La Mia Bella Photography

My lil man's surgery

Today Payton had surgery to repair an umbilical hernia. We had to be at the hospital at 5 am....and you know it KILLED me to wake up that early. We got to the hospital and checked in and waited for about 2 hours. Then they called us back. At first they just took his vital signs and explained everything they were going to do (for the 100th time) had us sign a ton of release forms, which is horribly scary after they tell you all the risks. Finally they brought him some "feel good" juice and it wasn't long before I was peeing my pants laughing at him. He thought everything was funny, laughing those hard belly laughs at little things like "Pickled Okra" or "Pickled Oaker" as Payton says it.

Justin was the one to go back in the OR with him. They thought I would be too emotional and was worried it would upset Payton. I didn't argue...they were probably right. When it was time for them to walk back, I gave him a hug and a kiss and they went away...that's when I lost it. Just sat on his bed ans shed a few tears and said a prayer. Justin was only back there long enough for them to give him some gas and fall asleep. Payton was already feeling pretty good, so it didn't take no time at all.

Then we waited....and waited...and waited...for like FOREVER. Really it was about 45 mins, but it felt like an eternity. We went to the ICU and waited for him to wake up from the anesthesia. We were warned that most kids wake up combative so we were waiting for him to wake up and start swinging. And sure enough, that's EXACTLY what he did. Swung at me, swung at Justin, and swung at the nurse....multiple times. We were trying to hold him down, but that made it worse. He stood straight up on the bed and was just swinging...whirlwind style. I jumped in the bed with him and calmed him down. It only lasted for about a minute and then he was fine. He ate a popcicle and drank some apple juice and they sent us to a recovery room. I have to say I was very impressed by how well he handled everything. The nurses were all telling us that we were lucky that he was doing so well. They also told us that we were great parents :)

We came home and took a LOOOONNNNGGG nap. He was a little sore but the meds are helping him with the pain. I am so proud of my little boy...he is such a brave kid.

 

 

 

Warm weather = Great photos

I actually had THE most amazing day today. I woke up early for once, had my morning cup of coffee and got Mara off to school. I went on a long, peaceful walk. It was so wonderful to get away from the craziness for a moment and just take in the awesome weather.

After the twins woke up, we went to the mall and did a little shopping. I took them to Build A Bear and they LOVED it. They have been dragging those bears around everywhere all day. We came home from the mall and waited for Mara to come home from school...and headed for the beach. After all the high was like 86 today....talk about inconsistent!!!

Anyway, Olivia is always up for a lil bit of modeling so I took advantage of the warm weather and snapped a few shots of her at the beach. Mara and Payton didn't hesitate to tell me "I don't want to take pictures." This is everyone in my family's favorite thing to say, with the exception of Olivia....she's always willing to strike a pose. Here are a few of the pictures from the beach...

 

   

Ok, I could add 15 more that I JUST ADORE!!! I can't help it...it's always hard for me to pick favorites. I like them ALLLLLLL.

So after the beach, I came home and cooked dinner then had to rush to Whitney's school for a mandatory meeting for Spring Sports. She's trying out for Track again. She made it last year, but this year (at middle school) there's more competition. I'm optimistic, she's a fast runner...it's in her genes!

After the meeting I went to the gym and totally worked my booty off and then sat in the steam room for about 10 minutes. Nothing feels better!!! Well, gotta hit the hay. Hope tomorrow is half as great as today was!

Brooks Family Photo Session

Today I had the pleasure to work with Renee and her beautiful family. We did a photo shoot in her home since it was raining today. Her family was very welcoming and her two little ones were so much fun. Her pictures turned out wonderful. Here is a preview....

 

And I LOVE this one....really shows Zak's character

Sign here please

We met with our Realtor today and signed the papers to make an offer on a house....WOOO HOOO!!! Now it's a waiting game. We pretty much know that she probably wont accept our first offer, but that ok! We left a "cushion" for negotiating. I'm really hoping this process goes quickly. I'm not one for patience! IF, IF, IF everything goes as planned (which usually doesn't happen when closing) we will be closing on March 27th!!! HOW EXCITING...

On a different note, I want to point out how crazy our weather has been here lately. Yesterday the high was 72 and tomorrow the high is supposed to be 41 and Monday they are calling for snow!!! I can't understand this inconsistency...we are gonna be sick again with all this weather change from one extreme to the next.

La Mia Bella Photography

Today I finally got the email that I've been waiting for. I hired a graphic designer to design my business logo, website banner and business cards. I am more than happy with the finished design. I'll let you get a peak.

Here is the banner.....

 

Here is the logo....

   

and here is the business card.....

UMMM, yea! Can't get that to work.

But I am so excited about the designs and everyone has had nothing but great things to say about them, so I'm happy that everyone else likes them as much as I do.

Thank you to Jennifer Stuart from Studio 71 Design. Look her up on Esty.com if you have any custom graphic needs. Here is her blog...

http://jenniferstuartdesign.blogspot.com

We've been through the sickness....5 times now!

It was recently brought to my attention (thanks Judi :) that I have been neglecting my blog. I do have excuses...plenty of 'em so I'm gonna let you hear (umm, read?) 'em, okay???

1. Mara brought home the strep throat from school and passed it around to everyone. And what sucks here is that our primary care manager (oceana family practice clinic) never has any available appointments. I called one morning at 7 am to see if they had an appointment for Payton, and they said we have one in 3 days!!! OMG, it's like that every time we get sick and need to see a doctor. I guess I've been spoiled by the wonderful, professional, loving, caring doctors at the Pensacola Family Practice Clinic...they would always have time to squeeze us in....they loved us. How could they NOT love us???? I mean, we did go see them every week for the first 6 weeks of Olivia and Payton's lives. Weight checks and temp checks for the preemies....Anyhoo, here in the VA, if you need to see a doctor you have 2 choices.....#1, you can go to the Naval Hosp in Portsmouth and wait in the ER (with the other sick people who couldn't get an appointment with their PCMs either) for 4 hours and spend less than 3 minutes in the exam room with the doctor for him to tell you, "Yep, he has strep! If anyone else in your family gets a fever and sore throat, bring them in!" Are you kidding me????? Just go ahead and write me a script for enough antibiotics for all 5 of us...I'm definitely not coming back here with each child to wait 4 hours each time....choice B, umm I mean, #2 you can go to the Urgent Care place and be seen in about 1 hour and pay for it out of pocket. I don't know which one is worse. What happened to the days you just call up your doc and tell him what's wrong and he called in the prescription for you. No trip to the office, no 4 hour wait!!! Those were the good ole days. By the way, Justin avoids us like the plaque when we get sick. He slept in Payton's room and told all the sick ones to stay far away from him. He didn't get the screp throat....lucky dog. Wish I could go into confinement when the kids are sick!

2. After we passed round the strep throat...hehe...Mara brought home the stomach flu. THANKS, MARA....AGAIN?!?! Thank GOD no one else caught that except me...nothing worse than cleaning up vomit off the carpet and having to run to the bathroom to vomit yourself!!!! WHEW....glad that's over.

3. House hunting has been a BIG priority. We finally found one we like. It's in a WONDERFUL school district and has great potential....It's not move-in ready, but only needs minor cosmetic updating...nothing serious. The neighborhood is quiet and the property backs up to a conservation or farm or something, so no one can build back there (which gives the kids and Justin plenty of room to ride the 4 wheelers) AND, on top of that, we met the neighbor and she is super nice. She has a 16 year old daughter, so I'm thinking BABYSITTER!!!!! WHOO HOOO!!!! Maybe Justin and I can actually start having date nights again!!! So...IF everything goes as planned with the house (I'm not getting my hopes too high....I HATE being let down) we will be doing lots of painting and renovating.

On a different note, Whitney made the Principal's List this past quarter, which means she made all A's. Up here an A is considered 100-94....so needless to say I was extremely PROUD ;) The school rewarded the students who made all A's by taking them on a field trip...they went to play laser tag and had lunch at CiCi's Pizza!!! What a wonderful incentive to keep up the grades!!!

Well, gotta run for now. Got a lil girl beggin for a hotdog, guess I should feed her.

The Beginning of La Mia Bella Photography

Some of you may know and some of you may not know, but I've recently started my own photography biz. I had my first offical photo session today with Anna and her darling little girls, Samara and Alana. These girls were a dream to work with. My favorite from their session is the picture above. Anna LOVES tradition, so we took some shots of Alana in her Daddy's dress blues and some of Samara in her mommy's wedding dress. Also took some with a rocking chair that was Anna's when she was a little girl!!!! SOOO SWEET.....here's a sneak peak!

 

   

 

 

New to this blog thingy

OK....................................
Where do I start? I have wanted to start a blog for a long time now, but had no inspiration....until I read my really good friend (really, really good friend, she's like my BEST friend but we live over 500 miles apart and never get to see each other and I miss her dearly) Judi's blog. I just have to say that I love that woman so much. Anyhoo, reading her blog made me realize that we can always find excuses to put things off. Things like going on a diet, starting a regular exercise routine, giving up on a horrible husband in order to be happy (I love you Judi). I've been putting off starting a blog for months now (also been putting off starting a diet and exercise routine) because "I can't seem to think of anything to blog about." For those of you who know me personally, you know that my life is cRaZy!!! With 4 kids, a dog and a husband (who is like having another kid), I always have something going on.

With that said, I have a TON going on right now. I recently decided to start a photography business. I've always loved taking pictures and lots of people have told me that I should do it professionally. I have no training, just trial and error and a bunch of experimenting with my kids (and they love me for it). Sunday I have my first photo shoot and I'm really nervous. This will be the first time I've photographed people other than MY family. I've purchased a website and have to finish building it in order to get it ready to be published. I also purchased 2 backdrops and a backdrop stand. Those were delivered yesterday and of course I had to set it up and shoot a few pics of the kids....just to test it out :) I am super excited about starting this chapter in my life.

On another note, I am looking to but a house. Actually, Saturday I am going to look at a few. I am really excited and nervous at the same time. Lots of new things for me in 2009.