KROSS - 7 MONTHS OLD (NAPLES, FLORIDA CHILDREN'S PHOTOGRAPHER)

I like to show you guys pictures of our new little guy each month - just to share how much he's changing. He'll be 7 months old this Saturday which is just astonishing to me. It feels like it was only yesterday that we brought him home from the hospital.

Now he's sitting up, eating baby food, has two bottom teeth, and smiles at just about everything you can possibly imagine. He is an incredibly great natured baby. My husband and I always say that God must have known we couldn't handle anymore exhaustion or chaos (we have a a daughter with special needs as well) so he gave us Kross - this meek, mild mannered, very happy, baby boy. We also have our 12 year old healthy son, Brennen (shown below)...

Both Kenidi and Brennen adore their baby brother and he adores them. Kenidi doesn't understand her own strength sometimes with little Kross but we know she loves him with every fiber of her being. She is our ray of sunshine when skies are gray. (she is shown below)

Kross fits right into our crazy, chaotic,and oh so loving family.

We love you beyond measure Kross. Thank you for bringing so much joy to our lives...

Happy 7 months little guy!!!

WHAT IN GOD'S NAME HAS HIT THIS HOUSE???

It's 2:40am and I'm up - wide awake - with a 5 month old sound asleep on my lap, an almost 8 year old princess in the bed asleep with Daddy (keeping my spot warm for me) and a 12 year old in his bed, sick yet again. It's been a helldacious week here in our household and it doesn't seem to be letting up anytime soon. Kross's face in the above photo gives way to the feelings were are spewing in our house these days.

Brennen was home sick on Monday. High fever and vomiting. He went back to school Tuesday feeling somewhat better. Tuesday afternoon while holding Kross on my tummy during my eye-brow arch at the salon (he likes sitting up on my belly when there), he rared backwards, arching his back and hyper-extending his arms as I clutched his little hands. He rared back with such a quick forceful movement that it immediately resulted in this God awful sound. I heard a POP! Not a good POP either. I knew right away what had happened. Two hours and several hundred dollars later, the doctor at the Emergency room had popped his elbow back into place like a pro. It took all of 2.2 seconds which is good considering how Kross was NOT happy about it. Can you blame him? They call it "nurses maid elbow" and I know it fondly because the same thing happened to Kenidi when she was a toddler. She was holding my hand as we stepped off a curb together. She pulled one of those "I'm gonna drop to the ground and make Mommy carry me" stunts as she was stepping off the said curb. By doing so, she went down and I was still holding her hand - which resulted in that same familiar POP. While at the ER with her that time, they told Brent and I it was very common in babies thru toddlers. I guess it happens a lot as their bones are growing and locking into place. The doc here in Naples told me the same thing when we were there with Kross on Tuesday. It was awful. This child never screams but that day - he whaled. I felt like the "suckiest" mom on the face of this earth. There goes my Mom of the year award. :(

Once his elbow was back in place, he was a happy camper again - instantly.

I wish I could say that our night got much better from there but it didn't. While in the ER with Kross, Brent calls to tell me that Kenidi's school had been trying to reach me at home. She was apparently in class vomiting. Needless to say, she came home sick. High fever just like with Brennen the day before. I was supposed to go out with my photography friends that evening but began questioning whether I should just stay home at that point. I got home and no sooner did I utter the words..."Boy I hope Kross doesn't get what you guys have" did little Mr. Kross himself puke all over me. I knew then that it was God's way of telling me..."STAY HOME ANGIE!" And so I did. I couldn't bare to leave Brent home fighting that fire with all three of them sick. I cuddled with my sweet babies and prayed that God would heal them both. Today was a better day for Kenidi. She seems to be on the up and up. Kross has some congestion and a runny nose but no more vomiting. However, que the 1:30am wake up from Brennen as he is making a mad dash to the bathroom because he is vomiting again. WHEW! I'm clueless as to what bug has taken over my kiddo's but I'm praying it exits our household FAST!

I have two of my girlfriends coming in from Indiana this morning. I pick them up at the airport at 9:30am. It's 3am now and I'm still wide eyed and awake. Go figure. It's the Mom in me that can't sleep. I keep going in to check on Brennen and make sure he's ok. Amongst the chaos this week, he's learning how to swallow pills for the first time ever. When he has a headache or has been ill in the past, we always gave him tylenol melt-a-ways. Well they've apparently taken those off the market now. It's no fun trying to co-erse a sick 12 year old to swallow tylenol pills while they are in the middle of being so ill. I tried all kinds of tricks. In the end, he broke them in half and chewed half of them on the way down. Gross!

I'm hopeful that the lysoling I've done and disinfecting I've embarked on will be good enough to rid our walls of the germs before my girlfriends arrive. I definitely don't want them (or me) getting sick too. No. no. no. Speaking of the sickies, my laptop is in the shop because it has the sickies too. It's been gone for a week now and I seriously feel like my right arm has been removed. It won't be back for another week to two weeks so I am basically going into convulsions as I wait on its return. Talk about torture. This is one of those times in life when you really find out what you're made of and how strong you really are. LOL! Just kidding! Ok maybe I'm not. :-) Either way, I need the next two weeks to cruise by so that my laptop can come back home to Mama realllllllll quick! I have photos similar to this one to edit...

Mama likes editing best on her laptop instead of my desk-top even though I realize it's a no-no. Since when have I ever been one to obey the rules anyhow?

For now, I'm off to snuggle with my boys while my princess is resting peacefully. I'm trying to be quiet so that I don't wake everyone but of course we always become a total klutz when we try to traipse thru our houses like mice. Don't we? You know, tripping over the sick 12 year olds shoes and backpack. Dropping silverware in the sink even though you tried to place it in there gently and ever so softly. Let's face it - being up and wondering around any house at 3am is never good for the additional occupants in your home. I'm thankful I have a fan club here and that they forgive me - a lot!

Have a FAB Thursday! Much love, Angie

OUR LAST 4 NIGHTS AS A FAMILY OF 4

Kenidi has been exceptionally clingy in the past week - more so the past couple of nights. I'm convinced that she senses his arrival is very near. Brent commented last night on how she had fallen asleep with her arm around my big ol' pregnant belly and her face tucked snugly right into my chest. She was belly to belly with me and I couldn't bare to move for the longest time. I didn't want to alter her position. I've always said that she is my "cuddle bug" - sometimes we say "snuggle bug." She knows it too. Kenidi is definitely our affectionate child - to the extreme. She gives hugs and kisses throughout any given day as if she was getting paid for them. It melts my heart in ways I can't even begin to describe. Since being pregnant and growing this huge belly of mine, she will kiss my belly a 1000 times a day and say the babies name as she pats me there. (Yes, we chose a name that she can say easily) It is the cutest thing ever. Little does she know just how much her world is about to get rocked once this baby arrives.

I got all emotional the other day thinking about how hard Brennen took "her" arrival when we had her. He had been our universe for 4.5 straight years. When Kenidi came into this world, it rocked Brennen to the core and he went into a withdrawn spell for a couple of weeks following her birth. He eventually snapped out of it and fell in love with his little sister but it left me broken hearted initially. He didn't take her permanent placement in our family well at all in those first few days. We worry with Kenidi even more. Given her special needs issues, we can't talk with her about her feelings the way we did with Brennen. She will only see this new baby getting all the attention and become frustrated at the thought that she is lacking some of it now. I plan to work really hard on making her feel just as included and loved as ever. In my heart of hearts though, I know that there is no way to protect her little feelings completely. She is my baby girl. Always will be. Even though she is 7, she functions more like a three or four year old verbally. Therefore, Brent and I always have a hard time remembering that she really is seven years old. She still seems like our baby girl even with her growth and beautiful accomplishments as she ages. The picture above is one I took of her last Fall when we still lived in Indiana. It's amazing just how much she has changed in that short years time. It's proof that they grow so very quickly. This new baby will do the same. The time will fly by just as it has with Brennen and Kenidi.

My heart is aching for the effect this new little one will have on Kenidi but then again, I know God had a plan when it came to the creation of this baby. Baby Seaman #3 is coming for a reason. His entrance in our lives is something God feels we need and is purposeful. I trust the good Lord above completely and know without a shadow of a doubt that he'll help us conquer this new journey and the transition with Kenidi and her new baby brother just perfectly. I'm not naive to think that the first month or two isn't going to be tough. However, I'm convinced, like Brennen - she will love her baby brother with time and eventually not be able to imagine her life without him.

In the meantime, as we relish these last four nights together as a family of four, I intend to squeeze her tight and take advantage of the love she gives unconditionally. As I type, she is fresh out of the bath, smelling like a new baby herself with a hint of coconut scent to her. (her shampoo) She is huddled up next to me, on my right arm, yawning as she watches Edward and Bella in Twilight on our master bedroom TV for the 600th time. Kenidi enjoys repetition. She thrives off routines. Cuddling with her mama is part of her nightly routine and I will soak that up for as long as I possibly can. In a few short days, she'll be snuggled up next to me as I nurse her new baby brother. I'm looking forward to those new connections amongst the two of them as well as with Brennen and his baby brother to be. That boy is pinging off the walls with excitement. He cannot wait for this new little ones arrival. I'm eager to see their expressions the first time that Brennen and Kenidi meet him. Be still my beating heart...

Thank you God for this unexpected blessing we learned about 9 months ago. Thank you for the beautiful daughter you gave us 7.5 years ago. And thank you for the handsome son you gave us almost 12 years ago. I'm so proud that you chose me to be their mother. Thank you for your continued gifts in life Lord. You take such good care of us all. I know you are watching over this baby as he spends his last few nights in this tummy of mine. I know you will work your magic thru the hands of the doctors in the operating room come Thursday morning. I know you will protect our 2nd sons arrival and bring him into this world happy and healthy. I know that you will give me the calm, the peace, and the strength to endure this surgery and the recovery that comes along with it. Bottom line, I'm confident that you are here. Here with us. Here helping us prepare for the journey that we are about to embark upon. Chapter 3, 524 is about to begin and I can't possibly imagine how we'd write that chapter in our book without you Lord. We owe all of the glory and all of the thanks to you.

In your grip now more than ever, Angie

PIANO LOVER - NAPLES FLORIDA CHILDREN'S PHOTOGRAPHER

When we were home in Indiana last week, we spent some time at my Mother-in-laws home. (otherwise known as Grandma "D's house" to all of the grand kids) Whenever we are there, my daughter, Kenidi, goes straight to her Grandma's beautiful white piano. She loves to bang on it and it makes me a nervous wreck. I fear she will knock it out of tune or something when she does it. Grandma D assures us that she is OK but it still makes me cringe to hear her press so hard on the keys. The other day though, she was being so gentle on the piano so I grabbed my camera and snapped these shots of just her little hands and fingers as she was playing on it.

I love the way this series of shots turned out. Her cute little fingers on the keys make my heart melt. Kenidi is such a music lover and is infatuated with singing and dancing. This isn't typical for a special needs child. Many in her situation are not fond of music or loud noise. While home in Indy, my Dad and Cathy got her hooked on the movie "The sound of music" one night while they babysat her. Apparently she wouldn't take her eyes off the screen while it was on. They said she would doze off during commercials - almost falling asleep - and then as soon as she would hear the "sound of music" come back on, she would perk right back up and begin watching again. Funny stuff. :)

Grandma "D" is so gracious to let her granddaughter bang play on her stunning white piano. Kenidi clearly feels as though she is too hot for words when she makes noise on it. I hope that she can one day exercise her love for music/dance somehow. The girl has more rhythm in her one pinkie toe than I do in my whole body. She is quite impressive to say the least. I don't just say that because I'm her mother either. Wink wink! ;)

I hope all of you are gearing up for a great weekend. I'm eagerly awaiting the arrival of one of my "blog" friends here in Naples this weekend. She and her family are moving here to Naples from Colorado. I met her several years ago while we were both heavy into blogging. She has since quit blogging but we've kept in contact via facebook and my blog. Love her! She actually used to reside in Orlando but moved from there to Colorado. She is now missing the beach and the Florida sunshine which is just one reason why she is so eager to get back down here. They should be arriving sometime on Sunday. I'm eager to finally get to meet her in person. I know we are going to have a ball together. She has a son the exact same age as Brennen (my son) and a daughter who is just a year younger than Kenidi (my daughter). Rumor has it that her husband has Italian running thru his veins and is the "cook" in the family. Oh you know I'll be inviting myself over for dinner every chance I can get. LOL! Italian food is like chocolate to me. With Italian running thru my veins as well, I'd take pasta over a steak any day. HA! Rachel wrote this in an email to me recently..."Who would have thought over 3 years ago when I found your blog living in Orlando and you in Indiana (you lived in the house you are trying to sell now) that we would be living so close in Naples next to the beach where we both belong...GOD is fantastic!" I agree girl. God is fantastic. Can't wait for your arrival this weekend. We are going to make great beach bums together. :)

Much love, Angie

CONVERSE - NAPLES CHILDREN'S PHOTOGRAPHER

Just because I've always enjoyed this image...

Here is to old school converse and a dusting of dirt to boot. Happy Monday!

xoxo, Angie

EYELASHES - NAPLES, FLORIDA CHILDRENS PHOTOGRAPHER

Just wanted to share a shot or two of my baby girl. She was sick a few weeks ago and I snapped these as she was lounging. Amazing how long her eyelashes are. We have no idea where she got them from because they didn't come from me. ;0)

Thankfully, she is feeling much better now. However, it is always amazing to me that despite how she feels, she continues to keep a smile on her face. She is 6 years old with special needs and I can't begin to express what I learn from her each day. She is truly an inspiration to me.

xoxo, Angie