{C u r r e n t l y}

{Currently}

LOVING: Lime infused water! I'm trying to lose a few pounds and it's soooo good. I needed something to replace all that wine. ;)

HEARING: I LOVE when Bennett goes "MA! MA! MAAAAA!" It's so cute. I don't like that he's calling me MA, but hey, any words from his sweet little mouth are adorable. We'll add the other Ma to make Mama someday, I'm sure. 

READING: Kids chapter books! I am trying to find "just right" read alouds for my upcoming 5th graders! I'm searching for something lighthearted and funny to start on the first day. So far I've read Frindle, Maniac Macgee, and now I am reading Class President.

PLANNING: Oh gosh, I sometimes feel like I am in planning mode 24/7! I am transitioning out of my old job (grant coordinator) and into my new job (teacher! yeah!). I want to help the new person out as much as possible, but it's tricky when I don't have a sitter for Bennett during those meetings and such. I just keep telling myself that in a few shorts weeks, I'll be done with that phase and will be able to focus more on my classroom. Sooo much to do. Honestly? I am SUPER stressed out. I'll get there eventually!

LAUGHING ABOUT: Yes, another answer about my KID. He really has developed a sense of humor. Lately, if he thinks something is funny, he doesn't do a normal laugh. Instead, he says the words, "Ha ha." Adorbs for sure!

COVETING: Um, yeah. Look below. Audi Q5. I want. Can I have it? Pleeease!? Ahhhhh, love it.

CAN'T BELIEVE: That I only have about a week and a half of summer vacation left! I am going to miss my little buddy sooo much. Trying to make these last days count.

WATCHING: Um, Real Housewives of COURSE! Then throw in some Kardashians. Them some Giuliana and Bill. Even a little Tia and Tamera.  Yep, that's what I like. 

THINKING ABOUT: That I really need to kick my butt in gear and get this darn house in order in the next week! We just need a place for everything - which we don't have! Thus, we get piles and disorganization and such. Blech! 

& PROOFING:  Just got done with our latest family photo book. I still need to finish our July photos (now that is AUGUST!). Just took and proofed some photos of my husband's workplace today. I have one senior session to edit. Next shoot is a wedding on August 17. After that, only two more to go for the year. WOooOoOT!

{Summer Bucket List}

It's already PAST mid July, so I know the rest of the summer is just going to fly by. In fact, my first official days back at work are only about 3 weeks away! (CRAZY!) So, I need to make all of these days count with this little guy:

What I'd like to do yet this summer:

• Go to the beach at least once
• Family pictures 
• Get a nice portrait of Bennett (some way, some how, this HAS to happen!)
• Read a few more "chick lit" books
• Play at the Pirate Park at least 2 times per week
• More walks!
• Simple art projects with Bennett
• Frame and hang more pictures in the house
• Fox Lake pool
• Really organize the upstairs
• Get a rotating meal menu going
• ...get my classroom in order! (Who knows when they'll even let me get in there!)

{Recent Happenings!}

Earlier this month, my brother and sister in law welcomed sweet little "M" into the world! She is PRECIOUS and a true miracle baby! They gave me the honor of being her godmother! I am so touched!

Other than that, we are doing the same old same old around here - which is fine by me! I am soaking in all the "stay at home mom" time I get for these short couple months being off from work. This kid is craaazy...and honestly sometimes drives me nuts, but I know this time will be here and gone in an instant so I am just trying to laugh along with my little bugger. He has spent a lot of time this summer in his little backyard pool. I set up the slide for some extra fun (he sort of likes it), and then put the water table inside the pool. He likes to play with his little fishies and net the most. His favorite water toy is the garden hose - but you can imagine how much water ends up OUTSIDE the pool. :)  And yes, he goes in his clothes. By the time I get a swim diaper on and trunks and sunscreen everywhere, it's not worth all the time because by then, he won't even want to play in the pool. So this works- and I am good with that! ;)

Today is our 4th wedding anniversary. I can't believe it's already been this long!

We are going to dinner to Applebees - because OF COURSE we are! HA! It's our favorite place. I think we like the drinks more than the food. ;) Some long islands, please! Though, I just might get a margarita tonight.

{4th of July}

July 3 we went to Kate and Josh's for the fireworks. They live close to the lake, so we could see them from their house. Just went the fireworks started, it began to rain. This is the second time Chris and I have watched fireworks in the rain. Good times. I wanted to get cool shots of the fireworks...but obviously rain and cameras do not mix so well. I got one shot I was happy with and enjoyed the rest of the show! 

This was Bennett's first time seeing fireworks. They didn't excite him or scare him. I started singing the Disney Junior song they play on TV with the animated fireworks, and that helped him become more interested. :) (Though, he was probably waiting for Doc McStuffins to start playing in the sky...ha!!!)

On the actual 4th of July, we had a mellow day. My brother invited us to a cook out at his house, so we went there in the late afternoon. In the morning, we just hung out at home and Chris did some yard work. My mom came over to help play with Bennett ... MUCH needed on my end of things! This boy has become a handful lately!

Bennett picking more rocks ... and playing with my brother's dog.

Once we were back home and Bennett was tucked in bed, Chris and I had a fire in the backyard. We played with sparklers and had a good time together. Here's our handy work:

Little Trip

Today my friend Katelyn and I went to the Horicon Marsh near Waupun to check out the board walk. It was much prettier than these photos show, and suspect it would have been absolutely gorgeous on a sunny evening with the glowing sun. It was a weird weather day today - kept looking like it was going to downpour (and then never did) but had flashes of sunlight here and there between the clouds. Strange.

 The boardwalk is a third of a mile that bends through part of the marsh. We were hoping to see more wildlife, but it was really quiet today. We only saw some birds, a couple ducks, and a family of geese. 

Oh yeah, and a dragonfly:

We walked on the roadway after the boardwalk part and let Bennett out for a little running around before it was time to go. He loved finding rocks. He would pick them up, run to the taller grass, throw them in, and run back for more rocks. Repeat x50. Go Bennett, go! He's so happy doing little things like that. I forsee a cool rock collection once he gets a bit older.

A simple, fun, and free day.
Tonight we are going over to Katelyn's to watch fireworks over the lake!
Can't wait to see Bennett's reaction ... his first fireworks!
(Hope he can stay up to watch them!)

A Day In The Life

Two posts in two days - I know! I can't believe it either! ;)

Just documenting a regular day in the life of us this week:

7:30 -
Coffee time! Bennett's wake up routine. Chris leaves for work. Disney Junior blasting.

8:30 -
Bennett breakfast. Tried a red plum for the first time. He kind of liked it...for two bites. Then threw in the floor.

8:45 -
Today I decided to take Bennett to the park. I needed some exercise, so I loaded him up in the stroller and we walked down to a newly renovated park in town, which is right on the lake. It's GORGEOUS, thanks to many fundraising efforts by many people in the community. I love where we live, though my husband may not agree. In my job working with the grant and after school programming, I have worked with so many generous people. I need to remember to take a camera next time. Bennett played for nearly an hour - the swing and the slide made from little tubes are his favorites! (Side note: I ran into another teacher in the district who had kind words to say about me becoming one of the new 5th grade teachers. It was a relief to feel "accepted" into the grade level already...something that I have been a bit curious about, since many of them have been here forever. Whew!)

10:15 -
Back at home. Naptime for Mr. B. Shower for me. Internet browsing, email...chill time for Momma. Late breakfast combined with lunch time for me.

1:00 -
Chris home for lunch. Bennett's up!

1:30 -
Lunch for Mr. B (milk, honey ham, string cheese, a couple crackers, and a tart apple). Tried to get some cute pictures of myself with Mr. B before we ran grocery store errands. Jealous of all the photos my husband has with him and Bennett. After Piggly Wiggly, I treated myself to hazelnut iced coffee from McD's. Sooo good. I have been wanted for one a couple weeks ... YUM. (Poor cat on our way out the door ... working on being "nice!" Had to include that picture ... I feel like he's just been a crazy, crazy kid lately.)

2:30 -
We're back and it's play time! Bennett jumped in his pool while I was putting the groceries in the house. Fully clothed, I should add (this is typical, ha!). Pool for a bit, played with his lawnmower, then we took a walk around the 'hood in his wagon.

3:30 -
Crabby time, aka: Bennett wants to play with EVERYTHING, but doesn't, but does...ok, in the house we go! Indecisiveness = tired little man. WHOA! Straight to a bath, then milk, snuggle time, and a little TV before nap time and photo editing time for me. (Ahhh, relaxation).

5:30 -
We'll have dinner somewhere around this time. I still need to go to the other grocery store to get chicken for the grill tonight. I will only buy meat from one particular store. We'll have the grilled chicken and corn on the cob.

7:00 -
HELLO! IT'S MONDAY! Which means ... Real Housewives of OC, baby! Favorite show right now, hands down! (Tamra is my fave.)

8:30 -
Bennito's bedtime. Ahhh...just kidding. Kind of! ;)
Probably do some laundry while watching some sort of TV.
Or, work on client's wedding photos.

10:00 -
Our bedtime.

Should I Try This Again?

Sooo...the goal I had with trying to keep out on family memories didn't quite work out this year, as my last post was 11 months ago. Oops. I had intentions, but life is so full ALL.THE.TIME! I can't believe how fast time is flying ... and how few pictures I have taken recently. However, that could also be due to my frustration with trying to photograph a crazy active little boy who will NOT look at the camera. Ha!

Here a couple recent favorites, where he's actually looking:

I spent some time looking back through my blog today, and it was SO fun to look back on things I had to say, and some of the random happenings of my life. I especially LOVE the questions/answer posts! So in honor of that, I'll answer one with some of my "current" answers! :)

I answered these same questions back in 2010 and in 2009!

Outside my window... Since the view is the same as when I last answered this, I am just going to change this question to "outside my house." Today Chris was washing his truck, and we let Bennett play in the soapy bucket and with the hose. It didn't take long for Maddie to jump in on the fun. It's so hard these days to find something to keep little man busy! Wish we had a yard where we could just let him RUN, but we live on a corner with lots of traffic ... and a mischievous boy who tries running in the road. So yeah...if the hose keeps him busy, we're game! 

I am thinking... Geesh, what am I thinking lately? Life has mellowed out quite a bit now that I am done working for the summer. I still have a few loose ends to finish up with my grant coordinator job, and I also have a few photography things this summer, but otherwise, I am happily taking a break. This year, I decided to only book 7 weddings and a few other sessions. At this point, I am not sure if "Kayla Richards Photography" will operate next year. I'm sure I will take on a few things, but I am still thinking on that. Time is flying by with Bennett, and I'm trying to decide when Baby #2 is going to happen. I will not book any weddings for next summer if Baby Filip - Part 2 will happen then. So yeah, lots to think about within the next month or so! ;)

I am thankful for... EEEEEEEEEE!!  I am SO excited to announce that after 4 years after being out of college, I FINALLY earned a full time teaching position! This fall will be my first year teaching and I'll be teaching 5th grade at the school I have worked at the past 5 school years. I am both excited and nervous ... nervous mostly because I have a big picture of how I want my classroom to look, how our classroom community will feel, etc. I am excited to just get going. I won't be able to get into my classroom til later this summer, so I am anxious to get that all ready so I can just focus on the teaching aspect. I am sooo happy and finally feel like I have "made it!"

From the kitchen... Funny. Last time I answered this, it was lasagna. Well, same with tonight! I only make lasagna a couple times a year. I'm using the noodles you don't have to boil beforehand ... so hope it turns out alright. We shall see. I'll be using fresh parsley from my container garden.

I am wearing... worn out favorite jeans, palm tree tee, and just like last time ... fake sparkly earrings.

I am creating... Hmm. The most I "create" these days is a recipe from Pinterest! Not much crafting going on anymore. Something I hope to work on soon is the next installment of our Filip Family Photo Book. Last time I worked on our pictures was November. Oh my. I have some catch-up to do! :)


I am going... bwhahahaha. No where - even though I have wanted to go on some sort of get away or vacation for FOUR YEARS!! I need to get out of here and break up the routine! I know I have said this for many years now, but hopefully this summer we'll be able to take a small get away - even if it's close. Seriously! We need to just get out of here so I can stop talking about "getting out of here." 

I am reading... Nothing at the moment. I have dabbled in a few books the past couple weeks and nothing seems to hold my interest. So honestly, what am I reading? Mostly Facebook statuses.  ;)  

I am hoping... I figure out an answer to this "when are we doing to have our next baby" question. I really don't know. To keep the timeline I have always wanted, that would be within the next two months or so. But realistically, I don't want to be pregnant all during my first year of teaching. That would be a lot of stress. Then again, I am not sure I feel ready to have another...I don't know what my hold up is. I know it will all be perfect when the time happens. Hmm....

I am hearing... Birds chirping...computer sounding like it's overheating...and a few minutes ago, a huge boom from down the street. We have some idiot neighbors who let off some sort of firework at least once a week. Scares the crap out of me, and thought it was gun shots the first time I heard it. Yikes - can't they think of a better hobby? Or am I just getting old and crabby? LOL.

Around the house... I really have to find a better way to organize! We tend to get piles of stuff everywhere, things that should come up to the office and get filed away ... but if you'd enter the office, you'd see more of the piles. I gotta bite the bullet and figure out some sort of way to make this all better. Hopefully now that I'll have some more time since I have the next month off! Here's to dreaming! ;)

One of my favorite things... I am so glad I am writing this memory down somewhere. When Bennett is getting ready for a nap or bedtime, we always give him his milk, and he comes into the living room, gets his fleece blankey. He waits until I sit down on the couch, and the holds his blanky and backs up to me so I can pick him up to snuggle. It's the sweetest thing ever and I love that we have a little routine. It's the only time lately he lets me snuggle with him! Then, five minutes later, he's down with his milk, chucks his cup across the room, and runs off. ;) We're working on the whole "chucking of the cup" thing. ;)

A few plans for the rest of the week... Photography: work on getting most recent wedding edited/send of another client's PhotoDVD.      Old Job: Still tying up loose ends. Work on a project for DPI that needs completion. Hopefully finish financial reporting if business office is done with their entries. Help begin to plan next year, even though I am not coordinating the program anymore.    Bennett: Park time, speech meeting, pool time, and lots of walks!

Well, that's it for today...hopefully it's not another year before you hear from me again. ;)

This Blogger Is Back!

I have decided to start blogging again! I need a way to preserve my families memories, even if the events seem kind of boring. Because in just 9 SHORT months, my little man has gone from:

 THIS (Oct 27, 2011 - 3 hours old)

 to THIS (mid-August 2012 - 9.5 months)

and I know time will just keep going by faster. I feel guilty all of the time for not writing little stories about Bennett so far, and not recording things likes when he did his firsts, his weight, height, etc at different ages. What mom lets those things go undocumented? Especially a mom who used to scrapbook! Oh well, times are a changing and I hope this blog will help me document those things! ;) 

Thanks for reading :)

Just Documenting ...

this sort of crazy time in my life! Okay, more like NERVOUS time.

Baby is due tomorrow (Saturday, October 22). I had my last doctor appointment today. I am almost all the way effaced, but not dilated at all. If Baby doesn't come on its own, I will be induced Wednesday evening at 7pm. EEK! Hoping Baby comes on its own!

Today was my last day of work for my school job - I am now on maternity leave until December 19!

However, I still have lots of photography ends to tie up before baby comes.

My to-do list:

-Edit and send 2 engagement galleries

-Send packages

-Package up a wedding order

-File my quarterly state sales taxes

-Enter expenses, etc in bookkeeping

...dare I say it? Is that all I have left to do for photography this year!? (I will have more album orders, etc coming in ... but at least it won't be a whole list to try to get done at once!)

Hoping, hoping, HOPING I can get all of that accomplished this weekend!

My Maternity Session: {38 Weeks}

These were taken right at 38 weeks.

As of today, we have 12 days left until our due date!

BabyCenter.com 38 Week Update:

"Your baby has really plumped up. She weighs about 6.8 pounds and she's over 19 1/2 inches long. She has a firm grasp, which you'll soon be able to test when you hold her hand for the first time! Her organs have matured and are ready for life outside the womb.

Wondering what color your baby's eyes will be? You may not be able to tell right away. If she's born with brown eyes, they'll likely stay brown. If she's born with steel gray or dark blue eyes, they may stay gray or blue or turn green, hazel, or brown by the time she's 9 months old. That's because a child's irises (the colored part of the eye) may gain more pigment in the months after she's born, but they usually won't get "lighter" or more blue. (Green, hazel, and brown eyes have more pigment than gray or blue eyes.)"

Baby Shower: Sept 25, 2011

Yesterday was my beautiful baby shower! I couldn't have asked for a better day!

My sister in law Shannon planned the shower, which was held at my house! (Yay to not having to haul the gifts!)

All of the details and games were SO cute!

Here are some details...

The tags on these favors say: "Thank you for coming to my shower. Love, Bennett." They are Hershey's miniatures wrapped in scrapbook papers. I see my baby takes after his momma and has been crafting already, LOL! ;-)

Some desserts ... and you can also see the rainy day we had.

Just a few of the MANY gift bags! We cannot thank everyone enough for their generosity! Thank you thank you thank you! :)

Some more cutie cute details!! His initials will be "BAF," which I think sounds kind of funny. Who knows ... maybe that'll turn into some strange nickname! ;)

Closer detail of the letters ... so sparkly and CUTE!

Some of the games ... Match the Celebrities to their Baby's name & Baby Shower Scramble:

Another game ... Guess How Many M&M's in the bottle ... there were 317 (I think!) ... my mother in law Ellie won this game. :)

Cute drink cups with baby boy detail...

A few shots of the gift opening. I might have more pictures to post I can get ahold of my mom's files:

Who knew this product existed? A little warmer for over the baby's belly for baths:

Me and the hubby:

Maddie was a bit confused what was going on:

Only 25 more days to go!