Connor's Photo Shoot

I got the link to the rest of Connor's photos from his photoshoot yesterday. Good news they are awesome, bad news is the link is only good for 5 days. That means you have until 5pm October 19 to place an order.

Click here to view the photos. You will need my log in and password (or you could set up your own). Once logged in use the access code: connorgrape.

Enjoy!

Playing Catch Up

Yikes! Has it really been almost a month since I've updated my blog. Sorry mom - I'm pretty sure she's my lone reader - I'll try to do better.

Lots of exciting things have happened, especially in the photography category. Both boys got a professional photoshoot. However, not together, and not with the same photographer so I've got lots of links to share.

First up, Preston had a photoshoot with my friend Jennifer Mazy. Mazy is an amazing photographer. I especially love her work with newborns. She has a gift of bringing on baby fever - no matter how long it's been since you've had a baby.

Here's the link to Preston's proofs. You'll need to enter the site (on the bottom) and then on the left and you'll see "Info". Click that. Then you'll see "Client Proofs". Click that. And now sit back and look at that sweet, sweet baby. Wait, that baby's not mine... let's move on.

For username enter "models". And now enter "models" for password. Don't use the quotations. Click "Submit".



Now you'll have to scroll past several other kiddos before you get to Preston. Or you can just sit back and enjoy the slideshow. There's music too, so as long as you don't wake anybody up go ahead and turn up the sound. Preston's photos come around number 39 or so. Be sure and see them all, there's about 13 or so. The little girl immediately following Preston was at our photoshoot as well and they have been friends for quite a while and they are only a few days apart in age. They were very cute together, unfortunately we don't get to see them very often.



For immediate family, you might recognize photo number 135 as that is the one that earned Preston this:
For those that don't know, that's a local free magazine that is available at neighborhood grocery stores, restaurants, etc. Cool, huh?

Secondly, Connor had his professional photoshoot with a Jennifer as well. But with a different Jennifer, this time with Jennifer Lauren. She is another amazing photographer but has an altogether different look with her photography. She really has a way of capturing the eyes. We spent nearly two hours together and I learned so much from just watching her work. It was truly a joy to get to know her and I now consider her a good friend.

Ok, ready for trip to the internets folks? On your mark... get set... click!

Unfortunately Jennifer hasn't completed the photos from Connor's photoshoot, but you can click here for a sneak peek on Jennifer's blog. (I promise I'll share the link to the full reveal when I get it.)

Once you get to Jennifer's blog the first thing you might notice is Jennifer's reflection in the eye in her welcome post. That is Connor's eye! I told you she had a way with eyes. Connor is also up at the top in her rotating header, but you're going to want to see the rest.

So keep scrolling down and you'll see a handful of Connor. We thought we would go for a little bit different look this time and I think it suits him well. He was just all smiles throughout the whole process. Not even a diaper blow-out would spoil his mood. It was perfect. I can't wait for the rest of the photos.

Want to own some of these portraits of my beautiful children? Well, do you mom? Good news, both photographers are offering discounts of their prints for us to purchase. Now these are professionals so they won't be Walgreens pricing, but they also won't be Walgreens quality - much, much better! Let me know (mom) if you want any and we'll place an order.

So that ought to just about catch us up... at least for now.

What's Up Doc?

It's the day every child looks forward to. They wait with anticipation at seeing their favorite person. Is it Santa Clause? The Easter Bunny? Is it the Great Pumpkin? Nope. For Preston, it's Dr. G. No, not Dr. G. the medical examimer. Now that would be just weird.



It's Dr. G., the pediatrician. Really, that's what she goes by. It's so much easier than butchering her name when I call to make an appointment. However, it's very awkward when you're filling out medical paperwork and you suddenly have no clue what her real last name is.


The morning of Preston's appointment we were in the car discussing that afternoon's events which was going to his five year well with Dr. G. I explained to Preston that he was going for a check up. Of course the obvious five year old question was "What's a check up?"



My response was brief and vague: It's a time when you go the doctor and she checks to make sure your body is working well and she answers any questions you have about your body. Now be quiet while mommy navigates through heavy traffic.




Well I suppose I ignited a spark in him somewhere because once we got home he immediately had a list of questions he wanted to ask the doctor. And being the good mom/cook/cleaner/secretary that I am, promptly took dictation. Here's what he came up with all on his own:

He was so proud of his list of questions. He carried them with him to the appointment and told everyone from the receptionist to the nurse that he had his "list" for the doctor. He barely let the doctor get in the patient room before he shoved the list in her hand. Thank goodness, Dr. G. has been around kids a time or two and was more than gracious to take the time to answer his questions right away.

Number one was easy for her, "Today". Uh-oh, that pesky chicken pox vaccine. She quickly went to the next question as to not lose her captive audience, literally. The next three questions all tied in together so all she had to do was explain the digestive system in a way that a five-year-old can understand. As you can imagine this led to questions about elimination. *Sigh* Oh to be the mom of boys.

Fortunately, Preston got all of his questions answered to his satisfaction and a clean bill of health. He is ready to take on the year that is five. He looks good doesn't he?

Ok, well he might need a little plastic surgery for that floating head and wiggly nose, but all in all I'd say he's looking mighty fine.

Oh wait, this is better. Although I think the self-portrait with the mouth wide open is a more accurate representation.

First Day of School

Well it's not big school, it's pre-school but that's a big deal around here. Preston was super excited about going to school this year. He met the teacher last week and was disappointed that he couldn't stay and play. Of course the first thing he asked Miss Katie was if she had "blocks and marbles" (translation: a marble run). When she said that she did, Preston insisted that she get them out for him so he could play. It took quite a bit of convincing but we were finally able to leave. While most kids were crying because they thought they were staying - mine was crying because he had to go.

So on Tuesday, Preston gets to pick his special breakfast which is waffle with strawberries.






Meanwhile, I get his lunch all packed and ready to go. A peanut butter and strawberry jam Uncrustable (bought on sale nearly free, but probably never again as they are so expensive), grapes, Go-Gurt (yogurt in a tube which I froze first so it will thaw by lunchtime), a Capri Sun, and a special note from mom. Sorry for the lack of vegetable, it was the first day.

His lunchbox that he picked out among our collection. Yes, it's Sesame Street. Yes, it's old. Yes, it's ok that he took it.

All ready to go!

Being silly.

A rare photo with mommy. Yes, I do exist!

One with Daddy.

Walking into the school. Once we got inside he looked back and me and said, "Mom, I know my way there" and took off like a light. I was nearly running (with Connor strapped to me) to catch up with him. Like he thought I was going to just let him go in by himself. Don't grow up too fast buddy!

With his teacher, Miss Katie.

I had a very busy day running errands. The day just flew by. I really didn't have time to miss him.

When I picked him up they had just come in from recess and he was all hot and sweaty. I asked him if he had a good day and he said, "I had a GREAT day!" I guess that pretty much says it all.

I'm so proud of my big guy.

New Blog: Come Pray With Us!

My friend and I took on a new adventure last week and started a new blog dedicated just for moms. As fellow moms we understand that it's not always easy to find the time to pray. We're all busy and let's face it, life happens. And while nothing can replace your daily quiet time with the Lord, our goal is to provide a place where moms just like you gather together and pray.

In just a short amount of time you can encourage and be encouraged as we lift up our requests to the Lord. No matter where you are or what you are doing, it's ok to say, "Just a moment, mom's praying".

Come check us out and let us know what you think. If you'd like to join the many women who are praying daily, you can sign up as a follower.

We'd love to lift you up in prayer, so if you have a prayer request let us know at momsprayingblog@yahoo.com.

On the Hunt

My local moms groups hosted a photo scavenger hunt for the month of July. The goal was to find each of the items on the list and take a picture of it with your child(ren). We got kind of a late start as we were out of town for the first week, and we had to get creative with a few of them. But we had a lot of fun running around town trying to hunt down the items on our list.

Check out the slideshow below to see all the things we had to track down.

Our entry for "Old school" even won us a free photoshoot with one of the professional mom photographers in our group! How cool is that?!