Photoshoppin'

I decided to do something that I haven't done in a long time....something for MYSELF. It seems that I have been giving, helping, assisting, supporting, encouraging, and doing for everyone in the last several years and that is a good thing. I enjoy helping others! But, there comes a time when you need to take some time and do something just for the sole reason of, "cause I want to and it makes me happy."

I am taking a night class on how to retouch photos using Photoshop. I am NO photographer in any way, shape, or form. My talented husband is the one who has a degree in photography and with that, an unbelievable creative eye for taking good pictures. I have to take snapshots, and then "FIX" them up using Photoshop. I have not been terribly pleased with my results, so I'm a tad shy about posting my work. But, here are a few photos I have retouched.

Super Sydney (all she needs is a cape)

Green Eyed Simmy (who has blue eyes)

From the top of Hoover Dam - Colorado River

5 Months Old Today!

My little sweet pea is officially 5 months old! Where has the time gone? Right now, she is laying on the quilt in the living room talking to her ladybug "silky" and hiding her face. She is really starting to do a lot of "talking." It sounds mostly like "la la hun ya la da" but is music to my ears.

So far we have eaten squash, green beans, pears, and applesauce. We aren't starting anything new for a while but she is loving her REAL food.

She has also become quite the daddy's girl. She tries to jump out of my lap when Chris comes home from work.

She is really getting a kick out of her jumper lately. She's always loved it, but now she is really working that thing out! I took a pic of her after she jumped for 30 minutes straight. I call it, "Hop Till You Drop."
Sydney can roll over and is doing the army crawl. She gets the back legs going great and then just "bulldozes" with her head. It's pretty funny to watch her scootch... I wonder what crazy thing she will do this week!

Mocha Frappucino...Mmmm...

Jasper is limited when it comes to coffee shops, so I definitely have to be creative when I start craving the Starbucks style coffees. I have finally found a recipe that tastes VERY close to the mocha frappucino (MY FAVE) at Starbucks. Here ya go!

1/2 cup milk
2 tablespoons chocolate syrup
1 - 2 tablespoons white sugar (or sugar substitute) (depends on how sweet you like it)
1/2 cup coffee (the strong stuff)
1 cup ice
cool whip (optional)

Put everything in a blender (except ice) and blend until sugar is dissolved.
Add the ice (as much as you want) and blend until smooth. Top with cool whip and for that extra special effect, a drizzle of the syrup.

My new morning fix! This makes about 2 glasses worth, or for me, one great big glass I can work on all morning.

Sleeping Mystery - SOLVED!

Most of you know that Sydney has been sleeping all night since May 9th. But, here in the last few days, she has woken up at 4:00 A.M. on the DOT since early Sunday morning. We couldn't figure out what in the SAM HILLS was causing her to wake up. She has been such a terrific sleeper and we have been blessed to get her on a good schedule. Chris mentioned, "Well, maybe she's flipping over on to her back and can't flip back over?" I thought, "Yeah, sure..." Well, this morning, at 4:00 A.M. on the DOT, she woke up again. When I looked at the video monitor she was on her back, toes in the air, playing with the mobile. So, I slipped in, flipped her over back to the tummy like a pancake, and tiptoed out. The kid went back to sleep.

Who 'da thunk it?

Let's just say today we are practicing rolling over from back to tummy and not just tummy to back. Good grief!

What has Sydney been up to?

Week 1, Day 1 of starting solid foods: Rice Cereal

Verdict: "You've got to be kidding me, Mom..."

Week 3, Day 4 of starting solid foods: Pears
Verdict: "Hurry up with those pears!"

"Just how long are you going to leave me in this thing?"

Exersaucer/Super Cool Cat Hide Out

"I think I've seen this one..."

"This butterfly is DELICIOUS!"

"How can I get THIS in my mouth?"

"I'm TRYING to watch TV, Mom!"

"When can I take this out of my hair?"

Hangin' out with Dad @ Aunt Fran's for the 4th of July.

Emma Update

Thank you for remembering Kim, Stephen, and baby Emma Lee. I have talked to Kim everyday since they have been in the NICU at Schumpert and Emma Lee is improving. They still do not know when they can go home, but the hemathorax is gone and sweet Emma is learning how to eat and breathe on her own. To God be the Glory for her recovery!

Pray for Emma Lee

My close friend Kim who knows the pain of infertility like I do, experienced the miracle of conception through IVF last fall. She was thrilled to say the least and we have been so happy to have been pregnant at the same time. Kim was due towards the end of July, but due to sudden onset preeclampsia, her baby was taken via C-section on Monday, July 6. Kim and her hubby Stephen did not find out the gender of the baby and enjoyed the precious surprise of a sweet baby girl, Emma Lee (8 pounds and 19 inches long). Emma Lee has had a hard time and has been on oxygen and an IV since she arrived. I was on my way to see Kim today and received a tear-jerking phone call from her. She said they were sending her baby to Shreveport due to a hemathorax (accumulation of blood in the chest due to a rupture). She would need a chest tube put in to hopefully alleviate this condition. Needless to say, Kim was frantic and I prayed for her to have peace and that Emma Lee would be miraculously healed. Please pray for Emma Lee and her mommy and daddy, Kim and Stephen. They are precious people who have tried for a long time to have a child and it is gut-wrenching to know that this longed for child is suffering. I know my God is a miracle-working God and He will make a way. Please agree with me.