Reagan got her ears pierced!

But before I tell you about that, I want to say that it makes me so happy that Reagan and Breckin love each other as much as they do.  Here they are at Starbucks sharing a chair:

So...the idea of letting Reagan get her ears pierced (or speared, as she says) has been a point of disagreement in our house since Reagan was very small.  Since I got my ears pierced when I was about 2, I saw nothing wrong with letting her go ahead and get them done while she was little.  Jim on the other hand, said absolutely not at all until she's at least 12.  Maybe you didn't know this about me, but it turns out I'm pretty convincing!  :)  I randomly mentioned getting ears pierced to Reagan on Friday night, and the next thing I knew, we were standing in line at Claire's at the mall to have her get them done.  YAY!  :)  She looks SO cute with them done.  And, she's been very responsible and helped me keep them clean.  Also, it's more than worth mentioning that she didn't even cry when they did them.  She was SO excited!

The reason we've been so quiet here is because I've been busier than a one legged girl in a...well, let's just say I've been real busy.  I started my new job the day after Breckin's birthday (July 22nd), and I've been trying to catch my breath since then.  This weekend I had 4 photo shoots in 2 days.  Whew!  God is good!  :)

Also, Jim and I celebrated our 5th anniversary last week.  I can't believe it's gone so fast.  Here's the present Jim bought me (which I LOVE!):

Speaking of Breckin's birthday, we had an excellent day at the zoo with my friend Emily and her boys and my friend Brooke and her daughter Avery.  Breckin got to feed the giraffes, but he didn't like it very much.

A few days after Breckin's birthday, we had a big party for him.  He doesn't have many baby friends (yet) so it was mostly Reagan's friends and our family.  My friend Lisa brought him some balloons that were a HUGE hit...

And Breckin of course had his first taste of cake...at least, his first taste that I'll tell you about.  After all, I am mother of the year.  ;)  

(While he'd had a recent haircut, it seems nothing I do will make his hair lay flat on his head.)

Breckin has taught us that having a boy brings some subtle differences from having a girl.  Reagan rarely made me worry about her safety, for example.  She would climb the stairs slowly, and with caution.  When she learned that she could stand up, if I asked her to sit down, she would do so right away...I think because she knew that I was looking out for her safety.  I never worried about leaving her up on high places, because I knew she'd be too scared to budge.  She always seemed to understand how to "be careful" and "watch out".  Breckin, on the other hand, throws all caution to the wind each and every chance he gets.  For example...

We also went camping at some point last month, but to be honest I can't really remember when.  We had a great time though, and I wish we could go again!  Breckin wasn't too sure why we'd be sleeping in a tent, and consequently spent a lot of the time crying while he was supposed to be sleeping.  Out of the 4 of us, I think Reagan had the most fun.

We stopped to feed the chipmunks who have become very pretentious.  They used to be willing to accept bread and any old other thing you gave them, but now they will only accept seeds purchased from the local stores in St. Elmo.  

There, now you've been sufficiently updated!  :)  Hope you're well.

New Phone With a Good Camera=More Posts!

So...I got a Droid phone.  I love it.  It has an awesome camera, and really...I'm wondering how I went so long without it.  I can get my email on it, speak a text message, and, most importantly take pictures I'm not embarrassed to show to people.  So what does this mean for you, the Lambslines Reader?  More posts!  :)

Here's some pictures from a trip we took to the Julie Penrose Memorial Fountain at the end of June with my good friend Brooke

:

Here are some pictures from a trip to the playground from the other day:

(Reagan was pushing her brother on the swings...and I didn't even have to bribe her!)

(Breckin LOVES swinging.)

And, before I show you this next picture, it merits saying the following:  As a teacher, I struggle with boy students and discipline.  There might have been one or 2 girls who were a challenge, but really, it was always the boys.  I struggled to no end with the usual suspects, the class clowns...you know the type.  So, when I got the news that I was going to have a boy...I was worried.  I was worried that my son would be one of those boys...the kind that is popular, outgoing, a little bit of trouble, and tough to discipline.  Let me just say that this is where I found my nearly 1 year old son this morning:

...but I love him SO much.

A long overdue picture of the kids

Forgive my logo on here...it looked like one I'd like to put on the business blog.  It seems like I only ever post pictures of the kids smiling, but this candid shot seemed too perfect not to post.  I don't remember why Breckin was crying, but Reagan came right over and offered him her comforts.
Don't worry, there are more happy pictures coming.  :)

Absence makes he heart grow fonder?

Let's see...
In the last 2 months we have....
-Traded in my car, Suzy the Subaru for an '08 Mazda 5...I call him Cinco
-Given Reagan a hair cut
-Watched Breckin get 2 new teeth...in 3 days
-Watched me have very busy weekends shooting 1 wedding and several engagement shoots
-Survived me being laid off from my dream school because they decided not to have part time teachers...one of my principals said that maybe in the future I shouldn't go 1/2 time...but I'd do it again in a heartbeat!
-Seen the number of inquiries for the business nearly double
-Planted a vegetable garden inspired by Julie and Mikey
-Been to a wedding as guests
-Seen Breckin start crawling, then crusing the furniture
-Watched my beloved green laptop die (for the purpose of editing pictures...it'd dedicated purpose) and be replaced (this is actually happening in just a few minutes when I go to Costco to get my new one!)
-Watched Jim run...really fast....really long
-Purchased 2 new lenses for my uber amazing camera...and they're uber amazing as well!
-Lots of other things that I'm sure I'm forgetting....
In short, we've been SO busy!  I've been trying desperately to keep up with the business blog, so all of my bloggering time and energy has been spent at http://www.lamb-photo.com!
Now that school is out, I'll try to post more regularly...in fact, I'm hoping to get to post some pictures I took of the kids with one of the new lenses (it's so big, I was even able to sneak some of Scout without he noticing!)  Stay tuned...

Busy busy weekend!

Ok, here's the short version!
Saturday was spent preparing for Reagan's party, and then having Reagan's party.  I can't believe she's already almost 3!!!  We had people over to our house, and then took the willing participants swimming at the local pool. Naturally, since there was a big event on Saturday, Breckin was awake 2-3 times on Friday night.  Seems to always happen that way!  We were all tired, so we came home for naps (except for Jim who went running instead), and then headed to Mikey and Julie's for Easter dinner and egg dying.
Sunday we had an egg hunt, went to church, and then headed to my parents' house for another Easter dinner.  Reagan was thrilled to have a chance to play with her toys!
Thanks to all who came...it was a great time!
Here are pictures from the weekend...there were just too many to try to pick and put on here!

Easter & Rea's 3rd B-day

Relay for Life

Hello All!
I know some of you received an email about this, and if so, please disregard.  However, I know there were several of you whose email address I didn't have right in front of me at the time.

This year, I'll be participating in the American Cancer Society's Relay for Life once again.  I hope you'll consider making a donation on my behalf to the ACS.

Here's the link: http://main.acsevents.org/goto/amanda.lamb, or you can just click here. 


As many of you know, my dad was diagnosed with Lymphoma in 2007.  He is doing great, and has been in full remission for some time now.  Also, in 2004, my niece was also diagnosed with lymphoma, and is also still in remission.  I know that their amazing recovery is largely due to the efforts of groups like the ACS.  There are several others (in my family alone) who were not as fortunate in their battle with this disease.  I'm sure you know someone who is a survivor or who has been impacted.  I hope you'll consider making a donation to the ACS.  I know that times are hard financially for a lot of people right now, but even a donation of $10 can go a long way in helping to reach my fundraising goals.  It is certainly money well spent.

Thank you!

Oh My...Not since Valentine's Day??

I had dinner with my best friend Leslie last night, and she reminded me that it had been since Valentine's Day that I had posted!  Oh no.  Whoops!  Time has really gotten away from me in the last month!  I decided I'd try for a quick post before church this morning.

Part of what has been keeping me away from this blog is that I've been very busy with the business.  I've nearly had a job every weekend for the last month!  I'm not complaining...in fact, I'm bragging!  Plus, I decided to do something different, and put the blog part of my website at the front, so it's the first thing people see when they go to the site.  I've gotten some really good feedback from it!  I like it because I think it gives people a chance to get to know me a little bit before they decide whether they'd like to hire me.  If you haven't visited lately, head on over to my website!

I've been working hard at FXB, the body shaping program that I signed up for.  Yesterday ended week 6, and largely thanks to Jim working hard to be home on time every day, I've had perfect attendance!  Last weekend we did our half-way testing, and I took 1.5 minutes off my mile time, added 21 push ups, and 14 sit ups.  I was very excited!  I went ahead and signed up for the year-long version of the program, which will start after my 10 weeks are up on April 23rd.  I really like it.  I decided, though, that I'll probably put triathlons off for another year.  I'm hoping that continuing with the program will help me to be more ready for the kind of training that I'd like to do.  If you live near a Farrell's, I highly recommend this program.

I'm right in the middle of my spring break.  Last Monday was beautiful outside (66 degrees!) so I packed up the kids and took them to the playground.  I didn't get too many awesome pictures because it was right in the middle of the day.  But on our way out of the park we found some shade behind a nice tree and I managed to get a couple.  Unfortunately, Reagan's love for being in front of the camera has diminished.  Usually when I ask her to smile and/or pose for the camera, I get the types of pictures like the one of her above.  But now and then she'll still give me one like the one below.  

Reagan just adores her little brother, and he her.  Just this morning when I was feeding Breckin, Reagan came into his room and said, "Good morning, Breckin!"  I said, "He says good morning, sister!"  She said, "I love you!"  Awww...  I love that.  The day we took the pictures was the day after B's 8 month birthday!  I can't believe he's that old...just doesn't seem possible.  He's trying very hard to crawl on all fours, but he mostly ends up stuck in the push-up position.  He's definitely getting close though!  Speaking of birthdays, Reagan's is coming right up.  We have a party planned for next weekend which will hopefully involve going swimming.

Jim has been running about 20 miles/wk, and has signed up for the Pikes Peak Ascent this year.  He's just a shadow of his former self.  Literally...he's looking quite trim these days.  :)

Happy Spring!!

Happy Valentine's Day!

I'm quickly learning that most things in life are a whole lot more fun with little kids around.  Valentine's Day is no exception.  Largely thanks to Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, one of the only shows Reagan watches every day occasionally,  she has been looking forward to "valentimes" day for a couple of weeks now.  And, her excitement was contagious.  So, about a week ago, neither of us could stand it anymore.  I got my sister-in-law's sugar cookie recipe...so good... and I made my first ever solo batch of sugar cookies.  I personally think they turned out wonderfully.  Now that the real day is actually here, and I had left-over ingredients, we made more yesterday.  The cookies, while delicious, are killer on the diet.  So, if you live close you just may have a surprise delivery tomorrow!  Especially because yesterday I started a 10 week commitment to the Farrell's Extreme Body Shaping program.  I've already lost close to 50 pounds since coming home from having Breckin, thanks partially to Weight Watchers and partially to nursing, but I would be thrilled to lose another 40.  There's a $1,000 prize...I'll be honest, I'm hoping to win it!  Once I finish with the 10 weeks, I'm hoping to start triathlon training again!  Who knows, maybe this year I'll be a little competitive in the triathlon arena!  Since the longest ones I've done have been sprints, I think it would be pretty cool this year to try for an Olympic distance...  so, no more cookies for me!  :)

I got some pictures of Reagan helping with the cookie process.

I foolishly let her shake some sprinkles onto one of the cookies unassisted...

And here was the result.

This one was my favorite:

Reagan's favorites were the ones with names on them.

Happy Valentine's Day!  Hope you got to spend it with the ones you love.

The Show!

As I noted in my previous entry, I did my very first wedding expo on Sunday!  Time will tell how successfull it was.  I'm keeping my fingers crossed and saying my prayers that it wasn't all for not! 

I wanted to post some quick pictures of the booth.  I was very lucky to be placed right next to the door, so I saw almost everyone coming in and again going out.  I have a list of things I need if I decide to do another one...time will tell whether it would be worth it.

A big HUGE thanks to my friend Brooke, who gave up her Sunday and her bedroom furniture (the chairs and ottoman) to help me out.  It was great to have someone to talk to all day, and nice that she and I could take breaks and see all the other vendors and sample cake and treats.  Mmmm....wedding cake.  :)

Anyway, here are the pictures.  I'll post the same images in a fancier format on my other blog later today. 

Also, I get asked this a lot: "Amanda, you teach part time, you have 2 little kids, AND you have a photo business?  How do you do all that?"  My answer is twofold, and very simple.  Reason A: Coffee.  I don't drink as much as I'd like since I'm still nursing, but the little bit I do gets me through.  Reason B: My husband.  He is SUCH a gem!  He helped me make my display, let me take our living room rug, spend a fair amount of our own money to do the show in the first place, and even watched both kids and brought my friend Brooke and me lunch while we were at the show.  And that was all just for the show.  He's a regular hero almost every day, and I love him for it.  Thanks honey!

Baptism and he's 6 months old!

Breckin seems to be growing up MUCH faster than Reagan did, and if you're a long-time reader, you know that I think that all went entirely too fast (and continues to do so). 

Anyway, I finally got around to taking some pictures of the poor kid.  The first ones I've taken since Christmas! 

Before I get to those pictures though, I need to post the ones of his baptism.  He looked SO cute, I must say.  He did really well, and only cried at the very end with the pastor took him up and down the isles.  What can I say?  He's a total mama's boy.  Reagan did a great job too.  She stood up at the front and looked like a proud big sister (she is!). 

Afterwards, we had a little party here at our house.  We had lunch, and a little birthday celebration for my nephew, Tanner.  He's 12!  And, I  must say, he's a very responsible and kind young man.  Reagan absolutely adores him, and really, it's no wonder.  Every time he's around her, he plays whatever game she suggests, endlessly makes her friends "talk", and is truly wonderful with her. 

(While he's definitely strongly resembling Jim, he really looks a LOT like my Grandpa Pianalto in this picture!)

Ok, here are his 6 month pictures.  Personally, I think he's the sweetest little boy that ever was.  But perhaps I'm right biased...

We started Breckin on "solids" at 5 months.  He was totally ready.  Then, about 2 weeks ago, I let him eat a graham cracker by himself.  Ever since then, he has had absolutely no interest in being spoon fed.  In fact, the only way he'll allow it is if there is nothing in his sight or reach that he can eat himself!  So, I just went with it, and he's been eating table food ever since.  It certainly makes my life easier, so no complaints here.  I've been reading a lot about "baby-led weaning" thanks to my friend April.  I was nervous about taking this approach because of the perceived choking risk, as well as the food allergies.  I'm trying to avoid those all-together this time around!  But, Breckin made the decision easy for me.  :)

The other news, and most recent reason for my absence from the blog, is because I've been working my little tail off trying to get everything ready for my first-ever wedding expo.  The people putting it on are promising hundreds of brides.  Hopefully 10 or so will want me to photograph their wedding!  I'd be SO very excited.  I think I'll keep teaching 1/2 time as long as they'll let me.  It's nice to have steady income, and even nicer to have so much time to spend with the kids. 

We've also been busy pre-school shopping for Reagan, and found out quickly that it can be extremely expensive!  Our wonderful nanny took-and passed-her CNA test this week, so she'll be wanting to work for us a little less (but lucky for us she wants to keep coming back!)  So, the goal is to try to find a place that will take both kiddos, just to make things a little easier.  I'm hoping to find something for 2 half days per week.  We're sort of struggling, so if you are reading this and live in Colorado Springs, let me know if you have suggestions!