273/365

272/365

271/365

Took Tucker for a walk in the woods today, he came home exhausted! Then we went to meet my brother's new pup. Cyrus is so in love. NO we will not be getting a puppy!

270/365

The bee's and hummingbirds are crazy for the bee balm!

269/365

What a great Sunday we had! On the spur of a moment idea, I whipped up some fried vidalia onion petals! I had intended on trying to make a blooming onion, but that didn't end up working so I made petals instead! They sure were delicious!

268/365

No photo from today, as I finished my visit with my friend, and drove the long drive home. By the end of the day I was too tired to care. Sorry! I'll share with you a shot from Dad's the other day!

267/365

Went to visit a friend, so really had no interest in taking pictures! I went outside at sunset and quickly snapped this one!

266/365

Went for a visit to my Dad's, a quick hello from a few of the critters at his house!

265/365

A few days ago as I was browsing Facebook, I saw many articles about a little boy asking for cards for his birthday. I clicked on one of the articles and up popped a cute little boy, who has an inoperable brain tumor, my heart sank in my chest. I felt so incredibly sad for him and his parents. I can't even bring myself to imagine if it was us to receive this diagnosis. Anyway, I spent the evening talking to JJ and Cyrus about how all this little boy wanted was a mailbox full of cards, and both of them responded well I guess we'll be sending him one. My heart was so full that they too wanted to participate in making his dream come true!

Today, after Cyrus' swim lessons we headed to the store. It took Cyrus 20 minutes to choose the perfect card for Danny! He couldn't wait to get home and draw him a picture!

Danny Nickerson, we hope you enjoy the cat doing a wheelie card, and Happy Birthday to you, on Friday!

You can read more about his story HERE! 

Will you join Cyrus, and send him a card too? ((If you do not have the funds for a card, I believe Shutterfly is allowing you to design a card for just the cost of shipping using promo code CARDS4DANNY)) 

His address is in the link above, but for those who did not click, it is...

Danny Nickerson

P.O. Box 212

Foxborough, MA

                 02035

We are off to the post office to mail it! 

264/365

Honestly I didn't take a picture today, and was completely ready to admit it on here, when I found that my handsome dude had snapped this shot of Cyrus and I all snuggled, asleep!

263/365

Is there anything better than a fresh spinach salad, topped with strawberries, blueberries, avocado, almonds and feta cheese? I think not! I'm in love with dressing everything with olive oil, red wine vinegar and dijon mustard, this time I added a bit of honey (mostly for Cyrus) and some poppy seeds! You can stop drooling, and go make it now. You're welcome! ;o)

262/365

Love listening in to Jay reading to Cyrus at night time! :o)

261/365

Late night, Saturday movie night after a day at the Friendly Farm!

260/365

Cyrus passed level 1 in swim lessons! He is now swimming underwater! Cannot wait to see what he learns in level 2!! We ended our night enjoying a local Balloon Fest!

259/365

Feeling very Uninspired lately!

258/365

Rain, rain go AWAY!

257/365

Grey came home from being neutered today. He gave me the please let me lick where my testicles once were in peace, with out a camera documenting it stare!

256/365

After spending my Sunday photographing the birth, I spent the morning editing so Erica could have a sneak peek! After that I spent the morning with my little guy, who missed me, but informed me that he had a great time spending the day with just Dad since we're always together!

This is Cyrus' new favorite place to play, and of course Tucker needed to know why I was laying on the ground!

255/365

It all started on instagram, it was around 11 pm if I remember correctly! Erica posted a picture of her ultrasound, and I asked if we could do a gender reveal! ((I've always wanted to do one!)) She replied with, we are keeping it a secret but how about my birth with a winky face! I don't think she ever thought I would reply with, YES, PLEASE! That's my DREAM!

Months went by and its all I could think about!

I was scared, nervous, but most of all beyond excited!! I didn't even tell people in fear it would jinx it. We  chatted off and on, and talked about all scenarios in the months leading up to her due date! That she of course went past, isn't that how it always goes? Thats how it went with me!

In the end, it all happened so perfectly. The nights I laid awake wondering who would watch Cyrus, if JJ would have to miss work, if it would happen in the middle of night, if I'd be able to find care for Cyrus, if I would have enough space on my memory cards, if my battery would die during the delivery and so many other things. In the end it was just fear, I needed to put it somewhere and it was in mind when I couldn't sleep. It was a waste. While I definitely learned some things I could do differently, I couldn't have asked for a better first birth experience to photograph. They were an amazing couple, who could rule the world together. She was so strong, and rocked this birth! I only hope if I ever get a second chance, mine is half of what hers was. She promises to come visit me while I labor, and talk to me to distract me! She went from laughing, and chatting with me to a trip to the bathroom and when she walked out she was in active labor. Their sweet baby girl was born within the hour! I stayed for quite a few hours after to capture the skin to skin, first breast feeding, weight and measurements, Daddy holding his little girl, to big brother and grandparents meeting her!

It was AMAZING. I'm beyond thankful they included me in this memory of a lifetime. I hope they cherish these pictures forever!

Congratulations, Erica and Ryan!

254/365

This morning we popped over to visit my Dad for a few. Usually our visits happen in the evening, and thats when his chickens are out roaming, and scratching around so we can never bring Tucker cause he thinks they are chew toys. Since we went this morning while the chickens were still in the coop, Tuck got to come and play with Trudy! He sure does love his car rides!

253/365

Cyrus started swimming lessons on Monday. His first lesson was less than ideal. He came home, very sad! He was placed in a group with kids who could swim, the instructor was overwhelmed with the amount of kids that just dropped in, so she really couldn't give him the attention needed. When the lesson was finished, I chatted with the her and expressed my concerns and she offered to do one on one lessons with him if we came earlier. We appreciated that so much! He has improved so much since Monday! I can't wait to see how he is at the end of the summer! I'm so proud of my little man, and will always do my best make sure I advocate for him to the best of my ability!!

252/365

Movie night in Mom's bed!!

251/365

It may be a weed, but it sure is pretty!

250/365

Only 115 days left.....so close, yet so far. My bee balm is starting to bloom, I'm so excited. Its my favorite! I'm actually thinking of harvesting some this year for tea! Anyone else love bee balm?

249/365

Both kitties were sitting by the door,  but when I got up to grab the camera, I scared Grey away. So here is Max! ;)

248/365

My handsome boy, dressed himself for his cousins birthday party! I was just loving the outfit, so I had to get a few shots of him in it when we got home!

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As we were headed to my Dad's, to watch the fireworks that he launches, Cyrus yelled "DEER!" Neither Jay or I saw it so I stopped, turned around and low and behold there she was. She let me get rather close before running off!

Good Eyes, Cyrus!