:)

Hi Everyone! Just checking in to say hello --- besides fighting ear infections :( we're all doing well - and staying warm! Think we're all feeling ready for winter to be done... and as Quinn asks..."when is this snow gonna be out of here?!?!"

So, Aunt Annie would be proud to hear this! :)
The other night I made a chicken roaster for dinner. Quinn was excited to get a leg...but soon the conversation took a different twist. He started asking where this chicken came from, and when realizing it was an animal...said "WE CAN'T EAT ANIMALS DAD!!!" "WAS IT ALIVE? HOW DID IT GET LIKE THIS? WHERE DID IT COME FROM?" aaggghhh --- so we tried to discuss it on a surface level...very surface I might add ---- and I even offered to just give him some meat not the leg. You could see the wheels turning - as he sat there staring at his plate, hand in his hair, head tipped to the side --- a vision of contemplation! I asked him if he was going to eat any, and if he was okay... he threw his arm down and said "I JUST CAN'T STOP THINKING ABOUT THIS!!!!" Not really sure what to do - other than let it be what it is...feel free to share personal experiences or tips if you have any!!!

Keira has been playing a little game with me that she finds quite funny... Here's our dialog...

"Mommy - I'm not your baby doll ANY...MORE!..........now cry! --- cry Mommy!" I begin to cry...and she comes over rubbing my head saying "It's okay honey, I'm your baby doll now...."

Little buggers!

Last thing I wanted to share is that I recently applied/joined a group called NILMDTS - it stands for Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep ---- it's an organization that helps parents grieve the loss of a baby - particularly one that has been stillborn or passes shortly after delivery. There are Photographers who volunteer their services - go the hospital, and photograph the baby and their familes. I've been thinking on this for quite some time, questioning if I could really do it - and then feeling bad that me being afraid of the sadness it would make me feel - was outweighing what these poor families go through ---- so I've sat on it for a while...and recently it kind of feel in my lap - and I contacted the organization to apply. I've spoke on the phone with the area coordinator here - who said there is only about 5 photographers currently in the capital district, and b/c of this they can really only service Albany Med. - but do try to help the other hospitals here if there is not a need in Albany. I plan on "shadowing" on the next session - so I can see first hand if this can be something I can do, and give of myself. We'll see, but I really, really hope that I can --- and it warms my heart to think of being able to share my photography gift in a way that will help heal their hearts... I guess the today show did a piece on this last year... here's the link if you want to see it.
http://www.nowilaymedowntosleep.org/events/article/11/

Hope you're all doing well - and we'll be intouch soon!
:) xxooo genine

Andrea and John's pic's

If you haven't already... go to
www.cherylamatimartinphoto.com/webview.htm

password is:
12/31/08 **you need to put it in that way, w/slashes**

such a fun wedding.... :)

photgraphy video

something I've been working on for my Senior Portrait Kids... take a look at this... I think it's so cool!

http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/video/video.php?v=1087154381525&oid=122071860520

little sweeties...

a few things to share...


Quinn: Is getting over the stomach bug :( poor thing started throwing up at 12:30am and it lasted for a few hours. But I have to tell you, I was so impressed, and proud of the way he handled it...no screaming or crying - very calm, and even charming about it, if you can believe that! I was rubbing his back and saying that I was so sorry that he was sick, and that I wish I could make it better. He said, "it's ok mommy, it's not too bad. I don't like it, but it's kind of funny to see it come out of my mouth." Our little nite together had many conversations like that, and lots and lots of snuggles. After the first time, we headed down stairs together and blew up our airmattress. Crazy, that I can say a night of vomiting, and a sick toddler was in some way enjoyable! Who wouldn't love, the sleepy voice of a 4 year old drifting off to sleep saying..."I love you Mommy" He was still having some crampy feelings for the first half of today, but by the afternoon, was wanting water and food, and kept it down. So, no school and no Tai Kwon Do - which he wasn't happy about. He's doing great with that by the way. Catching on, and really liking it. The program is so great - self control, self discipline, education, respect... just really great. We've been working on him doing things on his own, without being asked. And keeping track of his reading - they give you sheets to record on. Once they hit a certain amount, they turn them in for patches and stripes for their belts. He's loving it, and we can only imagine how excited he'll be when he earns his first reward. I'll have to take a picture, and post it. He looks so adorable in his uniform. He's all smiles when he's on the mat - and often turns to look at billy or I with a big smile, wink, and thumbs up. So adorable.

Keira is just a love almost all of the time. She needs her snuggle -buggle (she calls it that) time, and lots of physical affection throughout the day. She's also quite attached to me...which I love...well most of the time! She's an Aug. birthday, and with her personality, I really do question when she should start school. She loves bringing Quinn to school, and often says "I go to Kiddie Car when I get bigger!" So, we have enrolled her for the Fall, but are not set on sending her to kindergarten in two years. We do have a 3 year Pre-School option if we want to use it, and keep her for one additional year. She'd be 5 when she could go, but only a few weeks before ---- it's also hard to imagine her not being older when we do send her, as Quinn is early December, and had to wait. I like the idea of them being the older kids in their classes, especially with the pressures that are around today. BUT, we'll see. We're looking at preschool as socialization only, not her track to K.
She's been loving "Horton Hatches the Egg" book - we've read it every nite for over a week! And she loves doing prayers at bedtime - something about a little sweet voice praying...aaggghhh really melts you heart. "You lay with me mommy?" is always the last request, and we snuggle for a few minutes. Often she wraps her arms around me and holds my face.

Yesterday we took down the last of our Christmas Decorations - the cards. I hate taking them down, mostly because of all the photos. So, we used some blank board books the kids got as a favor at a birthday party - to make their own 12.08 book. I cut out pictures from the cards, and decorations for the others. The kids glued them in, and added some stickers for extra color. I wrote for them - kind of labeled who was who - and now they each have their own book that they made and can read. It was fun, and I think we'll make it a tradition every year. A nice way to keep some memories. :)

Sorry no pictures tonight - just wanted to share some sweetness with you and hope you're finding some of your own in your lives.

good night - xxxooo genine

"Mrs. Andrea Kelly"

I don't have many pictures, as i was in the wedding --- :) but wanted to share this one with you --- Andrea looked beautiful, and the wedding was incredible! When I get other images, or the link via their photog. I'll post more!

Happy New Year!