Samuel's trampoline fun

The other day I was cleaning up from dinner when Phillip and the boys decided to go hang out outside.  I looked up when I heard Samuel laughing hysterically- here's the image from my kitchen window:

Of course I grabbed my camera to get these pictures.  Samuel is suffering VERY badly from "I want to do what Mikey's doing" syndrome.  A syndrome I didn't even knew existed until I had a second child. Right now he wants to be wherever Mikey is, especially outside. I actually have to lock the sliding glass door because in 2 seconds flat he'll let himself out and go off on his merry little way. 

Trampoline Fun

I love the long days of Spring and Summer, popsicles in the cool evenings and watching Mikey and his cousins on the trampoline.  I decided to bring out my camera and practice once again shooting on full manual. My goal by the end of the year is to be able to do it- without thinking- or without thinking a lot about it.  Anyway- here's some of the fun pictures I got:

Mikey doing what Mikey does-

This is the best series of shots I got- I think I snapped about 200 hundred trying to get the action frozen while the sun was going down.  I've been told this is the trickiest time to shoot and now I understand why.  I've never realized how much the light changes within the last hour of the sun being up. 

Anyway- here's Mikey showing off on the trampoline-

Our 1st summer swim

Our 1st summer swim actually happened about a month ago and technically it wasn't really "swimming", but sitting in the kiddie pool. But who really cares right? 

Samuel had a blast sitting with Mikey and splashing around. He DIDN'T have a blast keeping his hat on. I was hesitant to let him take it off since I'm not sure what his skin is gonna do yet- fry like a little white boy or brown up like Mommy and Daddy.  I'm pretty sure he's gonna brown right up since he was a little darker after being out there for an hour.  

Anyway- it was very relaxing for me to just sit next to them in the beach chair and listen to them splash. I mean honestly- it's the best $16.99 I think I've spent in a LONG time!

Bittersweet thoughts from a VERY pregnant me

Well, I'm about a month behind on just about everything in my life.  But that's what self-induced bedrest/take-it easy time is for right?  Joshua should be here in about 2 weeks so I'm trying to catch up on just about everything from, blogging, housework (much to my husbands happiness), returning phone calls, updating the photography blog, sorting thru mountains of clothing, getting the nursery/our room ready etc.

I made a list of things to get done over the next few weeks and much to my surprise, I'm plugging right along. I think the nesting stage has finally hit me.  I'm done shooting weddings, done shooting pretty much everything (oh wait-except for pictures at the marriage retreat next weekend:) so now it's time to nest I guess.

I was  driving home from my 900th NST today and it all sort of hit me.  This is it. No more babies. Ever. (Excuse me while I go grab a tissue).

No more being tired, no more pregnancy glow, no more maternity clothes (when you've been pregnant 2 years straight they AREN'T as cute as they used to be). No more uncomfortable nights, no more swelling, being hot just about everywhere, no more strangers touching my belly, no more exhaustion.

No more feeling life grow inside of me. No more laughing at the "alien invasion" as Phillip calls it, no more baby hiccups in my belly. No more feeling him kick me back when I try to push him out of my ribs. No more laying in bed at night, just feeling him move. I NEVER thought I'd hear myself say this out loud- but I'm actually going to miss it.  It makes me a little weepy when I think about it. It's like a chapter in my life is closing. Forever.  I wonder if I'll forget what it all feels like- I hope not.  

Now don't get me wrong- I'm not canceling Phillip's vasectomy (I'm not gonna miss it that much!).  I guess I'm just a little, bittersweet about it. So while I'm running around trying to finish the million and one things I have written on my list, I'll thank God every chance I get. Pregnancy is an extraordinary miracle, it's a beautiful gift and I feel honored and privileged to have gone thru it 3 times.  So goodbye pregnancy chapter. Hello chapter of 2 babies under 1 year- YES- you read that right. Two babies under the age of 1, it makes me tired just thinking about it.

Samuel's Bath Time

Today I started Samuel's baby book (bad mommy I know, the poor kid's already 10 months old), anyway, I realized I needed to get some pictures of just Samuel.  Phillip took Mikey out to his parents for awhile so I decided to seize the opportunity. 

I threw Samuel in the bath and started shooting away. I'm actually very proud of myself, for my fellow photog. friends, I shot these in full manual. I mean FULL- full manual including flash, I dabble in between AV and Manual but have gotten more and more comfortable with Manual. I'm no master by any means and equivalent exposures still get tricky, but it's a work in progress.

Anyway- I think these pictures capture so much of Samuel's personality. We joke a lot that his mouth is always open- which it is. He's usually always smiling which means he's pretty much the happiest baby ever.

I can't say enough about him- I know-I'm a little biased, but really do they get any cuter than this???

Still no Teeth!

I do believe Samuel is the only 10 month old in America who does not have teeth! This has proven to be a little bit challenging since he refused to eat baby food about 3 months ago. All he wants is whatever Mikey's eating or whatever we're having for dinner.  So I've been shredding lots of meat, which he loves, and cooking a whole lotta vegetables. 

Samuel has really grown into his personality over the last couple of months. He's a very, very happy boy. He likes the action- if Mikey is outside he wants to be outside with him. If there are people around- he's smiling and laughing. This is a real change for us, since we were very used to Mikey aka- Mr. Anti-Social. So it's fun to have a baby that smiles and enjoys being around people.

Can't wait to see the personality that Joshua comes out with!

Mikey playing "where's the baby" with Samuel, for all of you Ice Age lovers :)

Disneyland with Daddy

We finally got Daddy to get the day off to go to Disneyland.  Mikey was extra excited because not only were we taking Daddy, but Benny and Ally as well.  

We got there around lunch time and unfortunately it was VERY crowded. But thankfully it didn't really matter because we got season passes so we headed over to California Adventure for the rest of the afternoon.  

I thought it was funny that after the Pixar parade Ivan and Phillip couldn't get over how real the McQueen car and Towmater looked!  That Disney- they sure know how to make a little boys dreams come true!

We went back to the big Disneyland as Mikey calls it, rode a few more rides, got ice cream and waited for the fireworks.  We had a fun day together as a family, even Daddy enjoyed himself and wants to go back for more :)