Date Night: Eclipse Premiere

Steven and I were able to go on a much needed date last night. We went to the midnight showing of The Twilight Saga: Eclipse. We are really both into it, so it was a lot of fun. The movie was excellent and psyched us up even more for Breaking Dawn. Its nice that we were able to get out for the night and enjoy some time by ourselves.

The traditional "in the car before the movie" shot!

Tomorrow is our town's big "Mardi Gras" parade and the beginning of the 4th of July festivities. I was asked to judge the parade, so that should be interesting. Actually, my mom was asked, but volunteered me because she wants to be able to watch the parade with Carter and help him catch the candy and prizes that the floats throw to kids. Last year, he slept through the entire parade, sirens and marching bands included! 

Friday is Kids Day at the Mardi Gras so we will bring Carter down for some games and rides. It will be so much more fun this year since he is bigger. I am really excited to see how he reacts to the whole thing.  I remember going to Mardi Gras as a kid...it was the highlight of the summer. I hope he likes it, too!

I hope you all enjoy the food, fireworks, family, and festivities this weekend. Be safe and have fun!!

Right where they belong...

I know it seems like I have been posting lots of photos of Steven and Carter playing in the yard, but it is just about all they do these days. I have really been enjoying watching them together...they have so much fun! So, since this has been our life lately, here are a few more good ones of my 2 favorite boys doing what they love most! Enjoy!!

Am I the luckiest girl alive, or what?

Makeovers and Monkeys

Well? How do you like it?? I made this layout all by myself. I thought it was time for a new look. I have made my own layout once before and it really wasn't to my liking, so I have paid for them ever since then. I am so glad I gave it a try because I really like this one...I'm kinda proud of myself!

We took Carter to the zoo yesterday. It was his first time and he had a blast! He really enjoyed all of the animals and even though it was very hot, he never whined once and had a smile on his face for the entire day. He loved the orangutans in the Rainforest and I'm pretty sure he had a conversation with one of them. It was such a fun day and I cannot wait to take him again!! Excuse the picture quality...for some reason, my point-and-shoot doesn't deal with red very well. 

As we were walking at the zoo, it hit me that we will not be able to do things like that with our family of 4 as easily once Brooklyn is born. Steven is amazing when it comes to making sure Carter and I get around easily. He came up with the idea of putting Carter on my shoulders and resting his butt on the handles of my wheelchair so he could push us both around comfortably. It worked perfectly for us and we did it all day. Having another baby may make things like that impossible. We will probably need help when going on trips like that. As much as I like to think that my disability doesn't hold me back from being the mother I want to be, reality sometimes puts me in my place. As excited as I am for Brooklyn to be born, I will be enjoying the rest of the summer as a mommy of one. I plan on taking full advantage of being able to go places and do things as a family with ease. Then the fun begins!

I hope you all have a great week. Be sure to stop by theschulerfamily.net for an adorable giveaway from Bloomz! Also, don't forget to check out the Baby Flair giveaway at oxboroughchaos.com!

Relief.

As of the beginning of this week, all we had for Brooklyn was 3 packages of Tommee Tippee bottles. 

On Monday, at my OB appointment, we discussed the possibility of delivering at 37 weeks. He said that he would be comfortable with that and pending amnio results, the week of September 13 will be our tentative birth week. So, I basically have 12 weeks remaining in this pregnancy...which is scary considering all we had were bottles. Last time, we had 4 baby showers. Being our 2nd child, we are kind of responsible for everything. If it were another boy, we'd be set...but now we need pink things. Clearly, I was stressed.

God has always provided for us...I don't know why I was thinking that would change now. Yesterday morning, I received an unexpected (and fairly sizable) refund from school. I was able to purchase Brooklyn's car seat, Pack n' Play, bedding, diaper bag, more bottles, Boppy with extra cover, and a few other odds and ends that we needed. Other than more clothes, nursery decor, and a hamper, we have everything we need for her! What a huge relief!! Here is the bedding and the car seat cover...

Somebody is going to be a little diva!

We were also able to buy Steven a new riding lawn mower, and a push mower, for Father's Day. Ours broke last week and we were kind of fumbling to figure out how we would prevent our grass from reaching knee height. So, we went to Lowe's and replaced our old mower. Just one less stress for me!

So, I am feeling much better about things. Now, we can just grab an outfit and some diapers here and there and we will be all set. Breathe Candi. Breathe.

Busting out the big guns...

I am shooting a wedding reception today, so I decided to take the Canon outside this morning to get it all set up. As you can tell by the quality of my pictures normally, I use my Kodak point-and-shoot most of the time. Now that I am actually being paid for my photography, I guard my Canon with my life...taking it outside while Carter is playing scares me to death! I have no back-up camera, so if it breaks, I lose money. Anyway, here are a few of the 150 shots I got this morning outside...

Summer Fun...Butchino Style!

We are home from NY and trying to get into the summer spirit! The weather has been awesome and we have been taking full advantage. I thought last summer with Carter was fun...but this summer has been awesome!! He is getting so big and is such a blast to play with. My Toys R Us habit has gotten a bit crazy, just because there is so much fun to be had outside. 

Yesterday, we went to Toys R Us to buy a birthday present for Carter's friend Delaney. We ended up letting Carter choose between a giant dinosaur and a bubble mower. We kind of decided for him since we wanted something he could use outside. We got him the bubble mower. While we were there, we looked at Power Wheels to see if they had anything that Carter could operate by himself. After seeing prices, I decided we should wait until he's older. We went back tonight to look at car seats for Brooklyn and ended up buying Carter a Power Wheels 4-Wheeler. Yes, I know...I have issues. After we got it home, I was so glad we decided to buy it for him! He loves it and totally knew exactly what to do! He was like an old pro, although turning isn't his strong point. But he's only 19 months old...he will learn. 

Here are some pictures of our summer fun so far...

And here's a video of the action...

We have a very busy weekend ahead of us. Tomorrow I am shooting a wedding reception and Carter will be having a fun-filled evening with my aunt. Then, Sunday we have a birthday party to go to. Monday, we have a doctor's appointment and will hopefully be able to see our little one then! We are thinking of going to the zoo on Tuesday or Thursday, so that will be lots of fun!!

I hope you all have a great weekend!

An update on life...

It seems like it has been forever since I last posted. Things have been very very crazy. Right now, we are in New York at my mother-in-law's. Steven's uncle was killed in a motorcycle accident last week, so we came to be with his family. He was a wonderful man and was taken from us way too soon...it is so unfortunate to see all that he left behind, but at the same time it is such a comfort to know that he is in heaven. 

As for me, I am doing much better. Thankfully, the antibiotics worked and we were finally able to get rid of that nasty infection. I had the PICC line removed on the 24th. That was honestly one of the most painful and annoying things I have experienced. Not being able to move freely or to pick Carter up was just awful. Now, we are just trying to keep the infection from coming back...which could lead to me having the PICC put back in. Lots of prayer is needed.

This weekend is my 10 year high school reunion. Since I was the class VP, I had to do a lot of the planning  for the event. I am still a bit behind on a couple things, but I am going to try to get everything taken care of this evening. I am very excited to see how everyone is doing. I bought a long black dress that kind of makes my baby belly stand out...no sense in trying to hide it!! The irony of the situation is that I lost about 10 pounds right before I got pregnant...because I wanted to look good for my reunion!! Now, I suppose I am allowed to have a big belly! 

We will be going back home on Sunday. I am sad to leave everyone, but can't wait to be back in my own house. Monday I will be going to pick out my new truck so we can get the lift (so I can drive from my wheelchair) put in...hopefully the modifications will be done before Brooklyn arrives. So much to do...so little time! 

Have a good weekend!!