Adventures of a New Mom

Ancient

2011-02-25T09:51:00.000-08:00

Hey, how are you? I know, I know...it's been a long time. Let's just get that out of the way shall we.

Wow have things been happening on the Moore front. I have found that with Facebook the need to update this blog isn't that necessary anymore, however I can't bring myself to delete it. So instead I am going to try and update as much as I can, even if it ends up just being redundant. But I guess there are some things in life that you can't fit into a status update box, so this will be the place for that.

Jude is amazing. I really couldn't have asked for a better kid. He is so sweet, smart and full of imagination. He is also already half my height, how did that happen. I guess I should also mention that I am 5'7", and Jude isn't 3 yet. He is a giant. We have been trying to learn numbers, colors and shapes to get ready for school. Until recently I wasn't going to put him into preschool since it is just so expensive and I was determined that I can teach Jude anything he needs to know to get to Kindergarten. But with not knowing what he needs to know and finding out about state funded preschools I am going to be enrolling him into Jespersens once he is 3. One thing that we are struggling with is drawing. I just can't get him into it. We will sit down to color and he just makes a few squiggle marks and then walks away....he's just not into it. But being able to draw lines is a requirement to pass Kindergarten, which I know is a ways away and he still has to actually go to preschool..I just want to him to do the best he can possibly do.

As for Jesse and I. We are great. Jesse is working at his third screenprinting shop and works 10-12 hours a day :/ I stay at home with Jude and work on photography stuff. We lead a pretty boring life, but we like it and we get a lot of family time. We have been going to church at Harvest in Avila Beach for almost 2 years now and it's great. I LOVE small churches and close nit fellowship. I have learned more in the past two years about the bible and God than I have my whole life. We have been through a lot of ups and downs and I wouldn't give up my struggles for anything. There is something so freeing about knowing your life is not in your control. Some of you might think that it is crazy for me to say that, but it's true. Us Moore's roll with the punches, and we always turn out ok.

{WEEKEND - PHOTOS} POST ONE

2010-05-06T16:43:00.000-07:00

This past weekend was a lot of fun, we were still busy but it was all personal, not business. Saturday Sally Loo's hosted the Carrot Mob and asked if we would bring the photo booth to help with the fundraiser...we had a lot of fun. I got sunburned, but it was fun!

To see the photos taken in the booth that day please click here!

Jude and Sally look like they are doing something they shouldn't...

Carrot back drop for the photo booth...great idea by Jenn Manuele!!!

That night we celebrated the upcoming nuptials of Luke and Emily!!!! It was a Day of the Dead themed party, which some of you might think is a little strange, but it is really fitting for Emily. Luke and Emily are getting married in July and we will be there to take the photos!!!

Sunday was a little more leisurely. Jude helped Nana Cathe in the garden and then we headed into Morro Bay for some lunch at Hofbrau and then a stop at the aquarium.

2010-04-16T14:39:00.000-07:00

Hi Friends,

I know I have been missing for some time now, but don't worry I am not lost....just busy!

Wedding season has begun and I was a little shocked when I realized that I am swamped from here to October. I still can't believe that we have been this blessed! I am VERY thankful.

I just really wanted to pop on in and say a quick hello to let you all know that I am indeed alive and kicking. I have some fun photos I hope to share soon...

Until then,

Love you...

Shannon

Truckee and trip and then some....

2010-04-01T16:48:00.000-07:00

Jesse and I went on a trip to Truckee, Ca. last weekend to do some baby/family photos for Jerad and Saira West. We photographed Jerad and Saira's wedding back in 2008 and were so excited when we got the email that they were expecting their first born and they wanted us to photograph them again. This is what Jesse and I want from our business, getting to know people and being a part of their lives doing what we are passionate about...taking pictures!

I like to do newborn photos in the clients home. It is much more relaxed and easier on baby, mom and dad...Jesse and I were also excited to visit Truckee and see the snow. So, keep your eyes peeled for a blog coming soon at Moore Photography of baby Jack and his parents :)

Anybody that knows Jesse and I, knows that we LOOOOOVE Sally Loo's Wholesome Cafe in SLO, Ca! We are also lucky enough to call Jen and Brandon Manuele (the owners) friends. So no trip would be complete without starting there.

Jesse got the waffle and Ray of Freakin' Sunshine, which you really have to try!

I ordered my FAV item, a cranberry bagel toasted with cream cheese and an iced white mocha!!! YUM!!! I was so excited about it I almost ate it all without taking it's picture ;)

The Ray of Freakin' Sunshine!

The last bite of Jesse's waffle...a sad moment....

Jesse and I really like car trips. Before we had Jude if we had nothing going on we would just get in the car and drive. Sometimes we had a destination in mind and sometimes not... we just liked being together and having conversation, listening to music and eating somewhere we have never been.

This place was so cool and hard to capture how cool it really was out the car window with your camera phone ;) It is a boat graveyard...HUGE boats I might add, they look small here. There is something so eerie about them that it draws you in. I would love to do a photo shoot out there someday.

SNOW!!!!

This is a frozen lake.

The Truckee Hotel was so awesome. It is European style which means the rooms are small with a sink and you have to share a toilet and shower with the other guests. I was stoked that they leave the vacant rooms open and don't care if you just go in. This hotel is also VERY old and the floor at some points feels like it is going to fall through.

Jerad and Saira took us to their favorite breakfast place in town (although I don't remember seeing another one) ;) Small towns are funny, Jerad and Saira know just about everyone...Jerad is an Orthodontist and Saira an Oral Hygienist and they own their own offices in town.

Our stay in Truckee was much too short, we stayed only one night. So we didn't get much photos of the town and how adorable it is. But we do wish to go up there some other time and explore! If you are a parent you will understand our hurry home... we went almost 48 hours without seeing Jude and that's all we could think about at this point...but we did stop for some Jimboys! Our friends the Hughes' introduced us to Jimboys many years ago when they were living in Sacramento and Jesse and I LOOOVE it! Thank goodness for the GPS to guide is to the closest one!

To end this post here is a cool shot of some skydivers coming in for a landing.

{GIVEAWAY}

2010-03-31T11:46:00.000-07:00

Have you seen all the beautiful new products & contest for pro photographers on www.DesignAglow.com?

{YESTERDAY AFTERNOON}

2010-03-17T15:53:00.001-07:00

{VIDEO}

2010-03-11T21:54:00.000-08:00

{LOVE}

2010-03-10T23:35:00.000-08:00

Jesse took this. I love it.

2010-03-10T12:03:00.001-08:00

I want an iPhone.

{DAISY COTTONTAIL}

2010-03-07T00:25:00.000-08:00

Daisy Cottontail has been running full speed all day! I now have a Facebook, Blog and Twitter!!

{AWESOME GIVEAWAY}

2010-03-04T11:15:00.001-08:00

Epiphanie makes some awesome camera bags for women and now they are having an awesome GIVEAWAY!!!!!!!

You can win either a Canon 5D Mark II or $2500 Gift Certificate to Southwest Airlines!!!!

Who can pass that up? You can enter on the Epiphanie Blog! Good Luck!!!!

{click HERE to be directed to their BLOG}

{PHOTO UPDATE}

2010-03-03T14:19:00.000-08:00

I had mentioned awhile ago about how I was going to document a day in the life of the Moore's, well I wasn't as successful as I would have wanted to be...I just kept forgetting to take the photos. But this was just attempted #1, hopefully I do better next time.

Well to start off...it was raining, which I love. There is something about the rain that relaxes me and makes me want to be outside in it. This has become much trickier since Jude came along, but he is showing signs of loving the rain as much as his mama and dada do.

This is how you can find Jude whenever we are all together...his perch. He really enjoys it up there. You can usually find drool and crumbs in Jesse's hair after a full day of having Jude on his shoulders. :)

These dogs freaked me out when I was trying to get into the car.

I bought some awesome fabrics at Betty's in Santa Maria...I have a photo of one of my creations later on this post.

hmmm...?

This is the face Jude has been making when you ask him to smile and say cheese.

Ta-Da! I absolutely love this new tattoo. Hopefully all my clients do too :)

It says "cheese!" btw.

And here is the pillow I made with that awesome fabric. It's really rough, there are some definite changes that will need to be made before I can start selling them. For now it's quite adorable on our bed.

Jesse and I took this photo on our honeymoon in Lake Tahoe up at Squaw Valley. We ice skated for three hours and we were pretty much the only ones on the ice. The reason I am posting this is because Jesse and I will be celebrating our 5 year anniversary March 12th and I just have to say, I am very much in love with Jesse today as I was then. I am so thankful to have him as my husband.

2010-03-03T13:51:00.000-08:00

Life is getting tricky again...please keep us in your prayers.

2010-03-01T00:28:00.000-08:00

So I tried and failed at documenting a whole day. I started out good and then just got lazy and/or forgot. But I will post what I did get soon....so stay tuned.

On another note, Jude has been driving me crazy.

{Etsy Updated!}

2010-02-27T10:31:00.000-08:00

Etsy
Buy Handmade
DaisyCottontail

2010-02-27T10:24:00.000-08:00

Thunder and lightening are awesome. I love this weather!

The roommates are out of town for two weeks and the house is rather quiet right now, it's kinda strange. I think I am going to go full force potty training with Jude next week. I am excited about it and nervous. Hopefully it only takes the three days I was told it will.

Jude, Jesse and I have a Saturday free to spend together doing whatever we want. I think I am going to bring my camera with us and document the day. It's been a long time since I have done recreational photography and I am really missing it. I was telling Jesse lastnight during our game of Uno that I just want to go out and take pictures of flowers, with film, like we used to do in our dating years. Sometimes it's just nice to take a photo without an expected outcome.

Shannon

{PHOTOS}

2010-02-18T16:41:00.000-08:00

2010-02-18T16:30:00.000-08:00

Weddings are really picking up this year, we have 11 already booked and more inquiries coming in. We are so excited! Life is such a blessing right now, and I really thought I wouldn't be able to say this for a long time, but God is so good. Jesse and I started a Wednesday (formerly Tuesday) night home group, and even though no one comes but our roommates it has been pretty good. I feel that God is building Jesse and I back up and we are really learning a lot, I am getting a completely new perspective of who God is.

Jude is growing like a weed. I can't believe that he has already become his own person. He will be 2 in May and we have already started the very beginning stages of potty training. He thinks it's really fun to sit on the potty with his pants around his ankles.

If you want to come to our home group it's Wednesday nights at 7pm at our home in SLO, 614 Rancho Oaks Drive...we would LOVE to see you there.

Shannon

2010-01-18T21:55:00.000-08:00

Ok...this is just crazy that I never write on here anymore. I am sure you are all waiting in anticipation about what is going on in our lives, or you have been keeping updated thanks to Facebook. But I really like blogging, so I am going to try and keep this alive.

Things have been great! Life really has a new outlook when you are poor and can only rely on God and your family/friends. We are lucky to have both on our side. People might think I am crazy when I say I am actually happy not knowing my future and living on the brink of being completely penniless. There is something very comforting knowing that God is in control of my life, not me. Odd right? Who thinks like this? I never thought I would, that's for sure. But when you have been through what we have and seen that your decisions don't work out but God's always do, your mind is changed about the way things work. Jesse and I have been going to church regularly again and are actually wanting to go, it doesn't feel like an obligation. We have responsibilities, but are excited to be doing it. I have taken myself out of my comfort area and I just want to glorify God and do His will. I am not ashamed to fail, I just have to at least try. This is so new to me, I am usually the one that doesn't take chances. So with that, our wedding season this year is tremendous and Jesse got a job. I am a little wary, I don't want to get comfortable and loose focus again. I just want to get out of the debt we are in, put money into the business and bless our friends and family who have helped us through these past 5 years.

On a new note, Jude is awesome...as always. He is growing up fast for sure, I am enjoying this age. For those of you that have kids and have gone through this faze, you know what I am talking about; the "talking", the hand holding, the kisses and hugs, the cuddling, it's all great. Jude has a great sense of humor and a love for music, people and fruit.

2009-10-25T14:26:00.000-07:00

Jesse's youngest brother Nathan was admitted to the ICU sometime early this morning for a head injury. Apparently he went downtown last night and his friends last saw him walking to another bar. He was later found by a stranger unconscience in bubble gum alley. He was taken to the hospital and has some critical head trauma, but they are saying he is going to be ok. He is in an induced coma until they can get the pressure released in his head and get a cat scan. Nathan woke up in the ambulance on the way to the hospital and started fighting the EMT's, so they are keeping him asleep. Please be praying for Nathan, his brothers (Jesse, Ryan and Cale), and his parents (Stave and Cathe) who are trying to get home from Hawaii.

2009-10-21T09:54:00.000-07:00

Our lives have been turned upside down again and I am sure you are all as sick of hearing about it as I am talking about it. But the search is on again for a place to live, and we are both still in need of jobs. We have been booking weddings, which is awesome, but we are still weary about trusting that photography can and will support us. But we are tired of making the wrong decision, and by wrong decision I mean the one that God has not made for us. So we are being patient and waiting to see what He has for us.

The church plant is going good so far, new faces every week. We dedicated Jude last week and then had a baptism at the beach. I am working on the photos as I am writing and will hopefully have them up soon. For those of you that might not know what a dedication is, it is us dedicating Jude to the Lord and making a promise that we will raise him in a Christian home. Willie and Kim got Jude his first Bible, it's so adorable. :)

Well the pictures are done uploading so I am going to get going.

2009-09-22T16:05:00.000-07:00

I have been so busy lately it feels I have no time to just sit and think about nothing. There have been so many projects and most of them I am severely procrastinating on.

As many of you know we had our Moore Photo Booth launch party last week (another thing to check off the list of things to do) and it was a lot of fun. I felt like I was in a whirl wind, but people were having a good time so I was having a good time. We have it booked so far for one wedding next year, and we are in the works of another. Next year is already looking more promising than this one was.

Jesse is still out of work (we don't really refer to 5 hours a week as a job) and we are just turning in applications and hoping for the best. This month is the hardest of them all money wise. Our bank account is empty and we have two car payments and rent due. Yikes! Weddings please!!?!! I don't really want to just complain about these things at you, but nothing else is really going on except praying we can make it another day.

Some other things I had on my plate included an Etsy purchase of two ring bearer pillows, two boutonnieres, a guest book and a pomander for the flower girl. I finally got it all done and will be shipping it out today or tomorrow. The wedding is in three weeks in Georgia, it was fun to get this job and really test my crafting skills..which includes lots of hot glue gun. I packaged everything up already without taking pictures of everything. But I have some photos to share.

The color scheme and samples...

The ring bearer pillow...

I also put on (with a lot of help from Michelle, Steph and Lacey) a baby shower for my dear friend Melanie. She is due next month with a little girl...so exciting! The shower was fun and intimate. I made the invites and decorations and I also made her a stuffed owl. I am going to make more owls as soon as things calm down. I still have an album to design and some other photos to work on.

Here are some photos from Mel's shower...

This is the owl I made her...

Moore Photo Booth Launch Party!!

2009-08-26T11:06:00.000-07:00

SAVE THE DATE: September 17th Moore Photo Booth Launch Party, featuring music by Sierra Chavez with John English, and Black Water Union!! Where you might ask...Sally Loo's in SLO 6:30pm. ALL PHOTO BOOTH PHOTOS...FREE!!!!

If you have any questions please send me an email. We would love to have you there.

shannonmoorephotography@gmail.com

Cute Photo Update!-Jude with blueberries in his teeth

2009-08-25T12:46:00.000-07:00

2009-08-21T10:12:00.000-07:00

I got a phone call from my dad last week, he sold his house in Texas and was getting on his way to Fiji soon. But he is making a detour to California first...for a month. If you guys know anything about my dad and the relationship I have with him, you know that this makes me nervous. I have seen my dad once in the past 6 years and 4 of those years we didn't talk. So...as it stands we have a really awkward relationship. He got mad at me when I told him I was pregnant and has yet to meet Jude. He even came to California around Christmas and found it more important to hang out with his ex-wife (from before my mom) than me and his only Grandson. Pretty sad!, but nothing that isn't expectant of my dad. So we will see if he actually calls me, and if he does, if I see him more than once. It's his loss really, Jude is one awesome kid he really should get to know. Afterall, I don't see my brother settling down, getting married and having some kids anytime soon. My dad and brother have a better relationship, they have more in common....marijuana. And since I brought up my brother I must let you know, he isn't in jail. He has a court date in about a month, and he thinks it's going to be a long one and he wont ever really end up going to jail or prison. We will see, my brother doesn't have the best judgement.

Well, to end this blog post...Jesse's birthday is on the 25th, wish him a Happy 27th Birthday!!!!

2009-08-05T20:50:00.000-07:00

I just got off the phone with my mom. My brother will most likely be in jail again in 8 days. My mom didn't know too much of what he is being charged with and how severe it all really is because the police are listening in to his phone calls. I just don't know what to think. I do know he needs to learn his lesson, but how many times does he have to go to jail for all his stupid decisions? Drugs are not worth this. Last time I saw him he was sickly thin, and when I said something to him about it he just shrugged me off. This sucks, I really don't need this on top of all the other things I am dealing with.

2009-08-01T14:49:00.001-07:00

It has been a really long time since I have updated you all. And boy has there been some things going on.

Jesse got laid off from his job two weeks ago. We are trying really hard to trust that God is in the midst of something good for us, and we are hoping it's more photography work. I can't say that not knowing how we are going to pay our bills is easy, but it is easier knowing that we have a loving and graceful God on our side.

Jesse has been doing some odd end jobs and we booked a wedding, so that is really helping. We also have some other things in progress that we are very hopeful will bring in some money. But through all of this I really feel I am grasping to God more than I have in a long time, and I am so grateful for being in this position to realize how lacking I was of Him in my life. I pray daily for strength to stay positive and to have patience.

Some news on my brother...he is currently not making wise decisions and my fear that he will be going back to jail again soon is almost certain. I don't know if it's a good thing or not, but he has to learn from his actions. He thinks it's all worth it for "the cause". I think he needs a huge kick in the rear. If you know anything about my brother, you know he makes the worst decisions and I have no idea where they come from. Sometimes I wish I can get in his head and see how his brain works, and bring my tools to tighten all those loose screws. I love him to pieces though and I am glad that I got to see him yesterday.

In some happy news. Jude is doing great! Molars are coming in left and right, and he is saying some words. He now says "Hi", "Hot", "Mama", "Dada" and sometimes it sounds like he says "oh shoot", and "Dog". If he can get a phone in his little hands he will walk around the house with it to his ear saying "Hi" over and over again, and then come and put the phone to my ear. Jesse also taught him to dunk his pacifier in my coffee, so when I am trying to enjoy my morning coffee I have Jude all over me dropping his pacifier in my cup. Jude truly reminds Jesse of the joys of life and how great we really do have it.

Anyway, I am getting my haircut tomorrow...so excited!

2009-07-02T15:11:00.000-07:00

Last night I couldn't sleep. I have been sleeping pretty awful for a few months now, well I guess pretty much since Jude was born...but waking up every two hours for feedings for the first couple months doesn't really count.

I don't know what it was about last night but I just felt weird about going to sleep. I finally laid down and tried and couldn't stop just thinking about all the things going on. I feel we have been in a never ending state of turmoil. I almost feel like things are never going to be settled for us, we will always be kept on pins and needles. It's not necessarily a bad thing, I just need to come to peace with it. Our path is never sure.

So I started thinking about my brother. Him and I have had a rough relationship in the past years. He has been through A LOT. I worry about him and feel the same never ending turmoil, but his seems different. His life isn't filled with love. I honestly sometimes feel that every time I see him could be the last. Right now his future doesn't look like what he deserves. At 2am I sent him a text: I love you. He immediately wrote me back: I love you too! I just felt like this is something he doesn't hear often. He wrote me again asking if I was ok and what was I doing up so late. I just told him I couldn't sleep and was thinking about him. He said he thinks about us all the time and really misses us. I just started crying.

I forget the power the Lord has over our lives, and that he will use us to change the lives of others. My brother needs a change and the only way he can get it is through God. Being the only believer in my whole family...this leaves it to me. I am scared, I have doubts.

Swim Class Graduation Day!

2009-06-26T14:36:00.000-07:00

Jude Graduated from Mommy and Me swim class on Thursday. Sadly we were the only family there, everyone else chickened out cause it was a little windy. I felt a little bad cause Kelsea our instructor made graduation certificates for everyone and brought donut holes to eat after class. This was really sweet and all those other mom's really missed out. Jude is really doing great and love to tread water. Kelsea says he's going to be a water polo player and/or be really good at the breast stroke. I had said before that Jesse was on the swim team in High School and he did the breast stroke. Like father like son. Jude and I were so happy that Jesse was able to make it to Jude's last class and he took some pictures:

Below is Jude crawling out of the pool to get to the toys.

Jumping back in.

He was really good at going under the water.

Practicing kicking.

Spinning.

Coming up after a dunking.

Splashing. He takes this very seriously.

I am so proud of him!

Family Reunion

2009-06-26T14:10:00.000-07:00

Jesse's mom had a family reunion last weekend for her side of the family. It was fun meeting all these people that I am and at the same time not related to. We had a good time, there were a ton of people there. Here is the whole group:

2009-06-22T12:54:00.000-07:00

Jesse and I are currently in the process of helping plant a church in Avila. There currently isn't a church there and we are feeling the calling for a revolution. I am asking for your prayer if you pray, there is a lot of grace needed in doing this.

Jesse and I have been very blessed to be apart of this. We are excited to see what God is doing and how He is moving. It's been a long time coming and there has been many ups and downs for me, and I do believe now there is change happening in me.

2009-06-21T09:44:00.001-07:00

Happy Father's Day!!!

2009-06-19T15:43:00.000-07:00

Jesse, Jude, and I went for a walk to a field down the road a bit the other day. The scenery around here is amazing. It's nice to live in a town like this, there is a lot to explore. Here are some pictures of my beautiful son. He really likes exploring just like his parents.

My New Etsy.com - Daisy Cottontail

2009-06-19T14:55:00.001-07:00

Etsy
Buy Handmade
DaisyCottontail

2009-06-18T18:16:00.000-07:00

We had a much better time at the pool today. I was really nervous because Jude was throwing a fit before we left...I think he just really hates this heat. But once we got to the pool he was all smiles. He let me dunk him a whole bunch of times, and liked watching me blow bubbles. I am also getting a pretty nice tan, and I can feel my legs getting stronger. I wish we could go swimming everyday this summer. We are going to try and go as much as possible though.

Swim Class

2009-06-17T14:01:00.000-07:00

Jude and I started swim class on Monday, as I am sure you have heard by now with all my Tweets (did I really just type that? I am so hip) and Facebook messages. We are having a blast and he is doing so well. I really suggest doing this with your kids as soon as you can, especially at such a young age. Our 16 year old instructor, Kelsey, was telling me about how when she was training to lead this class she had to take the class with a two year old and talked about how difficult it was to get him to not be afraid of the water. Jesse was on the swim team in High School and grew up in the ocean, I am not that strong of a swimmer and I am terrified of the ocean, so this is also good for me to be confident having Jude in the water and being able to play games. He really likes to be thrown in the air and then splash back into the water. At the end of class yesterday Jude and I stayed in the pool a little longer than the others since he really did not want class to end. We were practicing him standing on the edge of the pool and jumping into the water, with me holding his hands of course. This is a skill we aren't actually learning until today, but another mommy and her daughter were doing it, so we had to try. I am meeting some really nice people, there is a mom of two sons and she is expecting her third in two months. She looks really good and I would have thought she was maybe 5 months preggers. I am working on feeling out if I should give her a business card and offer some maternity/family pictures. I don't want to make it uncomfortable, so I might wait another week until the end of class. I am trying to get Jesse to be able to get off work early sometime so he can take some pictures. This isn't Jude's first time in a pool, I took him at three months, and he has been in a hot tub a few times, but he's much more active with the class :)

They also have family swim, we might take him to that a few times this summer.

Not much else to report at this time, other than living arrangement issues..but that's a whole other blog post and I am really not in the mood to get into it right now. I just need some prayer to not loose my cool.

Jude's 1st Birthday Party

2009-06-15T12:39:00.000-07:00

Ok, this has taken FOREVER..man, do I appologize. Here are some pictures of Jude on this most special of days. He loves his friends and being the center of attention and had a blast. Thank you to all of you that came, he LOVES all his gifts and has quite he collection of toys :)

Jude and Uncle Bryan (my brother)

Swim Time!!

Jude and his lady friend Mia.

Everyone waving...

Jude running away with all the balloons

Yay for cake.

(for those of you that came, I know...these are all out of order)

The end of gifts and Jude is a happy boy with all his loot.

Fred - made by Melanie Lund

Jude LOVES reading

...and balloons

2009-05-28T14:28:00.000-07:00

Jude's 1st Birthday at the Monterey Bay Aquarium

2009-05-22T11:28:00.000-07:00

We have been staying at Jesse's brothers house and he has a fish tank, well, Jude LOVES it. So for his birthday we took him to the Monterey Bay Aquarium and he loved it. If you have never been there you have to go, just don't read the propaganda about the fishing industry :)

The Kelp Forest:

Leopard Shark:

Giant Octopus: You aren't aloud to use flash in the aquarium, but so many people were while they were taking pictures of this guy. He was angry and waving his arms all around.

Touch Pool:

Tide Pool simulator:

Rainbow Trout:

The Jellies are mine and Jesse's favorite exhibit.

Penguins:

Jude and I inside the bubble. A penguin pooped right in front of us. It was really disgusting.

Our little clam: They have this awesome kids section where you can let them loose and get all their energy out. It was really cool. There is a special section for the younger kids that has a water bed so you can make it "wave". Jude had a lot of fun on it, unfortunately we have no pictures of it. There were just so many kids to keep an eye on.

And the newest exhibit: "The Secret Lives of Seahorses"

Apparently the dads carry the babies in their bellies, not the moms:

The Tuna tank: I heard that they can swim up to 50 mph. The Tuna's behind Jude and Jesse are the small ones, it's hard to photograph to scale, but these fish are really big and there were even bigger ones.

2009-05-16T20:35:00.000-07:00

a side note: watching your husband and son playing together is the best thing...period.

2009-05-16T20:31:00.000-07:00

We went to Toys R Us today to get Jude some stuff for his birthday....and they celebrated with us. They gave him a balloon (one of his favorite things) and a crown, then they all said Happy Birthday as we left the store. It was so cute!

2009-05-06T14:41:00.000-07:00

So I gave Jude three little bites of some chocolate cake last night....he went insane. He was crawling around shaking his head and laughing. He was also making a "mmmmm" noise and rolling around on the bed. It was adorable. I didn't think that small amount of cake would effect him so much. He's going to go bonkers for his carrot cake on his birthday.

2009-05-04T15:12:00.000-07:00

Jude had his first Sunday school experience last night. He did really well, and when we came to pick him up after church he pretty much ran to the door saying "Maaaaaaa Maaaaaa", it was so cute. The ladies that watched him said he was the happiest baby they have ever seen. I was a proud mother, since these are the things you want to hear about your kid. It was also nice to sit through a whole church service. And church was good. Jonny Power taught from Acts 3, it was a real eye opener into who God is and for us to not make him into what is convenience for us. I came away from church optimistic and wanting more.

In other news our friends the Manuele's (they did my maternity pictures) are opening a coffee shop on Thursday (hopefully!). They bought Caffe Luna and are turning into Sally Loo's. When you are in SLO, you should check it out.

Catch Up!

2009-04-21T11:45:00.000-07:00

Here is a little bit of what we have been up to. It's mostly pictures of Jude.

A few weeks ago in the midst of Jesse working ridiculous hours Jude and I came up to visit and help if we could. Jude had a good time riding around on Dada's back.

The week after that my mom came to play. Jude loves his Grandma Soo Soo, and swinging. The combination of the two is a thrill for him. He is cracking up almost the whole time.

The day before Easter Jesse and I headed up to Atascadero to house sit for the owner of the screen printing business and owner of Mobley's Skateshop..Austin Miller. He has an amazing house, pictures are coming...

Anyway, our families came up on Easter to do the normal Easter things. This is Jude and Nana Cathe in the jacuzzi (kid approved temperature of course), the pool was about 47 degrees since it would get so cold at night. But the days were beautiful.

Before dinner (which was eaten at the outside dinner table..awesome) Jude hunted for some eggs. As you can see Jesse and I hid them well. :) Here is Grandma Soo Soo and Jude trying to steal her wine.
The first egg found...
and that was all...
standing....
being goofy (like usual)...

Before we left I wanted to make sure I got some pictures of the gorgeous place so I can share them with you. This is the view from the guest house (above the garage), below is the pool.
This is right next to the pool area and sneak peak at the pond. The plants growing on the fence are apple trees. This picture doesn't do them justice..they were beautiful.
Going down from the pool area..this is the back of the main house. The table with the green umbrella is where we had Easter dinner.
Cindy...
The outdoors fire place. We took our family photo there and I made smores the last night. The coldest night. Oh and this house would be perfect for a wedding. The parking area is huge and has strands of light going over it, and then the ceremony would be in front of this fire place...I want to get married again.
Some of the beautiful gardens, I am a fan of haphazard gardening. I like it to look natural. I guess I really like all gardens really. I can't wait to have one of my own.
Veggie garden. There isn't much growing in here, just some chives, strawberries and lemons.
This is the gate down to the pond...
The pond. With many turtles, tad poles, birds and ducks.

The side gate going to the front of the house, behind me is a grassy area with an oak tree...it's right next to the fireplace and another good place for a ceremony.
The front of the house.
The view from the front of the house. Left to right: basketball/tennis court, putting green and the trampoline (Jude's favorite thing, I think he likes it more than swinging).
View of the house from the other side. The guest house is above the garage.
Basketball/Tennis court...
Mama Kitty. I don't know her real name, I just called her Mama Kitty cause she had kittens the Friday before we got there. She was an awesome cat, and Jude loved petting her.
These are some of her babies...I had counted 7. The orange one is my favorite and I have no idea why the one of the right is on it's back...I promise he is ok. Their eyes started opening the day before we left.
Anyway, that is my last couple weeks in a nutshell. It is nice to be home even though that place is so wonderful.

Weekends with Dada are the best..

2009-03-28T15:47:00.000-07:00

So not much has been going on around here to blog about. Jesse has been working a lot and we have really just been trying to enjoy the small amount of time we have to be together. So here are some update pictures....

Jude LOVES bath time. This is his rinse cup...
yelling...
being silly and trying to hide from me and the camera...
this is his favorite blanket (this thing goes everywhere with us) it was also his uncle Nates when he was a baby...
one of Jude's other favorite things, swinging...
and now, his first sandwich: wheat bread, turkey, swiss, avocado and olives. he ate the whole thing and only got one small smudge of avocado on his shirt, of course it was all over his face and hands...

then we went and sat by the creek...

2009-03-10T14:14:00.001-07:00

2009-03-02T13:55:00.000-08:00

Jude took two steps yesterday...not in a row. But wow! He took a step from one part of his bed to another and then did it again so Jesse could see. We were shocked. He had been standing on his own, but this seemed soon. I am excited. Go Jude! Oh and he is now a vampire. He woke up this morning with two red marks right next to each other on his neck. I think he just scratched himself, but.....he might be Vampire Baby.......

2009-02-17T12:54:00.000-08:00

Jude is now saying mama all the time. Not really at me, he just says it over and over again while crawling around. It's cute. He has been saying dada for awhile now, and sometimes it sounds like he is saying hi dad. It's ridiculously cute. Especially when Jesse responds with hi jude after.

For those of you not friends with me on Facebook, some updated pictures.

2009-02-16T09:53:00.000-08:00

2009-02-16T09:39:00.000-08:00

Just to update on the last post...I am fine.

I am actually really enjoying being a stay at home mom, I really feel that this is what I was supposed to do. Working was stressing me out, I think. And also worrying about Jude doing all his cool stuff without me there was upsetting me. Now I am the one responsible for the way he is growing up. I also love being able to get things done at a more mellow pace. I felt rushed to do things everyday between working and taking care of Jude. It is just all around better. And now I want to see all my pretty friends. I have all the time in the world for you now, and I want to hang out.

Anyway, Jesse and I are starting an Etsy Business. For those of you who don't know what this is (although I think most of you know), it is an online community store for handmade and/or vintage goodies. I am going to be selling canvas prints of my photographs. I am so excited about this. The store front is still under construction, but the business name is still Moore Photography. I really hope this will be a fun hobby to challenge myself some more. To view Etsy's website, click here.

In Jude news. His 5th tooth popped through yesterday. Crankers city! It's adorable. I never thought I would think teeth were so cute. :) He has also been standing for longer and longer periods at a time. He just will either stand up all on his own and then fall on his butt, or he pulls up onto something and then let's go. He also likes to launch himself from me to Jesse and visa versa, on the bed of course. He hit me in the nose the other night with his large hard head, I now know what it feels like to get punched in the nose. But the odd thing is, no matter how hard he hits his head he never cries about it. Jesse calls him his little bruiser. He really is one tough pretty boy. He has to be in a band.....Eli?, Hayvn?, Mia?,....are you interested?

Not much else is going on, well except my new tattoo. It is "Jude Ashby" on my right forearm. I LOVE it. I will post photos soon.

2009-02-04T11:54:00.000-08:00

So I am getting fired from Starbucks tomorrow. I am not supposed to know, but I do and I am not looking forward to my meeting tomorrow with the District Manager. It was a stupid unlucky situation on my behalf and Starbucks apparently does not care about employees that have worked for them for 3 years with nothing on their record. They don't care about my side of the story and to them I am grateful for the push to now be a stay at home mom. I just hope that this is part of the works for a much greater outcome. I have come to peace with living at Jesse's parents the rest of my life (kind of) and will cherish spending every moment of every day with my growing son. He is worth the mistakes that have brought me to this point. But I do need encouragement since I was already in a weak state, my emotions on this are all over the grid.

So, now that I have lots of free time, lets play!

2009-01-25T08:22:00.001-08:00

Things have been good in the Moore household. Jude is growing like a tumbleweed and developing the best personality. Jesse just got home last night from a trip to Long Beach...screen printing convention. Boy did Jude and I miss him. Jude is so used to crawling all over him in the morning and yesterday morning you could see the disappointment in Jude's face that he was not there. So we are excited about spending time together as a family today.

Jude Update: He loves to rub his tongue on his teeth, so his little tongue is always hanging out of his face. He likes to dance, if you sing or he hears music he starts bouncing. It's the most adorable thing ever. I am sure it's all the Yo Gabba Gabba we have him watch. He is also really into pushing his toys across the floor; tupperware, his piano, boxes and rocks. Anything really. He is also standing for very short periods of time. Sometimes it seems he is just going to walk over to you. And for some reason that seems normal. I was walking at 9 months, so we shall see.

I have many pictures to update with, but no time to do it. But I will try hard to get those up for you all.

2008-12-17T17:08:00.000-08:00

Jude's top and center tooth just popped it's head through today....he will have three teeth for Christmas!!

2008-12-15T19:30:00.000-08:00

Jude is crawling all over the place. He is getting better and better at it everyday. He climbs into things, over things and is trying to climb up things, which brings us to the new thing...pulling and pushing to standing. He will even let go and stand for a second before falling onto his butt. He doesn't cry though, he's pretty tough. One of the more annoying, although sometimes cute thing is making a really spitty "tthhhh" sound. He will do this forever and right in your face. We do it back, but he likes it. Weirdo.

I am pretty sure the top tooth is coming in. He is rubbing his bottom teeth onto the top gums a lot, and I can see a little white speck becoming bigger and bigger. I am pretty excited about these teeth and moving on to more solids. He is a little pro now with eating his solid foods. I don't have a high chair, so we sit down on a blanket and he is just so cute. Opens really wide when the food comes and isn't that messy. I am sure it will get messy as he gets older. :) But for now, I really enjoy feeding him this way. He had Winter Squash today when I got home from work.

I will have to post some new photos soon, it is hard to find the time.

2008-12-08T19:06:00.000-08:00

Jude crawled yesterday. Three crawls to mommy and then face plant. It was a very celebrated moment. He has been doing 2-3 crawls all day today. He has places to go and things to see.

2008-12-07T18:00:00.000-08:00

I am once again hopeful. My son is amazing and I have a wonderful husband, and in laws that really care about us. I just put Christmas lights up inside and Jesse and Cale put lights outside. I am feeling the holiday spirit, and it is good. I called on another house today, well, apartment. I am optimistic and really looking forward to a call back. It's supposed to be much more within our budget, although very unattractive.

2008-12-03T11:45:00.000-08:00

I am so tired of feeling hopeless.

2008-11-30T16:59:00.000-08:00

So there is this house in Los Osos for rent. They have a sign out front with a phone number, the only other information is that it is a one bedroom. I am in love. I snooped around again today and actually went into the backyard. This place seems perfect. I have left two voice mails, I really hope he calls me back, and that it is something we can afford.

I hope, I hope, I hope!!!!

Big Boy Bath

2008-11-24T20:12:00.001-08:00

Jude had his first bath this evening without his chair. He sat in the tub and I think he liked it, just seemed really curious about all the water. Anyway, I have to go cause Jesse is going to watch Chuck without me... err!

2008-11-20T08:25:00.000-08:00

Jude is 6 months old today. How exciting!! I am going to celebrate with him when I get home from work.

Also, at new tidbit in regards to the "Sick" post. I went to the doctor yesterday and I have migraines. But like severe migraines, that happen at the same time every morning, that one of the best medicines for it doesn't work for me. The doctor also wants me to get an MRI and MRA just to make sure. Bummer.

I think I am just going to get my eyes rechecked, I am due for a new pair on lenses. And they say you need to have your eyes checked after you have given birth.

This seems fun!

2008-11-19T12:46:00.000-08:00

GuerrillaGarderning.org

I really like the idea of Seed Bombs. It would be fun to see your plants growing.

Sick

2008-11-17T17:55:00.000-08:00

Last Thursday I woke up at around 3am after tossing and turning all night. I had the worst headache and felt really nauseous. My whole body hurt. Then as I was hugging the toilet, parts of my body would be tingly and then go numb. I was miserable. The past few nights I haven't been able to fall asleep as well. Anyway... it happened again this morning, and new symptoms of uncontrollable sobbing and hand shaking. I almost went to the emergency room, but really don't want to owe them more money. But if it happens again, I will have to go. I am a little scared.

Jude was amazing today though, he played my little nurse. We took a three hour nap and when we woke up, he snuggled on me and just stared at my face with a huge smile. I am really so lucky to have him.

2008-11-08T17:18:00.001-08:00

Jesse, Jude and I really badly need a new place to live. Please pray this will happen...SOON! Nothing dramatic has happened, I am just itchin' to have my own place.

It's all worth it

2008-10-30T11:46:00.000-07:00

I realized that it has been a long time since I have written. Things are going great. JUDE HAS A TOOTH! It's little head is poking through. Pretty adorable. We were hanging out and he was just staring at me so lovingly and I was staring back into those big blue eyes, with long lashes, and he pulls my finger into his mouth and rubs it on his tooth. I doubt this was on purpose, but it seems like he wanted me to know. I was so excited I had to jump up and dance around. Then run and tell everyone and have them feel it. It's incredible since he is only 5 months old, and this usually happens around 7 months. He really is super baby. He is also in the beginning stages of crawling, I am sure he will be by Christmas time, maybe earlier. He pushes himself up with his hands and then gets on his knees, only for a few seconds, and then he (gracefully) falls forward. He was doing it really well today. I thought he was going to get it.

Jude has also been in an exceptional good mood this past week. He is cuddly, laughing more than usual, and when he looks at me it seems like he is cherishing the time we spend together. He also loves the letter Z. When you says words like zoom, and zip he cracks up. Like loose control of yourself cracks up. Which makes me laugh and then he laughs more. He is also ticklish and loves to be tickled, on his back, and his belly.

I bought the Magic Bullet today and made Jude some carrots. Making baby food is so easy and inexpensive (minus the Magic Bullet, but we will make our money back on it in the end), and then you know what is going into it. Like JUST carrots. We are going to wait three days with him eating some carrots and then move onto beets and then apples. He has already had rice cereal of course, banana, and we have also given him sweet potato melty cereal things. He has done really well with all of this. It's all so much fun.

Anyway, I am done bragging about my little goomba guy.

2008-10-20T20:23:00.000-07:00

Working everyday is really starting to be hard. I am exhausted and my son is so clingy cause he misses me. When I get home from work and he sees me, he is SOOO happy. But if I walk away he starts to cry. And if someone is holding him and I am near, he leans over with his arms out for me to take him. It's really cute and I don't mind when I can hold him, but when he does it when I am leaving for work, it is hard on me.

Last night I had an extra bottle and I needed to use it before it expired, so I fed him with it. He had his little hands on the bottle while I was holding it for him, so I let go. And he just sat there and fed himself. He even took the bottle out to give me a smile and then put it back in to keep eating. I couldn't believe it! I have it on video on my phone.

Babies are amazing.

Jude Jude Jude

2008-09-29T10:07:00.000-07:00

Jude's first Albacore Tuna. As many of you may know, Jesse's dad is a commercial fisherman. This is one of the fishes he brought home from Oregon, this photo was my idea. Although, I wanted Jude to be naked but he was already cranky. The reason he is so upset is due to all the practice upside downs.

Below is Jude sitting on his own. Yeah, my baby is four months old, he is super baby.

So Jude has made friends with some electrical outlets. When we are sitting in the rocking chair he can see them, and just laughs and talks to them. I am nervous for the day that he can walk and touch them. Luckily the ones he likes the best are up high and it will be a long time before he is able to reach them. He also loves the remote controller. We had to give him his own so that he will leave the ones that actually control the tv alone. I am sure that he likes the way the little buttons feel on his gums. Then Jude is also screaming. He screams ear piercing loud and then smiles. It gives me head aches. We have started ignoring him when he does this, since I am sure he is doing it so that we all pay attention to him. Even though it is annoying, it is still a little cute. In a weird way.

Work Shumurk!

2008-09-25T11:02:00.001-07:00

So I started back at work Tuesday. It has been good so far, just 4-5 hour shifts. Today was the hardest of all the three days so far. I had to open, which means leaving the house at 4am and my sleeping son. The morning is the best time with him, and I am glad that Jesse got to spend it with him. I called on my 10 min break and heard Jude making little noises in the background and that is what made my heart melt to be there with him. I got home today around 10:30 and it is now 11. He has been asleep this whole time, so I greatly anticipate for him to wake up.

I have been exploring little kid shows, since my son shows interest in watching the tv it might as well be age appropriate. Anyway, I discovered this show called Yo Gabba Gabba! I love this show, not to mention Jude. I am sure you mom's have heard of it, and if you have any feedback about it good or bad let me know. Also, if you know of anything else that is good for kiddies. Kiddies, I really just used that word. Now I really feel like a mom.

Jude has been showing an interest in EVERYTHING. Especially anything that Jesse and I are doing. He wants the remote, our cups, food, and the keyboard. I actually let him type the other day in an email I was sending to a friend, and Jude was able to make the mouse no longer work and the computer speak every letter typed. It was funny. But not really.

Oh, and he is also teething. Or showing signs of it happening really soon. He drools like crazy, and chews on things, but is still in a good mood. He is one of the happiest little guys. When he is crying cause he is hungry I can still get him to flash a smile at me. Oh, he is waking up...I will write more later.

Maternity Pictures

2008-09-04T14:26:00.000-07:00

Jennifer and Brandon Manuele of Manuele Photography did our maternity pictures for us, and we are in aw of how awesome they are. Jesse looks like a stud. This day was a lot of fun and we are happy to call Jennifer and Brandon our friends. We met them at the last wedding fair. There was a brief confusion about which booth was there's and we helped them figure it out. There was a connection! As corny as that sounds, it was almost as if we were destined to be friends. As set up was going on we kept passing each others booths and smiling and making very brief small talk. After the fair we talked some more and they offered to the photo sesh. Jesse and I don't get our photos done almost ever. It was a treat to be on the other side of the camera. So to end this love letter to the Manuele's, here are the pictures:

Jude Videos

2008-09-02T18:53:00.000-07:00

This is Jude's first video. He is so small here, it's amazing.

Jude's first time sucking his thumb. He doesn't do this often, he mostly sucks his whole fist.

Some really good smiles.

BURP.

There are more videos I want to add, including the "meh" video I talked about earlier and one of him laughing. but blogger is having troubles uploading anymore videos. I will try again later.

Not much

2008-09-01T17:28:00.000-07:00

So I haven't written for awhile. We have been pretty busy.

Some things Jude is up to: laughing, talking a lot, sucking his thumb, grabbing toys, sleeping in his "big boy" bed and getting really long. I can't believe how long he is, torso and legs. I am constantly reminded at how well behaved he is. He really just hangs out. I couldn't imagine a better baby. And I can't believe that he is growing so fast and that it's almost time for me to go back to work. Leaving him everyday will be a bummer.

Other than Jude being awesome, there isn't much else going on.

I sit at home all day, can you blame me?

2008-08-21T13:17:00.000-07:00

I am so mad that Daniel was eliminated off of Shear Genius last night. He was my favorite..oh well, at least Nicole is still in there. Dee and Charlie need to go! It's not fair.

Big Boy

2008-08-21T13:04:00.000-07:00

Jude is now three months old.

He is trying to sit up on his own and can sometimes, but still falls over. He is also reaching for things like his toes and the remote if it is near. It's really cute how he focuses on it and then slowly starts leaning over to get it with one hand reaching out.

Also, Jesse and I figured out that if we make a really annoying "meh" noise, Jude will start to cry. It's not a real cry...more like a pout cry. He sticks his bottom lip way out, scrunches his face, makes the "meh" noise that we are imitating and then water fills his eyes. It's really cute, and really funny. I video'd it on my phone and I will try and get it up on here so that you can see what I am talking about.

Grandma SuSu

2008-08-15T16:10:00.000-07:00

My mom came up today to have her almost weekly hang out with Jude and I. I love my mom coming to visit. We used to be really close when I was growing up (I am sure many young girls are) but ever since high school we haven't been as close. Then of course I met Jesse and got married and never really got my relationship back with her how it used to be. So anyway, these play dates are our way to get that relationship back and Jude is just icing on the cake for her. My mom is amazing, I can tell her anything and she is ALWAYS supportive, even if she doesn't fully agree. I could tell her that I wanted to have another baby right now, and although she wouldn't think it was wise and she would tell me to rethink...in the end she would still be on my side. That is exactly how I want to be with Jude. And I am sure not everyone would agree that it is good to be that way, but I want to be his support for any way that he wants to live his life. Now I am sure this might change, cause I really have no idea what I am going to think as I get older. I mean I am only 23 and he is only 3 months.

Our Lamaze reunion was last Sunday. It was nice to see everyone and their babies. They were all really well behaved, no meltdowns, and Jude of course was an attention hog. His eyes just make him irresistable. In the picture above the cute little girl next to him is Mia. She is my boss at Starbucks daughter and also our neighbor. I just love her, I can eat her up. We joke about her marrying Jude some day and becoming Mia Moore, so she sure was scoring some future mother-in-law points by smiling at me.

But aren't these babies cute!

Simple things

2008-08-12T18:40:00.000-07:00

"Twinkle twinkle little star, how I wonder what you are. Up above the world so high, like a diamond in the sky. Twinkle twinkle little star, how I wonder what you are."

That song is sometimes the only thing that will soothe my son. Well, along with a pacifier, my boosum, and some gentle taping on his back. Although he is usually fussy from gas when we have to do this, it is one of my favorite times with him. He starts to calm down from crying, tears running down his cheeks, and he just stares at me. We stare at each other and sometimes I start to cry at how amazing just looking into his eyes can be. There are stories in those eyes that he is waiting to tell me.

I had a dream last night that we were learning together. I was telling him about the planets and airplanes, and he was taking my photograph. He was 14 in my dream and we were best friends. I asked him this morning if we were going to be best friends forever and he smiled at me.

Picture Day

2008-08-07T21:45:00.001-07:00

It's Silly

2008-08-07T10:12:00.000-07:00

Jude cries when I sneeze.

He laughs hysterically when I play with his feet.

Jude's first owie

2008-08-06T18:57:00.000-07:00

Michelle got married this weekend and thank the Lord, everything went smoothly. But I did realize that it is really difficult to be a mother, photographer, friend, and coordinator at the same time. My mom was there to take care of him, but this was her first time with him alone like that. She did good though, but I think she got a little stressed at times.

It's really weird but I feel more comfortable photographing strangers than I do friends. We did a good job, but it was distracting since Michelle is one of my best friends, and I was so excited about her gettin' hitched.

That night also brought my first mom freak out. Like I said before, my mom had been watching Jude most of the night. When she left Jesse was carrying him in the pack until he wanted me to feed him. I went inside to do so (missing Michelle and Caleb's departure), and changed his diaper after. When I removed the dirty diaper, his part that makes him a man was swollen and red at the tip. Of course at a glance it looked like he was bleeding. I grabbed Jude and ran outside to Jesse in a frantic mess and told him that we needed a doctor. We both ran back inside and Michelle's sister Amanda followed. I am very thankful that she was there. I showed her and Jesse and Amanda knew what was wrong. She too has a boy that has not been circumsized and she said it was an infection and that he would be fine as long as we went to the doctor the next day. I couldn't help but cry most of the night. I knew he would be fine, but when your child is hurt, you too are hurt. We went to the doctor and he said it wasn't infected but looks like it got pinched. We have no idea how it happened. But he is good now, after some Neosporin.

I have never been in so much fear before.

The Grass is Always Greener...

2008-07-19T08:38:00.000-07:00

...when it's new. Finally the yard has some grass, and it's beautiful. I look out at it all the time, and picture Jude and I laying around in it. We have to stay off of it for two weeks and then we are going to have a baby party, since the neighborhood now has three babies. And if you are reading this and have a baby, or don't, and you want to come over and spend the day with me and Jude and some other adorable infants, let me know.

WOWZERS!

2008-07-17T11:41:00.000-07:00

My dear dear friend Michelle is getting married to my new dear friend Caleb, who is a perfect match for her. It is so amazing to watch your friends find love and start families. Oh yeah, they get married in two weeks! I am helping with the planning of the wedding as well as photographing it, which means that I had to step down from being a bridesmaid. That was a sad thing to do, but I have to photograph this wedding, and I can't be everything at once. I am good, but not that good. I would also go crazy not being the one taking the pictures cause I have seen her in her wedding dress and man..she looks good. Caleb is not going to be able to take his eyes off of her. Although I don't think he can anyway.

Montana De Oro

2008-07-15T18:28:00.000-07:00

Jude and I went to the beach today with Jesse Hurlburt and his niece and nephew, and David Wilson and his son Hezekiah.

I have not seen Hezekiah in so long and was surprised with how much he has grown up. He was also very interested in catching crabs. He offered to hold them and sat in the tide pool picking up the hermit crabs. Quite a brave little boy. I am excited for Jude to be that age. He mostly slept in his pack, I guess I shouldn't have expected anything more from a 2 month old.

It was good for me to get out and hike around. I would like the lose all this pregnancy weight, and walking around the block twice a week isn't doing anything.

Introduction to my family

2008-07-11T14:09:00.000-07:00

I am sure there won't be many, if at all, reading this that don't know me. But as for a little introduction...I am a new mom and a wife. My husband Jesse and I have been married now for just over three years, and are parents to a 7 week, 3 day old named Jude. He is amazing, as I am sure all mothers feel about their children. But he truly is. He is so much more than I ever could have imagined.

He's a sleep right now, after a long day of doing nothing. I can't believe someone can sleep as much as he does. He almost sleeps through the night, I am able to put him down around 11pm then he wakes up once at around 3:30 or 4. Which is nice for Jesse. Jesse has to be at work at 5:30am so he is usually waking up around then to get ready for work. So this way he gets a few minutes to hug and kiss Jude in the morning before leaving. I am sure that Jude does it on purpose. Well, then Jude goes back to sleep and doesn't wake up again until around 7am. So I am getting plenty of sleep. Something I am VERY thankful for.