BW Conversion/Edit

Just a little play with the lovey pic. I think I may frame this one. I love his face!! This is my first attempt at a bw conversion.

Banket lovin'

Before Aiden was born my mom bought him a "lovey" that is a blanket with a silk underside and a bear attached to it. Ever since he was very little, he has been in love. He calls it his "banket." He usually likes to rub the silk on his face, or cover his face with it as he is going to sleep. He CANNOT go to sleep without it, by any means! I keep meaning to go to JC Penny's to get another one for when this one shreds apart and dies. In the mean time, he carries it around with him everywhere, but it does not leave the house. He is only allowed to take it out of the house when he gets his eye surgeries. He does have a "substitute banket" for school but it is not even close to being as soft or snuggly as this one! If he is in a "cuddly mood" and I make him leave it home, he screams "BANKKKET!!" repeatedly until he forgets about it. Hey, the boy loves his lovey...

So, tonight when we got home and he was relaxing on the couch, I caught him snuggling with it and just happened to have my camera nearby.

Enjoy my mommy goggle capture! I actually took a minute to pp it a little. I am not very good at pp'ing pix yet. But here was my workflow: adjustment to curves, bump up in hue/saturation, adjustment to contrast, and a USM. =) How's my first attempt at posting a pic NOT sooc?! =)

Abuse and Neglect.

Let me start out by saying, I am not a slob. I used to be. But not anymore, not since being pregnant and having Aiden. Actually, I turned into a super-freak-OCD cleaning- machine!! But, recently life has prevented me from tending to my house and things that typically were done on a daily basis. I guess you could say I'm spending every free second I have doing something else. *ahem* Photography. Not to mention: the holidays, making a trip to Maryland to get the new TV, kid parties, going out, Weight Watchers, photography class, trying to do the lessons, having a few invite orders...AHH!

Needless to say, my house is stressing me out. I am literally counting the days until this weekend when I can attack this bad boy. So, I am going to be very brave and display the evidence for all of the world to see. I really wish I was a SAHM again so I could deal with these issues full-time instead of working full-time and having to deal with them too! TJ always says we can get a maid but that just doesn't seem practical.

TJ insists I'm crazy, and that "the house is clean! I don't see what you're freaking about" so-since I know he is a fan of the blog and checks it daily, here are few images to bring to your attention...

Dining Room:
Notice the clothes all over the place and other random items that need to be put away!!

The worst room in the house, our bedroom!
Notice again, clothing EVERYWHERE! I put some things on the bed thinking I would be forced to deal with it tonight. Now, I'm here and NOT GOING TO DEAL with it today. I'm just to tired and this blog came first! haha (Hey, at least the bed is made)

And we come to main problem, the laundry hasn't been done in two weekends because we have been so busy. Plus, we have no laundry soap!! Nice touch huh?
On to the bathrooms! Nice counter top huh? Gotta love the fact that TJ bought himself a beard trimmer and when he shaves-whiskers go EVERYWHERE! Gotta love it!

And that brings us to the toilet. Brace yourself...I think there are creatures living in there! I purposely didn't do a closeup just so nobody would lose their lunch!

If you're still looking, I have no idea why you are. LOL Maybe to scoff at me and use me as an example to your spouse as to how bad a wife can really let things go! Well, photography has been my number one priority these days-and it shows!

I need to overcome this beast this weekend! Then again, I also need to complete my Lesson 1 photographyassignments on Yada. Wait and see which task comes first!!

Daddy& Aiden cuddle time.

There is nothing more precious than watching Aiden and TJ cuddle after a hard day at work. I really enjoy sharing in the moments they have together. It always amazes me what a special bond the three of us share. TJ always knows just what to do to get him to laugh hysterically. Mostly, TJ does great impressions of Elmo, Blue (Blues Clues) and the donkey from Shrek. These are the moments I usually take mental pictures of, but today I wanted to capture it on my blog. Aiden is always so content leaning on TJ watching his show. He loves his daddy so much, and you can always see it on his face!

Self Portrait.

The artist emerges. haha Actually, there is nothing I really hate more than having my picture taken. I guess because in the past few years I haven't really seen any pictures of myself that I thought were good, except from my wedding. So, it is difficult for me to actually take a picture of myself. But, I got my hair cut and wanted to share the new "do."

Yesterday I decided to get my hair cut after 8 1/2 months. Yah, I was due. The hairdresser always asks the initial "So, when was the last time you had your hair cut?" question and it was quite embarrassing to have to explain that I just don't make any time for myself and usually my hair is neglected. I rarely wear it down because it is so thick and heavy. She was young and hip (wow, I sound old) and said that she would really "take the weight off" which should have been a warning sign. It is very "stylish" but I am not usually "that girl." So it is going to take some getting used to. TJ really likes it, so that is what is helping me! He says "wow, you are so trendy lately with your glasses, new outfits, photography thing, and now hair!" It was so cute of him to reassure me. He always does his best to tell me how pretty he thinks I am when I am unsure of myself.

It is really layered, light, and wispy. I am getting used to it now but on the ride home I was a little scared of my reflection in the rear view mirror. It should hopefully be long enough to wear back, in the mean time-it looks adorable until I wash it!

The Lone Leaf.

Ok this may seem like a silly post, but I've been looking at this leaf for weeks and the lawn men haven't discovered it yet. On the walkway to my house there are nothing but bare trees and bushes. For some reason this ONE little orange and yellow leaf has fallen from the trees, has made it through all of the leaf sweeps. It is tucked every so perfectly under this dead bush and remains there day after day. I actually noticed it before Christmas because it sticks out like a sore thumb. I decided to take a picture of it because it deserves some recognition for its plight to remain strong through the crappy weather! It is so bright and pretty. Such a great reminder of how cold and stark the neighborhood is right now.

I can't wait until spring when the pretty colors emerge and I can go outside to photograph the new flowers! Until now, I enjoy seeing how long this pretty little leaf will remain under the bush in hiding!

Nakey HINEY TIME!

I am a total sucker for a naked baby butt. I know, I know, Aiden is probably on the brink of NOT being a baby anymore, but really...I love the cottage cheese ridden dimples of his hiney when he sits! I also love to watch him run down the hall and his little cheeks shake...he's got his daddy's butt! So cute!

So, I loved when he got out of the bath and I found him in front of the bookshelf. He just took it among himself to take a seat and read away. He loves "torrry's" (aka stories). This pic of him smiling is a little OOF but I love his face, and I think it's cute anyway. Can we say, MOMMY GOGGLES?!!

(Please excuse the gift bags in the background-the kid has so much already, I'm scared to unpack anything else!!)