Beauty: Sister

She is the closest I have to a sister. She hates to have her picture taken, but she let me snap away. She is awesome. She is beautiful.

Motherhood and Working

Everyone asks how the baby is and how I'm adjusting to motherhood.  Well here's the truth.

We came home from the hospital with our Firefly and the household fell into a routine of sorts.  The puppies loved him (or at least tolerated him as long as they went outside often), the kitty was terrified of him and mommy and daddy were getting by pretty well with the little sleep we received.

The house work was actually getting accomplished better than before baby and I was back in the gym.  Everything was going really well

Firefly - 1 Month

And then I had to go back to work...

Please some one tell me how you do it all?

We're lucky that Husband is able to stay home with him until July, but I already feel overloaded.  And I know it will just get worse when Husband starts his residency.  As an intern we're expecting his first two months to work 60+ hours a week (hopefully it will get better then).  So I will essentially be doing it all on my own for a couple of months.

Right now I don't feel like I have time to go to the grocery or run errands, do the laundry and lets not even think about working out because I wouldn't get play with or see him.  That's just not fair to him.  I get home, feed Firefly, play with him for hopefully an hour or two and he goes to bed.  Then I have to take care of the milk and pump equipment from the day.  I might get a chance to do the dishes or make dinner.  (Thank God for protein shakes because I would surely starve!)  I go to bed only to wake up at 4:30 to do it all again.

I don't really feel like a mother.  I'm just marking things off of my to do list every night.  I love what I do, but its just killing me right now.

So I ask you, how do you/have you done it?

Our little Firefly

Little Firefly

Born 30 December 2010

2:48 am

7 lbs 6 oz

A few little facts:

• He has/had huge feet! He was wearing 6-18 month socks when we came home from the hospital.
• He never did have that newborn look. He's just always looked like a little toddler.
• He was alert and able to hold his head up a few hours after he was born.
• He gave us quite a fright with a decelerating heart beat, but he was just trying to escape the heart rate monitor.
• Everyone had to ask for pronunciation as to how to say his name. My dad still can't get it right.
• Epidurals are fan-freakin'-tastic! Seriously. No joking. We went to the hospital only after I reached my pain threshold (all back labor. OUCH) and then after switching to a different hospital! It was my first demand and it was GLORIOUS!
• We left the hospital after less then 36 hours and were home in time to celebrate the new year.

These pictures were taken when he was 4 days old. He is my favorite picture subject ever and he seems to not mind having his picture taken (so far).

{⋮February 2010⋮} The B Family

Wow. I've been absent a bit. From posting to reading and everything in between.

In an attempt to distract and pacify you lovely readers, here is the adorableness of a friends daughter. She had just turned 1 and I got the pleasure of taking her pictures in an attempt to document the momentous occasion! Enjoy...

Images by: Jennifer Photography

Tear Streaked Cheeks

Our household is not feeling l'amour this week.

My grandpa passed away Sunday night. While it wasn't entirely unexpected at his age and in his health, it was quite sudden.

But that was just like him. When he had made his mind up to leave for a trip he was packing the car and on his way. Once he got on the road there were no side trips, no detours, no lingering longer than planned.

He didn't linger. I don't believe he felt any pain or fear. He even got to ride in a helicopter to make his final journey.

He was in a place he loved and he and Gran-ma were surrounded by people they care about.

The only problem is that that place is in Texas. The southern most part of Texas. A paradise. A Spring Break destination. But very far away from Home-Town Mid-West. My Mother and Brother flew down to be with Gran-ma. They are making the arrangements to put the trailer in storage, bring the truck home and get both Gran-ma and Grandpa home.

I am having a hard time not being there with my Gran-ma. I want her with me so that I can take care of her and hug her and tell her everything will be alright, that Grandpa wouldn't have left her if he didn't think she could make it through this.

I have settled with talking to her on the phone and all I can keep saying is that Mom will bring her home to me soon and I'll be waiting for her when she gets there.

To my only favorite Grandpa

From your only favorite Granddaughter

I Love You

{⋮24 May 2009⋮} Nephew Calendula

I have had these and keep forgetting to post them. Enjoy...

He love his uncle!

With Daddy! Also know on this little blog as Big Brother!

"Bubbles! My bubbles."

{One of my favorite movie quote of all time. Quick what movie is that quote from?}

The Puppies kept getting in the pictures!

All my pictures can be seen HERE.

Best-Friend-in-Law

Husband was give a new title this weekend: Best-Friend-in-Law.

The Boy and The Girl got married this weekend!!!

It was beautiful and I got to distract myself from bawling! take lots of pictures. Her photographer wasn't going to be there while the girls got ready {what's up with that?} and I told her that I would fill in, I only wish I could have taken pictures for the guys too.

They all got ready, I remembered the rings, they made it to the ceremony site, the guys walked down the aisle, she stepped out for all to see, but I was watching The Boy's face and as soon as he saw her his face lit up...I started crying. I love The Boy and am thankfully for his relationship with Husband. {If you have ever seen 'Scrubs' their relationship is similar to that of Turk and JD. Seriously. The Boy has been referred to as my 2nd boyfriend and my stand-in husband because they are inseparable. He went on most dates with us and even lived with us for a while.} But more on their friendship {and the battle between Husband-best man and Dad of the Groom involving microphones...} later.

For now I will give you a little preview of their wedding pictures. For all of you wondering, yes she did make husband wear pink choral, no he was not thrilled about it, and yes she will never hear the end of it!

The most beautifully vibrant color!

She is absolutely gorgeous! And so was their hotel room.

I have know these guys for alsmot 11 years {wow Husband and I have been together a long time!} and they crack me up.

The new Mr. and Mrs.! Another tear jerker for me. I am so happy that he found a beautiful bride that brings out the best in him!

I'll be posting all of the pictures HERE

Niko the Nikon Goes to the Zoo

This weekend was very exciting!!  I mentioned for my birthday a few weeks ago that all I put on my wish list was this camera.  I wasn't sure if I was going to be able to get it, but I asked everyone to skip the gifts this year in lieu of cash.  I felt bad asking for money for my birthday, but I knew the only way that I was going to be able to get my camera was to pool all of my gifts from Christmas last year and my birthday until I had enough saved up!

Well let me introduce you to...

Niko the Nikon!

{Please forgive the backwards picture.  I took this one with photobooth on my Mac}

Friday Night - Husband and I went to the bank after work and headed downtown to the camera store to take a look. The store was closed. I was bummed. Husband suggested that we stop by Best Buy on the way home just to hold look at it until Saturday when the store was open.  Well we learned a pretty good lesson.

When you know your stuff and have done your research you can haggle prices with Best Buy!

Do you all know that and I'm just behind the times?  Because I was shocked when they said how much they would knock off the top!  And then we talked them into throwing in a few additional things too!  So I was only expecting to get the camera body and use my old lenses, but I walked away with a brand new lens and a large memory card!  I was all smiles, like a 5 year old with ice cream, Mickey Mouse, and a balloon!

Saturday - We had plans to meet a couple at the zoo and the gardens.  What perfect timing to buy a new shiny camera!  Here's a few pictures courtesy of Niko...

For a better look check out the site...http://photobucket.com/j-photography_16-May-2009

After the zoo we had a wonderful lunch {best.pizza.ever} and some great conversation.  It was great to be able to spend the day with both of them.  He will no doubt be busy busy when he starts residency next month!  Congratulations Doctor!

I spent the rest of the weekend taking pictures, processing pictures, and trying to remember what all of the 5 million buttons on Niko can do!  There are so many things to learn!

An Image for Today - Wednesday

Twisted...

Image by: Jennifer

Taken 15 February 2009

Now that have have finished Nephew Calendula's pictures I can concentrate what little free time I have on my personal pictures.  I'll post a few every now and then, but its probably going to  take a long time to get through all of them!  I hope you like them!

In the mean time...

So I've been writing a lot about how many hours I have been working and everything.  Well I just had a very good meeting with Boss Man about my career goals.  It went really well!  We'll see where it all goes from here!  I have the best bosses in the entire world!

{On that note, I may or may not be bribing the lab group with chocolate cake...mint chocolate to be exact!  And I must say its really good!}

After all of this good news today I think I'm going to do something fun and completely out of my norm after work...I'm going to the local TEA PARTY!  And I'm bringing my camera!  I hope I get some good shots and add myself to the group of those speaking out! 

This should be fun!  Are any of you going too?

Without Further Ado...

I have finally finished processing the pictures that I took of my Nephew Calendula's baptism!  Its been really hard getting to them after coming home from working 10 plus hours EVERY day that last couple of weeks, but I think they turned out really good!

So without further ado...

Nephew Calendula's Baptism

So, what do you think? Itsn't he just the cutest?!

This weekend was a lot of fun! The Boy came to visit and the guys played video games alll weekend! I mean they would get up around 9 and stay up and play until about 4 am. The only breaks they took were to eat...And man did we eat!

I made some beef pitas and my amazing lasagna!

The pitas were really easy - cut the beef into strips and marinade in Kraft Greek dressing, the brown and put in a pita with humus, lettuce and feta cheese!

I wish I could give you all my lasagna recipe! But, alas, I don't make it from a recipe and it changes every time! I can tell you that I make a tomato soup bases meat sauce and a cheesy bechmeal sauce and layer it with lots of motzarella!

Easter was a laid back holiday this year. We didn't see any family and we made it a day together. And what was for dinner after all of the great food this weekend? Tacos! Yep, we have tacos for Easter! It was fun, not stressful and 100% focused in the right direction...perfect.

I hope you all had a great holiday!

How Many Times Does That Happen?

How many times does it actually happen that the first half of the week goes really well?

In all honesty, Monday through Wednesday are usually dragging for me and I'm looking forward to the end and the weekend.  Good news and events almost always happen in the later part of the week.  Is it true for you too?

Well this week, dispite the FREEZING weather, has been awesome!  

The good news - The robot at work did not cooperate well last week, but has been working perfectly and has finished my experiment.  I'm crossing my fingers that it continues to be so wonderful while I work up and run my analysis!  {Do you hear me robot?  I'm loving you right now, will you return the favor?}

I have also been really productive!  I have organized and finished all of the samples I had to run in my new lab {all 19 of them!}, completed nearly all of the notebook entries for samples in BOTH labs, and had time at home to process some more of the pictures I took of my nephew!  

However, last night, not so productive.  Neither of us got home until 5:30! Then we spent way to long at the gym.  I didn't even start making dinner until 8:30.  and then we went to bed...we lead such fun and exciting lives!

If the beginning of the week wasn't good enough, the end keeps sounding better and better! 

The Boy {husband's best friend from elementary school} is coming to visit Thursday to Sunday!  I love to have him visit!  I just wish that his fiance {The Girl} could come too!  I absolutely love her and couldn't be more thrilled that they are getting married in June!

This weekend promises to be filled with...

• Good food - I can practice ANY recipe on the guys and they will love it.  And if they don't I am getting The Boy his very own box of cereal, which will probably be gone before he leaves!

• Lots of video games - Its what they do.  And that means that I will get lots of naps because video game gun fire at 10,000 desibles = me falling asleep for some reason.

• Plenty of time for me to get things done without having to make sure Husband is entertained.  I have mentioned it before...he is sooo ADD.

And because I love their pictures, I'll leave you with one from their engagement session we had last year...

Image by: Jennifer

Its so Wonderful

I'm honored!  Thanks go out to Sara from Unwrap Life agging me in her Kreativ Blogger Award!

  

The rules...

List seven things that I love.

Pass the award on to seven bloggers that I love

Shouldn't be to hard right?  After all this is Pour l'amour de...{For the love of...}.  

1.  Our Little Family

Husand is at school studying for his block of examines tomorrow and I am home with the puppies, The Fluffy One and The Little One.  Its a small little family, but it is perfect!  It will eventually expand, but not anytime in the near future.    It is never a dull moment with the pups.  As an example here's a little video clip of the mood that they are in this morning...

2.  Reading

I love to escape into the world of a book, if only for a few pages at a time.  Right now I am reading 3 different books and have a list of about 30 that I want to get to soon!  I didn't love to read until Husband came along.  He reads A LOT.  He will go through 3 books in one weekend and has a complex that he must own the books that he reads so that he can reread them again and again {he could seriously read the words of the page}.  Its because of him that I have developed this love!  If you're wondering the books that I've read or are on my list to read click on the like in the menu above {or here}.  I'm working on populating the list now!

Just one of your many bookshelves

3.  Science

I am admit it I am  nerd!  Science fasinates me!  Its always changing and moving, trying to understand the world and how it works!  

4.  Photography

My artistic outlet.  I have mentioned before how I need to have a balance between science and the arts in my life to be happy and this is how I do it...

Image by: Jennifer

5.  Sewing

Another artistic outlet that I could spend way to much time a money working on.  I love to design and make my own clothes.  I just takes to much time to actualy make the outfits and time is something that I don't have a lot of.  I learned from my Grandmother, who learned from her mother...This love has led me to do some pretty amazing things.  My Grandmother taught me to sew {correctly} when I made my senior prom dress for a class project.  She was there guiding my hands as I made my wedding dress.  

{For source of images please contact me}

I love my Grandmother for all the love, help and guidance she has given me!

6.  Calla Lilies

They are so beautiful!  They have clean lines and an elegant flower.  

Image by: Robert Mapplethorpe

7.  My Ancestors

{Yes I'm a nerd I have already established this}  

My Great Grandparents came here from Germany for a brighter future.  They did not have a great education, but opened a tavern to support they're family.  My Grandfather could not go to school and stayed home to run the family business and here I am.  A third generation from imigrants with a Masters in Chemistry and working in pharmaceuical reseach!  My ancestor's hard work have made all of it possible and proves that America is the land of opportunities!  

So that you have it.  Seven things that I love.  

I am passing this wonderful award on to:

Ashley from According to Ashley

Megs from Perfectly Imperfect

Angela Darling from 20-Something Dreams

Jessica Lynn from Tying the Knot and Penned and Pretty

Julie from Disgruntled Julie

jlc from French Kiss

Newlywed Hostess from Newlywed Hostess

Its Time to Celebrate!

It is officially April and no longer April Fool's Day!

And what does that mean?...

Its my birthday month!!!!

I have the next 25 days to celebrate, tell everyone the things that I absolutely 'need' without seeming greedy and be all smiles all of the time!  

I have compiled my birthday list and am circulating it to everyone that will consider getting me a gift.  Its very short this year...

Nikon D90 DSLR

It would definitely take my photography to the next level {aka digital!}

It is the only thing on my list and I have asked everyone to go in together.  Its expensive, really expensive, but I've been saving for it for a long time and with the help of birthday money I think I can finally buy it!

I have also done a few things around here for the special occasion!  Some have you might have notice, but if you haven't - 

click over from your viewer and see it now!

I have a whole new layout!  There are still a few chinks to work out and I would love suggestions on what would make it better so don't forget to leave me some comment love!  I did it entirely myself so it will never be perfect and it will continue to evolve, but I'm proud of myself for learning enough HTML code to get it done!

I glad its April.  So many good things happen this month besides by birthday - April showers, the trees start to leaf, the warmer air starts to stay.  I couldn't ask for a better month to celebrate!

I posted a sneak peak picture of Nephew Calendula here, but the family is so excited to see the rest of them {and a few live so far away 'Hi Aunt J!'} that I suppose one more teeny tiny peak wouldn't hurt...  

Image by: Jennifer

Here is Nephew Calendula in Big Brother's arms!  All 21 lbs of the little 6 month old cutie!  

I promise I'll let you know when they are all posted on my photo site.  Its taking me forever to get them finished!  I guess that's what happens when your working 50 hrs/week and brushing up on electron and x-ray microscopy in your free time!  

This new lab that I'm working in for the next month or two is doing some interesting science, but its a steep learning curve when you've never run these experiments before!  I'm really enjoying it though and hopefully it will help me get hired on full time!

Even with all that exciting stuff going on at work, I am so happy its almost the weekend!  The in-laws are coming down for dinner and staying the night to drop Mom-in-law off at the airport for her spring break trip to see Aunt J!  {She's a luck duck!}  

And we're discussing the new island cabinets we're having a relative build for our kitchen!  I'm so excited for them to get started!  {I promise I'll have before and after pictures!}

And of course there will be basketball {which means study breaks for Husband!} all weekend!  My brackets are already screwed up {thank you very much Duke and Memphis} so I only have 2 of my final four left.  

How are your brackets looking after the games last night?  What are the big plans for the weekend?  

An Image for Today - Tuesday

The touch of an Angel...

Image by: Jennifer

This is just one of the many pictures I got to take this weekend of Nephew Calendula and his baptism!

Nephew Calendula is just the most perfect little boy.  He didn't cry once during the baptism and let me take all of the pictures that we had time for.  I will share more pictures  when I get them all processed, but I just couldn't wait to share this one!

We had a lot of fun visiting with my in-laws who I absolutely love.  The only hiccup to a perfect weekend is when Big Sister thought she should share her opinion on when Husband and I should have a kid.  {Has any one ever done this to you?}

Excuse me, but it is NEVER ok to start a conversation with 'I think you two should start having kids now...'.  I understand asking politely when we may be thinking about it and having a conversation about the topic, but seriously.  We are not waiting for children because 'life is to hectic'.  When have our reasons and they are good ones {not that it matters or is any of your business}.  

We have been discussing having children since before you were even a part of our family, so you can get off your high horse about how wonderful it is!  And if you do read this Big Sister be warned...If you bring it up again the verbal filter will come off and the 'inside voices' will switch to outside and we all know what happens when Husband actually speaks what he's thinking!

Ok my little rant is over, but it has seriously been bothering me and its not the first time she's done it!

On a lighter note, I did get to wear my beautiful dress from Ann Taylor and was only a little chilly.  Here it is...

Its not the best picture, but I had to share the dress with all of you!  

Have a great Tuesday!

An Image for Today - Tuesday

in the dog house...



Image By: Jennifer Photography

My morning started off with a huge scare followed by a cold jog and oh is Little Puppy in her dog house!

I put the dogs out this morning and checked on them a few times...they were running and playing and pulling on their ropes. Husband went out to bring them in after their hour of play time and came back in asking me "where's the other one?"

WHAT? Are kidding me? The Little Houdini has done it again!

So we were jogging through the neighborhood calling for her this morning. It.is.cold.out! We finally spotted her and she came running up to Husband just as happy as could be, with no cares in the world or realization that she was 'free'.

She does this on occasion, but we have no idea how she gets the clasp on the rope off the collar all by herself {hello no opposable thumbs!}

Do any of you with dogs have little houdinis like mine? Any suggestions on how to keep her on her rope? I am open to suggestions!

An Image for Today - Monday

What's taking so long...



Image By: Jennifer Photography

Nephew Sweet Pea was just the cutest when we opened Christmas presents and Husband is so good with the kiddies! Sweet Pea cannot really talk yet, but he learned quickly...if you can't get your toy out of the packaging my Uncle has the tools for the job!

Husband {being the Boy Scout that he is} always carries a small knife with him and every gift that Sweet Pea opened was {as typical with kiddo toys} fixed to the packaging with countless zip ties. Heaven forbid we would actually want the kid to play with the toy!

After every gift Sweet Pea would pick up the package, carry it to Husband, and look up at him with a sad, hopeful look on his little face. Husband would cut it free, but the wait seemed unbearable.

I love to watch men {especially Husband} interact with little ones! I think it has something to do with the two extremes in size {Husband is really tall} that makes so sweet.

An Image for Today - Friday

Hehe, Bubble wrap goes pop...



Image by: Jennifer Photography

Nephew Sweet Pea discovered the wonders of bubble wrap this year. His face was perfect when he got one of the bubbles to pop all by himself!

Anyways, have a wonderful weekend everyone!

An Image for Today - Thursday

Oh Sweet Baby...



Image By: Jennifer Photography

Nephew Calendula with his mama! How precious is this picture?

An Image for Today - Tueday

A Dinosaur and an ADD Husband...



Image By: Jennifer Photography

This is what happens when you have an ADD Husband and to much time with nothing to do. After the Blue and Gold Wedding, while waiting in the hotel lobby for the reception to begin, Husband declares he's bored! I told him to watch the basketball game that was on in the lobby with little luck...IU vs. Kentucky {not the most riveting game!}

This is a problem. When Husband gets bored he starts entertaining himself by picking on none other than me! You have to be prepared for this at all times lest you face the full impact of his restless boredom.

Luckily...{and I have no idea why} we had this little Dinosaur figure with us.



Image By: Jennifer Photography

The poor little guy bravely withstood the wave of boredom until we were ushered up to the ballroom and other things to play with {anything sitting on the table}.

It really is like entertaining a little kid...except he's an adult and should be able to behave. Alas, I love him and he keeps my life interesting.

Do your husbands {kids} get bored too? What do you do when boredom strikes and you are stuck waiting some where, with nothing to do? What do you always take with you to keep them occupied?