Pixel Overload

For the past many months there's been an issue with iPhoto on my laptop that makes it impossible for me to handle pictures on it. Instead I have to upload (or is it download?) them from the camera to the desktop in the basement office, then email them to myself.

Guess how many times I've actually done that?

Fortunately I've still been taking the pictures, and we have a massive card on our camera thanks to my photographically-inclined younger brother, so all our photos have just been sitting there on the camera.  But today I finally took the time to get them off it!

Can you see where this is going?

That's right! MASSIVE PHOTO POST AHEAD.

Blaise has grown up so much, you guys. I know it's a cliche, but I cannot BELIEVE how old he is.

 

And his sister! Three-and-a-half going on thirteen, I swear. (I am just full of cliches today! Chock full, you might even say!)

Camilla has always been our high-needs child, and age three has been trying, emotionally. She's got many moods and she switches among them quickly. 

I think someone told her that it's a woman's prerogative to change her mind. When I find that person, it will not be pretty.

What is pretty: my daughter herself. I'm biased, of course.

But I dare you to argue with me.

Camilla is fun too, of course. She's imaginative as anything and gets joy out of the tiniest things. I love getting the chance to give her a treat, just so I can watch her jump around with crazy excitement

And when things do get hard-intense with her, we have this guy to distract us with his antics.

That's the diaper box he's sitting in. When I bring the diapers up to stuff them and grab the box out of the cupboard, he always preempts it for play.

He adores being outside, and often stands by the door saying "Out! Out!" and frantically rubbing his chest in the sign for please. It's hard to resist.

 

He loves summer weather because of all the cold sweet things he's getting to try for the first time.

 

There are lots of cold sweet things. I won't say which parent is a pushover as far as treats are concerned.

(But it's not me.) (Usually.)

Living so hard wears him out. I can't blame him.

But no matter how exhausting, toddlerhood is awesome. As is three-year-old-hood.

Parenting right now? Intense, but so, so fun.

Comments

[Petroni]

Oh, they are so, so adorable!

[MelanieB]

Wow, You're right Blaise is so big and looks so much more like a little boy.And the crawling into boxes thing... Bella does that every chance she gets.

I love Camilla's blond curls. She's so sweet.

Yay for picture posts!

I've never been able to get the hang of making dandelion chains, which is a shame cause we have an overabundance of dandelions and I think my girls would look cute in them.

[Elsha]

Your kids are adorable! I especially love that picture of Camilla in the hat. Too cute.

[Charli]

Arwen, you have such beautiful children Awesome photos. :)

[Miriel]

I want to look like Camilla when I grow up.

[Christiana]

Wow, Camilla has really sprouted into a beautiful young lady already! What a cutie! And man, does Blaise look like YOU! He's a handsome little guy.

[healthy eating recipe]

lovely photo...kids all are cutiest.

[Jessica]

You think Blaise looks like Arwen, Christiana? Thats so funny because I was looking at the pictures thinking how Blaise looks like a little clone of Bryan. I've never met Arwen or any of her family, so maybe I'm wrong! What do you think, Arwen?

[Lisa]

I love to see that someone else out there is dealing with a high-energy, high-needs drama queen around age 3 and surviving. So glad to know that we can't count on the next one being the same, because I'm not sure I'd survive that. But, boy, are your kids cute!

[Danielle]

Hi Arwen,

I follow faith and family and I always enjoy your blog posts. We are expecting our fourth child in November and we are considering the name Blaise if our child is a boy. I haven't found much on St. Blaise. Can you tell me anything about him and/or why you chose the name for your son? I would really appreciate it. Your kids are so adorable! I loved looking at the pictures. P.S. sorry to post this on your blog feed, but I couldn't figure out a way to message you personally.

Danielle

[Arwen]

Danielle, thanks for asking! The truth is, I don't know anything about St. Blaise that you can't find by Googling. My husband and I just liked the name. And my due date with our baby Blaise was February 2nd, and St. Blaise's feast day is February 3rd, so it seemed appropriate. We've been really happy with his name, and I'm glad you like it! Good luck finding a name for your little guy. (Oh, and congratulations on the baby!)

[danielle]

thanks, Arwen!

Danielle

[Hayley Lawrence]

Not biased at all... your children are stunning! And the latest photos cetainly do show the growing!