the point is... i have no point at all.

"Why no blog post for over a week", you ask? I guess our life isn't as noteworthy as I'd like it to be, to be honest, when I think back over the last week and a half and try and remember what we've done... I all but draw a blank. I guess that's all part of the monotony that comes with working to survive. Derek is gone anywhere from 40 to 60 hours a week, and when he's home he wants to R-E-L-A-X, which is perfectly understandable. The odd thing is, is that I'm perfectly fulfilled knowing not much has happened in our all too ordinary lives!

Ok. I lied. A few things have happened.

First, we went to a cookout at Dave's last Saturday. It was a little chilly out but there was lots of yummy food and interesting things for me to photograph. Here's my favorite shot from the day.

It's dad. Pops. Grandpops. Papa Kim. Kimbo Slice. I love this photo because it shows my dad exactly as he is. Happy. Still. Amazing. I love you, dad. 

Told you there were lots of interesting things to photograph. I'd tell you more about what's in this photo, but all I know is that I found it in Dave's garage felt it needed to be photographed times a million. This was the wiener.. I mean winner. 

This particularly sparked Derek's interest, since he builds Massey Ferguson's at Agco. This was part of an old tractor Dave had out in his shed. The fun continues...

Here's a shot of all the fun being had. Dave really has a great piece of property and I'm glad he shares it (and his cooking) with the rest of us. Kudos Dave, now find a wife already so I can quite torturing you about it. 

Other things that have happened.....

• Claire's 3 month portraits at Gingeroot Studios. True to her picture-taking past, she screamed the majority of the time and made it all too fun for Lindsey to get a great shot. But, I have faith in Miss Lindsey that she'll pull out something amazing as she always does. Just check the family photo at the top of this page. Couldn't have asked for a more talented (and lovely) photographer to capture our growing family. 
• I saved $125 on our groceries this week. Go me. I MIGHT, just MIGHT, be getting the hang of this wife/mother gig. It's a definite work in progress, though.
• Claire has realized her reflection in the mirror. It's so precious to see her looking at it and busting out in a belly laugh. Her little personality is starting to show and so far... so awesome. But, I can't say I'm surprised since she has such kick-ass genes from both of her parents. I'd like to think the majority of those genes came from me, but I am betting Derek would have something to say about that. 
• My cell phone had a minor mishap and all 400 or so pictures I've taken of Claire are gone for good. :-( This makes me sad. And nostalgic. I spent this evening going through old photo albums from the last 5 or so years, and WOW have things changed. In 5 short years I've graduated from high school, graduated from college, Derek and I were married, and miss Claire became the third member of Team Embry. We've also somehow accumulated four dogs in this time. I'm not sure how that last one happened, though. 

Speaking of dogs, here's one now! 

It's Oslo, the amazing snow dog! He is currently hairless for the summer, by the way, and looks like a freaking rockstar. He's probably ten pounds lighter and what he lacks in fur, he makes up for in sass. 

When I said not much had happened this week, I guess was overlooking all of the simple things that I take for granted. I guess when I think about it... monotony isn't so monotonous after all. 

happy mother's day to me

Today is Mother's Day! How did I spend it? Sleeping in until noon and working the rest of the day. Such a bummer but maybe by next year I will have found a job that doesn't require me to be away from my family on weekends and holidays. A girl can dream, can't she? I did receive a very sweet letter from Derek (and Claire) and some certificates I can cash in for things like having Derek do all of the dishes and laundry. Not too shabby if I say so myself! It's amazing the things that make me happy these days.

Since it was Mother's Day, I got to thinking about the day I actually became a mother. Such a scary, unpredictable day that ended with something so beautiful. Eventually I'll get around to writing my birth story, but tonight's not the night. It's 3am and for some reason I am still up. I did, though, start working on Claire's scrapbook on Shutterfly tonight. There are so many amazing options to choose from that I only finished two pages in three hours. I can tell that this is going to be a long process, but I can't wait to share it with Claire and I know she will love it many years from now when she's a mother herself.

In honor of Mother's Day, here is Claire and I's first picture together. She was one day old and still in the Special Care Nursery. Love you, baby girl.

3 Months Old

It's hard to believe little miss Claire is already 3 months old. Our lives have been changed so dramatically, but we wouldn't have it any other way. Sure- we're sleep deprived, flat broke, and a little stinkier than we were as a family of two.. but one smile from our precious baby girl more than makes up for the things we've lost (like our sanity). I've always heard people say that you can't really appreciate how wonderful children are until you have kids of your own, but the weight of that statement didn't hit me until we brought our 6 lb 13 oz bundle of joy home from the hospital. She's growing so much every day. Just the other night I had to go through her newborn clothes and box up the ones that didn't fit. Putting the box away sure got mommy itching for another new baby... but I'm not sure daddy and Claire are on board with that plan! I guess for now we'll have to enjoy the time we have as a family of three!

Little miss Claire is 3 months old, with the attitude of a 13 year old. Maybe this is payback for all we put our mothers through? Must be.