Seriously. I can't stop singing 'kid songs,' it was over a week ago that I let Magnolia play with the tablet on kids mode; she likes to play videos and listen to the same songs, over and over again.
When I really need some time to make dinner, or just a break from playing with her all day, I break out the tablet and let her play games. Then, while she is playing, I suffer through, "Hold Still, Wiggle-wiggle-wiggle, GO!" and "I don't wanna go slow, I go fast" while I try to cook dinner.
Then, apparently for the next month, the price to pay for making dinner was wake up singing these songs, going to sleep singing these songs; over and over, I sing these songs. Because I am a big dork, I will break into song and dance at random times with these silly songs, which really cracks Magnolia up, but it reminds me that I am in full-on 'mom' mode now. All about baby, all the time.
Blogging: I love it. I love reading blogs nad I love writing them. Its one of my favorite hobbies, and the best way for me to clear my head of all the stuff I am trying to balance.
Stream of consciousness writing is what I enjoy, and I know you're thinking, 'Oh, how very Virginia Woolf of you,' right? She IS one of my inspirations, but picking back up this blog is directly related to one of my new favorite bloggers Kelli Hampton. You can find her blog here. But it was this post, which inspired me to continue blogging, and myself and documenting my life as a mama: one who works from home, takes care of a little spitfire named Magnolia and attempts to enjoy my creative outlets of photography, hiking, music and loving life! I've been writing here, on and off, since 2007 and you've seen my interests change, my hobbies grow into full time jobs and shared in our adventures, and I am eager to continue that again.
Being a parent is hard; being a work from home mother is even harder. I struggle juggling a very part time job (that we need) and a very busy, fussy, strong-willed baby. I usually feel like I am not doing enough with her, while I am trying to get work done, then feed her, take a walk, clean up our messes from play, cooking dinner, etc. And then there is naptime. The time when my blood pressure rises and I seriously wonder why we had children. Naptime. I love it. I hate it. My child doesn't sleep well. Refuses to nap, and pretty much will scream in her crib for hours on end if we'd let her. Yes, we have tried every method, I have read every book; we leave her to cry, we ferberize her, we don't let her cry and continually go into comfort her, I nurse her, change her, snuggle her, nothing works. Right now we are in a rut, where she refuses her morning nap, even though she is tired; and she only takes 1 nap during the day, which lasts exactly 60 minutes. Sixty minutes, that is all I have in my 11 hour day to take a break from hollering and screaming and demanding my time. 60 minutes to clean up, to try to finish work, to rest. Its not enough for me, and its certainly not enough for her. She gets up from this 1 hour nap cranky, and proceeds to get crankier as the afternoon goes on, and this continues right until bedtime. It-is-hard.
Who doesn't love a little daddy, daughter photo, especially one thats outside, in the sunset?
I have always been inspired by the beauty in nature. Mountain landscapes, scenic lakes and rivers, wild animals, and the changes the seasons brings each with it's own beauty make me want to snap endless photos.
This page offers a collection of my favorite photos.
While in Michigan, I got to do a family photo shoot with my sister in law who is also a photographer, Magnolia, cousin Amy, cousin Aleecia, Josh and I, Nena (gramma) and some friends Brian and Rachel. We had a great time and got a ton of great shots, I have added several of my favorites here. The light was just perfect for the shots, if only Magnolia could be as interested in the camera as our niece Aleecia is.
The sun was setting and it was just cool enough to be bearable as we set up our props and started snapping shots. Even the animals were interested in what we were doing and they came out to check us out, a mother deer with her two fawns complete with spots, a baby squirrel and another deer from the other side of the tracks popped out to say 'hi.' It was a beautiful sight and made for great photos and memories.
Josh, Magnolia and I spent a half of a month in Michigan this June/July and while I was there, I was lucky enough to meet up with a friend from elementary and middle school for a photoshoot of her kids! Mary and her two kiddos, Joe and Ann met me at Mrs. Stocks Park in Hillsdale, Michigan for a session on a bright and sunny day! Immediately, I could see the shadows everywhere and I loved including the shadow of every object into my shots! The kids ran around in the beautifully landscaped scenery of the park, which, if it was in Colorado, would be packed with people and dogs, yet its nearly empty each time I have been here. A gem for a photo shoot!
