An introduction to the joys of parenthood

Yesterday marked our first full day together as a family and it did not disappoint.  Sammy was his usual rambunctious self and kept his daddy busy all morning long as he played with his toys and practiced walking some more (I think he's going to be running circles around the two of us by the end of the week; there were several times throughout the day that Captain Husband turned to me and said, "You do this every day? I'm exhausted!"):

After Sammy took his morning nap, the three of us headed out for a gourmet lunch at Chick-fil-a (Captain Husband hadn't eaten there for almost a year and had a serious craving for some nuggets); after that we headed over to Wegman's to pick up some things for dinner for that night (barbecue chicken, sweet potato fries, and broccoli). It was a pretty gorgeous afternoon, so we stopped by a park on our way home so that Sammy could swing and play outside for a bit.

{I'm still figuring out my new lens, but I kind of like how this photo is softly out of focus}

This photo pretty much sums up everything I love about CH and his relationship with our son--willing to let Sammy try new things on his own (like walking), ready to support him in any way possible, and there to catch him should he fall.

Hoppy Easter!

I hope everyone had a great Easter! Sammy and I spent the Easter weekend with my family in western Pennsylvania.  Once I was up and ready (let's face it--I am not an early riser), my mom helped Sammy with his Easter basket while I snapped away.  The Easter Bunny kept it pretty simple for Sammy's first Easter and brought him a fuzzy bunny of his own, a new board book about kitties, and a summer hat. 

I helped my mom clean up around the house and get things ready for the afternoon gathering while Sammy took his morning nap and then it was time to put on our Easter finery.  Fortunately it wasn't raining, so we all headed outside to take some family photos while we were all stylin' (and before all of the food we were about to eat made it necessary to change into more comfortable clothing).

And you all know that I can't let any major holiday go by without putting Sammy into some sort of ridiculous themed get-up.  I took Sammy to meet the Easter Bunny for the first time before we hit the road for Pennsylvania:

Yes, that is a carrot-print bunny suit that Sammy is wearing ($2 at the thrift store, aw yeah).  And yes, I did take him out in public in that.  But that is just the tip of the iceberg; feast your eyes on this:

I am an evil, evil mother.  But c'mon, you know you love it.  (And of course I'm totally entering it in this week's Paper Mama Photo Challenge and the Trendy Treehouse challenge.)

A walk in the park

After our trip into New York on Sunday, Sammy and I headed over to Nutley, New Jersey, to spend some more time with my father-in-law and Sammy's great grandparents.  The weather was absolutely gorgeous that afternoon, so Cosmo and I loaded Sammy into the stroller and took him for a walk in nearby Yanticaw Park, which was abloom with spring flowers. 

It had rained very heavily the day before, so many of the park's creeks and ponds had spilled over their banks, flooding the lower-lying areas and creating a watery oasis for all of the ducks and geese.  Sammy was transfixed as he watched them splash about.

We then walked over to the playground where Cosmo and Sammy had a great time at the swings.  Sammy laughed and squealed with excitement as Cosmo pushed him higher and higher; I was finally able to capture some photos of him swinging that actually showed Sammy enjoying himself (rather than looking mad and/or scared).

[I'm submitting this one to the Trendy Treehouse's Shutter Love--the theme is blue]

 

Shutter Love: Shadows

This week's theme over at the Trendy Treehouse is shadows so I'm submitting this shot that I took last week near a little country church not far from my house.  It was that magical hour when the sun is setting, making the shadows that are cast seem to stretch on and on, and everything is awash in a warm, golden glow.

You can check out the other entries by clicking here:

That's it, I'm making a calendar

I was catching up on my blog reading this morning and saw that the lovely ladies over at the Trendy Treehouse had announced the winners of the "Happy New Year" photo challenge.   I clicked over and was very surprised to see my photo of Sammy as the unofficial New Year baby clocking in at #3!  With this little accomplishment under my belt, I am now certain that it's only right for me to continue humiliating taking monthly-themed photos of my son.  Now who knows where can I get my hands on some tiny bows and arrows?

Shutter Love: Happy New Year

This week's theme at the Trendy Treehouse is Happy New Year and what better way to celebrate the New Year than by turning your little boy into the unofficial New Year baby and then texting this photo to your friends and family after the ball drops?  (I've been having so much fun with these monthly-themed photos that I think I might have to make a calendar; they'll also come in handy for blackmail purposes when Sammy gets older.)

You can check out the other entries by clicking here:

Shutter Love: Brown

This week's theme at the Trendy Treehouse is brown so I entered this photo that I took a while back in the cellar of an abandoned eighteenth-century fieldstone farmhouse not too far from where I grew up in western Pennsylvania.  Derelict and full of ennui--what's not to like?

You can check out the other entries by clicking here:

Shutter Love/The Paper Mama Photo Challenge: Halloween (Costumes)

This week's theme at the Trendy Treehouse is Halloween costumes; I chose this photo of Sammy doing his best pumpkin impression:

You can check out the other entries by clicking here:




And because I like to multitask, I've also entered this picture in The Paper Mama's photo challenge whose theme this week is Halloween.  Click here to view the other entries:

Shutter Love: Babies

This week's theme at the Trendy Treehouse is babies; I chose this photo of Captain Husband holding Sammy for the first time. I get a little choked up just looking at it.


You can check out the other entries by clicking here:

Shutter Love: Pumpkins

This week's Trendy Treehouse photography theme is pumpkins; I think this picture of Sammy and his first pumpkin fits the bill pretty well. It's amazing that the pumpkin didn't wind up in his mouth.


You can check out the other entries by clicking here:

Shutter Love: Blue

The Trendy Treehouse is having a photo contest with the theme of blue so I entered this photo that I took of Sammy when he was only a day old. Wow, does time fly.


You can check out the other entries by clicking below: