where does the time go?

Hot damn this has been a busy month.  October is our last month in Seattle for..... a while.  We are packing up and heading South for about 7 months.  This will be the longest "trip" we have taken.  And although we are going to our home, Seattle still remains my anchor.  I don't know if it is this hard for others to move.  But for me, I feel like it is opening a new chapter when I am not ready or willing to close the current one.  Funny analogy with books, because similarly I will purposely hold off on finishing a book because I am not ready for it to end.

I realize its a bit dramatic.  Clearly my life and friends will not end once I move, but they wont be as assessable and that is a hard pill to swallow.  Like I won't be able to jump in my car and have lunch with my bestie, the one who knows something is wrong simply by a text.  Or I won't be able to snuggle her sweet newborn any time I want.  The friends are have here are lifers, you know.  Those are hard to come by.

But I try and remain positive and excited for what California brings.  New friends with great Mama's.  A great school for Max to attend with great teachers.  GREAT weather.  My garden. A bigger house.  And of course new adventures.  It's just weird......

Besides the preoccupation of the move, I have been busy snapping tons of photos.  I started FancyPants Photography on Facebook.  Not a full on business but a starting point to house some of my work.  It was pretty nerve racking.  Putting up your "art".  Having people critique it or remain silent.  But I said "F" it.  It is time! I have got some likes which makes my heart happy and I have gotten some business (not just from friends, yeah).  It feels pretty damn good!

Bring it next chapter!

                                       

    

Gemma

      

Audrey

Gemma's arrival

Look at what I got to do! Not only did my bestie have her baby, I was there to capture some of it on camera.  Newborn photography is great.  What a moment to capture.  I still look at mine and sigh.  I wish now I had some professional pictures taken.  

And can I say, watching your friend who you have loved for decades become a mother for the first time is super emotional.  You can only convey in words the wonders of motherhood and holding your child for the first time.  But words don't even skim the surface to what it is actually like.  I am so happy for her and her new family.  

laboring

daddy love

she is already so tough

a proper introduction to the tribe

Oh the things kids say....

Max has been full of it lately.  Full of one liners and piss and vinegar.  Oh three's how you love to torture thee.  But I will survive.  At least one of us will.

The other day Max was way to quiet in his room.  When I entered I got a whiff of something sugary sweet.  As I investigated, I relaxed he had got into my stash of jelly beans (approx 20) and a lollipop.  When I asked him what he did, he blushed as said-I ATE THEM ALL MAMA!  I responded with, while shaking my finger, "you know that is not OK".  The response, "Damn it". "You want a spankin"?

Now before we get all crazy about spankings.  This is a term I used most lovingly to all my friends and family.  You know, if my hubby doesn't take the trash out, I immediately follow up with, -Do you want a spankin.  It's sort of my thing.  That and-Who wants a knuckle sandwich.  Weird I know, don't judge.  SO needless to say, I sort of couldn't get mad about the candy eating incident.  I was too busy hiding my laughter.

However this did back fire a little on me today at school....shocking right.  I went to pick Max up from school, and of course he was not ready to leave.  When I told him again that it was time to go, he smirked at me and asked....."Do you want a spankin"?  As I could see the horror in the other adults, I just super awkwardly lowered my head, grabbed his hand, and walked him out of the classroom.  Mama of the year!!!!

Max also told me the other day that he was pissed out.  This I decoded as pissed off, as daddy so loving told him the night before.  We are a family with choice words I realize.  We are working on it people. :)

So, in hindsight, we are eating our words now that we have a parrot in the house.  My husband jokes that at least he is using them correctly.  As if there is a silver lining.

pumpkin patch

Pumpking patches are always a ton of fun.  I can't get enough of them.  I could go to one every weekend.  The petting zoo's and pumpkin pie! It is funny how before we had Max, a pumpkin patch was the last place on earth we would go.  And now, we look forward to it!

Snow cone all to myself....what!

hi there

this one is good mama

I LOVE CORN

6 days old

I'm starting to get my feet wet!  Here is a newborn session I did.  Man, how delicious! I could shoot them all day.  But you better bring your patience.  Shooting newborns is not a quick deal.  We are talking about almost three hours.  You gotta change them, feed them, prop them-and then do it all over again (about 4 times).  

Worth it? Definitely!

Bachorlette time!

A few weekends ago we set off for a weekend get away to celebrate my sweet friend Megan.  She is tying the knot in Mexico in February.  We loaded the cars and headed about 3 hours East.  A great time was had.  Have you ever played Cards Against Humanity?  What a good time.  However it states that its a game for horrible people.  I guess we fit the bill.  It was pretty inappropriate and right up my alley.  

We dank many cocktails, played games, ate tons of food, hit up the local dive bars and passed out.

The Bride......I believe she had a fantastic time as well.  However, she can't remember most of it.