Photoshop play

I've been teaching myself Photoshop, along with some pointers from Pioneer Woman and just played around with this tree. I really liked this picture for some reason. Here's the original:

I did crop the snow-covered swing out of the right side and the picture became elongated and made the tree taller and more powerful. With some light/color adjustments:

Playing with layers and overlays of colors:

Black and white:

Sienna/antique tinted (I like this it looks like someone just found it in the attic!) That's all.

Only in NY

Thursday afternoon was actually quite nice. Kevin and Kian and I went out and got some fresh air, picked up some random branches from previous windstorms and soaked up some sun. And we only had sweatshirts on! We were dreading the 3 inches of snow they were promising for Friday. And this is what we woke up to Friday morning:

Only in NY at the very end of March do you get 3 inches of snow.

But, I have to admit, it was beautiful. It covered everything and the whole street was just this white blanket, and so silent. That's the snow I love, but it's more of a Christmas snow than a March snow!

I mean, look! There are buds on these trees and they're being blanketed in snow! Poor little buds.

And what about these baby cherry trees? Will their branches survive under the weight of the snow?

And...then there's this little guy, doing something he shouldn't be doing:

Is there a woman in there?

This has NOTHING to do with my political views. I actually feel sorry for Hillary Clinton. She must have a staff that lies to her and tells her she looks good, when she in fact, does not. No one's perfect, but this lady needs some help with her fashion. Let's take a peek:
Eeek! That color! That jacket, the cut, the collar. Eek!

You'll notice this long jacket trend. She's trying to cover/hide some hips and/or butt. But! It's clearly not working. In fact it makes her backside look even larger.

This is halfway decent. But does this woman EVER, EVER, EVER wear a dress or skirt?

Bumble bee? Is it Halloween Hillary?

UPS called, they want their uniforms back, along with the packages you're hiding underneath that jacket too: Note the extra-large looking backside.

Stacy?!

Clinton?!Where are you "What Not To Wear" ? Why have you not helped Hillary with her wardrobe yet?! (Bill and Hillary look like a tropical fruit salad in this photo.) And Nick Arrojo, we need your expertise with her hair too!

Help! Please, please, please, she's begging you to help her wardrobe! (Ellen's shirt isn't too great either!) Good Lord, what is with that shirt under that jacket? It screams 80's. And the belt? Oh my.

Hahaha, I find my sense of style utterly ridiculous too Dave!Another long jacket. Does she own anything else?

I sincerely believe she would get more votes if she dressed more feminine. She's trying to exude power, but it exudes "butch marm who wants to rap your knuckles" to me. If she softened up a bit, less harsh colors, more feminine suits with skirts or dresses, both men and women would be more likely to vote for her because they could connect with her more. Well, I could anyways if she wore more skirts and was more feminine. She's far too much like that boss you avoid, with their power suits, pens with their initials on them in gold, always 8.7 minutes early to every meeting, never spills coffee on their shirt...yeah, that one.

This shows how fotofix.com totally changed Hillary's appearance (for their own site) amazing, but a bit over the top. Let's keep it realistic. There was a hint of femininity with that lace and the pearl earrings, but that collar is just not right.

Then there's the speculation on plastic surgery: (which is fine, if you so choose, but if you did, 'fess up-everyone's doing it anyways)

And that hair again! Poor Hillary.

Happy Easter!

Work

As much as I had hoped to avoid this time, it's come. I will be starting back to work on April 7th, if not sooner. Ugh. The thought of working, getting up, getting ready, getting Kian ready, taking him to daycare, and not being with him all day, rushing to get him, feed him, having, maybe, half the amount of time with him, or less, I hate it. Then I feel guilty because I did miss work, some of the time. I missed the girls and the clients. Not necessarily the work.

I mentioned to the girls if they still needed another person to let me know. Well they jumped all over me, told my former boss and she called me, in a matter of 10 minutes. So I went in and we talked, like basically "what can we do to make this work, so you will come back" kind of thing. And since I technically only resigned in September, I don't have to do all that new employee "stuff". That's nice, real nice.

I let them know my biggest concern was the transition for me and for Kian. He's never been away from me for more than 2-3 hours, here at his home, with someone he's known well (ie Elissa and sometimes Paul). I let her know I wanted to start back with half days at least the first week to get him acclimated to daycare and me into the routine, *enter sob here* with the knowing that there needs to be some flexibility in my schedule if I need to come and go earlier/later, etc.

So, my guilt-laden self, along with Kevin, are venturing into the daycare realm. I've worked at daycares so I know the ins and outs and what to look for in good or bad settings. At this time I think I prefer a center because there are so many eyes, so many regulations, and other kids for him to interact with, at his age level. Although home daycares can be more individual, I guess I am paranoid about what could go on that no one would ever know. Even though I provided nannying at a home before. Makes sense right? ha. My first inclination is to go with the daycare I used to work at because I know some of the people, know the routines, am familiar with things there. But, we have another tour set up for tomorrow and we'll see how that goes. Ugh. I hate this.

This will be interesting. I hate doing it, but right now we need more income, if we can get rid of a school loan or two that would be ideal and I could probably stay home again and/or have another one. ha. So... we shall see how it goes. I have no qualms about making more changes if it doesn't work out. Somehow I think Kian will adjust better than I will, I hope.

9 month check

He's so smart. =)
9 month check: 18.5 lbs (we thought for sure about 20! but he's on the move all the time!)
28 inches long

The visit went like this:
Nurse-formula, breast milk?
Me-breast milk
N-rice cereal still?
Me-no, multigrains, oatmeals, a variety
N-transferring objects to each hand?
Me-yes.
N-making sounds? (as Kian is saying baba, dada, mama, lala, etc.)
Me- um yea, lots

Doctor comes in. D-his weight has slowed. (show charts) We worry about that when they cross 2 lines (on growth chart) without going up. So we'll need to watch it.
Me-mm hmm.
D-how's his eating?
Me-great, loves food.
D-formula?
Me-breastmilk.
D-bottle?
Me-breastmilk, breastfeeding.
D-what's he eating?
Me-mostly table food, veggies, fruits, crackers, meats.
D-hmm okay.
*checks eyes, ears, nose, teeth, stomach, back & feet.
D-do you have any concerns? any concerns with anything physical?
Me-no.
D-well he looks really good.
Me-....waiting....ok?...

Oy vey. I could do this myself. Seriously. I go in there, they weigh him, look at his body, tell me to start giving him milk around a year, tell me to give him cheese and yogurt, yada yada. I mentioned to him that I am going slow with dairy products and Kevin and I both had sensitivities when we were younger and still do at times. He says, well most kids don't have any problems and parents just switch right away.

Oh and get this--he says to me "well formula or breastmilk is needed for the first year, after that cow's milk/whole milk is best, great protein, etc. for toddlers. well...some people continue breastfeeding after a year, so you could if you both wanted to."

Yes, because a cow's milk is so much better than human milk...for a HUMAN. Good thing I only go there once every few months or I'd have a lot to say. I just go in for my obligatory weight checks, nod and leave. I pretty much disregard 90% of what they say. All doctors I have ever met, like to say there's not really benefit of breastfeeding past a year. Of course there is.

Every time, even though I have made it clear that I am not vaccinating Kian, maybe at 2, maybe never, they continue to ask me if I want to. I'll let YOU know when or IF I want to. Maybe they should also check in with WHO about growth charts for breastfed babies that studies have proven breastfed babies have different curves then formula fed babies. If I was worried I would have called you right?

I know, I know, there's a lot of incompetent people/parents that they deal with on a daily and hourly basis. So they have to give their spiel over and over and treat everyone like dummies, they can't assume all parents are educated like myself. I'm just tired of being treated like a complete moron by pediatricians. My doctor doesn't treat me that way, my dentist doesn't treat me that way. Alright enough ranting. My baby's healthy, happy and smart. So we're good. =)

Attitude

My little dude's got a 'tude.

I call this his "Palm Sunday outfit". We had Easter/Palm Sunday/St. Patrick's day/whatever dinner with Kevin's family today. So we had to look spiffy.

I don't know why his collar decided to stick out. I take 80 shots to get 1 or 2 good ones. Babies just don't sit still! Kevin hates his hat, and it is too big, but it's cute! In an Elmer Fudd kind of way. Wait til I get his Easter/9 month pictures, best outfit ever. I think I may do them myself and have Wegs blow them up and print them out. We shall see. I'm so over Sears and their "sessions".

On the flip side

On the flip side of that post from yesterday is that my child is very independent (from mom) stubborn (from mom AND dad) impatient for his food (from dad!) eats a lot (from dad!!) and can be particular about how things go (from mom).

We've never fully done co-sleeping, but he's been in our bed here and there. He would come in especially in the morning for a 5am feeding and stay in with me until 7 or 8. Now he sleeps through the night from 8-730am and doesn't really want to cuddle much. Last night I felt like bringing him in our bed to snuggle. So when I went to bed I scooped him up out of his crib and snuggled him between us. Yeah. That didn't last long. He whines, groans, twists, turns, can't get comfy. Kicks at me, pushes at Kevin. Sheesh. After an hour of dozing off and us both waking up again I put him back in his crib, where he happily stayed in one spot all night until early this morning. Fine!

This is Kian a few days ago. I put him down for a nap, but he sat up and was talking and sort of whining, then he got quiet. I went to check on him and I found he had fallen asleep sitting up, fell over and was sleeping all crunched up! Yes, I did fix him after I snapped the picture.

Just gotta brag a little bit...

Bear with me. I'm having a mommy moment. I just have to brag about my little guy. He's doing so much lately it's crazy, keeps us on our toes and is so stinkin sweet I can't stand it. Where to start?

Kian now crawls up and over things, which means onto the woodstove and hearth, and attempting the stairs. (Weekend run to Babies R Us for gates!)

After saying Dada for almost 3 months he's finally saying Mama and says it all the time.

He is imitating and trying to repeat what we say. Yesterday I was sweeping the kitchen floor and he was crawling towards my pile of dirt. I said "yucky, no, yucky" he stopped, sat up, and goes "uck". Now that's his new word of the week.

He's been trying to make cat sounds for the last week or two. Every time he hears one of the cats meow he makes a high-pitched voice and tries to imitate it, unfortunately it comes out more like a high-pitched duck. Hmm..

He's pulling up on everything, attempts a few steps, but really just loves standing, and even dancing a bit. Shakes his body around and bops his head. (I'll have to add video soon!)

Gives kisses (albeit open-mouthed, with teeth-all 6-and slobbery)

Waves, especially when we tell him to say bye-bye (which he tries to say by going 'baba')

He turns pages in a book, all by himself! He's helped me turn pages for awhile now, he loves to do it. But the other day I came out of the bathroom and he was sitting next to his book turning the pages by himself.

He's drank from a sippy cup for months now. He feeds himself (we're done with baby food, been doing table food for awhile).

Ok here's where I say I am not thrilled he's not getting the pincer grasp yet. He has figured out it's easier to pull the food to the edge of the tray and scoop it up and into his mouth. stinker! And being the former (and maybe near-future) Early Intervention service coordinator, I have been monitoring his development like a crazy lady. Ahem. No comments.

And so many other skills he's got, I can't remember. I love it, but hate that he's getting so big so fast! They don't come with pause buttons?

They've done it again!

Wegmans, they've done it again. Every week they do something *spectacular* that impresses me even more. Like the one week they had a demo station in EVERY department. Yep, every single department had some sort of food or product demo. I could have easily had lunch there that day.

Or, we could discuss how they have Mother's Day/Father's day create-a-cakes for kids to give to their parents. That's cute, but not that impressive.

Or, how Nature's Marketplace is totally rad. Yes, I just said 'totally rad'. I might be slightly biased because I spent about 3 years working in that department; and I am into that natural, herb-y stuff.

However, when I journeyed to Lori's Natural Foods way out in Henrietta (ok a 20 min drive, but with a baby and gas costs...ya know) I was happy with the very large assortment of foods and brands and bulk foods and herbs, etc. But, the prices, not so good. I can get the same box of crackers for over a dollar less at Wegs. Yes, I know that Wegmans is a much bigger, multi-million dollar corporation and can afford that. But, thinking of my cost of gas, lugging a baby along, driving out there, I might as well go to Wegmans for the things I buy. (however, if I had a child allergic to wheat, or some other very special diet, Lori's would be the place I go, as they had so much choice)

Hey, I'm talking about Wegmans here!

Or, how there is a store like 15 minutes in every direction from my house. How cool is that?!

Or, we could talk about how my dad has been a manager there for over 20 years. And that every single person in my family has worked for Wegmans at some point in their life. But, that's not what impresses me the most; even though they are great employers, great benefits, great, great, great. (I especially loved "show for dough"!)

Or, how their produce is far superior to any other stores' produce I've ever been in. Hands down, no contest. And I'm not sorry Tops, P&C, Aldis, Walmart, whoever. They got you beat all the way.

Or how they use very local produce (the farm down my street!) and support their local towns and farms.

Or, how they are buying into the organics! I was pleased when they switched their carrots over to Organic-at the same price! Now they're lettuce is also organic, and their rice/soy milk is too! Go Wegmans!

Or, how they have a great website. But, the thing that has totally impressed me as of late: I can a. make my list on their website, b. view just about every product they sell in the store, AND i can: c. view that product AND it's label WITH ingredients. Just take a minute here...

Do you know how much time that will save me? I can make a list, save it and tweak it from week to week, and I can view these products from the comfort of my own home. This means I know exactly what is in that product and decide if I want to buy it. Here. In my house. Instead of standing at the store, looking through 4 different boxes to see which has the "best" ingredients, or least chemicals and additives. Instead of trying to keep my child occupied and from getting bored and/or crying while I search! Hear that? .....It's angels singing "hallelujah"!!!

I could write them a letter: Dear Wegmans, oh how I love you. Sincerely, Me.

PS. I won't be buying those granola bars either. Quaker's are full of junk too. But that's a post for another day.

Wordless Wednesday with a twist

Even though I am not even close to having awesome pictures like the rest, I figured I'd join in again for Rachel's Fotofest. Enjoy! (some are old because, well in 2 feet of snow and 15 degree weather, I just couldn't get out to get pictures!) Then go to her page and check out everyone else's pictures!

Multi-topic Manic Monday

A little alliteration anyone?
It was so nasty on Friday and Saturday, zero visibility, so stinking cold and we ended up with over a foot of snow. I'd like to say a foot and a half. Jon will correct me with the exact measurements from the "Meteorological Weather Men Association". Right. (I know that most of you don't get my humor so I end up sounding stupid, at least Jon gets it-I think, usually.) Sunday we spent a nice hour shoveling. Our nice neighbor plowed us Friday night, Saturday at 4 am and then we had to shovel the rest. I'm so over winter.

Spring, please come soon. Thank you.

Ok, so it was August, not spring, but heck I just want warm weather to be out like that again!

*Kevin's Supplement & Vitamin business website is up and running. http://www.bodychangingsupplements.com/ It's still in the beginning phases, and he is adding more products daily. I have been helping him by showing him what will appeal to women (ie. weight-loss products, vitamins, herbs, etc.) So, it's an on-going thing. But he's made his prices cheaper than GNC or other stores. He's been doing a lot of orders for his clients from the gym, they're good, well-known products. Anyway, just thought I'd share about what he's/we've been doing lately. Feel free to take a gander. They ship to anywhere in the US at this time.

*Tomorrow I plan on posting about some parenting books I've come across, read about, researched and would like to save anyone else the time and trouble of even thinking about. They're....not good, shall we say.

Tantrums?

Is it possible? Could he? Already? I think my baby, who won't even be 9 months for two more weeks...is having temper tantrums! Oh gosh. I've seen it recently when I: take the bowl away after a meal (even if the food is gone), put him on the changing table and he doesn't want to be changed that second, and on a few other occasions.

He actually shrieks, arches his back, throws himself around, kicks his feet. It's a grand ol' time I tell ya. I really didn't think it was possible at this age. It has to be, because I make/made sure that nothing else was wrong, poking him, pinching him, causing him to scream and throw himself around. Nope, just the fact that HE wasn't ready. I mean I've noticed he needs transition times, he can't just be thrown in bed. He needs a story and a few minutes of cuddling in the rocker. But...oh my.

They're not horrible really, after a minute I can usually distract him. He was easily redirected in a matter of seconds before, but he's now intent on his purpose and course and angry if I take him out of that. What scares me the most? That he's not even 9 months yet, and I figured I'd have at least another 6 months before this started. That I may be having a battle of wills with this child for a long time. That this means he's going to be headstrong and stubborn? (Like BOTH of his parents) Oh. joy.

I guess I'm just surprised it's happening so early. He's a happy boy 98% of the time. But, apparently since he can't talk yet, not for lack of trying, he's going to make it well-known his feelings. Talk about learning patience! Try that on an 8 month old who you can't reason with, discipline, or understand why you're doing something and that he can be back to playing in a minute. Well, we're in it now.

Friday!

This picture is kind of crazy, as he wouldn't stop jumping in his Jumperoo long enough for me to take a normal shot. But, I really wanted to get his teeth. You can see 4 of the 6. There's 2 more that came in on either side of the top ones. Kevin's been calling him Jack-o-lantern. I say he's got the Madonna gap. Hopefully it grows together as he gets older.

We're being warned of another snow storm headed this way. Not cool. After being about 60-something Monday, we were really hoping it'd at least stay in the 40's! Here's some pictures of us taking a walk on Monday.
Visiting the horse farm up the road.

Jack Nicholson anyone?

Touching snow for the first time. Not sure about this cold, white stuff!

Roasted potatoes

I posted a recipe for Red Roasted potatoes Here. So delicious!

Beauty school dropout

So, I was giving Kian a bath the other night and noticing his hair is getting longer. I wanted to see if I could do anything funny with it, spike it, whatever, like you see in all the commercials and magazines. Well, baby shampoo isn't very 'lathery' or bubbly, and being so wet, it wouldn't do anything. All I managed was a tiny little unicorn-like horn. How....dumb. But, as I snapped a few pictures anyways I started humming "beauty school dropout" from Grease.

Your story sad to tell A teenage ne'er do well Most mixed up non-delinquent on the block!

Your future's so unclear now What's left of your career now? Can't even get a trade in on your smile!

Angels: (La lalala lalala lalala...)

Beauty school dropout No graduation day for you.

Beauty school dropout Missed your midterms and flunked shampoo!

Well at least you could have taken time, to wash and clean your clothes up

After spending all that dough to have the doctor fix your noseup!

Baby don't sweat it (Don't sweat it) You're not cut out to hold a job

Better forget it (Forget it) Who wants their hair done by a slob?

Now your bangs are curled, your lashes whirled, but still the world is cruel.

Wipe off that angel face and go back to high school!