A Settling Experience

Lugging the battered red suitcase over the entry threshold, I breathe a sigh of relief.  This is the last of the moves.  No more living out of suitcases and make-shift furniture.  This is home.  Our home.

We moved into our lovely home a week ago.  On a soggy tropical storm day we signed the papers. All one thousand of them (or so it seemed).  While giddy with excitement, we also begin realizing the enormity of the work to be accomplished.  Wallpaper removal, old carpet removal, broken appliance removal, lots and lots of cleaning.  The to-do list mounts.  

I like seeing past it, sitting on the worn rugs staring at my high Florida ceilings.  The daily trips to our neighborhood pools (there are two! *squeal*) seem to keep us distracted as well.

I will post before and afters of our progress, but it may take awhile as we save up for the remodels and furniture to fill the sunlit spaces.  It is truly my dream home.  All of our furniture appears miniature.  Like we moved dollhouse furniture into a real home.  My coffee table looks looks like a comical step-stool propped up against the built-in bookshelves.

The difference in cost of living is still so surprising to me.  I have to catch myself when I think something is a "good deal" when really it's just average or even expensive.

We are so grateful for the help of family.  Lots and lots of help.  My sister, Sherri, and her family have been caring for my Carter and Larissa while I go off to shoot weddings out of state (and now out of country!).  My parents seem to rush in at the moment we need them most.  Then, Ben's parents even came down to help us!  We are so blessed.  

There isn't much time to document our whirlwind of a life, but here's a peek into our slice of paradise.  

Um, yes, I know, that I'm the luckiest girl ever.  *blush*

The anniversary lovebirds.

Month 4

How in this crazy world is my sweet little one four whole months? Each day I fall more in love with her kissable cheeks and darling personality.

Juliet recently joined me on two long excursions.  She came along to Georgia and Indiana while I worked two weddings.  What a little dolly.  She was amazing.  This brings much relief to this Mommy's heart as I prepare to take her back to Ontario with me for the many weddings yet to come.  MaMa Eby will get lots of great baby cuddle time while I'm off shooting.

She has two teeth, coos, giggles, plays, and scooches all over the place.  Juliet is definitely showing some partiality to big sissy.  However, she loves meeting everyone and giving them her smiles.

Happy four months my sweet one...

Birthday Blunders

I'm behind.  Desperately behind.

There is one gift I feel I can give to my little ones on the occasion of a birthday.  The gift of birthday portraits.  I know, I know, I'm always taking tons of pictures throughout the year.  This is different.

I plan the wardrobe, hairstyle, setting, everything has to be more styled.

Well, that didn't happen.  Carter turned four back in April.  No pictures.  Larissa turns three in June.

I had this grand idea of pictures by the lighthouse.  Totally fell short.  Grumpy kids, hungry kids, tired kids, and well, to be perfectly honest I was all of that as well.  Not to mention some tricky lighting challenges.  

It had to happen though.  No more procrastinating.

I take a deep breath.  Remind myself this is life, I love capturing those perfect imperfections.


My boy of four...

My girl of three...

Said lighthouse that didn't make it into any of the pictures.  

Don't believe me?  Here are a few bloopers to show you what was happening "behind-the-scenes". This was in spite of promises of Red Robin endless french fries and juice.  Yes, I bribe, I am totally "that mom" when it comes to pictures.

Poolside

I have a total love affair with water.  I can't get enough of it.  

I would swim every single day if I could.  

Growing up in Florida, I did.  

Swim team demanded five days a week of practices (plus add an additional two practices to that in the summer).  Our backyard pool provided all the recreational swim time we could want.

It's in my blood.  Nothing relaxes me quite as much as water sparkling in the sunshine.  Here, I am home.  

My little ones are loving our condo pool.  We go every chance we can get.  I'm learning how to make it as easy as possible with three little ones in tow.  I now bring down our pack-n-play so baby is napping in the shade while we're swimming to our hearts content.