Starting over. Asking for help...

Well, I've been bad at updating... no doubt about that.

I have a super sad update about the pictures. None of them are able to be recovered. I sent the hard drive to a very reputable recovery company in Boston and paid them a $200 evaluation fee. The evaluation was supposed to take 3-4 business days. I waited 6 days - and then emailed them to check on the status. At that time, the emailed me back and said they'd been able to get the drive to start, but they were still unable to get any data off of it. They had replaced some parts on it and had other new parts on order to try for it. Another week plus went by with no word. I knew deep down that things were not looking good. But it was Saturday this weekend when I got the final email that indicated all work had been stopped on the drive as after nearly 3 weeks and many new parts, they were unable to recover anything. I am so so super sad. I cried. I cried a lot. I lost so many pictures that can not be recreated - I am not only sad, but also mad at myself. I am mad that I didn't back them up anywhere else. I am mad that I took so many pictures, yet printed off so few. I am sad that those last few pictures from a couple months ago taken with Grandma Brown are gone. I am sad that all of Dawn's baby shower pictures are gone. I am sad that all of Megan's bridal shower pictures are gone. I am sad that Laura's first birthday pictures are gone. Each day, I think of other "ooh, I loved that picture" moments. I only hope that those precious pictures that I flipped through time and time again on the screen can be remembered in my head - but sad that they are in my head - and will never be shared by anyone else.

I am thankful that I have scrapped a lot of pictures from 2003-2006. I scrapped (almost all) of my pregnancy with Laura. I scrapped January 2008-May 2008. Rachel and Eric have copies of a lot of the cruise pictures. Laura's birth and first month is on cd, THANK GOODNESS! And then I can retrieve anything that is on the blog too. ...so we do have a few pictures, but nothing compared to the probably 8-10K that I've taken since going digital.

I ask that anyone who has ANY pictures of Laura - PLEASE SEND THEM TO ME! I will be getting some 2gb usb drives to give to a few people that I know probably have quite a few (Aunt Megan, Aunt Amy, Rachel)... The other people that I'm thinking may have some are:
Doris - do you have any from last July at Aunt Karen's house with Laura and Andy playing with the chalk in the driveway or swimming in the pool that day? Did you get the camera out when they took their bath together that evening? Do you have any from the family reunion? I know you had your camera - but did you happen to snap any of Andy and Laura together in the tent?
Megan - red boots this Christmas, ... not sure what else you have, but I'm sure you have a few!
Amy - I'm thinking - Mason's Christening? Christmas 2007 at your house with the kids opening gifts and the three of them on the couch? Do you have the three kids on the bench from Mason's party last summer? What about any pool pictures from Grandma's house from the summer picnics - I'm thinking maybe you have a 4 generation picture (hopefully!)? And ANY thing from Laura's birthday party - did you have the camera out when the kids were playing on the slide out back - I have the 4 generation pic on our fridge :) Thanks.
Christie - did you have your camera out at Thanksgiving this year? Remember Caden and the girls running up and down the hallway?
Laura - (Not even sure if you check this blog!) - but I know you had your camera at Laura's birthday party!
Jenna - how about those pigtail pictures :) Do you want to just email them to me?
Lori - I think you probably have some from Bella's party this year - I already scrapped her party from last year :)
Rachel - do you have any from apple picking in the fall? or any from last year's july 5th party? or any others from the muchkins having fun together? Logan's birthday from this year?
Jen - thanks for already sending me the few that you had!

Did I forget anyone? If you happen to have any pics, please please pretty please let me know!

Oh, and take this as a learning lesson and back up your photos!!!

Random picture entry...

Lovin' the new sand box :) ... see the pretty pink toenails? We painted those hoping it'd help her learn a new color. Didn't help. She did enjoy showing them off to everyone though! The ladies in the bank told her how pretty her shoes were and when she was insistently pointing to her toes, I hinted to them that she was showing off her pretty toes - she was such a ham!

Mommy said...
DON'T throw the sand... oh well!

A work day at Great Grandpa's house...
Showing everyone that she knows where her "nose" is!

Oooh! Look how big cousin Neleh is getting!
Dirty girl taking a break from working...
Don't forget your gloves or you'll get blisters.
Mmm...another break. This time a cookie break with Papa!
See? I told you she helped! Look how dirty she is! And proud of it to boot!
Mmm... fast food. We don't go too often, but this was a need dinner fast night and she loved the ketchup! No fries needed. A finger is a great scooping tool.

Mmm... who wants kisses?

Bathtime!