain and simple. I go in; I smile; I pretend like I want to be there; I make money, and then I come home. I refuse to take it too seriously, because I refuse to get comfortable. My co-workers are great, so that's a bonus. My office is on a lake...that's pretty cool. I stare out the window a lot a think "If I had my camera, I would take a picture of that." It really is a beautiful place to be, if you have to be anywhere. I'm going to blow up the memory on my camera tomorrow so there will be pictures to put up. As soon as I have something great to share with the world, I will write about it. Until then...

About a Friend

I wanted to dedicate this post to someone special in my life; a person who ALWAYS has my back. That special someone is my friend Andrea. She is such a great person, I dont feel like I tell her that enough. Today she picked up Ryan early from daycare and just spent time with him. She bought a base for his carseat so she could drive with him, and a playmat with monkey and jungle animals on it. I love knowing that Ryan has such great women in his life that love him to pieces. Ecspecially when she doesnt have too; Andrea loves him because he is who he is. Im comforted at the thought of the future months that are coming and knowing that she will be around when life gets really hard. I was looking for support from people, and you were there. It seems like a lot of people come into my life, but I'm glad that this relationship has lasted. Thank you for today. I know I dont say it enough; I love you for being so wonderful.

Monkey Poo & Other Goo...

Up All Night

I had a very challenging Thursday night. i cooked Shane dinner, one that's in heavy rotation because its easy and he actually likes it. I spent the following 12 hours puking, literally, my guts out. I was waking up every hour throughout the night to throw up. Today, my whole core is in extreme pain and I almost passed out at work. Ryan completed his first full week at daycare, and all the ladies seem to enjoy him. I realized the other day that my hour drive home at night sucks, and I cant wait to move the heck out of this house and back into civilization! I only get to see my baby for about an hour a day. At night its home, dinner, than its bedtime. There isn't really anytime for any playing or cuddling. March needs to hurry up and get here! Ryan is starting to feel a lot better. The cough has gone and his chest doesnt rattle. His puking is sort of back. He has good days and bad days.

1 down, only 974,456,841,354,987,653 left to go.

I have completed my first week of work in over a year. Things are going good. Getting from my job to daycare before they close is quite a challenge for me. I just cross my fingers, drive as fast as I can and hope that I don't hit someone or get pulled over. Luckily I work with 2 of the coolest ladies that I have ever met...so they are understanding when I dash out of work and haul ass out of the parking lot. The daycare charges me $10 a minute for every minute that I'm late. They got you coming and going. They are making money off of people that have no choice but to put there kids there...and you cant dispute it because what else are you going to do with them all day? And you don't want to complain to much, because then you are the parent that is cheap and doesn't want to pay for good childcare. Call me what you want...its highway robbery. I'm not even going to get into it about the high school aged girl that is dragging my infant around when I get there to pick him up. Apparently, all the teachers leave at 6pm. So they let a 15 year old watch Ryan till I get there at 6:15pm. I guess this is their way of telling parents that arrive after 6, to hurry the heck up!!
I don't have a whole lot to write about, or much to update you all on. I haven't had much time to breathe let alone take any new photos. But, if I climb up to the top of one of the buildings at work, they have sundecks where you can see all of the south and southeast valley. I was thinking about taking some cool pictures from up there. I dunno...we will have to see.