Monday, March 27, 2006

Play ball!

Well baseball season is finally about to start & I can't wait. The smell of fresh cut grass, the crack of the bat hitting the ball. Getting up at the crack of dawn on a cold rainy day & dragging my butt out to the baseball fields. Oh joy of joys! But seriously, I do love baseball season & I lucked out this year. All of Vinnie's baseball games are in the afternoon so no freezing my butt off in the morning. And since he's playing for a different & better league, no muddy parking lots to trudge through! What more could a mom ask for?
I am totally in Spring cleaning mode. Tearing through the house & purging out all the junk we don't use or need. I can't wait for the rain to stop so I can hit that backyard & start getting it ready for bbq'ing! Woohoo!
On the home front, my brother is coming home at the end of April & we can't wait. Only for 9 days but we'll just be happy to have him back where he belongs even if it isn't for long. Gavin is starting to talk more & more. Mocking people mostly but it is so cute to hear him trying to speak. Of course, he's nailed down the essentials to being a McIntyre boy: he says 'Don't' and 'Stop' quite clearly. Kieran is showing a lot of interest in cooking now. He loves helping me make breakfast everyday & help me with the baking that I've taken to doing a couple of times of week. Maybe I have a future chef on my hands! Jamie is doing awesome in school & I still can't believe how different he looks with his glasses. He looks so much older! And Vinnie is gearing up to start his season this weekend. I am so glad he is enthusiastic about baseball this year. I think starting with this new league has made a huge difference. It is amazing what a difference it makes when people are organized & really care about the kids having fun & not whether they win or not.
It's been a few weeks since I've scrapbooked & I am so happy to say I will finally go crop with the gals this weekend. It's been too long & I have so much to do. I should be doing my first party within the next month & I am anxious & excited. Cross your fingers it goes well & I impress everyone!!! Have a great week!

Saturday, March 18, 2006

I am in love

Yep, there he is. That's my new man. He's 39 years old & he's a surgeon. Super cute, super smart & charming as all hell. I know, I know, you're jealous. But I just got lucky. Ahhhhh, sweet love. So I'm hooked. I am totally loving Grey's Anatomy. How did I go a whole year & never catch this show? But I watched it a few weeks ago & now I can't wait for Sunday night. Life is good again.
Besides the new love of my life, things are about the norm. Kids are doing great & baseball season is about to start so all is well. I did my second shoot yesterday in Antioch. 1000 kids! I didn't personally shoot 1000 but I shot a lot of freakin' kids. Luckily the weather ended up being beautiful and it was nice to be outside.
I haven't scrapbooked in a couple of weeks & I am missing it big time but next weekend I finally get to hang with my gals again! It's been way too long & I can't wait to see everyone. Maybe I can get out of this slump & start creating again. Let's hope! Have a good week!!

Tuesday, March 14, 2006

Remembering....

Most of you know that I lost my son Gino to SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome) quite a few years ago. It's been 13 years today since we lost him & it is still something I live with everyday. I don't talk much about it because I know it makes some people uncomfortable but in honor of this anniversary, here are some reminders of what you can do to prevent SIDS:

At this time there is no known way to prevent SIDS in all cases, but there are steps parents and caregivers can take to reduce the risk of sudden infant death:
Place your baby to sleep on his or her back at nap and nighttime


Do not smoke while you are pregnant and don’t let anyone smoke around your baby after it’s born


Use a safety-approved crib with a firm, tight fitting mattress covered with only a sheet

Remove all soft, fluffy or loose bedding & toys (including blankets, soft or fluffy bumpers and positioners)

Use a wearable blanket to replace loose blankets in your baby’s crib


Do not put your baby to sleep on any soft surface (sofas, chairs, waterbeds, quilts, blankets, sheepskins, etc.)

Room sharing is safer than bed sharing

Do not dress your baby too warm for sleep; keep room temperature 68 - 72o F

Educate relatives, baby-sitters and other caregivers about these important safety tips

I am grateful that in the years since we lost Gino, the SIDS rate has been dramatically reduced since the SIDS Alliance released these safeguards to prevent incidents of SIDS. At the time that we lost him, while I did receive a pamphlet about SIDS when I left the hospital, it was not something that was widely discussed. In fact, when he was born, the hospital had him & Vincent sleeping on their tummies. It wasn't until about a year later when they were more dilligent about advising new parents of the safefuards to prevent SIDS. While it is not 100% foolproof, it does reduce the risk and gives parents a piece of mind when putting their baby to sleep. I pray for the day when there are no longer any SIDS deaths & we can all put our babies to bed & know they are safe from this. Have a great day & hug your kids!!

Friday, March 10, 2006

Must....stop....blogging!!



OK I admit it, I am a total blog freak. I check everyone's blogs everyday to see what awesome creative people are out there. And there are lots! So I was looking at a blog & found a link to ANOTHER blog where I saw this absolutely beautiful paper and the link, http://www.a2zessentials.com/products.shtml Absolutely amazing stuff and perfect for those summertime layouts. YUMMY!!
I am obsessed! I love checking the blogs everyday to see who has what up & I never cease to be amazed by other's creativity. My links are on the right if you want to check them out. But be warned: I started with only a couple of blogs in my favorites & now have over a dozen.
On the home front, life is moving right along. Vinnie is enjoying baseball after a 2 year break & I am getting used to practices several times a week. Jamie is doing fantastic at school & I am amazed everyday at his improvement. I love when I praise him & he always says, "I'm getting big huh Mom?" So freakin' cute. Kieran is turning into quite the little helper at home. He is always wanting to help in the kitchen when I'm cooking or baking. Future Emeril? One could only hope. And Gavin is turning into such a little performer. Jim & I have had the joy of getting our late night performance at about 9:30 every night. This kid is a live wire. Everyone is asleep but him & he comes bounding out of his room, dances in front of the television for about 10 mintues & then crashes. It's hilarious. Yes, I need to videotape this.
And the most exciting news of all: the anticipation of S N O W! We hope, we hope! Lord knows it's cold enough & the kids keep looking out the window anxiously waiting for that first flake to fall. Keep your fingers crossed!
Hope everyone is doing great. Snuggle up & stay warm!

Saturday, March 04, 2006

I Love My Job

It was awesome & I can't wait til my shoot next weekend. It was crazy busy but I loved the fast pace because my day flew by. Before I knew it the day was over & we were packing up. My boss is super nice & so was everyone else. And I just loved the kids. Surprisingly, the little ones were the easiest to shoot. They were just so darn cute & eager to smile for the camera. It was the older ones I had to watch out for. Had several near misses with a baseball bat to the skull. And what is it with boys & spitting? Ew. Since I want to learn everything I just assisted today & it was a lot of fun. The only thing that sucked was being around all those kids made me miss mine a bunch but now I'm home & they are being animals because they're glad I'm here. Thus is the life of a mother.
Hope everyone is having a great weekend. Oh, and I need to reschedule that trip to SF for pics. Anyone in? Shoot me an email if you are. I am dying to go do that!!

Thursday, March 02, 2006

Is it already March?

How did January & February fly by so fast? I can't believe it's already March. 3 months left of school & then Summer is upon us again. My favorite time of year. And it may be even better this year since I am actually getting my butt back in shape. Yes, I am still working out & actually really enjoy it. It's my time to just do something for me. Helps clear my head that is constantly full of what I need to do, what I have done & what I am trying not to do. That's a lot of crap rolling around in this head. Worked myself back up to running which I love. The only problem with the running is the boobs. Back in the old days when I used to run, they weren't the size they are now. Of course, back then, I weighed 50lbs. less. And hadn't had 5 kids. Now it's a matter of finding a sport bra that will hold the suckers in so I don't injure myself running. That, in itself, is a feat. They just don't make a good sports bra for a busty gal. And I am definitely busty.
Life is moving busily along as usual. I am very excited to be starting my new photography job on Saturday. My first shoot is in Morgan Hill at a baseball league's opening day. This is a nice gig I got hooked up with. Not only do I get to take pictures, I will have an assistant to help me out. I can't wait! Finally something that is right up my alley that will maybe get my butt moving in the photography field. And on that note, here's one of the last pics I took of my sweet Gavin before my camera crapped out. Now I'm back to my SLR & while I can't see my pictures immediately, I have to admit I love how much faster it is to take a picture. Plus I love the assurance that my pictures will be clear. Have a wondeful weekend & stay warm!

Ain't he something???