In front of the camera...

Last week, one of my friend's moms offered to have me come to her studio to take some photos of me with my camera for marketing purposes. It was a lot of fun...but from now on, I will stay behind the camera where I belong.

And of course my little angel ended up in a shot or 2...

Crazy Christmas!

Sorry I wasn't able to post pictures sooner...what a crazy weekend! We woke up at home on Christmas morning with Nana, and Santa was very good to all of us. Carter got all sorts of great toys...as well as some boring clothes and stuff. Mommy and Daddy also got some pretty good loot! Nana bought us a Wii with an extra controller and game! We were totally not expecting it. You can imagine our excitement...especially since we told everyone that we would rather they spend their money on Carter instead of us. We had a great morning...

 

Our most special gift came from our little man. Aunt Dee Dee had taken Carter for the day a couple weeks ago and said it was a "super secret date". They came home and placed a big, flat, wrapped gift under the tree with a tag that said "To: Mommy & Daddy. Love: Carter". We opened it on Christmas morning and this was inside...

It is just too cute for words! We love it. I am going to buy a frame for it this week and it is going on the wall right above the TV!

After Christmas dinner, we packed up the car and drove 6 hours to my mother-in-law's for the weekend. We got in late Friday night, so Saturday morning was Christmas all over again! As always, she spoiled us all! Next stop was my brother-in-law's, where Steven's dad and step-mom had brought all of our gifts to open there. Here is a pic of all the Butchino girls!

We ordered pizza and hung out...until I got sick...as you can see from the picture above. I looked and felt like death warmed over. I had the worst flu symptoms ever and immediately started panicking. Steven brought me back to his mom's, helped me change my clothes, and forced Pedialyte down my throat in an attempt to rehydrate me. I was in bad shape! I had chills, sweats, vomitting...the whole nine yards. I got a good night's sleep and woke up feeling pretty good. Not quite good enough to do my hair and make-up before heading to Papa & Grammy Viv's house...or to put on actual shoes. Steven piggy backed me, my slippers, and my make-up bag to the car, got Carter bundled up and in the car seat, and on we went.

I was very excited to go to Papa & Grammy Viv's because I knew they had gotten Carter a very nice (and much needed) toy box. Again, Steven and I were spoiled!! And I finally got a Snuggie!! I have wanted one since they came out...does my stepmom know me or what?! We had a great time...especially since it was the first time all year that me, my step-brother, and my step-sister were all together. My step-mom requested a photo of all her kids, so I threw on some make-up for the occasion...

We got home safely today...after hitting a couple of pretty bad snow storms. We brought my brother-in-law with us to visit for the week. When we got home, we immediately put away all of the Christmas presents, washed clothes, and cleaned the playroom. We put all of Carter's toys in his beautiful new toy box and left him to play while we fixed our dinner plates. About 2 minutes later, I went back to check on him and this is what I saw. Thankfully, I had my phone handy. We wouldn't want to miss a moment like this...

Ahh...Carter. Honestly, he is just a barrel of laughs!! I love him too much for words, so I won't even try!

Now that we are wound down, I am going to grab my Snuggie out of the dryer (still warm!), put a heat pack on my back, sit on the couch with Bailey and Bianca, and watch the boys play Xbox...that Wii really did a number on me! I guess its time to get back in shape!!

What a crazy Christmas...I wouldn't have it any other way! Hope you all enjoyed the holiday as much as we did!

When it rains, it pours.

Life has been quite a series of unfortunate events lately...and I really need to vent. It started in October when Steven lost his job. Totally 100% out of our control, but it happened. After that, everything else just went downhill. 1st came the shut-off notice from the gas company. Thankfully, we were able to pay that off. Then came the shut-off notice from the electric company, which we are taking care of now. Bills are adding up and we are just trying to make ends meet...but it is not easy. Thankfully, I am making money here and there with my photography, but by no means is it supporting us...yet.

Another really big issue has been the relationship between Steven and my mom. Living in the same house, they get very annoyed with each other. For instance, Steven doesn't like the way my mom leaves dirty dishes and doesn't offer to watch Carter so we can have time to ourselves. And my mom doesn't like Steven being unemployed and not doing a ton around the house or the way he talks to me when we argue. We are very stressed...we can't always be nice to each other, although his temper can absolutely get the best of him if he lets it. I am not by any means, claiming my innocence...when I am pushed to a certain point, I push back. Either way, their feelings toward each other are really hurting me. Maybe they don't realize it...or maybe they don't care. They won't sit down and talk about it. Instead, they just tell me how much the other one is doing wrong.

Do I realize that my husband is not pulling his own weight when it comes to keeping up with housework? Do I realize that his priorities are off a bit? YES.

Do I realize that my mother leaves her dirty dishes on the counter and coffee in the coffee pot every day? Do I realize that she isn't helping as much as she should be? YES.

Can we move on now? Can we please just get along? Please??

My Photography Blog

I have finally started the Butchino Photography Blog! It is under construction for now...I am working on a flash header with more photos in it. But, for the time being, it will certainly get the job done!

So, I am done Christmas shopping. I know I said that already, but I mean it this time! This past week, I got Carter 2 outfits, a Tigger cold pack (in case he has any other run ins with Uncle Tony and Aunt Breanne's coffee table!), and a See-and-Say. I also got Steven a new XBox headset because the one he was using was held together with masking tape. I gave it to him early because I couldn't stand looking at it! I also got myself a present (from Steven, of course!)...a white balance lens cap. Ahh...do you know how much easier my life is?! LOL...no more gray cards! Yesss!! As for Carter, Aunt Dee Dee took him shopping on Thursday and now there is a big package under the tree To: Mommy & Daddy, From: Carter! I am very excited!! I'm sure he picked it out all by his big-boy self!

Can you believe Christmas is in 6 days?!

Another addition to my Christmas list!

I'm ready...

HUGE CONTEST!! HURRY HURRY!

MckMama from mycharmingkids.net is giving away Adobe Lightroom on her blog today!! OMG! I am in dire need of this software!! If you are too, hurry hurry to get entered into this AWESOME contest!!

(a $299 value!)

I guess this means I'm legit...

Thanks to Kelly at Designs by Kelly, I have an official logo...so I'm in business for real!! Now I just need to get some clients that I am not related to!! Although, my cousin called me yesterday and said how much she loved her cards and the photos I took of her family! So, my 1st paying shoot was a success!

My 1st Paying Photo Shoot

My cousins asked me if I would like to take their Christmas photos. Of course, I jumped at the chance! They have 2 gorgeous little girls and they are just so much fun. We spent 3 hours and took about 200 photos. Here is a sample...

Aren't they just the most beautiful family? They made it very easy to take their photos!

I almost forgot!!

I lost my mind for a moment!! I can't believe I didn't remember to blog about this!!

Remember this post??

Well...this past Thursday was yet another Browns vs. Steelers Rivalry game...

What now, Steven?! Boo yah!! Go Brownies!!

I ♥ Faces Entry - "Pets Only"

For this week's I ♥ Faces theme, I knew that this photo I took over the summer of Steven and Bianca would be perfect. When we got B, we agreed that since I already had Bailey, she would be his dog...and is she ever! She loves her daddy more than anything else in the world and it truly shows in this photo. Although it is "Pets Only", I figure his face isn't in it, so it looks good to me, LOL!

Carter and Santa

Here is the picture you have all been waiting for! The "dual mugshot" that was taken at Carter's 1st meeting with Santa. I still can't tell who looks more excited...what do you think?

I am all done Christmas shopping! Last night when we got home, there was a package waiting for us. It was the final 3 gifts I had ordered for Carter...his Yo Gabba Gabba Playhouse, V.Smile Baby, and Baby Mickey V.Smile Game. I am officially done!! Now comes the fun part...wrapping them. [Insert sarcastic chuckle here] I hate wrapping! My fine motor movement in both hands is very limited, which makes it very difficult. I guess its a right of passage as a mom to wrap presents until your hands hurt, so here I go! Wish me luck!!

All I Want For Christmas...

I thought it would be fun to put my whole wish list on here...let me just say that I don't expect that I will actually get any of these things, but here is my list for Santa anyway...

"5 Million Dollar Home" Crumpler Camera Bag

"Dandy Damask" Phat Strap w/ Hot Pink Minky

12-inch Ezybalance Card

Canon Wireless Remote

Moses Basket Set

Canon Speedlite Flash
Opteka Flash Diffuser

Opteka 5-in-1 Reflector

Vu-Pro Posing Kit

Backdrop Stand w/ Muslin Backdrops
5 Spring Clamps
Weathered Wood Floor Paper
Subscription To "Professional Photographer"

Gift Certificate to Dodd Camera for photography classes
Adobe Lightroom

What do you want for Christmas??

Carter Meets Santa

Well, we took Carter to see Santa. Things went a bit differently than I expected. Carter couldn't care less either way. He wasn't in love...but at least someone was holding him. I got the impression that Santa felt the same about Carter...

Sorry about the photo quality. The "elves" weren't too keen on us taking our own pics, so we had to be sneaky. We did purchase their photo package...although it resembles somewhat of a dual mugshot. I will upload that picture when I get back to my studio. If anything, it is good for a laugh!

On our way out of the mall, Carter realized that he had forgotten to tell Santa what he wanted for Christmas. Instead of going all the way back, he wrote him a letter...

He was so cute! Mr. Independent had to drop his letter in the mailbox all by himself. I used to be the same way. Christmas is so much fun when you have kids. You get to relive your childhood all over again!

Football Sunday Funday

It's Sunday! You know what that means? Football!! When it is just Steven and I, we are pretty low key...but when we are in NY, every Sunday is a national holiday. I got the family to take a few minutes away for some photos...

All of us with my mother-in-law

Penny and all of her boys

Penny with my brother-in-law 

Anthony and his wife, Breanne

Steven, Carter and I with Penny

Penny and my brother-in-law Corey

Carter and Grandma

Carter and Aunt Bre

Oddly enough, none of us like the same team. You can imagine our house on Sunday! It can get somewhat nasty, but we all love each other again on Monday!

Tomorrow, we are going to take Carter to see Santa. We are all trying to make our predictions on his reaction. I think the beard is coming off...but I am pretty sure he will like Santa. I don't anticipate any crying, but we will see. Any guesses on what will happen?

Surprise!!

Steven, Carter and I are in New York for the weekend. We didn't tell anyone because we wanted to surprise them...and we totally did! We didn't get to my mother-in-law's house until 2:30am. Steven snuck into her room and put Carter in her bed. She was soooo excited to see him! We will be here until Monday or Tuesday, depending on how many of my friends and family here want photos done. So far, I only have one shoot and that is tomorrow evening.

Today, I went to Albany for my cousin's baby shower. We surprised them as well...my cousin knew, but nobody else did. Most of them had never met Carter since we are so far away. I realized after we got there that I forgot to put batteries in my point and shoot camera that I keep in my diaper bag, so we have no pictures right now...but I will post some as soon as my aunt emails the ones she took. Some photographer, huh?!

Like my new layout?? I love it! Thank you very much to Kelly for designing it for me out of the kindness of her heart. She has amazing talent and I soooo appreciate her taking the time to makeover my blog!