Sugar, Sugar

Eskimos and Butterflies

Its a ritual, our parting of ways. What once was a kiss and a hug, is now a long, sequential order of actions prompted strictly by our 2 year old. On they way out the door, bedtime, naptime, going to get the mail or using the bathroom...Here is how it goes, in sequential order..

traditional kiss, Eskimo kiss, butterfly kiss on the right cheek, butterfly kiss on the left check, small hug, small kiss, BIG HUG finale. Occasionally, and you never know when she will pull this one out, she will add a kiss on the forehead and a pat on the back.

When Matt and I are both home and we are putting her to bed, sometimes we will each lay down with her and snuggle on each side of her. We talk about our day and the fun things that happened and look forward to what the next day will offer. Matt will kiss Madelynn on one cheek, I kiss her on the other side and then we go back and forth faster and faster until we are both kissing loudly on each check reminding me of a Will Farrell movie, and she laughs and giggles until she barely breath any more......Then she says......AGAIN!!! AGAIN!!!!

Its days like that when I take a moment to notice where I am, who I am, and what I have. This is my family.....and I love it.

concentration...

This is new, uncharted waters if you will. Remain quiet, do not move, do not make a sound or this display of maturing human behavior may break and pre-toddler tazmanian devil ferver may re-surface. Fear of breaking that stream of attention, the mother approaches quietly and rather stealth-like with a camera to capture this fleeting moment forever. This span of concentration may only last 1 to 3 seconds. This cub will not need food or water for months after feeding her tiny brain with such patience, streamlined thought and focus.

my schmoopsy booobop bideldybumkins...

I've been spending so much time photographing everyone else's babies, I have neglected to photograph my own! Today, as Madelynn slept, I noticed that the light was perfect in our newly painted bedroom, Norah was in a particularly spunky mood and I broke out the camera for an impromptu photoshoot. I hope you enjoy her fat rolls as much as I do!!!

Conversations with a 2 year old.

Driving downtown.....

Madelynn: Look mom! A clock!!!

Me: OOOOOh, what time is it?

Madelynn: 48.

Me: Oh gosh, it's late, lets go home.

Madelynn: Ya, time for Whopner.....

( Last sentance ad libbed....to set the scene...)

Conversations with a 2 year old.

Madelynn: I'm Madelynn, not Madeline.

Me: That's right babe.

Madelynn: Tomorrow I'm going to be a car.

Me: Oh ya, what kind of car?

Madelynn: Red

Me: Are you going to be a fast car or a slow car?

Madelynn: Fast

Madelynn: But today I am a princess.

Me: Yes you sure are....

The grass is greener

The grass is not, in fact, always greener on the other side of the fence. Fences have nothing to do with it. The grass is greenest where it is watered. When crossing fences, carry water with you and tend the grass wherever you may be.

Where is Waldo?

or, Where is Madelynn?

we dont believe in baths....

Norah bug 5 months old.....

and not a care in the world!

Overheard from another room

Madelynn talking to her Care Bear: Gracais.....de nada,Tico.

my new bed......


is soooo awsome.....


i can barely.....


tell you......


between.....

all my jumping........

Already barking orders

guest photographer: dad

My Littlest

What is causing this spastic dance of anticipation? the sweet frosted goodness of a warm cinnamon roll on the counter, of course. Outfit of choice today.... Pink Butterfly tank top tucked strategically into yellow and blue flowered tights and topped off with brown leather school shoes. Inspiration of the day....Mikhail Baryshnikov.

Remember those days....?

Loving your "popcycle" so much you can barely move........

innocence

How Norah is like Nunchucks.

Can't see the correlation there? Read on...... I have become very accustom to doing about 17 things at once. Women are known multitaskers and I am no exception to the rule. At any given moment I can type an email, make a sip cup for my toddler, read a book to her, answer a call for work, plan dinner for the evening, blow my nose, kiss a boo boo, coordinate the weeks activities and bounce an infant on my knee like a nervous twitch. Norah has become more than an accessory to my daily routine, but more like an appendage. I can whip her up on my shoulder and carry laundry to the bedroom, flip her from one arm to the next while nursing, and funnel her around my legs as she safely lands on the play mat for tummy time....All with ease and grace, not a thought put into it. I picture myself as a super hero with Norah as my nunchucks....if you get to close, you could be harmed in the shuffle of my daily routine. And all the while....Norah, giggling and farting as we go. Mothers are what make this world go around......

Pieces of Norah

Happy Mother's Day, Father!

Yesterday we had lunch with Gramma for Mother's Day. On the drive down to meet her, I was trying to get Madelynn to say Happy Mother's Day Gramma! so that when we arrived she would flawlessly greet Gramma as rigorously trained. When we arrived she promptly said, without hesitation, and before Gramma had actually exited her car......Happy Mother's Day Gramma! I was so proud.

After lunch, on the drive home...This is our conversation after a long silence.....

Madelynn: Happy Mother's Day, MOM! (my heart melted!)

Me: Thanks babe! I appreciate that.

Madelynn: Happy Mother's Day, Dad.

Me: Dad's not a Mother! Dad's a Father. You can say Happy Father's Day, Dad!

Madelynn: (pausing as she attempts the confusing nouns) Happy........Mother's Day,........Father!

She's got a sweet heart.