Sunday, February 28, 2010

Sweet Little Newborn Boys

Two friends in my ward both had their first babies about two weeks ago. As shower gifts I offered to do mini newborn photo shoots for them. After Grady was born, I decided that I really love newborns. When Luke was a baby I really couldn't wait for him to grow up, but with Grady I've really enjoyed just having a baby. I loved spending time with these sweet little boys! Photography wise, this was a great learning experience for me.

(side note to Lauren and Jessie- Uncle Sam made this hat. Isn't he talented?!)
Just one more, because who can resist those sweet newborn sleep smiles!

Monday, February 22, 2010

A Bit of Honesty

Whether you think you know me pretty well or not, you'll probally learn something new about me from this post. Maybe you'll know me a little too well after this! My cousin Jessie tagged me, so now I'm going to write 10 honest confecessions about myself. This should be fun, challenging, and emberassing all rolled into one!

1. I've always wanted to be a doctor. My dad's a doctor, and for as far back as I can remember I've wanted to be a doctor too. When I was around 4-years-old, my mom found me and the little neighbor boy playing doctor together, behind closed doors, mostly naked! I used to fill my pockets with cotton balls, band-aids, and other random medical supplies that I found around our house as a kid so I would be prepared in case anyone ever got hurt. I've always loved wandering around hospitals. One of the hardest things about becoming a mother and wife, was realizing that I would not be able to realize all my dreams. I could have tried to be a doctor and a mom, but I learned that it was the right decision for me to focus my attention on being a mom.

2. I talk to myself. I'm sure everyone has talked to themselves at one time or another, but I'm really bad. I've walked by people in public places talking out loud to myself. It was especally bad while I was in college and stressed all the time. Now at home, Ty will call to me from another room and jokingly ask "Rachel, who's in that room with you?". I have had 100s of conversations with myself out loud about how I need to stop talking to myself. (Just for clarifacation, I've never heard any other voices in my head besides my own! Yet!)

3. When I was about 4 and my little sister was about 2 I stuck her in the dryer and turned it on. I immediately felt horrible and let her out. ( I really hope my kids take more after my husband than me!)

4. Ty and I only own about 20 DVDs (most of them were gifts), and we've only watched about half of them! We're just not movie people. We never went on a date to the movies until we had been married for about 6 months!

5. I graduated from ASU with a 4.12 GPA. Through out all 4 years of college I never got any grade below an A, not even an -A. I have to give credit where credit is due though, I know I was blessed because I never did any homework on Sundays.

6. I cried myself to sleep almost every night in 7th grade and a lot of nights in 8th and 9th grade too. I didn't have many friends, no friends that I would have considered close. I also felt the cruelty of how mean some kids can be at that age. I suffered from pretty bad social anxiety too, and was known as the girl that didn't talk. I've outgrown most of it now, but inside I'm still that really shy and akward girl. All of this taught me that the Savior is still there for me when I feel alone, and that nobody knows what it feels like to be alone more than He does.

7. I'm ridiculously competitive. There's nothing I love more than playing games. My competitiveness has a real down side too, because things that shouldn't be competitive are competitive to me.

8. I hate scrapbooking!  You would think that since I love pictures so much that I would love scrapbooking too. No! I've discovered that online scrapbooking isn't quite so bad though.

9. I threw-up 3 times my first time going through the temple. I had been fasting all day, and I think that was the cause. I was sitting there, then all of a sudden I started to get really weak and pale. I even threw-up into one of the nice temple workers hands! I'm a lot more careful when I fast now!

10. I love dirt! I wouldn't mind being covered in mud from head to toe. When I worked at the plant nursery, I loved planting things with my bare hands - no shovels or gloves.

 I'm not going to tag anyone. I love being tagged, but I hate tagging people. I really just don't want anyone to feel bad because they didn't get tagged. If you've read this and want to be tagged, just consider your self tagged please!

Wednesday, February 17, 2010

Pictures Just for Fun + 1

2/18 edit- I just had to add one more picture to this post. I took it this morning. I debated over and over in my head whether or not I wanted to do a little 2 and 3/4 mini photo shoot for Luke. I had decided not to, and that I would just try to take some nice pics of him doing things that he loves to do, because whenever I try to take a nice portrait of him I get really frustrated and he gets upset. I usually need someone to go along with me so I don't get upset at the poor little kid who absolutely hates to get his picture taken. (I never get upset with other people's kids, just Luke. I'm just a bad mom I guess. ) This morning I changed my mind though. It was a bit of work and I did get a little frustrated, but it wasn't nearly as hard as I thought it would be. The hardest part actually was trying to keep Grady from eating all the rocks while I took the pictures! The end result was definitely well worth the effort! I love this kid!



I've realized that I really need to captilize on picture taking at this time with Grady now while he sits up really well and can't get away from me too fast! Here's a couple of his almost 8 month old pictures. I can't believe how old he is looking, espically with his hair combed! My little sister Emily is coming to visit for about 24 hours this weekend, and I am so excited. She's agreed to be my guinea pig and let me take some senior portraits for her, so be looking for them soon!
(Sorry about the tie on this one honey!)
I seriously laughed out loud when I saw this picture upload to my computer. Could you ask for a funnier face?
A couple of weeks ago I called up my friend Amy and asked her if she'd let me practice her photography on her beautiful little girls, ages 4 and almost 2. She agreed and we had fun. It is so much easier to take pictures of a little girl that wants to have her pictures taken, than of Luke! This first one is my very favorite!

Wednesday, February 10, 2010

The Best Part of My Days

Is definitely just spending time with my boys! Here's a few snaps from what we've been doing lately! Enjoy!


We recently got out our little jumper for Grady. He absolutely loves it! I'm amazed at the air he can get in that thing, especially when he gets excited! Have I mentioned that he's started saying mama? It's true! I'm pretty sure he knows what it means too! I couldn't be happier, because Luke's first word was dog!


Luke and Banana Man. This was my attempt at trying to make healthy food more fun. He has a love/hate relationship with every fruit known to man. One day it will be all that he wants to eat, and then the very next day he wouldn't touch it with a 10 ft. pole! He loved Banana Man, but I think he only took 1 bite. Oh well!


Luke counting. We're working on it!


Grady's very first bubble bath! He didn't like the bubbles. Usually he loves his baths, but not this time. Luke, on the other hand, really enjoyed this bath with the bubbles. Since we've been bathing him with Grady (for about 4 months now) he had stopped liking bath time. It was hard convincing him to get out when we had the bubbles though.


I really wish I saw this expression of Luke's a lot less than I do. Oh well, I guess that's why they call them the terrible two's!


These next pictures I just really liked. They were taken in our home, at the park, and in our back yard.


This is one of my most favorite pictures right now. That's why I saved it for last! Luke holding tight onto my leg not letting me go anywhere. Sometimes it drives me crazy when he does this, but I know he's just a little boy that wants my attention and this stage won't last forever!

Friday, February 5, 2010

Sick Week

Poor little Luke has been sick almost all week. We've all spent the last few days baracaded up in our house. All of us, except for Grady amazingly, suffered a major lack of sleep! We all got a little stir crazy too. I used to think that there was no way I could stay inside the house for an entire day, but now with 2 kids, every once in a while, some days we just don't get out. Luckily it was nothing major, and he's now back to normal. It was nice to go outside and take advantage of the nice weather and as soon as he started feeling better


Edit: Now Grady is sick! Poor baby! :(  I think I really Luke's health for granted. He never got anything more than a minor cold before his first birthday.