chelsey paul photography

Country Love (Alexandria Children's Photographer)

Riah is now three and a half and Thad is sixteen months! Gone are the days of bottles and wobbly infant necks (oh I miss them), but now we are embracing the busy busy day's with two toddlers whom are very different but both very needy in their own ways! These were taken at 7:30 p.m. by my parents farm in Osakis, MN as we were getting ready to head back to the cities. I love that this impromptu photo shoot has become some of my favorite photos of the kids. 

Nolan and Jonas turn 2!(Minneapolis Children's Photograher)

These busy boys kept us on our toes, but the pictures turned out amazing! 

Bryn and Owen's Sneak Peek!(Minneapolis Children's Photographer)

*(I apologize in advance for misspelling of the kids' names!)

A gorgeous day with a gorgeous family equals amazing pictures! Enjoy your sneak peek while I edit the rest!

What the cleft?

It's been one year and two months since Thaddaeus had his lip repair, a little over nine months since his palette and two since his first cleft team visit and ear tubes. 

The time has flown and now he's grown to be such a vivacious happy little man that is talking, crawling around like a pirate on a wooden peg leg and learning how to do adorable things, like blow kisses! 

There are some days when I forget that he had a cleft lip and palette, mainly because I would have loved him regardless, but the struggles we did, do and will have seem small. Small to me because when I do things for him, like SHOUT so he can hear how a word is properly pronounced before his tubes. Or learn how to work a Haberman nipple like a fast gun slinger so he can gulp it down in five min, or patiently feed him pureed foods till after one year of age, slowly adding chunks, until he can tolerate "things" in him mouth (he had an oral aversion for a while). I don't look at these things as a problem or hinderance, I see them as small steps to a greater reward, part of the daily hustle and bustle. Learning to adjust to make it easier for him, more comfortable so that one day he'll know that being who he is and the way he was born, was never a hinderance or problem. That he was handsome from the very start. That's the thing that actually worries me the most out of everything that I could possibly worry about with his surgeries, procedures and check ups... will he love the way he is? Does he know that no matter what, that I am here and always will be. 

I love you Thaddaeus. 

Meet the in-laws

Without saying too much, just keep my mother inlaw in your prayers. She was told that she has a type of cancer that I may or may not reveal here later. Prince and I will be joining her today for her biopsy appointment and will know more then.

This past weekend after realizing that we actually have no recent pictures of Prince's side of the family, we did a photoshoot with yours truly. However, being the photographer and being in the photos are challenging and I hate everyone I am in. That and I should not have worn a jersey knit dress on a windy day.
Oh and the three year olds were such stinkers yesterday!

Family Photo

Andrea had this awesome site posted on her facebook page and I sat for a good twenty minutes laughing so hard it prompted Riah to see what I was laughing at. She of course saw this photo as no laughing matter:

She then proceeded to jump and down and dance around, I could literally see this HUGE AMAZING IDEA leaking from her ears, the conversation went like this:

Riah, " Mommy Mommy Mommy Mommy Mommy Mommy (this is no exaggeration) Mommy You can be Pooh and Daddy can be the donkey and Thaddaeus can be Tiger and I can be Rabbit.

No! Thad can be the Heffalump and then we can capture him! Please! No wait...I can be the Heffalump and Thad can be piglet, but you Mommy are Pooh and Daddy the donkey. "

(dancing, hoping, sputtering...)

"WE HAVE TO DO THIS! GO SHOPPING! PLEASE! PLEASE MOMMY PLEASE MOMMY WE HAVE TO DO THIS!"

What do you say internet? Should we do this?

Overcast= Great light

Does not equal willing toddler. Nope. She would not give me a decent smile or look, just silly ones. I even tried bribing with ice cream! Okay well maybe the last one... but I really wanted a nice one in the daisies!

Easy Guacamole and Mango Peach Salsa

I wanted to start sharing my recipes with you all because I do enjoy cooking and baking and am admittedly pretty good at it. I just haven't ever posted due to lack of time, but guess what! I am making time. These were per request of Megan and I know you will all enjoy them too! So let's say every Friday I share a recipe, that way I won't bombard you with too many and you also will then have the weekend to try them for your families and friends!

So here they are to add a tangy side to your holiday weekend cooking (pictures will be later.)

Chunky Guacamole

Makes about two cups, we always double.

2 ripe avocados (soft)

1 large plum tomato

1 jalapeno pepper (minced)

2 tablespoons fresh lime juice (or one lime)

2 tablespoons chopped green onion

2 tablespoons chopped cilantro

11/2 teaspoons ground cumin

1/2 teaspoons salt

2 tablespoons olive oil 

Scoop out avocados, put in medium bowl and mush slightly (or to desired consistency.)

Dice tomato and add to avocados along with the jalapeno. In a small bowl whisk together lime juice, green onion, cilantro, cumin and salt. Whisk in oil. Add to avocado mix. Taste. Add more salt if needed. Serve immediately or cover and refrigerate. 

Eat with chips or on a grilled chicken sandwich or burger. For my vegetarian friends try between two tortilla shells with shredded cheese and melt for 30 seconds in the microwave, a yummy guacamole quesadilla!

Mango Peach Salsa

 

1 large, ripe mango

1/4 cup chopped red onion

1 small lime, squeezed all juice used

1/2 teaspoon lime zest

2 small peach, or 1 large (if out of season, canned works)

2 teaspoons chopped cilantro

1 teaspoon finely minced serrano chile pepper

1 plum tomato

salt

Peel the mango and dice. Dice peach and tomato, add to mango. Add onion, lime juice, lime zest, cilantro,  and serrano. Mix well. Taste and season with salt if needed. 

Also tastes amazing over fish such as halibut, cod or shrimp and also excellent over grilled chicken!

I promise you that buying guacamole and salsa are a waste of money and when made homemade taste so much better and are more cost efficient, plus you know exactly what is in them!

Oh and they are healthy...by my standards anyways.

Tomorrow (because it's a long weekend)....homemade Sangria!! 

Around my garden...

Danza!

Danza is growing so fast! An amazing little girl that now stands up and shuffles around furniture like a pro! I am bummed that the weather wasn't very warm for more than a couple outdoor shots, but on my next trip home we'll sneak some in!

How stinkin' cute is this tutu??