11.09.09

Dear Denver Broncos,

Remember that time when you started off the season 6-0 and I would take the time each week to give you a shout out, thus shaming all other NFL football fans who failed to root for you? Well, this whole “we are suddenly losing” thing that you’ve started on is really cramping my style. Quite frankly, you’ve made me look like an ass.

Baltimore was forgivable because they’re actually a pick for the Super Bowl. But Pittsburgh? At home!?!? Shame, shame donkeys.

I’d appreciate it if you could get your act together. Next week is a big game. I have no idea who you play, but let’s just call it a big game for the sake of calling it a big game. Mmmkay?

Oh, and if the orange and blue isn’t working for you, feel free to get back the the yellow and brown…at least those colors saw victory.

Forever yours,

Katie

 

11.08.09

God is teasing me with this fantastic weather. While many in places out West (ahem, Colorado) have already seen the winter’s first big snow (without winter even being official), I am currently basking in the warm, 65 degree weather that is Western Michigan.

Instead of curling up in sweatpants with 10 weeks of school to catch up on, I’m tempted to take my child outside, photograph the blue skies, and generally enjoy this Sunday afternoon.

How about a compromise? While Thad naps, I’ll get some outlining and flash-carding done…after all, finals are 4 weeks away. By the time he wakes up, some friends of mine will have made their way to our place and Tom will be lighting up the grill. This Sunday is a perfect day for friends, beer, kabobs, burgers, and football.

Go Broncos!

 

11.06.09 (it’s a two-parter!)

I suppose I’ll kill two birds with one stone in this blahg update, so I suggest you only take the time to read it if you have awhile.

First, my apologies for not updating sooner about my trip to Cleveland. In all honesty, I had a lot of joint pain on the day I traveled down there, and when I got home all I wanted to do was fall into a comatose-like sleep, with the hopes that I wouldn’t be able to feel the pain any longer. Lucky for me, it worked. Unfortunately for my students, I wasn’t exactly on my “A” game the very next morning in class…there may or may not have been deep pillow lines on my face for the better part of the morning.

All of the tests run by my doctor in Cleveland came back in working order. My kindeys work, my liver works, I’m not anemic, etc, etc, etc. So that’s always good news!

The other news is that my doctor has ordered a chest x-ray to make sure my lungs are doing ok and that there aren’t any granulomas on the tissue. I’ve been having a tough time lately with my breathing; and while she and I are both hoping that it’s just weather-related, I understand that the x-ray is necessary to help rule out anything scary. She has ordered me to stop reducing my prednisone (bummer!), and wants me back in Cleveland in January to see both her as well as my ENT, Dr. Benninger.

I also told the doctor about the somewhat scary incident with my eyes. She made a frowning face as she recorded what I was saying in her notes, but then she never addressed the issue. Again, I am hoping that means she isn’t concerned…or that if she is, that it’s a little too early to start freaking out about anything.

So, there you have it. I’m still alive. Still breathing. Still kickin’ it old school.

Still taking pictures of cute, handsome, smiley little babies!!!! Which, of course, is my segue in to part deux of this post…

Today I had the pleasure of shooting Karter – an adorable 10-month-old who will be one year old on Christmas day. His aunt, Mallory, is a cousin of my friend, Jolene, and she wanted to surprise her parents and Karter’s parents with photos as a gift for Christmas. I have 120 proofs to give to Mallory…that’s how incredible this little guy was in front of the camera. And while 120 photos would typically take me half of a lifetime to edit, I think it took me all of 30 minutes today. He had perfect skin, there was perfect light, he was all smiles…you get the idea. Thank GOD for great subjects!!

 

11.04.09

I’m headed to Cleveland in about 10 hours, and I’m hoping for good news. Key word: hoping.

The past few weeks have presented a bit of a challenge for me with my breathing. I don’t think it’s related to the fact that my amount of Prednisone has been reduced, because it’s been reduced for awhile now. I’m hoping that my issues with my breathing are directly related to the changes in the weather, and not some sort of inflammation. I am so close to my one-year mark of being surgery free…I’d love to stay that way.

I’ve been having a lot of headaches lately, and my eyes have been acting funny. Sometimes I cough so hard that I literally see stars, and there are other times (like today) when all of a sudden I just can’t see what’s in front of me. It’s very odd, and I am hoping it has nothing to do with my disease. Wegener’s is notorious for affecting areas like the eyes, so small things like this are always cause for concern.

Sigh. I really hate this up and down roller coaster. I will definitely update my blahg when I get home from the Clinic tomorrow night.

On, a different note, Thad continues to amaze me more and more everyday. I know I’ve said this before, but I always find it fascinating when I witness him put two and two together beyond what I expect. Tonight, in the bathtub, he picked up one of his plastic cups with the holes in the bottom so that all the water ran through back into the tub. He looked at me and said, “Look mama! Rain!”

Ugh. Melt my heart.

 

 

11.01.09

Well, trick-or-treating was a bust. Big time.

Seriously, when it comes to things that are really, really cool, my kid consistently lets me down when it comes to his attitude. I get all hyped up and excited about things, like I can’t wait to see the look on his face, and then he ends up totally hating whatever it is.

For instance, the Aquarium of the Pacific. The kid loves dogs. And cats. And bears. And birds. So of course he would like fish. And sharks. And dolphins. And seals.

Nope. Hated all of it. Cried. Threw a temper tantrum. We ended up pushing him around in the stroller while I drooled all over the cool stuff.

Another example? His first birthday cake. I thought for sure the kid would be face first in that thing, chowing down like a fat kid on a cupcake. I was all primed, waiting in the wings with my camera…all I got was a couple licks of the frosting and then he was over it. That was that.

This summer, when we took him to the fountains, I was ready to dive in, fully clothed, with my child just to see him run around and have a great time. Nope. The only reason I ended up soaked was because he was so terrified, he wouldn’t move, and I ended up having to go in and get him out so we could go home.

There’s no way I would attempt Disneyland right now, for fear that he would kill every piece of my heart if he hated it.

So, I’m not really sure what I was thinking when I got all geared up for Halloween. Not really sure why I let him pick out a basket to use for trick-or-treating; or why I filled it halfway up with dum dums and Smarties, just to get him excited. Because the moment some stranger tried to hand him a candy bar, he freaked out. Cried. Threw his bag down and screamed, “NO!!!”

I mean, I guess I should be glad that my child refuses to take candy from strangers, but seriously. Mommy and daddy totally missed out on the stash!

(This was taken just moments before the major meltdown).

We ended up going to four houses. Bummer.

There is, however, some silver lining to this fairly dark cloud — I bought a bunch of candy in anticipation of trick-or-treaters. We didn’t get one. Not even one single child came knocking on our door to score free goodies! What the hell is wrong with kids these days!?!?

So yeah. The Jeters have a house full of m&ms, Reese’s, Snickers, Mounds, Smarties, and dum dums…nice.

 

10.30.09

I can hardly contain my excitement. Seriously, when Tom walked in the door, I was literally like, “Babe!! Look!! Look at my photos!!”

I am so pleased with how my first maternity shoot came out today. I am rarely ultra proud of the way my shoots come out, but this time is an exception. I had to work hard for these pictures. Two toddlers running around, a gray, overcast day, practically no room in my place to take the shots, and every picture taken with my external flash.

I also had to work Jolene for awhile, before she would agree to be my guinea pig. She’s been a friend of mine since the start of law school, and I have no idea why she was reluctant – you can see that the girl is beautiful. But, I can remember being pregnant and feeling like a whale, so I get it. However…she looks like anything but a whale. I could not have asked for a more perfect subject to help build this aspect of my portfolio.

Even better, when baby Jacob is born in just a few weeks, I’m going to get the chance to take some pictures of him, too.

 

10.28.09

You know, for the most part, every day as a mother goes off without a hitch. Temper tantrums become the norm, and never does a day go by when you don’t hear your child whine or cry about something. He won’t always eat every meal you take the time to prepare for him, and there are always frustrating moments at which you can’t understand what he is trying to tell you. Each morning, the sun will rise, and there will be another day to greet you with a bump on the head, or a scrape on the knee. There is usually at least one moment in the day reserved for a time-out, and at least one toy will end up on the top shelf because he threw it across the room in anger.

Each of these things sound catastrophic before you actually become a mother; but, once you’ve earned the title, these things become normal.

Occasionally, however, you just have a really, really bad day with your child. The crying seems to last a little longer. The tantrums seem to grow a little stronger. His nap time gets cut just a little shorter, which makes him just a little bit more grumpy. In anger and frustration, he not only refuses to eat the meal you cooked for him, but pushes half of it off on to the floor, shouting, “ALL DONE!” through tear-filled eyes. He gets angry because you won’t let him play with the Windex, and you catch him pulling the cat’s tail.

All of it, all rolled in to one 6-hour span, is enough to make you stop and think, “What is all of this for? Will it ever be better? Why doesn’t he just understand that screaming and crying won’t work with me?”

And then, as you put your child in the bath, you remember I remember what all of this is for.

It’s for him.

His smile.

The way his heart literally bursts for joy when he sees Tom or me for the first time all day long.

For the way he says, “Amen” at the end of his prayers.

For his hugs.

For his kisses.

For those moments when he makes me realize that while I’m frustrated that he wants me to lay down with him and read a book for the millionth time because I have about one million things to do, that really I just need to chill the fuck out because he is the only thing I really need to be paying attention to anyways.

It’s amazing how my love for my child literally moves me to the point where I realize that I actually am capable of full forgiveness. I am capable of forgetting about all the wrongs. I am capable of putting someone else before myself.

Thaddeus Grey really is so amazing. He is the most wonderful thing that has ever happened to me. I thank God for every chance I get to tell him that, too. Like tonight, when I leaned over his bed and told him that he was my angel…and then I asked him where his wings were.

 

10.25.09

Why, Why, WHY am I not yet the mother of a little girl?

Seriously. God, if you’re listening, I am in need of a baby girl…pronto. I love the trucks, and the mud, and the snakes and the daily growls, but I need some pink, some pearls, some dresses, some fun hats with huge flowers, some baby UGGS, and some overall girliness…stat.

Remember baby Claire? I photographed her for the first time when she was 6 months old. Then, three months later, I had the pleasure of shooting both her and her handsome brother, Colton. Now, at the ripe ol’ age of one year, I had the pleasure of working with Claire again.

She is just as beautiful as she was on the first day I had the chance to take her picture. Tons of smiles, and in love with the play jewelry her mom brought for her, we managed to catch several of her at her best. My favorite part? When we busted out some cake to shoot her “smash cake” session…the girl can eat some frosting…

(This one was my personal favorite…seriously, what a personality!)

 

10.24.09

So, the day’s only halfway over, and so far the entertainment factor in the Jeter household has been high.

First, there was Thad. Ever so clever in his attempts to figure out new things to “shoot hoops” with, he tried to see what would happen if he put his truck in the net…but did it backwards.

I have news for you, buddy…that’s not always a good idea…

Then, there’s our cat. Mystic the Rat Cat. Mystic the Retarded Rat Cat, as we often so lovingly call her.

I’ve never met a more useless cat in my life. She’s more likely to play with a spider than eat it, and, as I learned today, she needs a little work on her “cat and mouse” skills.

There is nothing more awesome than sitting at home, studying Evidence, when a mouse catches your eye as it scurries across your floor. My first thought, having lived five of my years in the great state of Texas, was, “Holy shit, that better not be a roach.” It wasn’t. It was an itty, bitty mouse. Thank God.

It was just a little field mouse, most likely wet and cold from all the rain we’ve been having, combined with the forty degree weather. I actually managed to rescue it and get it outside without Mystic even noticing…she’s still staring at the book shelf, where she believes it is still hiding. I wonder if she’ll stare at that spot forever? Maybe even go crazy trying to find it?

So, this is my call for help. It’s no wonder I find myself needing medication…I spend my days home alone, hanging out with Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dum. LOL. Just kidding…I would never call my son dumb. I would, however, plaster photos all over the Internet for everyone to see if he were to, say, drop a toy truck on his head and make a funny face afterward, though…

But, for good measure, I’ll throw these on here, since he is so darned handsome…and he makes my heart smile.

 

10.22.09

Halloweeeeeeeeeeeen.

Last year, I got Thad all dressed up in two different outfits…

…and sent postcards to friends and family, reminding them to “Mind their Mummy.” So cute.

This year, I wasn’t exactly on my A game. In fact, the only reason I have any photos of him at this point is because after Amy and Taylor left yesterday, I left my set-up on the deck, turned Thad into a dragon, and bribed him with peanut M&Ms. I always have to bribe my kid with candy for these things, I swear. Anyways, he looks unhappy in a couple of them, but he’s actually just chewing on his candy. Surprisingly, he was in a great mood for this shoot.

Oh, and in case you’re wondering why Thad’s just a boring ol’ dragon this year, and not something totally creative and funny like this, it’s because Tom is still seething that I ever dressed Thad up like Donald Duck to begin with. I think his exact quote was, “Elton John used to dress up like Donald Duck!”

Mmmmkay.

So yeah, not my costume preference, but I love it nonetheless. And so does Thad – he kept looking at himself in the mirror and growling.

(That one is my favorite).

I might try to snag some more photos of him in the coming days, we’ll see. Halloween is next Saturday, so I’m a little short on time. Maybe on the actual day of Halloween…we’re taking him Trick-or-Treating this year. Score! Free candy for mommy and dada.

And yes, you read that right…I am officially “mommy.” Gone are the days of “mama.” Sad. Day.