Sea of Pink

My peonies are finally in bloom!

I decided to play a bit with my macro lens and get a more "abstract" capture of their beauty...like how only a tiny slice of the fuschia tipped petal is in focus and the rest is just a sea of pink! Wouldn't this make a cool headboard (if blown up) for a little girl's room?

"Wuv Ooo"!

06.30.2011

The heat remains today.
Guess the plus side is I should sweat at least 5 pounds off, lol.

As we were getting ready for the day, I set little man down on big bro's bed to kick & play...big bro was playing with his toys but had to come over to little man and give hugs, tickles and kisses (pretty much standard behaviour from big bro - he really is enamoured with his little bro). As luck would have it, I had camera in hand as I was getting ready to put it away...

 1. Hugs

2. Tickle, tickle

3. Kisses

Overheard during kiss: "Wuv oo" (translation - love you).Heart melts (and not from the heat).


Gosh I love how much these two already interact.  Little man always cracks a smile for his big bro and loves to tell him stories. Big bro loves to kiss, tickle, hug, make funny faces at & share everything with his little bro. I know their brotherly relationship won't always be this smooth and that is why I am cherishing every little exchange so much right now. But the muttered, under the breath "wuv ooo"? Come on. SO sweet...I've never heard big bro utter this before and that is what makes today so very special.

And just for the record, my boys....

I "wuv ooo" too!

Absence makes the heart grow fonder...

06.29.2011

It was H.O.T. today...as in the weather network said it felt like 39. 
One word.
Gross.

Gross because my hubby just informed me we DO NOT have air conditioning. It got ripped out with the addition of our garage and parts for a new one have not been ordered yet. He wisely told me to close up the windows, draw the blinds and it wouldn't get too hot in the house today. Hrmph...when the thermostat read 27 (not accounting for the humidity) by late morning, I knew we were in for a bit of a day. As I sit here and type, the temperature is still hovering around 25 (feeling like 35).

Yikes.

I have never yearned for something more than air conditioning today.
It is totally true.
Absence really does make the heart fonder.
I will forever forward really love, L.O.V.E. air conditioning.
Amen.

Splash, Dig & Other Things...

The boys and I decided to head to Winnipeg for a few days to visit our relatives and partake in some of the activities the city has to offer. We picked Grandma up on our way, of course.  I have to give both boys cudos as they travelled really, really well (we left home at 12:30 and didn't arrive at our destination until 7:00 our time).

The first day we decided to head to the Manitoba Children's Museum.  The highlights of this visit for B were the digger & the water splash table without a doubt.

They had a mini-excavator with all the arm & moving parts "glassed in" in a rock pit. Only the seat and hand controls were accessible. B waited in line several times, but didn't have the attention span to wait it out until Grandma waited in line for him (for over 40 minutes - aren't Grandmas the best?). All the pushing & shoving and lack of supervision were a little much for me - then when B finally got his turn to sit in the seat, all the big kids in line behind him couldn't even give him a chance to work the controls himself. I finally had to come along and tell them all to back off, lol. I have to say this visit was a disappointment to the adults (Grandma, cousin K & I) as it was expensive - $10 admission for everyone aged 1 - 101...then there were really only three exhibits complete. A huge thanks to our cousin, K, for helping out with little man while Grandma & I ran around with B.

Holy smokes does this little man love water. He was super cute, standing on his tippees and squeezing in between bigger kids to partake in some of the splash table action. His facial expression changed from serious concentration to absolute delight and back again. Although he was really only tall enough for the lowest tier (that had only one fountain to play with) he thoroughly enjoyed it and had to be coerced away when it was finally his turn for the digger.

It was so awesome to see our extended family again (they are like a second mom & dad and a brother & sister to me...love them so, so much)!

All Smiles

06.28.2011

Little man, you are all smiles.
You love to coo and are making all kinds of different sounds.
You smile with your lips, but you also smile with your eyes. They just twinkle.
You are such a happy guy.

But please, little man...stop growing up so fast!

"This one's for the girls..."

06.26.2011
I had the honour of cheering on my two best friends today while they competed in their first triathlon!

I was a bit weepy (but happy weepy) all morning (what's up with that?!) but I think it was because I had a unique viewpoint today, something I've never had the opportunity to experience before...

1. EMPATHY. This is the first time I was a spectator and not competing myself. A small part of me wanted to be out there, too, but just a small part (this just simply wasn't the year for me). I know what it is like competing in similar events as I have run in road races in the past...I remember the anticipation, the nerves, the desire to just get it over with, the adrenalin rush and sense of accomplishment that comes once you step over the finish line.  I was just SO pumped for my friends to experience it all today!
2. BEING A MOM. This is the first race event I have attended as a mom. There is simply no doubt about it...being a mom changes your perspective on everything in life...but seeing all the kids there with signs cheering for their moms just really touched me today.
3. GIRL POWER. The fact that it is a womens-only event. There is just something so powerful about watching a bunch of women of every shape and size from every walk of life come together and complete a challenge like this. Go girl power!
4. PRIDE. The pride that came with watching people I care about and value a lot achieve their goal. I'm so glad I got to be a small part of it by being there to cheer. I'm so proud to be their friend! I'm so proud of their accomplishments!

So girls...this one is for you!

May you always remember this day and what you accomplished.
You inspired me today. You made me proud today.

May you both know how important you are to my life and how thankful I am to be your friend.

Today, you both totally ROCKED THE SHOW! Congratulations :)

The pictures in my mind...

Today was filled with moments that I wish I had captured with my camera.
But it is all too possible to wish one's life away.

I did take these pictures with my mind, as I often do. Today I am determined to not let them fade for the memories they will hold.
These are the pictures in my mind that I want to remember from today...

1. A down to the diaper B snuggled in my arms with his blankie, soother spit out, legs crossed and arms flailed, completely out. Sound asleep after napping in his bed for only a few minutes. That snuggle time was precious for momma.  If only I could have extricated myself from the snuggle to sneak out and grab the camera.

2. A just-waking up, sleepy-eyed B standing at the window completely enthralled with watching the cement truck unload concrete for our sidewalk. Didn't move an inch the entire time.

3. A still down to the diaper B crawling up on the couch beside me...and then hearing a giggle and turning to see B with my headband helter-skelter on his head...and him thinking himself totally hilarious. Love that we are already seeing his sense of humour. Telling him he is silly as a goose and him repeating goose over and over again and wanting to go show his dad.

4. A little man snuggled up in his crib, on his belly, sound asleep, soother spit out, with a blankie over his lower half and the most peaceful, serene face.

5. The sunshine filtering through our backyard trees as I look out the dining room window...the leaves almost shining in the warm light.

6. A little man lying on the floor on his quilt, starting to fuss. A big bro promptly sitting down beside him and rubbing his belly, tickling his toes, giving all kinds of kisses and patting his head all to comfort.

7. Coming home from working at my volunteer gig to a freshly-bathed B with hair sticking up everywhere, a big smile on his face, his soother in place and blankie trailing behind.

8. A calm baby through bathtime, gazing quietly up at his momma.

These are the pictures taken with my mind :)

Raindrops Keep Fallin' On My Head...

06.20.2011

Yup. You guessed it. It is raining here. Again.
Overcast and blah all day...sprinkles, showers, downright downpour...we've had it all. Toss in a little wind for good measure...this is basically the weather of spring 2011 in our neck of the woods.

It was also a miserable sort of day inside our house. One of those days where at least one child was crying at all times, a don't have time for bathroom break, a don't have time for drink of water cause you've got a baby in your arms type of day. This is why it was so surprising to me that I had a momentary flash to step outside and take a couple of pictures of the raindrops.

I literally snapped what follows within 60 seconds, as it immediately upgraded from shower to downpour as I was standing outside with camera in hand.

Somehow, I am liking these pictures. They give me a peaceful feeling despite the negative thoughts I've had every time I see more rain.

My peonies are sooooo close to being in bloom! Can't wait :) Love the contrast of fuschia & green...

These pictures, for me, are all about finding the upside of something bringing many, many people down...and a little about embracing my 100mm lens, lol!

May the rain stay away from your neck of the woods.

Unless you are a duck.

Then bring it on.

I love that!

06.20.2011

You have been a little copy-cat for quite some time...repeating the words you hear the adults around you saying...

But in the last few weeks you have really started to show you understand these words in context.

You point at a train and say "choo-choo". You put your hand up to your little brother's mouth and say "cough" (we are always reminding you to cover your mouth when you cough). You hear chirping and you say "bird". You point at the horses as we walk by and say "horsies". You will finally call your little brother "baby" (although when we ask you what his name is you still say "dat"). You call for Oscar when you have dropped something on the floor, and you ask him to "lick" your plate (hmmm?! you didn't learn this one from us). You spin around in circles and say "rosie", "husha" and then you fall down. Love to see you growing up :)

For my Dad:

I have the most amazing Dad in the whole wide world.

Thank-you for:
- sharing your passion for agriculture & animals with me...I get this from you
- passing on your sense of humour to me (even though we may be the only two people laughing)
- all those years of selling "another cow" for me when I was in a financial pinch (not sure how I would have surrived my multiple years of post-secondary school without you)
- always having the answers
- being a hard-working, sensible, successful & knowledgeable businessman...I am so proud of the farm that you built
- loving me, no matter what
- being an amazing Grandpa and loving my little boys unconditionally (I love how you can always bring the biggest smile to B's face)
- for being my Dad

Love you so much!
xoxox

For my husband...

You sometimes drive me nuts.
I sometimes drive you nuts.
But in those moments, I only need to pause and watch you with our boys.
You are an amazing dad.
Amazing.
Patient, kind, fun-loving, reassuring, encouraging, caring, firm...
As a dad, you have my back.
We are a parenting team.
I love that our boys will have the chance to grow up watching what a hard-worker you are.
I love watching the tender side and the funny side that our boys bring out in you.
I love the quiet pride our boys bring out in you.
I love watching B follow you around and copy-cat your actions.
I love baby S gazing up at you.
I love that even during the challenging parts of parenthood, we can exchange that glance filled with awe and wonder and so many unspoken sentiments...we made these little beings.

Thanks for sharing in this extraordinary journey with me.
Happy Father's Day!
We love you so much :)
xoxo

This is how we do it...

A typical day around here includes trying to get both tornado & little man to nap at the same time so momma can get some cleaning up done...

But for some reason, momma is not so good at accomplishing this goal.

Today, tornado (after trying for over THREE hours, I may add) finally fell asleep.
For fifteen minutes.
Fifteen!
After waking up & calling for momma, momma promptly placed him on the couch and told him you just wait right here until momma finishes feeding little man. It was suspiciously quiet a few minutes later...and lo, behold - naptime on the couch for tornado! (where he actually slept for an hour and a half - much better)

Little man has been outgrowing his bassinette now for quite some time...but because tornado was still using the crib for naps, little man stayed put.
Today, however, little man got to try out his crib for the first time!
He rocked that crib sleeping gig - just laying there for a few minutes and then falling asleep by himself :)

And since naptime around here is a precious commodity, we try with all our might to get the dog to stay quiet.
This is his most common perch. He likes to be right in the middle of the action, so to speak...where he can open his eyes, check out the goings on outside for a brief moment, before settling back in for a few more winks.

Around here, this is how we do it...nap style!

For the Love of Lilacs...

06.16.2011
Loving the scents of all the lilacs in bloom around town during our daily walks!
Loving a slice of bright blue sky and the sunshine!

Mutliple Personality

I finally feel a bit more like taking pictures. I think it may be because we've had more than two hours of sunshine per week (although just barely, lol). However, I'm totally struggling to find my photo-taking mojo...I can't seem to take a picture I'm satisfied with to save my life.

In attempt to somehow rescue that mojo, today I decided I should play around with some of my "artistic" actions. I don't use them all that often, and thought it would be fun to refresh my brain about the different effects each brings. Some I liked, some not so much. I present to you, one flower with multiple personalities:

    1.                                         2.
  
    3.                                         4.
     
    5.                                         6.

       
    7.                                        8.

   9.

Now the details (shot with my 100mm macro lens).
1. my "regular" edit - I would say I do this to at least 75% of the pics I take...colour boost
2. PW Colorized
3. MCP Old Fashion Vintage
4. MCP Pink Vintage
5. PW Sunshine
6. MCP Throwback Vintage
7. PW Seventies
8. MCP Urban Sunset
9. MCP Urban Ultraviolet

I think I know which one is my fav, which is yours?

Sleeping Beauty

06.13.2011

We've discovered a little trick around here. You love to sleep on your tummy. Although I'm not comfortable leaving you like that through the night, I am more than ok with allowing your naps to be in this position (when I can check on you often).  You will nap for hours.

Today, before Grandma left, she laid you down on your blankie on your tummy where you promptly fell asleep. Grandmas definitely have a magic touch. A few minutes later, as I was passing by your living room perch, I noticed you had crossed your ankles. I couldn't help but admire your little piggies...which brings upon a confession. I am addicted to your little piggies. They are so stinkin' adorable. They sometimes take my breath away when I realize that I made you (well at least half of you), when I realize what a miracle you are.

You are not the first, but you complete me in a new and unique way.  You fill a void I did not even know I had. Everything about you is so precious. I will always cherish your presence in my life.

Love you so much, little guy. SO much.
You are my sleeping beauty.

xoxo Mom

Summer Love!

06.13.2011

Grandma & Grandpa came today for a quick visit since life on the farm is too wet... (this wet is something else...so depressing when you farm...but a plus for us, who get more frequent visits)

We were excited to see them since they brought sunshine and some warm weather...and B's favourite...BUBBAS!

So not long after their arrival, Uncle Jas and B headed outside to play (and the rest of the crew followed out to watch, of course). 
Loving how B's face lights up every time he sees the bubbles and loving how he exclaims "bubbas" like each bubble is the first he has ever seen. Loving how he reaches out to catch the bubbles even though it is so windy there is no chance he will. Loving how he scrunches up his face to blow and how sometimes he sucks instead. It is an experience of pure delight. Pure innocence. Pure enjoyment - on both the toddler's and adults' parts.

It finally feels like summer may be here...and we're loving it!

Hope you are too.

Friendship Rocks!

06.10.2011

Today was just one of those days where life is good.

It had the potential by the way it started to be one of those days (tired, grouchy & sick toddler, sick baby, tired & sick momma)...but thank goodness the sun decided to shine and we got outside...and thus had the opportunity to turn the day around. I had lots of "I'm so lucky" moments throughout the day. I had so many "life is good" moments throughout the day.

By a spontaneous stroke of luck we got to hang out with some of our best friends. What I love about this oh so very, very much is that not only do "us mommas" get to be great friends, so do the kiddos. The highlight of my day was watching the two little toddlers run around and play and giggle and have so much fun together.  This, in turn, brought lots of smiles and laughter to the mommas. I am so grateful for the peer group I have in this small town...and the peer group my boys will grow up with. Friendship rocks!

This is what I call a triple-decker sandwich! Kisses for everyone...

Pink

I found my favourite flower of all time the other night while walking with my boys :)

I had only my 100mm lens on my camera so decided to play a bit, even though it was a bit windy and a bit dark (therefore making finding my focus a bit tricky...as I have definitely not mastered this lens yet).

I've been told this flower means "death" but it doesn't to me...not at all.  I remember it so fondly as my grandmother always had the biggest, most profusively blooming plant in her front bed. I spent hours in front of that thing as I was just fascinated by it (and lets face it - it was the perfect romantic backdrop for my barbie weddings).
It reminds me of her.
It reminds me of my childhood.
So - to me it means love...most definitely!

This image is SOOC. The only editing I did was to use a web re-sizing action. I can't believe how brilliant the tones are (for those of you who don't know me all that well, I am slightly addicted to bright colours...ie: my child's highchair is neon lime lol) so even though I'm not in love with the composition I loved that my camera caught the contrast of the pink flower with the green foliage in the background (I usually tend to boost almost everything). I also love that I wasn't tempted by any other processing (although now that I type this I want to go back and play around a bit more...)

It's spring 2011 peeps...
and this year PINK is the new purple (I've already snapped two pics of pink things and not a one of anything purple yet - yay me!).

Now hold me to it...there are some ornamental onion flowers in bloom just around the corner that are so tempting me...and guess what...they are purple...will I resist?
Stay tuned :)

My Three Guys

06.07.2011

Lots of people would say I'm outnumbered in this household...but I think it is just right! I love my three guys "to infinity and beyond".

Whee!

06.07.2011

You have totally mastered the slide!
Just a few weeks ago you needed to have someone hold your hand and be at the end of the slide to make sure you didn't fall. Not anymore...no way.
You almost always say "whee" on your way down...almost always with the biggest grin.
It is so awesome watching you grow up, little man!
It is so awesome to be your mom.

Deux!

06.06.2011

You are two months old today.
Two months.
Seriously? Where does the time go.

I've noticed you've been neglected a bit here on the blog, my boy. I'm not entirely sure why, but I will speculate it has something to do with your hotdogging big bro and your procrastinating momma.

You are such a smiley, happy and mostly content little man. I say "mostly" because when you're not content, you are REALLY not content. As in - red face, can't breathe, tears streaming down your face not content. You seem to be a bit all-or-nothing already. Oh dear. You may get this trait from your momma (at least rumour has it).

Most people think you look like your brother.
Lots of people think you look like your daddy.
Some people think you look like your Grandpa Doug.
I think you look like you.

You like to lay on your blanket, kicking your legs & squirming your arms. You like to tell stories while you do this.
You like to lay on your tummy, and will sometimes sleep for hours like this.
You don't really seem to like the middle of the night/early morning. You are almost always really tricky to get back to sleep at this time (when momma is the most tired, so sometimes we both end up falling asleep in the rocking chair).
You love to be held. You love to cuddle.
You sometimes roll over...but not with any consistency.
You love to eat (well...drink milk).
You think momma is funny (it is about time someone around here did).
You are Mr. Smileypants until momma tries to take your picture doing so...then the smiles disappear.
You like your soother, but you do not love your soother.
You are still sleeping in your bassinet (but this may or may not be because your momma is in denial that you are growing up so fast).
You like to go for walks, and will usually take a little catnap while we do.
You have spent a couple of nights in the hospital already.
You like your vibrating chair.
You've hit the floor twice. We'll blame momma once, big bro once. You are tough.
You have traveled a little bit. You are an awesome traveler.
You have gone from tiny little newborn to chubby little guy in the blink of an eye.
You are precious, sweet, and the perfect addition to our family.

You are loved.
You are loved SO much.

Pretty

Just the other day I was thinking about all the photos I took last spring of the beautiful flowers all around town and it made me realize that this blah weather has slowed growth down big-time (insert sad face for the farmers here) and I really haven't been rocking my camera too much as of late :(

The apple trees around town are in full bloom right now and I decided I needed to capture some of the beauty, so I quickly snuck into the neighbour's yard while babe was snoozing...

(Photo processed with a Kim Klassen vintage rose texture)

(Photo processed with PW's sunshine action)

For some reason, I particularly love the second picture, although I haven't been able to pin down why. It is definitely not my usual style but I am loving the sun-kissed vintagey vibe given by this particular action to this particular image. It makes me look forward to warm summer evenings. And - I just think it is pretty.

"Nacks Pees"

06.02.2011

You are a total snacking machine.
You would be completely happy if you never had to eat a meal, and only had to eat snacks.
Some of the items you like to snack on include:
- yogurt puffs
- fruit bites
- fruit leather
- smarties or m&m's
- fruit (just about any kind)
- cheese
- goldfish
- cheerios
- yogurt
- licorice
- chips
(you get the idea)

 What I love most about all this snacking is the messy face and fingers that are inevitable :)

Call me crazy...

Hello June!

Finally you have arrived (you have been highly anticipated after a May with such crumby weather).
You've come in with a bit of a bang.

Call me crazy, but I love:
A. Your inconsistent weather:
The sun was shining for the first time in what seemed like for-ev-er all day on the 1st (and I spent nearly the whole day indoors, in Minot, go figure)....
The 2nd brought golf-ball sized hail, tornado warnings and humid-as-heck weather.
The rest of the week promises alternating nice warm days with thundershowers. Yay?! Nay?!

B. Your location within the year:
Welcome to almost exactly the half-year point of 2011 :) Thanks for reminding me I've accomplished almost NONE of the projects I thought I would this year, thus far...but promising to give me time to start even more ;)

C. The milestones you bring:
A "finished" (this term remains in quotations until I'm parking on it) concrete driveway, which hubby designed & played with techniques on.
A 2-month old & a 21-month old!

D. The new projects you bring:
A "30 days of June" Photo Fun project that some photog friends & I are taking on.
June 1st - self portrait

(sidenote: You may be wondering why my self-portrait is a picture of a necklace...here is my explanation. I wanted to approach this activity as a real challenge and try to do things a little outside of the box. I hate appearing in front of the lens, especially with all this extra "baby weight" I've got going on. This photo, to me at least, addresses the challenge of a self-portrait in a couple of different ways - 1. literally - this pic was literally snapped by me, of me...that blotchy surface in the picture is actually my chest 2. symbollically - the necklace has both of my boys names on it along with a key and a heart...it is called "Key to my Heart", and was purchased as a Mother's Day gift. It represents a large part of what makes me, me. This year, as I am on mat leave, I am focusing a lot of time and energy into being a mom first and foremost.)
June 2 - favourite shoes

I love my birks :) You can tell how much I love them by the grody (is that even a word?) sweaty-foot stains. Yay for the return of sandal season!

June 3 - hands

Sweet, chubby little baby fingers as seen through my macro lens. Love these little fingers so much!

So, hello, June! May you bring only sunshine & joy :)