We're Back!

We went on a road trip this weekend to Kansas City.  I took engagement pictures for my brother-in-law who recently got engaged.  

We had a great time, and visited Trader Joe's for the first time!  I have never seen brussel sprouts on a stalk...which is the only way to buy them at Trader Joe's.  Very interesting!  

It's always nice to get away for a bit, but coming home is nice too.  

We jumped back into the swing of things yesterday, keeping Tenley.  

She's cooing now!  And I finally caught that smile.  I realized why it was so hard to capture.  When I tried to get her cooing on video, she was much too interested in what that black thing was I was holding than showing off for the camera.  

We went outside and enjoyed the leaves again yesterday. 

Maddie likes to give the leaves a kiss now.  She loves them.

Gracie has convinced herself it's her job to protect Tenley.  She stands guard the entire time we are outside.  The funny thing is, Maddie also thinks it's her job to protect Tenley, which apparently means protecting her against Gracie too.  Maddie tries to nudge Gracie off the blanket, but Gracie's not budging for anything.  Then it becomes my job to protect Tenley from her "protectors." 

 The good thing is Maddie is not as diligent as Gracie and is therefore very easily distracted by "little trees" just her size and such.  

Besides, she has another job far more interesting than protector...she's the paci-giver.  She loves this job. 

After outside time came what was supposed to be tummy time, but Tenley had other things on her to-do list...like napping.  (don't worry...I didn't let her nap on her tummy!)

Tummy time came later. 

It's good to be back.  I've got lots of photo editing to do!!

30 Days to Hands on Play

I found this challenge over at The Imagination Tree's blog. It's 30 days of play prompts they email to you.  The goal is to spend at least 15 minutes of uninterrupted play with your kids each day.  We haven't always followed the play prompts for that day, but I have found when you are intentional about setting aside time to play, you play a lot longer than 15 minutes!  It's not too late to sign up.  Most of the materials for the play prompts are things you have around the house, so it's easy.

One of the play prompts were blocks.  Maddie has been nicknamed the Tower Tumbler. 

She takes her job very seriously as you can tell...

I love how a simple toy like alphabet blocks leads to so many happy things.  

Pooh Bear even joined in on the tower building adventures.

Go sign up!  Begin creating fun memories and don't forget your camera! 

Maddie's Idea of Hide and Seek

This is how Maddie likes to play hide and seek.  She hides and then says, "Where-eee-go?"

A Day I Hope She Remembers

The fallen leaves were just begging to be played with yesterday.  Maddie, Gracie, and I obliged.  And with the skies being overcast it was a good picture-taking-day!!  No editing necessary!

I've been thinking a lot lately about play and childhood and memories.  

I want Maddie to look back and remember that we played a lot.  I want her to remember that Mommy was never too busy to invest in time spent together.

We played before nap, or "quiet time" as its been known around here lately since Maddie refuses to nap.

I love that as soon as "quiet time" was over, she was asking to go outside.  

And as soon as we were outside she ran down to the tree, excited to play some more!

We rolled in the leaves...

and played hide-n-seek around the tree trunk...

She held up leaves and called out their colors, we ran around like airplanes after we spotted one in the sky, we tried to catch the leaves as they fell from the tree (MUCH harder than than you would think!)

Time passed quickly and I knew this was the most important item on my to-do list. 

I know I spend a lot of time on the computer or busy with household tasks. Maddie may not remember all of the details of our days spent together, but when she looks back, I hope she'll know what a special time in life this is and remember Mommy playing with her instead of  busy working all of the time!

Maternity Shoot with Melinda!

Saturday afternoon I was so excited to do a photo shoot with my friend Melinda and the time was passing sooo slow! I still had about an hour before the photo shoot and I looked out at my backyard.  The lighting was absolutely perfect!  I called Melinda to see if she was ready to go a little early...I just had to take advantage of the little bit of cloud cover we had.  She was ready to go and we had the best time!! It's so fun when a plan comes together, and the weather cooperates and every shot seems like the one! It was hard to choose just a few favorites.  With a few more edits to make, these are my favorites so far...

There is something so wonderful and exciting and absolutely beautiful about maternity shots.  I just love them.  I was so happy to be able to capture this special time for Melinda.  This is her fourth and final pregnancy

(all boys!) Doesn't she look amazing!!! 

Can't wait to capture little Wesley when he arrives too!  Too bad I won't be able to just call Melinda up an hour early and go. Wesley will be calling the shots on that one!

New Friends I'd Like to Introduce!

Yesterday I added a new repertoire to my photography...Dogs!!  It was so fun, and for a good cause too! 

I have a really good friend, Diana, who works tirelessly rescuing dogs.  She takes them in and often times nurses them back to health, or works to socialize and train them in order to get them ready for adoption!  A good picture that shows their personality will often help them get adopted sooner and that's where I come in!  

Let me introduce you to Handsome and Thor!

  Handsome will steal your heart!  He's the sweetest, friendliest, loving dogs ever!  

He is a Pit Bull Terrier which scares a lot of people (and I have to admit, I have been scared of Pit Bulls in the past), but if you met Handsome he could single-handedly change your mind about Pit Bulls. 

 He's super playful!  Diane says he loves everybody...of both four-legged and two-legged variety.  He gets along great with other dogs!

Handsome was recused from the Elk City Animal Shelter.  This shelter does not adopt out Pit Bulls, so any that show up are automatically euthanized. 

Handsome is estimated to be 2-3 years old.  He shows no signs of aggression, and would love you like you've never been loved!

And then there's Thor!

Thor was rescued at 8 weeks old in Pipe Yard with a liter of 8 other puppies.  He's now 8-9 months old. 

He's a little shy at first, but quickly warms up.  He has lots and lots of energy, being a Labrador mix.  Thor would be best suited in a house with a yard.  

He has a few quirks he's working to overcome.  He's declared leashes his mortal enemy, and panics when one is put on him.  His new family should be kind and patient and compassionate to help him in his journey to defeat his leash-issues.  

Now that you have fallen head-over-heels in love want to know how you can meet these new friends and take one home with you?  

Check out Best Friends of Pets.  It's a great organization looking out for the best interest of pets and their owners.  One of their projects is helping to spay and neuter your pets if you are struggling financially to do so.

And to see Handsome and Thor, check out Pet Finders!

I have already decided when we are ready for another dog, I will definitely rescue one.  Every family I have ever talked to tells me rescue dogs are the most loyal and loving pets you'll ever have.  It's almost like they know what you've done for them and are eternally grateful.  Who wouldn't want to hang out with a friend like that! 

Maddie at 3

Sometimes when I look through pictures I get sad knowing that time moves so quickly, and I just want to remember every little detail.  It seems like Maddie has so many "quirks" at this age that I know if I don't write down, I'll forget.  Here's my version of "writing it down"