Watching Them Grow

So Glad I Learned To Use My Camera!

In the past I have spent time going on about my camera and the relationship I have with it.  I love to shoot but I'm not passionate about it enough to try to make a living at it.  Nor am I good enough to try and make a living.  However, the fact that I've learned to use it affords me some pretty special times with friends.

It's also already been said that I don't shoot many people.  There are two families that I shoot on a somewhat regular basis (is every two years regular at all?)  I think I shoot them because of my relationship with them.  It's easy, fun, no stress.  There's another family that I can see shooting in the future, and we have discussed it, but have never put a date on the calendar.  They would be fun to shoot as well.  (Call me about this E, if you're still interested.)

Last night, in 95 degree heat and high humidity, we ventured out to see what we could capture.  Oh my it was hawt!  (That's how Ju says hot and I love it!)  How hawt was it?!  It was so hawt that this pseudo photographer actually took the babies burp rag and used it as a sweat towel.  I don't expect N and C to ever speak to me again.  Believe me when I say that I needed it more than T did!  My glasses were dripping in sweat.  It was disgusting!

I don't know why I sweat so much when I shoot.  Obviously, it was hot yesterday but even when it's not hot I get very worked up when shooting.  Another reason I wouldn't want to do this for a living!  I'm sure it comes from the stress of wanting to get what those being photographed want captured. 

Enough jabbering!  Let's get to the pics.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

These two crack me up!

 

Honestly, I think this might be my favorite!  Look at his face!

 

I'm so grateful to you, M, for all of your help with everything.

   

 

 

 

 

Completely messed up this composition.  Should have been looking down the lane.  :(

 

 

Love this!!!

 

 

 

 

Thank you, friends, I had fun!

~Traci~

Another Update On My Valerie

Asthma....hate it.

I wish that I didn't automatically equate asthma with death, but I do.  At the first sign - my fears rise and I imagine the worst.  Maybe if Corey hadn't died from this killer just two year ago, at the age of nine, then I wouldn't have this fear.  But he did and I do.

Valerie was feeling a little puny on Saturday but no signs of asthma.  Sunday she woke up letting us know that her lungs were involved now and that she needed some help.  We kicked into overdrive and put her on some breathing treatments.  She had a big day scheduled and wasn't sick enough to cancel anything.  She was blowing mid yellow (270) yesterday, but we were on top of it and she followed through on all of her plans.  She woke early this morning and came down to our bed.  She didn't say anything but easily fell back to sleep once she was close to us.  And then I realized that I could hear her from across the room.  &%#@!

I woke her to take her meds and the first thing out of her mouth was, "Mom, I'm not doing so well today."  We checked her peak flow and she was down to 160 (LOW red.)  All of her lung fields sounded as if there were a war going on inside of her; wheezes, squeaking, loud rhonchi.  I gave her a double dose of aerosol medication and called the doc.  While I was on the phone Kevin took over in taking care of her.  I love the way he behaves with her when she's sick.  It's very, very sweet.  At one point he was practically carrying her down the stairs.  Very unnecessary, and she was milking it way more than she should have been, but it was sweet.

The office was wonderful as always.  When I called they told me that both Dr. God and the nurse practitioner were full today.  I told them who I was calling about and then I said, "I can probably keep her under control until the morning."  The receptionist said, "Just a minute, Traci."  She came back and asked if she could call me back.  When she returned my call ten minutes later she said that Dr. God wanted to see Valerie today at 3:15.  She explained that he didn't have an opening and that he might have to run in and out a lot, but he wanted to see her.  No problem!

By the time we arrived Valerie was blowing 210 (low yellow.)  The earlier treatments were having some positive effect, but her lungs were still squeaking and wheezing like mad.  He ordered another back-to-back treatment and said he would be back after his next appointment.  When he returned thirty minutes later she blew 285 (mid to high yellow) for him.  And she was smiling.  And verrrrrrrrry shaky!

He ordered some antibiotics, steroids, and q 4-6 hour breathing treatments (while awake) and thanked me for bringing her in so quick.  You see I sometimes wait too long and then it takes her longer to convert.  Like last March when we were on vacation.  He wants her off of the steroids as soon as she blows green.  I'm hoping for two days max.

Bear, I'm sorry you have to struggle with this.  You handle it like a champ.  Thanks for being such a great communicator and for knowing how to get the help that you need when you need it.

Loving you every minute of every day a little more than the minute before.

Mommy