"Shooting" four kids

Disclaimer....I am by no means a professional photographer. It is a hobby and I did take a class....you can tell in these pictures when (I was color happy last year)


We are taking the kids easter pictures this year on sunday. I have a love/hate relationship with the event. Love having the pictures but I am always leery of doing the shoot because it could go one of two ways.

way one:
We get everyone dressed only to have someone jack up their outfit on the way, someone falls asleep in the car and messes up their hair and is in a crabby mood when we wake them up.  We get there and there aren't any flowers because we were ahead of the bloomin' date. One kid randomly developes a terrifying fear of gnats and actively seeks them out only to scream. Someone does a face first slide in the dirt because "it looks fun"

Enter three years ago this is what we got

 I feel like these are so awesome they don't need captions.  Also, I sent Easter cards out with some happy and some crying because it is so "us". You can imagine my husbands excitement every year when I announce it's time for pictures! The following year we opted out of pictures and just took candid ones of the kind searching for eggs. Here is what we got.

 Those were cute and easy, BUT I really wish I had done an actual shoot. The shoot from hell was still in our minds so we decided against torturing ourselves and our children.

Way 2: Enter last year. The perfect storm. Cameron was still "into it" Riley was over her random gnat fear and Bradford was THE PERFECT age for a fun shoot. So we headed to the Grapevine Botanical Gardens only to find we were too early for the blooms, however we got some amazing shots and even put one on a canvas that sits on our mantle. Some of these are way "over edited" but as I often say, when you know better, you do better!

So here we go again and I was thinking about some things that might help me stay calm and shoot on....

1. Timing. Kids must be fed, well rested, fed and happy. If someone falls asleep on the way there then it is a recipe for disaster. We found 4 o'clock to be a great time.....it leaves room for bribing of fun dinner if needed. 

2. Instincts. If you fell it's going to be a cluster then in WILL! If you have a bad feeling or as a parent are in a bad mood you will not have a good experience......scratch the date and pick another. 

3. If possible get kids dressed AT the site. This one is important if you have a newborn or a slobbery mess kid. Also, try and do hair at the site. Bring all things for re-doing hair upon arrival. 

4. Have fun. Don't advertise to the kids that you are taking pictures. Just call it "looking at flowers" or "running in the park" I love the candid shots much better than the once where we made the kids sit and say "cheese" 

5. Bring bubbles. Kids love to watch bubbles and it makes for some fun faces.

6. Be prepared to get on the ground and get dirty. Some of the last shoot I was on my back or knees shooting up 

 MOST OF ALL: YOUR KIDS TAKE ON YOUR MOOD SO HAVE FUN AND LAUGH....IF NECESSARY BRIBE BRIBE BRIBE!!

Good luck and wish us luck! Happy shooting.

Dear Cameron, Riley, Bradford and Number Four

Cameron,
  Last week you were on spring break but we signed you up for karate camp and you went Monday through Friday for 8am-4pm.  I got a taste of what it will be like when you are in school and I was a bit sad. I sure did miss my little man.  I still can't wrap my brain around the fact that you are going to start kindergarten in the fall. Some days I think you are a third grader and others I catch you still being a little kid. You love to try and correct me and you say "actually mom its this." It drives me nuts but you are strong in your convictions and Mommy and Daddy are trying our best to raise you to use your leadership skills for good and not evil! You have started baseball and while I am not a fan you seem to love it and you cheer everyone on your team on so hard and congratulate them when they score a run. I love this about you. You are so positive and happy that you can't help but love everyone.  We haven't done a whole lot this month because of Bradford's surgery and infection but you don't seem to mind. You and Riley have really been getting along lately and can entertain yourself with your toys and imagination.

Riley,
  Most of the time I think of you as a four year old, it's hard to believe you are still three. You are almost as tall as your brother and you certainly can "hang" with him. For now you fit right in as the middle child, playing with each of your brothers in your own special way. The other day daddy was telling you that your are going to be taller than him one day and you began to cry and say "but I still want to be your kid" ohhhhh so stinking cute. I love your heart. You are also VERY observant. Cameron doesn't notice other people most of the time, but not you. You look at people and notice everything about them.  This can be rather embarrassing, but Daddy and I are working hard to teach you that God made us all and although we ALL look different and come in different shapes and sizes HE made us and loves us all the same. Your imagination is astounding and your love for art is something I wish I had.

Bradford,
  Kiddo you gave us a scare after your surgery. You got an infection and wouldn't eat or drink.  We ended up back in the hospital a couple of times and you won't remember it but I won't forget it!  We went from thinking you had a blood infection which would require weeks in the hospital and a PIC line AND an abscess on your throat which would require surgery to none of that happening and you healing on your own (with the help of prayers too!)  You lost 3 1/2 pounds but you have bounced back and I would imagine you have gained most of that back three weeks later. Your little world is about to change and I know you will eventually love having a little brother or sister but right now you aren't thrilled. This morning I asked you if you wanted a brother or sister and you shook your head NO admittedly both times I asked.  You will be almost 3 when the new baby comes so we have a while to get you used to the idea.

Number 4,
 Oh number four. Our absolute miracle. We can say we loved you before you were born and we have the proof on video! I worry about things I shouldn't worry about (growing you till you are ready, another c-section, where you're going to sleep) but I certainly am not worried about having you here.  You are ours and we joyfully await your arrival. God is so amazing to allow us to have you. You are everything that we prayed for, with arms wide open all we know is everyday is filled with hope.


Cameron, Riley, Bradford, and Number 4 we love you to the moon and back,
Mommy and Daddy

A BIG ANNOUNCEMENT!!!!!!!!

Ok so here it is the big announcement! I made this video to tell Ryan the exciting news. I also secretly filmed his reaction with my phone.  Scroll to about a minute into the second video to get his awesome reaction!

What in the whirl.....

Good grief what a whirlwind the past two days have been, well OK Monday was my nightmare but man these last two days have my head spinning. It goes a little somethin' like this (freshbeats).....

Wednesday I spent most of the day at Cameron and Riley's school setting up for their big science night.  This was actually fun! I LOVE all the mom's so much and we had a great time laughing and chatting and of course getting the event prepared. I was glad I could be there since I wasn't able to help them plan during the year.

When I got home at 3 the garage wouldn't open so I just thought something was wrong with it AGAIN, so I took the kids through the front door, laid a sleeping B down and proceeded to the bathroom (TMI) it was there that I realized the electricity was off. Ummm OK nbd I went outside and asked a few neighbors if their lights were off and nope they all had power....hmmmmm this can't be good. It turns out that when Ryan switched our auto bill pay he messed up something with the electric bill and so we were delinquent in payment and they shut it off WITH OUT WARNING (I am pretty sure that's illeagal)!!! I was furious at the situation and to calm me down Ryan arranged for us to stay in a local hotel so we all packed up and went.  FUN. Well it wasn't too bad actually, at bedtime Bradford had us hysterically laughing because he kept poking me from his pack and play we were silently giggling like little kids trying to pretend we were asleep.  Thursday we woke up, had an amazing breakfast and I took the kiddos to school.  I checked the house again, still no power so off I went to pick up the big kids from school.  We went to lunch, then toured Holy Trinity, which was AMAZING. I can't say enough great things about it.  After that we headed to the ENT for Bradford where we got the news that on a 0-4 scale in size B's tonsils are a plus four this could be the cause for him not talking and this incident Monday night!! We are having them removed on March 7th. OK so after that fun stuff we headed back home to find the electricity had been turned back on.  We grabbed Cameron's baseball gear and headed to practice.  After practice we grabbed a very quick bite to eat and headed over to the kids school for science night. PHEW.....science night was great and now we are home and the kids are OUT. My head is still spinning from all the events this week.  I can't believe how blessed we are that our little guy is fine after his incident and we have so much going for us right now.  Even with the craziness that was, it is our life and I wouldn't trade it for any thing. Thank you God for showing us that even in time's of darkness (literally) we have so much to be thankful for.


Here is the video I put together of the night, it's kinda funny as far as how funny I am ;) I am sorry it's super gigantic

Awesome ladies

My three loves

Bradford and Grandma loved the binocular's 

Gotta LOVE that dimple

Hey Mommy I'm a rock star

Oh get OUT!

How quickly a day can turn into a nightmare

Well we sure did enjoy a beautiful day.  I don't have my iphone anymore so I really need to start bringing my camera, the problem with that is it is a professional style 40D so it's kinda big and taking it to lunch seems overkill.  Anyhow back to the day, it started with me looking at this horrible pile of laundry that I just couldn't find the time for over the weekend. You know the pile, it's the kind that makes you want to find something else to do even if that something else involves a root canal.

Yup that made me want to RUN

So the kids and I left Moth to a conference call and went and met my dear friend Trish for lunch at a "sit down" restaurant. Granted it was IHOP, but my kid (Cameron) loves his pancakes so we (6 kids under 6) had a great lunch.  After that we headed home, grabbed Moth and went to the museum. I love going to the museum with the whole family. We ended our perfect day by picking up Panda Express and headed home to enjoy our meal.  Here's where day turned horrifying.......

As best as I can remember, Ryan had just got the kids their milk and Bradford had his back him at the dinner table, I was facing B and saw him starting to choke.  I said to Ryan grab him he is choking and I jumped up to grab my phone.  Ryan grabbed B and started the Heimlich and it wasn't working so he was pushing him onto the back of the chair....nothing worked.  I had my hand on the phone ready to call 911 and Ryan said it's OK I am going to get this, but nothing was working, he was beating B on his back and still NOTHING.  So at the plea of Cameron, (yes my five year old kept saying CALL 911) I called 911 and they said they were sending someone right away.  30 seconds later Ryan was able to get the chicken out and 30 seconds after that the paramedic's and fire department were there running in to make sure everything was OK. 

Two things :

 1. I have NEVER been so scared in my life. I have been in that situation before with Bradford and I was the one trying to get the food out and I still was not as scared as tonight, this went on for a long time and I wasn't the one in the moment trying to save him I could only watch and I wasn't the best "by standard."

2. I always hear people say that it, "it took the paramedics forever to get there"  Not in our case. It was so quick.  I felt like as soon as I got off the phone with the dispatch I could hear the siren's. In a minute or two we had two paramedic's and three firemen there. Thank you.


Bradford seems fine, he does have a funny cough so I will call the pediatrician to see if he wants to check him out. B is fine, we are still shaky.

Our boys.....the do have separate beds, however this is their preference

Just another Sunday.....

We were so lucky to spend the day with my good friend Lisa and her daughter, our men were on their CHRP retreat together and we were waiting around wondering what to do so we went to lunch! We went to a place called Snuffers and I had never tried it before but it was wonderful.  We had great weather so of course we sat on the patio and Cameron did his best to charm the passer by's of course.  The highlight of the lunch however was when we Lisa got my kids to try fried mushroom's! Cameron is THE PICKIEST EATER and I have such a hard time getting him to try anything......best part is we have video to prove it!

I love Cameron's face in the beginning I was ready with the napkin because I just knew he would spit it out! Here is his face when he found out he wouldn't get two dollars every time he ate one!

WHAT A GREAT DAY!
(I think that deserves two clicks!)

Bradford had his second birthday party!

We celebrated Bradford's second birthday on Friday at a place by us called Paradise Pond. It is an indoor play place run by a church and they rent it out for parties and open it to play a couple of days a week. I can't say enough positive things about our party experience.  We had a private party with two party host that did all the set up and clean up.  These ladies were great, they made sure everything was perfect and I could enjoy the party. Having a private space was amazing! We had 38 kids and half a dozen infants and there was plenty of room for big and small kiddos.  The adults could stand around and chat while the kids play and I think we all had a great time!  BONUS I got to put up my own decorations so of course I threw a couple of things together.......

The banner I handmade before I was offered the following.....

Awesome banner that I will have forever ;)

Cute and Delicious, two must haves for a cake

Picture time, B and a few others were not thrilled about this but I can assure you they all had a blast

He enjoyed the attention

He also enjoyed the ice cream!

I made this, I call it "the year in Bradford"

He had such a great time

We opened presents when we got home and he had a blast!

I love this gift.....so does B. Look at that face!

What a blessing it is to have so many people that we can call friends and that will come celebrate with us.  As we left Moth and I were talking about how blessed we are and we had a nice talk with the kids about what friendship is.  What a GREAT DAY!

B is for BRADFORD

   The final installment of Birth/Name story week concludes with:

Bradford Joel Maxwell

February 5th 2009

8lbs 3oz

The birth story with Bradford was quite the same as Riley. I was scheduled to have him Feb 9th but this time I went to my doctor crying and saying I was DONE on the fifth.  This third pregnancy was very rough on me.  I spent a few nights in the hospital because I was throwing up so much. Given my lower back history my doctor did not want to see me over the weekend and sent me right next door.  This time I had my 19 month old much calmer child Riley with me.  We waddled next door and I got settled in and waited for Ryan to come.  He showed up at 11am and it wasn't until 6 or 7 that B was born. 

Bradford's birth story does not end there........this time it was me that got really sick and running fever.  When Bradford was one week I started to run a fever.  Like I mentioned before I tend to over react.  My first thought was,

"My doctor left something in me, my doctor left gauze in me. I am going to die or be on one of those wild TLC shows"

I went back to the hospital and I was admitted back to the mother/baby ward.  I was so happy that they put me back there because I had made good friends with a few of the nurses.  A little hint: be nice to your nurses, they are awesome and sweet people and will take really good care of you no matter what but it really helps to build relationships with them and let them know at that time that you are thankful. Oh also, giving birth in your hometown leaves you open to the possibility of knowing some of them.  True story: when I was on the table getting cut open delivering Riley a nurse says from behind the curtain, "Maxwell, are you married to Ryan?" Turns out we knew this chick and went to high school with her.  Talk about awkward! She was VERY nice and took really good care of us, but still it was kind of weird!  Back to me, so it turns out I just had some random infection probably not even due to surgery but it was still very scary! I was released on Valentines day which was Bradford's original due date.

 Bradford's Name Story

This one is a funny one but true....like I said before our kids names had to have a story. When coming up with names for our third child we had a girl name picked out but couldn't settle on a boy name.  So of course we were having a boy right. Right. So we talked and talked over dinner, while watching TV, while reading the news, while driving, pretty much our entire day was spent trying to come up with the perfect name.  We always came back to Bradford or Preston. Preston, because we liked it. Bradford because we LOVE

AND THIS GUY 

Sam Bradford Heisman Trophy Winner

So, the deal was this, If Sam wins the Heisman Trophy and OU wins the national championship 08/09 season, we will name our son Bradford.  Sam won the Heisman but OU lost the game so we waited and thought and thought about it.  When we were sitting in the waiting room we had pretty much decided on Bradford but we wanted to wait until we saw him to make our final decision. When B was born he was over 8lbs and he looked strong so we thought he could carry the name well so we named him Bradford.  His middle name is after Ryan's father Joel. 

Two funny stories about naming B

1. One night at dinner while discussing names our then 3 year old Cameron said, " why don't we name him Tony Romo" Oh Cameron you are too funny.

2. Ryan found a website while we were waiting to deliver that had baby names and what they could be made fun of for.  Like things they rhyme with etc. The only thing that came up with Bradford was Bradfart! Of course little ears heard that and when we went to our first appointment with Bradford our pediatrician asked Cameron what he calls his baby brother, without missing a beat Cameron said, 

"WE CALL HIM BRADFART!" 

Let the record show we do NOT call our child that!

Here are some of B-man's first year picture's 

This kid DOUBLED his weight at TWO month's.

The only picture of him sad ;)

Look at those eyes! (he gets them from my mom)

Same hat in his birth pic

nine months

That was fun reminscing on our kids birth story's and now I have it for a record too!