Gorgeous embroidery thread

A rainbow of crochet yarn

Even though I managed to get the shots I needed, I thought I’d share a few of my outtakes.

I spy with my little eye, a baby finger!

This is what you see when I zoom all the way out from the pictures I was trying to take.

Clara our little charmer.

In reflecting on trying to get these pictures done I now realize that I was “zoomed in” on the task at hand. But when I zoomed out, my two girlies were there and in need of attention. It made me realize how often I am zoomed in on the wrong things in life. This isn’t a new realization or anything as I am fully aware that I’m often focused on the wrong thing. It was just a nice (and not harsh) reminder to be in the moment, and to zoom in on what matters most.

I think they turned out well because Clara is my only cooperative model these days.

She doesn’t give me attitude like certain five & seven year olds.

Nor is she like a particular (almost) two-year-old who WILL NOT sit still for a picture.

Plus these just capture her happy attitude that I’m hoping and praying is a permanent part of her personality.

Mostly, I think I’m so in love with these pictures because even if she does wake me up at 4:30 in the morning…

…I’m so in love with this little girl.

I remembered to participate this month! Yay for me.

So I decided to shoot with my 50mm prime lens all day because I have a hard time focusing on the right things when I have it on a low f-stop. So I must practice, practice, practice, so that I can get better. I’m addicted to the lens for all the delicious light it lets in.

My day started out with a little re-organization. Our coat closet has been driving me crazy! So this morning when I was hanging someone else’s jacket for the millionth time, I snapped—but not in a bad, postal way. I pulled everything out, got rid of a few things, and organized this bad boy. I know this picture isn’t very impressive to anyone else, but it brings me great joy!

My stained glass star which was a Mother’s Day gift. Now I have something pretty to look at while doing the dishes.

Miss Clara is just shy of her two month mark. She is such a good baby and pretty in pink. She still has the reddish hue in her hair too!

I’m FINALLY getting around to making Gwen’s quilt for her twin bed. It’s from Heather Bailey’s Nicey Jane line. I used more blues and greens for Gwen, as opposed to the pink I used for Inez’s.

A grapefruit. It’s my mid-morning snack. I have to lose this baby weight! Oh, and the other weight I’ve put on in between babies.

We had our chimney cleaned out. Two years at this house and we’ve never built a fire in our fireplace. This was the first step in getting our fireplace finished. You can see there is still a lot to do! UGH.

I found Big Baby in Clara’s car seat. She had even grabbed Clara’s blanket too. She is a funny one.

What a pleasant surprise! When the mail came, we got a package. It came from one of my oldest friends, and full of goodies for my girls from her little girl’s 2nd birthday party. Thank you Lisa! Looks like it was a fun party.

When I need a chunk of time to myself (like to make dinner) I turn on a show for Big Baby. Inevitably, the older girls gravitate towards the TV too. While Olive prefers Little Einsteins and Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, I’ve tried to broaden her horizons, but she just won’t sit still for Pride and Prejudice. But she will…all in good time.

We’ve discovered that Olive isn’t a big fan of her highchair. She will sit and eat much better if she sits with Dave though. She’s such a Daddy’s girl, and he’s such a sucker (in a good way).

Fin!

Since I have been a bit distracted lately (read: frustrated that I’m over my due date with this baby/preoccupied with the end of my pregnancy), I thought I would participate in it to take my mind off of the things I cannot control. It also made me pick up my camera all day and focus on things I would have otherwise missed. So here are my ten random pictures.

I’m enjoying the fact that I have absolutely no guilt eating Sees for breakfast when I’m 40 weeks and 2 days pregnant.

This is what 40 weeks and 2 days looks like. Fun, huh?

Thank you Disney Store clearance section! She’s still trying to get the hang of the shoes though.

Patching yet another pair of jeans.

One of my many Katie Daisy prints. I want all her stuff.

Pieces to Gwen’s quilt of which I cannot put together in a way I like. So it sits and waits for some creativity to kick in…

Apparently, a stack of crayons is irresistible to a toddler.

Pretty masking tape.

The newest additions to my stash. Lots of polka dots.

My girl watching Mickey Mouse.

I think I’m going to make a valiant effort each month to participate in this project. Hopefully I’ll get more people next time. It was too hard/uncomfortable to chase my kids and get down on their level with this big baby belly in the way. And let’s hope there is a baby to photograph next month! It feels like it has taken up permanent residence in my womb!

Ragamuffins.

rag·a·muf·fin: noun \ˈra-gə-ˌmə-fən\: a ragged often disreputable person; especially : a poorly clothed often dirty child

Well, at least mine were dressed.

It’s nothing to be sad about though. I still love them.

For one thing, Olive does not like to be still for any amount of time.

Sometimes one of the girls decides to pull a little attitude, which inevitably rubs off on the other.

Like I said before, not much can keep this toddler down. Plus, she decided to fall and hit her forehead on the bookshelf right before out little photo session. It was great timing!

Then if one girl sees something shiny, they all have to check it out. Distracted much?

And finally in the end, after about 50 pictures, there are only a handful that actually work. But the ones that turn out like this are by far my favorites.

I just love them. They are easily one of my favorite flowers. They are also my Mom’s favorite flower, so that’s another reason to love them—they remind me of her.

Then I bought it.

It is amazing. I love it.

I love how low the f-stop goes, letting in all that lovely light. I love the shallow depth of field it gives my pictures. I love it. It makes me giddy. It makes me want to shoot.

So, when we had dinner with my in-laws the other day, I couldn’t help myself. I saw all that fresh meat, i.e., children other than my own willing to have their pictures taken, and I just started shooting. When all was said and done, I got all of them but one. Where did you go, Dale?

Laynie

Gavin

Gigi

Roman

Miles

Inez

Gwen

Olive

My handsome husband

Did I mention that I love this new lens? Cause I do.

Baby Elle came into this world on her own terms and according to her schedule.  You should read about how it happened.  It’s crazy and amazing.  It’s cramazing and amazy.

At nine (or ten?) days old she was very much awake and alert.

Who doesn’t love a pair of baby feet? But not on their own because that’s sick and wrong.

Her tiny features are so pretty and delicate.

I just love her.

Thanks Jenny and David! She certainly made a statement with her birth, I think that this girl is gonna go places.

I can honestly say that she is a beautiful newborn.

She has so much hair and long eyelashes, not to mention the most perfect little mouth.

Can you tell she’s not a big fan of being swaddled?

After awhile, big brother woke up from his nap and came downstairs to reclaim his territory (from me mostly).

I think Ruby will have him wrapped around her cute little finger in no time.

Thanks for sharing her with me Kelly!