Oh Marley!

Oh Marley!, originally uploaded by stephgallipeau.

You'd think I'm crazy to take on a 6 month old puppy when I'm already raising 4 kids. Well I didn't think so... at first. But let me tell you this dog is my 5th child! I love this pup and I'm already attached after 3 weeks, but oh Marley you are a handful! For the first week and a half, in true puppy form he wasn't house trained. With my house smelling.. well.. not so fresh and having to clean something up everytime I turned around or yelling "Marley it's a sock/shirt/milk carton, not a chew toy I began to wonder "Why on earth did we get a dog?" I guess he sensed my weariness because after that first week and a half.. no more accidents. Despite the occasional stolen toys he takes from the kids rooms to chew on or the attempts at nibbling their food, he is wonderful with the kids. Couldn't of asked for a gentler dog for them. And it's so cute to watch them all interact. Especially when he's trying to keep up Maddie, running along side of her with his legs that are probably shorter than Lilly's. I love that as soon as we walk through the door he is happily there to greet us. I think it's so cute that he knows when it's bed time and follows us to the bedroom to lay down on his bed that is right next to ours. While this dog makes me repeat "Oh Marley, why?" several times a day... I think we'll all be just fine. He is the 7th member of our already crazy family!

Updating My Blog

Fantasy-ish!!!, originally uploaded by stephgallipeau.

So I've been MIA from the blogging world lately due to the joys of mother & wife-hood. I've been working on my photography and editing skills also. With the weather getting warmer I have more opportunities to get out and take more pictures. So with that I really plan on giving my blog a little more tlc too. So if youre by chance a reader and I'm not just "talking" to myself on here, I'd love to hear from ya.

My "Little" 8 Year Old

My "Little" 8 Year Old, originally uploaded by stephgallipeau.

Wrote on 5.18.09 : At this time (about 10am) 8 years ago, I laid in a hospital bed in labor 17 years old and terrified! I really had no idea how I was going to take care of a child, I was still one myself. But 9 months earlier I had to make the biggest decision of my life when I found out I was pregnant at 16. And if I had to go back and do it again, I wouldnt change my decision. Yeah, life hasn't been easy, but it hasnt been terribly bad either. I know that I was brought into this world to become a mom and even though I had a very early start to motherhood I have loved EVERY moment of it. Eight years ago when I sat in that bed I had so much support. A lot of which I still have to this day and I am so thankful for. My parents have been my backbone (even with the sighs I hear everytime i say "guys, Im pregnant again!") No matter who has come and gone in my life they have never given up on me and im sure there were times when they could have. And this is what I have tried to do and plan on always doing for my four beautiful children. I have learn what it is to be a good parent from them and I hope they know how much I do appreciate them. Eight years ago I had been alive in this world for 17 years but it wasn't until 6 o' clock pm on May 18th 2001 when I first held my goregous baby boy Dylan that I began living. That kid is one of the smartest, most creative, sweetest little boys I've ever know and I am so proud to be his mom. I am greatful everyday I wake up to his cute smile and have to yell at him to stop watching cartoons and get ready for school! He's my only boy and no matter how much he can drive me crazy.. I love that boy more than anything else. And within the 8 years that I gave birth to him I have given him 3 sisters whom I love just as equally. I have everything I want in life. I have four amazing kids, an amazing husband - who if I might remind you is only the biological father to one of my children but loves and take care of the other 3 as his own and considers them just as much his children as his own- and I have a great family. I couldn't be happier. And it all started with a scared teenager laying in a hospital bed holding a beautiful bundle of joy who was named Dylan Wesley B. Mommy loves you bubba. I hope you have a wonderful birthday!

Spring is Here

Or atleast it is some days. Here in KCMO you get all 4 seasons within one week most of the time. So on one of our "spring days" I got outside to shoot the only flowers we got growing so far in our backyard. Do they still count as flowers if they are growing out of a tree? I don't know, but I still think they're pretty. And I think I got some nice shots. The first few are of my oldest daughter Kayleigh. Enjoy.

Life's Been Hectic

So I've been a little busy with my four children to keep up with my blog or even my photo challenge but here and there I get a chance to take some pictures of my kiddos and today I finally got all six of us to sit down and pose for a few family shots. My life is so full and I am truely blessed. These five people drive me crazy but at the same time I'd go crazy without them. Anywho here are some recent shots of my family.

Meet Lilly

After 9 long months the newest addition to our family has finally arrived. Lillian Danielle was born on Feb 25 2009 @ 8:21 in the evening. She was 8lbs 2oz of pure beauty and perfection! We are all in love with her and couldn't ask for more. Our family feels so complete and happy. I can not wait to see the wonderful person she will grow to be. Here is a quick picture of her at 4 1/2 days old. Look for many more to come in the future!

Just a Shot to Share

Playing with my 22 month old daughter, my 50mm 1.8 lens, and textures. This is what I came up with. I like it... what about you?

Week 6/52 - Botanical Feb

So before I got this weeks photo done, I was wondering where in the world I was going to find flowers in Feb. to take pictures of. Well last night when my wonderful husband came home from work he had bought me 2 dozen red and pink roses for Valentines Day. So this morning I got up and was able to do the assignment for this week. So enjoy!



And because my roses are SO beautiful, here are a couple more shots!

Playing Catch Up

Over the last couple of weeks we've been in the process of moving so I haven't had access to the internet, however I have been keeping up on the 52 week challenge. So now that we are all settled in to our new home and have my internet back I can post the pictures for last couple of weeks. Enjoy!

Week 4/52 - Water ... what better than rubber duckies to add fun to a water shot!

Week 5/52 - Sports... a little good ole bowling! This is probably my favorite shot from my daughters birthday bowling party. I love her stance and the motion blur around her arms.

More of Downtown KC

Just thought I'd share a few more shots from my outting today!