{Brooklyn} Summer at the Beach

After being on vacation in Washington for two weeks and then playing catch up upon our return (and not to mention June gloom that extended well into mid July), we finally made it to the beach. As I suspected, Brooklyn refused to walk on the sand (she did the same on the Washington Coast). As soon as I set her down barefoot in the sand, she immediately started crying and whining "uppies". I think it's kinda funny that she really hates it that much (although I will say that I'm not much a sand fan either, despite my love for the ocean). It took some serious patience and coercing to finally get her to warm up to it. Once the other kids started playing and having fun, she had to be part of it too. By the end of the day, I could barely get her out of the water. I think a water baby has been born...

{Brooklyn} Say Cheese

So anytime I have the studio set up for portraits, Brooklyn runs into the room and waits for her portrait taking. She has perfected her smile and saying "cheese". Which is so funny, since I'm perfectly content capturing her not looking into the camera (she has caught on to me capturing others). I haven't encouraged her to say "cheese" to the camera (well, only on occasion). I love the raw images of her thinking, playing, eating, etc. But she's a bit of a fan now of the camera. Oh lord, look out!

I never thought I'd be that gloating mommy. But I'm so proud. And so impressed. I cannot believe this little person becoming in front of me. She makes me laugh. And smile. And go crazy, all the while. I love her more than I knew I could love another. Her daddy and I laugh and marvel at this little person that we made. What an amazing blessing she is...

 

 

 

 

{Brooklyn} Happy 21st month Birthday!

We just returned from vacation, and I'm pretty sure Brooklyn aged a month or two on this trip alone. She is talking so much more, has so many more expressions & behaviors, and is ultimately becoming just more HER!

She is 21 months today! Wow...where has the time gone? My little baby is officially a little girl. She is such a little character, I can't get over it. She is a feistly little girl (and I'm only hoping that will serve her well in life, because at this point, it's only giving me gray hair and lots more of it). For example, she threw the biggest fit of the world during take-off & landing on the flight home today from Seattle. I mean, like hitting kicking scratching tantrum. It's kinda embarrasing. I'm "that" mom on the plane, that can't control her child. I'm sorry, but there is no controlling this child, especially a toddler. If you have some advice, please enlighten me.

In other news, Brooklyn is pretty much a parrot. She can repeat anything you say and will. She sings, and dances, and plays so well. I only discovered on this trip that she is very much a independent little girl and likes her solo time. She gets overwhelmed with too much action & socialization. I found her frequently playing in the rocks and swinging by herself. However, she is also kinda bossy. She has a game called "oh no" that she plays with her daddy. She taught it to her cousins and demanded that they do it on her command. So funny.

It was hilarious as Brooklyn mimiced her cousins and called me "Auntie Char Char" and "Charla" on this trip. At one point, she even called me "Auntie Mommy". So funny! When I told her "no", what was my name? She always replied "mommy". Good girl.

It's so fun to watch her imagination! Playing with her dollies. Talking to her toys. It's just amazing seeing her become a little person.

Mostly, I love that she says these things...

"Cuddle, mommy, cuddle."
"Mom, come on!"
"Kisses, mommy."
"Night night, mommy."
"Mom, where are you?"
"Take it, mom."
"Uppies, mom."

{Brooklyn} Hug the Ones You Love

It's with great sadness that I write this blog on a day when a photographer friend of mine (Leila Jones) lost her daughter. I can't imagine the pain Leila's family must be feeling right now. My heart just hurts for them. Leila is a family gal...they had six children! She is a lover and a giver and a huge inspiration to everyone she meets. I've had the privilege of shooting several weddings with her and it's always a joy. I'm so sorry, Leila, for your loss. There are no words to bring you comfort.

Moments after I learned of Leila losing her daughter, I excused myself to the bathroom. My little girl ran after me knowing something was wrong with me. She looked up at me with such concern. It was heart wrenching. I picked her up and held her through my tears. I'm so lucky to have this little girl in my life. I've never held her so tight. And appreciated her more than that moment. Please, go hug your loved ones today too and thank God for their presence in your life.

 

 

 

{Hello Summer} Sun + Sand + Surf = Bliss

Hello Summer! It's been too long & you always stay too short. I can hardly wait to bask in your glory once again.

Despite the fact I was raised in rain country (Olympia, Washington), I've pretty much been a sun worshiper my entire life. When there was an occasional sunny day growing up, you could find me & my best friend Lora greasing up with baby oil & using tinfoil as a reflector. We were die hards, but our sun exposure was limited due to the crappy weather of the PNW. Sorry guys, you can't fool me! I experienced 25 years of the PNW and there is no rhyme or reason to their crazy weather. And I'm sorry to tell you that it is the number #1 reason why I live in SoCal. I would much rather be close to my friends & family, but I'm pretty sure I would suffer from SAD.

So today, I arrived 45 minutes early to my engagement session in Laguna Beach. Despite the many sessions I've done in Laguna, I've never done a session in this particular spot. It was gorgeous! And for one moment, I was able to stop, breathe, and take in the scenery.

I've been working too much. I need to find a balance. Today reminded me of it all. I'm hoping this summer to find a "me" day, a "Brooklyn" day, + "Dan" day. I want to lay in the sun alone, with the sand at my feet, waves crashing in the distance. But more than that, I want uninteruppted time with my loves. I love summer!

Captured by iPhone...

{Brooklyn} Heartful Thoughts of Mothering

I had a perfectly wonderful day with Brookie. Napping, watching movies, playing, laughing, & cuddling. All in our pj's! I so needed today.

I needed it because I was feeling the "mom guilt" yesterday when I was getting ready to leave her with a sitter to shoot a wedding. I had never quite seen the sad face I got when our sitter arrived and I began telling Brookie goodbye. I was haunted by her tears and cries as we drove away. The weekends are usually our time together, but she knew! And so the wedding season begins...

I never imagined being a working mom when I finally decided to have children. I defintiely did not imagine I would be working two jobs. I love photography so much that I would love for it to be my fulltime job. However, I would have to make enough money to replace my teaching income + benefits before that is a possibility. I am also conflicted in the classroom. I am not the hopeful 20-something year old when I began. I do not feel I will save the world by teaching the next generation Spanish. I had an insatiable love for Spanish and teaching it when I began, but have become bitter over time (going on 12 years!). In some ways, teaching has taken a bit of a backseat since discovering photography. Mostly because I find hope & inspiration elsewhere.

I am not complaining. I am incredibly blessed to have two jobs. I am just conflicted by my time and aspirations. I AM working two jobs and wanting to work less. I want to do do what I love AND be available to my daugher. So I'm hoping to make some changes and that ultimately they will be the best choices for B!

 

 

 

 

{Brooklyn} The making of a good portrait

After my last posting about Brooklyn, I was inspired to get a good portrait of her. You know a photo of her looking at the camera and actually smiling. Easier said than done! The studio was already set up so I invited B into the room to play. Yeah...whatever, is what she was thinking I'm sure. Sooooo...I got creative and literally lied her on her back and trapped her with my legs and tickled her with my toes. Yep, that's what did the trick. I got a smiling baby looking at the camera.

I'm loving my home studio with all natural light! I really feel like my images are so much better

 

 

 

 

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{Brooklyn} Just a girl and her doll

Every once in a while I get just a bit overwhelmed with all that I need to accomplish, especially during those late night hours when I'm racing against the clock before I must eventually get some sleep. Tonight was one of those nights. My computer is being extremely slow, it's taking three times as long to upload images, I need to back-up & delete even more files again, and so on and so on. In moments like these, I feel defeated. So what do I do to make myself feel better? I revert my attention from client work to personal...Brooklyn!

There's nothing in this world that cures a bit of frustration than looking at images of her. You may notice that most of the images I capture of her are candid...with her at play. Those are my favorite. I rarely ask her to look at my camera and she pretty much ignores me when I have it. I'm sure she is so use to it by now, that it doesn't even phase her. One of these days, I'll attempt to get a good portrait of her...with her actually looking into the lens and smiling. Until I decide to tackle that battle, I will capture her childhood. It's amazing to see her play. I love to listen to her...Talk to her dolls. Point out her body parts, "eyes, nose, mouth, ears, cheeks". Tell her baby what to do, "stop", "shhhh". (It's especially funny when I know she is mimicing the things I say to her.) She is a little person now and I'm loving watching her grow.

 

 

 

 

{Brooklyn} You make everything okay

 

Do you know when you have had a bad day or week, for that matter, a cuddle session with your little one makes everything okay? Brooklyn must have known I was having that kind of day because she has been so sweet, funny, & cuddle'ly with me today. And even if she can be a bit naughty in moments, she is pretty cute making up for it with her charm. She has a way of putting my life in perspective and reminding me not to sweat the small stuff.

It's been an awesome week off from teaching, but it's been mixed with a bit of stress and worry for my mom. She has spent the past four days in the hospital as a result of excruciating pain from a couple of degenerative discs in her lower back. She is being treated for the pain and hopefully this will be episodic. She is not willing to do surgery just yet. It's a real bummer not to be able to be with her and only get news through the telephone chain (since she lives in my hometown of Olympia, WA). It was initially a big scare for us all because she was diagnosed with cancer exactly 5 years ago this Easter. She was out of comission on this Easter day and was uncertain the reasons for her pain. Luckily all of her tests have revealed that she is still cancer-free. Amen for that.

{Brooklyn} 18 months

My Brookie Brooks,

You are a force to be recokend with! And I love that. And sometimes hate it. I'm so happy that you are a strong willed little girl but sometimes that doesn't workout in practical terms. You have officially become a little girl, and graduated from "baby" status. Which is sad for many reasons. But mostly because I call you "baby" most. It's really amazing to see you assert yourself at a young 18 months. You already have a very strong opinion about many things but mostly about food. You're quite a picky eater and you give a definitive "NO" when we try to give you anything new.

You had an awesome 18th month birthday playing in CoCo & Uncle V's backyard, but the next day you were so sick. It's so sad to see you feeling bad. But you're a little cuddle bug when you're feeling yucky. We spent most of the day cuddled in bed watching Nick Jr when you weren't sleeping. I worry so much when you are not feeling well. There is nothing in this world that has made my heart hurt worse...than seeing your sick little face. I love you so much and want to take your pain from you.

Your daddy and I talk about you all the time. We talk about how you are such a happy, lively little girl. We talk about how you make us laugh. We talk about about how you are so smart. We are so proud of you. And you make us love each other more too. I'm so proud of the daddy he has become. You are such a magical part of our lives. It's hard to imagine what life was like without you. We count our blessings everyday for YOU!

 

 

 

 

{Half Marathon} 13 weeks to train for Seattle Rock & Roll Race

 

If you know me, you know I'm goal orientated. I'm driven by challenges and goals. So, I've commited to training for my 2nd half marathon in hopes to getting me back in shape. 13 weeks and counting! That is until the Seattle Rock & Roll Marathon on June 26th. I'm registered! Yikes! I have been seriously slacking in the fitness department since even before having Brooklyn. I easily have 20 pounds to lose and needed some serious motivation. In the past, training for triathlons and my first half-marathon have been my best and most motivating option. So here we go again! I'm excited that I will be running this race with my sister Jeanene and four of my friends (Cora, Lora, Rachel, & Sarah). I had already planned to be on vacation in Washington during this time, so it's a perfect fit. I'll be tracking my progress here on the blog and hopefully that will be one more piece of accountability for me. As you might imagine, finding the time to run is my biggest challenge. It wouldn't be so bad, but Brooklyn is not a fan of the stroller these days. So I have been leaving her at daycare for one extra hour and going to run afterschool.

I've started training using the Couch to 5K app on my iPhone for my midweek runs. I really love this app and how it eases you back into running. It starts with interval training, running for 60 seconds and then walking for 90 for week one (increasing time with each run), and a voice even interrupts your music to tell you when to walk/run. I fast forwarded to Week 6 yesterday and ran for 5 minutes, walked 3, ran 8, walked 3, & attempted to finish with 5 (but was more like 3). Needless to say, I'm SORE today! I'll be using RunKeeper for my longer runs to track my pace and mileage. Wish me luck!

I like how both of these apps interface with your music. Music is a must when I run! That is also why the Rock&Roll race series is so fun. They have bands throughout the course. It's like a running concert!

 

My thoughts on running (after a baby, that is). Can I be honest? It sucks! Since having a baby I have to wear two sports bras. I'm a little discouraged by the fact that I practically pee my pants when I run now. And go figure, I didn't even have B naturally. And holy cow, I got some junk in the trunk...because my booty practically smacks my back when I run. I'm not kidding. It's not funny. It's actually a bit disturbing. But, hey...I'm working on it.

Give me 12 weeks and I'll show you a new ME!

{My Niece} They grow up too fast

 

While perusing the Internet tonight, I came across my older sister Lynnette updating her Facebook with recent pictures of her daughter going to the high school Tolo dance. OMG! What? That is not my super sweet little niece, Lindsey? Is it? Well, as you can see...she is not so little anymore. And as you might tell, she is definitely taller than me now. But what struck me most...was that she is such a beautiful young woman. Not that I haven't always thought that. But she really just appeared like a beautiful woman, and not so much a litte girl. Sorry sis! You are not going to want to hear this, and it's exactly what caused me to gasp. Where does the time go? How does time escape us so fast? How do cute little girls turn in to beautiful women, at the blink of our eyes? This will be Brooklyn before I know it! That is why I blog, take a zillion photos, and video. I don't want to forget and always want to remember today.

Can you believe this little bundle grew up to be such a cutie? Yes, that is a very younger version of me on the left with Lindsey. She was the first grandchild to my parents, and the first little one to make me an auntie. She will always hold a special place in my heart.