Searching for Joy

Monthly Newsletter #11 pics

2006-10-19T18:05:00.000-05:00

Blogger won't let me post pictures, so I'll just have to do it this way....

Monthly Newsletter #11

2006-10-18T19:06:00.000-05:00

My dearest Gabriel,

I thought it time to write this newsletter a few days before you turn one year old. This month you have been quite the busy bee and it is hard for Mommy to find time to blog with everything else going on.

As I mentioned, you are so busy now. Your little hands are always reaching, exploring, analyzing all that you find around you. As I type this, you are on the floor thumbing through a book and studiously analzying the spine and how it is put together. You pause to pick up a car next to you, chew on it, growl, and then return to your book.

You have begun walking tentatively. You certainly know how, and with each passing day you add a step to the number of steps you take in sequence. It is so strange to see my baby walking upright. You are becoming such a soulful little boy.

I love listening to you play. You play very well on your own. You wave toys and make noises, sing, yell, and enjoy your presence in this world. There is nothing sweeter to my soul than to be in the room as you play peacefully. The sound of your busyness and contentment give me a joy that nothing else can.

You love to play silly games with your Da-Da. He can do almost anything and you roar with laughter. Your favorite game these days is to sneak up behind Da-Da and touch him, to which he responds with a dramatic, startled turnabout. You find that hilarious and like to do it over and over again. The simplicity and generosity of your laughter is like music to us both.

You are sleeping well these days and have adopted a favorite stuffed animal: a big cuddly lion whom we aptly named "Mr. Lion" which we pronounce in silly fashion as "Meester Lie-awn." Mister Lion keeps watch over your pacifiers for you until it is time for a nap or bed. You seem content to let him keep them thus far.

Being the good pagans that we are, we will celebrate all hallows eve by trolling merrily through the neighborhood and you will star as Mr. Lion! Though Mommy was scheduled to teach class that night, I proudly told my students that I had more important matters to tend to. I think Halloween will be one of my favorite holidays because you were born ten days before and it was our first mini-celebration with you last year. Were you really ever that small?

I must admit that Mommy is in denial about your turning one year old this Saturday. Though I've bought a slew of fun toys and party decorations, I still can't believe that a year has gone by. I miss my slumberous newborn and his cuddly warm body next to mine. And, yet, I love my busy, toddling, animated little boy who charms me with his big tooth-filled smile. It's such a mixed bag of emotions this Mommy business is...I want you to spread your wings and soar, to drink up all the goodness this life has to offer and yet I mourn each step you take closer to the edge and eventual final exit of this nest.

I want so many good things for you, my son. I want you to know happniness and confidence, self assurance and peace. I want you to embrace whatever vocation you are called to and to fulfill its demands honestly and successfully. I want you to love responsibly and respectfully and to be loved in such a way in return. I want you to know the joy of parenthood and the awesome, divine responsibility that it is. I want you to embrace life as an adventure, never afraid to take on a new challenge or to try something different. I want you to see the world and the beauty of different peoples and cultures. I want you to know that God will be wherever you decide to worship and that your presence in a religious community will help to keep your cup full.

As I watch you now, opening and closing the door to your Playschool house, I pray that the doors you seek to open will be good ones, and those which close on you will only strengthen your perserverance and inner truth.

As we stand on the threshold of your birthday, I want to thank you for the most meaningful year of my life. If there is one singular reason that God put me on this planet, it is to know the joy of being your mother, to relish the divinity of your laughter, to see truth and goodness in your maturing smile.

I love you more than mere words can express.
Mama

My joy...

2006-09-19T00:06:00.000-05:00

My little man...

2006-09-19T00:05:00.000-05:00

Watch out for Mr. Lion....

2006-09-17T07:00:00.000-05:00

His laughter is music to my ears...

2006-09-15T21:46:00.000-05:00

Like sands through the hourglass...

2006-09-15T21:45:00.000-05:00

Gabe adores being tall...

2006-09-15T21:42:00.000-05:00

Carpe Diem...

2006-09-15T21:41:00.000-05:00

Not digging my fall set up...

2006-09-15T21:39:00.000-05:00

Little lord Gabriel...

2006-09-15T21:38:00.000-05:00

Growing so fast...

2006-09-15T21:37:00.000-05:00

Blackmail material...

2006-09-15T19:20:00.000-05:00

Long overdue...bad blogger update...

2006-09-15T09:52:00.000-05:00

My Dearest Gabriel,

Monthly newsletters nine and ten are BELATED. But, that's not because you are any less loved or important. It is because Mommy has less and less free time these days since you are moving and growing at an exponential rate!

During your ninth month you started 'cruising' our home with great speed. You love your new vertical freedom and rewarded your father and I with your first steps just after you turned ten months of age. You're still unsteady and hesitant, but with each passing day, you grab hold of my hand a little surer of yourself and I know the day is coming when you will let go and go...

You are such a delightful boy. Everywhere we go people comment on how good you are. At this stage, Mommy can go shopping and put you in the cart and you are content to look around and flirt with passerbys. However, you do have your moments of temper when things aren't going your way or especially when a new tooth is coming in. But, you're even more adorable when you're a big fuss...

Daddy started working this month and you have missed him. He's a big shot insurance salesman with AIG and a representative agent for LAW Enterprises, identity theft solutions. Every afternoon when Daddy gets home, you look forward to heading to his office and helping him rearrange the mail and other assorted items. You are very much a Daddy's boy which delights my heart.

You can say Ma-Ma, Da-Da, Hey, and you just started waving bye-bye. You also mimic sounds from your toys, like a growl or the sound of a car zooming by. You are very much a little boy and love to push things around as if they were a car of some sort. I am amazed at the innate traits of boyness that I watch emerge daily. You are more joyful than I ever dreamed my little boy would be.

We spend our days together in Mommy's studio. It has been a long and arduous process getting the business going, but I believe we have some good structures in place now and will enjoy our years of being able to work out of our home. Most of all, I enjoy never having to leave you with anyone other than a family member.

You are a VERY big boy. At nine months, you weighed in at 24.8lbs and at ten months you were already 26.8lbs. You are also in the 97th percentile for height and weight...guess you'll take after Mommy in that regard.

Every day brings something new. You give your father and I the impetus for CARPE DIEM. I've never shared something more precious in my whole life.

We love you immensely, our big baby boy!
Mommy

His royal cuteness....

2006-07-26T22:43:00.000-05:00

At long last...

2006-07-23T23:13:00.000-05:00

Called by name....

2006-07-23T23:08:00.000-05:00

Gabriel Benjamin Blaylock has joined the christian community. He did well and I was so proud to have my whole family there to witness his baptism. I waited and prayed for this day for so long. I can't tell you the number of baptisms I watched before Gabe was born, with great heartache, waiting for the time I could welcome a healthy child into God's community. I am so very grateful for this day, more than words could ever express.

The day before the big day...

2006-07-22T23:08:00.000-05:00

Tomorrow we are having Gabe baptized. I have so many mixed emotions, personal and otherwise. I can't believe my angel is already nine months old! He is so very precious to me and I look forward to welcoming him into the christian community formally. But, I would be lying if I didn't say that it also makes me miss my Sarah, Rachel, and Noah all the more. I guess baptism is the only thing we could do for them in the short time they were with us. It made such a deep impact on my soul. I know they will be there, somehow close to us tomorrow...

Always the ham...

2006-07-20T21:51:00.000-05:00

On starting a photography business....

2006-07-20T21:40:00.000-05:00

Okay, so I've been missing in action. Thank you to those who noticed and sent me an email (smiles to Krista!) And, I must admit that my Mom also has dropped some subtle hints.

So, foolish me thought that starting a home photography business would be a snap. It has been WAY MORE WORK than I imagined. We've done it though--we have a beautiful studio and new carport/presentation room addition. We've dropped a load of money to make this happen. Now, we're biting our fingernails waiting for the phone to start ringing with appointments.

This is the hard part. The easy part is capturing the joy scattered in this world. Like the little girl above--how beautiful is she?! She was one of the models at my classroom shoot the other night. Wowsers. I love capturing a person's beauty on film (well, or memory card as it may be). I love photography and never stop wanting to be better. But, the marketing and hassles are tough.

Meanwhile, my Gabriel is crawling and pulling up all the time. He is so cute I could just smooch him to death. He now gives us "kiss kisses" which can end up in a nasty bite on your cheek if you don't watch those six toofers of his. He may have only six toofers, but he knows how to use them. And, he is totally bored with baby food. He wants what we have, NOW. Can't blame a boy for wanting the finer things in life.

We will have him baptized this Sunday. It will be a time of mixed emotion for me. The last time we baptized children it was because they were dying in our arms. I can't seem to get past that and the memories haunt me this week. I want Sunday to be all about Gabe, but I want to remember our precious babies, Sarah, Rachel and Noah too. It is hard when joy and sorrow collide.

We are blessed. I feel very fulfilled and excited about all that is going on. I will teach theology this fall and then a course in style in photography in the winter term. I'm very excited about both!

Thanks for hanging in with me...it has been a wild ride.

My "Gone Fishin" limited edition set...

2006-07-20T21:39:00.000-05:00

My beautiful neice who is ONLY 11...

2006-07-09T23:07:00.000-05:00

Mommy's angel boy!

2006-07-09T23:06:00.000-05:00

He makes our life a real joy...

2006-07-09T23:04:00.000-05:00

Look at those big toofers!

2006-07-09T23:02:00.000-05:00

My soon to be baptized baby...

2006-07-09T23:01:00.000-05:00

He has loved the flag since he laid eyes on it...

2006-07-04T22:28:00.000-05:00

Such a cute patriot!

2006-07-04T22:26:00.000-05:00

Happy 4th of July!

2006-07-04T22:24:00.000-05:00

What big toofers you have...

2006-06-26T20:39:00.000-05:00

This is what it looks like as I chase him thru the house...

2006-06-26T20:37:00.000-05:00

My cutey tooty...

2006-06-26T20:36:00.000-05:00

Me? Get in to trouble? Naaaa....

2006-06-26T20:33:00.000-05:00

Hey Mom, let me chew on that camera...

2006-06-26T20:32:00.000-05:00

Monthly Newsletter #8

2006-06-26T20:20:00.000-05:00

My dearest Gabriel,

Eight months old already! You are such a big boy these days. I look back at pictures of my wee baby boy and wonder where he got off to? You're eight months old and wearing 3T clothes--I guess I'll be shopping at the big and tall store for you soon.

You are very, I repeat, very busy these days. You have mastered crawling and you are not practicing cruising (no, not for chicks..that comes later, much later). You pull up on any available surface and last night you started working your way around the perimeter of the coffee table. I suspect you may be an early walker. Nonetheless, gone are the day of putting you in the exersaucer or jumperoo. You want nothing to do with anything that requires you to be stationary. If you are half as ardent with your endeavors in life as you are in practicing your newly discovered passion for mobility, then I know you wll be a huge success.

You're also so darn cute these days. Those four toofers greet us with a big smile from time to time and make us forget all our worries. You love to initiate funny faces and sounds and then reward us with a big belly laugh. Your father and I love to hear the sound of your giggling more than anything else in the world.

You've grown very attached to your Mommy and Daddy in the last week. I think you are entering a major attachment phase in your young life and you aren't happy if one of your caregivers walks out of the room. We're doing our best to reassure you and to let you know that you are forever linked to us in ways that go beyond words and comprehension.

You are the greatest joy I have ever known. It is a privilege watching you grow into a boy. I pray you will be sensitive and kind, always happy and content with yourself and those who love you most.

With Love,
Mama

My mommy hasn't blogged in a while...naughty, naughty!

2006-06-18T22:00:00.000-05:00

Our first postcard

2006-06-18T19:58:00.000-05:00

Sometimes he looks like a mini-me...

2006-06-11T13:18:00.000-05:00

Come into my playhouse said the spider to the fly...

2006-06-05T21:18:00.000-05:00

Cool...this girl has rubbery bugs to play with!

2006-06-05T21:16:00.000-05:00

Hey Mom...look! Something that's not pink...

2006-06-05T21:14:00.000-05:00

Gabe ponders....I wonder what these are for?

Aren't they precious?

2006-06-05T21:10:00.000-05:00

Gabe couldn't figure out what to do with all the PINK in her room...I think he spent half the time squinting since he is so used to red, blue, and green! LOL

Gabe's first official playdate...

2006-06-05T21:07:00.000-05:00

Hey Boy...gimme that pacifier so I can give you a kiss!

It's starting to look like a studio...

2006-06-05T21:05:00.000-05:00

Our other baby does get jealous...

2006-06-02T22:18:00.000-05:00

Daddy eats those hams...

2006-06-02T22:17:00.000-05:00

The start of a voracious reading habit...

2006-06-02T22:15:00.000-05:00

What attitude?

2006-06-02T22:13:00.000-05:00

All this exercising wears a boy out...

2006-06-02T22:11:00.000-05:00

Mrs. Ed up close and personal...

2006-06-02T22:10:00.000-05:00

Tara on her scooter...

2006-06-02T22:09:00.000-05:00

Love him to pieces...tee hee

2006-06-02T22:07:00.000-05:00

He's so busy these days...

2006-06-02T22:04:00.000-05:00

Another try at painting...

2006-05-30T21:13:00.000-05:00

And a beautiful hydrangea in the mix...

2006-05-30T21:12:00.000-05:00

And now a roof to match!

2006-05-30T21:10:00.000-05:00

And the walls went tumbling up...

2006-05-30T21:09:00.000-05:00

Trying my hand at painting...

2006-05-30T11:49:00.000-05:00

Let the studio construction begin...

2006-05-26T22:35:00.000-05:00

We have a concrete foundation...next week this will be a sunroon studio!

My custom collage...

2006-05-25T23:02:00.000-05:00

Monthly Newsletter #7

2006-05-25T22:22:00.000-05:00

My dearest Gabriel,

You're seven months old already! I am amazed each month by how fast time slips by. You are such a BIG boy now and you have Daddy and me wrapped around your little finger.

This month has been a month of big advances for you. You started cutting your top teeth and already have one of the pearly wonders peeking out. Along with the dental milestone, you have become insistent on trying new foods, bits and pieces from our plates. When we pinch off a bite for you, you poke your chin forward in anticipation like a little begging bird. When we make the donation to you, our little bird, you smile with great satisfaction. You're getting a hang of this food chewing and swallowing business even though it is quite the messy enterprise. I enjoy sharing with you the joy of food.

This month you also started crawling. You first learned how to sit yourself upright with great precision and how to lunge forward to get around. But, your growing interest in Patches the cat bolstered your new found love of movement. Just as you turned seven months, you also figured out how to crawl in the traditional way and have gotten quick with your ability to move across the room. Of course, just as Momma was absorbing this new milestone, you surprised her by pulling up in your pack-n-play into a standing position. Holy smokes--you just might be walking by nine months!

Meanwhile, your personality grows more intriguing by the day. You are a laid back baby on the whole. But, you have your moments of emotive expression. Cousin Tara has started calling you "Slappy" because you slap both hands about when you are excited or angry. You've also become quite adept at grabbing things and can do so in the blink of an eye. Several family members have watched their glasses fly across the room or your hands fill up with the food that was formerly located on their plate. Cousin Tara tolerates you pulling her hair, but the rest of us are too follicly-challenged to give up any donations to your exploration.

Mommy and Daddy have been busy getting their business going. Of course, you are our number one model and so we already owe you tons of money for your precious modeling time. However, I must mention that you have become quite the challenge to photograph now that you are into this movement business. I set you down, meter my lights, get everything all perfect for the shoot only to look up and find you across the room ready to chew on my camera cords. I then snicker to myself and give you big smooches my mobile baby.

If it is possible, I grow to love you more with each passing day. My whole universe is right because you are in it. I celebrated my 35th birthday this month and I know why I was born and why I exist: to be Gabriel's mom. It is the most fulfilling feeling in the whole world, to feel as if I have finally arrived at that long sought after place. I will never be able to fully express how you give me the joy I have waited for my whole life.

Today I went to see the doctor about having a sibling for you. It is so nice to see all the old faces and to realize that you are here now and healthy. I saw the ultrasound lady and the nurses and I felt like doing a victory dance for them. Instead, I proudly showed them our picture and bragged on you. I was so grateful to return to that place with a sense of wholeness and not desperation.

Happy seven months my angel! I pray the next month will bring more developmental strides for you and more 'firsts' in this big adventure called life.

With Love,
Mommy
Gabe's picks:
Patches the cat--she's cool
Berries and Bananas baby food--good stuff
Oatmeal--yummy
Yogurt--yummy
Mixed grain cereal--yuck, won't touch it
Cheerios--oh yeah, pass the box to me
Jumperoo--uhhh, I can crawl now, don't confine me
Swimming pool--cool beans, I can splash
Cousin Tara--she's awesome

Such lovely weather too!

2006-05-18T21:27:00.000-05:00

We had a fun shoot...

2006-05-18T21:25:00.000-05:00

Gabe's friend, Alyssa, from across the street...

2006-05-18T21:23:00.000-05:00

My first beach shoot!

2006-05-18T21:21:00.000-05:00

That's my baby blue...

2006-05-17T21:00:00.000-05:00

Best Mother's Day Ever...

2006-05-14T21:18:00.000-05:00

This picture says it all. AT LONG LAST, I can enjoy a Mother's day as a Mommy with her baby. There's not a day that goes by that I take this joy, this blessing, this awesome gift for granted. There is no greater wholeness in my world than to be next to my baby. I pray to have more in the next year, Lord willing.

What a special day--having lunch with my Mom, my Sister, her daughter, my son, and my husband. I'm so happy we can all be together now, especially on such a day like this.

My heart is filled with gratitude and a joyful abundance.

Starting a little business is big work...

2006-05-10T19:46:00.000-05:00

First, a new fave picture of mine--my beautiful niece:

I never imagined that starting a home buisness would be so involved. Let's see--here's a short list of all the things that we have been up to lately:

1. Obtaining a business license, federal tax ID, local tax ID, and deciding on the type of buisness entity (sole proprietor, LLC, or an 'S' corporation) we will be.

2. Deciding on the appropriate place to hold the business. I thought we could squeeze in our dining room, but that was quickly ruled out. So, we designed and commissioned a sun room addition out back.

3. Meeting with contrators and hearing sales pitches (the funniest one was the guy demonstrating his unbreakable glass--yep, you guessed it--he knocked on it with a medium rap-a-tap and it shattered on my kitchen floor. He was horrified and I was amused. Needless to say we didn't pick his company). Deciding on the contractor with a reasonable bid and best roof design.

4. Obtaining money to pay for sun room addition--interviewing mortgage companies and banks. We decided on a home equity line of credit.

5. Meeting with the concrete provider and designing a new drive way addition and patio for sun room.

6. Meeting with shade/blinds guy to decide on appropriate window dressing for sun room, something that will diffuse but not block light.

7. Joining various professional organizations and the local chamber of commerce.

8. Designing a website and finding someone reasonably priced to host it--check it out: www.scatterjoyphoto.com

9. Attending photography classes three times a week while hubby secures management end of things--business cards, fax machine, telephone line, extra home insurance, business insurance, and advertising means.

10. Attending workshops and local photographer association meetings while trying to look reasonably professional and acting like I know what I'm doing.

11. Researching equipment needs and various sources for backgrounds and props. Spending copious amounts of time on Ebay trying to save a buck here and there.

12. Buying professional lights and learning how to use them.

13. Buying a light meter and learning how to use it.

14. Buying a new camera (Nikon D200) and learning how to use it.

15. Managing homework assignments for various photography courses.

16. Learning tricks in Photoshop to make post-processing time quicker.

17. Learning how to shoot "raw" and to convert to jpeg.

18. Learning the art of white balance and light temperature settings.

19. Planning new landscape design with plants currently in yard where sun room will go.

20. Being a fantastic Mom and wife, sister, daughter, and aunt--sorry, that was priority #1.

Ciao...Gabriel wants to play...

Our first trip to the big cement pond...

2006-05-06T22:35:00.000-05:00

In his dreams...

2006-05-06T21:20:00.000-05:00

Lifestyles of the rich and famous...

2006-05-06T21:14:00.000-05:00

Shadows and light...

2006-05-04T15:58:00.000-05:00

Mommy and her boy...

2006-05-04T15:57:00.000-05:00

My happiest birthday yet...35!

2006-05-03T22:54:00.000-05:00

My little man...

2006-05-02T17:10:00.000-05:00

Someone's on the verge of mobility!

2006-05-02T17:09:00.000-05:00

More tin tub fun...

2006-04-30T20:00:00.000-05:00

Splish, Splash, I was taking a bath...

2006-04-30T18:33:00.000-05:00

Movie star look-a-like: Kevin James?

2006-04-28T23:02:00.000-05:00

Love those toofers...

2006-04-28T23:00:00.000-05:00

Photoshop fun...

2006-04-28T22:49:00.000-05:00

Six Month Newsletter

2006-04-27T22:03:00.000-05:00

My dearest Gabriel,

You have wiggled your way into six months of age. I can't believe you are a half-year old. Time does fly by when you are having fun and we are definitely having fun with you.

This month you have grown by leaps and bounds. You weighed in at 21lbs and are 29 inches LONG. The doctor pulled you into the standing position and remarked "what a tall, strong boy." You are now wearing size 18-24 months in clothes--your poor mother was not prepared for toddlerhood size at 6 months of age! But, secretly I am so proud that you are not only strong, but tall like the rest of my family. We Harrells have never shopped in the petite section.

You are now babbling and squealing with great delight. Just in the last week you have started with the "DA DA" sounds. When you get excited, you squeal like a baby seal. All of those around you find it quite amusing. You also like to show off your two teeth that emerged this month. The first time I saw you smile, my heart lept with joy. It still does and I am so glad you are growing so generous with those smiles.

You are taking more interest in your toys and seem to have a favorite color: green. You gravitate to bright green objects whether in playing or taking a bath. We have several games that we play with you now--little tickle games that make you chuckle. Your Daddy is really good at getting you to laugh as he sings and reads to you every night.

We've been busy as a bee getting our business up and running and you've been quite content to play and let us work. We truly feel blessed to have such a content baby. You have your moments of unhappniess occasionally, but overall, if you have Mommy or Daddy in sight, you are fine.

This month you starting sitting up without any help. We can see you pondering how to transform your energy into motion--it won't be long until you are maneuvering across the floor in some fashion. We celebrate every milestone and thank God for your health and robust zeal.

As Mommy works to develop her photography, you remain her chief muse. We named our business Scatter Joy because it fits our daily celebration of life that you have given us--you help us to scatter joy throughout our mundane tasks thereby transforming them into a treasured routine. We hope to help others celebrate the joy scattered throughout their lives.

Last Monday you had your six month immunizations. The next morning you suffered with your first fever. It left Mommy and Daddy very worried. As I held your warm little body close to me, I prayed over you as I have for so long. It took me back to the many nights I prayed for you before you were born. I am so glad I can hold you now and see you and know that you are safe. The fever passed quickly and you have been fine ever since. My world is right when you are happy and healthy.

I look forward to every stage and phase of your growth and development. Some may be rough, but we're here for you always.

With Love,
Mama

Bad, bad, blogger...

2006-04-23T21:48:00.000-05:00

I've done an awful job of blogging this past month. We've been so wrapped up in getting our addition put on the house, starting a business, and trying to figure out how to afford the previously mentioned that I haven't stopped in here other than a pic drive by...mea culpa.

I'm so excited about our go at the photography business. I am going to class three nights a week and hubby is working like mad taking care of the management end of things. I've never seen him step up to the plate like he is now. I'm so glad too, because he was starting to wane in his retirement status. Hubby is at his best when he has a challenge before him, something to keep him bouncing on his toes and whistling a tune as he works (as he is now in the other room).

I like the idea of never having to leave Gabriel or future children for a nine-to-five job. I like the idea of being my own boss. I like the idea of helping create artistic photos that people can cherish. I like the idea of challenging myself to be better than yesterday as a mother, wife, theologian, and photographer.

I'm waiting for Gabe's check-in for his six month appointment to do his monthly newsletter. Half a year already gone by. It's hard to believe. But, then again, my mother will probably read this post and think "yep, thirty-four years gone by...it's hard to believe." Smile.

Thanks for hanging in there, Internets...

He often wonders if I've lost my mind...

2006-04-22T21:55:00.000-05:00

The half year celebration...

2006-04-22T21:54:00.000-05:00

My baby is SIX months old...how can this be?!

2006-04-21T21:30:00.000-05:00

My first studio/garage shoot...

2006-04-19T17:43:00.000-05:00

My first shoot with the girl across the street...

2006-04-19T17:37:00.000-05:00

Our visit with Mr. Bunny himself...

2006-04-15T22:11:00.000-05:00

The mark of motherhood...

2006-04-14T22:22:00.000-05:00

Every night before I retire to slumber, I brush my toofers and gaze into the mirror. I chuckle as my eyes land on the various spots on my t-shirt--some baby slobber here, left over formula there, a smear of pureed carrots and some snot on my shoulder. I then smile and thank God that I can proudly wear these marks of motherhood; truly, I've never looked more dapper in my whole life!

Taaa-Daaa

2006-04-13T23:07:00.000-05:00

My little ham...

2006-04-12T21:54:00.000-05:00

This little boy is proud of his toofers...

2006-04-12T13:48:00.000-05:00

One day he will charge me a modeling fee...

2006-04-12T13:26:00.000-05:00

My cute niece and my new background...

2006-04-11T22:21:00.000-05:00

He doesn't care for carrots, but Zwieback toast is in...

2006-04-11T22:19:00.000-05:00

He's smiling because he peed in my bowl...

2006-04-11T22:17:00.000-05:00

Mom's efforts to humiliate me know no bounds...

2006-04-08T21:12:00.000-05:00

He's King of Drool these days...

2006-04-08T21:11:00.000-05:00

I believe I can fly...

2006-04-07T22:35:00.000-05:00