Personal Photos and Ramblings

Posted on May 14, 2010

I don’t usually post that many personal pictures just because my life feels a bit mundane at times and I can’t imagine why anyone would want to see random snapshots of my life, but since I haven’t really posted many of my girls recently I thought I’d include a few so you can see how they are growing and changing. Boy they are getting SOOOO BIG! How can it be that two years ago I found out I was expecting Claire, TWO YEAR AGO??? It feels like just the other day and now she’s an active, hilarious little 16 month old who enjoys nothing more than petrifying me with her climbing abilities (she loves the kitchen table the most). And how can Kate already be 4??? We enrolled her in preschool last week and the realization that starting in August she’ll be attending school each day…whew…that is just a bit too much for this Mama to wrap her mind around. My baby gone?? All morning?? EVERY DAY??? :sniff sniff:

My girls love each other so much. Sure they have little fights here and there but they are quick to make up and hug it out. Claire gets so sad when she sees her big sissy cry. No matter what she’ll come running up to her and give her a massive hug and sloppy kiss and Kate so appreciates it (well most of the time). Kate is very sweet about showing Claire affection as well, she’s become a champion boo-boo kisser, which is great considering there have been some moments when Claires climbing has caused a fall or two…or ten.

So here are some random pictures of my precious babies.

And finally, we’ve added a new member to our family. Her name is Sweetie and she’s a Schnauzer. She was dropped off at the pound for reasons we really don’t know, since she’s COMPLETELY PERFECT!!!! She’s the absolute perfect addition to our family!! She doesn’t chew, doesn’t have potty accidents, is patient with the kids, obeys us, hasn’t even attempted to jump on the furniture (I am big on not having dogs on our furniture!!). I’m so hoping her perfect behavior rubs off on the kids…maybe if I’m lucky she can potty train Claire.

In other news…Annie Pennington Photography has a facebook page now. So check it out and become a fan!

Annie Pennington Photography

My Girls

Posted on August 10, 2009

I love my sweet little girls so much. As Claire is now getting older and mobile and able to get into big sisters stuff it really is so heartwarming to see her so patient and gentle with Claire. Sure I’m not ignorant enough to think there won’t be some little disagreements here and there, but I’m just so thankful for the great start they have. They are already wonderful playmates for each other. So thankful for them!

Claire and Me

Posted on August 2, 2009

I’m proud to say I think my 3 year old already has some totally rad photography talent. Check out this photo she took of Claire & me. Awesome composition, perfect expressions captured, love the back lighting, my gosh the kid has talent. Oh and she didn’t take it with a regular point and shoot, she took it with my heavy DSLR. I’m crazy proud AND I’m super excited to actually be IN a photo!!! It’s pretty rare these days!

Best Friends

Posted on June 9, 2009

I have three siblings. I love them all so much. Some of my greatest memories of childhood were with my siblings. I love having that special bond with them. Knowing what makes them tick. Knowing what makes them laugh. Knowing endless inside jokes that only we understand. I love them so much! Which is why seeing my girls enjoying each other it brings me such great joy. Even though Claire is only 4 months old, their relationship is blossoming. Claire finds Kate completely fascinating and will turn her head to wherever she hears her big sissy. Love seeing them share a smile or a giggle. Love watching Kate eagerly share things with Claire and explain to her what characters are in a book, what colors her toys are. The first time our girls met I introduced Kate to Claire by saying, “Kate, meet your sissy, your new best friend” because friends may come and go, but sisters they are forever.   

First Post {My Family}

Posted on May 24, 2009

Hello and welcome to my new blogsite! I wanted the benefits of a blog and the benefits of a website so now I have all of that lumped into one. YAY!!! I wanted to highlight something especially special to me as the first official post here at my new blog and decided I wanted to show off my little family. My good friend Susanne of Dream Street Photography captured these for us. I LOVE THEM!!! Susanne did an amazing job capturing the REAL us – Kate running around, David sneaking smooches, us laughing and just being us – beautifully unrehearsed and natural. Thank you Susanne!! I’m forever thankful for these priceless family images of us

It’s hard to pick an ultimate favorite, but I think this just might be it. LOVE how Kate has her eyes shut as she accepts a kiss from Daddy, so sweet! And props to Susanne for this rock star pose. Love how we are separated, but still together…just cool stuff.

Sweet Kate! Love the hands on her hips…adds an extra bit of attitude to the shot don’t you think?

Now I ADORE this one cause it shows the real us…David and I just sitting back watching Kate run, run, run. Also love how it captures Claire in her most loved pass time – hand chewing.

These just make my heart swell with happiness. Love my family. Love the greenery. Sigh…I just love, love, love these images.

Cool outfit with totally rad shoes – Check. Ability to ignore the Germans staring at you making out in public – Check.  Totally in love with each other – double check!

And finally this one. Gosh I will cherish this image forever. For starters my sweet hubby is the one who talked us into stopping the car and capturing this, it was towards the end of the shoot and the kiddos really needed to get home, but at the last minute we stopped to take in this amazing backdrop. SOOO glad we listened to him. I loved this picture the second I saw it, but now that he’s left for his deployment I love it even more. I’ve got an amazing man, glad I have some images of not only us with our beautiful family, but also with just the two of us.

Thank you again Susanne!!!

Here Granny, are ya happy? :)

Posted on April 14, 2009

My wonderful, amazing, creative, beautiful (and every other positive and lovely adjective you can think of) mother, who Kate and Claire know as Granny has been more than just lightly suggesting I create a post with her grandgirls.  

So without further adieu,  here ya go Granny!!

Best Buds, Blanket and Baby

Posted on February 18, 2009

Pink Heaven

Posted on February 8, 2009

When I first found out I was having my first little girl I was pretty pumped. I’m a huge fan of the color pink and had a wonderful time putting Kate in as much pink as I could get my hands on. I remember as she grew out of the outfits I’d pack them away all sad and hoping I’d get an opportunity to put another precious little girl in some of my favorite baby outfits…and I got my wish! My sweet Claire has arrived and just like her big sissy is being dressed, wrapped & surrounded my sweet soft pink. 

Loving all the bits and pieces

Posted on February 1, 2009

I’m completely in love with my little Claire. She’s so tiny, warm & snuggly and I find awe in everything about her, love all the bits and pieces that make up her perfect little baby self. I’ve always been one of those people who notice the little details most would look over. I remember one particular incident when Kate was about 4 months old. I was holding her in front of an open window and through her ear I saw a tiny little vein and I started tearing up. Just so in awe that I could grow her in my stomach, that somehow my body knew how to give her the perfect place to grow, that God made her so perfectly, not even forgetting a thing, not even the little vein in her ear. Thinking back on that I can’t help but laugh, but at the same time I can’t write off the miraculous miracle of life. I haven’t put Claire in front of a window to catch a peek at her ear vein…but I’m sure once I do I’ll get a little teary again. So thankful for my two perfect healthy little girls! 

Introducing our sweet girl

Posted on January 22, 2009

Claire Elizabeth

Born January 14, 6:35pm

6lbs., 15 oz., 21 inches long & completely perfect.

Our girl arrived right on time on a cold Wednesday night. I’d been worried about when I’d finally go into labor, setting up all the various scenarios about where we’d take Kate if I went into labor in the middle of the night, afternoon, evening, etc. I had so many different options bouncing around in my head and it was so difficult for me to imagine Kate going to sleep in a bed that wasn’t her own. But everything worked out so perfectly. My mom and sisters arrived a few hours before I went into labor and were here JUST in time to watch her and allow her to stay in her own surroundings. My other concern was going into labor on my own. I so wanted Claire to arrive on the day God intended her to arrive and not rush her by inducting her, but I was so crazy overdue I was at the point where I was seriously considering induction, I even had an induction scheduled for earlier that morning, but after lots of discussion David and I felt peace in waiting it out after my afternoon doc. appt. showed that Claire was in no danger. So after the doctor appointment we headed to the commissary and I felt a little cramping, but nothing bad. We came home and  unloaded the groceries within about an hour of being home I felt more cramping and it quickly escalated so that by 4:45 we were in the car on our way to the hospital. Keeping Kate safe and sound at home in her own surroundings in the loving care of her Granny. As we drove I timed the contractions and they were about 3-4 minutes apart and I was in pretty bad discomfort, but I felt incredible peace. I even felt peace when I arrived, was told I was already 5cm and that I was progressing too fast for an epidural (and considering how much I hate pain, that’s a BIG miracle). I felt peace in the wonderful birthing environment I was in, dim lights, low music playing and only one doctor and one midwife present with David and I as I pushed our sweet girl into the world. It is one of the most special moments David and I shared. With my U.S. birth there were so many people present (doctors, nurses, anesthesiologist and who knows who else) that it felt like David was just part of the crowd, but this time they allowed him the space to really BE with me and help me, it was a truely special experience. We were given a bit of a scare when Claire arrived with the cord wrapped around her neck and arm and her face was blue, but the incredible doctor and midwife knew exactly what to do and Claire was crying within minutes and reassuring us that she was fine.  We were given plenty of time alone afterwards for her to nurse and us to bond with our precious girl. The experience of giving birth overseas was initially a really scary thought to me, but it ended up not only being a great experience, but the most PERFECT experience. They allowed me the time to continue my pregnancy without bieng forced to induce. They kept the room dim and peaceful so that our girl wasn’t shocked into the world with a bright light shining right on her face. They allowed David to be an active part of the labor and delivery The experience was just peaceful and completely perfect.

Claire is now 8 days old and has adjusted to us so well. She sleeps wonderful, eats great, never cries, isn’t bothered by her active big sister and is the perfect addition to our family. We are so thankful for our miracle!