need help choosing a name...

Playing with low flash, originally uploaded by bundleboo.

I am trying to come up with a name... heres what I have so far.

RGonzalez photography
LIFE by RGonzalez photos
LIFE by RGonzalez
Charming Life Photos
Charmed life photography
the sweetest things
sweet capture
at a glance
just a peek

I don't know... Andy keeps telling me to keep my name... if you agree... should it be

RGonzalez photography
Becky Gonzalez Photography
Rebekah Gonzalez Photography
photos by Becky

I know, im obsessed... any help would be appreciated. Thanks guys!!!!!!

My fav from today

, originally uploaded by bundleboo.

I just had to post this picture of Max...one of my favorites from today.

Road Trip

, originally uploaded by bundleboo.

Today we decided to get out of the house as a family and go Altoona PA to see horse shoe curve... one of Max's favorite places. However after driving almost 3 hours we found that the place was closed for the season. To our credit, Andy did check the website and it seemed that everything was on schedule before we left. Even the local train museum was closed for the season as well. So we made the best of it by watching the diesel trains shuffle freight cars back and forth at the local train yard.... it was worth the trip just to see how excited they were about this. (see my photostream for a few more Artsy pics from today)

Max has been really relaxed since Andy and I have taken more of the tension off of ourselves. The trick is not falling back into old habits. He and I just remind each other to keep a kind tone... there are other ways of getting thru frustration than yelling. Just a gentle reminder from one another is all it takes. The funny thing is, I don't con cider myself a yeller... and I have taken pride in the fact that I use gentle discipline more often than not... however after years of day in and day out craziness... I have degraded to something that I hoped I would never become... a frazzled, frustrated, high anxiety mommy... and I single out my son with this frustration which isn't fair to him at all. I feel really good about the steps we are taking right now to make a better and less stressful life for everyone. I certainly don't think its too late at this point... I want my children to thrive...and love life.

Adventures in Baby Signing week 7

Yes, Yes I know...Im a paci pusher! And they are both in disposibles... Katy is almost done night training... and Lucy goes thru one diaper a day... so I saw less hassle with disposibles...and felt it wasn't that great of an impact on the enviornment.... we do still use cloth on occasion.

PreSpring fun

toenail jam, originally uploaded by bundleboo.

We couldn't help ourselves today...it was absolutely fantasticly wonderful day!!! ...lol...Yes, fantasticly is a word...my word. We went to a local park that we haven't been near since the fall. Max was itching to get his feet wet. Got into the water shoes on and everything... ended up slipping and planting his butt right into the water. So needless to say at that point I was like... "Max, are you cold... yes, well what better way to learn that mommy doesn't just tell you things for my own health.." ...(hehe)... "Mommy, I'm fine... I just want to play some more..." ... "Have at it!" They had a blast... I think kids know there limits... they have to have some freedom to grow and learn there own mistakes. We just have to be there to make sure they don't kill themselves.

BTW... no you cannot catch pneumonia from simply being wet and cold. (justifying that I'm not a bad mommy...lol)

Whats with all the poo talk?

choo choo, originally uploaded by bundleboo.

It seems that recently my older two are obsessed with poop. Every thing is about poop. Wait I have to share an embarassing moment that happened earlier today....lol..(blush) After I dropped Max off at preschool this morning...Katy, Lucy and I went for a stroll down the old town mall... While I was walking I decided to squeak one out...heck no one would notice and we were outside. Katy... you know...just at the right level noticed OF COURSE. ...lol... "MOMMY YOU TOOTED!!!! EWWWWWWWWW, IT SMELLS LIKE DOG POOP!!!"... oh someone just shoot me now. Becides the public poo talk... everything has something to do with poo. Max is a poo poo head... Lucy pooped... I tooted (katy's favorite to announce...followed by a loud EXCUSE ME!!)... why is poop so funny to these guys.

Anyway, I thought I would share.

I love this boy!

originally uploaded by bundleboo.

Recently I've been approached by teachers and family about Max's hyper and impulsive behavior. Exhausted and frustrated myself, I made another appointment with the behavior specialist to see what other "tools" we can use to help manage Max's crazy spurts. Andy and I are exhausted and are ready to try whatever it takes to help this sweet boy find some stability... mentally, emotionally, physically... so that we can all enjoy the benefits that he will reap from this. Of course like anyone.... he has his good days and his difficult days. He is of course entitled. However, on his difficult days the entire mood of the house is affected...and thus and endless cycle of negativity happens. My heart hurts for this sweet boy because by the end of the day all he has heard is negativity and anger from us. That really has to take a toll on his self esteem.

Today we discussed at length what we can do as parents to help him more. It came to our attention during this conversation that we have really not been as attentive as we thought. Since Katy has been born the behavior problems started...no doubt due to diminishing attention he was receiving... so he lashed out...I don't blame him. Max was an attached baby and toddler. (not a crib, stroller or playpen baby) We decided today that we will spend more close one on one time with him... give him a special mommy and daddy connection with out the interruption of the phone, siblings, computer or television.

Today was the first day in a long time where Max was top priority... (I know that sounds terrible) He was an ANGEL child. I know in a realistic world...Max cannot be the king of his domain. But if this is why he is having so many behavior issues... then I will take the time to put the baby down and give him my undivided attention. Andy is not comfortable at this point putting Max on some sort of behavior drug... I am indifferent at this point if Andy is going to help me make the changes that need to happen in his environment first.

I am not apposed anymore to a ADD or ADHD medication if it helps Max to find some peace. Ultimately if its a chemical imbalance that is affecting his quality of life... then he deserves some relief. I was on Ritalin for the duration of my childhood... and know for a fact that it helped me... however I disagree with the way I was removed from treatment. I am currently on a mild antidepressant (was predicted that I would probably end up on something if I truly had a chemical imbalance... you don't always grow out of it) I know if I miss a few days... its like watching someone else run my life... its weird and I don't like it... I feel helpless.

I hope to give Max a good running chance at feeling well, before we put him on a mood altering medication. Andy and I first have to make darn sure that we are doing our part.

NO IM THE PRINCESS!!!!

NO IM THE PRINCESS!!!!, originally uploaded by bundleboo.

I spent last night and most of today at my moms house. Oh my goodness...I didn't do anything but play with Lucy, read, and play with my camera...I even took a nap! It was like spa day...except my toes are still gross. I should do this more often.

My sister in law Ali, picked up some Hylands teething tablets at wegmans a few days ago. I haven't seen a difference yet... but I think she may also have an ear infection. I will keep using them, but I am taking her to the doctors tomorrow to get her ears checked.

I wanted to thank DREA from Uniquely placed (owner of http://www.touchedphotography.com ) for revamping my blog. I really look upto Drea for imput and feedback on my photography. She has done some work for Bundleboo and I have been following her blog for almost 18 months now... she is an exceptional photographer...and an even more exceptional mother. I asked Drea recently to mentor me thru this process. LOL.. I said something to her like... can you take me under your wing and give me the loads of criticizm that I need to grow and getter better at this... her follow up email was something along the lines of... SURE! Can I have you blogger login and password...trust me hehe... OOOOOKAY.. 30 mins later....taDA!!! I guess first things first. I do agree It needed a major overhaul.

Thank you so much Drea... by the way Drea does blog design and templates amonst many other things. Her work is fantastic!

Adventures in Baby Sign language week 6

Nana bear

Nana bear, originally uploaded by bundleboo.

I just wanted to do little blurb about my parents cat Sophie. This old lady is a cat that I grew up with... very dainty, sweet and beautiful... she very recently lost her companion Max...AKA: moose, tripod (lost his leg to bone cancer a few years ago). We call her nana after the sweet dog from the Disney movie peter pan. Growing up, nana would visit every ones room in the morning...in the order that we needed to be awake. She would sit on your chest and gently paw at your face until you woke up. When she was sure that you were awake she would leave and move onto the next person.