Early present & another first

Since this year is pretty big for our family and celebrating milestones: Brooklyn turns 1 in October (Bobby 2, in March) our 5th wedding anniversary & my 30th birthday in August, I convinced Derek to get me an early present over the weekend. Our old digital camera was starting to take a turn for the worse, and the cost of a digital camera is very close to that of an SLR Camera (you know, the super fancy camera a photographer uses). Click here to see an example of what we got.

I justified the purchase with Derek by breaking it down like this: if you start to compare the cost of getting the kids pictures taken by a photographer, the hassle of trying to get them to sit still in the hour you pay for (and hoping that you dont have a missed nap, a grumpy hungry kid, a crying baby, a kid that runs off, or ends up dirty all of which would lead to a ruined appointment), paying for the prints (and then not even being able to own them on CD without an extra fee $$$$) etc. the camera pays for itself in its first use (not kidding, go look it up!!! No offense to those who pursue photography as a profession, we just dont have that kind of money to fork over frequently and I want nice pictures all the time!). Now that I have this awesome camera I cant wait to explore my own creative side and take my time to get the kids pictures just the way I like....its amazing the difference in quality of the photos.

On Sunday I broke down and gave Bobby a haircut for the first time. Not an easy task by any means considering that he is like a wild animal when it comes to trying to keep him still...he could hardly sit long enough for me to cut his hair - without almost cutting myself a few times. I had to bribe him with things I hate having him play with in the house but it was the only way. It turned out ok, and once he gets a little older MAYBE I'll pay someone to cut it...

Brooklyn is approaching her 7 month milestone this Saturday. She is so much fun and seems to be changing daily. She is so entertained by watching Bobby, it makes Derek and I laugh when we hear her laugh when she is watching Bobby playing with toys or just laying beside her.

Derek's Beautiful Craftsmanship

If only I could get him to do it around OUR house, I'd be set! Time to figure out how to add these gorgeous photos to our website, roedconstruction.com

Hundred Push Up Challenge

Derek and I (and Danny Perrault) have just started the One Hundred Push Up Challenge. By following the suggested program, within 6 weeks or so, the program promises you that you will have the ability to do 100 pushups in a row.

You do an initial test to see how many you can do in a row to find where you need to start on the program.

Janine - 20 (I probably could have squeezed 1 or 2 more out but my arms were shaking!!)

Derek - 44

Danny - 44

I'm really excited to see if I will be able to do 100 in a row. Something new and challenging. If you would like to read more about the program, click on this. Yesterday was our first day of training and by the end of the last set of reps my arms were tired!

On Sunday we celebrated Mother's Day by nursing 2 sick kids back to health (both are on inhalers now too for this awful cough they have). I was so happy that the kids & Derek got me roller blades (and a relaxing day getting my hair done on saturday), I've been asking for them for awhile now so I can zip around Miramar Lake on wheels instead of a boring run. When it warms up this summer we'll be down at Mission Bay or Mission Beach rolling around.

Hope everyone had a special day with their Mommy & kids!

Running Magazine, Sick & Utah begins

Arent we cute? We can autograph your magazine if you want....

On a completely side note, I just received an email the other day from the photo department at Costco telling me since I haven't printed any pictures in the last 6 months+ my account will be deleted. Poor Brooklyn has zero pictures in her baby book or photo album. Now to find the time to edit & pick out the ones I like!

Last Thursday night I endured (not by choice) a 24 hour shift as mommy. Poor Bobby had a run of the stomach bug and decided to vomit on the recliner, the carpet, down Derek's back, the kitchen floor, on his pillow...(you get the idea). This is one of MY LEAST FAVORITE THINGS as a parent. Especially at this age because when I called the after hours nurse to tell her what was going on, based on my description she thought his ear needed to pop! HAHAHAHAHA Oh well. He seems much better and is all rested.

The countdown is on, with 1 month until the kids, my Dad and I drive out to Utah to visit my brother & his family. I'm excited, nervous, anxious, and EXTREMELY WORRIED about this long of a road trip without Derek (he's going on his own wild adventure to Lake Tahoe for a bachelor party). I'm either really crazy or brave or....both? The kids are pretty good, but, still - - its a 12-14 hour drive out there. I'll check back with you on my sanity after the trip.

I'll post pictures and tell stories about our wild road trip. I'm sure this is a one of a kind adventure I'll have with my Dad...I'm excited.

Roed Construction

We've tried to create a website for our little business before, we had it setup then let it fall by the way side. We decided to try and do it again, and to start doing a little bit of advertising with Google to see if we can drum up some new business. Any little bit helps.

If anyone knows a friend (or if you know how to do it yourself) that can help us develop a more sophisticated website please let me know...for now, this will have to do.

Easter!

Friday night we colored eggs with Bobby. He decided to stick his hand directly into one of the dyes and ended up with a "Papa Smurf" hand.

Then Saturday we went to see Derek's family to celebrate 3 birthdays and Easter...

All of the kids playing on the trampoline

Brooklyn with her great grandma (Sally Roed's Mom)

Most of the cousins on the Roed side

Easter Egg Hunt

After all that was over, we sang Happy Birthday, ate cake and relaxed...

Sunday Morning the Easter Bunny came for the kids....

Then in the afternoon we headed to my Dad's house where we pigged out on a traditional Easter Dinner

It was a great Holiday!

Half Way to One

Brooklyn turned 6 months yesterday. Amazing how fast time has gone. She is so much fun to be around.

I am curious if she will take after Derek with walking early (Derek walked at 9 months) or if she will be more like me and Bobby and walk at 13 months.

I thought I heard her yell out "maaaaaaaa" the other day when she was all mad in her crib. Probably just my imagination getting the best of me and it was just a sound she was making that sounded like "ma".

She still doesn't seem to show any interest in baby food. I've skipped the cereal because she was choking on it and even when I watered it down or used baby food to thin it out she still gagged. I'm trying straight baby food at this point which she can choke down a few bites and then about 5 minutes into it she wants nothing to do with it.

Not sure her weight & height (we go next week), she feels like a sack of potatoes when you hold her - solid.

She can sit up for a few seconds without help, then tips over. :)

No teeth, no signs of teething.

She's grabbing at everything: your face, your hair, toys, cups anything that's within arms reach.

She's holding her rattles, small toys, etc..

Starting to enjoy the bouncer more and finally bounce around in it.

Lots of giggles and smiles. Some things are truly starting to crack her up...