Happy Birthday Reagan

Happy Birthday Daughter!

Your Daddy and I love you so much- we don't know what we would ever do without you in our lives. We love your laugh, your bright smile, your strong hugs, how sweet you are to your baby brother....we even love your temper tantrums. (We secretly laugh when you throw them- we have to turn around really quick so you don't see us doing it.) We can't believe two years have come and gone- the times flies too too quickly.

Reagan had a birthday party last week- this was the front of her invitation that I designed. The back was similar but instead of the photograph were the details about the party.

A Day of Firsts

Today has been a day of firsts at our home. Brace yourselves- it's about to get R rated.

Today my daughter used the toilet for the first time! We aren't really trying to do the whole potty training thing yet, but asked if she had to go- plopped her down and there it was! Wow! I don't really think this will all be the end of diapers by tomorrow- probably not for several months, but it was pretty cool to say the least.

The other first was that I was able to see my son roll over today! He did it in front of Grandma M fir the first two times a few weeks ago, but has never done it for me. No fair! The first time he did it was from front to back and the second time was from back to front. I was shooting a wedding the first time and the second was doing housework! Even stay-at-home/ work-at-home Mom's miss the good stuff! Again.... no fair!

Either way- it was a great day and I was thrilled to be able to be here all day to be a part of it!

This was Reagan yesterday- I spoiled her and gave her ice cream cone cupcakes. She only licks off the frosting and takes tiny nibbles off the tops- so I let her have them. I threw them away shortly after this picture. She was lovin' it, though- one for each hand!

Here's my boy after he rolled over! We don't let him sleep on his tummy, but it's for show with the whole roll-over thing. I think it is also very funny how he is sucking his thumb. This is EXACTLY how Reagan sucks her thumb. They ball up some blanket and then pull it to their faces. I tried it once- it's really soothing! Reagan thought it was pretty funny...I considered stealing her "AB" (which is what she calls her blanket.).

I stink...

I know I have been a bad bad blogger, and I vow to be better...here is a little start. I took this over the summer and thought I would throw it on up here... more to come!

**WOW what a TERRIBLE image! I'm not going to take it down, because I haven't put anything up in a long time, but I sized the image wrong and it looks horrible. Sorry!

Black Widow Tutorial

This is sick and gross and pretty ironic...

I just got back from a fabulous walk, coffee and park excursion with my gals Jessica, Staci and Krista. We had a great time as usual. On the way home we kept getting stuck in spider webs and decided they must be the baby spiders leaving their Momma's. These spider webs were coming out of no where and it reminded me of Charlotte's Web when the babies all fly away. So I think this must be what was happening. This event led us to converse about Black Widow spiders and what they look like.

Wouldn't you know it, I got to the front door of our house and looked down to see a huge ugly spider under the doorway and guess what it was... yes indeed, a Black Widow. I took these pictures then tried to "catch it" in typical Beth fashion, but it got away. (Shocker, I know.) Actually, I think as it was trying to get away I (hopefully) killed it, but I can't be sure of that since it went up into the crevasse of the house. (Yet another thing for me to freak about; thinking it's hiding there until I go to bed to bite me and kill me off.....)

This, dear friends, is a Black Widow spider, courtesy of my tiny little point and shoot camera. Sorry the pics aren't as good as if I had my Professional Camera, but they should be good enough.

This is the corner of our doorway leading to the house. Look on the bottom left of the picture and you will see the fat spider. I wanted to include this as a reference of where they like to hang.
Full body shot- note the red hour glass marking on the underside of the belly. The spider is upside down. I think it was waiting here just so I could get the picture. :)

A little bit closer- look at that hour glass marking. NASTY! Time to spray for spiders again! Thanks for the reminder you yucky nasty Black Widow.

Baby M

I am so excited about my new little baby niece or nephew that will be here in a few short weeks. It's unreal! You MUST go check out my photography blog and see the full spread...

This is my favorite.

And second favorite.

And third!

Fun Stuff, baby!

This is the kind of fun you get to have when you are a photographer's child. Or maybe just my child. Hee Hee! (This was two months ago.) Same shot, three ways.

Did you vote today?

Go out and vote, okay?!

It is our ability as citizens of this fine country to voice our opinion and vote for who we believe can best lead our country. Be proud. BE PROUD! As I stood in line today, I looked around at everyone surrounding me and I was, indeed, proud. I love our country and what women and men have fought for in the past, to bring us to today. Don't let their efforts be for nil.

Now after you go vote- check this out!

Update on Conversations with my daughter.

Conversations with Daddy: 0900 4Nov08

Daddy: Reagan your birthday is coming up, would you like a party?

Reagan: Yea! Naked!

(Picture: Sam and Reagan at Jim's wedding in WI a few weeks ago. I wasn't there. :( I wish I had more pictures of my little girl, but this is all I have. Enjoy!)

Conversation with my daughter.

Mommy: So Reagan, your birthday is coming up.

Reagan: Yea!

Mommy: We are going to have a party for you, would you like that?

Reagan: Yea!

Mommy: What would you like to do for your birthday party?

Reagan: Naked! Yea!