Beauty

Ever since developing this hobby, I see the world in a different way. 

 Everywhere I look, I see vibrant color, and beauty. 

The fall of the sun on hair, the glint of the light in an eye that is gone almost as fast as it started.  And I want to capture it for all time.

I don't do it justice, yet.  But I hope to one day.

Quiet...

So...

I know I don't have many followers and I'm not sure how many actually read this (ha!) but of any that I do have, you may have noticed it's been rather quiet around here really.

Maybe this will tell you why:

Aidan is almost 18 months old...and has shown us those terrible two fits in a terrible way.  The last few days have been stocked full of crying fits over being told no to something.  In this case, it started out as not being allowed on the sink, to wanting to reach into the sink but not being tall enough.  And then we couldn't stand on the chair I gave him to try to pacify him.  Oh no.  We had to sit in it and still couldn't reach the sink.  Which made us even more mad.  And then, mommy did the worst thing ever.  Wanted his paci to try to get a picture...

(Really it's more just lack of time and real "news" to report...as well as the fact that I'm fast running out of space for my "free" blogger subscription and don't feel like figuring out what to do about that yet...)

Anyway.  There may be more activity around here coming up.  You may or may not have noticed the change in the "quality" of the pictures I've been posting.  I've been trying to teach myself photography and recently joined a group of other photographers who are committing to doing a "365."  In other words, one picture a day for a year.  I decided to try to push myself and use this to really get better and grow my skills.  I may post them here as well.

And that's really all.  Aidan is almost 18 months.  Elisa is 3.5 years.  Both are a challenge, but what a wonderful challenge.

Wordless Wednesday

Put me in, Coach!

What I love about you, Elisa.

The older you grow, the harder it is to put what you mean to me into words.  For those very qualities that have made you who you are, are the very same ones that cause me grief.  And not because they are bad qualities, but because they are the very same qualities that I have.

1.  You are extremely opinionated.  Which plate you use, what food you eat, what shoes you wear, how your hair is done and IF your hair is done.  I am always having to pick my battles with you for all too often we end up in a battle.
2.  You are extremely stubborn.  You give me a run for my money.  Which is saying a lot.  Anyone who knows me well knows I can stick my feet on the ground and I don't budge for anything.  We can go for hours with our horns locked and neither of us moving.
3.  You are a social butterfly.  Now here is one that isn't quite me unless I'm in the right circumstances and with the right people.  This is more your father.  You have no fear of being accepted.  You know who you are and you have no concern about someone not liking you.  And even if they don't, you just move on.
4.  You are persistent.  Even if that other little kid doesn't like you immediately, you stick to their side until they decide you are ok to play with.
5.  You love worms.  Yes, worms.  And beg your daddy to take you outside and dig around in the dirt until you have a large collection.  You name each one.  Mommy worm, daddy worm, baby worm, and set them right outside the door so you can see them while you are inside.  You "over love" them often until your worms are no longer a part of this world but you don't seem to mind.
6.  You are a complete and total daddy's girl.  :)
7.  You have no fear.  Even the biggest roller coaster in the park isn't too much for you.  You race headlong into each new adventure.

You are growing up way too fast and I constantly find myself looking at you and wondering where my baby went?  I love you baby girl.

What I love about you, Aidan. 17 months

1.  How you come up to me frequently through the day and wrap your arms around my leg and kiss me.  Complete with the "mwah" kissing sound.
2.  How your face lights up and you drop anything you have once you see me if it's been a while since you last have.
3.  How you give anyone you see a hug, even complete stranger children at the playground.
4.  How if we poke your belly and tell you to dance, you spin in place until you are so dizzy you fall down.
5.  How you find any pole at a playground and run around it.
6.  How you constantly "rearrange" things.  Rocks in the landscaping, balls in the toybox.  Placemats on the table.  Arm rest covers from my grandmother's chair.
7.  Your slobbery kisses.  Your dirt filled grasp on my white shirt.  The raspberries on my belly.
8.  How you grab your ultrasound picture daily after bath and insist on showing it to me.  As if you know and remember being warm and comfy in my belly.

Wordless Wednesday. Snow?