some favorite no good photos

I'm a horrible photographer. I really am. I've read books on how to take better pictures and I've read books on how to use my camera. I think I understand more than the average Joe out there but I still suck. But I'm sure even the best of photographers get pictures like these. Sometimes I get a picture that just makes me laugh. Here are some of my recent favorites.

I love how I managed to get the background perfectly focused but somehow the subject is blurry.

"Mom, are you sure you can't see down my dress?"

This needs no explanation.

And this one is just plain weird. Bad timing I guess. It's hard to take a good photo when the beast is whizzing by you at 5 mph.

weekly update

It's been a while since I've updated because I've been away in Baltimore this past week. We hold the largest event at the Baltimore Convention Center which draws firefighters from up and down the East coast.

This is my sixth visit to the city and I always seen to enjoy myself even though I can honestly say that I feel unsafe there. This is the only city I've visited (and I've visited a lot of cities) where I go out of my way to be extra cautious. I had a co-worker who was mugged right outside of his hotel a few years back. It's just a shame that there is so much crime out in that area.

I could tell a million stories from this week. I almost got ran over in a crosswalk (amongst about 5 other people) when the sign said walk. It was so bad that I marched over to the driver and lectured her. I guess one of the other pedestrians felt the same way because she marched over to the driver at the same time I did to lecture her as well.

I caught a game at Camden Yards. It sure will be nice when we get our stadium done here. I had pretty decent seats (considering our tickets were free) in the lower level. It was firefighter's night in honor of our event at the convention center.

I got schooled by the lady at the Northwest check-in kiosk. She gave me a lecture about waiting to put my bag on the scale until they called my name so it doesn't get mixed up with my kiosk neighbor's bag. I felt like saying "Lady, I travel all the freaking time...maybe you should have grabbed my bag tag first. I had my bag tag all printed out before my neighbor over here even stepped up to the kiosk." Instead I just stood there and nodded my head with a fake smile.

I sure missed Meredith this week. She is so much fun and has the cutest personality. She got a little roughed up this week. Here is a picture of her first black eye. It's kind of hard to see since it's almost gone in this picture but I thought it was worthy of a mention on the blog.

We also figured out what to do with our stairs. We just stuck a chunk of wood between the tension rod and the bannister. Thank goodness that's taken care of.

photoshop

I have officially ventured into the world of Photoshop. I figured since I have this fancy camera I need to be able to touch up my pictures. I just ordered Photoshop Elements 6 and I got such a fabulous deal that I have to brag about it.

Here is reason #846 why I like Amazon better than Best Buy (Jeff Bezos, you will like this):
I got it new on Amazon for $59.99 with no tax or shipping charges.
Best Buy has it for $99 + tax.

Here is reason # 847 why I like Amazon better than Best Buy:
There is a $20 rebate if you show proof of ownership of a previous version (I'm a cheater because we have other versions of it at work) but you are NOT eligible if you buy your new Photoshop Elements 6 at Best Buy amongst several other retail giants (okay, the rebate has nothing to do with Amazon but it's just anoter reason for me to hate on Best Buy).

Essentially, I'm getting it for $40. If I walked into Best Buy today, it would cost me over $100. How the heck does Best Buy stay in business? I guess there are just too many people who don't research prices before they buy.

cute or nerdy?

If anyone has noticed, Etsy is listed on this blog as one of my favorite websites. I will officially admit to the fact that I have an Etsy habit. I pink puffy heart Etsy! I convinced Greg it would be a great idea, yet again, to order some more things from Etsy. After much debate, I decided to get us matchy-matchy outfits. At first I thought it might be a little nerdy but now I think we're awfully cute. Some may roll their eyes at this but those people are just haters if they can't find something cute with this.

Is this not the cutest thing ever? And I love my top - and the best part is it's handmade. It's very well made and she makes the cutest clothes for adults and babies - her shop is called Boutique Mia. She also makes pants for little boys & girls. I actually got three compliments on my top from complete strangers. I never get random comments like that.

And of course, I LOVE the pillowcase dresses she makes. So cute!

Meredith will be able to wear this again next year as a little top.

We went to the farmers market and got some great produce, honey, and chocolate.

She had a great time. I love this picture of Em and her daddy.

This is also a cute picture of Em and Grandpa.

movin' on up

Meredith has really learned how to get around these days.

She just learned how to crawl up the stairs.

Here she is showing off.

So - I need a gate for the bottom of the stairs now. If you have suggestions, please comment. I really have no idea what to put there.

This is what I currently use.

first trip to hopsahi

We ventured out to the cabin last weekend for the first time this year. It turned out to be cloudy, windy, and cool so we didn't get any quality swimming in but we had fun. Meredith is the first of the 'next' generation to go out to the cabin.

It was exactly the same as I always remember it. Hairy spiders & a showerless bathroom. Okay, okay...there is that outside shower that we subject our neighbors to but that is not enough motivation for me to be brave enough to stay the night. We'll stick to day trips.

Just hanging out with Grandma.

Mmmmm...sand is yummy.

So is this rock.

Having a little fun with Mark.

big girls

Big girls can crawl! Yes, that's right, they can crawl!!! I have a big girl.

Big girls can ride zebras on their own. I have a big girl.

Big girls help out in the kitchen. I have a big girl.

Where, oh where, did my baby go?!?

ben and angie's wedding

I really can't believe it was a year and a half ago that Ben proposed to Angie. Time sure went by fast. I think I speak for everyone when I say that the wedding was well worth the wait and welcome to the family Angie. I'm excited to have a sister-in-law!

I don't have a ton of pictures to share since I was in the wedding and Greg was taking care of the little munchkin all day but we managed to sneak a few before the wedding.

Me and the beautiful bride herself.

A few pictures of Em being cute and well behaved before the wedding.

That's all folks. No pictures of the fun stuff :-(

it's finally pool season

As many of you know, we're trying to sell our house. But in reality, I think it's going to be a long time before someone is willing to buy it so that means I will have at least one more summer to enjoy our community pool. Last weekend the weather was finally warm enough to wear our bathing suits so we geared up and went to splash around in the pool. Meredith was a bit unsure about it and I think it was due to the cooler water than what she is used to in her bath. But she got used to it and I think she enjoyed herself.

Who has a better tan? Me or Meredith?

I love her little Hawaiian print swim suit.

She was unsure of this thing. She tolerated it for about a minute.

9 month stats

Today marks 9 months for Meredith. She has been around for as long as she grew in my belly. Does that even make sense?!? You all probably get sick of me writing this all the time but I love her so much!

She weighed 19 lbs. 11 oz. and was 29" long. I can't believe she hasn't even gained a whole pound in the last three months but still remains in the upper percentiles. The next visit (pending any unforeseen circumstances) will be at one year.

Meredith is a little behind on her gross motor skills. She doesn't crawl or pull up on things. She also can't get into a sitting position on her own. She likes to roll everywhere though and she can stand unsupported against things for short periods of time.

Her fine motor skills are excellent though. She mastered the pincer grasp a long time ago, she's a champ with her sippy cup and putting food in her mouth, she can point to pictures of babies and other objects (doctor said this is great for her age...a lot less likely to be autistic), she attempts to say kitty and baby, she has signed 'drink', etc. She also went through stranger anxiety several months ago which according to her doctor is a sign of intelligence. Supposedly babies who go through that early on are more likely to be intelligent than babies who go through it at an average age which is around 9 months. Her doctor was impressed at her social ability. All smiles to a complete stranger.

These are a few pictures I took after her doctor visit.

Can you see my tooth?!?
Just a random picture that I like.

what on earth is this?!?

Well, we finally had some good weather so I took Meredith outside to play.

I love how she's throwing knives from her eyes at the grass. She was pretty unsure about what the heck all that green, pointy stuff was. Does that furrowed brow remind you of anyone?

She's so angelic :-)

My new favorite picture.

Last but not least, I think this one is funny.

making progress

Meredith is making a little progress towards crawling. But don't let this picture fool you. She's not quite there yet. I have a feeling it will still be a while. Her dad is more optimistic than I am.

jen's deck party

Last weekend we went to my friend Jen's house to celebrate their deck being finished! We had a great time visiting Jen & family, and Renee & family. Also, I can tell Sandy (Jen's mom) is a natural at being a grandma!

the tooth

Here is the tooth I was talking about. You can't see it very well...for some reason the pictures aren't as clear on Google as they really are. There are actually two teeth. The second one is just barely above the surface still. The tooth is kind of growing on me. I guess it's kind of cute after all.

breaking news

Take a good long look at this beautiful gummy smile. It's one of the last few things that made her look like a true baby nowdays.


I'm sad, yet excited to tell you all that Meredith cut her first two teeth today. I had no idea she was teething since she showed no symptoms really (now that I think about it, she's REALLY cranky today). They are just barely through so once I can get a good picture, I'll post a tooth update.

there's just something about babies...

There's just something about babies that other babies find fascinating. First off, congrats to Nate and Jen on the arrival of their baby, Samuel. Sam is almost three months old and last month Nate and Jen took him down to Arizona on his first vacation. Sam sent a sweet e-mail full of cute pictures to his grandma (Phyllis) and she printed it out and put it on the refrigerator. As soon as Meredith caught sight of it, she couldn't look away. She even had to touch it.

Nate & Jen - If you read this, Meredith is very excited to meet Sam next month at Ben and Angie's wedding. I think they will be good friends. She may even try to kiss him.

grandmas & grandpas

I'm happy to say Rich and Mary made it home from Florida. They even brought me a 1/2 bushel of Valencia oranges and they are so good they taste like candy. Meredith is so excited to be able to see her Grandma and Grandpa Carlson!

While we're on the subject of grandmas and grandpas, Grandpa Schwake stops over every now and then and usually Meredith cries when she's around him. Well, she's getting SO much better with her social skills and she sat on his lap, played with him, and yep - she kissed him!


And finally, here is Grandma Schwake and Meredith on Mother's Day.