Best Shot(s) Monday: To the Lake!

No, we didn't actually go to the lake to get in the water...we have a pool at home for swimming and I have an irrational fear of swimming in water when I can't see the bottom! But, we did visit Lake Grapevine and walk around the park areas and dock to enjoy one of the nice cool(er) days we've had this past week.

Caden loves to be outside and I've been feeling a little guilty lately that we just don't get outside as much as we should because its been *so* hot and I've been lazy. But, especially now that it has cooled off some, I've committed to myself (and Caden) that we are going to get outside for at least one hour every day.

Anyway, we had a blast at the lake and I took a few different shots because I was trying out a lens I rented to see if I wanted to buy it. I think I'm actually going to end up getting a 35mm prime instead for some wider shots indoors and then get an 18-200mm zoom in a couple of months.

I actually can't pick one favorite this week, so you get them all...

Experimenting with flare...

I love photographing leading lines...
a wide-angle lens makes them look even cooler!

Brandon & Caden walking the dock...

Lake Grapevine...

Experimenting with silhouettes...I really love the way this one turned out!

Cole, "the thinker"...

Ahhh, my boys...Caden is getting so good with Cole...
I'm starting to get a lot of shots of them together!

For more best shots this week, head over to Tracey's!

Fitness Friday: Hitting My Stride

6 weeks to go until I have to wear this dress for my sister-in-law's wedding. I'm going to try to keep myself accountable by posting my progress on Fridays over the next few weeks.

I have been working really hard at losing weight for exactly 2 months today. It has been a frustrating two months, but I'm finally seeing the results I've been waiting for. These are the little milestones I've completed:

*I'm back to my pre-pregnancy weight (Cole, not Caden)! It took me FOREVER to get down to it because I actually gained a few pounds from exercising at first, then plateaued for a few weeks. But, I'm there and I am proud even though I thought I would have lost a lot more by now.

*BUT, I've lost 3 1/2 inches in my waist and 3 inches in my hips in the past 4 weeks! That is pretty huge, I guess...Obviously, I've tightened up and the baby belly is fading...I guess it really is working!

*Running isn't hard anymore! Sure, there are days when I don't feel great and when every step is a chore, but, for the most part, I feel really good when I'm running (jogging 5mph) now that I've gotten through the first few weeks.

*As my good friend Dawn would say, running makes you feel like a rockstar....the emotional benefits are huge and it really does help the self-esteem. Since I've been feeling a little better about myself lately, I actually posed for some pictures on my b-day with each of the boys AND, I actually like them enough that I am willing to post them! This is huge for me...I never like to have pictures taken, and I like posting them even less. But, here is one of me with each of the boys!

Just One of Those Moments...

Cole is getting sort of close to sitting up, so I had him leaning in the corner of the couch hanging out for a while. Caden thought it was pretty cool that Cole was sitting up...it was kind of like he realized: "Hey, this baby is a kid like me!" He jumped up on the couch and started playing with Cole. Of course, I RAN to get the camera so I could catch the preciousness...and, oh how precious it was...my big boy gabbering on and on about Cole (or GOOOOAAAAAL) as he calls him and how fun it was that he was sitting there right next to him! I didn't even have to pose him (not that he really would have listened anyway), he just jumped right up there.

He even seemed to realize that momma and daddy were ecstatic that he was being so cute with his brother for the camera because he actually stayed there with a look of understanding that I wanted to take his picture...the first time I've ever noticed that he understood what the camera was all about (not that it is shocking since it has been pointed in his face since he was born!).

Anyway, I think I am going to get these framed in a set for the wall...They just crack me up and make me so happy every time I see them!

Poor Cole...check out the squashed eye!
Caden isn't the gentlest toddler in the world...but, he really is starting to love his brother!

He kept doing this over and over again...his hand on Cole's head...
Its soooo cute, I just can't take it!

Best Shot Monday: Baby Fresh

I love the smell of my baby's skin...even when he's not fresh out of the bath, there is a sweetness that just melts my heart! Now that he is feeling so much better, I have been able to sit back and enjoy him a whole lot more. It has been so much fun to see his little personality emerging...he loves to cuddle, coo and sing and even has a little laugh!

I am very behind on posting pictures, but I'm hoping to catch up this week and post a bunch of my little monkeys around the house...Head over to Tracey's for more best shots from this week!

I Can Breathe Again...

The last couple of weeks have been amazing...I feel like a completely different person! Ever since we put Cole back on the soy formula, life has been completely different. I can honestly say that we have not had one bad day! I'm so thankful that he is finally a happy, healthy baby! Thanks to all of you who have supported me through the past 3 1/2 months, it has meant the world me.

It has been a very long road, but at the end of the road we've found the sweetest, happiest, sleepiest baby ever! Cole is sleeping like an angel...He goes to bed between 7 & 8 and sleeps until around 3 or 4...Then, he goes back to sleep until 10 AM! This is giving me two hours alone with Caden every morning...time which he greatly appreciates! It is really hard for me to get used to! Caden didn't sleep this well until he was around 7 months old and he NEVER took naps longer than 45 minutes until he was over a year old. So, to have a baby that sleeps this much seems completely unreal.

Now that I've got every night "free" again, I've been running my 5 miles on the treadmill...That's right, I said RUNNING! I started taping my foot (something I had tried without success before my foot surgery) and it has worked! I still think I will need to get the second surgery because it still gets a little sore, but it doesn't seem to be getting worse and it is tolerable to run through. It has felt so good to get back to running...I absolutely love it! Now, if the weight will actually start to come off too..Brandon says I definitely look like I've lost weight even if the scale doesn't show it...I guess it must be the whole fat/muscle redistribution thing. But, it is frustrating to be working so hard and not seeing any difference on the scale! I've started recording my measurements instead to see if I see a difference there...hopefully that will give me some encouragement soon!

I promised some pictures from the nature preserve walk earlier this week, so here they are:

My smiling baby...aren't those feet just too cute?

He loves his hands over his face...It is very adorable, especially while he is sleeping at night. But, I can't keep his nails cut short enough to keep him from scratching his face and looking like he's been in a cat fight !

Caden LOVES sticks...he's all boy, for sure!

Caden the explorer...he's always so intently checking out the world around him.

And, one of my favorite shots of all time...he's actually looking at the camera
AND smiling the perfect, bright-eyed, sweet smile!

Life is good...

Wordless Wednesday: Sunflowers

Best Shot Monday: I finally got one!!!

We went on a family walk at a nature preserve yesterday. We stopped for a break, some pictures and to let Caden run around and explore. And, there is where I did it...I finally got a decent shot of my babies together! It is nearly impossible to get Caden to stay still for two seconds, let alone get him to lay down next to Cole without stepping on him, scratching him or punching him in the face (all accidental)...But, for a few seconds, Caden laid down next to Cole on the quilt and gave Cole hug after hug, and I snapped away....

I love this picture....It makes me think of the days just around the corner when my boys will be able to laugh and play together...I can't wait for those days!

Many more pictures from our walk later this week, but for now check out Tracey's for more best shots!