Tuesday, July 1, 2014
Really Desperately Need to Get in a New Post....
So much has happened and I feel so bad for not adding these events here. I've been overwhelmed busy. Between babysitting my 2 month old niece a few days/week to summer break, family vacations, and busier photography business, I've been pretty swamped. Anyhow, before kiddos wake up, I've got to mention Kyla's first ballet recital, it went so well and we were so proud of her. The day before her actual recital was rehearsal and she didn't do so well so I was nervous for the actual performance. She ended up doing almost perfect and she had 2 grandmas crying. She was so confident and had fun up there. We took a family vacation with two of our friends families to Silverwood in Idaho two weekend ago. Kyla is so crazy and loved the rollercoasters - she went on rollercoasts I have never been on in my life because I'm like super scared freak that doesn't like to get too risky, LOL. Her Dad took her and she loved it. Four and a half years old and riding crazy wood rollercoasters.....if she likes it fine with me. Emma and I sat and watched :) Emma got to go on her first rides as well during the trip and she loved them as well.
Very very much need to get Kyla back into swimming lessons. She is terrified of the water still after her almost drowning experience last summer during swimming lessons. I've got to find someone to do private lessons with her because she is definitely old enough she needs to know how to swim so I don't have to worry about her. We will be going out of town again in a couple weeks to our friends cabin again and it's near Lake Roosevelt and again water. Kyla's Dad tried to take her down the lazy river at Silverwood - just laying on top of him on a float and she freaked...so not good.
Anyhow, Kyla did a week summer camp at her Preschool, Outdoor Camping Adventures and loved it. I've got her registered for one more week long camp at the end of July - just for something for her to do - she enjoys being with other kids.
Emma is talking more and we are starting to be more disciplined with her. Now that I have my Sister's baby some, I have to have her listen better when I ask her to do something or tell her to do something; which she has been able to get away with quite a bit so far so now it's time she have a little more rigid rules to follow. And by rigid I mean like eating her food at the table and only the table - pretty normal things..lol.
We did have Emma's 2 year birthday party bbq. She is so adorable, I think the best part was being sang to, she continues to sing her version of "happy birthday to Mama" or "happy birthday to Kyla" in her adorable baby voice. Love her like crazy!
My photography business is getting more and more clients, which is nice. I do enjoy it, it's fun - gives me something to do! Other than be a slave to my kids. Anyhow gotta upload some pictures and get back to my Mommy job. Take care everyone.
Very very much need to get Kyla back into swimming lessons. She is terrified of the water still after her almost drowning experience last summer during swimming lessons. I've got to find someone to do private lessons with her because she is definitely old enough she needs to know how to swim so I don't have to worry about her. We will be going out of town again in a couple weeks to our friends cabin again and it's near Lake Roosevelt and again water. Kyla's Dad tried to take her down the lazy river at Silverwood - just laying on top of him on a float and she freaked...so not good.
Anyhow, Kyla did a week summer camp at her Preschool, Outdoor Camping Adventures and loved it. I've got her registered for one more week long camp at the end of July - just for something for her to do - she enjoys being with other kids.
Emma is talking more and we are starting to be more disciplined with her. Now that I have my Sister's baby some, I have to have her listen better when I ask her to do something or tell her to do something; which she has been able to get away with quite a bit so far so now it's time she have a little more rigid rules to follow. And by rigid I mean like eating her food at the table and only the table - pretty normal things..lol.
We did have Emma's 2 year birthday party bbq. She is so adorable, I think the best part was being sang to, she continues to sing her version of "happy birthday to Mama" or "happy birthday to Kyla" in her adorable baby voice. Love her like crazy!
My photography business is getting more and more clients, which is nice. I do enjoy it, it's fun - gives me something to do! Other than be a slave to my kids. Anyhow gotta upload some pictures and get back to my Mommy job. Take care everyone.
Monday, June 2, 2014
Kyla/Emma Update :)
Hi everyone. It's been a while since I've visited Kyla's site. I have been pre-occupied lately I guess; lots of things happening with the girls and family life; haven't really had the time to think much about getting an update in.
Kyla finished her preschool year a little over a week ago. She had two great teachers this year; who I really liked, so it's always kind of sad to see the year come to an end. She is registered for two summer camps at her preschool over summer break, just fun camps for her to do. Summer break with kids can be quite long with kids if you don't keep busy. I found that out last summer with Emma, when she was too little to really take out for long periods of time. :)
I might be crazy but I'm supposed to be taking care of my new little niece soon; for when my sister goes back to work. Me with 3 kids. Whoa. I mean one isn't mine, but practically will be during the day time at least. I'm scared, ha! Not going to lie, so we will see how it goes. When I am around my niece I am all about caring for her, feeding her, changing her diaper, burping her...I miss having a baby, but then I don't. It's a strange deal. Emma has been sleeping in our bed quite a bit at night lately, which is great to snuggle, but then it's also not great because you don't sleep well, you get hot, 2 adults and 1 toddler squeezed into a queen size bed and you can't move at all and get sore because of that. But I do love the snuggles.
Speaking of Emma, she is 2 very soon. I am in the middle of planning her birthday party. We always have a big get-together for our girls birthdays, so this will be the same. Her theme is My Little Pony. I was making her invites the other night and she was sitting on my lap at the computer; all she kept saying was "pony!, pony!, pony!" very excited. Emma still doesn't talk much, but I think it's a blessing; Kyla talks plenty for the both of them. Silence is good :) (although she is slowly getting her words down, so it won't be long before I have two full blown talkers).
Kyla's first ballet recital is this weekend. She is really looking forward to performing for her family. I am very proud of her; she has done such a good job learning how to use her prosthetic to match how she uses her arm, she's gotten it down pretty darn well for only wearing it about an hour a week (only for ballet class). She doesn't want to wear it otherwise, and I don't make her...
Kinda side note, we met a local pastor at a park during one of my photo shoots a month or so ago. We went to his church about 2 weekends ago. I really like him as a Pastor; he teaches the stories of the Bible, which is something I need. I know I'm saved, I know I have the Holy Spirit in me, but I do not know Bible stories very well at all - I stopped going to Sunday School when I was a teenager, so it's been quite some time since I've studied Bible stories. I feel like a lot of Pastors, or at least Pastors that I am used to preach a lot on how to live your life, biblically, which is good, but I personally want to know more about the book that I believe in, so these podcasts are awesome if you want to take a look: http://www.crossviewcommunity.com/sermon-videos/
Kyla finished her preschool year a little over a week ago. She had two great teachers this year; who I really liked, so it's always kind of sad to see the year come to an end. She is registered for two summer camps at her preschool over summer break, just fun camps for her to do. Summer break with kids can be quite long with kids if you don't keep busy. I found that out last summer with Emma, when she was too little to really take out for long periods of time. :)
I might be crazy but I'm supposed to be taking care of my new little niece soon; for when my sister goes back to work. Me with 3 kids. Whoa. I mean one isn't mine, but practically will be during the day time at least. I'm scared, ha! Not going to lie, so we will see how it goes. When I am around my niece I am all about caring for her, feeding her, changing her diaper, burping her...I miss having a baby, but then I don't. It's a strange deal. Emma has been sleeping in our bed quite a bit at night lately, which is great to snuggle, but then it's also not great because you don't sleep well, you get hot, 2 adults and 1 toddler squeezed into a queen size bed and you can't move at all and get sore because of that. But I do love the snuggles.
Speaking of Emma, she is 2 very soon. I am in the middle of planning her birthday party. We always have a big get-together for our girls birthdays, so this will be the same. Her theme is My Little Pony. I was making her invites the other night and she was sitting on my lap at the computer; all she kept saying was "pony!, pony!, pony!" very excited. Emma still doesn't talk much, but I think it's a blessing; Kyla talks plenty for the both of them. Silence is good :) (although she is slowly getting her words down, so it won't be long before I have two full blown talkers).
Kyla's first ballet recital is this weekend. She is really looking forward to performing for her family. I am very proud of her; she has done such a good job learning how to use her prosthetic to match how she uses her arm, she's gotten it down pretty darn well for only wearing it about an hour a week (only for ballet class). She doesn't want to wear it otherwise, and I don't make her...
Kinda side note, we met a local pastor at a park during one of my photo shoots a month or so ago. We went to his church about 2 weekends ago. I really like him as a Pastor; he teaches the stories of the Bible, which is something I need. I know I'm saved, I know I have the Holy Spirit in me, but I do not know Bible stories very well at all - I stopped going to Sunday School when I was a teenager, so it's been quite some time since I've studied Bible stories. I feel like a lot of Pastors, or at least Pastors that I am used to preach a lot on how to live your life, biblically, which is good, but I personally want to know more about the book that I believe in, so these podcasts are awesome if you want to take a look: http://www.crossviewcommunity.com/sermon-videos/
Sunday, May 4, 2014
Different Is Awesome! Children's Book in the Works
This is the last one to share today, it's a fundraiser for a children's book that is being developed that they are asking for donations for. Ryan is the founder of a Living One Handed website; he himself was born like Kyla and he has a great sense of humor about everything - I follow him on Facebook and his website is fun to visit every now and then. Anyhow he is hoping to get this book in classrooms across the U.S. and teach children that it's OK to be different, in fact it's actually neat to be set apart, not made exactly like every one else around you. Watch the video and decide if you'd like to help with his goal. I did donate myself; hopefully this may be something you yourself would like to help with. I think it's awesome - children are so shocked when anyone doesn't look just like how their little minds think they should - I think this book could make a huge difference, if we are willing to let it.
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1756964235/different-is-awesome-kids-picture-book
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1756964235/different-is-awesome-kids-picture-book
Nico's Story
Now this video did make me cry - it is very inspiring and I love how they take it from Nico being a child to a grown man. Touched my heart to watch this one.
Guy Born Without Arms
I've beeing seeing a lot different videos, etc. these past few weeks that relate to ABS and Kyla. I have shared these on my Facebook page, but need to get them here, so I'll start with this inspiring video posted just above.
Wednesday, April 16, 2014
Best Video Ever
I'm sure most of you have seen this video going around on social media, I did, and I had no idea what it was about but I kept seeing it shared, so figured it was good. I ended up watching it yesterday and ended up in tears towards the end. It is so spot on. I recommend watching if you haven't already. I watched this after my Husband I and I had a disagreement just hours earlier regarding me cooking dinner...which I am the only cook in the family, grocery shopper, dish washer, food prepared and meal planner. Welp, this video is perfect. I feel like I have given up so much of me the past several years - to play my role as a stay at home Mom - honestly I didn't feel it all until I became a FT stay at home Mom. I love being a Mom to my girls - but I would say I have given up about 95% of me to do this JOB and do it decently - I wouldn't say well because I feel there is a lot I could do better. I am anxious for the days I can shower again without having to do it while baby is napping - or finally just the past 2 weeks or so I can turn on YouTube kid videos for my girls and get them to sit in the bathroom while I get a shower. That isn't to say that a toothbrush that was perfectly fine won't get tossed in the garbage while I am showering - a kid won't run out of the bathroom to go create a giant mess in their bedroom, etc.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HB3xM93rXbY
I am not trying to complain but rather just state reality. I am anxious to get some of me back - hopefully soon - but I also know right now my girls need me and there is no one else who can play my part. So for now, it is how it is. Hard, exhausting, giving all of my attention and energy to everyone but me - Husband included.
On a side note - My Sister did have her baby last week - I was there for the birth and did do birth photography for her and her Fiance. I didn't watch as closely as I had when my first niece was born, but that was fine with me :) I got the pictures I needed to get, minus any personal images being included. The delivery was scary - my niece did not cry for 4 minutes after birth, she was just laying there still, not moving, they called NICU in and the nurses did do chest compressions for a bit. Babies pulse dropped to 60 at one point, which is when they started the CPR, chest compressions and oxygen. My Mom and my Sister's Fiance's Mom were both standing in the corner of the room I think not knowing what to do. I just kinda took over trying to comfort my Sister and her Fiance both while they were sobbing - thinking their child wasn't going to make it. It was pretty darn scary..... those little babies can be so fragile. She did stop breathing the following day and the only way my Sister and her Fiance knew was the baby's face turned blue - they ran and got a nurse who came in and flipped her over and smacked her on the back a few times until she took a breathe. So scary.....
Anyhow, I've got to get back to my job and get my girls lunch made. Take care all.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HB3xM93rXbY
I am not trying to complain but rather just state reality. I am anxious to get some of me back - hopefully soon - but I also know right now my girls need me and there is no one else who can play my part. So for now, it is how it is. Hard, exhausting, giving all of my attention and energy to everyone but me - Husband included.
On a side note - My Sister did have her baby last week - I was there for the birth and did do birth photography for her and her Fiance. I didn't watch as closely as I had when my first niece was born, but that was fine with me :) I got the pictures I needed to get, minus any personal images being included. The delivery was scary - my niece did not cry for 4 minutes after birth, she was just laying there still, not moving, they called NICU in and the nurses did do chest compressions for a bit. Babies pulse dropped to 60 at one point, which is when they started the CPR, chest compressions and oxygen. My Mom and my Sister's Fiance's Mom were both standing in the corner of the room I think not knowing what to do. I just kinda took over trying to comfort my Sister and her Fiance both while they were sobbing - thinking their child wasn't going to make it. It was pretty darn scary..... those little babies can be so fragile. She did stop breathing the following day and the only way my Sister and her Fiance knew was the baby's face turned blue - they ran and got a nurse who came in and flipped her over and smacked her on the back a few times until she took a breathe. So scary.....
Anyhow, I've got to get back to my job and get my girls lunch made. Take care all.
Monday, April 7, 2014
SPRING!
Spring is here, but the weather today is summer weather! So glad for sunshine and time outside. We have been adjusting to my hubby's new job - schedule as a family. Trying to figure out when to start dinners, when to be quiet because of sleeping, etc. it's been fine though. For Spring Break last week we met up with some friends and one of the Mom's just so happened to be one of my hubby's new co-worker's wife, so it was nice to meet her and get to talk for a little bit. We went to a trampoline park place here in town - it was the girls' first time there and the photo below is Kyla (going down the orange slide) and Emma. Emma got ran into a few times and so she spent most of the time on my lap - she is pretty attached still, which is fine with me. She turns 2 in June. My baby's growing up - it goes by so fast. Which I like but I also don't like...
I've been getting busier with my photography business. I've had 2 shoots the past 2 weeks and have two more planned this month. I have a large family next. I will post some photos from the shoots I have taken. Kyla and Emma are about to get a new baby cousin. My Sister and her Fiance are expecting within the next few days. I am excited. I saw my first niece who is now 8 years old be born and it was amazing and freaky all at the same time. Since I never got to have my baby's normal (c-section) I am totally excited to see this again, and I will be doing birth photography for her, so that makes me even more excited I think. Such amazing moments.
How the girl's wake up their Daddy in the mornings.
Ky's new nose freckles. I thought they were so cute, I told her to lay down and let me take a picture. By the way, aren't her eyelashes amazing? They are so thick long and BLACK. She is a lucky girl!!
Ky's new bike helmet (and her gummy smile) - she rides her bike way too fast now down our long driveway, so this was needed. We have also been taking walks by the river - gotta get Mama's thighs back in shape :) We plan to go for a hike up a mountain here as a family soon. If all goes well I want to make this a weekly routine.
My selfie :) My Hubs and I have a joke about the "Selfie" Chainsmoker's song.... so this is my selfie for today.
I've been getting busier with my photography business. I've had 2 shoots the past 2 weeks and have two more planned this month. I have a large family next. I will post some photos from the shoots I have taken. Kyla and Emma are about to get a new baby cousin. My Sister and her Fiance are expecting within the next few days. I am excited. I saw my first niece who is now 8 years old be born and it was amazing and freaky all at the same time. Since I never got to have my baby's normal (c-section) I am totally excited to see this again, and I will be doing birth photography for her, so that makes me even more excited I think. Such amazing moments.
How the girl's wake up their Daddy in the mornings.
Wednesday, March 19, 2014
Article/Funny Things Kids Say
Not much has been happening lately, but I read an article early this morning that I thought was awesome and worth sharing here. Read this - isn't long, but great message, speaks truth >
http://iaminhim.com/blog/?p=167
Kyla is still doing her preschool and ballet. Everything is going well, I have been slacking in making her wear her prosthetic every day, but she does wear it for ballet and actually I am finding that ballet is a great activity for her to be in because it is so much with the arms that it forces her to think about how to do what she needs to do with it - rather than just at home, where she stands in front of the tv and does nothing with it.
It is funny how different children can be; Kyla is addicted to TV (if I let her be) and Emma hardly notices it even exists.
Kyla has asked for a "pet" just recently. I told her that she already has a pet - two dogs - but she said no that isn't what she means and now she wants a fish. I picked her up from preschool yesterday and saw they have some kind of bug, 'stick bugs' and they look to be pretty maintenance free. I tried to talk her into getting some stick bugs for home, but she is insistent on a fish and has already named it, 'Bubbles the Fish.' Haven't even bought the thing yet, but it already has a name :) The things Kyla says are so funny. I actually got in a bit of trouble the other day when I went to pick up Kyla from school, her teacher tells me that Kyla said a bad word today, she said "my dogs chewed up my toy and my Mom says 'those damn dogs!' Which I have said a few times before and of course we all laugh when shes says it, so then it sticks - those little sponges soak up everything, the good and the bad! Before we had kids our dogs were super spoiled - now that we have kids they are sometimes just more of a headache - actually most of the time this is the case, although now that Emma is not a baby and not so needy, the dogs have been being more OK lately. Anyhow - I was like "oh ya, I did say that....sorry..." hahaha, I wasn't even really sure what to say, poor Ky getting in trouble because of things I said. I was just hugging on Kyla and she says "Mom, I love you so much, like as much as 11 years" hahaha, OK, thank you I guess.
Emma and I visited my Grandparents this morning while Kyla was at school. I have the best Grandparents ever, they have always been the best, can always count on them, super nice/happy couple, truly show what love is in a marriage - my Grandma probably reached out for my Grandpa's hand to hold at least 3 times while I was there - so cute! They are getting up there in age, my Grandpa is 88, he is doing pretty good still, although my Grandma isn't doing as well. Love them so much - I hope my kids have that when they are my age. I lost my other set of Grandparents just before I graduated high school, although they were just as amazing, although I didn't get to spend as much time with them as I have my Dad's parents.
Need to get going. Hope everyone is doing well. ~ Amber
http://iaminhim.com/blog/?p=167
Kyla is still doing her preschool and ballet. Everything is going well, I have been slacking in making her wear her prosthetic every day, but she does wear it for ballet and actually I am finding that ballet is a great activity for her to be in because it is so much with the arms that it forces her to think about how to do what she needs to do with it - rather than just at home, where she stands in front of the tv and does nothing with it.
It is funny how different children can be; Kyla is addicted to TV (if I let her be) and Emma hardly notices it even exists.
Kyla has asked for a "pet" just recently. I told her that she already has a pet - two dogs - but she said no that isn't what she means and now she wants a fish. I picked her up from preschool yesterday and saw they have some kind of bug, 'stick bugs' and they look to be pretty maintenance free. I tried to talk her into getting some stick bugs for home, but she is insistent on a fish and has already named it, 'Bubbles the Fish.' Haven't even bought the thing yet, but it already has a name :) The things Kyla says are so funny. I actually got in a bit of trouble the other day when I went to pick up Kyla from school, her teacher tells me that Kyla said a bad word today, she said "my dogs chewed up my toy and my Mom says 'those damn dogs!' Which I have said a few times before and of course we all laugh when shes says it, so then it sticks - those little sponges soak up everything, the good and the bad! Before we had kids our dogs were super spoiled - now that we have kids they are sometimes just more of a headache - actually most of the time this is the case, although now that Emma is not a baby and not so needy, the dogs have been being more OK lately. Anyhow - I was like "oh ya, I did say that....sorry..." hahaha, I wasn't even really sure what to say, poor Ky getting in trouble because of things I said. I was just hugging on Kyla and she says "Mom, I love you so much, like as much as 11 years" hahaha, OK, thank you I guess.
Emma and I visited my Grandparents this morning while Kyla was at school. I have the best Grandparents ever, they have always been the best, can always count on them, super nice/happy couple, truly show what love is in a marriage - my Grandma probably reached out for my Grandpa's hand to hold at least 3 times while I was there - so cute! They are getting up there in age, my Grandpa is 88, he is doing pretty good still, although my Grandma isn't doing as well. Love them so much - I hope my kids have that when they are my age. I lost my other set of Grandparents just before I graduated high school, although they were just as amazing, although I didn't get to spend as much time with them as I have my Dad's parents.
Need to get going. Hope everyone is doing well. ~ Amber
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