Kelsey, your daddy loves you

Daddy just got back less than 15 minutes ago from his 2-day business trip to London. After getting into his pajamas, he turned out the light in our room (while I was reading a book) and returned with you in his arms. Now you two are cuddling in our bed. He misses you so much when he is gone, even if it is for a short time. I just want you to know how much your daddy loves and adores you. It's good to have him home...now it's my turn to snuggle. We'll put you back in your bed soon, and you wont remember. That's why I wrote you this little note for the future. 

Project 4/52

Teaching Kelsey to go down the stairs on her butt. With the new baby coming, I want Kelsey to learn to become more independent on the stairs going up to our apartment.

We took a walk to the lake the other day as a family. Kelsey likes to ride her "bike."

Kelsey loves hearing the trains outside, the birds, the ducks...and now she picks up pinecones and rocks and brings them home. 
I love our walks together and being near the lake. We never get pictures of the two of us doing this so it was nice to have Tal along to capture our routine. 

A Valentine's Remembered

Here are my favorites from my photo project I've been working on. Since she's dressed up in angel wings, I found it very fitting for the season. This shoot was not planned, in fact, the shirt she's wearing has pieces of food on it! Gross! We were just playing in her room one day and she wanted me to put the wings on her that my mom got her for Christmas. Once they were on, I grabbed my camera and I got a few priceless shots. I'm glad it was sunny enough - we've had so many sun-less days this winter.





Kelsey and I didn't have a V-day party or anything, but Tal and I got to go out on a hot date to the Zug Mongolian BBQ. It's been awhile since we've been out just the two of us since I was sick and all, and we enjoyed our dinner alone. We left Kels with a family in our ward that has a dog and she was in heaven. She didn't want to leave! I have a few pics to show from this, but it's late and Tal's already in bed.

P.S. To anyone who loves Skye Johansen or has heard of Project 52, I read her blog the other day and started it! I've been taking pictures of me and Kels - one every week - since the start of this month. It's a great idea for moms, spouses, EVERYONE! I think everyone should have at least a picture a week, or 52 pictures of themselves (with others or not) in a year. Why not? Memories people, memories. Now I just need to post what I've done.

Okay, I lied. I'm not in bed, I stayed up doing a few edits, and then a few more, and now I'm posting the relevant, edited photos. Like I said, Tal's in bed SLEEPING. Kels is SLEEPING. Why do I need to be sleeping too?

Here's the cooks at the HAN Mongolian BBQ. LAME that we did not get a picture of the two of us.


Tal did get this one of us before we left. Kelsey had a purse too (with hearts on it).

These are both with the P&S. You wont see too many of those for the end of Feb/early March. My P&S is making a trip to Vegas!

I was trying to get a picture of her on V-day in her "Lovebirds" shirt...can't really see the shirt but here's a few good ones (they looked a lot better before I exported out of Aperture, need to figure out why). I can't even remember what she was eating but those faces are priceless.

Look how crazy her hair was! It was after a nap.

Mom, seriously. PUT THE CAMERA DOWN!

Project 3/52

February 19, 2009

We set up the camera and shot away as we enjoyed a meal on the floor together. It was fun to see Kelsey's reaction to the time-release shutter. Let's just say we took a LOT to get these!



I love this last one because she's hugging me. If I were just going to choose one this week, I'd choose this one. 

And the gender is...

Undeterminable. 

At least at this point. I knew this was the highly likely scenario for today considering the Swiss philosophy on finding out gender. They don't like to find out for the most part. So when my doctor was finished with the ultrasound, I asked if we could please look for the gender. He almost laughed, said it was way too early to tell, but gave it a go. The baby WAS in a bad position as these things go, but from what I could tell, the LACK of a male part makes me think its a girl. He said he can't be sure though. He asked me "what does it matter?" I told him I had a lot of preparing and planning to do. He said, "well did your mother know what she was having when she was pregnant with you?" Just to be smart, I told him I'm not sure, she's pretty young. But what I SHOULD have said is, "THAT'S WHY WE LOVE MODERN TECHNOLOGY, hello!?" I think I could have asked for an abortion and been less grilled than I was asking about the gender. 

Here are a few pics from today's session, though none very good. 

Here's the body

Here's the head, with the weight and measurements on the side.


Tal and Kelsey came with me to this appointment, it was was fun to tell Kelsey, "we're going to go see pictures of mommy's baby." When we asked her if she wanted to go, she said, "YES." She didn't take too much interest in the ultrasound pictures, but that's understandable. She's still so young. It was a great relief to be able to see the baby's heartbeat, and hear that all the organs and functions seem to be normal at this point. It just makes the urge to prepare so much stronger! But what can I do at this point?

Project 2/52

February 9, 2009

No make-up, thus the black and white. I love how smooth and pure her little face is next to mine and how those little teeth are poking through! She's starting to get the ones next to the bottom two.

January in Review

I know we're almost halfway through February but I thought it would be nice to post about some things that we did in January. I can feel baby #2 kick and it is quite strong already! We go in on Friday for my 18 week (almost 19 which is almost halfway) appointment and I am SO hoping we can see the gender. I am definitely feeling the need to plan and prepare even though I don't know where we'll be for sure in the next 6-18 months. How am I supposed to decorate and buy clothing when I don't know if we'll be able to take it with us or not? Take the poll on the right of the blog to let us know your vote of what the baby will be.

January was mostly cloudy, foggy, DREARY. So, we had to get out of the house! Most of these were taken with the point and shoot, forgive me. I wasn't in the mood to deal with NO LIGHT, flashes, and heavy equipment.

One day, we went to an indoor play gym with our friends Niina and Wilma and Kelsey threw a fit when it was time to go.

She was scared of the slide at first, but after a few adrenaline rushes, it was all she wanted to do.

She loved playing with all the balls too.

This is her faking that she's upset - her bratty face

We went up to Zurich one Saturday to run errands and walk around. It was actually the only town around with sunlight so it was a good day to go. We went to the ONLY McDonalds we know of in Switzerland that sells an egg mcmuffin and I ate two (and I'm not looking back). Mmmm...it's been a craving this pregnancy. I love the little "Niederdorf" area of Zurich and think it will be great to take some photoshoots there as soon as it warms up enough!
Kelsey and her friend Emily making a mess while I was paying for the toys I bought her. They really are partners in crime!

She loves wearing daddy's hats

She also likes to put other items of clothing around her head (like daddy's shirt or her towel) making herself look like Mary (as in Mary and Joseph). She's getting her 1st molars in even though she's missing a lot in between.
Faschnachts is just around the corner (Swiss carnival)!
She wanted me to take a picture of her one night before bed. She's saying "CHEESE"
"Are the cookies ready yet?"
"Okay, I'll sit here and read while I wait"
Walking down the stairs, modeling her cute winter sweater and boots
I didn't buy them together (both were gifts and the sweater says 9 months - no way!) but I thought they were perfect! There's a matching beanie too.

Moments Captured

I have some videos from stored up from the past month or two, maybe three that I thought some of you might like to see - especially grandparents, relatives, etc. Enjoy!

Kelsey is afraid of stickers


Hi Me in the Mirror!


Falling asleep while eating


She has daddy's t-shirt around her neck, she's dancing and saying cheese because I have the camera out. Then she gives a big, open-mouth kiss to the camera, fogs up the lens, and then does her "SURPRISE" or "OH NO" face.


Kelsey talk


Kelsey laughing with her friend, Emily


Learning to jump with Tate & Maddie

Jucker Farm

Last weekend, we met up with the Mascaros, Jacksons, and Cooks at Jucker Farm. It was FREEZING so we weren't outside for long, but the kids loved playing on the hay and mini tractors and of course Kelsey loved seeing the animals. We had lunch as well and quickly drove the other Swiss patrons away (so many kids).

Kelsey, Rachie, & Ellie - soaking up the sun on the bales of hay

Look dad!

A real farm girl

Hi Sheep, I see you

Ellie helping Kelsey down the hill to the car

This was the first time we have done anything with them since before Christmas so it was really great to see everyone.

We also had a girls night out last weekend, where we stayed at Erin's until 12pm which means me and some of the other girls didn't get home and to bed until close to 2am! We had a lot of fun and just couldn't stop talking. We also traded our favorite gifts and it was fun to see what everyone came up with this year. I got some great stuff! Thanks ladies!

Project 1/52

February 4, 2009
So I'm starting this Project 52 where you take at least one picture a week with one of your kids. For the first week, I wasn't prepared and these are the only photos I have - Kelsey and I taking pictures of eachother!

This is Kelsey's FIRST picture. While it's not flattering, it's sentimental. This is the view she sees of me all day long, poor thing!

Cuddles

Sometimes I do dishes

Sometimes I take pictures

Sometimes I pick up toys

Sometimes I go shopping

Sometimes I read

Sometimes I shower

And sometimes I don't do any of that

because sometimes I'm taking a nap

Cuddled up with my baby girl

And I savor the little person

Sleeping so soundly

So trusting, so full of life and love

I know one day, I'll look back and wish I could do it all again

Just for these cuddles

To Do's in Life

I saw this on my friend's blog and thought it would be fun. I'd love to learn about you so leave me a comment if you do this on your blog/Facebook.

Rules are: Anything you have done has to be in bold.
Also, I put a * by the ones that I plan to do.

1. Started your own blog
2. Slept under the stars
3. Played in a band
4. Visited Hawaii*
5. Watched a meteor shower
6. Given more than you can afford to charity
7. Been to Disneyland
8. Climbed a mountain
9. Held a Praying Mantis
10. Sang a solo - a duet once with my dad, we both bawled the entire time, it was terrible!
11. Bungee jumped (maybe one day)
12. Visited Paris
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch
15. Adopted a child
16. Had food poisoning
17. Been to the Statue of Liberty
18. Grown your own vegetables* (does Basil count?)
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France
20. Slept on an train
21. Had a pillow fight
22. Hitch hiked
23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill
24. Built a snow fort
25. Held a lamb*
26. Gone skinny dipping
27. Run a Marathon (just a half, maybe one day)
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice (I plan to do this with Tal this spring)
29. Seen a total eclipse
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset
31. Hit a Home run (I played softball, but I wasn't very good so I don't think so)
32. Been on a cruise
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person*
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors*
35. Seen an Amish community*
36. Taught yourself a new language (any language you learn it takes a lot of self-teaching)
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person
39. Gone rock climbing (thanks, Juju)
40. Seen Michelangelo’s David
41. Sung karaoke (Britney Spears on a cruise)
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant
44. Visited Africa*
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight
46. Been transported in an ambulance
47. Had your portrait painted (cool idea)
48. Gone deep sea fishing
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person* (in MARCH!!)
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling* I plan to get scuba certified like the Connellys ;)
52. Kissed in the rain
53. Played in the mud
54. Gone to a drive-in theater
55. Been in a movie
56. Visited the Great Wall of China*
57. Started a business* (working on it)
58. Taken a martial arts class (one of my favorite ways to work-out)
59. Visited Russia*
60. Served at a soup kitchen
61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies
62. Gone whale watching (in Cali, would love to do this in Norway)
63. Got flowers for no reason (only 3.99 at Aldi's)
64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma (passed out all 3 times, b/c of BP)
65. Gone sky diving
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp (Breendonck & Dachau)
67. Bounced a check (maybe in college)
68. Flown in a helicopter*
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial.*
71. Eaten Caviar
72. Tied a quilt
73. Stood in Times Square
74. Toured the Everglades
75. Been fired from a job (just got laid off)
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London
77. Broken a bone
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle (no dad, never)
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person* (pathetic, right?)
80. Published a book* (would love to write a children's book)
81. Visited the Vatican* (MARCH!!)
82. Bought a brand new car
83. Walked in Jerusalem.*
84. Had your picture in the newspaper
85. Read the entire Bible
86. Visited the White House*
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating (no thanks)
88. Had chickenpox
89. Saved someone’s life
90. Sat on a jury
91. Met someone famous
92. Joined a book club
93. Lost a loved one
94. Had a baby
95. Seen the Alamo in person*
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake (even though I could, I don't want to!)
97. Been involved in a law suit (do insurance accident suits count?)
98. Owned a cell phone
99. Been stung by a bee
100. Visited Italy