I'm going to keep this one short & sweet today, because the weekend is calling...
Last night a wonderful old friend of mine invited me to go see an acoustic songwriter performance at Down Home Guitars in Frankfort. It was a last-minute, hey-whatcha'-doin' type of thing...but somehow, those spontaneous happenings are always the best, aren't they? So, I kissed Hayden goodnight, threw on some lipstick, & headed out.
I had no idea what to expect, being that this was a singer-songwriter performance in a guitar shop- which was totally uncharted waters for this gal. It turned out to be an amazing evening that strengthened a long-standing friendship & renewed my love for music.
The two performers were outstanding; Ed Anderson from Backyard Tire Fire, & Rorey Carroll. As I'm no expert on music or certainly critiquing it, I'm not going to try to describe these musicians here, but rather simply say that their performances were heartwarming & I truly enjoyed the evening. Check 'em out...they're well worth a listen.
I'm kicking myself for forgetting to grab the camera, especially considering I have a new 28mm 1.8 to play with, so you will simply have to let the music paint a picture for you!
Thanks for thinking of me, Ann. Can't wait for the next rendezvous!
(I certainly hope that BTF doesn't mind that I stole their newest song title for my post- it just seemed so fitting!)
Saturday, January 29, 2011
Monday, January 24, 2011
Ebb & Flow
Just a few weeks ago I was basking in the glow of Winter Break- being home with my babe, & enjoying family time. Fast forward a few moons, and here I sit, the only person awake in my house at 7:30 p.m. on a Monday. Work is in full-swing for Bart & I. Last night he got called out to plow at 2 a.m., and Spring is a crazy time for me at work as we begin preparations for next year's students & schedules.
To boot, we have unofficially begun the house hunt. I say "unofficially" because our house isn't on the market just quite yet...but in a few short weeks she will read, "FOR SALE." Being the Type-A, over-researching, freak-of-nature that I am, I have been scouring the Internet for the perfect home. For hours at a time. Until my eyes feel like they're about to pop out & all the houses start to look exactly the same. Come to think of it, maybe this explains my daily back pain, or maybe it is that horrible latex bed that we spent a pretty penny on, which now sags lower than a camel's hump. Anyways, I digress.
As Winter continues to rear it's ugly head in Chicago with lots of snow, freezing rain & below-zero temps, I'm ready for Spring. In the meantime, I'm just livin' for the weekends, which mean lots of Hayden time. This past weekend we spent around the house in our "jam-jams".
These days she's VERY studious...carefully studying each and every photo in "Brown Bear," & "Goodnight Moon." She hangs onto my every word & points excitedly at the pictures she recognizes, she also impatiently grabs for the page to turn it herself.
I'm so excited that she is enjoying books these days because just a few months ago I really thought that she hated being read to! It's nice to have my "busy-body" gal sit with me for awhile to snuggle & read.
And although they lost, we rooted for the Bears yesterday in the playoff game. I, usually, could care less about football, but this was truly a monumental game for Chicago...so we cheered. Congrats, Cheeseheads, by the way.
And now, for a back massage...because I can't stand one more second of this back pain. Yikes, it's only Monday!
To boot, we have unofficially begun the house hunt. I say "unofficially" because our house isn't on the market just quite yet...but in a few short weeks she will read, "FOR SALE." Being the Type-A, over-researching, freak-of-nature that I am, I have been scouring the Internet for the perfect home. For hours at a time. Until my eyes feel like they're about to pop out & all the houses start to look exactly the same. Come to think of it, maybe this explains my daily back pain, or maybe it is that horrible latex bed that we spent a pretty penny on, which now sags lower than a camel's hump. Anyways, I digress.
As Winter continues to rear it's ugly head in Chicago with lots of snow, freezing rain & below-zero temps, I'm ready for Spring. In the meantime, I'm just livin' for the weekends, which mean lots of Hayden time. This past weekend we spent around the house in our "jam-jams".
These days she's VERY studious...carefully studying each and every photo in "Brown Bear," & "Goodnight Moon." She hangs onto my every word & points excitedly at the pictures she recognizes, she also impatiently grabs for the page to turn it herself.
I'm so excited that she is enjoying books these days because just a few months ago I really thought that she hated being read to! It's nice to have my "busy-body" gal sit with me for awhile to snuggle & read.
And although they lost, we rooted for the Bears yesterday in the playoff game. I, usually, could care less about football, but this was truly a monumental game for Chicago...so we cheered. Congrats, Cheeseheads, by the way.
And now, for a back massage...because I can't stand one more second of this back pain. Yikes, it's only Monday!
Sunday, January 16, 2011
11-Month Photos
We finally did the 11-month photos, allbeit, a day late. I was a little nervous about how they would turn out seeing as we are stuck inside in the dead of winter, & my little gal is quite the mover & shaker these days.
After quite a few failed attempts at the perfect photo, Bart & I were almost ready to throw in the towel. But then, suddenly Bart did something behind me that made her smile from ear to ear- & I captured it. That's what I love about photography...capturing that precious moment on digital film...FOREVER. Not that I consider myself a "photographer," but I sure do enjoy the hobby & admire my photog friends! Now if only I could have had either a bit more natural light or an off-camera flash I wouldn't have had to crank up the ISO so high on these. Oh well...live & learn. I think they will still resonate with my heart in about 20-30 years, nonetheless.
You be the judge:
After quite a few failed attempts at the perfect photo, Bart & I were almost ready to throw in the towel. But then, suddenly Bart did something behind me that made her smile from ear to ear- & I captured it. That's what I love about photography...capturing that precious moment on digital film...FOREVER. Not that I consider myself a "photographer," but I sure do enjoy the hobby & admire my photog friends! Now if only I could have had either a bit more natural light or an off-camera flash I wouldn't have had to crank up the ISO so high on these. Oh well...live & learn. I think they will still resonate with my heart in about 20-30 years, nonetheless.
You be the judge:
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
Smooches
Today is Buggie's 11-month birthday. In other words, exactly one month from today, my baby girl will turn one. In the "big scheme" of things, a year, or 365 days, 12 months, however you want to put it, really isn't THAT long. But when you see the amazing transformation of a newborn into a toddler in that short span, the mind tricks you into thinking it is a longer period of time than it truly is. It doesn't seem possible that a mere 11 months ago I met her face-to-face for the first time, because my heart feels like I have loved her forever. Those weeks & months have gone by in the blink of an eye, & I've loved every lasting moment of them.
The party plannin' is surely underway.
Today her perfect party hat came in the mail, and I can just see her grinning ear-to-ear in it with cake all over her peachy-pink cheeks.
Hayden's fascination with socks continues, and now we've added some new tricks to the mix, as well...smooches! Her favorite thing to smooch is her baby (special thanks to Auntie Kristi & Emersyn for letting her live with us).
Socks still in hand, approaching baby, coming in for the smooch:
And, behold, full-on smooch mode:
She also likes to "smooch" less-kissable items:
Lately, she's been taking off like a bull in a China shop on her "Lion." You should see her go...her feet swing outward to take each step while her tiny bum waddles and her entire body is angled at a perfect 45 degrees. Meanwhile, she doesn't look where she's going, but instead, up at me with a gummy grin, searching for approval. And I clap & laugh because it's the cutest thing I've ever seen. And it gets better, when she runs Lion into a cabinet or a wall and he won't budge, she takes her right hand outstretched & bangs on the handle, as if to say, "Get goin' dude!" Adorableness.
These days, her hair is just too long to be left down anymore. When it's down it dances in front of her tiny eyelashes. Her headbands are cute, but I can't leave them on too long until she grabs them & inevitably snaps it like a rubberband on her head. Clippies hold pretty well, until she feels it up there, then grabs it & puts it in her mouth. So, we've resorted to the baby-pony, AKA, the "Sumo Wrestler Do."
And, a smooch with the 'do:
Since today was her 11-month birthday & we ran out of daylight to take the commemorative 11-month photo, those will be soon to follow. To date, the 10-month photos were by far the most difficult for me to shoot. Let's cross our fingers for some decent shots tomorrow.
The party plannin' is surely underway.
Today her perfect party hat came in the mail, and I can just see her grinning ear-to-ear in it with cake all over her peachy-pink cheeks.
Hayden's fascination with socks continues, and now we've added some new tricks to the mix, as well...smooches! Her favorite thing to smooch is her baby (special thanks to Auntie Kristi & Emersyn for letting her live with us).
Socks still in hand, approaching baby, coming in for the smooch:
And, behold, full-on smooch mode:
She also likes to "smooch" less-kissable items:
Lately, she's been taking off like a bull in a China shop on her "Lion." You should see her go...her feet swing outward to take each step while her tiny bum waddles and her entire body is angled at a perfect 45 degrees. Meanwhile, she doesn't look where she's going, but instead, up at me with a gummy grin, searching for approval. And I clap & laugh because it's the cutest thing I've ever seen. And it gets better, when she runs Lion into a cabinet or a wall and he won't budge, she takes her right hand outstretched & bangs on the handle, as if to say, "Get goin' dude!" Adorableness.
These days, her hair is just too long to be left down anymore. When it's down it dances in front of her tiny eyelashes. Her headbands are cute, but I can't leave them on too long until she grabs them & inevitably snaps it like a rubberband on her head. Clippies hold pretty well, until she feels it up there, then grabs it & puts it in her mouth. So, we've resorted to the baby-pony, AKA, the "Sumo Wrestler Do."
And, a smooch with the 'do:
Since today was her 11-month birthday & we ran out of daylight to take the commemorative 11-month photo, those will be soon to follow. To date, the 10-month photos were by far the most difficult for me to shoot. Let's cross our fingers for some decent shots tomorrow.
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
The ONEder Fund
My words alone here in my own blog won't even do this a bit of justice, so I will let Kelle Hampton's words speak for themselves. Contribute to something big today...it's just a click away.
http://www.kellehampton.com/
*****************************
The first few days back to work have been kickin' my butt...so tonight I'm headed for the couch. Much-a-party-plannin' still underway. Stay tuned.
http://www.kellehampton.com/
*****************************
The first few days back to work have been kickin' my butt...so tonight I'm headed for the couch. Much-a-party-plannin' still underway. Stay tuned.
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
Obsessions
Winter Break is treatin' us good. Mama gets long, relaxing mornings to hug on her babe & sip coffee. Hayden gets lots of babbling, kissing her baby dolls, & picking up socks. Yes, picking up socks. She is obsessed with them. That, and bouncing 'round the room (key Phish, please).
With a sock (one of many she finds & carries around in a typical day)
Rummaging through the folded laundry, most likely to find socks.
On, yet another, sock hunt.
Trying to sit nicely in my new "big girl" chair that Sito & Jido got me for Christmas.
Or...not so much.
Hayden is all about blankets these days...laying on them, playing peek-a-boo with them, & wrapping up in them. So, daddy made her a good ol' fashioned fort with blankets. She was ecstatic- quite literally!
She's also ALL about finger-foods these days. When she's had enough of the puree stuff, she lets you know, and it's onto the little foods that she can eat, pick up easily & won't choke on. Which isn't the longest list of things so far...but we're slowly adding to it.
Oatmeal & hard-boiled yolk...mmmm.
While I have these last few precious days off work, I'm trying to squeeze as many projects in as possible. This means that every second of Hayden's naps is meticulously planned, & I don't have a moment to waste.
The BIG project I'm tackling is her birthday party. Yes, I said birthday party, as in, my little baby girl is almost ONE! For a few weeks now we've been asking her, "How old is Hayden going to be?" And she puts up her index finger with a huge grin on her face. Auntie Barbara taught her that!
I've been spending nights scouring Etsy for the perfect birthday onesie, a few hours the other night at JoAnn's & Archivers getting materials for her birthday banners. Now it's onto the tutu & headband making. Oh, and the cake ordering. Because this is another one of those events you don't get a "re-do" for. Yes, I know, she's only going to be one & she won't remember it or even know why she's there. But it matters to me, and it will matter to her one day.
We're doing a ladybug theme, because she is, "Hady-Bug" the ladybbug, after all. But I'm not a big fan of red, so we're doing hot pink & black with a splash of lime green. Here are some ideas that have inspired me:
In a perfect world, it would all come out looking like this, but I'm sure our version is going to be just as grand. Only Tori Spelling's parties end up actually looking like this- but I'm not on her budget!
And lastly, a few more Christmas odds & ends...
My favorite gift that Hayden received for her first Christmas was this precious hand-knit bunny rabbit from Bart's neice Nicolette. I saw it in a knitting book that she had with her back in August, and she remembered that I commented on how cute it was & made it for Christmas! She said it took her about 17 hours total to complete it! THIS will be passed down from Hayden to her daughter one day as a family heirloom- it's so special!
And, speaking of heirlooms, my mom brought over the dress that she sewed for me to wear on MY first Christmas. It's a dark-burgundy little number with lace around the collar. Keep in mind that I was born in April, and Hayden in February, so it was a *little* short on her, but I had to take a few pics. Being that she won't sit still these days, it was challenging, but here's the best I got:
Back to the party planning for me...and Hayden has a few words for the paparrazi:
With a sock (one of many she finds & carries around in a typical day)
Rummaging through the folded laundry, most likely to find socks.
On, yet another, sock hunt.
Trying to sit nicely in my new "big girl" chair that Sito & Jido got me for Christmas.
Or...not so much.
Hayden is all about blankets these days...laying on them, playing peek-a-boo with them, & wrapping up in them. So, daddy made her a good ol' fashioned fort with blankets. She was ecstatic- quite literally!
She's also ALL about finger-foods these days. When she's had enough of the puree stuff, she lets you know, and it's onto the little foods that she can eat, pick up easily & won't choke on. Which isn't the longest list of things so far...but we're slowly adding to it.
Oatmeal & hard-boiled yolk...mmmm.
While I have these last few precious days off work, I'm trying to squeeze as many projects in as possible. This means that every second of Hayden's naps is meticulously planned, & I don't have a moment to waste.
The BIG project I'm tackling is her birthday party. Yes, I said birthday party, as in, my little baby girl is almost ONE! For a few weeks now we've been asking her, "How old is Hayden going to be?" And she puts up her index finger with a huge grin on her face. Auntie Barbara taught her that!
I've been spending nights scouring Etsy for the perfect birthday onesie, a few hours the other night at JoAnn's & Archivers getting materials for her birthday banners. Now it's onto the tutu & headband making. Oh, and the cake ordering. Because this is another one of those events you don't get a "re-do" for. Yes, I know, she's only going to be one & she won't remember it or even know why she's there. But it matters to me, and it will matter to her one day.
We're doing a ladybug theme, because she is, "Hady-Bug" the ladybbug, after all. But I'm not a big fan of red, so we're doing hot pink & black with a splash of lime green. Here are some ideas that have inspired me:
In a perfect world, it would all come out looking like this, but I'm sure our version is going to be just as grand. Only Tori Spelling's parties end up actually looking like this- but I'm not on her budget!
And lastly, a few more Christmas odds & ends...
My favorite gift that Hayden received for her first Christmas was this precious hand-knit bunny rabbit from Bart's neice Nicolette. I saw it in a knitting book that she had with her back in August, and she remembered that I commented on how cute it was & made it for Christmas! She said it took her about 17 hours total to complete it! THIS will be passed down from Hayden to her daughter one day as a family heirloom- it's so special!
And, speaking of heirlooms, my mom brought over the dress that she sewed for me to wear on MY first Christmas. It's a dark-burgundy little number with lace around the collar. Keep in mind that I was born in April, and Hayden in February, so it was a *little* short on her, but I had to take a few pics. Being that she won't sit still these days, it was challenging, but here's the best I got:
Back to the party planning for me...and Hayden has a few words for the paparrazi:
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