Hand-me-downs.

I have a younger sister. Two of them actually. But only one of them really had to wear all of my hand-me-downs. It bothered me. A lot really. Not because she had to wear my old used clothes, but because she wore MY old used clothes.

Take a look back at our Elementary School pictures. We are wearing the same exact outfits. My special kindergarten dress, became her special kindergarten dress. So on and so on for most of our elementary years. I don't think it bothered my sister. Let's be honest, your older sister is always cool, and you want to be just like her. Right Linds? Don't lie, you know it's true.

Like remember the time you said you wanted to be a vet, or a weather girl. Just like me. Except you hated animals, and storms scared you! It used to make me mad. I love it now though. I am honored that someone liked me enough to want to be just like me.

Today I put Gwen in an Ainsley hand-me-down. And so it begins. If you ask me though, I don't think Gwenyth could find a better person to look up to. And I promise you Ains, some day you will love it!

Ainsley 2007

Gwen 2010

Reading.

Look who is reading!

As I have taught him to read, I wonder often, very often. . . who came up with words like comb or know? Way too many words are not pronounced the way they are spelled. Or how there are words like: Two, To and Too that are spelled differently but said the same, but have different meanings. Wow.

It is a miracle that I have been able to teach this little guy to read. A miracle I tell you!

He is a bookworm through and through.

Takes me back to a time when I would read all night long, way past "lights out". I thought I was so sneaky with my flashlight. I am now 99.9% sure my mom knew all along. Mom's know everything. It's a fact. I know. I am a mom.

Check out my reader. Seriously love it!

Someone woke up from nap time, so we added one more to the scene.

This is what happens near the end of reading time. Chaos.

Sigh.

Who came up with the word chaos anyway?

Sleep.

I bought a swing for Gwen. It got here today. I wasted no time putting it together. As in the UPS guy rang the bell and I had it out of the box before he even drove away.

There is a story behind why I want a swing so late in the game, but we'll keep it short and just say I wanted it for nap-time.

There's no hiding the fact that my baby is chunky. Which means the swing has a hard time swinging. But it works. Enough.

And yes, this is two days late (seeing as it's not Thursday), but I am there in the picture. Hidden like Waldo. But there. So I totally am embracing the camera! Kind of.

Ironic how I wanted her to sleep somewhere besides my arms, so I could get a few things done. . . and I can't stop watching her sleep! But gosh darn it, she's just too cute!

I've Got Sunshine.

Little Miss wakes up all smiles these days. I am so in love with her squishy cheeks!

And these make me smile. She was thrilled to have brother and sister join her, can't you tell?!

Oh how I love all three of my little munchkins.

Whew.

This week has flown by. And yes, I forgot what day it was AGAIN. Time to {embrace} that camera.

You know it's time for a new 'do, when the only "style" you are sporting is a quickie ponytail. And by you, I mean me. And while we are talking about me, let's talk about my hair, or rather what I should do with my hair.

Here's the question: Keep it long (and sexy), so it can still be ponytail accessible? OR short (and sassy), so it is off my neck? Because let's be honest 100 degrees and 50+ something in humidity, and the hair sticking to my neck. . .I am so not a fan.

It's Thursday.

Is it Thursday already?! After having baby number three my days seem to run together. I can never remember what day of the week it is. The actual date. . . forget it. No really, I have to check out my google calendar e.v.e.r.y.d.a.y!

Anyway, Thursday means it's time once again to {embrace} the camera. I jumped in and tried to steal the show from little miss and her tummy time. . .

So not going to happen with this little diva! This is before I joined in, relaxed and enjoying the view:
I join in the picture and I get a warning "get out of the picture mom"

But I jump back in, you know just in case the first picture of her and I doesn't work. So she gives me a second (louder) warning "I told you get out of my picture mom!"

After the third time, she was DONE. . . so much for trying to steal her thunder!

P.S. Really she just didn't like me trying to run and jump on the bed before the timer on the camera would go off. Then me jumping back off the bed to restart the camera. I say whatever, shouldn't she be used to it by now. . . she does have an older sister who is part spider monkey! {promise I am not that mean, and picked her up when she got really mad.}

P.P.S. She is just too cute. Even when she's mad.

Pictures with Mom

I am always the one behind the camera.
I like it that way.
But it's time to change.
I know some day the kiddos will love/want these pictures.
The good, bad, and the ugly. . .
Today was a start.
Something I have wanted to do for a long time, but always come up with excuses (you know like weight, no time, too tired etc) . . . my blogging buddy Emily came up with the idea for {embrace}the camera on Thursdays, and gave me the push to at least try and start. Come join us!