For A Moment Photography

Best Pediatric Urgent Care

 

What a crazy few days it has been and of course my Lil' one got sick.  We spend a (sleepless) night in Prescott, I had a family to photograph.  She was fine during the day but a few hours after bedtime she woke up crying.  From there she woke up crying about once an hour.  Today she was pretty good just really tired.

I was worried it was an ear infection and decided to take her to urgent care as soon as we arrived back in the valley.  A few weeks ago we ended up at the ER- Halloween or not I was not going thru that nightmare again (7.5 hrs).  My pediatrician suggested, Sun Valley Pediatric Urgent Care.

What a great experience.  The location is on Chandler and McClintock (they have another on Stapley and Baseline)...  Once we got there we only had about a 25 to 30 minute wait.  The place was clean and decorated with bugs and animals.  

We started taking a stuffed animal of Presley's with her to Doctor visits and they both get examined (stuffed toy first- works out great).  She is pretty excited to play Doctor and doesn't get too worked up...  Anyway, both the nurse and Doctor examined puppy.  The Doctor walked in (made eye contact) greeted us and interacted so well with Presley.  

Once ruling out the ear infection he needed to check the back of her throat (and get a swab).  He instructed me how to hold her (after checking puppy first) and quickly checked her throat with one of those tongue compressors.  He took the sample (to check for strep) and said he would be back with results in 10 minutes.  Not long after that (shorter then 10 minutes) he came back with a freeze pop and results (not strep).  The nurse also popped back in to give Presley a trick or treat bag (puzzle, play-dough and a few candies).

The Doctor returned again with a Rx and wanted to show us her throat.  He had the nurse hold Presley as he showed us.  I thought she may freak out knowing what to expect and having a stranger hold her, but no.  She held still and then once it was done wanted her freeze pop again...  It was such a pleasant experience, quickly done and the staff was really good with Presley. 

I will return here, if need be in the future.  I may pass a few other offices along the way but the experience here (and short wait time) is worth the drive.  

www.foramomentphotography.com

  

Twins

 

Presley and Jonas

 

My brother Vincent and I

Today Presley's cousin Jonas came over to play.  They are 6 weeks apart, (Presley's older).  Jonas is the son of my twin brother.  I always love watching them together, I can't help but imagine that's what my twin and I looked like together...  

I've always had people ask me while I was growing up what it's like having a twin.  I was never sure how to answer that because I don't know what it's like not to have a twin...  Had we been identical or him a girl, I may of had a better answer (we never had the same love interest).  I do know that being a twin was a big part of who we were growing up.  We were always referred to as "the twins"...  

With Presley and Jonas I feel lucky to see the two of them together. 

www.foramomentphotography.com

Homemade Chili

I am loving the weather right now!  Last night I cracked several of our windows open (nothing on the main floor) and woke up to a crisp cool house.  I decided shortly after getting the weather forecast I was going to make some chili.  

I decided to share one of my recipes (from Trader Joe's).  It's pretty fool proof and really easily done...  In the recipe you can adjust to your liking.  I put canned beans on the recipe but homemade pinto beans are great too, white kidney beans, or black beans.  If you don't feel like baking the chicken breast on your own buy Trader Joe's "Just Chicken" it's all ready cooked and cut.  

Allow to simmer for at least an hour to two, the longer you leave it on the better.  I kept mine on from 2:00 to 6:30PM, the house smelled great!  Before you serve add a little cheese on top and of course a little bread for dipping- yum...

  

www.foramomentphotography.com

The Shy One

 

 

 

My most recent photo session was of this lil' cutie.  She started out as my most shy subject yet, but we gave her a little room and wow...  She was a sweetheart (as you can see) and she had these eyes that just drew me in.  I had an expectation of being a bit further back and capture more of a "scene".  However, I loved her eyes and I kept finding myself pulling in... 

Seeing her shyness disappear in the photos is a fun experience.  I think it makes  the session even more rewarding for me, who doesn't love a challenge? 

www.foramomentphotography.com

Tranquil

 

 

Ahh, to slip away to Mexico again just for a night.  Or maybe I need one of those soothing sound CD's?...  Instead I'll be behind my computer working on photos.  I'm pretty excited about the latest photos session!  However, like the rest I won't be able to share any (photos for holiday cards).  Instead I thought I would just post a few tranquil photos to enjoy (from what ever part of the country you're in).

www.foramomentphotography.com

The Fall

 

 

 

This evening I decorated the house (or at least started) for fall.  I usually do this at night when Presley is in bed so she will be surprised in the morning.  I hope she likes it, I think tomorrow the two of us will do a little decorating together.  

Every year at this time I start to get a little grouchy, I usually blame the weather (it doesn't feel like fall- everything is still brown).  I've decided I'm going to stop complaining about the weather, and life being crazy because honestly who's life isn't?  Right now the trees (somewhere) are changing colors shedding the old (with grace) and moving on.  This is going to be me too!

I'm going to roll down the windows and let the fun in! (Direct quote from a high school friend Kyle, always makes me smile)...  Who would of thought decorating for fall would be so enlightening?

www.foramomentphotography.com

Beach Photos

 

 

This past weekend we went to Rocky Point, Mexico with friends.  Of course I took my camera and did a mini photo session of the kids and families while we were there.  I love the natural lighting of the beach...  Since returning home I have spent just about all my free time on the computer working on the photos...

I love love the photos of the girls in the water with their dresses on.  It took Presley a bit to warm up to the idea she eventually forgot about the wet dress it is now her "mermaid dress"...  We got them all (the dresses) on the spur of the moment that afternoon from a beach vendor.  I didn't realize then how much of a focus they would become in the photos- lucky me!

www.foramomentphotography.com

Arizona Pumpkin Patch

 

Not the pumpkin picking outfit I had in mind.  She loves her "mermaid dress".

 

 

Did you expect any other color?  

Today we had a field trip with Presley's preschool, we went to McDonald's Ranch to pick pumpkins.  I had never been there before so I was excited, hay rides, pony rides, hay maze, petting zoo and of course pumpkins patch.  Let me start by saying, Presley had a great time and that is all that matters.

The weather was in the high 80's (by 10AM) so not exactly the weather you expect for fall (unless you live in the desert- ugh).  So that sort of put a damper on the morning...  Presley was a little overwhelmed to be around all the kids (from all classes) and wanted to be held (I as unable to get a pick of her and her pumpkin).  But there is good news!

They had several dozen horses, very pretty and she was in heaven petting them.  They did offer pony rides for free (just tip the handler) Presley got on the horse but would not ride it (just a small loop)...  The petting zoo had bunnies, goats and a few hens.  She loved the bunnies and we spent just as much time with the bunnies as we did petting horses.

We did take the hay ride to get our pumpkin, it's pretty dusty so I would recommend shoes with socks (no crocs) and a hat.  There were a few things we saw other kids do that we did not do, roping, sack races and some sort of golf.  There is a nice bathroom and they sell, soda and water and you're welcome to bring your own food and eat lunch there.

The admission is $6 for Adults $3 for kids and $6 for a pumpkin.  I think it's worth it and would go again, with nicer weather.

www.foramomentphotography.com

Live Music

 

Tonight was a guitar lesson/sing along session on the patio.  The blur you see is Presley, she got to stay up a lil' pass bedtime (never a good thing)...  Good friends and good music (Johnny Cash, John Denver and Guns' n Roses).

I love how music can transform a moment into a memory.

www.foramomentphotography.com

  

Farm's Market

 

I am so excited to say Tempe has it's own Farmer's Market!  I have watched the work on the building going on for several months now.  I was envisioning a fun new funky restaurant, but this is even better.  We did not have a grocery store within walking distance (well, Rollins but it's the other direction).  I've been missing the days of when we lived a block from Whole Foods (I miss their croissants too)...  

It is located on University and Farmer so I am thinking we might bike ride over (decision, decisions).  University can be pretty crazy.  I love being out and about in the neighborhood with Presley and being apart of all the commotion going on (but loud fast cars stink).  The new Market is just one more thing to draw us out and about.  

www.foramomentphotography.com