Photography Class - Weeks 1 and 2

I have always had an interest in photography, but for a long time I was not very good at all. Getting a nice digital camera and practicing a lot has helped, but I am excited to finally be able to take a class!
I'm taking a photography class through the community adult education. We've had one class so far.
The first night of class we had to bring 3 or 4 printed pictures we have taken that for whatever reason we like. Everyone put their photos on the table at the front of room and the last 30 minutes we all stood around the table pointing out pictures we like and saying what we like about them. We don't know whose pictures are whose, except for your own of course.
Anyway, these are the 4 I printed out. 3 of the 4 were commented on, so that was pretty cool:
We talked about the rule of thirds and leading lines in class. (I already knew about the rule of thirds and it has made for better pictures!). If you incorporate those into your composition then you will have more pleasing pictures. So the assignment for week 2 is to take 3 pictures practicing those elements. Here are the ones I am printing and bringing in:
I think it will be fun to see if I progress throughout the class. Wish me luck!

Green

I forgot it was St Patty's day for a little while yesterday. I decided to help Lulu get excited about it, even though I'm not really sure what the point of the holiday is. Who is St Patrick and what did he do and why do we have a day for him? With the internet I could easily look up his history, I just haven't yet.
All I know is you wear green, eat Irish food, and drink beer (if you are in to that). I'm not sure why you are pinched if you don't wear green, or why we even wear green. Is Ireland any greener of a country than any other place? Why do we have leprechauns and rainbows on this day? Because they are lucky charms and the Irish are lucky for some reason? So many questions.
But any excuse to make ethnic food is always fun for me. I like to make Mexican food on Cinco de Mayo. Real Mexican, not American Mexican. Chinese food on Chinese New Year. Chilean food on their Independence day. Irish food on St Patty's Day.
And it's fun to get kids excited about little things, like green clothes and green food. So we put something green on half way through the day, drew a big chalk rainbow on the driveway, and planned to eat some green things for dinner.

The menu:
Corned beef on Reuben sandwiches (Ollie makes the best Reubens. Seriously)
Fried Potatoes with green dip (Ranch)
Asparagus
Irish Soda Bread with chocolate chips

The kids thought it was cool to make green Ranch dressing, but refused to actually eat it. They don't really like reubens, they're an adult taste for sure. So they had regular grilled cheese. The soda bread, our new recipe, cooked while they were bathing and while we watched American Idol. It turned out pretty tasty! I want to try it with herbs and parmesan cheese next time. That would be delicious too. Give it a try, maybe next year on March 17th. Even if we don't know why we celebrate the day.
http://www.food.com/recipe/irish-rosies-irish-soda-bread-20616

3 to go

I have 3 months left til I am a mother of 3! Less than three months now. Unless he is measuring small because I have the wrong due date. But I doubt that. I think the first ultrasound we had when he was only about 11 weeks said that he was due right around the 8th of June, and we are going by that.

I'm not sure why I'm measuring small, or why he is measuring small, or why he had cysts on his brain that have since resolved themselves and gone away, or why my fluid is a little low. We have had a lot more little problems than I did with the last 2 pregnancies, but I still feel confident that he is growing big and strong and we will have a healthy baby boy. I am not worried.

I have been a little worried though about the labor. I wish I could do it natural. I want the spiritual experience that many who go natural get. But, I am such a wimp when it comes to pain. I have not prepared myself to go natural, and so I think I will most likely use the epidural. I have to admit it IS really nice to see the contractions on the monitor but not feel them.

I am also getting a little worried about 3 kids. That's supposedly the hardest number to get used to. I think Buddy will have to adjust to not being the baby. He still gets held a lot, and smothered in kisses. He doesn't really love the kisses any more. I'm sure he will still get attention, and kisses, but it will be toned down. I'm planning on Lulu being a great helper and loving the baby. I hope I'm right about that!

So, the time still seems pretty far away, but it will be here before we know it. I'm ok with waiting 3 more months. I need to finish preparing myself and the kids and the house. Plus I'm trying to get in as much sleep as I can these days. Sleep deprivation is one of the hardest parts of having a new born. But as I look back at pictures of Lulu and Buddy's first few months, I get really excited. It's such a fun time.

Big Boy

We decided to move Buddy into a big boy bed. We put him in his crib without a railing for two nights. That was a joke to get him to stay in there the first night. He must have gotten up about 50 times. Once he was tired enough and he laid down, he slept great. We only did that two nights and then decided to put him straight into his big boy bed. If he was going to adjust to a new bed it might as well be the one he will permanently be in.
I wanted to move him over now while I'm still able to hold him and comfort him while he's adjusting. And I don't want him to think of the crib as his bed and hate the baby for being in there. That takes a little while. Our baby will be in there in about 3 months. Newborns never last long in the cradle in our room.
So, it was really hard to get him to stay in the big boy bed. He thinks it's just so cool that he can get in and out. And Lulu had a hard time at first getting to sleep with Buddy getting in and out of bed. She kept sitting up and telling him to get back in his bed.
But he finally fell asleep and he's had two good naps in there the last few days. Every day is an improvement with getting him to stay in the bed and put himself to sleep. Last night was really good. So, we're on our way!
Plus Lulu and Buddy are excited to be roommates!
And he's even done all this while getting a cold!
He's sure a cute big boy!

Siesta

I fell asleep in the warm sunshine on the living room floor today. I thought I'd just rest for a minute. After all, Lulu was playing very loudly with her princesses. She woke me a few times. "Look at this mom, the princess won't stay in bed!" "Mom can I watch a movie yet?" Each time I responded and closed my eyes and was instantly asleep again.
I could not wake up.
Finally I rolled over and struggled to my knees. I remembered that I really hadn't gotten anything done yet. I mean we played outside before lunch and I mailed a birthday card. Oh, and showered and checked the mail. Those are always important. But there are dishes, planning the menu, folding clothes, eating a snack, vacuuming... yeah. There's a big list I need to get started on. Plus take the kiddos on a walk with my bff.
But man, that sun felt so nice, and so did the nap.
Growing another baby must be hard work, especially when you have two other little ones vying for your love and attention, day AND night.
I feel quite rejuvenated and happy after that little siesta. I'm wondering if I should plan that into my list of things to do tomorrow.
Will it be sunny again?
On to the dishes!