Adobe Lightroom 3

So I've been neglecting my blog as of late.  It's partly due to being sick all the time, working on my new photography hobby and my hard drive crashing.  Right now I'm typing away on my hubby's lap top.  We're still waiting on some "magical" part he sent out for.  (shrug)  He's the comp/tech guy so I just go with it.

Unfortunately, my hard drive crashed before I was able to back up some of my newest photos.  I'm really getting into photography and I just got the Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 3 program. I was having a blast messing with some of my photos until CRASH! PFFTTT!!! I didn't realize how much you could do with your photos until I started messing with the program.  Again, I'm still learning and I didn't bother buying the book I'm just messing with it to see what kind of results I can get.  So far I would have to say that I'm really happy with my purchase. It's a little on the pricy side but I think it's well worth it.  Even if you're just using it to make the colors of your photo more vibrant.  Now if only my computer would get fixed so I can play some more.  I added some samples below.  The first one is one that I used Lightroom and the second is the original.  I wanted the colors to pop and I think it's turned out pretty good. What do you think?

 

SICK

Yes, I am sick yet again.  This flu and cold season has hit me especially hard this year.  It seems like we pick up something on our play dates and it just cycles through the house over and over.  My husband has had it once, Izzy three times and I've had it SIX.  We're not talking about a slight sniffle I wouldn't mind if it was slight.  I'm talking about the ugly, red faced, sore throat, hacking cough, congestion, sinus pressure, YUCK kind of cold.  These make my head feel like its 100 lbs and wish I could trade my head for someone else.  I'm happy that when Izzy gets some of it it only some congestion and not as bad as mommy.  I'm just SO OVER feeling like crap and still have to drag my butt out of bed to entertain an active toddler.  I'm lucky that this one started on the weekend so hubby watched her this morning while I took a nap.  Anyone else hit as hard?  Do you have someone to fall back on?  Join in on the conversation.

Tickle Monster

Daddy tickling Izzy

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Wave Commands

My 19 month old knows how to give and say the "wave" command to our dog Oscar. Smart baby and proud momma

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Dark Side of Nursing

Have you ever wondered why you never hear about the dark side of nursing?  All you hear about are all the wonderful benefits you and your child get by nursing your baby.  Even the American Academy of Pediatrics promotes breast feeding until at least the age of 6 months.  Let me let you in on a secret, there is a dark side.

A dark side you ask?  Yes, a dark side.  I'm talking about when you're child is sick, with a runny nose take a guess where all that snot ends up.  Ding ding ding!  You got it, your boob.  With all these colds I've had the runny boogers that kind of flows down my chest if I'm not quick.  The sticky ones, that connect us even when she moves her head.  The snot bubbles that expand with each exhale and pops on contact leaving a beautiful snot circle.

I'm also talking about the crumbs.  The half eaten gunk that wasn't completely swallowed before she started to nurse.  The sticky spot that sometimes gets missed on her hands or face after washing up.  The crumbs that fall down my shirt while she's pounding on my chest for more "booboo".

Let's not forget the trauma to the lady lumps.  The biting, pinching and twisting that they go through.  Is your baby teething?  Does your baby like to chew on stuff while they're teething?  Then you understand what it feels like the times your sweet child "accidentally" mistook your nipple for a teething toy.  My child also has this little quirk that she's done since she popped out.  She absolutely HAS TO twist the other nipple while she's nursing.  I don't know why, but she does.

Even with all these things the good blows that bad out of the water.  The bond you and your child share while your nursing, can't beat it.  The dark side of nursing is kinda funny and kinda gross but in my opinion it adds to my memories.  Do you have something to add?  What's the dark side of nursing you've experienced?

Again?!?! ARGH!

ARGH!  I'm am sick yet again?!?!  I'm not surprised considering Izzy had a little congestion and a sniffle the past few days.  But really, another cold?!?!?  So far it's localized to a sore throat and a cough but this is starting to get really irritating.  It's seems like we're sharing every cold that comes into this house.  It seems like this winter season is worse than the last one.  The only thing I can think of that is contributing to this is that Izzy is eating solids.  I am constantly tasting her food to make sure it's not too hot, too cold, etc.  Not to mention she always wants to try whatever it is I'm having.  Now that I'm thinking about it I should probably have a few spare spoons at the dinner table to we're not sharing the same spoon if one of us is sick.  I know, bad mommy for not thinking of this sooner.

On the bright side the past two little "colds" she's had have been limited to congestion and a little sniffle.  I'm the only one that gets hit hard.  I guess you could say that her immune system is getting a good workout.  Personally, I just want to NOT BE SICK for a few weeks straight.  You hear that body, get off ya arse and get better.

Friends

Facebook is everywhere.  It has been a great place to reconnect with friends from my past even if it's just through the internet.  It's also helped me stay update with other friends that I don't see often.  The downside is that even though you've found them and "friended" them not all the relationships can be as close as they once were.  Perhaps you've grown apart through distance or your interests have changed but for whatever reason you friendship fell by the wayside for a reason.  I was going through my friend list today and I started to get a little sad at some of the names I saw there.  It reminded me of a poem by an unknown author.

People come into your life for a reason, 

a season, or a lifetime. 

When you figure out which one it is,

you will know what to do for each person.
When someone is in your life for a REASON. . .
It is usually to meet a need you have expressed.
They have come to assist you through a difficulty,
to provide you with guidance and support,
to aid you physically, emotionally, or spiritually.
They may seem like a godsend, and they are!
They are there for the reason you need them to be.
Then, without any wrongdoing on your part,
or at an inconvenient time, this person will say
or do something to bring the relationship to an end.

Sometimes they die.
Sometimes they walk away.
Sometimes they act up and force you to take a stand.
What we must realize is that our need has been met,
our desire fulfilled, their work is done.
The prayer you sent up has been answered.
And now it is time to move on.

Then people come into your life for a SEASON....
Because your turn has come to share, grow, or learn.
They bring you an experience of peace, or make you laugh.
They may teach you something you have never done.
They usually give you an unbelievable amount of joy.
Believe it! It is real! But, only for a season.

LIFETIME relationships teach you lifetime lessons
: things you must build upon in order to have
a solid emotional foundation.
Your job is to accept the lesson, love the person,
and put what you have learned to use in all
other relationships and areas of your life.
It is said that love is blind but friendship is clairvoyant.

Those names maybe me mourn.  Long lasting friendships are hard to come by.  Not every friendship will last through each and every transformation you go through as you're searching to define and redefine the persona you call "SELF".   One morning you might wake up and realize that a friendship you thought would last you through a lifetime only survived a season or two.   Here's to those lost friendships and to those that morn what was lost.

Week 1 Simplicity

I started a photography class this week with Faith at Simplicity.  I've joined a few of her photography challenges and when I saw that she offered a class to take better pictures of your kids I jumped right on it.  On Sunday I received and email with all the information for the topics the class was going to cover this week.  The information was really easy to understand and I loved that she also included sample pictures on each topic.  This week we covered indoor lighting and how it affects the outcome of your photos.  This is something I've been having a problem with for while.  Part of my assignment was to search for a room that had great light.  It turned out that my daughter's room was perfect.  The far wall has two large window that are side by side.  I wasn't able to do much experimenting this week because Izzy has yet ANOTHER cold.  Not to mention that she was not having anything to do with having her picture taken.  I put together a little collage of her putting up a fuss.  The lighting is great though.  Enjoy!

One Less Stress

I'm happy to say that my hubby's order just came in.  What a relief!  The worst part is the not knowing.  We didn't know where we were going or when we were going and it just added to the stress I was feeling.  There are so many things that I have to do to relocate my family to another state and I just feel the pressure of not starting get bigger and bigger.  I didn't want to start researching housing, day cares, pediatricians, etc, etc. in a state that we might not even go to.  That would be a huge amount of wasted time.  Not to mention selling the house we currently live in.  That's another horror story I don't even want to touch right now.  Well, at least we have the actual paper work.  Sigh! 

Spa Day Gone Wrong

How many ways could a day go not quite right?  Today was suppose to be a momma day.  A day all about me and for me.  I booked an all day spa day at Revive Day Spa & Salon.  It was going to start with a facial, then a salt scrub, moisture body wrap, followed by a deep tissue massage and ending with a mani/pedi.  That sounds like heaven right?  I have that whole day planned, my husband was on board to watch Izzy for me while I got polished, marinated and tenderized.  As you can already guess it didn't quite go as planned.  There was a scheduling problem at the spa.  One of the girls called in sick and they were working on getting a replacement while I was getting my facial.  Because of the uncertainty I was shuffled to and from the waiting room.  Katheryn did all my treatments when the masseur didn't show up.  I was able to get all the treatments except the massage.  To be fair because of the scheduling problems they made the scrub and wrap complementary.  It just wasn't the relaxing day that I planned because I was shuffled back and forth.  When I was just starting to unwind and get relaxed I had to move somewhere else.  I think if things went smoothly then that spa day would have been great.  I loved Katheryn, she's was knowledgeable and easy to talk to.  I think I'll give that place another shot considering they gave me complimentary treatments worth $150. 

Too Far?

How far is going too far?  My cousin lives in D.C. with her husband.  She recently gave birth to her second daughter.  Last week my aunt flew back to San Diego after being in D.C. to help out my cousin for a few months before the baby was born.  To my surprise she flew back with my 20 month old niece without her parents for an extended visit.  The why isn't what this post is about.  What my aunt did, is.  It turns out that my aunt got my niece's ears pierced on Sunday WITHOUT prior approval from my cousin.  Personally, I would be pissed if my mom or my MIL pulled that.  I don't care what grandparents "think" they get to do because they're grandparents.  Piercing ears is NOT one of those, not by a long shot.  What would you do if your mom, dad or MIL and FIL did something equivalent?  How would you react?  What would you say to them?  Join in on the conversation.

Military Wife's Life

I've been SO stressed out this my hubby's next command, specifically the lack of information about it.  We've gone through three different command selections since we said "I do". I have to say that this one has been the most stressful.  The plans keep changing.  Yes, yes I know that I should expect that from the military.  First we wanted to go to Japan and we got selected for Hawaii.  Then we lost Hawaii and got selected for WA.  Then we might loose WA and go to D.C.  Now have NO idea when we're supposed to leave or where.  No orders yet and we're supposed to go somewhere by June.  I have a feeling that a month before we have to be there it's all going to drop in our lap. 

The stressful part of this is that it's not just us anymore.  There's the matter of finding a day care, a pediatrician, dog friendly house, potential jobs for me and so on and so on.  I feel the urge to research all this so we're prepared when we get there.  It feel so frustrating.  There's a lot of work that goes into relocating a family of three to a different state and it feels like time is running out and my hands are tied.  I don't know where we're going and when we have to be there.  Even if I did I can book anything until the papers come in.  Grrr!  I  heard that the orders are being given out later and later.  Are any other military moms going through this right now?

Boundaries

Hi mommies!  I am to say the least, "irked" from our recent visit from my mom.  In general she is extremely supportive, loving and helpful when it comes to her grand daughter, Izzy.  However, there are times when she is completely clueless when it comes to what Izzy needs most.  Today's visit is a perfect example.  Izzy is coming down with yet another cold.  It seems like once she gets over one she picks up another from an outing.   She is congested with a cough and sneezing. 

Last night as you can probably predict was not pleasant for either of us.  She could not breathe which woke her up and couldn't nurse for comfort because she wasn't able to breath.  It was a vicious circle.  What she desperately need today was sleep and lots of it. Once my mom found out that we were going to stay in she wanted to come by for a visit.  I left her a message before she got here that I was nursing her down for a nap.  She still came.  When she got here we were in Izzy's room WITH THE DOOR CLOSED and she was falling asleep.  My mom still comes in and starts talking to Izzy.  Really?!?!  I tell her I'm trying to put her to sleep and she stands there for another minute before leaving the room to make noise in the next room.  The baby's awake, hearing noises and starts crying.  Okay, playtime with grandma. When she finally falls asleep an hour later my mom AGAIN comes in the room to say she's leaving.  I don't need you to come in to tell me that especially when you know I'm trying to put the baby to sleep.  Thanks!  Izzy only had a thirty minute nap today.  Crank does not even begin to cover it. 

Sometimes, sometimes grandparents can be so selfish when they want to see their grand kids.   Just saying, maybe it should be more about the grand kids and not the grandparents.  Have you had to deal with something similar?  Join in on the conversation.

Photo Challenges

Project 64