So I'm 1 year and 9 months into Project 365. {Project 365 is where I take a photograph every day and I post them on my Project 365 blog - the site is private so I can post private information, so let me know if you want an invite to view!} Truthfully when I started I never thought I'd make it this far. Figured it would be another project that I start and then let fade over time but I'm incredibly happy that I've stuck with it.
Sticking with it has allowed me to capture life - normal every day life. Not just trips to the zoo or vacations or birthday celebrations but pictures of Colin playing soccer in the backyard or silly lunches or piles of laundry. I am capturing and creating memories that I otherwise am should I'd forget. I'm sure I'd forget a 2 year old Colin sitting in an orange rubbermaid tote watching Curious George with crazy bedhead. The first Colin wrote Elias' name on his chalkboard. I wouldn't remember what his day at daycare looked like on Feb 22, 2011 or that when he was potty training he sat in my parent's bathroom under an umbrella while my mom read him a book. I wouldn't remember what my chubby faced toddler looked like after stealing and eating a warm chocolate chip cookie or my new baby sitting in a grocery cart surrounded by groceries while his big brother looks at the fish tank at Meijer.
Project 365 has forced me to take pictures of the unusual, the mundane, the typically unphotographed. It has forced me to carry my camera almost everywhere I go. It has made me photograph at different angles, different lighting, and different subjects. It has inspired me to want to take more pictures.
But the best part of Project 365 is the enormous collection of images I have at the end of the year. I have a whole snapshot of our year. I ended up creating a photobook and look forward to making another one at the end of this year.
Colin: I'm DOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOONE
Mommy: I'll be up in just a minute.
Colin: I want Daddy to wipe
Mommy: Ok. You wipe first and Daddy will be up in one minute
Daddy: Good job wiping
Colin: I cleaned my dirty slide
Yup. He called it his dirty slide and I need only one guess as to who taught him that. Starts B and ends with an -ennett.
Mommy: I'll be up in just a minute.
Colin: I want Daddy to wipe
Mommy: Ok. You wipe first and Daddy will be up in one minute
Daddy: Good job wiping
Colin: I cleaned my dirty slide
Yup. He called it his dirty slide and I need only one guess as to who taught him that. Starts B and ends with an -ennett.
Here's an update on last week's goals. While I feel like I didn't get many of them completed, I'm still fairly proud considering I did a bunch of other projects that needed to get done.
So onto this week's goals:
Eat Dinner at home Monday-Saturday. Meals: breakfast, baked spaghetti, crockpot chicken, ham slices, hamburgers/hot dogs, and left overs.Get groceries- Cut, organize and file away coupons
Email daycare re: some Qs for Elias' startFinally go into work (haven't been there since June 29!) to show off Elias, drop off ________ and let everyone know what I'd like to work for my first 2 weeks.Do at least 4 outdoor activities as a familyMake 2 freezer meals and cookies (with Colin)- Determine what work clothes fit me and put away maternity clothes
- Attempt to clean the living room carpet with an at-home remedy
- Go on at least 3 walks {went on two}
Go to Dr's Appt (Tues) and Product Testing (Wed)
So onto this week's goals:
- Stick to this week's menu plan which uses all food I have on-hand: picnic potluck, ham and scalloped potatoes, either pack a picnic or grab fast food as we hope to go away, soft baked tacos/burritos, chicken rice, chicken quesadillas, and burgers on the grill
- Make at least two more freezer meals
- Go on at least 3 walks
- Attempt to clean living room carpet with an at-home remedy
- Determine what work clothes fit me and put away maternity clothes
- Cut, organize and file away coupons
- Continue to work on issues with: the library, trash service, and insurance.
- Go to the fabric store
In the weeks/months to come, I'd like to do glimpses into our day. It will be neat to look back to see how life has changed and to remember how life used to be. Since I have a well documented morning, I'm going to do a detailed morning edition. In the future, it probably won't be so detailed and will include pictures.
1:21am: Mike finally gets home and we are about to go to bed. I decide since I'm still up and Elias is going to town on his thumb that I might as well change his diaper and feed him now.
1:32am: Finish feeding him and attempt to burp him fighting to stay awake.
sometime before 1:40am: put a sleeping baby in his crib into his too small swaddle only to see his eyes open for the first time since taking him out of his crib. Pop his pipey in his mouth and head to bed.
1:41am: I hear him busting out of his swaddle and then his pipey fall out of his mouth. After a few moments of hearing him fussing, I crawl out of bed, put his pipe back in his mouth, and turn on his music soother silently cursing myself for waking him and praying I didn't make a mistake by getting him up.
6:12am: someone is up and wanting to be fed! Sluggishly I get out of bed and put his pipe back in his mouth hoping to buy myself some more time. Head to the bathroom and get back to see that the pipey is not what he wants. change his diaper and start feeding him. As we are finishing, I dreadfully hear "Crrrrrrrrrrrrrrrreak" and Colin's little feet walking down the hall.
6:36am: "Morning Mommy. Whatcha doing?" "Feeding Elias. What are you doing up already?" "I'm all done sleeping." "Did you look at the clock before you got out of bed?" "Nope" "What time is?"
6:37am: {Colin speaking} "6.3.7" "'Member you are supposed to stay in your room until it is 7 o'clock." "There is a 7 in the number" I tell Colin to grab a book to read. He comes back with his beanbag and a book, so I put Elias back in his crib and climb back into bed for a few minutes. Colin starts reading out loud, so downstairs we go.
7am: Turn on the TV and see coverage regarding Hurricane Irene on the Today Show. Colin asks what a hurricane is and we spend a few minutes talking about how it's a very dangerous storm. They show coverage from a North Carolina beach. Colin asks where it is. I say "North Carolina". He asks who lives on that street. I explain it isn't a street but a state like Michigan or California but decide trying to teach geography to a 3 year old at 7am when I'm dog tired isn't high on my priority list.
7:15ish am: Change to PBS and head to the kitchen to make breakfast - a cinnamon raisin english muffin with a banana and a cup of milk for Colin and a cinnamon raisin english muffin with a cup of diet wild cherry pepsi for Mommy.
7:30am: Change to Disney Channel for Special Agent OSO. I head to the basement to grab a load of laundry to fold. Fold the laundry and since I can't put it away yet with Mike and Elias sleeping upstairs, I lay down on the couch to watch the end of OSO with Colin.
8:20ish am: Ooops must of nodded off because now Mickey Mouse is on. Finish watching the Mouse and then decide to go color for awhile.
9am: I tell Colin it's time to wake up Daddy since Mommy wants to go somewhere this morning and enjoy the cool sunny weather. Colin wants to get him "all by himself"; I say ok but to be quiet since Elias is sleeping. Take a guess who also wakes up within the next 10 minutes or so.
9:30am-12pm: The morning goes nothing like planned. Junk happens with Mike's job and he spends the majority of the morning on the phone talking to his AGM, HR, the VP (or whatever B's title is), and the person involved. We end up staying home :( but were semi productive on doing some much needed tasks around the house.
1:21am: Mike finally gets home and we are about to go to bed. I decide since I'm still up and Elias is going to town on his thumb that I might as well change his diaper and feed him now.
1:32am: Finish feeding him and attempt to burp him fighting to stay awake.
sometime before 1:40am: put a sleeping baby in his crib into his too small swaddle only to see his eyes open for the first time since taking him out of his crib. Pop his pipey in his mouth and head to bed.
1:41am: I hear him busting out of his swaddle and then his pipey fall out of his mouth. After a few moments of hearing him fussing, I crawl out of bed, put his pipe back in his mouth, and turn on his music soother silently cursing myself for waking him and praying I didn't make a mistake by getting him up.
6:12am: someone is up and wanting to be fed! Sluggishly I get out of bed and put his pipe back in his mouth hoping to buy myself some more time. Head to the bathroom and get back to see that the pipey is not what he wants. change his diaper and start feeding him. As we are finishing, I dreadfully hear "Crrrrrrrrrrrrrrrreak" and Colin's little feet walking down the hall.
6:36am: "Morning Mommy. Whatcha doing?" "Feeding Elias. What are you doing up already?" "I'm all done sleeping." "Did you look at the clock before you got out of bed?" "Nope" "What time is?"
6:37am: {Colin speaking} "6.3.7" "'Member you are supposed to stay in your room until it is 7 o'clock." "There is a 7 in the number" I tell Colin to grab a book to read. He comes back with his beanbag and a book, so I put Elias back in his crib and climb back into bed for a few minutes. Colin starts reading out loud, so downstairs we go.
7am: Turn on the TV and see coverage regarding Hurricane Irene on the Today Show. Colin asks what a hurricane is and we spend a few minutes talking about how it's a very dangerous storm. They show coverage from a North Carolina beach. Colin asks where it is. I say "North Carolina". He asks who lives on that street. I explain it isn't a street but a state like Michigan or California but decide trying to teach geography to a 3 year old at 7am when I'm dog tired isn't high on my priority list.
7:15ish am: Change to PBS and head to the kitchen to make breakfast - a cinnamon raisin english muffin with a banana and a cup of milk for Colin and a cinnamon raisin english muffin with a cup of diet wild cherry pepsi for Mommy.
7:30am: Change to Disney Channel for Special Agent OSO. I head to the basement to grab a load of laundry to fold. Fold the laundry and since I can't put it away yet with Mike and Elias sleeping upstairs, I lay down on the couch to watch the end of OSO with Colin.
8:20ish am: Ooops must of nodded off because now Mickey Mouse is on. Finish watching the Mouse and then decide to go color for awhile.
9am: I tell Colin it's time to wake up Daddy since Mommy wants to go somewhere this morning and enjoy the cool sunny weather. Colin wants to get him "all by himself"; I say ok but to be quiet since Elias is sleeping. Take a guess who also wakes up within the next 10 minutes or so.
9:30am-12pm: The morning goes nothing like planned. Junk happens with Mike's job and he spends the majority of the morning on the phone talking to his AGM, HR, the VP (or whatever B's title is), and the person involved. We end up staying home :( but were semi productive on doing some much needed tasks around the house.
I have a little less than 3 weeks left of Maternity Leave (tear!) and I have a big list of things I want to do before I go back and life becomes even more crazy. So I thought maybe if I make it a public affair that it would hold me more accountable. I'm going to attempt to do this weekly.
- Eat Dinner at home Monday-Saturday. Meals: breakfast, baked spaghetti, crockpot chicken, ham slices, hamburgers/hot dogs, and left overs.
- Get groceries
- Cut, organize and file away coupons
- Email daycare re: some Qs for Elias' start
- Finally go into work (haven't been there since June 29!) to show off Elias, drop off ________ and let everyone know what I'd like to work for my first 2 weeks.
- Do at least 4 outdoor activities as a family
- Make 2 freezer meals and cookies (with Colin)
- Determine what work clothes fit me and put away maternity clothes
- Attempt to clean the living room carpet with an at-home remedy
- Go on at least 3 walks
- Go to Dr's Appt (Tues) and Product Testing (Wed)
It was a beautiful sunny evening so we decided to head downtown to enjoy the weather, the city and each other.
Elias has really started smiling and I was able to capture it. I snapped these really quickly hoping to get at least one and instead got this wonderful series.
"His fingers
are so tiny,
so marvelously perfect.
Soon they will
reach out to touch
the smiling faces
of everyone around him...
These little hands
will explore, discover,
and bring the world to him
for his inspection and delight.
With these hands he will throw balls,
capture bugs, and build castles in the sand.
He will use them to open books
and unlock the doors of knowledge.
These are the hands
that may someday sculpt, make music,
or cuddle children of his own.
His hands
are so tiny now,
and yet within them lie the future
and the fulfillment
of all his precious dreams.
So hold him gently
and watch with pride
as he reaches out in love and joy
to all of life. "
I tear up everytime I read this card - just thinking about what beautiful things Elias is going to do with his tiny fingers one day. Someday he'll do more than just hold my finger. I can't wait to see the wonderful things he will do!
Elias Graham: "Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all." Ephesians 4:2-6
Dear Elias:
Happy 1 month birthday sweet boy! I can't believe how little and yet how much has changed in just one month's time.
One month ago, I was lying in a hospital bed in the worst pain I've even been in seriously thinking you were NEVER going to arrive. After laboring for 19 hours in pain, tears, frustration and fear, you surprised us by quickly (relativity speaking, of course) entering the world. You were placed on my chest all gooey and warm. I remember hearing Daddy proudly proclaim "It's a Boy!!!" and the Doctor say "He's smaller than we all thought" but I was so wrapped up in loving you that I heard very little else. There is nothing more wonderful than having a fresh from heaven baby placed in your arms. There are no words for that experience. It's just such an overwhelming feeling of love and tenderness for this new perfect baby. It makes every ache and pain, every minute of morning sickness, every stretch mark and extra pound, every extra day of waiting for you, completely and utterly worth it.
We've spent the past month adapting to a family of 4 and feel so blessed at how well it has gone. Daddy had to go right back to work, so it's been just you, me and Colin each day with no help from anyone else. I'm proud of how great we have all done. But you've made it easy with your laid back ways and your love of sleeping. We are learning to differentiate your hunger, dirty diaper, lost my pipey, just want to be held cries. Colin thinks they all mean you need Big Brother until you really start crying and then you need Mommy. I can not wait to see your relationship continue to blossom and pray you both continue to want to "need" each other.
Elias, you are such a joy. With your calm demeanor, sweet personality, and ideal amount of chubbiness, you are a perfect addition to this family. You love to cuddle and snuggle and I secretly delight in knowing how much you love to be in your Momma's arms. You are already blessing me with sleeping for long stretches during the night, sometimes up to 7 hours already! You are eating like a champ and go from calm to really ticked when you are hungry. I think you have your Daddy's quick but short temper. You have mastered being a pooping machine but I'm learning your cues and we aren't going through quite so many diapers anymore :) You are a stretcher! You stretch.all.the.time and I now understand all that movement in my stomach.
Sweet baby, thank you for making motherhood even sweeter. I am proud to be your mom and look forward to seeing what tomorrow brings.
Love always,
Mommy
Happy 1 month birthday sweet boy! I can't believe how little and yet how much has changed in just one month's time.
One month ago, I was lying in a hospital bed in the worst pain I've even been in seriously thinking you were NEVER going to arrive. After laboring for 19 hours in pain, tears, frustration and fear, you surprised us by quickly (relativity speaking, of course) entering the world. You were placed on my chest all gooey and warm. I remember hearing Daddy proudly proclaim "It's a Boy!!!" and the Doctor say "He's smaller than we all thought" but I was so wrapped up in loving you that I heard very little else. There is nothing more wonderful than having a fresh from heaven baby placed in your arms. There are no words for that experience. It's just such an overwhelming feeling of love and tenderness for this new perfect baby. It makes every ache and pain, every minute of morning sickness, every stretch mark and extra pound, every extra day of waiting for you, completely and utterly worth it.
We've spent the past month adapting to a family of 4 and feel so blessed at how well it has gone. Daddy had to go right back to work, so it's been just you, me and Colin each day with no help from anyone else. I'm proud of how great we have all done. But you've made it easy with your laid back ways and your love of sleeping. We are learning to differentiate your hunger, dirty diaper, lost my pipey, just want to be held cries. Colin thinks they all mean you need Big Brother until you really start crying and then you need Mommy. I can not wait to see your relationship continue to blossom and pray you both continue to want to "need" each other.
Elias, you are such a joy. With your calm demeanor, sweet personality, and ideal amount of chubbiness, you are a perfect addition to this family. You love to cuddle and snuggle and I secretly delight in knowing how much you love to be in your Momma's arms. You are already blessing me with sleeping for long stretches during the night, sometimes up to 7 hours already! You are eating like a champ and go from calm to really ticked when you are hungry. I think you have your Daddy's quick but short temper. You have mastered being a pooping machine but I'm learning your cues and we aren't going through quite so many diapers anymore :) You are a stretcher! You stretch.all.the.time and I now understand all that movement in my stomach.
Sweet baby, thank you for making motherhood even sweeter. I am proud to be your mom and look forward to seeing what tomorrow brings.
Love always,
Mommy
Stolen from my Project 365 blog.
Crazy cross eyes.
One of his specialities.
Crazy cross eyes.
One of his specialities.
Despite still feeling sick, we left our germ infested house and headed to Grand Haven for the Coast Guard Festival for a couple hours Thurs night. Figured the fresh air would do us some good and C really needed to burn off some energy.
Daddy and Colin got to tour the cool ship while Elias and I chilled out in the shade.
Then Mommy and Colin went on this "medium" ship.
We found Daddy and Elias way to the right!
Attempted to get a nice picture of my 3 boys but Colin refused to look at the camera and Elias needed his pipey.
Someone offered to take a picture of all of us. Not the greatest picture but none the less it's a picture of all of us.
I need this reminder today...
Colin colored this picture of "my broder, Elias" at school.
Several months ago, I bought a Gr0upon for bowling thinking we would have used it way before the baby came. With how crappy I was feeling towards the end of my pregnancy it didn't happen and now the expiration date was nearing. Mike had Thursday off and the weather was rainy, so we hit up the bowling alley. Colin had a fantastic time for his first bowling experience. He loved it so much he asks for "Bowling Day" several times a day!
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