Let it snow!

Had to post this one photo from when we went downtown and Jax played in the "snow" in the fountain. He wasn't too sure about it. His cuteness kills me everyday!!!

1ST Hair Cut!!

Today we went to the All about Me kids salon. I highly recommend going there if you have kids! So fun! Jax got to sit in a Thomas train and we got a certificate for his first hair cut with a lock of his hair. He did so great! He didn't even freak out. Love my kid!!

Missouri Trip

So much has happened since I last wrote. I got super busy with work and was in shoot, edit, shoot, edit, rinse repeat mode for the last few weeks. I have had the last week off and it has been so refreshing. Some of it has been forced since I have been really sick. We can't seem to shake illness in our home. We all just pass it around. No fun. I got it this time while on our trip to Missouri last week.

The last few weeks Jax dressed up in his first Halloween costume! He was a cute little lion! We went to the downtown halloween carnival on the weekend with my mom, carlos and my Dad, and then on Halloween night we surprised Todd's parents and went to "Trick or Trea"ing at their house. We spent some time over at their house visiting. It was a fun night. Jax had his first taste of candy bar and was completely obsessed.

Last week we traveled to Missouri for Peter's graduation from boot camp. Jax did amazing on the plane. I packed so much stuff that he never had the chance to be bored. His new favorite show is Yo-Gabba-Gabba! Unfortunately I only downloaded 1 episode and kept forgetting to download more when we actually had wi-fi. So we watched the same episode over, and over, and over... Lets just say mom and I know the songs by heart now. Peter's graduation was wonderful. The first day we were there it snowed! Nothing that stuck, but we woke up to a flurry outside. It was fun to run to the car with swirly snowflakes falling.

I am very proud to have an army engineer brother and to be part of the army family. Our trip had its mishaps but overall it was a great trip that involved lots of fun bonding time with my mom, brother and dad with Jax and I. Jax now knows who his "Boppa" is and even learned how to say it and recognize who my dad is. I love it. It melts my heart to see him get excited to see my dad now.

Please pray for my brother as he journeys to Fort Hood in Texas next week where he will be stationed. He will be deploying in January or February to afghanistan. I'm trying to pray with faith and trust his life in God's hands. It is such a scary feeling knowing he will be going into danger but I know this is what he is meant to do.

Here are some photos from our trip. Enjoy. I'm proud of you Peter!


my Mom's sweet fellow army mom/friend Julie, her family which includes Peter's battle buddy Ethan. And a video of all the PVTs marching in on Graduation Day!

Our weekend update!

How was your weekend?? Ours was pretty good. Jax was in a great mood all day and so were we because he slept pretty much ALL day. He usually wakes up like I've said before, at 730am. He slept in until 1045!!! He would have slept longer but I went in finally to get him up. We thoroughly enjoyed sleeping in for once! Jax then started falling asleep laying on my mom at around 1pm so we put him down for a nap and he slept until 4pm. Crazy baby.

 While he took a long nap we did day #6 in our P90X workouts. Kenpo day! If you've ever done kickboxing or taebo it's a lot like that. I was SOOOOO sore!! Muscles I didn't realize I had were super sore! It was the perfect sunny day on Saturday. Just the way I like the temp. Super sunny out but not hot and not cold. I'm not sure what the temp was exactly but probably a nice 75 degrees. Perfect!!! After our workout we sat ourside on the porch drinking water and G2. I love where we live because we can people watch!

 Saturday night we met up with Todd's parents for dinner at Eddie Papa's! Jax did pretty well and was in a great mood! He got a little squirmy at the end but he had been sitting in his high chair so well for about 35 minutes so I don't blame him! Below are some pics I took at the restaurant. I'm trying to take pics everyday. The restaurant was super low lit and I didn't want to bring a huge flash to dinner of course, so the lighting is bad! I just turned them all black and white to get rid of the horrible white balance. Shot with a canon 5D with a 50mm 1.4 lens. I shot it wide open so sometimes all that is in focus is Jax! He was the center of attention for most of the evening so... meh. I guess it works.

Sunday we went to church. After we came home we cleaned up the studio for a meeting I had. After my meeting we watched the 49ers game with my mom and Carlos and my mom made us a yummy lunch. Todd designed some business cards for me. I love them!! I helped a little but he always puts the finishing touch to any huge project I do. Except my website... I did that by myself. When Jax woke up from his nap he was so grumpy and threw a temper tantrum for 2 hours on and off. I surprisingly had a lot of patience. It's so hard to handle tantrums with a 14 month old baby. He can't fully understand when I tell him "NO that's not ok to act like that!" I didn't give in to his tantrum though. It would have been much easier to just give him what he wanted to pacify him for our sake but then I'd be allowing him to begin the bad habits I really do not desire my children to have. I think that even at his young age it's never too early to start. All his needs where being met, he was offered food, milk, cuddles and playtime, but 1 thing wasn't exactly how he wanted it so al hell broke loose. It was pretty trying for me. It's hard to see him scream and kick off an on for that long but so far today it's been better. After I got him to somewhat calm down, he ate a ton for dinner and was happy to go downstairs and play. I got out some crayons and showed him how to draw on some printer paper. It was so cute! He was fascinated by all the colors and kept pulling new ones out to see the color. I asked Todd to snap some pics of him real quick because it was so cute. After he got done coloring he wanted to play with the baby monitor which he thinks is a cell phone. He kept holding it up to his ear saying "Hi!" as pictured in the photos below.

After Jax went to bed, Todd made us buffalo chicken salads and we layed in bed eating dinner and watching boardwalk empire. Todd fell asleep and I watched Kim Kardashian's wedding. I was up much too last night writing a blog post I haven't finished yet. It's pretty deep and personal so I'll leave it for another day this week. Enjoy the pics from our weekend and also a couple of my purchase finds last week. I love this top right pic!! This totally is his personality. He plays this game where he offers you a bite of his food and then quickly shoves it into his mouth. Such a tease! Usually he's sweet and shares but sometimes he'll do his lil game. That's what this face was, and Todd's fake look of shock which Jax eats up!

Monster Jam's!

His cuteness kills me!!!! I didn't have time to fully edit these because I am getting ready to send my brother a letter so I wanted to get them up fast so I could print them out for him. I still have to edit them more but they look good for now! My cute little monster! I love these PJ's so much!! We got them at TJMax for like $8 I think. I always get so sad when he grows out of his cute clothes so I figured I'd start taking pics of him in his outfits I love the best... and just because I love taking pics of course! Enjoy! He just woke up from his nap so I'm off to get him. Todd just called and told me there was an office chair on the corner of the street for free so I'm going to go check that out too!!! xoxo, Katie

Thursday!

Today was uneventful. I woke up so sleepy and groggy. We went to bed late last night and literally right as I lay my head down on my pillow after writing yesterdays blog, Jax woke up crying. He never wakes up in the middle of the night so I went upstairs to try to get him back to sleep after I realized he wasn't going to go back to bed on his own. I think his tummy was hurting. It was making noises as I held him. I rocked him to sleep and snuggled him. As much as I hate climbing to the 3rd story of the house when I'm already in bed I always love how he reaches for me when I walk in the room, how he instantly lays his sleepy head on my shoulder and lets me snuggle him like he never does during the day when he's wide awake and playful. I will miss those moments when he's older.

It rained all morning and started to pour as we were getting ready to leave the house for M.O.P.S. Jax looked so cute in his new long sleeve onsies and hoody. He looks more and more like a little boy than a baby. It's so sad and adorable all at the same time. We went and picked Candace and little Jack up so we could carpool over to church. It was gloomy and cozy out so I felt in the mood for some Billie Holiday Pandora.

I think I have decided how I feel about MOPS. I hope this doesn't offend anyone but I love all the ladies at my table, the company of the ladies and how sweet everyone at MOPS is. If I get nothing else out of it I'm fine with that. I just really love getting to chat with the other moms and have woman to relate to. I think that is the most I get out of it though. I have nothing against anyone running it or how they do it, I just think that it's not what I was expecting or hoping for. I think I may need to just get in a deeper woman's group or bible study. MOPS is very surface layer and I think designed to appeal to woman who may or may not be religious. Which isn't a horrible thing but I am craving something deeper than crafts and 20 min pep talks. I feel bad for even writing that much and I deleted half of what I really wrote.... Oh well. I got to hold baby Jack for Candace during MOPS. He is such a cute and smiley baby! It's nice to get a lil baby fix. I miss Jax being that little! After MOPS we went to Starbucks and got coffee. Yum! Sugar free Soy vanilla latte's are my new favorite drink! I finally found something that doesn't hurt my stomach. Yummy!

The rest of the day was uneventful. Made Jax lunch. He is signing so much now! He only knows two words but he is sooooo cute when he signs them!! He signs "more" and "all done." It's soooooooo cute!!!!! He signed them the best he ever has today and I got so excited when he did them and said "gooood job baby!" and he was so proud! He was smiling so big and kept signing them over and over as we walked downstairs. He doesn't use them always at the right time but it's still cute!

The rest of the day I worked on culling and editing and creating a slideshow for a newborn session that I was premiering tonight. The premier went great! They loved the photos. After they left Todd and I attempted to do our 4th day of P90X but Jax wouldn't let us. We decided to make dinner and wait until after he went to bed to do yoga. Jax was so cute with us as we got him ready for bed. He was snuggling with us and being so sweet. He went to bed without a peep.

We just finished Yoga X about and hour ago and now I've just been reading blogs, browsing facebook and writing this blog! I'm off to take a shower and then get in bed and sleeeep.

I've been printing out my blogs to send to my brother so as I end this post I am going to make it a little personal to him. =)

Peter! We miss and love you so much! I am still showing Jax your picture all the time. I can't wait until we can come see you in a few weeks. We're so proud of you and all that you are doing every day. I will write you an actual letter and fill you in on more that's been going on. =) Love you!!

Katie

Our rainy day nothings.

The rain is still here and I'm still lovin it! I sleep so great when it's cool outside!!! Love the cold air! When I woke up this morning (which is whenever Jax decides) at 730 it was still raining but super sunny out too! I grabbed Jax out of bed an we went on the back porch and I showed him the rain and also a HUGE rainbow across the sky right over downtown. It was so pretty! He was fascinated and kept pointing. :)

Dad came over for a little while to hang out and see me and Jax. I gave him a crash coarse on IPhones and some web design stuff he's planning and he sat in the floor and read books and played blocks with Jax. Jax is a little shy with him on certain days but he was also super grumpy. It's so great to have him (my dad) around and I love getting to spend time with him and have him interact with Jax. I didn't get to live close to my grandparents so it so nice to live close to both sets here!

After Dad left Jax and I ate some breakfast. Only 1 fit today in between him finishing a scrambled egg and me making another. The kid is so weird. Yesterday he hated eggs, today loved them. I'm sure he'll hate them again tomorrow. Oh well. He also is obsessed with finely shredded cheese which is SO messy but if he'll eat something I don't mind. He also ate two whole plums that Pappi brought home. All in all a successful breakfast!!

After Jax went down for a nap I finished designing an album for a client. Mom had me check the mail since she was at work and Peter had sent a letter. She had me read it to her over the phone. It was great to hear how he is doing. Only 4 weeks and we will be off to graduation.

When Jax woke up I made us lunch... which was not successful like breakfast. We played and snuggled on the couch watching Sesame Street until daddy came home. After he got home we went to the new TJMAx to get some clothes for Jax. The weather changed so quickly and I had no warm clothes for him in his size. We found a ton of great pants, long sleeve shirts and jammies for him. I got some cute pink pillows to go on my vintage couch for the studio. I love them! I will post a pic tomorrow.

When we got home I fed Jax dinner while Todd went to the grocery store for groceries. We got bubs ready for bed and then we did our P90X workout. We are on day 3! I am really sore but the workouts are not as hard as I thought it would be. They are SUPER hard but I was thinking I wouldn't be able to do any of it at first and I'm getting through them. It feels great to be sore. We took our before pictures. =/ I am not excited about them but I am anxious and excited to see how we'll change.

Well I can barely keep my eyes open so I am off to bed! Gotta get up early. Gnite all!

A giant RAWR!

It's raining!!! First time this fall! I'm loving it. I felt in the mood to write and get away from work for a little bit, so here I am! Writing a lil update on the Gardner household. Today was a coffee and stay in bed type of day... I got the coffee part at least! Jax has been waking up earlier than normal for him. 730am. Normally he sleeps until 830. He woke up this morning and after his bottle we drove to my favorite trail for a quick run. Good way to start the day. I'd taken 3 weeks off (2 mandatory, 1 because I was a lazy bum who got out of routine.) so I was a little slow and out of the swing of things but at least I got outside! I battle depression and could feel it setting in after taking the 3 weeks off so getting those endorphins flowing was a good thing for me.

Jax has been doing so many new adorable things lately and some not so adorable things...! I'm trying to write them all down so I don't forget. Some adorable things.. He is obsessed with "Raaaawr"ing. All you have to say is "Jax what does a lion say?" and he will "Rawwwr!" on qeue. He also knows "meow" "woof" and "oooh oooh" for monkey. Lion is by far his favorite though. He rawrs all the time. He turbo crawled into his Nonni's room tonight, which was pitch dark, and when I ran after him he hid and rawr'd at me when I came in. So funny. Things that aren't too cute are his temper tantrums that usually happen at the dinner table. Getting him to eat has been challenging. He loves to throw EVERYTHING on the floor for Marley. Sippy cup and all. It's a little frustrating. It's even more of a challenge on days when I am working... or I should say TRYING to work. Today was one of those days. He usually plays so well and even if I'm working will play right next to me with his toys, but today he wanted EVERYTHING that wasn't a toy. Which happens a lot.

I've recently taken on an intern for my photography business which is helping so much. Rachel you're awesome! I'm having a really great time teaching her how to learn how to use her camera, edit and do all things photography related to our business. She has been a perfect fit for my business and a joy to have around. It is helping a lot to have her help with editing photos and helping with shoots. She is learning SO fast and already knows a lot. She is amazing at interacting with my female clients for boudoir which was really important to me since most of them are so nervous coming in and just need a friendly face and someone who puts them at ease. Rachel has been just that and so much more!

I have such big dreams for the boudoir studio and am praying about something that could be a new step for my business. I really don't want to jump without praying and thinking about it first so I'm trying to think of it from every angle. I love what I do and can't imagine not doing it but know I can't do it alone without faith and also at least 1 part time employee. I never want Jax to become an accessory to my life like I see a lot of kids become to working parents so I want to make sure I balance everything. 

Well I am off to do day 1 of our P90X challenge! Excited and intimidated, but I'm just gonna do what I can do and get better at it! Isn't that what life is all about?

Soy vanilla latte's and a baby "rawr!" Gnite!

Katie

September Update

Wow! It has been since May that I last posted. This summer flew by and was a LOT crazy. I will give you the nutshell version. We FINALLY sold our home in Brentwood after months of showing and closing craziness. Yay! Moved to Livermore into an adorable brand new townhome in downtown Livermore, which we share with my mom and stepdad. We are all trying to save money and live in a great place that allows us to work from home with it's live/work zoning. It's perfect! I am in Love with the location. Not only do we live in walking distance to everything including shops, restaurants, movie theater, performing arts theater, coffee shops, post office (across the street), gas station (also across the street) and my new favorite yoga studio, but we live so close to so many amazing friends. My best friend Jenn and her roommate and mutual friend Jess live in walking distance, and my friend Candace does as well too! Moving here has been such a blessing to me. It felt like coming home. I feel almost like an Israelite who has been wondering the desert. God has been teaching me so many HARD life lessons and I feel like he has brought me home. I know cheesy but really it's how I feel. I never thought I would say that the tri-valley was where I wanted to live forever.... but it really has become home and I love it. I am thanking God all the time for where we live, for new and old friends, and most importantly that he is growing me in ways I needed to grow.

Well we moved back to Livermore in June and it has been a roller coaster the last few months. Between setting up our new home, setting up the studio, getting business details and all that stuff squared away, shooting weddings and boudoir and Jax turning 1...we've been swamped! I feel like I am just starting to breathe. Things have slowed down a little. That or I'm just adjusting. Not really sure which one. Haha. I feel like I've become a full blown housewife which I love. My life consists of taking care of Jax, laundry, cleaning and work. I love it! I do get tired and some days wish I was anywhere but standing in a stinky laundry room washing dirty baby clothes and underwear but really what mom doesn't. I love being Jax's mom so much. I can't wait to add more babies to the family... but that is not happening anytime soon! Someday!

Amidst all of the craziness I am still finding time for myself. I have always been an extremely independent person and making sure I have time to be creative and take time for myself to do the things I love. I'm thankful for an awesome husband who doesn't require I be glued to his hip the second he gets home. He really is an amazing husband. When he gets home he will watch Jax so that I can run to the gym or do a yoga class or sometimes go out with my girlfriends. It helps so much and I appreciate it more than he knows. He never complains or whines that I'm not home with him and I love that.

I'm really trying to lose all the baby weight and then some. I did nothing about it until Jax was about 11 months old. I had worked out a day here... a day there, but finally I got fed up and got serious. I am in an awesome group of woman on facebook. Our group is called "Working it out!". We simply check in with each other each day, post our workouts and progress, encourage and pray for one another. It was such a motivation in getting me going! I would be sitting on my butt and these other woman would be posting all the things they were doing in a weeks time that I was just doing nothing. Total motivation. I got fitted for running shoes and I am now up to running 4 miles at least 3-4 times a week and doing yoga at a local studio from an amazing groupon deal I bought. I either get out in the morning with Jax in the jogging stroller and hit a local trail that is down the street (another thing I love about Livermore. It's awesome trails!) or I go to the gym when Todd gets home. He goes to the gym on his lunch break usually. =) I have a lot more weight to lose but I feel better already. Since Jax has been born it's a total of almost 30 lbs lost which feels like nothing and doesn't look like it but it's something. I have had a lot of hip pain and some other health issues that have been getting in the way of my workouts but I'm trying to keep moving and so far so good. This week I'm off due to some tests the dr wants to do but she is almost sure it's nothing serious... but better to be safe and have that peace of mind. So until then she's told me to take it easy and not exercise until we're certain, which is KILLIN' me! After getting in the habit of working out it's hard to just stop.

Jax is growing so fast! He isn't walking yet but is a little lighting bolt all over the place in our home. He'll be 13 months old on Saturday. He is  obsessed with climbing everything he can and exploring. He loves pushing buttons on anything. Remotes, phones, light switches. He is fascinated with lights. Stuffed animals are his favorite toy. That and everything that ISN'T a toy. He is a little pickier about food now. He would eat nothing but carbs if I let him. Takes after me I guess. He loves the fish nuggets from Trader Joes though and will eat some fruit and veggies but usually only the baby food kind. He is obsessed with me right now. He loves daddy, but he is very clingy to me for the first few hours when Todd gets home. If I'm in the same room with them he cries and fusses if I leave or he can't get to me, but it's nothing too dramatic. I'm thankful he only seems to do this at home. He loves going to M.O.P.S. childcare which is nice. He doesn't cry when I drop him off and always is reluctant to leave his new friends and all the cool toys afterwards. He LOVES Sesame Street. It's his favorite show. He loves all the monsters, especially Elmo and squeals when it comes on. He loves saying hi to people. He puts his hand up to his ear like he's talking on a phone and says "Hi!" when we're out walking in the stroller. It's so cute. He's quite the little flirt too. He loves babies and kids. He is always smiling at people and points excitedly when he sees a little kid. His vocabulary consists of "Dada, Daddy, Nonni & Poppi (only a couple times so far) doggie, Hi, Was dat!, Uh-oh, and some other ramblings I can't think of right now. He said mama for like 3 weeks and then randomly stopped saying it! =( So Sad. He now calls me dada. He calls Todd daddy and dada and me dada... so I guess it's his universal at the moment. =( I know he can say it he for some reason is just refusing to. It's so weird. Much to my joy he loves music! He will stop what he is doing if he hears a song come on and starts to dance and swing his arms around. It's so cute. I hope he loves music just as much as I do. =D