camera remote fun

Just over a week ago, Elsie and I were hanging out at home while Ryann was at school.  I was attempting to clean while playing with Elsie a little bit too, but she kept whining about wanting sissy.  "Ryann? Are you?!? Ryann! Sissy!" I'd repeat to her over and over that she was at school but she just kept whining.  So I ended up busting out my camera and the remote to kill some time.

I was a hot mess because I had ran that morning and didn't have a chance to shower yet, but I went with it.  First I did a couple and then showed Elsie the pictures.

Then I handed over the remote to the little miss...

Thank goodness for digital technology because she was having a blast. She kept wanting to go right up to the camera and take pictures, but of course it couldn't focus, so she'd get frustrated that it wasn't 'clicking'. But it kept her entertained.

my girls.

So I haven't yet really gotten in pictures with both of my girls.  It's sad.  There are a couple, but I'm a picture lover and the lack of pictures around these parts is getting lame.  Part of the reason is the fact that we are in no sleep hell so rarely do I ever put on make-up, do my hair or wear real clothes.  Since I have no idea when we're going to come out of this fog and I was actually wearing real clothes yesterday (no make-up though, whatevs) I decided we would embrace the camera.

The only way to convince Ryann to play my little game was to give her control of the remote.  And this is what followed...

Haha.  She was having a blast, but wouldn't give me two seconds to get situated!  So I tried to steal the remote for couple.  They still weren't great, but I love all of these pictures.  No make-up, awkwardness, chubby cheeks and all.

Hopefully the girls will appreciate having some pictures of the three of us someday as well.  Take Emily's advice.  Get in pictures with your kids.  Whether or not you're looking your best.

dear ryann

To my little strong headed spitfire -

Very very soon your whole world is going to change.  Your baby sister is going to be born, and nothing in your little life will ever be the same again.  Some days (ok almost every day) I feel a little guilty about that.  Right now you are my everything (well, besides your daddy of course, be he is a bit more low maintenance than you).  My world more or less pretty much revolves around your wants and needs.  Not too shabby, huh?  I love that you're my little sidekick.  My itty bitty partner in crime.

But soon, soon Elsie is going to join our family, and my world can't just revolve around you.  It has to include both of you.  She is going to have wants and needs too.  And my time is going to have to be divided.  I hate that.  I hate that I can't give you everything anymore.  But you know what?  Being a big sister is pretty darn awesome.  Your Auntie Lorin and I?  Well, we rarely ever see eye to eye.  Yet I wouldn't trade her for anything.  And I am so incredibly thankful that I have a sister.  There is just something so special about having a sister.

Because of that, I know that even though this is going to be tough.  And even though I feel like I'm taking something away from you.  Giving you a sister is going to be amazing.  You will be a great big sister.  I just know it.  I'm sure you'll try and mother Elsie more than she'll like.  I have no doubt that you guys will butt heads from time to time.  But there is nothing like having a sister.  Having someone who in the thick of everything will always have your back.  Because you're sisters, and that is what you do.  So even when she is driving you up the wall and you swear you hate her and can't stand her for another minute?  Love her.  Love your sister.  Just trust me. 

Oh my first born, some days you drive me absolutely batty.  There is no denying it.  I never knew that such a small person could be such an emotional roller coaster.  But I am so incredibly grateful that you made me a mother.  There isn't a day goes by that I am not thankful that you're in my life.  You've made me a better person, stronger than I ever thought possible.  Thank you for that.  Know that no matter what, I'll ALWAYS love you.  More than you could ever dream.  You are my bestest.

 

finally ordered the remote for my camera, someone please tell me why I didn't do it sooner??

things that make me happy.

While my hormones are getting the best of me, I decided it would be in my best interest to jot down a few little things that are making me happy.

nesting.  specifically cleaning and purging in the bathroom yesterday.
fresh flowers.
green lights nearly the entire way to pick up Ryann from MDO.
a fuzzy Pottery Barn blanket that I scored in our family's Christmas gift exchange.
a coat of primer on the dresser for the nursery.
strawberries.  lots and lots of strawberries.
and of course, this crazy little girl...

... who backed up to me yesterday when I got out my camera and asked me to take a picture of her bum.  Unfortunately said bum was covered with a dress and a sweater (it is such a cute little bum!), but nonetheless, here you go Ryann.  Your bum has been captured.

We tried to embrace the camera selfie style yesterday, but even a 30mm lens doesn't leave a whole lot of room for two people to fit in the frame (unless you have longer arms than me, then I think you'd be alright).  Let's just say it wasn't all that easy.  And Ryann?  This is love right here.  Me posting the picture where you look the cutest.  And I on the other hand am sans make-up and have a very pregnant looking face.  If that doesn't show you love I don't know what does :o).

embrace the camera

I used to be really good at embracing the camera.  Regularly having Chris take 'nice' pictures of Ryann and I.  But then I started working out more and started getting dressed in real clothes less and in general it seemed too much of a hassle to make Ryann take a picture with me.

But the time left of just me and her?  It's getting shorter and shorter.  For over two and a half years she has been my partner in crime.  My little sidekick.  My baby.  I'm so excited for our new little one to join the family, but every time I think about Ryann not being my only I tear up.  How is it that you can want two things so badly?  I want our family to grow, I want another baby to snuggle, I want Ryann to have siblings to play with.  But it just being me and Ry?  Sometimes that is pretty dang awesome.  I love her so much.  SO much.  I feel terrible because she has no idea how much we are going to rock her world in just a couple of months.  I think she is going to be an amazing big sister.  It will be tough at first, but she has so much to give.  And I know she will love her little sis so much.  She already does.

But the thought of it not being just me and my little buddy anymore.  Oy.  It can be a tough one to swallow.  So I am determined to capture a little bit of just the two of us over the next eight weeks.  Soak up all that I can and record it.  I've been TRYING to remember to ask Chris to snap a picture of us here and there.  I'm not great at it, but sometimes I remember.  I think we need to play the beep game a few times.  And take too many terrible iphone pictures.  I don't want to forget this time when it was just me and Ry.

Linking up with Emily!

embrace the camera

This morning while instagramming (that is a nice verb, isn't it?) the baby bump, Ryann asked me what I was doing.

Me:  "Just instagramming a picture."
Ryann:  "Of me?  Or you?"
Me:  "Of me."
Ryann:  "Can you instagram me too mom?  With you?"

Absolutely little one.  Because that is totally awesome that my two year old just asked me to instagram her.  And since the pictures actually turned out to be pretty cute I thought I'd share them on here as well.  Especially considering Emily is embracing the camera today (and you should too).  We were supposed to have family pictures taken this morning, but wouldn't you know it is completely nasty outside.  We were hoping the sun would come out a bit, so I got all ready.  But of course I curled my hair for nothing.  Oh well, better luck next time.

No doubt she is my offspring.  Love her.

dear ryann

Dear Ryann,

So lately I've been dwelling on a lot of your habits that tend to drive me nuts.  You know, your inability to sleep in, your extreme picky eating, your tedency to freak out if our plans change from what I've previously told you, and your obsession with things being just so.  But here is the thing my dear.  You are your mother's daughter.

I think I can count the number of times I've truly slept in on one hand.  I was always the first one awake at sleepovers and slumber parties.  If I sleep until 7am it is a miracle.  I pretty much ate buttered noodles, chicken fingers and apples with peanut butter until I was in college (and even then I was super picky).  I'm obsessed with making plans and having schedules, and panic a bit if someone changes it up on me.  Just ask your dad about my rules about loading the dishwasher, that might explain your need for all of your important stuff being exactly how you like it.

We are so much alike it is scary.  I still see a lot of your Daddy in you, and a little of your Auntie Lorin (someone hold me), but I see a hell of a lot of me.  No wonder we often butt heads.  And I'm sure we will for as long as I'm alive.  Hopefully some of your Daddy's semi carefree personality will rub off a bit more, and you'll have a little more optimism in your life than I do.  But I know you will grow up to be a strong and driven girl, and an even stronger woman.  So I'll try and cut you some slack, and remember your needs and how you function, and do as much reading as I can on parenting a strong willed child.

Yesterday I set up my tripod so we could play the 'beep game' (set the timer and run in the shot), and with my camera on the tripod you got to be in charge a bit.  Holy cow did that make these shots of the two of us so much easier, and much much more fun.  You were on top of the world, getting to peek through the viewfinder, focusing, pushing the button and jumping in the picture.  And even though there wasn't too much you could change, I'd say you did a pretty good job of getting us in the middle of the picture.  You were the boss, and you were so dang happy :o).  So here is a bunch of the pictures, because I couldn't just pick a few.  You're really REALLY starting to understand this whole posing for the camera thing.

Girlfriend, I love you.  And all of your ridiculous habits.  AND all of your crazy faces.  I just wanted you to know.

Linking up with Emily and Embrace the Camera today!  If you're a mama and you've never 'embrace the camera', you should definitely hop over to Emily's blog and read more about it.  I'm so thankful we've done it. 

embrace the camera

So this little toddler of mine?  She is a crazy nut.  One minute she is so nicely coloring by herself, telling me that the sky is blue and elephant starts with an E and other random captain obvious facts (which really means she is just learning and turning those little brain wheels, but you know, obvious facts for myself).  The next minute she is bouncing off the walls climbing on this or that and trying to get under my skin as much as possible.

Independent play isn't her strong point.  Ryann always wants one of us there with her.  Relatively engaged with her.  You can't just be in the room minding you own business while she goes about her stuff.  Nope you need to be sitting next to her, playing right along too.  And man she is demanding sometimes.  "Let's do this.  Here mommy, you put on Baby Abby's clothes.  Now give her a bottle.  It's bedtime, change her to pajamas.  Change her diaper..."  It goes on and on.  Same thing for coloring, or doing puzzles, or playing trains, "Color her hair, color the trees, put that piece here, make Thomas go down the hill..."  Any suggestion of her doing it herself is met with much resistance.

I do my best to try and step back and make her do it.  But if I act disinterested, or like I'm not paying attention (or heaven forbid I have to take a phone call, go pee, or make a meal) that is when she does anything and everything she knows she isn't supposed to do, just so that I almost have to engage with her.

So sometimes?  Sometimes you just do what you're told.  And wear the headlamp.

yes she looks a little drugged in that last one... I still love it

And I've heard the phrase that three is really just two with intent.  Well if that is the case, then my friends, I am screwed.  This kid already has more opinions than I ever thought possible from a toddler.  She is, to put it nicely, a handful.

Yep. That's my kiddo.  Crazy, exhausting, and the tiniest little person that has stolen my whole heart.  Love you Ryann :o).

embrace the camera

Ryann and I were bored yesterday, and ended up having a little too much fun with photobooth.  It's been a while since we've done a 'good' embrace the camera shot, but these ones are pretty awesome in my opinion.  :o)

Love you silly girl!  Linking up with Emily, you should too.

embrace the camera - the berry patch

Woot!  Finally checked something off my summer list!  Sad, I know...  Anyway, on Tuesday my bestie and I took Ryann to The Berry Patch to pick blueberries.  I figured Ryann would find it fun because she really likes blueberries, and I was right.  I couldn't get that kid to put the berries in the bucket for the life of me.  All the blueberries went straight from the bush to her mouth. 

We (well me and Meg) didn't last too long because it was HOT.  I only took home just over half a pound of blueberries.  I think Ryann would have stayed a while longer just eating berries.  We had a good time, and will definitely be back again next year when it isn't quite so warm.

Linking up with Emily!