Just One for Now Owen!

As soon as Brendan's little brother was born on Friday, July 17 plans were made for me to go to their house on Saturday the 24th to take his first set of pictures. I made a mental note of what I needed to take with me and recharged my camera battery.

Unfortunently, Owen suffered a pretty big setback at birth and it was an understatement to say that his precious little life was at risk. Owen's story is best told by his parents and you can follow that here. http://mommie-dearest08.blogspot.com

Yesterday, I made the trek down to Madison to visit with April and Jeremy and meet little Owen. April had told me that Owen means "warrior" and that is exactly what that little boy is. I was so happy to be in the room when the Doctor delivered the good news that Owen has made it out of the woods; he had passed the 72 hour mark and they could now focus on his recovery. We have Owen!

I just took one picture of the little guy. He was wrapped up so tightly in his Daddy's arms after he was able to feed him for the first time. Oh that sweet little face!

I can't tell you how proud I am of April and Jeremy. They never gave up hope on Owen. They did not let themselves believe that he would not be with them and that they wouldn't take him home someday. While Owen may still have a long road ahead in his recovery and his life may have challenges and not be "perfect", he is perfect to them and that is all that matters. April and Jeremy, I am honored to call you friend!

Keep fighting Owen. My camera battery will remain charged and even though I am not packing my car with blankets, baskets and camera gear this weekend, I know that I will be soon. Your first set of pictures at home will be the most favorite ones I will ever take!

Here She is Again

My neighbor Jenna came over yesterday. That girl has the best blue eyes ever. She wanted to play with Ellie but Ellie wasn't home so I told her we should take her picture instead. I think that was a fair trade off.

Jenna was the first post on my blog and here she is again.

Brendan Strikes Again

Another fun filled morning with Brendan. Chasing him around while he spends most of his time looking at the ground, digging and kneeling in the mud and giving me "the look" when he does decide to look at me.

I think I got a couple cute shots of him all things considered. He's 18 months old already!

Oh that's right, I have a blog

Julie is a bad blogger. Apparently it has slipped my mind that I have a blog. The last time I visited here was back in December when Madelyn was born. The dear child is 3 months old already!

So, it only seems fitting that if I am going to update this, then I should update it with a picture of Maddy. Her mom and aunt drove up for a visit the other day and brought along their friend and Maddy's BFF, Carmen. They were born about a week apart and will probably grow to be great friends, just like their Mommies.

I tell you, those two girls were so smiley and happy and just loved to look at the camera. They should teach Brendan a thing or two about taking pictures.

Madelyn Mae just 4 days old

My good buddy, Brendan, got a new cousin 4 days ago. So off we went to meet Madelyn today and take her pictures. Can you believe...I took ZB along and then forgot to include him in the pictures?!?! He is NOT happy with me. Oh sure he enjoyed his first road trip, sitting shotgun upside down in a basket underneath my camera bag, but he really was hoping to get in the pictures.

I am sure I'll be hearing about this for days, if not weeks. Get over it, ZB.

Now back to Maddy. She is just adorable, but boy oh boy, did she ever not want to sleep for pictures. You forget how tiny babies can be and how good it feels to cuddle with them. You also forget your complete inability to get a baby to sleep. I could never get my own to sleep, not sure why I thought I could work some magic on somebody else's child.

Congratulations Alicia and Kevin, she sure is beautiful.

If it walks like a duck, and talks like a duck....

then it is not a deer.
Oh dear, Zacharias Buddy (ZB for short) what have you done?!?!

Oh here it is upon us. Tomorrow is the opening day of gun deer hunting season. 9 days of blaze orange bliss. For some.

9 days of no husband at home. 9 days (27 meals) that I must make. 9 days of not being able to say, "go ask your Dad." I could go on but I wouldn't want anyone to think that I am not going to enthusiastically enjoy the next 216 hours that my children and I will spend together, completely on our own, with no breaks, no moments of peace, no "oh you take over." Well, you get my point.
And nothing brings a 9 day 24 hour stretch to a more peaceful ending than a trip to the cabin for 5 days for a personal hunting trip. Alone. Without your wife and kids. You know, the ones that have been in survival mode for the previous 10 days?

Some guys have all the luck.

ZB says be safe hunters and be kind to your game wardens!

And the Winner is...drum roll please...

Santa Gnome is so happy to finally have a name.

After much deliberation, candy eating and coke drinking, I have named the gnome. ZACHARIAS BUDDY.
What?!?! That's not Scandinavian you say!

Well, here's my justification:

1. Look how cute those kids are!
2. Kids trump big people almost all the time.
3. Red hair. How can anyone resist it?
4. How much thought did Mad's put into that??!?! I mean she thought he looked old and wise and then came up with a very old & wise name.
5. If you have new buddy, shouldn't you call him buddy? Can't argue Micah's 4 year old reasoning.

Good job Madeline & Micah and thank you for giving my new friend the perfect name.

As soon as Auntie Suzie gets back from Sweden (in about 2 weeks) you will have your prize. I'm excited to see what she finds you. It's bound to be good.

Photo Courtesy of Sarah Pierce Photography