Casey, Annie, Gracie, Lillian, and Ivan Mauldin: November 2009

Wednesday, November 25, 2009

Afternoon with Dad and Mom

Playing outside on the swingset while Dad plays with the camera.

And then playing tea party with Mom later on.

Air Ivan

I have told you about my new Nikon D90 DSLR camera that God blessed us with.

Here’s a few shots which show you how badass this camera really is…

I could even zoom in so you could see his teeth and that he needs his nails clipped. I was shooting this photo from at least 8 feet away. Incredible! Thank you God for that marvelous camera!

Bertha is our beautiful giant Chevy truck. Its official name is “Chevrolet K3500 4x4 CrewCab Turbo Diesel Dually” on the insurance paperwork. This thing is as big as its name! Its not hard to drive, once you get used to the hips. But, normally, that’s the first question most folks ask me when they see me driving it.

So, all the kids want to sit behind the wheel of Big Bertha. We have photos of a recent wannabe Bertha pilot…

Father and “Son of Anarchy”

Casey and I love the FX show, “Sons of Anarchy”. In the show, there is this little boy, Abel, who is about Ivan’s age. They always have him in this cute little beanie that says “Sons of Anarchy” and has the Reaper on the front. So Casey and I wanted one, and Casey ordered it.

Its not near as cute as the baby!

Oh, and while we are talking about clothing, you might want to take a look at what’s wrong with the following photo (other than the weird ‘cheesy’ cracker grins and funny faces)…

Our neighbor said to Casey the other day “Now, Casey, you might want to think about retiring that shirt. I don’t think you are considered a rookie anymore”.

Friday, November 13, 2009

Momma and Her Little One

Gracie pretends that Ivan is her baby. She runs into his room when he’s crying. She feeds him his bottles. She pushes the stroller, picks up his dropped toys, and lays in his crib with him. If Ivan is spoiled, I SWEAR its not because of me! Gracie likes to wash Ivan’s hair in the tub. I took some good ones of them tonight

And in case you are wondering where my little middle “Teeny” is, let me explain…

Lilly keeps pooping in the tub…

*Sighhhhhh*…

So, we have to do bathtime differently. We enforce a strict “Three Poops *in the tub* You’re Out” Policy. Therefore, Gracie and Ivan get to soak and play in the tub for longer, and then Lills gets put in. Hell hath NO FURY like a mother who, not only, has to pick out poo from the tub and bleach it, but also has to REBATHE all three children. Nuh huh, Teeny, you no poop in the tub no more…

Indian Summer

Houston has its faults. It is crowded, full of criminals, and is enormous! But let me tell you, the autumn here, is undeniably the most heavenly place on earth. So, we have been spending lots of afternoons outside. And my camera just loves the lighting. The dimension that I am able to shoot is so good, that I have been keeping a comb and a spit-rag with me when I shoot the kids, in order to keep the boogers out of the shot! (*Quick side note- there was this little kid who’s dad used to race in amateur motocross with our dad, and he used to come over and bug my sister and me. His name was Neal. Booger Neal… To this day, I will not eat a Twizzler, because this damn kid always had a booger off to one side and a Twizzler hanging from his mouth on the other side. *Ucccckkkkk…I think I just threw up in my mouth a little* Also, I delete photos I have taken with slobbery mouths, snotty noses, and Twizzlers…)

Okay, so I have grossed you out a little. Let me try to fix that…

Cute, huh? That’s Louie… He’s a good kitty. The little dude was pretty much peeling Louie’s skin away from his muscle. I had to use both hands to pry Ivan off of Louie, and would pull *no joke* at least 250 to 350 cat hairs out of Ivan’s hands. Cat didn’t care, not so long as the baby was loving on him. Cats love kiddos, which has surprised me so much since having kids.

Gracie has begun to “imitate” me at every moment of the day. All the kids hate the camera, so they found an annoying Nemo camera that I had been BRILLIANT enough to buy for them one day in Walmart. She starts using it when I start using mine. It has lovely sound effects, such as: “Hi! *Camera Clicking* I’m Nemo” and “Good Job *Flash sound*” which occur every time the button is clicked. Ummm…yeah, good thinking Mom!

Must…Chew…Everything!!!

Here’s a series, which show the train of thought for a baby…

“Oooooooooohhhhh! What this thing here?”

“Hmmmmmmmm…What to do with this thing…I will ponder a moment”

“Ahhhhhhh…Crunchy"!”

…”Ughhhhhhhcckkkk…CRUNCHY!”

“Hmmm, must remember that “crunchy” doesn’t always mean “good”.

Of course, I must not forget to show you my little “Teeny”, who very MUCH hates the camera and will not show me her beautiful blues. Sad indeed. I could have pictures all over the walls of my house just of her eyes, they are so beautiful.

I am going to leave you with one last photo for this post. When I saw this photo, I was reminded of my sweet GranJack. For those who know him, look and see if you can find him in that little guy’s face.

“Ten tiny little fingers that always want to play,
That never stop exploring the wonder of today.
Ten tiny little fingers that from the very start,
Will reach out for tomorrow yet always hold your heart.”