An Outtake

Yesterday, as I was trying to get my 365 shot, I captured this outtake instead. Obviously B needs to work on his 'hug' technique a little lotta bit. Poor Hattie!

Hickstionary 365

Way back in 2010 I took a picture every single stinkin' day. (You can check that out on my Hickstionary 365 blog here.) While it was awesome to look back on all the pictures, it was a lot more work than I thought it would be and I vowed to never do it again. In 2011, I worked and worked and worked and then had a baby. Until November of that year the only pictures I snapped were for {captured by} heidi photography. Between November of that year and the end of 2012, I TRIED to take pictures of B. I had GOOD INTENTIONS to take pictures of B. But I just wasn't very good about doing it.

So here I am in 2013 starting another 365 project. I am actually really excited about it and hoping that it will help me to document B's life a little better. When I look at how much he changed from January 1, 2012 to January 1, 2013 I can hardly believe it. I just know that this year is going to be more of the same so the 365 just makes sense!


I plan to take a photo every single day this year but if I miss a day I'm not going to beat myself up and I'm totally okay with taking a picture of something that represents that day (i.e. a picture of the computer if I spent all stinkin' day working at the computer and couldn't get away to take pictures). (Not that I could ever do that with a toddler running around so that might not be the best example but you get the idea.)


So without further adieux, I present to you the first week of my 2013 Hickstionary 365. (I haven't decided yet if I'll keep these over on the other blog or just keep them here. Thoughts on that?)

Jan 1st- Apparently nobody was cooking on the first of the year. We got several invites to go out to eat but the first invite came from Papa Tractor so we met him for dinner in Des Moines. B is a big fan of Papa Tractor! (And no, his name isn't actually tractor.)

2nd- B hangin' out in his recliner and daddy reading 'Tickle Monster' to him. My what hairy hands you have.

3rd- For 14 days straight B was a daddy's boy. And did not get stuck in a cage play pen while mama got ready in the morning. That all changed today when daddy had to go back to work. B brushed his teeth while mama brushed hers. And when daddy came home, B squealed in delight but then ran straight to mama's arms. :)

4th- I was laying on the floor to catch a shot of B doing one of his favorite things- building (he was using this set of stackadoos he got for Christmas). He's been very aware of the camera lately and as he saw me lay down with it he followed my lead and laid down to smile. What a cheese ball!

5th- A tough day for this mama heart. And this stomach too. More on this day soon (I think) but me laying on the couch trying to eat crackers sums it up kinda well.

6th- My little man is growing up too fast! He's in the toddler room now at church! It was SO cute to see him sitting with his snack with all the other kids at the big boy table. I wish I would have taken my camera out and got a picture but I feel weird about snapping pictures of kids I don't know. My goal is to get more brave and just snap away! (He technically should have been in the toddler room a month ago but we missed church almost the entire month of December between sickies and traveling.)

7th- Busy day with our attempt to attend toddler time then meeting daddy at the basketball game. We weren't home much today but while we were, B was super snuggly with his blankie. I've been trying to get him to attach to another one while I leave this yellow one for special (it was R's when he was a baby and his grandma made it) but B is determined to attach to this one. It's so delicate I hate to let him drag it around but it's so dang cute when he does.

The Story Time That Never Was

After seeing B sitting with all his friends at the big boy table at church (well even before that, but especially after that), I made the decision that I MUST get B out of the house more and around littles his own age. He LOVES being around kids his size and it's so fun to see him interact with them.

Also, he's become quite the homebody (like his mama) and it could be a long winter if we don't make it out of this house a little more!

So we were so excited to see that Toddler Time at the library was starting up today. And a 10 am start time? Perfect! (Most activities for kids his age fall right during his nap time- apparently his nap time is different from the rest of the world.)

We trekked up the road and arrived at the library (not our local one- one I hadn't been to for quite awhile) and we see a big fat closed sign on the door. I vaguely remember seeing something in the paper (or somewhere) about renovations and I remember yesterday after running an errand, R mentioned seeing a satellite library location next to the Hobby Lobby.  I do a quick Google search (what did we do before smartphones?) and see that the library has in fact moved. Luckily it's not too far away so we head over there and make it just in time for Toddler Time to start.

B was SO excited. He saw all the books in baskets right at his level and wanted to read every single one (well at least one page of each one before moving on to the next one). He was equally impressed with the toys (especially the really germy looking ones). He played and played and was having a ball. As more and more toddlers arrived, I was beginning to wonder when it might actually start. Apparently others were wondering too because after waiting twenty minutes, we found out that they weren't actually going to start this week but planned to next week instead. Wellalrightythen. 

So there was no official toddler time but B had a great time playing and exploring. Until a lady insisted he was a she and kept calling him 'Becca.' (Okay so that didn't actually bother B, he was still having a great time.) Enough that I was going to take my picture of the day (for my 365). I mean seriously, the shot was going to be adorable- he was running around, with his suspenders hanging, from toy to toy and looking oh so adorable. Until I pulled the camera out. Then he just sat down on the floor and cried. And screamed. And got dirty looks from the quiet library goers. 

So we packed up and headed home. And as he sat in that carseat he looked at me with tear stained cheeks and said 'sorry mama.' (With his eyes anyway.) It's okay B. We'll have another toddler time some day. And I promise we'll leave before we start interfering with nap time.

Playing in the Snow

Remember how much I love snow days and couldn't wait to build a snow man with B?

Well my husband does NOT love snow days. I'm going to guess because snow season and basketball season align and he would choose the gym over a sledding hill any day.

There are a lot of R's traits I'm hoping B will get but the love for snow days... I was hoping he would get that from me.

So far, it doesn't appear that he has.....

.....We finally got B out in the snow and he hated it. He kept saying, "Ick. NO! UCK! NOOOO!" You would have thought we were trying to get him to take his medicine or something.

So I tried an ease into it approach. I brought a little snow to him.


What I'm sure B is thinking... 

"Eh.... what is that mama? I'll check it out with my 'one finger' tester. Hmmm.. this is kinda cold. I'm not a fan. What are you thinkin' mama??"

He promptly shoved it off the table and I wasn't quick enough to get a shot of that. As we sat down to eat a little later, I tried the snow again.

"What? Now it's here with my food?!? OHHHH. I get it!! YUM YUM!"


That's my boy! Anything edible=awesome. :)

And hopefully one day he'll love playing in the snow and not just eating it. :)

B's First Art Project

Well not technically his first. He's made some things with me but I've always added to them or jazzed them up. This was his first ever, creative, open ended art project, done all by himself! And even though I was expecting a pintrosity, other than the whole eating paint thing it went great!

Oh don't worry. Paint wasn't the worst thing he ate today. In fact it was #3 on the list of worst things he ate for the day. (Toilet cleaner wand and dog food topped the list. I guess I was just THAT awesome of a mom today.)

(Note to self: Buy children's/non-toxic paint...... and put the toilet cleaner wand away.)





B's Valentine Hearts..... inspired by Pinterest:

DIY Squeezable Baby Food

I swore I would never buy those expensive baby food pouches. But one day we were at the store and the kid (who had no idea what they were) pointed to them and signed 'more please.' And I'm a sucker for his baby signs so I got them. And I tasted them (what, you don't taste the stuff you feed your baby?). And they were actually pretty yummy. And then one day we were running late. And B needed a snack. And these were sitting right there all convenient like to grab. And they made my life a little easier that day. And.. well.. you get the idea.

So B, who has been perfectly capable of eating all sorts of good solid food for quite some time now, started eating the squeezable pouched baby foods. And life was a little easier when I could just grab one of those instead of cook up some peas for a snack.


But they are expensive.

And our small town store doesn't carry them. So we rarely have them on hand. And when we do, I really try to save them for 'special' times (like when mama is running late and shoulda been out the door 10 minutes ago but the babe needs a snack).

But the kid still loves 'em anyway.

And tonight as I was cleaning out the fridge and went to throw one away he freaked.
Of course it was the last one. And we don't own any of those cute reusable ones.
So I dumped some applesauce into a straw sippy cup and called it good.
And wondered why I hadn't thought of that before? And why I've never seen it on the interwebs.

Until now.

Mama didn't raise a rocket scientist but I do present to the world, the DIY squeezable baby food pouch. AKA a sippy cup with a straw.

P.S. I sincerely hope you don't feel dumber for reading this post. ;)

Update: Today we stuck a straw in the yogurt and B loved it. We are getting all kinds of crazy ideas around here. :)

I know this post is old news but several people are still stumbling upon my blog by searching for DIY squeezable baby pouch so I thought I'd add our latest DIY pouch- just use the hole puncher to make some holes in the top of the plastic yogurt lid and stick the straw in. This has been the easiest one yet and B loves that he gets to do it all by himself. (The yogurt eating, not the hole punching!) :)

Forever Reign | Hillsong

'You are good, You are good
when there's nothing good in me
You are love, You are love
On display for all to see

You are light, You are light
When the darkness closes in
You are hope, You are hope
You have covered all my sin

You are peace, You are peace
When my fear is crippling
You are true, You are true
Even in my wandering

You are joy, You are joy
You're the reason that I sing
You are life, You are life
In You death has lost it's sting

Oh, I'm running to Your arms
I'm running to Your arms
The riches of Your love
Will always be enough

Nothing compares to Your embrace.
Light of the world
forever reign.'

You are more, You are more
than my words will ever say....'

The Picture That Never Was

I know I promised the last post would be the last New Years one.

I was wrong.


Sorry you guys but I had to share this shot... or series of shots rather.


You see I had all these visions of my New Year's baby posing perfectly for a party picture and I couldn't wait for New Year's so I could take the shot.

Then (several months later) when it was actually New Year's, I had a sick baby (you can still see his crazy rash in these pictures). And then when I finally got to the store to buy the props, all the New Year's stuff was gone (well not all of it.. but what I was looking for). Then the little guy never really did get to feeling better so we attempted the mini-shoot when he was still crabby. And well... then he wasn't wanting anything to do for it.

So there you have it. The shot that never was.

But I present to instead.... every shot I that I did get.


Oh, B....










:)



(I had planned on photoshopping 'Happy New Year' onto his banner. Because he was going to be sitting perfectly still you know. And yes, it switches sides after the first shot. Apparently while I was adjusting my lights he ripped it off (for the first time) and R stuck it back on him. I didn't even notice until I pulled these up tonight. In case you haven't noticed.... photographer's kids are the hardest clients.) ;)

Best of '12

1. Most thankful for in 2012:

-My healthy boy! We had been so, so blessed with a little guy who had rarely got as much as a sniffle. This last month as he was hit with more, it made me realize just how blessed we are to have a healthy little boy who is so full of life!


2. Favorite Moments in 2012:

-Lazy mornings snuggling
-New cousins and fun with old cousins
-Ledges
-R's Baptism
-Beckett's Dedication
-Weekend at the lake with great friends
-B's 1st Birthday Mustache Bash
-B's first steps!
-Favorite Things Party (anyone want to have another one soon?!)
-Zoo trips with B!
-B first saying 'Mama' and 'Ove Ou' (love you)
-Family time at the Orchard!
-Omaha with the fam
-Mommy dates with A & K (before they had to move)
-Everything about watching B grow and discover new things
-Meeting mommy goals (like breastfeeding and crib sleeping)
-Lots of wagon rides
-B made his KCCI debut (and last I checked, he was still making front page news) :)



3. Favorite Things in 2012:

-Slobbery baby kisses
-Urban Decay Naked Palette
-Minnetonka moccasins
-Palette accessories (I now have 3 different palette necklaces to rock- I'm spoiled!)
-Pre-maternity clothes
-Center Grove Orchard Donuts! (and fudge.)
-New iPad from grandma
-Dry shampoo
-ELF bronzer
-Womanly Art of Breastfeeding (I feel like I read from this book everyday for at least the first half of the year)
-Bloglovin'



4. Other notables from the year:

-Choosing a new church
-Joining a new small group
-R joined his first men's study
-Making our first Thanksgiving turkey (& celebrating Thanksgiving with good friends)
-Running together
-Too many friends moved away
-My first full calendar year of full-time {cb}h (and a lot of take your baby to work days)
-The great hard drive crash of 2012
-My mom retired from her postmaster job. I started mailing my own packages.
-B won a costume contest for his UP costume on his very first Halloween
-B spent way too much time at the end of the year with Drs.


 5. Hoping for in 2013:

-More time with family.
-More time with friends.
-To be a brighter light.
-To be more intentional with my time and to invest more in people that matter (which sums up our 2013 goals pretty well I think- you can check those out here).

What about you? How would you summarize 2012? What are you hoping for in 2013?

P.S.- I promise this is the last of my New Year's posts. ;)

2013

Hello, 2013! It's crazy great to see you! When people talk about 1998, it still seems like yesterday so I have no idea how it is 2013 already but ready or not, I guess it's here!

Do you set New Year's Resolutions? I don't typically but I do always have goals in mind. My high school FCS teacher used to tell us that if we didn't have goals we would stop being productive. She'd ask what we were living for if we didn't have goals to meet. When I'm feeling in a slump or like I haven't accomplished anything lately, I do a self check on what my goals are and what I'm doing to work towards them.

So while we don't necessarily set 'new years resolutions' we do take advantage of the fresh start of the new year to have a family meeting and talk about our goals. We typically make lists for what we want to accomplish for the marriage, as a family, for the home, and for the business. I like to check in on our lists throughout the year to see how we are doing. It's a great way to help us stay intentional about meeting goals together.

This year, I've started thinking about my personal goals for 2013. I feel like I have more than ever before and I realized that's likely because my life feels just a little crazy right now!

My personal goals for 2013:

1. Capture (and record!) B's memories. Obviously this is an important thing for me but I've not been investing as much time into this as I'd like. I plan to do a better job by doing Project 365 again, blogging our life (at least one B post a month), & keeping up to date on the family yearbook (by not getting more than one month behind at a time). In his first year of life I did a decent job at getting photos printed and keeping his scrapbook but I'd like to do a better job of it this year.

2. Spend time in prayer with B each day (other than before meals). When I'm on bedtime duty, this is easy to do as part of our bedtime routine but when it's not basketball season, R does the bedtime routine  a lot of nights (and I'm normally working). I want to be more intentional about spending time in prayer with him more often throughout the day.

3. Schedule 'me time' at least once a week. B was exclusively breastfed (yay!) which made it difficult for me to get much me time when he was tiny. At least that's what my story was. I know even breastfeeding moms make time for themselves and it's so healthy (and necessary) to do but between taking care of B, the home and the business, I felt like there wasn't much time left for me. I plan to take more 'me time' this year by spending more time with friends, reading a book each month, going to the store by myself!, getting haircuts (seriously, I only had ONE in 2012!), blogging and crafting.

4. Exercise at least 2-3 times each week. I know that doesn't seem lofty but for me it is! I go in phases with the exercise and right now I haven't exercised since the Color Run (yikes). When I'm on, I can exercise 5 times a week. And when I'm not... well see my previous comment about the last time I exercised. When B was born, I was intentional about healthy eating habits and exercising so that I could be a good role model for him (in case his crazy dad's exercising habits aren't enough to convince him). At around 6 months, I was losing weight too fast and was going to need to either do something different to maintain my weight or quit breastfeeding. Instead of adding more healthy calories to the diet, I just quit running. What a mistake! I feel like it's something I have to start over with at the very beginning so I'll be working back to where I was (and then STAY there this time).

5. Set work hours for {cb}h (and NOT work outside of those hours (as much as possible). This one will be tough for me! I spend way too much time on email and Facebook during my editing hours. I think setting specific hours for editing and specific hours for communications (email, Facebook, blogging), will help me use my time better. I also need to be more strict on charging extra fees for extra hours. I typically will allow repeat clients to schedule things outside of my scheduled hours and do not charge the extra fees. I am missing out on too much family time to be doing this any more. It's so hard to find a good balance when working from home but I think it's getting easier all the time.

6. Do a women's Bible study. I had been doing both the spring and fall sessions of women's groups but since B was born I hadn't participated in one. R & I do a study with our small group (and it's great!) but I do still miss the women's study and I need to get back to it. My previous studies had been in the evenings and I hated to give up that time with R and as a family so I want to get signed up for a morning one (that also includes daycare).

My other 2013 goals are family, home and work goals that I work on with R. We had our family meeting and spent a good few hours working on them. To summarize- we plan to be more intentional with our time and to invest more in people that matter. Oh and to work on a bathroom. :)

Do you set goals? Do you check in on them often? What do you hope to accomplish in 2013?