Storytime

The library here on post offers storytime each week and we decided to go check it out.  The place was packed with young children.  There was a bit of chaos at times, but that was to be expected with the age group.  Even with all the commotion, I loved it and I think Gwynnie did too.  They even had a craft after the books were read to go along with the theme.  Gwynnie and her friend Madi Grace had a great time coloring their butterflies.  They were so sweet together. :)  Before we left, I let Gwynnie pick several books to check out and along the way she managed to find a few places to sit and "read."

 

Is There a Doctor in the House?

Gwyneth watched a Barney episode recently where they listened to their hearts and talked about how the heart beats and sounds like a drum.  The episode really stuck with her and she began putting different objects up to our chests and saying "It sounds like a drum."  We decided to give her Brandon's stethoscope to play with and showed her how it works.  It has now become one of her favorite toys.  She gave Fletcher a check up the other morning and told me his heart sounds like a violin.  I love the things that come out of her sweet mouth!

Fun in the Sun

I took Gwyneth to the pool yesterday afternoon and she had a blast....until she got water up her nose.  She starts swim lessons next month.  It's a little late in the game, considering Summer is almost over, but she'll be ready for next pool season!

Even divas do a little nose picking every now and then.

The Zoo

We had a great time at the Kansas City Zoo yesterday.  I have a feeling the zoo will be seeing a lot of the Stepp family over the next year. :)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Big girl!

It took a while, but I think she's finally gotten the hang of it.

Because Mommy was there too...

As usual, I have neglected my blog.  With our upcoming move, I have decided to start back up.  This will be a way of keeping our friends and family up to date on our transition to the Midwest.

I was looking through my pictures of Gwyneth and Fletcher the other day and realized they all had one thing in common...I'm not in them!  I am always behind the camera.   Not to mention there is always an excuse to not be in pictures as a new mom...my hair isn't done, I have no make-up on, I am still in my pajamas at 3 in the afternoon, I am still carrying the baby weight, etc., etc.  I decided it was time to break out the tripod and the remote and do my first attempt at self-portrait photography.  After all, my kids will want pictures with me in them one day.  I don't want them to look back at pictures of them growing up and wonder where mommy was.  I want them to see pictures of themselves with the mommy that loves them so much!

Self-portrait photography was a bit harder than I had imagined.   When you are behind the camera it is easy to adjust your settings and focus but when you get in the picture yourself there is a much greater skill involved.   Yesterday I learned I definitely need a lot more practice on mastering the focus in a self-portrait situation, but I captured a few images and I love them.  They may not be the best pictures I have ever taken, but I am in them and capturing moments with my children means the world to me. :)

All good things must come to an end

Life has been anything but slow around the Stepp household lately and of course the first item on the chopping block has been my blog.  Not to my liking, the posts have been few and far between.  I actually have a list of blogs to post, but they will have to wait until I can find more time to finish them.  Hopefully over the holidays I'll have more time to do just that.

I am finishing up my second photography workshop with Clickinmoms and I am so sad to see it end.  It has been such an amazing experience and the knowledge that I have learned is invaluable.  There's just something about being able to capture a precious moment of your child that warms your heart.  For those of you interested in learning more about photography, I highly recommend Clickinmoms.  It is a fabulously talented group of women and they are all so inspiring!

Our last project for this workshop was to take a set of pictures using lifestyle photography techniques.  Basically, you tell a story with your pictures. :)  I have been desperately wanting to photograph one of our trips to the commissary, but just never got the courage to do so.  I finally did and I am so happy I did.  Sure, I got lots and lots of strange looks and I am sure many people thought I was a "crazy mom" snapping away as we walked the aisles, but it was so worth it and was so much fun.  Be brave and do it yourself!!

Here is the story of our trip to the commissary yesterday. :)