Together Tuesdays

Hello!! I'm still alive!!

<center><a href="http://evolvewithmelissa.blogspot.com/search/label/together tuesdays" target="_blank"><img alt="Together Tuesday" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5253/5589123741_0524bf839c_o.jpg"/></a></center>

So, this week has been a huge bust for me in the blogging/photography world. One HUGE BIG EXCITING thing that has happened is that I got Dylan's Easter/6 Month photos back from our photographer April Sirit over at Evoke Photography. Since I absolutely ADORE this photo, and it has all three of us in it...I wanted to use it as this weeks Together Tuesday photo.



I love the innocent look on Dylan's face and both Alan and I look pretty good here...lol...especially considering this was at the end of an almost 3 hour photo shoot. I didn't really mind spending all that time getting the photos taken...but it was definitely tiring. April works really hard to make sure she gets the absolute best shots. I can't say enough positive things about her.

And I just wanted to mention that technically, it's still Tuesday, so I'm not a total blogfail. ;) Next week I really hope to have the link up at the bottom of the TT post for anyone who wants to utilize it. Until then!

xo

What a long weekend...

for real.


So this weekend was my first 3 nights in a row since I was pregnant. The third night is always a killer...(12 hour night shifts do that to you!).. I usually only work Fridays and Saturdays because I don't need childcare since Alan is home and let's me sleep in the mornings...but working every weekend was starting to take it's toll on my home life (ie passing the baby back and forth). So I've worked out a schedule where I work 2 3day weekends in a row, get a weekend OFF!! and then work a Friday and Saturday weekend and then repeat. Basically I'm replacing the 3rd weekend off with the 2 Sundays in the first two weeks. I get to keep my job time status which does not effect my benefits which is a plus! So now, I only have to find a sitter those two Mondays a month for four-ish hours so I can sleep after work. Easier said than done, but I've managed this month. Next month is a different story. =/

So the point of this post is to explain why I'm late on Scavenger Hunt Sunday AND Shoot & Edit. I am just exhausted...and Alan was sick tonight and I put the baby to bed and did all of his "chores" tonight (dishes, dinner, bottle washing)...which was fine since I didn't do squat today.

Hopefully by tomorrow I can get my posts up and link up...or I may have to call this week a wash for those two challenges and just work on next weeks, so I'm ahead of schedule instead of scrambling next Monday half asleep...lol. I really tried to schedule posts ahead of time, but only made it until Saturday this week.

Sorry if I haven't responded to your much appreciated comments, or visited your blogs this weekend. I will catch up with all of you though!! :)
xo

Selfie Saturdays

My first!


So I got my RC-6 remote on Tuesday and I'm very pleased with how easy it is to use. Tuesday night I also just happened to have a highly anticipated salon appointment. I haven't had highlights in a long time and I think I scared my stylist by telling her my highlight horror stories going back to my Florida days. I wear glasses (practically blind without them) so I couldn't see how they turned out until she was completely finished. I have to say, she gave me exactly what I wanted...but I expected that from her because after 10 years of living in North Carolina, I've finally found my favorite stylist I think I've ever had. LOVE her!!

Anyways, I went from this:


To this:


I forgot how difficult it is to photograph people with glasses. Anyone have any tips or resources for that? I plan on wearing my contacts a lot more in the coming days...Dylan is constantly pulling on my hair and now he's found my glasses and I am NOT having any of that...ugh!! lol. I must say, I kind of actually like this photo of myself. I like the dramatic lighting (even if it is blown a bit on my face). You can check out my "Together Tuesdays" post to see what my hair looked like on Sunday. That would be no artificial coloring (well at least since my wedding in June of 2009).

To see more selfies, visit Elena's blog by clicking the button below!

xo

Sweet Love Creates

Vendor shoutout!!


I was recently introduced to Sweet Love Creates.

I love EVERY. SINGLE. THING. in her shop. In fact, I can't wait to have another baby and use these props on him/her!!! haha. Ok that's a little crazy. But I do have some friends who are about to have cuddly little newborns that would go gaga over one of these babies. I hear it's hard to purchase her stuff because they are sold out so quickly. I WILL HAVE ONE!! <3

I think this one is my favorite:


Which one is your favorite?
xo

Shoot & Edit: Week 13-Up Edit

Clean edit...


Here is the SOOC again:




Basically using Lightroom, I adjusted my exposure and white balance...added some vibrance and clarity and voila!!

Can't wait to see everyone else's edits today!


xo

Black & White/Wordless-ish Wednesday

with attitude...




It's a good thing I got a great picture with this onesie on (onesie from Crazy8) because later that night, Alan fed Dylan carrots...and carrots stain. :(

Not much else to say today. Went to lunch at On The Border with a friend and Dylan was such a good boy!! You know a good friend when she's willing to go to the eyebrow place, just to hold your baby for you. I get mine threaded, so there's no way I could hold him while getting it done (unless I put him in the car seat but then I have nightmares of him fussing and me not knowing what to do and having to leave with one shaped eyebrow...lol). Hope you're all having a great day!

Click on the buttons below to see where I link up!

xo

Together Tuesdays

Ok I just made it up...


But, I went as far as making a button in case anyone was interested in following along with me. I know I don't have many followers and there is already a Mama in Focus Friday hosted by Casey...but this mommy works weekends and this is more for myself anyways. I plan on participating in her challenge as well and you should too!...I figure, the more photos of my son and I (and possibly with Alan in them too...like this week)...the better! I'm not sure if I'll do themes or not...but I hope to get Alan in one at least once a month (we aren't home at the same time a lot).

<center><a href="http://evolvewithmelissa.blogspot.com/search/label/together tuesdays" target="_blank"><img alt="Together Tuesday" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5253/5589123741_0524bf839c_o.jpg"/></a></center>

Anyways, here is this weeks capture. I wanted to start off with one that had Alan in it and before bath time on Sunday night (when I was completing Scavenger Hunt Sunday) I pulled Alan in front of the mirror and got an impromptu family shot. Of course the framing is off and it may be a little blurry, but I almost love the feel of these "candid" mirror shots. They capture the moment (and frustration) of taking a photo under those conditions. It's almost funny.

This picture also makes me really warm and fuzzy inside because Dylan is finally coming into his own and starting to look SO much like the both of us. As a baby everyone kept changing their minds of who he looked like most (common "argument" I guess) but I always thought he looked like Alan. This photo makes me realize how much he is OURS. Amazing concept. I am just so proud to be his mommy and I can't believe I get to watch him grow up and become his own person. I wish he'd stay 7 months forever though...he is such a good baby!!

For this week, since Alan was technically in the photo with me, I also linked up here on Thursday on Olga's blog!

xo