Ridiculous Hurricane Season!!

Ok, so now our family in Houston, that is normally worried sick about us here in "Hurricane Alley", are now preparing for Hurricane Rita. I worry about Oma & Opa's house and my mom & dad's houses with all those tall trees around all of them. I won't be able to stand it...guess now I know how they have felt all these times.

Say some prayers for Houston/Galveston. All those poor refugees from LA, that are now in Houston...ugh! This is ridiculous!!

This stupid storm better not cancle our plans to go to Disney World next weekend. Falyn would be devestated.

Hurricane Katrina

WOW...all I can really say at this point. Thank God that she didn't take the last second turn north that Ivan and Dennis did. Sadly, she aimed right at our dear friends Ryan and Angie's house in Slidell, LA. Please send out your prayers to them. Those of you that don't know them, (we rented their condo in San Diego) their girls are the same age as ours, and she is also exepecting her 3rd child in February. They are being allowed back into the city finally on Monday, and I am really praying that they have a house to go home to. Again, please send out your prayers to them, as well as all the victims of this horrible storm.

Another peek

We got to take another peek at our little man today. Today was the u/s at the Naval Hospital where they do all the measurements, and check the baby out. He's perfect! We saw 10 little fingers and 10 little toes, and even got to see him trying to suck on his hand! That was the SWEETEST thing I have ever seen! Brought tears to my eyes. I guess you don't really think about them doing that. Of course, you read it in all the books...they practice swallowing and sucking to be ready when they are born, but I guess I just never expected to see it. REALLY bummed that we couldn't vidoetape that. But, I did get a LOT of pictures of him, so hear are a few for you.





5 little toesies!!

Falyn's riding the bus!!

Where does the time go?? My *little* Falyn is old enough to ride the BUS?? She definitely thinks so! LOL Call me a bad mom, I can't for the life of me find her "first day of school" pics that I took (bad photographer too...I know!), but I did find the "first day on the bus" pics! She LOVES it! She is SO excited to ride it. Her little friend across the street, Victoria is in first grade and they sit together. Aren't they adorable?

This is in our driveway.


Here they are as the bus is coming. The stop WAS across the street from my house, but it's too stinkin' hot to stand out there in the sun, so we've moved over to my driveway in the shade. ;) And that's little Clayton...he lives down the street from us.







I'll tell you more about how her first year of school is going later...we're having issues, and it's getting out of hand. Later...

Faith Madysen - an update

Can you believe she's 2?? I can't. I can remember the day she was born like it was yesterday. I remember holding her for the first time, and thinking I'd only seen one other person as beautiful as she. I've watched her crawl, walk, talk and say "No!" like any other 2 year old. Being so far away from family, I'm sad thinking how little they know about her. I wish you could know her the way that I do. Even people that see her regularly, don't know the "real" Faith. She's SO smart! It's almost scary! She teaches me something new everyday, and I know all parents say that, but it's true. She learns something everyday. She studies things, and if you watch her closely when she plays, you can see the smoke coming out of her ears. And when she's figured it out, she wants you to know it. She wants to be right in my lap, and just out of arms reach. She's compassionate. She's giving. She LOVES her big sister, and hates her all at the same time. If you give her something, she makes sure she gets one for Falyn too. She's independent, yet helpless. She's strong willed, weak, gentle, rough. She can make you laugh till you cry, and just as mad! She's eager to learn, play, please and defy. She is a SNUGGLE BEAR!! She loves her daddy, but most of the time, wants her mommy. If you let her, she'll color you a brilliant masterpiece....on your walls! She'll be your shadow, and hide from you. She holds regular conversations with Grandma, Nene, Oma and Daddy on the other end of her Barbie cell phone. She'll repeat ANYTHING you say...so watch out! The "nu-nu" (pacifier) is her downfall. She'll try just about anything, but won't always eat it. Milk, applesauce, mac & cheese, and pizza are what she'd eat everyday if I let her.

Writing all of this just brings tears to my eyes. I never knew it was possible to love another person so much! My children have taught me a LOT about life, things I didn't know, I didn't know. They are brilliant and beautiful...and the light of my life.

Can you tell the preggo hormones are raging? I was finally able to get her 2 year photos yesterday, so I thought I'd tell you a little about my "Faify".

WHAT am I going to do....

with a BOY?!?!? OMG!! I am still in shock I think. Seriously did NOT expect for them to tell me boy! But, I guess that explains all the puking in the first 3-4 months huh? Here's some "in-utero porn" for ya! :) They are pretty dark, but my scanner isn't the best in the world. The first 2 are of his "parts" and the last one is a weird skeleton profile.

Baby to be!

Ok, I haven't posted it here yet...sorry! But I am SO excited that we are adding another addition to our family. I wasn't sure at first, and I was MISERABLY sick for the first 3 months, but now I am feeling this little peanut kick and roll, and it's awesome! We are due on 12/26, but the Dr suspects that since both the girls came early this one may too. Here is our first peak at the baby at 10 weeks.



On Monday (start of my 21st week) at 2:30 CST, we have an appointment at the u/s school to get a GOOD peak at baby Geigley and find out if it's another "she" or a "he" this time. Really, at this point, either way I am thrilled! Little nervous to have a boy, but thrilled none the less.

Little Bruiser

Falyn and Faith...what I can I say...those girls know how to duke it out like the best of them. This time Faith got the raw end of the deal...my best guess is they were playing tug of war over a book, and Falyn let go. Scared the crap out of me!! I think it scared Falyn good too. They can be so sweet to each other one minute, and MEAN as all get out the next. Siblings...

And.....here comes Emily.

Enough already! Please God send this one somewhere else!!!!! Angie, you coming? I'm going back to San Diego!!! LOL This is ridiculous!!

We made it thru!

Thank God! At the last second, Dennis decided to make a sharp turn North, and luckily (well for us anyway) went on shore between Gulf Breeze and Navarre. Which put the eye wall going straight thru downtown, and we are in the BOONIES of Pensacola, basically right on the AL/FL border, so we only got 60-70+ mph winds. Nothing too serious. We did take some damage to our chimney tho, as there is a pretty big wet (well, now dry) spot in the corner of the girls' playroom, which is where the corner of the chimney meets the roof. We never lost power, but the back end of our neighborhood did, including Venus, but Jeremy has that house "hurricane rigged" using their generator so they pretty much had power, except a/c.

Falyn in all of her "adorableness", still wanted to sleep in the closet, so we let her take her nap in there, even tho it wasn't really that necessary. Faith and I took a nap in my bed and Justin hung out on the couch all day watching TV. Just like a man on a lazy rainy day! ;)

Over all, the theme of this storm seems to be "could have been worse"...which when they thought he was gonna be worse than Ivan, we got lucky!!

Stupid Hurricanes!!

Are you kidding me??? Ok, let's count...FOUR! TS Arlene (hit us), TS Bret (mexico), TS Cindy (hit LA, but of course, we got the EAST side!), HURRICANE DENNIS!! has a big freakin' bulls eye on Pensacola!! UGH!! Honestly, we can't handle another storm here, Ivan TORE UP Pensacola, and there are still TONS of people living in FEMA trailers. Ugh! What to do, what to do?

ANGIE!! Where are you?? I'm gonna come camp out on your front porch!! LOL I was fine until Justin started frekain me out about being pregnant and the air pressure. Anyway...say a prayer for us.

We found Nemo!

We took the girls to Nemo on Ice last night, and they had a BLAST! Ok, mommy and daddy did too. I was highly impressed with the presentation and effort that went into this show. I have pictures to get developed, but as soon as I do, I'll put them up.

I got to sleep in today, and it was NICE! Justin brought me breakfast in bed, and his present to me today is to do all the "honey do's" I've been asking him to do for months! Isn't he awesome?!? :)

HAPPY MOTHERS DAY TOO ALL MY FAMILY AND FRIENDS!!! I LOVE YOU!! HOPE YOU HAVE A GREAT DAY!!

Such a BRAVE girl!!

Whoever said that boys are more tough than girls was WAY wrong today! Falyn had to get her last set of shots before Kindergarten and boy was she ever nervous. She wasn't sure what to expect, but she had an idea that it wasn't going to be all peaches and cream. We had to wait our turn behind a family of 3 (2 boys and a girl) who were also updating theirs and their oldest boy was also going to K. So, as we're sitting there, she hears him SCREAMING and crying, LOUD and VERY intensly. Oh boy...she was NOT ready for this. She looked at me, and said, "Mommy, maybe I can wait to go to Kindergarten." LOL So sweet. I just kept reassuring her how brave she was, and how it would only hurt for a second, and then she would get a lolipop. Yea...she didn't believe me much I could tell, but she was trying.

So, then it was our turn, after we listened to the 2 yr old and 8 mo old get their shots. Oy. She climbed up on that table, nervous, and clinging to the bunny for dear life. I pulled her jeans down, and she laid back on the table. Faith sat right behind her head watching very intently. 3 shots here we go. The first two weren't too bad. They use those air guns now, so it's a *little* less painfull, but still stings. She just kept looking into my eyes, and I told her "Good Job! You're such a BIG girl!" A little "ow" on those two. Do you know that my baby, didn't even CRY?!?!? How brave is she? She got a little teary-eyed on the last one, but that one stung a little according to the nurse, it was the Polio shot.

Did you hear me? SHE DIDN'T EVEN CRY!!!!!!!! And that wussy little boy was screaming like the death of him! LOL YAY FALYN!! Such a big girl!! I'm SOOOO proud of you!!! xoxoxox

Unbelieveable!!!

Well...I did it. I registered Falyn for Kindergarten today. :( Seriously? I can't believe that she is almost 5 and even ready to GO to school! I mean, yea, I am used to her being gone all day at preschool, but KINDERGARTEN? BUS? HOMEWORK? I just can't believe it. We have to go tomorrow to get her a physical. Remember those? Man...time flies. I am just speechless about this. She is determined that when she's 5 she's ridign the bus, and we have told her that's ok. BUT...the first week or so, I'll take her, just till she's used to what to do & where to go, but you can be sure that I'll be at the school regularly. I'll be signed up for PTA and all the other things that go on with her class! I'm excited for her, but still in disbelief! :) I'm signing her up for a reading program at PJC this summer...just to get her a little more advanced in her reading before school starts. Anything to help keep her "up to speed". They work on phonics, comprehension, fluency & jut plain love of reading...which that part won't be hard, she loves books and "reading" to Faith. :)

Anyway...that was my eventful day. Off to finish cleaning up the playroom before I just start throwing crap away!

Some new photos of the girls

I was just trying to get a good image of them together... they had other plans. LOL

Time for an update!

Where to begin? It's been a great year thus far. I went on a cruise in January with my cousin Stephanie to Cozumel and Playa del Carmen. FUN, FUN! It was her graduation present! We had a blast! I had never been on a cruise before, and it was great! Justin and I are hoping to take one sometime next year, but we'll see.

Hmm...Falyn and Faith are growing like WEEDS! Ok, my almost 2 year old can wear all the same clothes AND shoes that my almost 5 year old wears! LOL It's insane!! Faith is talking more and more. Putting little sentences together, still signing a few things, but for the most part, she can get her point across and let you know what she wants. It's great, but sad at the same time. I just can't beleive that my baby is growing up so fast. She's also showing more and more interest in the potty. Oy! I think if I was more active about it, she'd be close to being trained, but I guess I'm just not accepting the fact, so she's not. Maybe next week huh? ;)

I'll be registering Falyn for Kindergarten next week! AMAZING! I just still can't beleive that she is old enough to actually GO to school. I mean, preschool is one thing, but KINDERGARTEN?? There are mean ol' 5th graders there that will pick on my little peanut. :( Hope not, but what can you do? She is INSISTING on riding the bus. God help me! But bless her heart, she is distraught at the fact that Bunny can't go to school with her. So grow up, yet still my baby! I'll probably take her to school the first week and then let her ride the bus after that. I just want to make sure that she knows where to go, who to talk to, etc. OMG!!!! REALLY?!?!? WAAA!!!!

Work is going great! Business is booming and I have built quite a good client base. I am trying to refocus from mainly weddings to mainly maternity/birth/newborn photography. I've always had a passion for babies...and being there from the start before they're born, during and after has really captured my heart! Of course, I still like weddings, but they can be pretty stressful, so 1 or 2 a month is better than every weekend like I am doing now. Having the opportunity to be there from the beginning is also building me a good list of clients into babies and young children, as well as families. It's been great! I'm gonna hate leaving here, but the BEST part is that the business can move with me. :) If you want to see my mat/birth/newborn stuff, you can see it on my website. Gina's Photography

Justin has put in a package for a detailer position in Millington, TN (Memphis) and he is really hoping that he gets it. It will be good for his Navy career, and that's what he's most focused on at the moment. He was hand selected to apply for this position, so that says a lot about his character and reputation in the Navy. Only 6 CTM's in the entire Navy (about 500-ish) were selected to apply. Not too bad huh?

That's about all there is to report at this given moment. I'm sure there is more to come soon tho! I'm SO glad I got my un/pw!!! LOL

WHOO HOO!!!

Ok, I finally figured out what my username and pw was! LOL Sorry, sorry, sorry for the LONG time no type! LOL I had forgotten that little bit of important info! Now that I have it, I will give you guys an update...but later...it's almost 5 am. ;)

Boo boo...

It's been a while since we've had anything "drastic" happen, but leave it to Falyn to send us treking to the ER last night.

The day started out nice. Falyn went to school, Faithy and I played, she napped, I worked, picked up Falyn and waited for daddy to get home. We decided that last night was the night to finally get a tree. So first we went to the tree farm...you know the place where you chop the tree down yourself. Well, those just aren't the "right" kind of trees...they are too "bush-like". So, we ventured to Wal-Mart and found a noble fir. This thing is a SHRIMPY tree compared to last year!! LOL Heck I thik it's the smallest tree I've ever had! Justin swore that we couldn't fit an 8' tree in the living room, and I was pretty positive that's what we got last year. But, I let him have his way and we got the little 6.5'...and do I EVER mean LITTLE!! LOL Our poor Angel...she's HUGE on this thing! It's ok, Faith is already tearing down the decorations, so it's just there for Falyn's sake. Not for mommy's "decor". Just no one come over and see it...it's decorated half up with the breakable stuff and all the unbreakables are Faith level. ;)

So anyway, we get home last night and I was making up my big bowl of salad that I keep in the fridge (yay diet!) and all of the sudden Falyn falls (had my back to her, so not really sure what happened), but blood was gushing out of her mouth. EWW! I made her rinse and spit about a dozen times, not really sure at first where it was coming from. She said that she fell off the stool and hit the floor with her mouth. Ow! All I know is that I learned a new word yesterday! Did you know that the little piece of skin connecting your lip and gums up top is called a flangellum?? (sp?) Ha! I had no idea, but she ripped that sucker clean apart! So...thankfully they saw us pretty quick at the ER (45 mins...in and out, has to be a new world record!). Dr came in, said there is no dental damage and it should heal in 24-48 hrs. What the heck? Who'd have known? Only my kid can fall on the ground and TEACH me something! LOL Dr's orders were ice cream and popcicles...go figure. She was happy about that! She's got a fat lip, but other than that, she said it doesn't hurt much anymore. Poor thing!

So, that was our eventful day yesterday. We spent the day being lazy today, and decorated the tree when Justin got home from work. Poor pitiful looking thing! LOL I'll have to post a pic.

Nite!

Shame on me!

It has been SO hectic around here lately, that I just haven't had the chance to write. Everyone rushing to get their holiday portrait orders in has made me super busy these last few weeks. I still have 3 or 4 more families left to order and then I should be done for the year! YAY!! A vacation! LOL Love having my own biz! Control!

We had a great Thanksgiving. Brandi, Kevin, Liric and Ariyan came and ate with us, and spent the evening with us. I made Turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, green bean casserole and rolladen. Brandi brought a ham and rolls. We ate so much and just had a really nice evening. I also made pumpkin and apple crumb pie for dessert. YUM! Love this one day a year that we get to pig out and not feel bad about it. LOL

Faith didn't seem all that interested in the meal as all of her food ended up on the floor, but Falyn "gobbled" up her sweet potatoes and green beans, some ham and a roll. Picky eater, but at least she likes her veggies. LOL

There is more to add, but Faith would like some mommy time. xoxox

Two peas in a pod

Angie, Delaney and Madelyn came to visit yesterday. It was SO great to spend the day with them. I'll post more later, but I wanted to get this pic up of Falyn and Laney. They are so good together!