He's now MORE on the move

Grady amazes me at how quickly he is hitting some milestones. I thought perhaps since he was getting faster and faster with his furniture cruising, I'd see how he did walking behind a toy. He amazed me and did it the first time. Out came the video camera to capture his 3rd trip behind it. I think he looks so little behind the toy. It's like he's that little kid that is old enough to drive, but can't quite see over the steering wheel. :)

Grady - 9 Months Old

Life is flying by! I can't believe my little man is already 9 months old! Is he not the cutest boy EVER?! :) He is more active than ever. He pulls up on everything and is starting to furniture cruise slowly. He is also doing the cutest thing of setting back on his heals to play - so cute! Also, just today I saw him go from crawling back to the sitting position. He still only has 2 teeth. We saw one top one just about to break through last week and now it's gone. Guess the tooth felt it just wasn't time. We take Grady to the Dr. next week for his 9month checkup and we'll share stats then.

Now, I wanted to share pictures I took of the kids together. They both just got baths--hence, Ryane's hair is still pretty wet, but she INSISTED on pictures together. I should have known! I still think I got some keepers.

Auctions are my friend!

I love going to auctions for deals. I don't like the whole waiting around all day while they sell what I want last, but you can find great deals if you are patient. We went to a neighbor's estate sale this past week and I wasn't let down. It was a short auction, so the kids weren't in too much pain! :) I ended up having to leave during it to do a scheduled photoshoot, but left Matthew in the know of what I wanted and was willing to give. I come back to see 2 things I wanted sitting beside him. Yeah! Now, I have to know how much he paid. The most important, most exciting thing was a flat of old vintage cameras. I've watched them sell before at auctions way out of my price range, so to know I got FIVE of them, I was stoked. Plus, they were so inclusive with the lenses and full leather snap on cases -- very hard to get finds. I'm sure you all know this though, right! ha!

Here is what I got:


The two on the far right are the EXACTA VXIIb and VXIIa - they are German cameras and only have German on them - pretty cool! The one is the middle is still an unknown to me as I couldn't find it on eBay. :) The second one from the left is actually a movie camera -- again, how cool is that?! It's a Bell & Howell 252. Then, I saved my favorite for last -- the one on the far left.


This one is a Kodak Junior Six 16 - it came with the original box and manuals and had other photo prices and coupons in the box as well. So fun to look through. I am amazed at just how much has stayed the same on cameras over the years. I guess if it ain't broke, don't fix it.

Now, I'm not totally sure what I'm going to do with these cameras now that I have them. I think I would eventually like to be able to display them somewhere in my studio. I love having them as I think they are a reflection of who I am in some way. Thanks for letting me share my finds. Oh -- did I mention we paid $2.50 for them all!!!?! Judging from eBay auctions, I'd estimate they are worth around $200.00. Auctions are my friend. Hey, I might even eBay one to buy more photo equipment.

Take MY picture

Last night I hear Ryane hollering at me from the stairs, "take my picture, take my picture mommy!" Talk about music to my ears!! :) Knowing she was just down in the studio playing, I figured she just saw I was still set up from a photoshoot from eariler in the day and wanted it to be her turn. I love how she wants pictures on her terms. But, wanting to sieze the opportunity, I went down and took her picture. One and done - my kind of photoshoot! ;) This shot just might have to be her 2.5year old picture as that is coming up on the 29th. I'm thinking it is close enough.


Then, I had to play with the picture a bit - I like the softness of this one, just need to figure out how to make it less ghostly looking w/ her skin.


While I'm sharing, here is another picture that Ryane wanted her turn. My sis and her family was here last weekend for Gavin's 6month pictures and while we were waiting on him to finish a bottle, Ryane jumped in with her cousins.




The boys got their time together as well

Happy St. Patrick's Day

Anyone need a mural?

Ryane has been practicing up and will be ready to paint a mural on your wall soon! :)

just random pictures

I think he is about as much of a morning person as his mom! :)


I finally got the activity table out for Grady to play. He loves pulling up on it and screaching. :) He still tends to lean on it as you can see in the pictures and it slowly scoots away from him.

Playing Princess :)

Every once in awhile Ryane likes to play dress up. Poor Grady is outnumbered during the day by us girls----guess that means he has to play along! :) I showed Matthew the picture last night and I don't think he was too impressed. hee hee



I was kinda hesitant to share the pictures as it was morning and I don't think my hair was even brushed and I had no makeup on. But, my kids don't care, so why should I.

Playing together

Seems like the kids continue to grow closer each day. The more active Grady gets, the more and more they are playing together by themselves. Grady has grown to love Ryane's room. I put him on the floor in the kitchen and his scoots and slithers down the hallway until he reaches Ryane's room...grunting all the way. I generally try to be in there to play with them, but I'm also at the point that I feel comfortable to leave the room for short periods of time.


Well, I "did" feel comfortable until I see him trying to climb the slide.

Total Cuteness!

2 pack of baseball caps.....$4.00
Wagon for a ride.....$50.00
Cuteness.......PRICELESS!