I need help

In many ways.

So, you know how I won the MBS gift certificate? I have NO idea which picture to use, and even where to put it. I seriously want your help.

This post will include some possible photo options and locations for the artwork.  I need you to leave me a comment telling me how to decorate my house.

This isn't www.birthornot.com, but it is an opportunity for you to make a difference which doesn't involve voting if a couple should keep or terminate their pregnancy.

These are the locations:

Excuse the laundry basket to the right. This is the living room. That photo above the fireplace? Yeah, it was  a last minute purchase before a Christmas party a few years ago.  It's not my fav, but it does what it is supposed to do: take up space.

This is the long, sad hallway leading to Ansley's room. It needs something.  My concern with putting MB here? It won't be seen and oogled over enough.

This is a spot in the dining room. It needed something, so I grabbed these little plaques, but they are so small, they kinda look lost in the mix.

Still in the dining room, but should I move my bridal portrait?

Another spot in the dining room. However, this spot is not visible from the living room. It does have some great lighting though.

 So, those are the possible locations. By default, I'm leaning toward over the fireplace in the living room, but think that would require a larger piece than the hubs may be willing to help pay for.

Now, the so-stinkin'-hard-I-actually-lost-sleep-last-night difficult part.  The picture.

A beautiful shot from our wedding. Except, hubs has a new ring now.

A classic pic of my 3-week-old. My concern with having a pic of  Ansley is that I'll have to get one for each kiddo. Which,  I'm ok with.

Ahh, me and the hubs.

This one is kinda fun

Classic pic on the beaches of Puerto Rico

I simply love this picture.

Hmm. Maybe I don't like this one afterall.

If I pick a holiday specific picture, would it be ok to display it around the year?

Yum. Flower.

Beautiful picture, but nothing in my house is beachy.

Same concern about being season specific.

I like this, but don't like the carseat in the background.

So, do you see my problem??  Please, suggest a picture. Make this easy for me. I wish I had a beautiful picture of mother/daughter, but I just don't. I don't like to be in pictures, and I'm beginning to realize that is a sad thing.

So, help me. Leave me a comment. Give me advice. Tell me I'm a meany for not having a beautiful print made for my parents. Just tell me which picture I should use!

Little Girl

Dear Ansley,

Today, you turned 9-months-old. Do you know what that means? It means you have been an outside baby longer than you were an inside baby. Yay!

I am amazed at how much you've grown over these past 9 months. Not only in size, but in personality. It seems that each day you are trying a new thing to make us laugh. And, it works.

On Saturday, you started playing Peek-a-Boo. You put your arms up over your eyes, and quickly bring them down with a smile and giggle. But, sometimes you fool us. You start to bring your arms down and decide to go with a fake out, and laugh when we say "boo" prematurely. You're going to be a little jokester.

You've been an all-out crawler now for about 2 weeks. There is no stopping you. We've baby proofed the house, but you still somehow manage to find things that you shouldn't have. Like dog food. And diamonds that you happen to find in the floor (please feel free to continue to find those, btw). You love playing with my mixing bowls and spoons, though, honestly, I think Daddy enjoys it a little more than you do.

You are pulling up on EVERYTHING, including the dogs, chairs, legs and your crib. You prefer to have someone hold your hands and let you walk around, rather than just crawl where you want.

You are growing up, kiddo. I've tried to remember all the details of the day you were born, but some things are fading, and it makes me sad. But those memories are being replaced with new ones, that I'm pretty sure I won't forget.

Like when you said "ma-ma" and I knew you wanted me. And how if Aunt Crystal is holding you, sometimes you won't even come to me. And how excited you were when you first crawled. And how you would not stop yelling and blowing raspberries on my arm while we were in Victoria's Secret. You're supposed to be subtle in that store and not draw attention to yourself!

Sometimes, I'd like to know what's going on in that head of yours. You can have the most serious expression on your face, and nothing we do can cause you to crack a smile. What are you thinking during those times? And other times, the cat can simply walk by and you will roar with a big belly laugh.

Everyone told me that you would be grown before I knew it, and I didn't believe them. But, it's happening. And it's happening right before my eyes.

So, slow down, little one. You don't have to be in such a rush. Take your time, and give Mommy and Daddy time to enjoy each individual milestone instead of piling them on top of each other. Keep playing Peek-a-Boo. Keep giggling when Daddy blows raspberries on your neck, even if it's pity laughter. Enjoy the kitty, and the puppies, but don't chew on their ears.

Soon, you'll be walking, and then you'll be running out of the door for school. But just remember, that on the day you turned 9-months-old, your Daddy was your hero and Mommy was your best friend. Well, except for maybe that darned cat that you love so much.

I love you Ansley! Happy 9-months!

Mommy

Ansley Reese, 2 days old, 9-23-09

Ansley Reese, 9-months-old (minus 2 days), 6-19-10

Oldies

So, because I went into labor five weeks early, we were not prepared for Ansley's arrival. We managed to make it to the hospital with most things in tow:



Hairdrier, mousse, comfy clothes, slippers, plenty of socks, soap, shampoo, even conditioner, make-up, toothbrush, toothpaste, cell phones, chargers, a great book to read.


However, we forgot one very important item. The camera.


Yes, that's right. I had my very first child and didn't have a camera to document it. Now, you may be thinking the problem could have been solved in a number of ways. Let's take a look.


"Have your hubby run home and get it." Yeah, that would have been a great idea. If we didn't live a little over an hour from the hospital. It was a no go.


"Have your parents bring theirs when they come." My parents were in New Mexico helping my sister move, while Paul's parents were in Arizona on a business trip. Yup, that option was out.


"Run to a Walmart and pick up a disposable." Not only did little Ansley decide to come 5 weeks early, she decided to arrive during the worst flooding I have seen in my lifetime. It started raining the afternoon I was in labor, and didn't stop for about five days. By the time she made her entrance, several roads were closed and the parking lot was under water. The hospital eventually stopped letting people come and go. If you were there, you were staying, if you were coming, you weren't getting through the road blocks.


Luckily, in today's world of gadgets and gizmos a plenty, I did happen to have my camera phone. Not that the pictures are top quality or anything, but at least we have a couple. Besides, everyone was in such a rush after she was born, we didn't get to hold her or even take any pictures until she was already in the NICU.


So, after months, and months of not doing anything, I finally made it a point to get the early pictures off my phone. I thought I would share just a couple.

So, there they are. The first pictures of little A. Every day I'm still amazed that she was such a close part of me. Now, even at the ripe old age of 5 months, she has a temper and a selfish streak that can give any Diva a run for their money.

But, she still has her moments. Her sweet, cuddly moments when she's had enough of the outside world, and she's ready to be back with Mommy. She grabs her little bear, takes her binkie and snuggles in to Mommy's neck for a rest. And it is during those times, when I feel her warm breath, or her constant hiccups, that I'm reminded of when we would settle into bed. I would get comfy, then Ansley would shift around, and after a few kicks to the ribs, she would settle in, and we would sleep.

Never wake a sleeping baby...

Ansley had her picture taken by a wonderful friend a few weeks ago. I have a new respect for those who photograph children. We were taking pictures for about an hour, which gave us about 10 good shots.

Of course, I have a ton of her screaming her head off, and a couple cute ones with some questionable material on her hand--Mommy has to get better about keeping baby clean. :o)

Here are a few of my favs though.

My child is a distant cousin of the Michelin Man.

The blanket she is on is actually one of her Daddy's baby blankets.

My child makes the cutest faces!

Though this is what we are growing more accustomed to. "No more pictures!"

All in all, it was a success, and I can't wait to get even more!