Embrace the Camera - 11-8-12

I know it's been a while since I've ETC'd. Its been a tough/busy few months. But I'm back, and that's all that matters.

This week's Embrace the Camera is brought to you by the difference that antibiotics can make. Im not a huge pill fan, but I am thankful for modern medicine today.

This is "strep throat, sinus and ear infection Holly"

 and "I can finally swallow and yawn again without crying Holly." Oh, the difference 24 hours and antibiotics can make. Ahhhhh.

On another note, Im pretty sure 90% of my pictures are either of my dogs or have them in the background. They are always right there with me, which I love.

To see what this Embrace the Camera thing is all about click HERE.

Embrace the Camera - 7.26.12

I am so thankful for my super cuddly boy. He fell asleep at Courtney's house today while we were watching one of my favorite movies, Big Fish.

To see what this Embrace the Camera thing is all about, click HERE. 

Embrace the Camera - 7.19.12

To see what this embrace the camera thing is all about, click HERE.

Embrace the Camera - 7.12.12

Two GREAT shots captured by our friend Alycia last night. Can you tell that Sam and I are totally into each other? Because we are. 

My little boy is growing so fast. Watching him change is so painful and yet so thrilling. He is so smart and so quick and I still say he is the best kid ever. The 3's started out rough, but we all made it through the nasty fits and bad attitude pretty fast. He is now cleaning up his messes without being told, eating massive amounts of food at meal times, goes to bed without a fuss and usually remembers to say "please" and "thank you." Matty and I get LOTS of kisses and hugs everyday and he will tell us out of the blue "I wuv you!"

We just can't get enough of him!

We are slowly moving forward in our adoption journey and one of the things I look forward to the most is to see Sam love on a little baby. He is going to make a GREAT big brother and I know he will protect, love and enjoy having a little sibling. 

To see what this Embrace the Camera thing is all about, click HERE. 

Embrace the Camera - 6.21.12

Man oh man, this is my life. Sam falling asleep 2 minutes after leaving the house, and 2 minutes before arriving at our destination. There are many times I just sit in the parking lot for as long as I can to give him the best nap possible. Good thing God invented smart phones and talk radio for times such as these.

Notice the giraffe? Yeah, they are everywhere. I'm pretty sure there is one in every room and every car. Sam sure loves them.

Oh yeah, and I put on lipstick today. For no reason. Sometimes it's just fun to "get ready".

That is all.

Embrace the Camera - 5.24.12

Obviously Matt's genes are very dominant in Sam's handsome looks and calm demeanor. But, believe it or not, Sam is a lot like his Mommy too.

He has my sleep habits (we both thrive on 10 hours a night), my outgoing, love to be the center of attention personality, my appetite, my obsession with animals and apparently, my tongue.

To see what this Embrace the Camera thing is all about, click HERE.

Embrace the Camera - 5.17.12

Front porch sittin' with the boy.

To see what this Embrace the Camera thing is all about, click HERE.

Embrace the Camera - 5.10.12

Sam and I at our favorite spot in the Point Defiance Zoo.

To see what this Embrace the Camera thing is all about, click HERE.

Embrace the Camera - 5.3.12

All I have for this week is an Instagram shot of me, Sam and Courtney. It's a lot of fun hanging out with these two. Sam loves waking her up in the morning and signing with her. Court loves to show Sam new signs like "tiger" and "snake". They love to watch movies together and play with stickers.

I'm very lucky know them both.

To see what this Embrace the Camera thing is all about, click HERE.

Embrace the Camera - 4.26.12

Three years ago today I met Sam. What a day this was! Exciting, exhausting, heartbreaking and bittersweet. I remember it all clearly. After 48 hours of labor (40 of which were not drug assisted!) and 2 hours of pushing, Samuel arrived. And although the next few days were some of the worst in my life, I would do it all again for my sweet boy!

Today he is healthy, happy and full of energy. He eats any and everything you put in front of him and always has room for dessert. Sam has quite the imagination and it's not out of the ordinary for him to play pretend in his room with some of his favorite animal toys. He still loves cuddling and give great hugs and kisses. Sam enjoys being the boss and is really good at ordering the dogs around. Sammy is extremely well behaved. We are so proud of the person he is and we love to watch him grow and learn every day.

Yesterday, he and I went on a lunch date. During the picture I told him to squeeze me. I guess his is what happens to his face when muscles are being used.

Silly boy.

Happy 3rd birthday, Shmooly!
We love you so much.

To see what this Embrace the Camera thing is all about, click HERE. 

Embrace the Camera - 4.19.12

This week's ETC image is brought to you by, C-Sections! Here am I, all scrubbed up, waiting to go into the OR to photograph the birth of Xander Citro. See his birth story HERE.

Labor and delivery pictures are BY FAR my favorite thing to photograph. And if you ask me, it is THE most important time to hire a photographer. Not only because it is such a huge day in your life, but because the memory of it goes blurry within months of having your baby.

I love being in the room, watching the team work take place between the partners, seeing how amazing women and our bodies are and then witnessing a tiny life be brought into this world. I can never keep my composure. It's an emotional time and the pictures are easily stunning.

To see what this Embrace the Camera thing is all about, click HERE.

Embrace the Camera - 4.12.12

Last month I was put in charge of putting together a slide show with images from Jan's life for her funeral. It was an extremely emotionally charged task, but I felt so lucky to be able to have a better glimpse into her life through the pictures that were collected.

About a year before she passed away we all got together for family pictures. NO ONE wanted to do it. It's a pain to get that many people organized and willing, not to mention it was cold and dark.

But we did it! And if we hadn't, we would not have a single family picture. To say I am grateful for these would be an understatement.

I realized how important it is to have pictures of yourself. Not so much for your own documentation, but for your children. So, I am going to start "Embracing the Camera" every week.

I can't say it any better than Emily, a fellow blogger, who I have been following for a little while now for her adoption experience. She started ETC two years ago and I think it's such a great idea. Please check out her link and turn your own camera around!!!

http://andersonfamilycrew.blogspot.com/p/embrace-camera.html

Here we are, straight out of bed, getting ready to go outside and work in the yard. I cringe at posting pictures of myself without make-up but these are for Sam, and I know he doesn't give a darn.

I am so thankful for this goofy boy!