Should have hired someone.

Yes, I am admitting this. I should have hired a photographer. Not that I can't or don't take pictures that I love. It's just that you lose track of time and you're absolutely exhausted. Every ounce of inspiration is gone. Spent, instead, on making the food for an entire little person. Good enough excuse?

I do still have the hope of getting a couple more shoots in (perhaps even some with ME in them... tho, don't hold your breath) before he isn't teeny tiny anymore, but I fear that ship has sailed. What we're dealing with now is the fact that Lucas LOVES to be awake. And I'd prefer him to sleep.

Enough excuses. Here's what I've got for you.

You know how babies faces and appearance change SO much those first few weeks. I've been trying to keep up.
I really love his expression in that one. Oh, and this one...
And some sibling shots.

And really. Nothing says, "Love" like a big brother offering a little brother his adored thumb.
But no, he wasn't actually offering it. It just looks like it. And for those wondering, Miles LOVES him. I was really worried that there'd be problems. But so far, so good.

Just one for Dad.

Thought my father might enjoy this:
No, I'm not giving her back yet. I get a couple more days.

I'll be honest.

#1. I've been totally spoiled. Matt's had off of work for the last 2+ weeks, since Lucas was born. He's been immensely helpful. And understanding. And my husband rocks.

My mom has been here since Monday. I've had two extra sets of hands helping with cooking/cleaning/child holding. I havent' had to cook. I haven't changed a single poopy diaper from Miles all week. It's like I've reached some kind of postpartum nirvana. Which brings me to point #2.

#2. I'm terrified. Matt goes back to work on Monday. My mom leaves Wednesday morning. Wednesday is my first day flying solo. Alone. All by myself. With the 4. Alone to take care of things like taking Abbie to/from school. Alone to make lunches and ohmygosh dinner. Alone to attempt things like grocery shopping, going to the library, going to the park, taking four steps outside my door with a mewling infant who requires feeding every 1.7 seconds (seemingly) and poops every 20 minutes (literally).

Isn't there some way to wean yourself off the help? Any words of advice?

All work and no play...

Just in case you thought that we (collectively) were incapable of taking a simple snapshot photograph...

I bring you, "The Reason You Take Pictures Even If Not Everything Is Ideal"
Things I Love About This Picture (TILATP):
Eye Contact From Miles
Look at all those sets of hands... something about this makes my heart full.
Anna's Expression... merciless giggling.
TILATP:
Four kids. People... I have FOUR children. Wow.
Again with Anna's expression.
Miles is totally posing. Right after he heard the shutter click he said, "I wanna see!"
Four sets of feet.
Abbie always looks great.
He he. Miles's bare chest.

Let's see what else we've got.
As you can tell, these aren't the greatest exposure, and I've done little to NO processing on most of them. I think it's important to capture real life. And sometimes, I think we (especially me) get caught up in getting the perfect shot... and I miss all the in-between perfectness. Does that make sense?

At any rate. One shot of Matt. I totally metered on the wrong area. But I didn't want to miss the moment... and then when I saw it on the viewfinder, I wanted to recreate it, but the moment was gone. And I ADORE this image.
Something about the closeness and the backlighting. Love these boys.

And as a special treat, a couple of pictures of me as taken by Matt. Lucky you.
And what good is photography, if not to provide you with something to laugh about, right?
We call this shark-bite!

I guess I just wanted to encourage everyone to get our your cameras and take pictures even if they're not perfect. These pictures I showed are so imperfect; out of focus, grainy, underexposed, etc. But they capture real feelings, real emotions and real life. So start shooting!

And finally, since you know I can't be all play and no work either, lol.

Linked Up.

I finally (!!!) got around to updating my link list. If you find yourself on this list you either:

1. Are related to me.
2. Were in my church ward (congregation) at one time or another.
3. I've known you online for as long as 6 years.

Note that there are no photographers on this list... I'm working on another page entirely for that.

Have I ever told you that I'm subscribed to 214 blogs in Google Reader? You're just getting a TINY sampling.

And now, a featured blog:

Audrey! Audrey is my sister-in-law. Matt's sister. She rocketh. Check out the flipping awesome bitty booties she made for Lucas! She is seriously crafty. Also, she designed and programmed her blog entirely on her own. She's a genius. I mean that quite literally. Also, she lives in Hawaii. You know you're jealous. So go on over and check out my adorable niece.