Musings of a Mad Mom

NEW BLOG!

2009-09-12T19:19:00.000-07:00

Hey all...

Ive so neglected this blog, its not even funny!

A huge part of the reason its been so neglected is I have been working hard on portfolio building and launching my business, and the business blog and site.

The site is still in the works, but the blog is up and running!

Please join me at

www.steffaniechapell.com/blog

You can get the latest on all the happenings, contests, and promotions!

Wanna win a lens????

2009-07-11T09:33:00.001-07:00

http://mcpactions.com/blog/2009/07/08/win-an-slr-lens-brand-new-tamron-lens-–-18-270mm-or-28-300mm/

check this out!

Who LOVES chocolate????

2009-06-25T11:20:00.001-07:00

I know I do...

my favorite cheap blog is doing another give away!

this time for chocolate and clean clothes!

go enter!!!

http://proudtobecheap.blogspot.com/2009/06/cheapskate-moms-sweet-n-clean-giveaway.html

VACATION!

2009-06-24T22:22:00.000-07:00

Who doesnt love vacation?

I had the pleasure of spending a month in florida...nothing like the sun, the sand and the surf.

I wish my whole time down there could have been for enjoyment, but unfortunately it wasnt.

My dad was put into critical care a month ago and he remains there now...

While down there, my mom had to fly back home, as my aunt Bertha passed away...

Breast Cancer is a beast!

I took lots of pictures...

Instead of linking them all here, Ill just link my flickr account

*there is also some from my first NOT MY KID session!!!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/steffaniechapell/

ENJOY!!!!

Who doesnt love a give away???

2009-06-12T14:00:00.000-07:00

http://proudtobecheap.blogspot.com/

check out this site for a GREAT Father's Day one!

Im so excited...

2009-05-25T10:49:00.001-07:00

Ive got some new things coming that I think are going to help ALOT. The trouble with photography is its a very expensive hobby...

I still have a ways to go till I get everything, but Im working on it!

here are a couple from the holiday weekend

first black and white conv....i think her face is a little dark...still needs work

the toy kills it...but he is just too cute

look at that bokeh!

KINDERGARTEN GRADUATION

2009-05-22T14:09:00.000-07:00

Today was the day my daughter graduated from kindergarten...I just cant believe she is that old.

Here are some pics...unfortunately they arent really great technically speaking...but memories none the less

want free shoes???

2009-05-19T12:15:00.001-07:00

who doesnt, right???

go here and check out the contest!

http://proudtobecheap.blogspot.com/2009/05/do-you-bugaloo-if-you-dont-then-get.html

great great shoes...we own a pair and adore them!

trying out the new processing

2009-05-11T14:10:00.000-07:00

for the color issues...

more of the same

2009-05-10T20:27:00.000-07:00

i think that photobucket does something wonky to my colors...time to get a flicker account!

my fave

Pics of the boy...

2009-05-10T18:53:00.000-07:00

I went and took Bren to take some pictures...

I like to try and do something me and him at least every couple of weeks, I know its easy for him to get "lost" in the shuffle around here.

We had a good time, and got some good shots...

He also helped me find another awesome wall...that I dont know how I missed when I took Ash

here they are

this is the wall he found

Im still struggling

2009-05-03T19:55:00.001-07:00

with outside shots.

Its so hard to get the lighting just right...but Im continuing to plug away.

Anderson got his first haircut this week...I havent taken any after pics yet, but here is a before.

Models are hard to come by these days, A doesnt want to sit still, Dill gives me funny faces and Ash doesnt act natural.

I took to paying TJ...this is what a buck will buy you

Ive also been working hard on my processing...I dont have a calibrated monitor, and honestly have no idea when Ill be able to afford to do so since Tim lost his job...so I have no clue how well I am doing...

Here are some pics of Ash after the mother daughter banquet at church.

what a joke

2009-04-26T18:26:00.000-07:00

Im not good with outside shots.

Ive been trying to practice more, but its not yielding any results...I think I will need to consult my mentor.

I will say that my flowers have been much easier subjects than my kiddos lately!

bamboo

Who does he think he is???

2009-04-19T17:40:00.001-07:00

All of a sudden, Anderson thinks he is a big shot.

I have found him in lots of naughty situations today.

The first one being this:

YES! that is him standing on top of the fireplace...2 wii remotes in his hands!

he took his act to the bathroom next for this:

Im officially in trouble! EEEK!!!

Lots of work left to do

2009-04-12T20:27:00.000-07:00

I realized today that I still have a ways to go...I want to be there so badly, but I need time to actually read and learn, and well I just dont have that right now.

Easter with the family went better than expected...somethings I could have lived without...but what am I going to do?

Here are some pics from the day

attempts at a group shot (kill me now)

my littlest man (who took like 7 steps today)

the girl (she was not feeling well today)

The oldest

the littlest nephew

dillie

kittens

the oldest nephew

the teej

anywhere but here

2009-04-08T18:38:00.000-07:00

ok...so not anywhere, but one place.

id rather be.

someone take me back to florida.

we had such an awesome vacation...it was so nice. Tim got to go, it was great to finally have everyone in the same place for awhile.

here are a few pics (not near what i took)

YUMMY YUMMY

2009-03-24T08:54:00.000-07:00

theres a party in my tummy!!!

Hard to imagine, but he likes strawberry cream cheese...I caught him elbow deep in the container. Silly little guy!

He is doing better, gaining weight like a champ, but Id expect nothing else as we are pumping cals straight into his belly.

We are getting ready to go to Florida...leaving Friday or Saturday, depending on if Tim gets vacation or not

Slacker

2009-03-22T19:46:00.000-07:00

That's what I am.

I haven't written in forever and also I haven't taken pictures in even longer.

I hope to get back on the horse soon...especially with our beach vacation coming up!

rare???

2009-03-13T20:05:00.000-07:00

If its rare, it will happen to us.

The last thing they told us when we left the hospital yesterday was that the G tube may get infected, but its VERY rare.

Well, guess what...Anderson's is infected.

Of course...I expect nothing less.

We had a VQ scan today, Im thinking I should hear the results monday...Im fully expecting it to be abnormal, but inconclusive.

We also had an Iron transfusion today, Dr. Hulbert seems to think we only need 2 more. Our hemo is only 9.1....but our red cells are looking much better.

We got home today and there was a box on our step, addressed to Anderson.

We opened it, and our good friends Brandi and Joe, along with their boys sent A a get well gift...

We loved it, He loved it.

We love you Brandi and Joe...you guys are great.

Changes

2009-03-13T07:44:00.000-07:00

Lots of changes have been going on here.

Anderson had his g tube inserted on Wednesday, since them we have had to start a strict every 3 hour feeding schedule.

Im embarrassed to admit that Im having a harder time with it than he is. I really wanted to breastfeed him until he was 2, at least, and now I feel it might not happen.

Altho a part of me is really liking not having to nurse every hour. We are in the infusion clinic now...and every nurse that walks by just cant believe that I am sitting here on my computer, not nursing my baby...who is asleep...IN THE CRIB!!!!

I guess as much as I hate to admit, those docs were probably right...He was snacking all day long and never getting full.

Here are some recent pics. Some are from our friend Gavin's first birthday party and some are from the hospital.

Off for surgery

2009-03-11T06:05:00.000-07:00

Anderson will be having his first surgery this morning around 1030. He has to have a g-tube inserted as he is not growing and has been labeled failure to thrive.

Its taken alot for me to get over this, I worked so hard for 14 months to ensure that my little bug didnt have any formula...and now I have to sit by and helplessly watch as they dump 5oz into him every 4 hours.

He is holding up well, altho a little upset that he cant eat this morning.

Please say a prayer that he comes out of this ok.

Nifty Fifty

2009-03-10T06:39:00.000-07:00

I got a new lens this weekend, unfortunately it showed up at my doorstep about 2 hours after I had left to go visit the cutest nephews anyone could have in Chicago.

The weather was so nasty up there, that I didnt get a chance to take any pictures, but had I had this lens, I so could have!

Ill have to try to get back up in the next month or two and get some shots of Devin and Neil.

As I mentioned I got my lens, but I havent had a chance to play with it much...we were gone all day yesterday and then last night we were admitted into Riley Childrens Hospital.

They are starting NG feeds, need to do another picc line and wanting to do a sedated head CT on Anderson.

His weight is terrible, and we still cant figure out exactly what is wrong with my little boog.

If you are the prayer saying type...please do your thing now!

Thanks.

I get by...with a little help

2009-03-06T03:54:00.000-08:00

from my friends!

I have the best friends in the world.

One in particular that is helping me break into this photography world, somedays I dont think I deserve such a great, talanted friend.

check her out:

www.ashleymcnamara.com

she is what I inspire to be.

anyway, she is my mentor of sorts and I always ask her to critique my pictures...after seeing the last set...she decided I had a terrible case of the blue baby...so with her help...I have edited one.

looks much better??? right???

Thanks so much Ashley...You are the best.

Isnt he lovely...

2009-03-04T14:35:00.000-08:00

with color in his cheeks?

It is amazing the difference in him the last week...I actually have a busy, exploring baby instead of one that just sleeps all the time.

We are no where near fixed, but we are getting better, at least where the iron is concerned.

Here are a few shots that show off that lovely color

Here kitty, kitty, kitty, kitty....kitty?

2009-03-03T17:25:00.000-08:00

So...my cat had 5 kittens in my closet almost 3 weeks ago.

They might be the cutest things I have ever seen (besides my own babies)

I have no clue if they are boys or girls...Im totally not good at telling the equipment on a cat. The last time I tried, I thought I had a girl...until she was about 6 months old and all of a sudden she had balls! eh...

Anyway, I went to check on the lovies today...and they have opened their eyes.

I snapped a few pics, the lighting was poor...so are the pics.

I cant wait to get my new lens, that is going to really help!

here are the shots:

Lazy Sundays

2009-03-01T11:09:00.000-08:00

I love lazy Sundays, altho I will admit I like them better when my hubby is home.

Sundays are just a wonderful day to sit and enjoy the kids..and even sneak in a nap, if Im lucky.

I decided today that I hadnt taken any pictures of my oldest in a long time, so we headed out for a mini shoot.

Here are the products of that:

I just wish it wasnt so windy, it caused him to squint.

Also, the other night Ash was watching Anderson for me while I put clothes away, I heard him crying and went in her room to find this:

Poor kid is her own personal baby doll...

Here are some pics I snapped of my new toy and tat!

OH AND I HAVE NOW MADE THE IMAGES CLICKABLE...SO TO SEE THEM LARGER, JUST CLICK THEM!

Netbooks, tattoos and movies

2009-02-28T18:36:00.000-08:00

That is what the weekend consisted of.

Tim was home this weekend and it was so nice to have him around.

He got home late Thursday.

Friday we ran errands all day...

We went shopping, bought some stuff at Old Navy, Dicks and game stop.

Our next stop was Best Buy where I got a new netbook...I got the mini HP 1000...so stinkin cute. I love it.

Next we got our grub on and had a nice lunch at Kabutos, where I happened to be sitting right next to miss Krystals daughter! lol

random.

We then hit up Coldstone, had yummy ice cream before we went to defile our bodies...lol

We finally got our matching tats.

Inside of our wrists now read:
VI-XXIX-MMI, which translates to 6-29-2001...which is the day we got married.

After that we took the kids to see Bolt.

It was a great day, and I was sad to see him go today.

No worries tho...we are headed up there Friday, so our seperation wont be long.

Pictures to come...with daddy home I didnt break the camera out at all

She's Crafty

2009-02-26T10:23:00.001-08:00

They are all crafty!

I had to take the time to show off some of my friends...Ive got some very crafty friends. I mean it these ladies are beyond talented.

First up is one of my favorite hat crafters...TEAL

Here are the things she has done for Anderson

My model wasnt really feeling his photo shoot! lol

She does GREAT work and honestly her prices are phenom for the quality you get...

YOU CAN FIND HER HERE:
http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=6287917 (etsy: tealscool)

Next up is Andrea. She is the creator of the Hello Kitty hat, the butterfly pony holder and these little gems she did for Anderson!

She doesnt have a site for orders, but Im sure if anyone is interested I could work out something for you!

Last but not least is Jen. She has made some of the best clippies we own. She also has some FAB "green" products. (swiffer covers, washclothes...you name it)

here are clippies she has made for us:

She can be found here:

http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5868232 (esty: jenster76)

PLEASE, if you are in the market for some great hand crafted things...hit these ladies up!

Anyone know why???

2009-02-25T13:48:00.000-08:00

The sides of my pictures are always cut off?

The right side?

Help a tech challenged momma out!

Hello Kitty

2009-02-25T13:45:00.000-08:00

Ah, I have such found memories of my childhood and Hello Kitty. I loved that girly white cat.

It seems like my lovely daughter might be following in my footsteps.

We got some very exciting mail today (well at least as far as Ash was concerned)

She LOVED her butterfly hair band too...I know some wicked crafty moms!

What a difference a year makes

2009-02-25T11:59:00.000-08:00

Well today started off with a bang.

I realized that Anderson's stitches that are holding his picc line in place have come out! I of course promptly freaked out...after calming I put calls into the home health nurse and the hemoc clinic.

The nurse is on her way out here to fix him up.

In the meantime, we went and did a little retail therapy (dont worry hubby...nothing much) We bought a new St. Pats Day tee...so I thought it was time for a little photo shoot. It was also warm enough to shoot outside! YAY!!

Here they are:

Here is last years shoot (same hat) for comparison

And the moron is.....

2009-02-24T11:43:00.000-08:00

ME!!!!

LOL...Today was Anderson's big test day (colonoscopy, endoscopy, and pancreas stim)

I took my camera with me, cause you just never know when you will get a photo op...well there were some today.

As Im shooting Im thinking to myself...wow, you are really starting to get this, cause every time I looked at my meter....I was spot on. I never had to switch my settings (which is very unusual)

It was about 40 shots later that I realized I wasnt shooting in M, but TV....lol...getting good my arse, my camera was doing the work for me.

I dont know how the dial got turned, as I just leave it on M...as its the only way I shoot...so I dont know.

The pictures didnt turn out quite as good as I had hoped, I blame that on the settings.

Some of the shots were taken after they had given him meds to "calm his nerves" Oh My...my baby was way out of it!

As you are looking...check out the color in his face. Its so nice to see, my kid has been ghastly sickly white for so long...real men wear pink...in their cheeks!

All went well with the tests, nothing stood out....biopsies will take approx 2 weeks to get back, so I wont know anything till then.

Here are some of todays pics

Blood! It does a body good

2009-02-23T13:08:00.000-08:00

Today was the big blood transfusion. It went relatively well. It was amazing to see the color reappear in my little boogs face.

Please everyone, if I inspire you to do nothing else...GO GIVE BLOOD! It really does save lives, and the people that get it are sooo thankful. Im not sure we could ever explain!

While we were there I had some time to kill...the transfusion took 3 hours.

So I did what any other mommarazzi would do...and I broke out the camera!

Hospital lighting is hard, this is what I got!

We are now home and resting. We are also in the process of preparing for our colonoscopy and endoscopy tomorrow....I have never felt such torture as having to try to get a breastfed baby to take 4 oz of water mixed with laxative.

It took me 30 minutes, with a syringe...and he spit lots of it out, and then threw up....

We get to do it again in a couple of hours.

Its going to be a long night

And it starts...

2009-02-22T18:18:00.000-08:00

My blog that is. I have long thought of posting a blog, but honestly just didnt really think I was near interesting enough.

I have recently found a love for photography, and while Im not what I would consider good yet, I want to have a place to document my progress.

This will be said place.

I'll start by opening up a window to my world...

Im a 32 year old stay at home mom to 5 kids. Married to a wonderful supportive man.

Brennan is 12, and a typical 12 year old boy. He is into music, wrestling, and girls...and unfortunately school seems to be slipping farther and farther down his list.

Dillon is 7. Dill is amazing. I call him my old soul. He has a great out look on life despite the obstacles he faces. Dillon has Cystic Fibrosis, to learn more about it see here: http://cff.org/

Ashlyn is 5. She is our only girl. She is a princess and a tomboy all rolled into one. I guess you have to be when you are the only girl with 4 brothers.

TJ is 3. Oh my, I dont know what to say about him. He has the best sense of humor that can make you pee your pants laughing but can make you want to poke your eyes with hot pokers....all in the same minute.

Anderson just turned 1. He is my sweet, sweet baby. Born 11 weeks too early, its been a struggle...but we are hopefully close to overcoming it.

My husband is my best friend...the greatest most supportive man Ive ever known. We will have been married 8 years this June.

I bought my first DSLR about a month ago. I bought a Canon XS. It was about all I could afford and all I thought I needed or could handle at the moment.

Im going to post some of my recent work...and hopefully as time goes on, we will all start to see a vast improvement.

So here are some shots from the last month: