Pardon the dust as I make changes to the blog! Seeing as how it is Fall now, I thought it was time for a change . . . plus I wanted to have something 'Fall-ish' considering the fact that I won't get to enjoy Fall in real life again this year seeing as how Hawaii doesn't really have a Fall season. Hopefully wherever we may be stationed next will have all four seasons . . . . Until then though (since that is still at least a couple of years away! Ha ha), I shall do my best to enjoy the Fall season digitally.
I hope you are all enjoying some Fall weather--and for those of you farther north: I hope the changing colors of the leaves bring you joy during the next couple of months!
Happy Autumn!
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
First Trip to the Beach
Saturday, September 25, 2010
Dearest Peanut Butter Cup,Today was your first trip to the beach! How excited I was about you getting to experience the ocean! You love your baths, so I had been wondering if you would enjoy the waters of the Pacific just as much (even though there would be a big difference in temperature).
We set out for Ko’Olina after running a few errands after lunchtime. The drive was pretty short--though we had to drive around to look for parking for a while. Eventually we were able to get a spot in the “Lagoon 4” parking lot (though we ended up walking down to “Lagoon 3” as there were fewer people there, so it was a LOT less crowded). After parking, I fed you and then Daddy changed you into your special swim diaper and put your little blue swim trunks on. I then slathered you with sunscreen as I didn’t want you to get sunburned on your first trip to the beach.
After shuffling things around in the designated ‘beach bag’ and blowing up your froggy floaty we were ready to go! You were so excited and curious as we were getting ready to leave the car and on our walk from there to the beach. Halfway there I realized you were still clutching the swim diaper I had given you to hold while Daddy was changing you, I tugged on it gently and you smiled. How I love those sweet moments! You continued holding the diaper until after we’d picked a spot out on the beach and I had spread out a towel for you to sit on. Daddy put you down on the towel to let you explore as you liked; at first you seemed somewhat befuddled at to what was surrounding us (the sand), then you decided to reach out and touch it. Daddy talked to you about you froggy floaty and you crept to the edge of the towel and perched there on your knees for a moment.
Then it happened. You crawled off the towel and put your legs in the sand--your reaction was instantaneous: confusion, fear, and surprise, which--when combined with your tiredness from not having taken a very long nap earlier--resulted in your dissolving into tears and screaming about the sand clinging to your legs. Daddy scooped you up and took you to the water to see if that would distract you as you love the water in the bathtub so much. You had hardly gotten wet when you decided that this strangely large, communal bathtub was the last place you wanted to be! After a minute of waiting to see if you would come around and like the water, Daddy gave you to me to see if I could convince you it was safe.
Daddy suggested that we go sit in the grass in the shade just up the hill. So, we gathered up all of our stuff and trudged up the hill--once again spreading out the towel to sit on. This time though I was thinking, “Surely you will enjoy playing in the grass--since you’ve loved it every other time you had a chance to be in it!” With that in mind I sat down directly on the grass and stood you up on it. No sooner had your feet touched the ground then you began to scream again and pull your feet up to keep them from touching the ground again.
We sat there for a few minutes, you sobbing and clinging to me for dear life, until you eventually calmed down. Daddy held you for a few minutes as well, but each time something changed (like when you were passed between us--or when whichever one of us was holding you went from standing to sitting down), you would immediately dissolve into tears once again.
A random man came up the hill to show us a little-bitty, baby sand crab he’d caught. You looked at it, but not with your normal enthusiasm. Even when Daddy tried showing it to you again after the man had left you still didn’t really want to have anything to do with it.
After a couple more times of trying to convince you that the grass was a fun place to be--and failing miserably in our attempts to do so--we decided to head back to the car to drop off some of our stuff and then go in search of the Black Pearl (the ship from the movie The Pirates of the Caribbean), which Daddy had seen docked nearby when he’d been there the morning before for PT.
Back at the car we put you in your stroller, and then set off to find the Pearl. After a bit of walking we did find the ship--though it was across the marina and we didn’t have an entirely clear view of it. I snapped some photos of it nonetheless for posterity, and then we continued walking trying to find a better, more un-obstructed view of it while you sat contentedly (for the most part!) in your stroller and took in the sights from it’s safety and familiarity.
Today’s trip may not have gone exactly as I had envisioned it, but I know you will eventually change your mind about the ‘sand and surf’ and will then be able to enjoy both. I had the same reaction to sand when I was your age, so I guess you may have gotten that from me. I’m looking forward to the day when we will build sandcastles together, look for shells, and chase the little fish in the water that come close to the shore! Until then though, we will keep chasing those fish in the bathtub!
Love always,
Mommy
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
Tooth Number 4 Has FINALLY Arrived!
So, after many weeks of the upper left middle tooth being visible as a bump below the surface, it finally broke through sometime last night. Which may explain why Peanut Butter Cup had a better night and only woke up three times. He actually had a three hour stretch at one point (which is very rare)!! It was SO nice to be able to sleep for three hours straight! After that I didn't really mind when Munchkin decided to start the day at 6:30. :-)
My Photoshop CS5 disc arrived yesterday, so I have been playing around with HDR . . . if you have Photoshop and haven't tried it yet -- you really should. Do the photos look completely life-like? Well, no. Does it look neat anyway? YES! At least, my husband and I think so.
Here is the result of my first attempt. It's by no means perfect, and I have a lot to learn, but I just wanted to share (and hopefully inspire others to experiment with HDR as well. *Ahem* Karissa *cough, cough* Ha ha). Hope you like it! Critiques are welcome!!
-------------------------------
My Photoshop CS5 disc arrived yesterday, so I have been playing around with HDR . . . if you have Photoshop and haven't tried it yet -- you really should. Do the photos look completely life-like? Well, no. Does it look neat anyway? YES! At least, my husband and I think so.
Here is the result of my first attempt. It's by no means perfect, and I have a lot to learn, but I just wanted to share (and hopefully inspire others to experiment with HDR as well. *Ahem* Karissa *cough, cough* Ha ha). Hope you like it! Critiques are welcome!!
Sunday, September 12, 2010
10 Month Milestones and More
Peanut Butter Cup is 10 months old today! And he decided that he was going to do a bunch of new stuff today. :-)
For starters, he pointed at something for the first time. We were in his playroom and he pointed out the window at the flag, turned his head towards me, and started babbling. After that he was pointing at a bunch of things!
Then while we were on our nightly walk my husband noticed Peanut Butter Cup had his finger up his nose, and then he stuck his finger in his mouth. Hmmm . . . . :-/ Not something I wanted him to learn. Maybe it will be a one time thing. Ha ha!
Then tonight before bed he gave himself one of his teething tablets. It was funny because it dissolved on his fingers after his first attempt at putting it in his mouth, so he decided to suck the remnants off of his fingers. I thought that was rather ingenious for a 10 month old, but that could just be because I've had limited baby experience aside from my own. :-)
Oh, in case anyone is wondering what he has been eating lately, Pear-Cado (or Avocado) is what he has been eating for breakfast, though Applesauce, Bananas, and Banana-Cado are also favorites. For lunch he usually has either Peas or Carrots (he hasn't decided whether he likes those yet). His dinnertime favorite so far is Acorn Squash, but Butternut Squash is a close second (and he likes them mixed with Applesauce).
On a more somber note, it has been 9 years since the terrorist attacks in New York, Washington D.C., and that field in Pennsylvania. It seems like many Americans have gotten comfortable (and dare I say it? Cocky) and forgotten the scope of the attacks. Now most of what I hear is about tolerance and how we shouldn't offend anyone. Please don't get me wrong, I have nothing against Muslims or Middle-Easterners! They are people just like you and me. It's the extremists that I have an issue with, along with the way my countrymen seem to think that we should apologize to other countries for our way of life. If it is so bad, why does everyone want to come to America to live? I haven't really noticed people flocking to Iran, Iraq, Afghanistan or any other country in the Middle-East. So, if the way of life there is so great, why leave?
The arguments being made in favor of the Mosque being built a couple blocks away from Ground Zero make no sense to me. If it is about tolerance, where is the tolerance for the families of the victims of 9/11? What is such a big deal about moving the Mosque somewhere else in the city (a little bit farther away from Ground Zero)? I heard someone on the news the other night say, "If it were a church or a synagogue being built there, no one would say anything." Well, duh. Christians and Jews had nothing to do with the terrorist attacks nine years ago. Have some respect for the families of those who were killed that day and stop telling them to be 'tolerant'. Talk about a slap in the face. Not to mention the fact that Imam Rauf believes in Sharia Law which is radical, and intends for the Mosque to follow it's laws. Tell me, how does that mesh with American Governing? Like I said before, I have NOTHING against Muslims and Middle-Easterners who are for PEACE. Even the ones who mean harm, I believe that as Christians we should pray fervently for their hearts to be changed and for them to come to know Christ (it can happen! Nothing is impossible for God).
Anyhow, bunny trail. Sorry folks! My main point is this, why should we apologize for who we are (what are we ashamed of? Does anyone apologize to us for their way of life?), and why should we bend over backwards to accommodate those who wish us ill?
This is how the rest of the world treats Christians: Voice of the Martyrs . Where is the tolerance there?
Side note: no, I do NOT support the so-called pastor in Florida who wanted to burn the Koran. Doing something like that is ridiculous, childish, and causes way more harm than it does good.
For starters, he pointed at something for the first time. We were in his playroom and he pointed out the window at the flag, turned his head towards me, and started babbling. After that he was pointing at a bunch of things!
Then while we were on our nightly walk my husband noticed Peanut Butter Cup had his finger up his nose, and then he stuck his finger in his mouth. Hmmm . . . . :-/ Not something I wanted him to learn. Maybe it will be a one time thing. Ha ha!
Then tonight before bed he gave himself one of his teething tablets. It was funny because it dissolved on his fingers after his first attempt at putting it in his mouth, so he decided to suck the remnants off of his fingers. I thought that was rather ingenious for a 10 month old, but that could just be because I've had limited baby experience aside from my own. :-)
Oh, in case anyone is wondering what he has been eating lately, Pear-Cado (or Avocado) is what he has been eating for breakfast, though Applesauce, Bananas, and Banana-Cado are also favorites. For lunch he usually has either Peas or Carrots (he hasn't decided whether he likes those yet). His dinnertime favorite so far is Acorn Squash, but Butternut Squash is a close second (and he likes them mixed with Applesauce).
On a more somber note, it has been 9 years since the terrorist attacks in New York, Washington D.C., and that field in Pennsylvania. It seems like many Americans have gotten comfortable (and dare I say it? Cocky) and forgotten the scope of the attacks. Now most of what I hear is about tolerance and how we shouldn't offend anyone. Please don't get me wrong, I have nothing against Muslims or Middle-Easterners! They are people just like you and me. It's the extremists that I have an issue with, along with the way my countrymen seem to think that we should apologize to other countries for our way of life. If it is so bad, why does everyone want to come to America to live? I haven't really noticed people flocking to Iran, Iraq, Afghanistan or any other country in the Middle-East. So, if the way of life there is so great, why leave?
The arguments being made in favor of the Mosque being built a couple blocks away from Ground Zero make no sense to me. If it is about tolerance, where is the tolerance for the families of the victims of 9/11? What is such a big deal about moving the Mosque somewhere else in the city (a little bit farther away from Ground Zero)? I heard someone on the news the other night say, "If it were a church or a synagogue being built there, no one would say anything." Well, duh. Christians and Jews had nothing to do with the terrorist attacks nine years ago. Have some respect for the families of those who were killed that day and stop telling them to be 'tolerant'. Talk about a slap in the face. Not to mention the fact that Imam Rauf believes in Sharia Law which is radical, and intends for the Mosque to follow it's laws. Tell me, how does that mesh with American Governing? Like I said before, I have NOTHING against Muslims and Middle-Easterners who are for PEACE. Even the ones who mean harm, I believe that as Christians we should pray fervently for their hearts to be changed and for them to come to know Christ (it can happen! Nothing is impossible for God).
Anyhow, bunny trail. Sorry folks! My main point is this, why should we apologize for who we are (what are we ashamed of? Does anyone apologize to us for their way of life?), and why should we bend over backwards to accommodate those who wish us ill?
This is how the rest of the world treats Christians: Voice of the Martyrs . Where is the tolerance there?
Side note: no, I do NOT support the so-called pastor in Florida who wanted to burn the Koran. Doing something like that is ridiculous, childish, and causes way more harm than it does good.
Thursday, September 9, 2010
Awesome Deal on Photoshop CS5
Just wanted to pass this along as I know that there are several other 'Photo Enthusiasts' who read my blog . . . some of you may already own the full version of Photoshop CS5, but for those of you who don't, read on. . . .
If you are a licensed and registered user of Adobe Photoshop Elements Windows 6.0, 7.0, and 8.0; OR Photoshop Elements Mac 4.0, 6.0, and 8.0; along with Adobe Photoshop Elements & Adobe Premiere® Elements bundle, you can get the FULL version (not the student version and not an upgrade) of Photoshop CS5 for--are you ready for this?--$299 !!! That is $400 off of the normal price for the full version!
Talk about a good deal! However, you only have until 11:59 PM Pacific Time on September 13th, 2010 to order. Here is all of the 'legal stuff' that was posted on another blog:
If you are a licensed and registered user of Adobe Photoshop Elements Windows 6.0, 7.0, and 8.0; OR Photoshop Elements Mac 4.0, 6.0, and 8.0; along with Adobe Photoshop Elements & Adobe Premiere® Elements bundle, you can get the FULL version (not the student version and not an upgrade) of Photoshop CS5 for--are you ready for this?--$299 !!! That is $400 off of the normal price for the full version!
Talk about a good deal! However, you only have until 11:59 PM Pacific Time on September 13th, 2010 to order. Here is all of the 'legal stuff' that was posted on another blog:
-----------------------------------
Offer terms and conditions: The US$299 price offer for Adobe Photoshop CS5 standard software is available only to licensed users of Photoshop Elements Windows 6.0, 7.0, and 8.0; Photoshop Elements Mac 4.0, 6.0, and 8.0; and Adobe Photoshop Elements & Adobe Premiere® Elements bundle who purchase the full version of Photoshop CS5 standard directly from Adobe. The US$299 promotional price is redeemable only from the Adobe.com store or when you call customer service. When purchasing from the Adobe.com store, you must enter directly from your e-mail in order for the discount to be reflected. Offer begins August 16, 2010, and ends at 11:59 p.m. Pacific time on September 13, 2010. Limit one copy of Adobe Photoshop CS5 standard per customer. Offer is not valid to owners of Photoshop Album, Photoshop Limited Edition, or PhotoDeluxe. Offer is not valid on Photoshop CS5 Extended. Offer is not valid to education or volume licensing customers, as well as resellers. Prices are in U.S. dollars. All prices are available from the Adobe.com store and by calling 800-585-0774 and are valid in the U.S. and Canada only (excluding Quebec). Applicable local sales taxes may apply, and shipping charges may apply. Allow 2–3 weeks for software delivery. Offer subject to change or withdrawal without notice. Void where prohibited.
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In order to get the price of $299, you will need to call them at this number: 800.585.0774
I am merely passing this info along, as I know saving $400 off the normal price is a huge deal for me personally. I will not be held responsible for any mistakes made on the part of anyone else, so call Adobe to verify if you qualify for the offer BEFORE you make any purchase from Adobe.
Well, that's what I wanted to pass along. Hope this helps someone out somehow! :)
Sunday, September 5, 2010
Changes
Let me apologize in advance for the rather shocking lack of editing done to the following photos. I don't currently have any photo editing programs on my laptop as my free trial of Photoshop has expired and I'm in a bit of a rush to post this before Peanut Butter Cup wakes up. Now on to the actual post!
So, this is how we started the day off . . . .
And this is how we ended it . . . .
I'm off to find a tissue now. *sniffle*
So, this is how we started the day off . . . .
Note the 'flyaways,' ha ha.
And this is how we ended it . . . .
I'm off to find a tissue now. *sniffle*
Saturday, September 4, 2010
The First Steps
Earlier this evening, Peanut Butter Cup took his very first steps! I wish I could say that I had videoed such a big event (or even just taken pictures!), but it all happened very suddenly and I didn't have any sort of camera near me at that moment.
That is okay though because I know he is going to keep taking those faltering steps now; gaining more and more confidence with each step. So, I have plenty of time to work on capturing this new season of his life . . . right?
I wonder how soon it will be before he is off and running now. Knowing how impatient he is to do everything on his own and how excited he gets when he sees other children running around, it probably won't be too long. Pray for me.
Ha ha! Just kidding!
That is okay though because I know he is going to keep taking those faltering steps now; gaining more and more confidence with each step. So, I have plenty of time to work on capturing this new season of his life . . . right?
I wonder how soon it will be before he is off and running now. Knowing how impatient he is to do everything on his own and how excited he gets when he sees other children running around, it probably won't be too long. Pray for me.
Ha ha! Just kidding!
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