Parker Ryan

Remember this belly?


Meet the little man who was hiding inside.

Parker Ryan came 7 weeks early, weighing a whopping 5 lbs! He's got a name for the NFL and so far he's cut out to follow in his daddy's footsteps. Parker is the healthiest (and cutest) premature infant I've ever had the pleasure of knowing. He has such a calm demeanor and saying that he adores his mamma is a huge understatement. I had such a pleasant experience photographing this little one. Austin and I just love him to bits, and I was so fortunate to have some time alone with him and his mommy to take pictures. He looks so much like his dad, I can't wait to grab a couple of shots with the two of them together. Congrats you guys! We couldn't be happier for you. Parker is such a blessing.

Thanks for popping in.

xoxo Liz xoxo

Academy walks

Austin and I often take walks at the Naval Academy here in Annapolis. These days, he's the one walking me. Just a few months ago, I was pushing him around in his stroller, total role reversal, I guess this is just the beginning of that... I may not get the desired workout when we go now, but I sure am wiped out chasing after this guy for a couple hours.


Hope you enjoy the pictures!

Love, Liz

Have we forgotten?

My brother is a Tulane University alumni, and I believe he found his soul while studying down in New Orleans. I wonder if it weren't for him, would I have already forgotten about all that happened when Katrina hit, all the struggle and heartache that city has gone through since then and the uphill climb they still have in front of them?

It's hard for me to follow the news everyday and often both my husband and brother are my eyes to the world outside building blocks and toy trains. I know the media has significantly slowed it's coverage in New Orleans, in essence dimming the 'Katrina Disaster' light shown to the country. Because we are such a media driven country, we turn our attention to Paris Hilton in jail and Katie Holmes second pregnancy.

I know I am as much to blame for being complacent as the next person. In my heart I know there are things we can all do to help the people of New Orleans. My brother sent me this graphic novel on New Orleans and Hurricane Katrina. Even in the smallest way, I hope this blog post helps, that maybe it reminds us all and maybe hurts the heart a little and makes you want to do something more again.

I know many of you are helping and are probably reading this thinking 'how dare she assume no one's doing anything!' Well let us know what you're doing and how the rest of us can help by leaving a comment here on my blog for the hundreds of readers who frequent my site on a daily basis, although small it will make an impact.

Thanks all for stopping by! Love to all, Liz

Sprouting up

Austin is growing so fast! I measured him a month ago and he was 36". Today I measured him at 38". No wonder the poor guy is so cranky these days! I took this picture of him today, he looks so much like a big kid, it breaks my heart. Just goes to show you, no matter how hard you try to not rush through the 'little' stage, there's no stopping them from growing into big boys.

I can't decide who he looks like in this picture, Chris or I? Let me know what you think.

Love to all, Liz

Wyoming Days

Austin and I returned to his birthplace, Cheyenne, WY over the weekend. We went to surprise one of my dearest friends Mary and her family as two of her three amazing children (can't call them kids anymore) graduated, one from high school the other from college. So we decided we just could not miss the party and headed on out to the wild west.

Here are the pictures I took on my camera (actually it's Chris', I left mine at home this time). I'm hoping to get pictures form the many other photographers I spent the weekend with, including lovely Miss Beth (her camera rocks, I had a ton of fun with it this weekend) and the great photographer who now sits at my old desk in my old office, Shelly.

Beth, Sam and sweet little Reagan put up with our shenanigans this weekend, lord bless them, and thank them. They are truly so giving and such wonderful hosts. Thanks so much guys for letting us crash your pad!

Austin playing with "kitty" Sophie. She's a small pup who makes up for her size in personality, I cried laughing many times at this sweet little dog over the few days we were there.

We had a lunch date with Miss Kenlie and her mommy Jaimel. Jaimel and I were coworkers and revisited our usual lunch joint, Guadalajara's.

Please Lord, please ask these people to take down the Christmas lights from our old home. And tell those girls to quit smoking out my baby's nursery window.


A web log reunion! Tammi, Beth and I out at the stadium. Tammi took part in the Walk for Life. Great job Tammi!

Austin and Evan playing in the parking lot dirt at the stadium. These two have a lot in common, not only are they the stars of oh so popular blogs, they were born 3 days apart!

Tanner, Evan and Austin having snack time. Evan and Tanner are great at sharing!

Austin playing ball with Mary! I couldn't get over how green everything was. Typically it's all brown and dried up by June.

After a great breakfast with our friends Bo and Barbara, I took Austin over to the Depot. This was the only train to be found at the 'Cheyenne Depot Days Festival.' A little disappointing, but Aussie had so much fun all the same! 'Look out for the broken beer bottle by that choo-choo buddy!'

The Fahrer clan at Luke and Erin's graduation party. I think little Brady dropped his soda cup.

Austin and Brady painting Aunt Mary's fence with water.

Austin enjoying a piece of Luke's graduation cake. It went in and came out the same color blue, quite an interesting diaper experience.

A visit with Austin's all time favorite baby-sitters, Priscilla and Frank. It was so great spending some time with them and Sandy. Hope to see you all again soon.

Roses are Red! mama

We are back in town! After a few days spent with great friends in Wyoming, Austin and I have returned home. He's been having a rough time sleeping lately so today was just a day to catch up and clean up at home. We have a packed schedule the next few weeks with birthday parties, aunt Karen's visit and a surgery!

I'll post pictures of the trip just as soon as I get my camera empty! Hope you're all doing great and as always, thanks for checking in on us.

Love Liz and the crew

P.S. Don't you just love the rose Austin picked for me? What a guy.

My favorite

This right here, is the absolute best. Nothing in the world could top it. All these pictures were taken within a matter of a minute. Our little guy is growing up so fast and has so much love and laughter to share these days. Chris and Austin took turns tickle-torturing one another, I was so glad to see that Austin can now 'fight' back. He's a lucky guys though, has the best daddy I know!

ahh! ha ha ha.....

hahaha.....

ahhhhhh, ahha!

'okay da-da let me breath!'

'Payback is a dirty diaper, huh dada?'

Chris - 'he laughs like me!'

'hold on bud, let's go get mommy'

'kiss-kiss'

'gentle puppy'

Sweet Hannah is the love of all our lives.

Delightful

I was delighted and so thankful to photograph my friend and her daughter (Austin's 'girlfriend'). They're both so beautiful and so easy to photograph, it was just a fabulous afternoon. Ava absolutely adores her baby (or belly) and she was very entertaining throughout the entire shoot. Thanks so much ladies, for letting me photograph you both! I can't wait to meet baby-baby in a few weeks and photograph her/him.

Love to all, Liz

Tomato!

Austin and I had a little date if you will at the park this evening. I brought him there with the hope to capture his 2-year pictures outside. We started off great! Lighting was perfect, but it was a bit hot. We went for a stroll and just like his daddy, Austin heats up fast, and just like his momma, the second he gets the slightest bit warm he starts to resemble a tomato.... poor baby. I didn't get the exact pictures I wanted, but the ones I did get are pretty priceless.

So we cut out of there and went for a joy ride to the ice cream place, thought we could both use a good cool down. All in all I had a great date with my little man.

"Na-na!" Anytime he finds a stick he thinks Hannah would enjoy, he'll pick it up and start calling for her, even if she's 5 miles away inside out house.

Compliments of our great friend Loraine,
Austin's new fav' toy is his train Scarlouey.

I just love this picture. I think a bird caught his eye.

"ye-yo" If there's anything yellow in sight, don't worry, you won't miss it. Austin's on top of pointing out everything yellow these days, including the car down the street, must get that from his uncle Kev.

And another new favorite train, the moo-ing milk cart from memere. Austin adds his own little sound effects when playing with it. He has also taken a liking, or should I say passion, for playing atop tables.

Our little man is growing so fast. We walked around the grounds a bit, I think that's what made him so hot. Not to mention it was 90 here today.

The walk resulted in this sweet little tomato face. Don't ya' just want to eat him?