Wishlist

I love Amazon. It allows for aimless hours of internet shopping in one convenient location. Not only that, but it has a super handy button on the side for your wishlist. I have a really long wishlist. I thought I'd share it with you today. You're welcome, in advance.

Play Mat

Image from Amazon.com

I read about this adorable mat at another blog I read, Marriage Confessions. Now, I want one so bad! It's a Dwinguler Eco-Friendly Kids Play Mat. And in case you're wondering, yes, I need, the large one for our play area. We have a pretty big play area that's just my wood floor. How perfect would this thing be? Too perfect. And, if you didn't read that other blog, it's an indoor/outdoor mat. And, it's squishy. Thus, added to said wishlist. I don't want this, I need this.

Camera

Image from Amazon.com

Yes, I'm more than aware that I already have a camera. However, I don't have this camera. Mine is an entry level DSLR, this one is a little more advanced, a mid-level. It gives you quicker, easier control over your manual settings on the camera. It's faster than my camera and it performs better at higher ISOs. It's a beauty. It's also ridiculously expensive. Maybe if the photography business starts taking off, I can afford this. Did I just plug that? Yes, yes I did.

Armor

Taken from Amazon.com

Super cool looking huh? I didn't know that this existed, but was in awe when I found out. Not only would my camera look like a roided out football player, but it'd help protect my camera from it's greatest fear, my children. Thank you MADE Products for inventing such an outrageous product. I would totally buy you if I had money. However, until that day comes, you will sit nicely on my wishlist.

Lenses

Image from Amazon.com

Isn't she pretty? It's a pretty fast zoom lens and makes me breakout into dance. Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8. Beautiful. It would allow me to be pretty far away from my subjects and shoot with lower light. Very similar to what's next on my list

Image from Amazon.com

the Tamron AF 28-75mm f/2.8. Doesn't have as much zoom, but would be ideal for some lifestyle shots and allows me to be closer to the subject when I don't have as much space. I love it.

Others

People, this list could go on forever, so I'll just list out the rest and have another wishlist day. I have about 50 books on it that are not offered on my kindle. Most dealing with family, organization, etc. I love books! Some software. And some bowls, plates, cups, etc that are very color and very kid friendly for kiddos. Yes, I have dish-ware on my list for my kids, so what? Alas, this and more will be saved for another time, another day.

Have a great one!

SXSW

WARNING: Super picture heavy!

I love live music. Thus, I love Austin. They have so many music festivals it's ridiculous. And, they seem to have an abundance of live shows. We almost always take the kiddos with us too. Which, is why I love the double stroller and the amazing car seat adapter it came with. It's made life so much easier.

Usually Ian is in the other side, but he got to go to Sea World with Grandma today. Lucky!

(From what I hear, he had a blast!) Anyways, last night we watched the Strokes. They were actually better than they were at ACL, but still... Let me just put it this way. The singer only said a few sentences, which didn't really make sense. And I'm 99% sure he forgot the words to one of his songs. But still, 10x better than the ACL show... and this one was free.

On the way there, we saw a few things that were uber, like this tree that was struck by lightening.

Pretty sweet huh? This also marked another monumental occasion... Jasmine's first time in a big public setting. Need I say, she did amazing.

I had to take a picture with people around to prove to Amy's parents that Jasmine is a good puppy. She'll fit right in.

Ian fell asleep on our way there (we walk) and when he woke up, he was anything but chipper. He'd get up off Stephen's lap and run to Mila, give her 20 kisses, then run back. And would yell NO! at everyone else. Then, he laid back down with Stephen:

And he didn't fully wake up for about 30 minutes. But, when he finally did wake up, he was NONSTOP! We took turns watching him, Cecy got the first shift:

Today was pretty uber-tastic too. First off, let me say that I think Stephen's had an eye for photography but never really picked up my camera. So, today I told him what the manual settings did exposure, aperture, shutter speed, and I sent him on his way. He got two really good shots!

I loves me some good sun flare. And this next one might be my favorite photo of all time.

Shortly after, the guy wiped out and it was awesome. But, I just love so many things about this shot!

Tonight we watched Bowling for Soup and they were hilarious and fun to watch. Mila enjoyed it, but not quite as much as she enjoyed trying to gnaw on grandpa's finger.

She's so cute!! And last, but not least, I have finally been forcing Stephen to take pictures with me again. :)

You're welcome. Now, time for bed and perhaps some cleaning. Night all!

Kevin and Jason

I got the opportunity to have a shoot with my friend Kevin and his partner Jason. I must admit, I was nervous about the session. There are a few reasons, 1) I couldn't find any resources to help me out. I actually did find one, but it was not too helpful. 2) I'm not good at bossing people around during shoots, but I'm working on it.

The session was a success, I think. We even ran into my aunt while she was out for a run. Anyways, here are a few from the session.

I love how Austin has such amazing places to take pictures, it makes my job so much easier.

We then went to campus where they both graduated from.

It was actually quite fun running around campus and remembering our histories there.

Kevin just got his first teaching job, he'll teach the first grade!

I should have brought water. I always forget. I should just get a water bottle that I permanently put into my bag at all times. Texas is hot.

Anyways, our session was amazing and we all really enjoyed it. Hopefully, I can get them t heir pictures really soon.

Blog out.

Oops

I forgot to do my Ten on Tuesday yesterday. My bad. In my defense, I wasn't home all day, and I was studying for my final that is now over and done with. But alas, no excuses. It will be up next week. My coffee is cold. :(

I have been exploring my camera and it's vast amounts of functions and capabilities. I must say, I'm really pleased. I think the pictures look really good straight out of the camera.

Isn't it a gorgeous picture? It's really vibrant. I must admit, learning my camera is super fun. We're practically best friends these days.

 Not to mention, Ian will have about a million 'black mail' pictures when he's a teenager. Isn't that exciting?

I love this new way of taking pictures! It's so much fun. And, it's allowing me, thus far, to skip photoshop all together. It's glorious. I'm sure I would use minor adjustments if it were for a client or something. But for my vibrant, happy baby, these vibrant, happy pictures are a win for win.

And I know you're wondering, yes, Ian has gotten cuter. It's shocking every single morning. Besides that, school's out for the summer! WOOHOO! It feels great. :)

Mommy Goggles

Ian and I have been having so much fun lately! I had to leave him for over 24 hours to photograph a wedding in Houston (you can check it out at the Photography Blog). I wanted to cry, but alas, I resisted. And then yesterday, we went on another photoshoot to try and find places to take pictures. First stop?

Have you ever been to this place? It was completely fabulous. I can't believe I've never heard of it! There were peacocks EVERYWHERE!

And you could get pretty close to them. But sometimes, they'd yell at you. I had no idea they made those kinds of sounds.

Beautiful, right? Franny came along with us for the shoot. And her and Ian enjoyed looking at the fish.

It was a good time. I'm glad that Franny came along to help me out. Ian was running around that place like a crazy person. I'll, hopefully, make a post on the Photography Blog soon with the sessions pictures. Ian did try and rock it pretty hard too.

As you can guess, Ian has been amazing me daily, as usual. And he's so stinking cute! Especially when he Baaaaa's like a sheep. He's so serious about it. And tries so hard. It's hilarious.

I'll be (trying) to participate in the 10 on Tuesday, so check back for an update! And I really need to update the 101 in 1001, I'm falling behind.

Blog out!

Mommy Goggles

As promised, a mommy goggles post! It's too bad that I can't seem to remember what I had planned on posting about. Oops. Regardless, Ian is totally into dancing lately. He does it all the time. He doesn't even need music anymore. Sometimes, it's good enough for daddy to sing the music.

As many of my readers know, Ian has to be the center of my attention 24 hours a day. It's getting interesting to see how I accomplish things in home. But, since Ian is an artist now, my job is about a million times easier, I just have to do my school work at a child's table:

Ian's feet don't touch the ground. But trust me, it's absolutely, ridiculously, tiny. But, he's okay if we're both doing our homework at the same time, so I'm sort of forced to do it this way. A happy baby is an awesome baby!

Goodness, how'd I forget this?! Stephen loves animals. If it were up to him we'd have a trillion cats. He'd be the cat lady. How is this about Ian? Well, I think Ian is adopting this wonderful trait from his father. Any time he sees a dog he goes up to its face, points, and says "dog." Then, he'll just follow it around. Poor dogs. In any event, there are these two super annoying cats that moved into the complex. The black cat actually jumps into cars and is always trying to get into the apartment. I am always pretty mean to it because I didn't want it around Ian. So, what did Stephen do? Wait, words can't describe this...

{For all you wondering, this is our apartment}

Stephen can add "Letting stray cats into my home" on his list of corky things. Ian followed it around the whole time. It was an interesting experience. Needless to say, the cat comes into our home now, as if it were it's own. And also, I don't think it's really a stray cat, it has a collar with phone numbers and everyone on it.

I did a shoot with Ian this weekend.

{Brings smiles}

"UP DADDA!" Ian is so bossy. This is a very common look in this household.

{My heart melts with this one}

And obviously, I've already printed it and have it framed. He's just very, very, very good looking. All we need is a blue steel look and viola! That's all I'm sharing for now. You can see them on Book-Face or I e-mailed them to some people.

Now, I'm off to drink some much needed coffee. Will someone please text me around 6 o'clock tonight and remind me to buy some coffee, I'm out... and tomorrow will not be a pretty day unless I get it.

Weekend Post

This weekend I took some time to take a few pictures. Deana and I are thinking about starting a photography company (if we can ever think of a name). So, in the mean time, we are trying to create a portfolio. If you want some pictures, e-mail me!

Here are a few pictures of my little brother and his friend, Mike. This was a senior session. Light was bad, but we made it through. We'll be doing another one with girlfriend too.

{Mom & Deana's favorite}

{I like Mike's awkward expression, and obviously, the tree}

{Mike looks like a super model here, hair blowing and all}

{My friend, Kevin, noticed your tattoo.. not in this picture}

{Some awesome boys}

{Mike was talking through all of the pictures}

All in all, it was an okay shoot. I need a way to try and make them more comfortable. Maybe I'll give them some alcohol? Just kidding mom!

You have to wait until tomorrow to see the ones of Ian.

Packing it up and Moving

Hello. Good afternoon. I just wanted to say that I will be MIA for a bit. We are moving Monday and I need to start packing.

If you want something beautiful to look at, go here:

http://jcotaphotographyblog.com/

She updates daily.

Be back in a few!!