Playing Around With Photoshop

Let me know what you think of the different effects.

These are both the same picture, but there is a very slight effect on one of them. Can you even tell which? Does it look better with or without?




And which do you like better of these two?

Vanessa

Here's our little princess. Just about the cutest thing in the whole world.
She had her one year check up today, even though she's almost 14 months. It's taken us that long to get insurance and find a pediatrician.

She weighs 18.2 pounds. I didn't get her height though. She's small, but healthy!
Her development is great. She is running faster than I can keep up. She got away from me at the store the other day and for about 30 seconds I nearly had a heartattack.

She has lots of animal books and can point out any animal you ask her about...gorilla, kangaroo, dog, cat, monkey, frog, butterfly, etc.

She knows the animal sounds for cow, lamb, gorilla, rooster, cat, dog, horse, bee, duck, frog. She also makes a fish face and flaps her hands like butterfly wings.

She has three puzzles (the kind that is the shape of an animal or insect and has the same picture where they go as the puzzle piece). She can put all the pieces in the right spots and is starting to be able to wiggle them into place.

She knows nose, eyes, ears, teeth, hair, belly, toes, and fingers if you ask her where they are. (she'll also point out your nose, teeth, etc)

She can say mama, dada, tree (tee), hot (ho), no and nose (these two sound the same but she shakes her head no when she is telling you no and points to either your nose or her nose when she is saying nose), baby, dog (do), and duck (du).

She likes to shake her head no a lot and we've been trying to teach her to nod her head yes. She still doesn't do it on a regular basis. The other day I was asking her a bunch of yes/no questions and she just kept saying no. In succession with all the other question, I asked her if she "knew how to nod her head yes?" Without missing a beat she nodded her head yes (only the Vanessa version, which is way cuter anyway). To nod her head she opens her mouth and puts her chin on her chest and then nods without lifting her chin off her chest. It's pretty funny looking but really cute.

Her favorite movie, which we watch almost daily is Happy Feet. She only gets to watch it before bedtime and naptime if I'm having a hard time getting her to sleep.

She does a pretty good job of communicating what she wants. She just points like crazy and kinda whines until I get it. When she points at the fridge, she wants a drink; she points at the TV, she wants to watch Happy Feet. She definitely knows what she wants and you can't convince her otherwise. She almost understands what I'm saying to her, I'm the only one that doesn't always catch her drift :)

Needless to say, she is a whole lot of fun. She has a smile that melts everyone and the sweetest giggle and snort (yep, she snorts). She makes me laugh all day long and amazes me at what a baby can learn.

Being a mother has been the hardest thing I have ever done in my life. Hard, not in the way that I thought it would be hard. It's hard because it humbles you like you didn't think was possible and turns your world upside down. But it is also the most rewarding thing I have ever done. I wouldn't change it for the world.

If you should happen to visit...

...and our house looks like this. I probably just picked it up about ten minutes ago but just haven't started the twentieth round yet.

Another Water Park

So this park was pretty cool. It was shallow water but had a toy in it, that you can't really see. I had to be with Vanessa the entire time, so it was hard to get any pictures. There was one spot that she couldn't touch in and of course that was her favorite spot. I think she had a lot of fun. She definitely wore me out. There was a little girl there that loved Vanessa and Vanessa just about hated her. Vanessa loves attention. I would dare say she relishes in it. But, she's the type that wants your attention, but if she doesn't know you, she doesn't want you to touch her and most definitely don't follow her. So this particular little girl kept coming back and following Vanessa, she'd try to pick her up occassionally. She was even splashing her in the face (this girl was at least 8, probably older, so I'm thinking she had some kind of delay. I tried to be patient, but she was annoying me too). After a couple times of this, Vanessa cried and ran to me to be held ever time this girl came around. If she saw her coming, she would hurry and go the other way. It was actually kind of funny to me. We both lived through the tormentor, but I don't know how much we will frequent this place. As fun as it was, it was also crowded and the older kids make me nervous (they tend to overrun the bitty ones).

Snoozin

Grandma Brady got this dress for Vanessa for her birthday. We didn't get any pictures of her awake in it because we're lame, but aren't sleeping babies the cutest anyway?

Hollywood Fountains

We found a couple new FREE water play areas for Vanessa. Jon and I took her to check this one out last week. She loved it, likes she loves all water she can do her thing in. She's extrememly independent, as you can see when I go to help her after she falls. She just kind of looks at my hand and then ignores me. She's a character!

Vanessa's New Toy

Jon took Vanessa with him to return a movie. When they came home, they ended up with this.
Jon said she was so cute and just loved this doll to death. She cried every time he tried to take it away. She would hold it's hand and give it kisses while it was in the box. She finally got her way and he bought it for her. Then in the car, she wouldn't get in her seat until he took the doll out of the box so she could hold it.
You can't tell me she doesn't have her daddy wrapped around her finger ;)

Daily Life

Vanessa was a mess after dinner one night so I put her next to the sink to clean her up. It wasn't long before she had crawled in and was playing in the water.


Vanessa gets cabin fever worse than anyone I have ever met. She wants to be outside all day long, even in 90 degrees plus and 60% humidity. She stands at the door and begs or tries to crawl into her stroller.

Needless to say, we either go to the park early, or do water activities.

Splash Pad video...per Grandma's request

Vanessa spends most of her time doing just this. Filling the bucket and dumping the bucket. She also watches the other kids a lot. A couple of times, kids have tried to steal her bucket. I've been quite proud of her. She doesn't get mean or mad, but she definitely holds her ground and will not let go. One time a little boy took the bucket when she wasn't paying attention. She just followed him and took it back like it was no big deal. She didn't try to hit or even make a noise. I like that she isn't a bully but she can defend herself.

Splash Pad

The ladies in the ward introduced me to this place. It's just a couple miles down the road and it's FREE! Bonus. It's like running through the sprinklers, but better.

My Favorite Food

Vanessa loves popcorn. She has loved it since the very first time her aunt Steph gave her a popcorn "puff." She finally has enough teeth to handle the whole "pop." I think she's in heaven.

Our current rain storm

This is the most intense storm we have had yet. It's crazy the amount of water that can come down in such a short amount of time. This is a little bowl right outside our patio. Notice the park bench, there is usually a place to put your feet ;)

The Beach

The sand is definitely her favorite but she likes the water now too.

Jon's First Day

It has officially begun. Doesn't he look official in his lab coat? He has to wear a shirt and tie or his scrubs everyday. He wears scrubs, but this day was picture day.

Getting Better All The Time

Vanessa just showing off more of her walking skills...excuse the messy floor

Occupation: Mom

I've always known I wanted to be a mother. And more than that, I've always known I wanted to stay home with my kids. I've kind of always felt like that was my mission in life. If I could be a mother and give it my best, the Lord would be happy with me. Every woman might feel that way, I have no idea but that's what I've always felt for me.
When Jon and I started talking seriously about having kids, it was with the understanding that I would stay home. We both knew that meant probably living with my parents after the baby was born and being completely dependent on student loans through grad school. Ironically, what I imagined to be harder was giving up all our free time and independence. That has been the easy part for me.
I feel judged all the time that I'm not working. It is most likely my imagination, but I can't help wondering if people think is she incompetent, or unqualified, or just plain lazy?
I often hear women say "I have to work" or "we need the money." Shouldn't this apply to me above all? Why does it even both me what other people think? I'm happy being at home, why do I feel all this imagined pressure to be working and helping out financially.
Jon has been so patient listening to me ramble about this for the past year. Finally, the other day he said to me. "I don't get it. I thought this was what you wanted? I thought this is what every mother wants." Hm, he's got a point. So why am I complaining?
I finally asked myself if I could somehow, possibly get a job making $100,000 a year or more, plus benefits, would I want it? The answer surprised me...not a chance. After all, money is only money. It never lasts anyway. But regrets and heartache, those would live with me for the rest of my life. Somehow knowing that if I could, I wouldn't, gave me a new confidence. I chose this and I'm happy, so who does care what other people think!
I am lucky to have such a supportive husband who wants me to be home as much as I do. And really, I'm lucky we can get student loans so that I can stay home. Sure it's a load of debt, but it's an investment in our future and in my kids. And I wouldn't change it for anything.

Random Happenings in Florida

A few nights ago, Jon and I were out walking by a lake close by. We were walking under a terrace of a building and I felt something fall on my chest. I stopped and looked around (under my belly and everything) but didn't see anything. I told Jon I felt something fall on me, "something big, like a lizzard." A minute later Jon made me stop walking and pointed out the white lizard that was running circles around my back and sides.

Did I mention there are lizards everywhere? All kinds. Black, white, green, brown. Especially after the rain storms.

The rain storms are fabulous. When it rains, it pours. It is definitely weather you wait out though, because they usually don't last too long. There is always lightening and thunder too. The best kind of storm.

At night, there are lots of toads by the lakes. It's just kind of weird to see these huge toads all over. Jon says the ones in Brazy were about ten times the size though (disgusting).

The ducks are ugly. They are a cross between a turkey, a vulture, and a duck. There is a lake directly across from our apartment so we get them coming over all the time. There was a family of baby ducks when we first got here though we haven't seen them in a while. Vanessa loved them! There was the mom and five ducklings. All the babies were black and ugly like the mom except one and he was yellow. Kind of funny that the "ugly duckling" was actually the cute one!

This is the last one I can think of right now, but it is a classic. You know how when you go to the beach, the people who wear the most revealing things are usually the ones who shouldn't? Well, while my mom was still here, we all went to the beach one day. There was a black guy who was abnormally large. I'm not kidding I think he is THE LARGEST man I have ever seen. He was also an exhibitionist. We decided he had to have some mental problems because he was laying on the wall facing the street (not the beach). He was actually facing a restaurant across the street. A restaurant that had an outdoor seating area. He would slowly lose his pants, down to his ankles! It was the grossest thing I have ever seen. I actually tried to get someone to stand with him in the background for a picture but my mom wouldn't let me. I just didn't think anyone would ever believe how large this man was. So needless to say, I have no picture and no proof. But it's probably better that way, right?

Cute Things Vanessa Does

I decided I needed to write some of these so I don't forget...

The other night, she when she woke up around 4am, I went in to get her back to sleep. I laid down next to her and she cuddled up next to me. I turned my head away so I wasn't breathing on her. She reached up and pulled my chin towards her until my forehead was touching hers. Then she closed her eyes and went to sleep.

A different night, I went in to check on her when she woke up and she was stuck between the mattress and the bed rail, standing straight up. It was actually really funny. I have no idea how she got that way.

She likes to go outside and go for walks in her stroller. She tries to climb in her stroller all the time. If we take her for a walk while it's hot though, she gets really ticked and wants out in about two minutes. So she cries when we won't take her out and then cries if we do. Explain that to a one-year-old.

She loves giving kisses. She has figured out how to close her mouth, most of the time. But she's very loving and very sweet.

When she gives hugs, she pats you on the back.

She squeaks all day. And lately, when she is whining, she whines like a little puppy. Her favorite animal is definitely a dog but I don't think she's ever even seen a puppy so this she thought up on her own. She just sounds like a puppy.

She walks in circles a lot. She'll start to go one way but then decide she really did want to stay where she was, so she walks back. Or I guess that is what is going through her head.

She loves to play with the door stoppers. She closes the doors, then flips the stopper until it comes off. She has also learned to pull the plastic cap off the stopper as well. We are constantly picking up door stoppers and caps and putting them back on.

She really likes people and smiles at everyone. But if they try to touch her, she shakes her head at them and either grabs my leg or snuggles into my shoulder. She does not like strangers touching her. Today she actually swatted a lady's hands away.

She finds dogs in books now and barks at them.

She loves to empty the bottom drawer of the changing table. It has all her pajamas and shoes. She likes to throw them all over and then sometimes she'll put them back. Just to throw them out again.

She has learned to quack like a duck. There are tons of ducks (ugly ducks) and she is fascinated by them.

She has the cutest giggle I have ever heard and she snorts a lot!

Some Random Pictures

Kisses for Dad

This picture needs some explanation. I found one of Vanessa's binkis and was giving it to her as you see here, and noticed at the same time that it was covered in hair. So that's my grossed out, oh, you can't have this face. And the pot, I really can't explain. She was just playing with them.

Vanessa Walking

This is a short video of Vanessa walking. And yes, I am bribing her with chips. Sour cream and onion actually and she loves them!