Summer, Summer, Summertime!

Only 2 week left of the summer before I have return to school for pre-planning. We have been super busy, and will stay that way until Aug. 1st when I have to return. I have enjoyed the hot hot summer with my silly little man, and wish that I could stay home with him forever....but financially that i snot possible quite yet, but someday sooner than later!

Y'all know what?

1. I have one more final to take Wednesday and I am off from UWA for 3 weeks! YAhooooo!

2. Ian is making progress in sleeping. I do no have to lay with him anymore for him to fall asleep, I can sit about 4 feet away from his bed...like I said progress. He is still waking between 3-6 and coming into my room to "cuddles hugs", until we wake up.

3. We, well Ian and I are heading home to Lake Placid, NY Wednesday to visit family! Super Happy and Excited!

4.I love my new lens, but business has still been slow...I'm ok with that for now.

5. This is what we have been up to.................

Starting from the top left going clockwise....

•  Visiting Borders for story time, and when it's rainy out. Ian loves the books with Wheels.
• Rock Jumping on the Chattahoochee River.
• Wearing daddy's Underwear as our shirt and telling Mommy, "I did it!"
• Hanging out with Camille at Ms. Jennifer's while Mommy writes papers
• 5&6. More rock hopping!
•  More Camille playtime.
• Going to the dollars movies at Regal...Ian always get this looks just as the lights go off and the screen comes on!
• Wearing bowls as hats! Newest Fashion!
• Drawing lots with sidewalk chalk.
• Riding Big Trucks with Avery, and Caleb!
• Water balloons Galore!
• Play dates with Mommy's teachers friends! Isn't Caroline so precious!

6. Ian has become Mr. Independent..he wants to pick out his own cup, plates, silverware, pour his own juice and milk, pick his snack, and dress himself.

7. Our cats name is Riggs, however Ian has always called him "cat", until last week, he knew calls him "Cracker", and we have no idea why, but it cracks Mr. and I up!

8. Ian is also currently talking with multiple verb tenses.." I pop", and if we don't take him serious, "I pooping", followed by.."I pooped, guck, nasty". Oh lord.

9. I'm excited to start a new school, and meet my new class!

10. I have to be awake at 5:45 am tomorrow, to have a play date with my niece...so I must go to sleep.

Wa-wa-waermelon {Watermelon}

I found out quickly that my son is obsessed with watermelon, also know as wa-wa-waermelon. I think he may have one growing in his belly. He has a slice morning, noon, and night, and often in between as well. He wakes up asking for it some mornings- too cute! Secretly I am hoping he gets sick of it soon, because I am sick of the left over bites, and the slicing!

What has been your kiddos favorite snack this summer?

Stop. Look. Read.

Blogger may just break down after this post, it's been so long. Let me first by saying that I am on Summer Vacation, so let's just say so is my blog. I am going to try to catch you up short and sweet. So here it goes....

First let's discuss Yes M'AM Photography.  I started my business in February, and have learned so much in the past 6 months. I have invested din lots of fun props, new branding which will be delivered in 10 days and I will share picture when my package arrives, and also a new lens! I finally set up a PayPal account, and invested in a new computer!! The summer started off very busy, and has slowed down to almost nothing which makes me sad. However I have put no money into advertising and am just building on word of mouth as of right now. So if you have family of friends in the Metro Atlanta Area, send them my way!

Next...University of West Alabama is kicking my ass! Yes, if you missed this information I am back in school. I am working on my specialist degree in Education, which will lead into my PhD. It is very interesting, and I am gaining lots of knowledge......and honestly it's not even that hard, just time consuming. I am spending about 20 hours a week currently, and when School starts back in a few weeks,and I am preparing lesson plans on top of that, I am going to have to do some juggling and adjusting.

Mr. and I went on a cruise to Cozumel to celebrate the marriage of our best friends. Congratulations Dale and Amanda Funk!!! We had a great time! I balled my eyes out when I Left Ian, and all the way onto the ship, then I was fine, and did relax and enjoy myself. I think my favorite part was being able to nap for a few hours every afternoon before Happy Hour and Dinner. The craziest part was that somewhere between Tampa and Cozumel we lost power and navigation (only for a few hour), but the boat was a rockin', and ugh worst feeling ever.

Now on to all the Ian updates. Where to start.....He loves having one on one time with his Nana and Apa while we were away. He was spoiled and got to bond with them! Everyday he takes their picture off the TV stand and says, " Nana and Apa where you go?" It so sweet and breaks my heart at the same time.  Speaking of that his vocabulary is HUGE. He is talking in broken sentences often, and understands way to much. My favorites lately are, " I don't want it", and "MMM delicious". He also can count to 20, say his ABC's, and identify circles, triangles, diamonds, and pentagons. Potty Training has been very loose, when he tells us he has to go we let him, and ask him every now and then. I will be working on this exclusively in 2 weeks when my finals are done. He still only has 6 teeth, and chews and bites his hands, the table, and my shoulder often.So that was the good, and bad, so now for the ugly.......About 4 weeks ago he started a few things I UNLIKE. I know y'all thought I think my son is perfect...NOT! So when going got bed at night he will not fall asleep unless I stay with him, rubbing his head or back. If I try to sneak out before he is asleep, it is a major hysterical breakdown. We have tried letting him cry it out, and I am just not that cold hearted after 30 min of screaming, screeching, hyperventilating, it;s just not worth it. Also most nights around 4-6 he wakes up in night terrors, and will not go back to sleep unless Mr. or I bring him to our bed. I know these are horrible habitats as parents, please don't judge untilness you have gone through it. Please comment if you have I am open to any suggestions please!!!

We have spend much of our summer playing at different parks in our neighborhood, meeting friends for lunch, swimming, taking adventure walks, feeding the fish and turtles, going to reading time at border's, painting, napping, seeing movies at the cinema, laughing, giggling, taking pictures (which I need to download), and eating lots and lots of ice pops,and watermelon!

As session with clients, and school are winding down, I am trying to make my best efforts challenging myself to blog at least once a week!

Here are a few pictures..I will post more when I get them transferred from one computer to the other and off my camera!

P.S. Isn't Ian getting so big? He is my little boy, and no baby anymore:(:)

Memorial Day at Pass-A-Grille Beach

Mr. and I decided last minute that we needed a family vacation to the beach. So we went to our old stumping grounds St.Petersburg, and our favorite beach Pass-A-Grille. We had such a great time! Ian loved every minute of it! He loved exploring the beach, the water, sand and shells. He loved exploring the backyard first thing in the morning and getting his feet all muddy! We also found out that he likes Artichoke Spinach Dip from Green Iguana. He helped himself at the table, and didn't stop! Thank you Mr.!!!!

P.S. We did go on a NY vacation for my sisters graduation, I am lacking in the that post and pictures, I apologize. I also had 5 photos shoots while there and just finished editing them, and burning them on Cd's to ship out tomorrow! (That's my excuse) But I will post before Friday..things will be getting crazy after then...those posts coming soon as well...PROMISE!

{Updates} on my life....

So much has been going on lately, that my head is just finally starting to stop spinning, or just about to spin again!  New and exciting updates:

• Yes M'AM Photography keeps getting busier, and busier. I love it! Friday I have 20 kid sessions booked 15 min a part. YIKES!
• I am a college students again! Yes I know, Am I crazy?...I am attending University of West Alabama, and will graduate in May with my Specialist Degree in Education. It's that degre between a Master's and a Docatorate, that means nothing more than a $5,500.00 salary raise, which my family can use.
• Schools out for Summer. I could not be more excited. I have lots of fun activity and ideas planned for Ian and I so stay posted!!
• Mr. and I will be crusing in 20 days. Our first vacation since our marriage, and having Ian. Ian will not be coming, which to me is bitter sweet. None the less, I am very excited!

Serenbe

What. A. Day. 

The morning started out with Ian's 18 month well check. It went great! Ian showed off all his skills for Dr. Ogden from all his manners, counting to 12, almost the whole alphabet, ect. After his interaction, and "chats" with Ian, he told us were doing an excellent job, and as far as his milestones go he is at a 2-2.5 year old! He currently weights 26 pounds, and is 33.5 inches tall. A++ Awesome!

Here is e-man 18 months old:



After that we headed off to a little community nestled in a nook of Georgia called Serenbe.

Serenbe  is 40,000 cres protected for green space. It was beautiful. Gourmet dinning, animal farms, hayrides, bonfires, canoeing, fishing, shops, studios, a very LARGE organic farm, and equestrian center.  It was definitely a community that was environmentally responsible, organically healthy, and spiritually and aesthetically stimulating!

We started our visit by eating breakfast at the

                                     

Ian had a peanut butter cupcake (he had oatmeal before his well-check, this was his reward for his A++), Mr. had french toast, and I had scrambled eggs, with sausage, and the best chai latte I have ever had! I tried to snap some photos of Ian here but he really did not want to sit still....

Next we moved on to some shops.....I feel in love with a mirror with a price tag of $575.00, it was that beautiful, and sadly it is still on the wall in the shop.

Lately I also been bored with my earth tan, brown, beige color palette in my living room, I want to bring in BRIGHT colors, and make it more happy. I have been on the look out and really had to look no further after today:

 

The chair complete with throw pillows. Again, the price was not right. After looking around a little bit we met "Steve", he showed us the Montessori school, which was a little piece of amazing! And spoke with me about the Charter school opening in the fall. In the middle of our conversation he walked me up 3 flights of stairs and introduced me to the principal who would like my resume and cover letter ASAP. (This is the back up plan if we cannot sell our house.) The new school will be amazing!!!!

 

Then we took in some sights:

 

and checked out real estate

 

Mr. knew it was coming, and he was very cooperative. I always complain that we have pictures of him, and Ian, and of Ian, but none of all of us, so he bought me a tripod for Mother's Day, and this was the perfect place to put it to us. None of the results are 100%, but it sure captures us as a family naturally!

Thanks Babe- your the best!

After this we walked around the farm area, Ian loved looking at the animals and making their noises. He was most proud to be my assistant, and carry the tripod, I hope he always wants to be helper!

Time for lunch...we headed to 'the hill'....all organic from the community. Mr. had a burger, I had chicken, and e-man ate French fries. Ian and I love dit, Mr. not a fan. (he is very picky)

 When we got home..Mr. realized that e-man felt hot, and so I monitored him, and after about 45 min, I knew something was up. I took his temp and it was 102. ugh. He slept for about an hour, took it again 103.2, double ugh. We gave him a bath, and some pedilite, and he did not want to leave his mommy. We laid on the couch and snuggled and Ian slept again. When he woke we gave him some medicine, and he finally ate a few goldfish, and 2 bits of his banana, and feel asleep again. His body feels cooler, but he is still moaning a lot. I hate when he is sick, I am sure all other mothers agree. You kinda feel helpless. I hate that he just keep saying ut oh, and couldn't explain what hurt. I wish I had a wand, and could make him all better. I was crying, and Mr. reminded me, that I was doing all I could do, and am a great mother. Hopefully he sleep's it off, and will be back to him old self tomorrow.

                                                         Have a great weekend Y'all!

Bunking it Up

So Mr. and I have conversations all the time about our family. How big we want it, where we want to raise our kids, when I will be able to be a  stay at home mom, ect. One thing Mr. is clear on is that he wants a big family! When we first stated dating he wasn't sure he wanted kids, then he knew he did just wasn't sure when, then randomly he told me he was ready on a car ride home from NY, and then he declares: four kids, maybe more, but four is his magic number! I am OK with that, I love kids, and I would love having a big family! We often think how we would house four kids, and last night while we searching real estate in Vermont, we came across this:

I love it! The top picture, and Mr. assured me that when the 4th one is here, he will build this!!! I have to admit I am kinda excited about it!

How big is your family, or how big do you and your Mr.'s want your family?

Wants...

I am usually not a person who "wants" alot, since Mr.'s hours have been cut for about 6 months, and we have had our son we have learned to prioritize between needs and wants, which I am actually grateful for becuase it has been a life lesson. Often times we want, want, want, without realizing, what others can live without. We take for grantite what we have. The lesson I have learned has been that material, and monatary "things" really don't matter at all, if you have the neccesities: shelter, food, and love!!!

With that being said, I am only human, and lately I have a few "wants". I am going to share them with you:

1. Currenly I would love a huge cup of coffee in the mug Mr. bought me on our first Vaelentine's Day together. I had meetings all morning, my students are at specials now, and I have meeting after school fro 4-8, so this would help alot!!

2. I WANT this sign to hang up in our house, I have a few places I can think of for it to hang, the kitchen, or Ian's playroom. I love it!







3. I want a new baby. A baby to add to our family. I have the fever. Mr. has the fever. We want to give Ian the best gift in the world, a little brother or sister. However, we must wait a few months. Y'all know I am a teacher, and so we are going to try to stratigicaly plan this to concieve during a certain time period, so I will be present for state exams, and use the last 6 weeks of school for maternity leave, and have the 9 weeks of summer off as well!

Now I know there are no guarentees, but there is HOPE!

4. I want Tin Roof Food. It's been way to long! A few items sound perfect right now, with an unsweet Arnold Palmer PLEASE!








A girl can be human right? So those are my current wants, what are yours?