Mom2Cam...Wife2Ger

NEW BLOG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2008-10-30T09:54:00.004-04:00

PLEASE UPDATE YOUR WEB ADDRESS BOOK! WE HAVE A NEW PRETTY BLOG!

http://www.sandrakraussphotography.com/blog

No more posts will be put on here!! Please stop by and enjoy the beautiful new blog!!!!!!

Big Changes Coming Soon...

2008-10-24T11:48:00.003-04:00

Thought I'd give people heads up. The blog is going to be heading for a MAJOR change, including a new web address, in about 2 weeks (I hope). I can't wait to get it up and running and hope you guys will all love it as much as I do. I am SO excited!!!!!!!!!!!

10 on Tuesday

2008-10-21T09:42:00.004-04:00

1 - Soooooooooooooooo I had a FABULOUS weekend. I had an amazing opportunity to assist the SUPER talented Susan Stripling at a wedding in PA. It was SO much fun and I really can't wait to help her out again in the future. I learned SO much...so so so much.

2 - Cameron's imagination is running wild anymore. He is absolutely convinced that Swiper from Dora is gonna take his stuff or come get him. He even dreams about it and in the middle of the night you can hear him say "No swiper no no!" I keep explaining that swiper isn't real, but that doesn't matter, he is still 100% convinced.

3 - Today was Pajama day at daycare. Cameron couldn't understand why I would take him to daycare with PJ's still on. He looked at me as if I had screws loose. It was very funny.

4 - Vocabulary has grown SO much. The sentences he is talking now are big. I went to pick him up yesterday from daycare and he ran to me and said "Oh Mommy! I so glad you found me! Oh my goodness!"

5 - I'm thinkin' of going to WPPI this year but trying to find good deals on hotels since that is the only thing that is killing me. Anyone have any good deals they want to let me in on lol?

6 - So I made chili on Sunday for dinner. Usually Cameron won't touch the stuff. So I did what every other mother does (I think lol), I bribed him...I told him that if he took a bite of rice and chili, I would give him a cookie...I'll be damned if the kid ate almost a WHOLE BOWL of the chili and than demanded the cookie :)

7 -

8 - So I just got a phone call from daycare. Cameron apparently just fell on his face and scraped up his forehead. No bumps/bruises, just lots of scrapes. Man oh man do I have a boy.

9 - Cameron gets to spend the night over mommom & poppop's this weekend...he has informed me that they have M&M's and he NEEDS them :)

10 - November 4th (Election Day) can't come quick enough. I am sick sick sick of all the phone calls, tv commercials, radio commercials and flyer's in my mailbox. I had 4...yes 4 phone calls in 2 hours last night about the elections all the way up to 8:45pm last night. I'm just ready for it to be OVER. O-V-E-R!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

10 on Tuesday...

2008-10-14T09:02:00.004-04:00

Lets see if I can really do this haha.

1 - Like the new header? I just love watching those 2 walk together. Cameron gets this little manly strut. It cracks me up. It really makes me realize just how big Cameron is getting.

2 - We are having major issues with Cameron talking back. He gets this major attitude and talks to me like I am the 2 year old. While humorous, its frustrating. We keep trying to tell him to talk nice, and in turn, we get "No YOU talk nice! You no mean to me mommy!"

3 - Note to self...I MUST MUST MUST take pictures for my Christmas card this month. MUST. No excuses!!!!

4 - So last week Cameron had pimples. Weird huh? I wouldn't have thought anything about it...that is until he had like 5! There was NO way my kid was going through puberty yet :) THAN, the week before...the skin on his fingers was peeling. It was just totally weird. Mommy instincts told me to call the Dr. We took him in...I'll be damned if the kid had Impetigo AND Strep! Did you know peeling of the fingers and feet are signs of strep on children!? Who knew! We are now feeling 100% back to normal and have no signs of early puberty :)

5 - We love to sleep with our bath towel on...and wake up with the most amazing hair style as a result...see example below from 10pm one night last week...

6 - I have a SUPER exciting weekend ahead of me...I will totally blog about it after it happens. It is sooooooooooooooo exciting to me...I don't know how many people will think it's cool...but for the photographer on me...It's just amazing.

7 - Congratulations Ernie and Stephanie (Sister's best friend's) on their new little baby boy. I can't wait to meet him and get lots and lots of pictures :) SOOOOOOOOOOO can't wait to see him :)

8 -I am already running out of things to talk about...

9 - I am in need of more kiddos to fill my portfolio up...Check out my website and let me know...Pass it on...Help me out :)

10 - Okay...last one....Cameron was eating dinner the other night (spaghetti and meatballs). They were home made meatballs and sauce (sauce thanks to Ger's wonderful family's recipe) and Cameron, of course, gets SO excited to eat dinner, because we all know NOONOO's are Cam's FAVORITE. We are all sitting at the table, Cameron takes a bite, and I get a nice "Mommy...dis is dee-wish-usss mmmMMMmmm". Wow...he really made me feel like a good cook haha...because I am FAR from that haha.

At the playground...

2008-10-06T09:11:00.004-04:00

Oh the squeals of excitement. Cameron LOVES to go to the playground. Added benefit is that it absolutely wipes him out since the kid has SO much energy. We took Cameron to the playground a few times this week. We are starting to get more bold too...we now go down the sliding board on our belly!!!

Rock Band Cam...

2008-10-02T09:13:00.002-04:00

We LOOOOOOOVE to sing, and dance, and play piano :) Cameron LOOOOOOVES to play Rock Band on PS3 with Ger too. He actually sat for close to an hour playing this game with Ger. They both had their own microphone, and Cam sang along. It was the cutest thing ever.

6 on Tuesday

2008-09-30T12:37:00.002-04:00

1 - The other day, Gerry, Cameron and I were driving home from the store. I kept telling Ger that I wanted Cameron to be a Disney character, like Buzz Light Year, since we now like Toy Story, but since I have picked the last 2 years, Ger picked Batman. So Ger asked Cameron what he wanted to be for Halloween....Cameron's response...."SUPER BUNNY!"

2 - Conversation with Cameron the other day at nap time...

Cameron: GASP!
Mommy: What!? What's wrong
Cameron: Deres a booby trwap...
Mommy: A what?
Cameron: A booby trwap...
Mommy: Where?
Cameron: Dere Mommy...be wreally careful...

I felt like I was talking to the kid from the goonies movie...

3 - Happy Belated Anniversary to Gerry's parents, My parents, & My sister...Tons of Love to you guys!

4 - Can I just say how happy I am that fall TV is back...I really missed my shows...it's almost as if my life is complete again haha :)

5 - I am proud to say that I have made my first full chicken this past weekend. A little stressful, but all in all, it turned out wonderful, no one died, much easier than I originally thought, and will definitely be doing it again :)

6 - I had to show Cameron's dinosaur/dragon toy who is boss. Cameron was very convinced that it was going to get him. So I firmly told him to be nice to Cameron and than tickled his plastic feet...Cameron got a kick out of it...I think it helped :)

okay so I know I usually do 10...but I have honestly ran out of things to talk about right now. 6 is better than nothing right? Stay tuned this week for a pic of Cam and Ger playing Rock Band :)

Sydney the Spider Hat...

2008-09-25T09:24:00.006-04:00

We have the best family ever. Truly, we do. Ger's Aunt Ruthie just sent another wonderful present to Cameron in the mail yesterday. Sydney the Spider hat, which glows in the dark. He LOVES it, he put it on the moment he saw it and refused to take it off. Slept with it on which was adorable and led to an interesting hair style this morning since we went to bed with damp hair from tubby. Thank you Aunt Ruthie! Cameron LOVES it!

obviously, he wasn't amused with my picture taking....

Daddy's Home...

2008-09-23T09:06:00.002-04:00

And the little dude couldn't be more excited. Ger was away for pretty much the whole summer...we did get to go down to FL to go see him in between this whole thing, but the last part of the trip and not seeing him equaled to 1 whole month. The reaction to seeing his daddy walk through the door on Thursday night was priceless. I kept Cameron up extra late so he could see him come home. This picture doesn't even show 1/4 of the excitement Cameron had when he saw him for the first time. He ran right up to his daddy and hugged and kissed him over and over again. Really brought tears to our eyes. We are just so happy to be together again after that long time.

10 on Tuesday

2008-09-16T12:33:00.003-04:00

1 - Anyone see Spike the ULTRA DINOSAUR by fisher price? Yeah...it's on it's way for Christmas...I have a feeling that it will be VERY popular...I don't know who will play with it more, Ger or Cameron...heck...I'm thinkin' this mommy will have fun too :)

2 - We now have a fear of the dark. I don't know where it started, but if a room is dark, we run away and cling onto my leg and I hear "Its really gark in dere mommy!"

3 - Speaking of being scared of the dark...yesterday morning I went to wake up Cameron to get ready for the day and he wakes up in a panic screaming "Its gark in here!". I calm him down and than he freaks out and screams again "My my my my eyes are broken mommy! Its gark in here" I felt so bad for him but I just couldn't stop laughing at the whole "my eyes are broken" comment.

4 - T-minus 3 days till all is well in the house.

5 - Oh and as if being scared of the dark can't get any better...I walk into Cameron's room last night and noticed the fan was off, I thought it was odd but just though maybe I hit the light switch. Nope...light and fan...dead...I have no idea...I'm really clueless as to why. Ger has a job when he gets home.

6 - Da Da Da Happy Birthday Michael!!! My little cousin is 21!!! We love you buddy!

7 - One big thing on my to do list this weekend...take a few NICE pictures of Cameron...especially for that new Gap Casting Call that is out again!!!

8 - Anyone see the SNL Palin/Clinton skit?? Hilarious!

9 - Sunday, my sister and I got together with the kiddos at her house. Cameron and Madeline were playing oddly quiet and we checked on them a few times and all was well. A few minutes later, Madeline comes down the steps and says "Buddy's naked!". Bonnie and I look at each other puzzled and there comes Cameron walking in stark naked. Not one article of clothing on, not even a sock. Completely puzzled, we asked what happened and of course no explanation came from a 2.5 and a 3 year old. But Cameron did manage to tell us that he pooped. Horrified to go see what Madeline's room looked like, Bonnie made her way up to find Cameron's old baby tub out with a dirty diaper in it and little brown marks on Madeline's comforter. Needless to say, both kids got a big talking to and after all was cleaned up, we got a good laugh.

10 - I read a rumour that Canon is having a press conference coming up soon...could it be...a NEW 5d upgrade finally?!?! I know this is nothing exciting to some of you guys, but it's just another thing for me to lust and drool over. I can't wait!

cake my cicture!

2008-09-10T20:55:00.000-04:00

Cameron: Mommy Mommy...Cake my cicture!

From Madeline to "G"

2008-09-07T07:33:00.001-04:00

Guitar

2008-09-03T09:49:00.001-04:00

"I"

2008-09-01T13:46:00.000-04:00

I AM …shocked...my toddler talks to me in sign language now?!?
I WANT…Gerry's trip to be cancelled and to come home NOW!
I HAVE …more gummy bears than I know what to do with...Target only had the HUGE bag...but they were looking soooooooooooo yummy :-)
I HATE …making decisions.
I FEAR …bugs...no matter how big or small....eeek
I DON’T THINK …I know enough about politics to decide who to vote for yet...hmmmm
I REGRET …never going to school full time...but than I see what I have now and realize how lucky I am :-)
I LOVE …Gerry and my crazy wild toddler.
I AM NOT …happy with the DoD and Ger's trip...grrrrrrrrrr
I DANCE …to blues clues, backyardigans, and Laurie Berkner with Cameron
I SING …when I'm allowed to...Cameron took my singing privileges away.
I NEVER …touch left overs in the fridge...it's Ger's job :-)
I RARELY …refuse a piece of cake
I CRY WHEN I WATCH …Wizard of Oz, My Fair Lady, and Anne of Green Gables
I AM NOT ALWAYS …willing to share my candy.
I HATE THAT …summer is almost over...I will miss my flip flops.
I’M CONFUSED ABOUT …Politics
I NEED …a day to my self please.
I SHOULD …be taking more pictures of Cameron for Ger while he is away.

Sit-N-Spin

2008-08-31T08:35:00.001-04:00

10 on Tuesday...

2008-08-26T14:11:00.003-04:00

Okay so I missed last week...but I was on vaca...so don't hate me too much. I really plan on blogging a lot more...just been SUPER busy with Ger's travel.

So...................10 on Tuesday...

1 - Cameron has been talking with FULL sentences. It's crazy listening to him. Kinda makes you stop and think "Woah...Did he really just say that?!" He's super clear too now. Yesterday I asked him for a reason on why he did something...He started his answer with BECAUSE...because?!?! When did he learn that word? Cameron also now likes to ask if you are "Escited" (excited) about something. "Mommy, you escited?!" "Oh Mommy...I escited yay!" He's really picking up SO Much.

2 - Cameron did great on the flights back and forth to Florida. Bless the poor woman sitting next to Cam on the airplane ride home. He wanted her to play with him the entire time. She just sat there with a smirk while her eyes were closed and he kept touching her to see if she was "wake" and when she would look at him, he'd gasp in excitement and say "mommy, shes awake! Wook!" Cute...

3 - 2 words...SUPER CAM!

4 - So Ger has been working on this thing called a Shock Trial...its very cool. Navy.mil posted a picture of the ship he was working on and the test they did...how cool is this?! And yes...Ger was ON the ship when this explosion went off!!!!!!!!!! (I take no credit for this awesome photo...it's some really nifty neato navy photographer)

5 - I am thinking about doing holiday mini-sessions...but not sure of the interest anyone would have. If you are interested or know anyone that would be, drop me a line...you can contact me through my website or the contact me area on the side bar.

6 - Anyone wanna explain why kids shoes cost as much as my shoes? Seriously...$50 stride rite shoes...it's driving me batty...especially since my kiddo has wide feet and those shoes are hard to come by unless you shop at stride rite. I missed the local buy one get one 50% off sale. I think I will venture to the outlets to see if I can find a pair for the fall.

7 - I asked Cameron what he wanted to be for Halloween...thinking he had NO idea what it was...what did he say "PIDERMAN!" I was hoping for maybe a pirate, something Disney like, I don't know...but the kid kept screaming about spiderman. Looks like I'm gonna have a spiderman for Halloween this year.

8 - I took Cameron to the beach while we were in Florida. Talk about euphoria! Giant sand box and pool. NO FEAR...seriously...just ran right into the water...a little too far for my liking too. He LOVED jumping the waves. I am super impressed how well he has been with the water this year.

9 - I am again bored with Cameron's selection of bedtime stories. We read every night and I'm really starting to get sick of Llama Llama Red Pajama, Goodnight Moon, If you give a mouse a cookie, and Pigeon wants a Puppy. Anyone have any other good suggestions? We have TONS of books...but I'm bored. If I'm gonna do all the reading, I should be able to stay entertained too right?

10 - So I have a goal...at the end of the summer, I am going to take all the pictures I took THIS SUMMER and make them into a nice hardback book. Than I will continue to do the same thing in the Fall, than the Winter, than the spring, and so on and so forth. I can never remember to get prints made and than when I do, they just sit around the house. This way they are all made into a nice book and complied nicely. Now the test...do I follow through with this??? I'll let you know when I get it printed lol.

Sooooo...I think I have the next Michael Phelp's

2008-08-21T08:06:00.002-04:00

Cameron will be the next Olympic star haha. Little dude LOVES to swim. He does SO well swimming too. Jumps right in all by him self, swims from deep end to shallow end with JUST the bubble arms on, and now knows to keep his mouth closed when doggy paddling. He could swim allllll day if you let him. Definitely gets him nice and tired for nap or bed time :) He had SO Much fun swimming down in Florida and now of course in Nan and Poppop's pool. So cool to see how much he has learned (swimming wise) this summer. He went from being the kid who was scared to be let go, to jumping in on his own.

tap tap tap...is this thing on???

2008-08-19T15:33:00.001-04:00

Hello!!!!!!!! We are here! Just got back from a mini vacation. Lots of sun and fun in Florida with Family :) I'll post more stories later, but for now...my view during the flight...

More Helping :)

2008-08-05T19:00:00.003-04:00

Daddy is home

2008-08-02T09:12:00.003-04:00

All is well now at the Krauss House. Daddy is home. We surprised Cameron when we picked him up early at daycare. Ger waited in the backseat of the car while I grabbed Cameron from daycare (which by the way...when I went to go pick him up...He was wearing a bright pink and gold tu-tu from daycare...they said they have a picture and Im dying to get it from them)...I open the back door of the car and Cameron was just in shock about daddy being back there...it was just the best reaction from Cam ever. "Daddy! You in the car! Daddy in the car! Daddy, you in the car!!!" Just the best.

YAY

2008-07-31T21:20:00.003-04:00

T minus 12 hours till we are all in the same state and one little happy family :) It's been 2 LONG weeks without Ger. We are really ready for him to come home. It's his turn to change the diapers :) Cameron misses his Daddy and is ready to lay a big silly kiss on his Daddy :)

exausted

2008-07-30T20:18:00.002-04:00

the little dude that is. he only got a 30 min nap from daycare, than went swimming over our friend Cathryn's and went to bed 30 mins later than we usually do. I just layed him down and he was OUT FOR THE COUNT. Ahhhhh nice and quiet.

10 on Tuesday

2008-07-29T11:13:00.002-04:00

So I'm gonna try something here. One of my favorite photographer/mommy friend Lyndsay (of Life In Motion Photography - if your in Austin...Check her out!), does this cute thing called 10 on Tuesday...just random 10 things going on in her house. So to fill up some blog space...I'm gonna try this out. Let me know what ya think ;-)

So here we go...my first 10 on Tuesday...

1. Cameron has really subsided with tantrums (for now) and is all about helping. Seriously...if you want ANYTHING done by him, just say the word "Help" and he's the man. Even if he starts a fit...All I have to say is "Cameron, Please help mommy and calm down and sit with me" BAM done! I don't know why this works, it just does...for now.

2. My nephew Mason is getting so big. He has this new facial expression that I am dying to get captured on camera. You blow a little in his face and he just scrunches up with this huge smile and squinty eyes. Its addicting to watch and do to him hehe.

3. My niece Madeline told me I was her best friend. Totally made me melt, that is, until she told Cam that he was her best friend. I wonder how many best friends she has. She is so much fun really. She has such a BIG imagination anymore. A few weeks back, she sat down next to me, sighed and said "Sasa...I usually fly here but forgot my wings" wha?!?! She cracks me up. Crazy kiddo.

4. My sister Bonnie has totally been rocking her camera and I am so proud of her...check out her blog and leave her some love :)

5. Cameron has really really really been attached to Gerry's red baseball cap that he got from Rome on our honeymoon. He wears it ALL THE TIME. Very cute. Daycare has been great about letting him wear the hat too.

6. So with Ger being away, I have figured out a whole new way to cooking I think. On Sunday when I went food shopping, I purchased my dinners for the week and PLANNED. Tonight is left overs BUT when Cameron goes to bed, I'm making meatloaf for tomorrows dinner. Less time running around the house with a crazy 2 year old asking for crackers, juice, this, that, so on so forth. Just reheat and serve. If this works out good, I think I will actually stick with it.

7. Anyone else is shock about the prices of groceries any more? Seriously?! I usually buy shredded cracker barrel cheese for my home made mac-n-cheese. It used to be like 2/$6 at the store. I went on Sunday...they wanted almost $6.00 for ONE bag. ONE BAG! I about died. I come home with a fewer groceries but almost spent more. Crazy I tell ya!

8. Cameron is addicted to the Muppet's and Elmo's Potty Time DVD. I am all about the Muppets but If I have to hear Elmo's dad sing about poo poo in the potty again, I think I' gonna loose it.

9. Speaking of potty...Cameron is still trying. I think I figured out how to get him to aim better...Just tell him to stick his belly out and a perfect aim is achieved. Less mess for me to clean :)

10. Yo Gabba Gabba...what is that show? I was flipping through TV the other day with Cameron and he screamed for me to stop on it. I did for a minute and it was like he froze and started doing this funky dance to some "Party in my Tummy" song and now asks for it all the time. It's weird and I'm trying my hardest to not give in to it. Its just weird. Almost like crack for kids or something. Noooooo thank you.

Whew! I did it!

I help...

2008-07-28T20:11:00.004-04:00

Thats all he wants to do is help..."I help...poppop" "I help Mommy" "I help B" etc. etc. etc.

Sunday Fun...

2008-07-27T19:45:00.002-04:00

We spent most of Sunday at Nan and Poppop's. Nothing too much happend today actually other than just the usual Cam and Maddie fight-a-thon (SO like my sister and I...it's kinda funny actually...they have such a love-hate relationship...more Love than hate though). Anyway...While Cameron was napping, Madeline took a dip in the pool and started to look like a water feature floating in there :) Mason was looking cool sporting his mommies sunglasses, and Cam was being like Daddy wearing his Daddy Hat. Other than that...it was a quiet Sunday :)

Gorgan's Birthday...

2008-07-26T20:37:00.004-04:00

Okay, so its not GORGAN...it's Jordan's 5th birthday...but if you ask Cameron who we saw today...its Gorgan, McKenna, Brian, and Steph! It was such a cool birthday party. Carnival Theme :) Fried Oreos, Funnel Cake, Chocolate Covered..EVERYTHING, MOONBOUNCE, Talent acts, Balloon animals, popcorn, cotton candy, you name it, they had it :) What did Cameron eat...oh just about everything...I honestly don't know if he actually had dinner tonight. He was addicted to uncle Brian's popcorn machine and the unlimited "box juices" they had available for the kids. Boy did the lil dude crash hard tonight haha!

Cameron was VERY proud with how he decorated Gorgan's card :)

Mmmmm...just sinful...fried oreos

Fun on the swing

The man, the myth, the legend...Brian...Gorgan's daddy :)

To Ger:

2008-07-25T19:59:00.000-04:00

Hope this brightens your day hun...Click the picture to start :)

Rave...

2008-07-22T20:15:00.002-04:00

So Friday afternoon, I came home to a package in the mail. I know I didn't order anything, but heck, who doesn't love surprises in the mail?!? I know I do. Anyway. I help run a photography board and there is a really wonderful girl on there by the name of Mary. She runs a custom stationary studio called Paper & Ink Studio and designs the most beautiful stationary every. So what was in the package was this beautiful stationary that she made for me. I was so taken back by how beautiful it was. I've never owned personalized stationary, but let me tell you, I will for now on :) I can't highly recommend Mary enough. Please stop by her website and check out her etsy shop.

Havin' fun with Daddy...

2008-07-20T21:11:00.002-04:00

My goodness are we ever attached to daddy right now. He is absolutely the funniest and most fun man on earth...thats if you ask Cameron :) We just can not get enough of him right now. Daddy bought Cameron a little 10x30 pool for the backyard for them to play in and Cam has SUCH a blast. It's great for really wearing Cameron out. Only problem with the pool...I can't get too close with the camera because SOME people like to splash a little too much for my liking.

What a weekend....

2008-07-14T08:22:00.003-04:00

So Saturday we decided to try and potty train Cameron. He did GREAT on Saturday. LOVED the whole concept and even only had 3 accidents! Our potty downstairs decided to go out of commission on Saturday afternoon so that put a kink in everything too. Sunday...not so great. He went a few times on the potty, had a few accidents and than the second half of the day was spent outside playing in the baby pool with the girls next door. We sent him to daycare with Pull-Ups today in hopes that he will do good but told them to call me if he's totally resistant like he was with me this morning. He may not be 100% ready yet, and that's okay, at least we tried and started it, hes only 28 months old, so pretty young for a boy really when you think about it. We will keep letting him try but if he doesn't like it, I have plenty of diapers to get rid of still :-) Lets just pray we can get him to do this.

Anyway...We blew up our mini pool in the backyard yesterday and Ger and Cam had a blast pouring water on each other. We have also finally figured out how to swing on the swing set on our belly, thanks to the "Ladies" next door. Oh Keri...scroll down...there is a Kait pic that I just LOVE.

Proper Safety Gear Must Be Worn!

2008-07-10T19:47:00.002-04:00

Leave it to Cameron to take yard work safety to a whole new level...

Must wear helmet when using the blower :-) Never know when a leaf might hit ya.

Adventures of the Big Boy Bed UPDATE

2008-07-06T07:42:00.002-04:00

So night 2 & 3 still were no problems. Even naps are great. I've been blessed. No problems at all and its such a relief to know I don't have a constant bedtime fight on my hands. The only thing we wish we could get him to do now is to quietly play independently in his room till Mommy and Daddy wake up. We even put some Little People and Building Blocks and TONS of books in his room. Instead he goes right for the door and screams till someone opens it for him (which he KNOWS how to open). All in good time I suppose :)

Fun at the Zoo!!!

2008-07-05T07:48:00.005-04:00

First....HAPPY FOURTH OF JULY EVERYONE!

Yesterday we decided to take Cameron to the Zoo. Oh the pure excitement. Loved it doesn't even describe it at all. He LOVED the monkeys, got to ride a horse with daddy, and got to ride the choochoo with mommy. We had an absolute blast.

Operation Big Boy Bed - Day 1

2008-07-04T08:20:00.003-04:00

So yesterday we converted Cameron's crib into the toddler bed. He loved it, thought it was great, but I had doubts that he would sleep through the night in it. We went swimming last night and got him really really pooped and than at 8pm, we went upstairs and just read some books on his new big boy bed, layed down with doggy, gave kisses and that was that. No climbing out. I went upstairs for bed at 11pm and tiptoed into his room the check out how he was doing. He was curled up in a ball behind the door (glad I didn't open it all the way when I can in haha) on the floor. He slept through the night but woke up at 6:45am screaming because he couldn't get out of his room. All in all...day one was pretty good. True test is this afternoon, nap. Yikes.

3 that make me laugh :-)

2008-07-01T19:43:00.004-04:00

We discovered we can do a mohawk and we think its hilarious. Almost tempted to go buy some gel and let him wear his hair like this more often. Much more fitting for him if you ask me :-)

Okay so back story to the last 2 pictures. Sunday morning Gerry decided he wanted to wash his car. Being the helpful little dude that Cameron likes to be, he insisted on helping daddy. What does daddy give him to help? Why a wash cloth and the hose of course :-) A recipe for a VERY wet family :-) While washing the car, Ger noticed that the hose was leaking, he walked over, fixed it and handed it to Ger (I stood by the front door...I was NOT going to get wet). Cameron than squeezed the trigger and BAM right in the center on daddy :-) hehehe. The best was that it was on "jet" instead of "shower" As soon as Cameron got the reaction below, he figured out the game. We were all soaked by the time the car wash was done. It was toooooo much fun.

Havin' Fun

2008-06-26T21:18:00.002-04:00

Don't ya just wish you were 2 again. Look how much fun he looks like he's having.

And now for something that is sad...well to me. Cameron always had a hard time calling me MOMMY...it always came out as Mannie (Pronounced Ma-Knee). It makes me melt when he calls me it. Its just so cute and I was hoping that it wouldn't ever change. Well this evening Cameron wanted to go swimming. So we were jumping in and splashing around and out of no where I hear "Mommy I jump!" wha?!?! MOMMY?? I turned and said "Cameron, whats my name" and clear as day...MOMMY! BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO! I want to me Mannie! BOOOOOOOOOOOOOO. But its okay, atleast its not Mom yet...but still...really makes me realize how big he is getting.

A new favorite

2008-06-25T08:27:00.004-04:00

Sometimes when I look through the viewfinder, I just know I got "the one". One that melts my heart. This is the one :) He was SO proud of him self. He stood at the gate and kept feeding Finnegan, our neighbors doggy (who he's usually TERRIFIED of), animal crackers. He was just so happy the doggy was nice to him and took the cookie nicely. It was too cute. Just sooo happy.

So on a side note, Cameron has been VERY attached to his loveys (aka Doggy) and blankeys. He absolutely freaks if you take them away. I'm waiting for the day that daycare tells me he can't have all of them there. I think with the change to the new daycare building and some other things, he's just has become very attached to them.

Oh and my new favorite story about Cam?!?! Saturday night, it was just Cameron and I. I asked Cameron around 3:45pm, what he wanted for dinner. Of course his answer was "Noonoos!". Fine, so I packed him up, doggies and all, and by 4pm we were at Olive Garden. Pretty freaken bold, as he is "that" kid in restaurants usually. We walk in, got seated (and he sat right down next to me in a chair and DIDN'T move!) and the server came over and Cam looked right up at her and said "Noonoos Pwease" and she nodded and I got the soup and told her to put the sauce on the side for him so he could dip. Within 5 minutes, the food was out there. Cameron said thank you and than he got asked if he wanted cheese...well duh, hes my kid, of course he wants cheese! He said please to the nice lady and she LOADED his plate up with cheese. Talk about pure happiness :) He said thank you and he chowed down. Dipping his noonoo's and bread in the sauce. Not a peep outta the kid. I was shocked. I was so happy, I almost wanted to cry. I even got a compliment from another mommy in the restaurant, she asked me how long it took him to start being that way in public like this...I told her 2 years to the day haha. Wow, I was just SO proud of him. It was just the BEST meal ever! Seriously!

iMac...iLove

2008-06-19T07:55:00.002-04:00

mmmmmm...Sandra's got a new toy. It's almost 1 week old :-(
Cameron loves to see daddy on the web Cam, its hilarious.
My screen is covered in baby kisses from him now.
Still need some new programs for it, so those waiting for proofs, please please be patient with me. I am working on 2 computers now.

Playwicki with M. and A.

2008-06-15T21:10:00.004-04:00

I got to have such a blast on Saturday, early morning I got to meet up with M. and his mommy A. We had such a good time. What a cutie pie!!! SO smart and has beautiful eyes.

A. here is your little sneak peek. Be patient with me. I just got a new computer and trying to still work on the old one AND am just getting over whatever Cameron just had (yucky).

I love my niece & nephew

2008-06-11T08:15:00.002-04:00

My little spike dude & princess. I just love them and I just LOVE these...

Rockstar...

2008-06-05T20:16:00.003-04:00

We found Daddy's microphone in the office and felt the need to rock out today....if I could of post it so you could hear him sing...HILARIOUS...he was so proud.

Obsession

2008-06-04T11:36:00.002-04:00

That's all I have to say...thank you 'B' for feeding the addiction he has :)

Fun in the pool

2008-06-02T10:38:00.003-04:00

Cameron LOVES to swim now...he's doing SO well. He went from only wanting to sit on the steps, to actually walking in and swimming over to people he wants to see. Sometimes we run into a problem of him not keeping his mouth shut and getting water or trying to figure out how to flip back over after we manage to get on our back...but all in all we had fun.

Lovin' it!

2008-05-30T09:14:00.002-04:00

mmmmm 40d! Definitely a lot different than the xti with a bigger learning curve if you ask me. Soooooooooooooo no used to that little wheel on the back. It seriously took me a good 15 minutes to figure out how to change the freaken' f-stop, even after reading the manual, it just wasn't clicking to me. I love the iso options...I went from 5 tiny jumps to TONS...its great great great. Anyway...3 random pics from yesterday with the kid who won't look at me anymore :(

It's Here! Yay!

2008-05-29T14:56:00.001-04:00

Yay yay yay yay yay!

Bunch O' Randomness...

2008-05-26T19:55:00.005-04:00

Hmmmmmmm lets see...

-I am selling my XTi...why?? I upgraded finally! Yay...40d should be here any day now...so the pictures below...are a few of my final with my original camera baby.

-Cameron had fifths disease last week after a notice at daycare went out stating that someone else had it. Leave it to our child to be the one to get everything that everyone else has.

-We thought Cameron was having a nasty case of prickly heat...after much research, turns out fifths disease rash (which is NOT contagious) can stay with him for WEEKS and shows up when in heat or under stress...poor guy looks funny.

-I'm very bored...summer TV is yucky and now we are stuck watching movies that we purchased that we really don't feel like watching haha. We are watching superman as we speak...just doesn't seem right...I really want to watch my regular shows. Good thing is Lost finale is on Thursday :)

Okay okay okay...just a few pictures of my baby...

Don't let him fool you...he's not sleeping :) But if you look closely, you can see his fifths disease rash :( poor dude.

Reason for the lack...

2008-05-22T19:50:00.002-04:00

of pictures that is..PCS (Photographers Child Syndrome)...meaning my child now refuses to look at the camera anymore...all the M&M's in the world won't work...refuses...flat out refuses...BUT I did however manage to get this one today after holding down the shutter button for what seemed like an eternity....the glance at me was just by chance really.

Busy Weekend...

2008-05-20T09:42:00.003-04:00

We had a big busy weekend. Cameron was just getting over this ear infection and all of the sudden, a rash appears on his arms, legs, and now face. Turns out he's got fifths disease which was going around in school. He's okay, just has a yuky rash that will go away 7-10 days.

Saturday morning Cameron and daddy went out and got a new backpack, sunglasses, and watch...we are totally cool now :)

We planted flowers in the garden.

We played drums with daddy on our new game :-)

Just being Cameron and silly.

Missing You...

2008-05-16T18:37:00.000-04:00

Both of us...a lot!

I'd like a pat on the back please...

2008-05-15T20:26:00.002-04:00

Or just a simple good job comment below will do...

Today was a first...a BIG first. I...Sandra...MOWED the lawn for the first time in MY LIFE! Yes, that's right, I actually did some sort of yard work. The lawn was getting long, I knew Cameron would want to play outside, SO...I left work at 4pm, figured out how to start the monstrosity of a John Deere for about 10 mins (later discovering that I was low on gas DUH!) and mowed mowed mowed. Took me a few rounds around the yard to figure out how to maneuver the thing, but I did it...AND, I got my ONLY pair of sneakers DIRTY...check those puppies out!

Mother's Day

2008-05-13T08:33:00.005-04:00

We had a wonderful time...filled with cake, yummy spaghetti, lots of kiddo's screaming (ummm...in kiddo's, I mean Cameron), nice quiet naps, and lots of love all around.

Mommy & Sandra self portrait

Cameron & Mommy self portrait

Cameron insisted on having his own "mote" while sitting with pop-pop

We have a slight cake obsession in my family

The 3 mommy's together

Weeeeeeee!!!!!

2008-05-07T21:03:00.004-04:00

You know whats amazing? The fact that Cameron LOVES to go really high on the swing...well...high in HIS standards...BUT...if you go and law down the ground and take a picture of him swinging...it looks SO much more higher :)

Oh...and apparently...Cameron has decided to get a little cold...when he went to bed tonight, he had a 100.5 fever...yes low, but for him, that's how all his nasty colds start. Lets just pray this was just a fluke...I can't stand anymore colds.

Outtake

2008-05-04T20:14:00.003-04:00

I probably get about 10 of these shots before I get one good one...he LOVES to stick his face toooo close to the camera :) Silly man.

Well that was short lived...

2008-05-02T20:40:00.004-04:00

Talk about feeling bad. Ger's best friend (aka as Cameron's godfather), Brian, gave Cameron a little tike's baby/toddler swing for Cameron's swing set...yes...we used it...2 times. We now INSIST on sitting in the big swing with no backing, no buckles, just holding on. I'd like to think that Mom mom has something to do with this since we did this at her house a few weeks back and had a blast...baby no more...big boy he is!

Oh...you like the pimp hat? Complements of the dollar store last year...we LOVE that hat...he wanted to go to dinner with it on today...thankfully I was about to change his mind.

Fashion Statement....

2008-05-01T09:35:00.001-04:00

If only I could get away with this look...

'B'

2008-04-30T09:20:00.001-04:00

One of Cam's favorite people....

Busy Weekend...

2008-04-28T08:55:00.004-04:00

Boy was it a busy weekend...Friday we had pizza with the fam while the kiddos played outside...which is absolutely chaos when you get Maddie and Cam together. Saturday we had a wedding and Sunday I had a photo seminar to go to. We were hardly home this weekend. I need another weekend :)

Gloomy days do make fun times inside...Cam and I were having a blast together.

Mason is starting to eat solids...he looks like he's enjoying it doesn't he?

Especially when Cameron decides to make MaMase smile...

Maddie loved to swing...though it was kind of backwards...she insisted on being in the baby swing while Cameron played on the big boy swing. We now officially do not use the baby swing anymore either...we are full blown big boy on the swing.

Kisses to Nan....mmmmmwa!

SUPER CAM!

2008-04-24T08:50:00.003-04:00

He's a lawn mowin' Superhero...

Who will take any mode of transportation to help you...

He's quick as lightening too...

THANK YOU AUNT RUTHIE! HE LOVES IT!

Pow Pow Power Wheels....

2008-04-23T08:55:00.002-04:00

Now he's drivin' for real :-)

So I was driving home and when I pulled down our street, I see Ger walking beside my son on this little ATV thingy. From far away I couldn't tell what it was, as I got closer I see my child grinning from ear to ear all excited he riding by him self. I didn't ask any questions...I just ran in, grabbed the camera and the little dude just started doing his best zoolander/mean face pose for the camera.

Cameron & some Maddie & Mason...

2008-04-22T08:06:00.002-04:00

Sandbox and bubbles...what could be better?

The turkey Mason...he doesn't coo...he squeels in delight haha.

1- 85mm Lens...Mmmmmmmm I want one now!

2- Madeline...my perfect little model!

I Twitter...

2008-04-21T08:18:00.002-04:00

Do you??? I love this twitter thing...Its like a portable blog/what ya doin' type of thing? I have it on my side bar now...check it out! Its fun :)

SPRING IS HERE!

2008-04-17T19:58:00.002-04:00

Wow this weather has just been amazing. Its only going to get better this week too!!! Cam is LOVING outside.

So serious...

2008-04-16T15:54:00.003-04:00

Asking for a smile while Elmo is on is not nice...I obviously annoyed him when I did. How dare I interrupt his TV show.

Cam's birthday Party...

2008-04-14T13:11:00.002-04:00

Well thanks to my good friend Amy, I got some great pictures of Cameron's birthday party. Cameron is definitly 2 now...he has shown the attitude...

Oh...we went to the dr's today....34.4 lbs and 33.5 inches long. Big short boy :-)

Birthday Review...

2008-04-11T08:46:00.004-04:00

So he's two...it's official. I tried holding off admitting to it till 6pm but it just wasn't working. He knew it was his birthday. Walked around the house singing to him self. Asking for Cake. Kept saying "Me 2!" No way to avoid it I guess. He had a blast yesterday. We picked him up from daycare early yesterday, right after nap (which before nap, they had cupcakes at daycare and sang to him), and he walked into the house with the living room covered in balloons...talk about excitement!

We than played, played, and played even more outside. We played with the ladies next door too which made for a fun time as always.

We got a bike from nan and poppop and a nice shiney new helmet from Aunt B that he LOVED since it had Elmo on it...who wouldn't like that?! He didn't want to take it off.

All in all we had a blast yesterday. But the fun is yet to come...this Saturday is our big b-day party. I will be posting those probably on Sunday :)

2 years

2008-04-10T09:15:00.002-04:00

I have a 2 year old. When did that happen?! When did he get big like this? How dare he do this! I never gave him permission to get big. Nope NEVER. Now don't get me wrong. I LOVE this age...well love/hate. I LOVE that he communicates with us, tells us he loves us, tells us what he wants...I hate that he yells at us and tells us NO! BUT I love this age. He is so much fun. He really is. He is absorbing EVERYTHING and repeats it all. The things he says, my goodness. I just can't believe he's 2 already. Just doesn't seem fair. I still rock him to sleep every night, except when he was teeny tiny, he fit just so perfectly in my arms, now, I have this huge monstrosity on my lap whose legs hang off the side and can't sit still. It is just crazy to me. My little man is 2.

My Love....

2008-04-08T20:16:00.001-04:00

I post often about his clone, but never post many pictures of him...eeek my bad hehe.

52 Weeks...

2008-04-07T20:40:00.002-04:00

Usually I get..."I love you maanie" while my face gets squeezed by little 2 year old hands and than this happens:

Swing!

2008-04-05T20:39:00.001-04:00

Weeeee!

TGIF

2008-04-04T08:16:00.002-04:00

Thank god...while its rainy and yucky out...I am just glad today is Friday. We are getting (we as in Gerry we) ready to put up Cameron's big birthday present. He is going to be 2 next week! My goodness! Can you believe that?! While I miss that wee little baby I used to have...I am actually LOVING this stage (well...other than hissy fits and the typical 2 year old fights). I love the cuddling, the wanting to read stories, using sentences, the singing, the dancing, the laughing...it just melts our hearts.

Music Man...

2008-04-02T20:03:00.001-04:00

Cam loves his harmonica...loves loves loves it...

Loving him...

2008-04-01T16:44:00.002-04:00

We are in a cuddle-bug phase now. We love to cuddle with mommy and daddy on the couch and just relax, watch TV or read read read (especially Goodnight Moon and Love you Always). I am just absolutely soaking this all in because I know it probably won't last long. We have had some pretty nice weather lately too, and if this past week is ANY sign...I will have an awesome tan this summer...he just wants to play play play play play.

Ger's 52 weeks...week 2

2008-03-31T09:36:00.002-04:00

Went to Smith Playhouse this weekend with a bunch of my mommy friends and Ger went with us...They both seemed to have a blast too...I just love this one of Ger and Cam that I got...

52 Weeks...Week 2

2008-03-29T09:44:00.001-04:00

Not posed...Ger just kept hitting the shutter :)

Now of course, nothing happens in our house without a hissy fit though :)

Puddin'

2008-03-28T20:29:00.001-04:00

Mmmmmm Snack Pack...

Make sure we get every last little bit...even if its on the edge of the placemat!

New look

2008-03-28T11:29:00.001-04:00

So tell me...what do you think? Post a comment and tell me....let me have it!

Silly Daddy...

2008-03-24T20:11:00.000-04:00

Amazing what a father will do to make his baby laugh...

Easter 2008

2008-03-23T20:37:00.001-04:00

Slideshow of our Easter!

Oh and on a side note, look how big mason is getting!

Coming tomorrow....

2008-03-22T21:15:00.001-04:00

Pictures of what Easter is for us in the Krauss House.

8pm Conversation with Cameron

2008-03-21T20:38:00.003-04:00

My little dude melted my heart this evening. While rocking him to sleep, Cam and I had the following conversation...

Cam: Maannie
Me: Yes baby?
Cam: Maannie pretty
Me: Thank you baby
Cam: I love you maannie
Me: Love you too sweetie.

52 Weeks...

2008-03-20T20:11:00.000-04:00

So my photography board that I go on has started a challenge for everyone on it. Take 1 picture a week, with your child. It's that simple. Either you take the picture or have someone take it. You think it's simple? I attempted a self portrait of Cameron and I today...yeah............its gonna be a work in progress hehe. But in all honesty, it doesn't matter to me...by the end of this year, I want to have 52 pictures of Cameron and I together.

Oh and I got Ger involved too!!!

Mmmmmm Easter Bread

2008-03-18T08:18:00.001-04:00

It's almost that time of year! Saturday night is the day! MmmMmmmmMmmmm warm Easter Bread....ugh I can NOT wait!

Love my b&w's

2008-03-16T20:05:00.001-04:00

I know we already saw these...but I love the b&w's too...

Springs a comin'

2008-03-14T19:52:00.002-04:00

Cam and I had SO much fun playing outside this afternoon when we got home. We played on the slide and took a while and had fun eating m&m's while mommy took pictures :)

Paperback Writer

2008-03-13T13:31:00.001-04:00

When he finishes his first novel, we will use this picture on the back cover :-) So pensive.

Happy Anniversary

2008-03-12T13:37:00.002-04:00

Wow...3 years already. What a fun, crazy, and adventurous 3 years it has been. Gerry, I love you more than you will ever know! Thank you for everything you do and for everything you have given me (especially our beautiful little boy). I can never show you how thankful I am.

Silly Little Dude...

2008-03-11T20:52:00.001-04:00

We tried to take some 2 year portraits/easter pictures today. Silly little boy. He loves M&M's and will do ANYTHING for them :)

I was missed :-)

2008-03-09T21:04:00.001-04:00

So I went to set up at Eastern Star this evening and when I was on my way home, Gerry called me with Cameron on the phone, "Monnie Home? Please?" Talk about melting my heart. I was missed :-)

Peepee on potty...

2008-03-07T19:37:00.002-05:00

We are still working on it...he will go if you sit him on the potty, just doesn't always tell you when he has to go...really only when you mention it. I think in a few weeks we are going to lock our selves in the house and work on it full time. He's such a good boy about it! Okay so other than that, nothing good going on. We have a birthday filled weekend so I will post pictures later!!! Happy weekend all...

Am I the only odd one?

2008-03-06T19:50:00.002-05:00

So this evening, after Cameron went to bed. Gerry turned on the T.V. and turns to HDTH (HD Theatre) and turns on the show called "Leave it to the real beavers"...now yesterday was a show about groundhogs. Now personally, I am not a big nature T.V. show person. I really just could care less. Kinda bores me. I feel like I did my time in learning about that stuff when I was in school...I mean don't get me wrong, it is interesting to watch once in a while, but for 2 days (well almost...), Ger has turned on a show about the life of the beaver. I just gave him the evil wife eye and he laughed at me and turned on Foodtv (Emril Live) and that was the end of that. He made a good point though, I am the odd ball, I much rather watch the history of the doughnut or how they make peeps, over the life of a beaver ANY day.

Just my thought for the day...

Work...

2008-03-05T19:56:00.001-05:00

He looks slightly confused...He can't hammer the nail into the hole...Bud's! You need your screw driver for that one!

Talking Sentences...

2008-03-04T20:27:00.002-05:00

When did Cameron decide to be a big boy and start talking in sentences? Seriously?!? Our evenings have been filled with 3-4 word sentences.

"No, Dun Wan it!"
"Were home now!"
"No, not nice!"
"More please, thank you"

But the one that really got me tonight...

"Ger!!! I love you!"

Guess I should start referring to Gerry as Daddy in front of Cameron haha!

Beautiful Babies...

2008-03-03T19:55:00.002-05:00

So here's a little sneak peek of the 2 beatiful little ladies I got to see this week.

Blood & Bruises

2008-03-02T20:20:00.002-05:00

Whoa What a weekend. Exhausted doesn't even sum it up. We got to see Gerry's 2 goddaughters this weekend. The new baby is beautiful. I have pictures, just haven't gone through them yet. Cameron also had a few accidents this weekend. We decided to play with our blankey on our head and ran into a glass TV stand and we have a nice black and blue bruise going up our cheek bone, and as if that wasn't enough, we fell off a kiddo rocking chair while rocking on it backwards (after being told MULTIPLE times) not to do so, we flew forwards and whacked our head again and cut our lip with the teeth. Fun stuff....Oh and somehow we have a whole new volume level we discovered...the squeals are just outrageous...I really think my ears have bled. The hissy fits are getting out of control and the terrible 2's are really in FULL FORCE.

LOUD night...

2008-02-29T20:07:00.002-05:00

I think my ears hurt. Really, I do. When you get Cameron and Madeline together its like WW3. They have such a love hate relationship. Cameron feels the need to scream this outrageous high pitch sound which than leads to Madeline doing the same thing. Poor Mason keeps this scowl on his face and you can tell he's not enjoying the loudness. Ahhhhhhhhhh.

I see a trend...

2008-02-28T19:44:00.003-05:00

anyone else notice that my child insists on giving me these kind of poses? Seriously. I pull out the camera and he wants to look up the lens. Its cute and all, but it makes it hard to get nice pictures. I have to do 2 year portraits of him soon and I can honestly say...I'm scared.

Broccoli

2008-02-27T20:10:00.002-05:00

mmmMMmmmm broccoli...Guaranteed eat for Cameron. He loves his broccoli.

Save for Web...who would of thought....

2008-02-26T19:37:00.002-05:00

So I have been wracking my brain trying to figure out WHY my pictures never turn up as sharp on this blog as they are when I edit them on the computer. A great website I visit shared an "action" for photoshop with me that does it for me...YES!! Check out the before and after. I know I see a difference.

Before

After

Missed this pic...

2008-02-25T19:59:00.002-05:00

I don't know how I missed this picture...but some face huh? I don't know what the face scruntch is all about but it keeps making me laugh....

Not much goin' on...

2008-02-24T20:06:00.002-05:00

Pretty boring sunday. Just relaxed and had dinner with family.

Just a quick 2 pictures from last weekend's visit to LBI to see Ger's Aunt & Uncle. Cameron had such a blast with them and LOVED feeding the ducks.