Hissyfits Photography Blog

So I took my favorite girl out for a little “Mommy & Me” photo shoot this morning and I must say that what I captured during those thirty minutes or so is quite simply priceless. 

Often times I leave a shoot with my kids feeling frustrated…mostly with myself, but sometimes with them too. And then when I get home and see my images, well, I am even more frustrated. Frustrated that what would have been a perfect shot is WAY too blurry or underexposed. Frustrated that I can’t get any eye contact. The list goes on. It is part of me…perfectionism runs throughout each and every vein in my body and I am by far my own worst critic. But today? Today I am nearly brought to tears with the story my pictures tell of my sweet {yet sassy} Gentry girl. Snippets of time forever frozen and etched in my mind. Each time I look through these I will be reminded of the four lollipops and one bag of Skittles I used to bribe her into sitting on the bench long enough for me to get situated and fire off a couple of shots before she was in motion again! I will remember the grey sky and the clouds that filled it as well as the coolness of the pavement on our bare feet. I will remember the birds squawking and my little one saying, “We don’t touch birds. Birds are yucky.” {I have ingrained that into them!! I have NOT had good experiences with birds in my life!} I will remember the giggles, the smiles, playing “Peek a Boo” around the columns and simply being. There was no stress today…no frustration, just enjoying our time without the boys. {Don’t get me wrong…I went with a vision and hoped to capture what was in my mind, but I also knew we were just 3 minutes from home and could go back at any time!!}

And here is the story…

Ealier this week Tonya blogged about some socks she bought her girls to make leg warmers out of. I had seen these before…she first wrote of it several months ago and another blog I follow just posted about it a  couple of weeks ago…so the whole idea of leg warmers has been on my mind! I have loved them since last summer {2007} when I ordered three pair of Baby Legs for the sasafrass!

Anyway, when we were out and about on Friday and at Target, I picked up some SUPER cute red and white striped knee socks with faux fur at the top. I didn’t really have a “vision” in mind when I bought them…I just knew I would be taking pictures of her in them in some way, shape or form. But yesterday it hit me! Totally out of the blue I was thinking of these cute socks and I knew what I wanted to capture. It would require hauling a bench around, but hey, doesn’t everyone haul props all over creation?!

All I can say is that I got “the shot” I had in mind and a ton of other keepers!! I took well over 250 and edited 15 of them this afternoon…the fifteen keepers!! No, they aren’t all “technically” perfect and some have areas ever so slightly out of focus that I would prefer be in focus, but hey, I am happy! I would LOVE it if I could find some old brick buildings around here, the kind they have in my hometown with charm and character…but living in a really new suburb, it just isn’t going to happen. So I had to make the most out of what the area has to offer…painted cinder blocks on the bottom portion of a school. Not ideal, but it does the job!!

This was my second shot of the day. Crazy hunh? I could have stopped here and been happy!! I added some texture to this one…I so adore the vintage feel!

Checking things out…

I was bummed I cut her foot off in this one! It would have been so cute to have captured her on her tiptoes!!

Are these not about the cutest leg warmers ever????

Love those toesies! I painted them red right before we left…and since her toenails are so tiny, part of her toe gets painted each time too!!

On this one I really softened her face up. It was so cool out that she was all red and splotchy. Not to mention that she has a HORRIBLE snotty nose and cough and her face is just kinda a mess right now!! But how angelic she looks, hunh? And how about those lollipop hair clips I made?!! More on those tomorrow!!

Ummm….Seriously?! How cute is this?! I couldn’t have gotten her to pose like this if I tried!

This girl LOVES her puppy…and I mean LOVES him! He is as much a part of our life as she is! I love how her little belly is sticking out too! 

And of course he needs to be fed too. Like his master, candy is his favorite food group!

{Kisses} Or pisses in Gentry terminology!

This is the first one out of the 250+ I picked to edit. Something about it caught my eye right off the bat!

Would you believe this is what it looked like before?!! Straight out of the camera is SO blah!

More of the angel face! Playing “Peek a Boo” around the columns! 

And last but not least…“The Shot.” I must say in my mind I hadn’t planned for her puppy to be included or her legs to be crossed, but those two elements make the shot! I absolutely LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE this one!! I want it printed BIG and on canvas in my house!!

Just out of curiosity, which one is YOUR favorite?! It is always fun to hear what images capture one’s eye and why!!

And on that note, have a happy day!

So, in an attempt to keep the kids from fighting like cats and dogs, I have been trying to get us out and about every day. I hate that. I do not like to go somewhere EVERY SINGLE DAY. I am perfectly happy to stay at home and find things for us to do around here, but with the whining, hitting and fighting lately, I just can’t handle sitting home all day without some sort of a break! And since we can’t play in the yard right now due to the manure and fledgling grass poking through, we have to leave. Ugh…

Anyhow…today our destination was Target and then Barnes and Noble. Target was great! But isn’t it always?!! We poked around for about an hour in there, admiring all the fun Christmas decor, the pretty wrapping papers and colors this year, and just aimlessly roaming. Then we hit Barnes and Noble. Even though we have a train table in the comfort of our playroom and FAR more trains than the one at the bookstore, there is just something about going there and playing…the kids love it. So I told them today we would go. I loaded up some fabric and scissors in my purse {so I would have something to entertain myself while they played} and was JUST getting my goodies out when it happened. Gentry peed ALL over. And I mean everywhere. I could tell the second I saw her face what was happening. Well, actually, I thought she was pooping, but I knew that something wasn’t right! So I hastily shoved all my goodies back into my bag and checked out the mess. I emptied my wipes container trying to clean up, but wiping up a large puddle with something wet isn’t really that helpful. I swear she peed more that one time than she does ALL day long!! Anyway, I did the best I could and we headed for the bathroom…Gentry walking with her legs spread as far as she could the entire time. So we went in and I threw a pullup on her and gathered up her wet clothes, ready to leave. She REFUSES to let me hold her so I have to snatch her up and haul her out. She was flailing, thrashing and yelling the entire time. So, if you happened to be in a Barnes and Noble in Arizona around noon today and witnessed a scene just like this, well, it was us. Oh, and I forgot to mention that she was half naked because her jeans were soaked and I had no other pants for her…barefoot too. Yeah, it was quite a sight and not one of my finer moments.  But Huntler was a trooper…he followed behind like a champ, playing with Diesel 10 the entire time!! {That one train entertains him for HOURS!!}

So, that was my morning!! I have been messing around with my pictures from yesterday of the sunflare but there is NO way I am sharing them on here! I still have a lot to learn when it comes to that!! But I will share these two shots. They aren’t that great either. I was using my Sigma lens and I just don’t think it takes a good picture. I am spoiled with my Canon! Anyway, they aren’t perfect and the editing isn’t perfect either, but they’ll work!!

Gentry is actually sickly…her nose was running nonstop yesterday and today and she just doesn’t feel well! I can tell by looking at her…can you?!!

And on another note, check out this fun camera strap?! Julie over at Joy’s Hope is hosting a giveaway for the creator of this little bit of happiness!! Head on over and get signed up!! I already did!! 

Well friends, I guess I should get moving! Gentry is still napping and Huntler resting so I should make the most of these moments to get something done! Have a fabulous weekend!!

So, it’s been awhile, hunh?!! I can’t believe it is Thursday already! WOW…time has been FLYING past me lately!! It is like I am caught in a time warp or something!!

Anyway, life continues to move along as well! I hate to jinx myself, but since I don’t really believe in that, I will say that it seems as though things are improving with Gentry. Don’t get me wrong, she is still acting out, but the constant naughtiness seems to have subsided a bit this week. Maybe it has something to do with the break in the weather?!! If only, right?! I was talking to a mom at Huntler’s school this morning about Gentry and she recommended a book to me about sibling rivalry. Honestly, I know it sounds crazy considering she is only two, but I am pretty darn sure that is what lies at the bottom of our issues…plain old sibling rivalry. Since all of the mean behavior is directed 99% of the time at Huntler and NEVER at any other kids (only us), I know it has something to do with their relationship. So, we’ll see what happens. For now I am going to relish in the good days though!!

Did you catch my comment about the weather up there?!! YAY!! We are out of the 90′s!! Yesterday the high was the same as it was back home in Kansas! Now THAT is crazy! But, back in Kansas they are only in the 50′s today and we are still in the 70′s! The kids and I bundled up this morning…jeans, jackets and sweaters! Oh how I LOVE {and I do mean LOVE!!} fall clothes! Jeans, sweaters, socks, jackets…makes me smile just thinking about it!! I don’t know what the forecast will throw at us next, but for now we are going to enjoy this fabulousness!! 

I have been working on SEVERAL new and fun things…but I just can’t share quite yet!! Soon though… It seems as though every second of my days are full right now…kids, kids, kids, and then photography and crafting!! There is literally no free time!! Does anyone else feel that way?

Now for a little bit of fun on this Thursday afternoon!

My sweet friend Abby sent me a forward called “Scattergories” just a bit ago and I thought, “I have to blog that!!” So Abby, this was inspired by you!! {I LOVE this game!! We used to play it all the time when we were kids!! And I must admit, I am pretty darn good!! Numbers games kick my butt, but words…I am all over that!!}

So…here I go!!

1. What is your name? Bethany

2. Four letter word? Brag {Do I do that too much?}

3. Boy name? Bennett

4. Girl name? Berkley {IF we have another baby and it happens to be a girl, I have a PERFECT “B” name, but I can’t share…don’t want anyone to steal it!!}

5. Occupation? Babysitter

6. Color? Blue

7. Something you wear? Boots

8. Beverage? Beer

9. Food? Brownies {MMM!}

10. Something found in a bathroom? Blowdryer

11. A place? Beijing

12. Reason for being late? Battery was dead

13. Something you yell? “BOO!”

Now here is the deal if you want to post this on your own blog:

Just cut and paste and delete my answers! Everything has to be real…no made up foods people!! And try to come up with original answers if the person before you had the same initial!! Have fun!!

And while I am at it, Amanda has tagged me to share seven random things about myself. So here I go!! For some reason I LOVE to read these little tidbits about my favorite bloggers and I love to share!!

1. I don’t drink milk. I have NEVER liked it and still don’t. My kids and husband LOVE it, but I can count on one hand how often I drink a glass of milk each year…YUCK!!

2. I LOVE sweets! And I mean LOVE! Although my teeth hate them! I can brush and floss every single day and still have cavities. Oh well…at least I enjoy getting them!! I have passed down my love of all things sweet to my kids…and especially Gentry. OOPS! Her Candyland party in July is going to be PERFECT for her!

3. Speaking of Candyland, I am working on ideas for party favors! More on that in the next day or two…

4. My assignment this week in my Photography class is to work on sunflare. Easier said than done. I am loading up the kids and hauling them to a mountain (really just a hill!) to practice later today!

5. I do multiple loads of laundry a day. Always have…always will. I HATE getting behind on it!

6. Today is my brother’s birthday.  Happy 23rd Garrett!  Today is also my cousin’s birthday and a good friend from high school {whom I no longer speak to but remember her birthday}…lots of celebrations today!! 

7. Our fall grass is coming in!! We replanted a couple of weeks ago and green is popping up everywhere!! It looks so nice! But, it doesn’t smell so nice! We have to fertilize with manure and it just plain stinks!

Now…now I should go get some more laundry going and pick up some more! We flew out of here in a rush this morning and left messes EVERYWHERE! If I am lucky enough to get anything worth sharing during my sunflare shoot this afternoon, I’ll post it!! Don’t hold your breath though!!

We took the kids to the park last night to burn off some of their sugar high and while we were there I HAD to try something out! One of the girls in my photography workshop recently took a photo from underneath a baby swing and I LOVED the idea, so of course I had to put my spin on it! Let’s just say it is FAR easier said than done!

Here is the shot…I obviously need some practice because all I see are flaws, but as a mom and not a photographer, it is a keeper!!

Can I just tell you how challenging it was to get this?! OH MY GOODNESS!! Let’s just say that I could not for the life of me figure out where I needed to be positioned on the ground to get the best capture and had to keep moving ever so slightly while pushing the swing and avoiding getting whacked in the head by two little feet!! I used stomach muscles I didn’t even know I had to get situated for this! I certainly need more practice and was ready to keep trying, but my model soon lost interest! I think Chris must have been mortified that I was laying on the ground at a public park with people all around (there was adult soccer practice just off to the side and kids all over) and he and Huntler quickly vanished to the opposite end of the playground! When I hunted him down he tried to help me get Gentry back in and going again, but she was over it, so I had to call it quits!

Anyway…that is my attempt! I am SO going to try it again!!

Things here are still going well! We had a WONDERFUL weekend with our sassy girl…maybe she is on the upside of this horrible phase!! Say a little prayer, would ya?! I am not sure how much more of her naughtiness I can handle!! Huntler was his usual, easy going self all weekend! Just got a little wound up on Saturday afternoon because of too much pop and candy!! I am sure he is not the only kid who was sugar happy this weekend!!

Well, it is late and I am wearing down!! I think I’ll gather up my stuff and head up to watch Desperate Housewives on DVR. Anyone else love that show?!! I wasn’t sure if I would be able to get into it since they fast forwarded FIVE years between last season and this season, but I am glued to my TV each week to watch it!!

Way back in August I blogged about Gentry’s Elmo costume I ordered off of Etsy. I had all these visions of Huntler being Cookie Monster or Big Bird and keeping a theme. Didn’t happen. So, what did Huntler REALLY want to be? A giraffe. A really cute, yet really expensive, Pottery Barn Kids giraffe. I hopped online about three weeks ago and saw that this oh-so coveted giraffe was on sale for $45. I could do that. But WHY was it on sale?! Oh, that was because it was only available in like two sizes, neither of which was the one we needed!! So, back to square one…Target here we come. 

For anyone who knows me, I am high maintenance when it comes to costumes. I like unique. And I like high quality. Although Target had some cute stuff {especially for girls!}, I was not seeing anything I loved. And neither was Huntler at first. But then he saw it…James the red engine from Thomas and Friends. There was no looking back…he would be James for Halloween!

Here are a couple more. They were really overexposed for some reason {I am sure it was because I was rushing around trying to get everything ready for our block party!} so I had to convert them to black and white to salvage them, but they aren’t “too” bad {from the non-professional point of view}!!

And here is our little Elmo girl!!

And just a couple more from the night!

And a peaceful moment of the kids together…Poor Huntler got a face full of tulle every time they were riding together!!

We had a wonderful time! The kids really enjoyed it this year and {LOVED} getting all the candy…especially Gentry. I had to hide it first thing this morning so they weren’t into it before breakfast!!