Photography

For many years now, I've thought about doing some photography. I've always loved taking pictures, and I'd like to think that I have somewhat of an 'eye' for good shots. This last weekend I borrowed my dad's Nikon D40 to use at Candace's wedding. They had a photographer coming to do photos, but I remembered from my own wedding that the best pictures I have were from other people taking pictures. It's the candid shots that capture the real people. Also, my photographer decided to leave before we cut the cake, danced, threw the bouquet, and tossed the garter. That still makes me mad. Thanks to others, I still managed to get pictures of the rest of the wedding. I wasn't going to let that happen to my best friend. That's something you just can't get back. So, I took pictures. 533 to be exact.

After going through my photos with Jesse, he asked if photgraphy was something I would like to do. Of course, he hit the nail on the head. Yes! I would love to do some photography. So now for the last couple of days, we've been looking at cameras, lenses, etc. I'm seriously considering starting our own photgraphy business on the side. Weddings, family pics, etc. Thankfully, I know plenty of people in the business. I've already gotten a ton of advise. Over the next few months we're going to put a lot of effort into getting this business up and running. Now for the easy part. What to name the business.....

Here are a few pictures I took, and some editing in photoshop I've been playing with.

Midnight Snacks

Tonight was a first for me. Syd has learned to sit up all by herself this week. I was laying in bed tonight when I heard her start fussing on the monitor. I went to go check on her and found her sitting up in the middle of her crib crying. As soon as she saw me, her arms went straight up in the air, wanting me to pick her up. That made my heart melt! I had to pick her up for a few minutes for some mommy daughter cuddle loves. She amazes me more and more every day!

Midnight Snacks

Syd is growing crazy fast! Today she had two major leaps. (I don't know if that's a good thing for us.) The first happened while I was at work. We've been using a bouncy seat to keep her busy when we've got stuff to do like cleaning, eating, etc. Well, Jesse had set her in it, in front of the tv, and had gone upstairs to change so he could run some errands. We know she has been able to hold herself upright, and lean forward to get things on the floor around her. Sometimes she's leaned too far forward and bonked her head on the ground.

I want that sqeaky toy the doggies always play with!

Today though, she went a step further, and executed an escape plan! Jesse heard a thump downstairs, and waited for a cry, thinking she had bumped her head on the ground like usual. Nothing......still nothing.... weird.... maybe I should check on her? As he came down the stairs, he found her out of the bouncy seat, on the floor, and attempting to get away!

I got this far, and now my foot is stuck!

Now for what happened tonight. Jesse went in to work early tonight for an extra shift. It was about Sydney's bed time so I took her upstairs to her room and set her on the ground to roll around and play until she was tired enough to put her to bed easier. After watching her play for a bit I decided I would go change out of my work clothes and plug in my dying phone. I couldn't have been gone from her room for more than 2 minutes when I saw this.....

I see you Mommy!!!

I'm coming!

Oooh, mommy and daddy's room!

Gotta take a break for a minute. That was a long trip!

I found you mommy! PICK ME UP!!!!

Rewarded with cuddle loves :)

Silly kid. I just sat on my bed and watched her chat and army crawl all the way into the bedroom. I think we are in a lot of trouble with this one!

Juno

After looking up many names, in many languages, we have decided on Juno. I was hoping to find a unique name that meant white, dog, snow, etc. Anything that would fit her description and sound neat. While googleing a ton of languages, I happened upon Juneau, also spelled Juno. It fits. At least a lot better than Lady Bug did...

Therapy Dogs

For a while now I've been thinking about training a therapy dog. I took a flying leap and thought if we got a pit bull young enough we could train him to be a therapy dog, simultainiously getting a good name out for that breed. Gizmo was that attempt, but that obviously didn't work out. At all.

We just got a golden lab today. She's 7 years old, pure bred, and almost white in color, which I love. She's amazing so far. I haven't heard anything out of her yet. No grunts, no barks, nothing. The family that gave her to us, free I might add, had gotten her years ago as a therapy dog for their boy with downs syndrome. Recently though, he has been trying to mimick they family and has been taking her out for a walk on his own. They live on a VERY busy street. (4100 S. 4200 W. for those of you who know where that is.) He has been rescued from the street mulitple times while trying to get the dog that has wandered towards traffic. In the end, they just can't keep her and risk having their boy get hit by a car.

It's not going to take too much more work to get her certified as an actual therapy dog. She's very docile, very friendly. Doesn't jump up on anyone, just comes up to you and sits, waiting to be pet. It's perfect!

My one and only complaint for this dog is her name.... Lady Bug?!? That's why you don't let your kids name the dog. Even Lady, for short, isn't going to fly with me. So not a fan of the name in any way. So the hardest thing we have to deal with is coming up with a new name. That shouldn't be too hard, right? 10 hours later she's still nameless.... I'll sleep on it.