Photo a Day: Day 28

The final day of our 28-day project!

Four years ago today, this amazing little girl entered our lives as a whirlwind...not too much has changed. She does everything with 100%. She blesses me, challenges me, shows me my shortcomings, inspires me to be a better person, a role-model worthy of looking up to.

She was not made to be a follower, but a leader and we have been entrusted with helping to shape her on her journey.

I love her with all of my heart, she brings me joy unspeakable.

She is our beautiful Bryttain - Happy Birthday sweet girl!

February 28, 2010: 11:43am

 

 

...and first day home from the hospital, at one day old, our little peanut, our firstborn daughter, sweet as could be and LOUD!!! Arran's and our lives would never be the same again.

Photo a Day: Day 27

A quiet moment of reflection (pun intended).

February 27, 2010: 2:54pm

Photo a Day: Day 26

It is not every day that you get to photograph Buzz Lightyear, Snow White and a confused fairy!

February 26, 2010: 5:30pm

Photo a Day: Day 25

We have had a rough week with poor little Asia. It all started on Sunday with an accident at church, where she tripped and smashed her face into a table leg, resulting in many tears and mouthfuls of blood as well as a nasty bruise, fat chomped lips and bitten cheeks. Add to that a cough and a cold and she (and I) have been feeling pretty sorry for her. The rule is normally that she is only allowed her pacifier/dummy at nap time and bed time, when she is in her bed, but I have been a bad, inconsistent mommy this week and given way on multiple occasions. I have felt sad for her, plus I have grown very tired of the whining. Next week we will return to square one.

February 25, 2010 4:49pm

Photo a Day: Day 24

I cannot believe that I am already on day 24 of this 28 day project. So often I don't pick up my camera because there is nothing 'special' going on, or the kids are not in portrait quality clothes, but the discipline of finding something every day, of having my camera to hand has been so good for me. So I am thinking (and taking suggestions) for how to continue. My good friend Susan had one idea, for me to continue taking photos each day and maybe just post them at the end of the week, I considered doing a 'photo of the week'...if you have other ideas leave a comment and let me know. It has been fun as well to do this with other friends, some old, some new and checking in on their blogs each day. Thanks for the encouragement and feedback so far ladies.

Anyway, after all that, today's photo. We did not do anything special this afternoon and the rain kept us indoors, but my children play so well together. They were all busy playing on the train table (no trains, just covered in toys) and I called for Bryttain to let me take a photo. Sometimes she just does not want to know, and other times she will flash me a look that is perfect.

February 24, 2010: 4:52pm

Day 23

February 23, 2010: 6:15pm

Photo a Day: Day 22

February 22, 2010 6:03pm

My wonderful little boy, working so hard. I was out for a while tonight and he excitedly called me to tell me that he has his first wobbly tooth! He is a funny little thing, he had apparently discovered it at nap time, but had not been quite sure, so did not tell anyone. Then after James had put the kids to bed, he heard him telling Bryttain, investigated further and found it to be true. 

The end result! Thank you Grandad and Nanny Pam, for a wonderful birthday present that he is thoroughly enjoying. This is so perfect for him at this age and really pushes him to the next level.

Photo a Day: Day 21

I love how much my children love one another. I love that our house is full of love and affection.

February 21, 2010: 6:29pm

These are the moments that get me through all the inevitable sibling squabbles.

Photo a Day: Day 20

James and I went to a beautiful wedding today, just the two of us. It was like a real grown-up date!

My Man! February 20, 2010: 4:25pm 

 

But I  barely got to see my kids all day.I was gone all morning taking pictures of the bride-to-be getting ready, got home while the kiddies were napping and got changed, then woke them up to drop them off to be looked after, while we were at the wedding. We picked them up again at 10:15pm, and they are normally in bed by 7:30pm-8pm. They were so cute, cuddle on the couch together and very sleepy, they pretended to be asleep so that I could take a photo, as we had found them...technically awful, not enough light, my shutter speed was way too low, so we have terrible grain and terrible blur, but I still love it. They call that 'mommy goggles'.

February 20, 2010: 10:18pm

Photo a Day: Day 19

My wonderful little goofball; she cracks herself up!

February 19, 2010: 4:04pm

Photo a Day: Day 18

It has been a busy week, which is not yet over. Today was the first day of my twenty-eight day challenge, when I got to almost the end of the afternoon without having taken a single photograph or even thinking about it. The light was terrible and nobody wanted to cooperate. Whoever said life would be plain sailing? This is as good as it got today.

February 18, 2010: 4:40pm

Photo a Day: Day 17

Asia in the playhouse this afternoon. Did I already mention how much I am loving this weather?

February 17, 2010: 4:26pm

And a little outtake that I could not resist sharing, from just a few minutes before the prior shot. Asia is very clear about when enough is enough and she is done with having a camera in her face! My little pumpkin! Here she is either thinking that if she stands still and closes her eyes I will no longer see her, or maybe just wishing that when she opens them I will have gone away. She cracks me up.

4:19pm

Photo a Day: Day 16

Tuesdays is ballet for Bryttain...easily the highlight of her week.

 

February 16, 2010: 10:20am, 10:34am

Photo a Day: Day 15

What a beautiful day. It was so wonderful to have the sun out and feel WARM. This afternoon the kids got to play out in the yard and went digging for worms, got filthy, loved it, then came in for a warm bath. I am so ready for Spring to really be here and love the teasers like today.

February 15, 2010: 4:17pm

Photo-a-day: Day 14

We all love the beautiful portraits, but then there is real life. Do you ever have one of these days? At all of two years of age, one might believe that Asia has a very hard life, truth be told she has entered in to a new phase these last few weeks, wherein she cries or whines at the drop of a hat. She is testing us to see how much we can take before giving in. She will not win, but it is a daily battle. Of course there are times when we are all genuinely upset, but this is the I-can-turn-it-on-and-off-at-will-cry.

I love capturing these real moments and do not do it nearly enough. Happy Valentine's day, I love you baby.

February 14, 2010: 12:00pm

Photo-a-day: Day 13

Not my kids today, instead, their daddy, playing his octave mandolin. I love his hands, I always have; they are strong, yet gentle and kind. 

February 13, 2010: 1:01pm

Photo-a-day: Day 12

This little girl is full of energy and emotion. There are days that she has completely worn me out, before we have even finished breakfast! But no matter how hard the day, or morning has been, I love to watch her as she sleeps, she is so beautiful and at peace and I am filled with love for her.

February 12, 2010: 2:38pm

Photo-a-day: Day 11

I love to see my baby take care of her baby. It blesses my heart.

February 11, 2010: 5:46pm

First day of being six.

Although Arran's birthday party is not for a few more weeks (he and Bryttain's birthdays are only two weeks apart so we still do a joint party for them), we still celebrate as a family on the day. His request was for us to go out for Chinese food tonight. As we waited for our food to come we all talked about what and why we were thankful for Arran with Arran telling us what he was thankful for in his day...he ended with

"...but I'm kinda gonna miss being five!"

Photo-a-day: Day 10

Day 10. Wow I am actually doing this and keeping up with the challenge. It feels good!

Today is Arran's sixth birthday and while the girls were napping we worked some more on his Valentine Cards to take to school. He is so diligent (as well as being sweet and sensitive and kind) and I have so enjoyed watching him learn and grow in this first year of school. My little boy is growing up so quickly.

I don't look forward to the day of him sending real Valentines, the potential first loves who will break his heart. I already pray that God is preparing exactly the right little girl for him, who will some day be his wife. Who will truly love and cherish and honor and respect him, who will be his soul mate, who will not take advantage of his good nature. I also pray that when she comes along I will be ready and that she and I will have a wonderful relationship :)

For now, I am grateful that I am the only woman in his life.

February 10, 2010: 2:49pm

Photo-a-day: Day 9

Today marked the fifth anniversary of my mom's death. It is always sad to think of all that we miss out on. I try not to dwell on it too much and am grateful, as hard as it was at the time, that it is followed by Arran's birthday, so that I do not get stuck in the sadness and memories.

I decided to buy freesias today, as they were her favorite flowers and it was a positive experience to share with the children about their grandma.

She will always be missed.

February9, 2010: 11:38am

Photo-a-day: Day 8

Another dreary day, we did venture out to the park with friends though and I got this quick snap before I had to pack my camera away due to the rain. Fun times!

February 8, 2010: 4:10pm

Photo-a-day: Day 7

Asia loves her Word Whammer and even though she just turned two she is already working on her alphabet. It is not always easy going, but she will get there.

February 7, 2010: 6:25pm

Photo-a-day: Day 6

It was a busy day today, we headed over to Sacramento to the zoo and the railroad museum as they both had free entry today. To be honest, it was so busy and chaotic that I doubted I would find even one picture to post, but this one really stood out to me. I think it is because I can actually see his face to clearly. His hair is getting so long these days and he refuses to let me cut it, because he wants to look like his cousin, who is also growing his hair, to look like Luke Skywalker! Normally his beautiful eyes are somewhat hidden, but this is the little face I love, and love to see.

February 6, 2010: 2:27pm

Photo-a-day: Day 5

Thankful for a welcome break in the rain today, we went for a family hike this afternoon. It was so good to be outdoors again. The kids are so cute in their rain gear and were happy to get to stomp in puddles to their hearts' content.

February 5, 2010: 4:17pm

Photo-a-day: Day 4

Another wet and dreary day here. It's a good thing my kids enjoy their baths so much (until, of course, someone gets splashed in the face, or I have to start washing hair) because we were not going anywhere fun this afternoon!

February 4, 2010: 3:44pm

Photo-a-day: Day 3

So here is my photo of the day. This is one of those that will mean more to me than it ever can to anyone else.

February 3, 2010: 4:12pm

Today was one of those precious and rare days when I got to have a date with just Bryttain; my middle child, my big girl. She is getting so big so quickly and growing increasingly independent and yet when it is just she and I, she can be my little girl again. She revels in the attention and it is so sweet. She got out of the car and instead of running ahead, asked to hold my hand. I just had to capture it and I am so glad I did!

We walked downtown and stopped at a creamery, chatting while she had an ice-cream and I drank tea. It was so fun. I love my girl and desperately wish we could do this more often. Anyway, I had to include a few more photos...one just was not enough.

Photo-a-day: Day 2

My sweet little Asia had a bit of a rough day today. The whole morning she was whining and complaining and it is so hard for me to deal with, especially as she is normally such a fun-loving little sweetheart. I think she was just really tired. At the time it was just really frustrating, but whenever I stop and take a step back it helps to put things in perspective. I put her down way early for her nap, which today of all days worked perfectly as Arran had a field trip at school and did not need to be picked up until 2:3opm, instead of 11:45am.

Things were much better once she got up, although she still was not quite her usual self. We made it out to a park with friends and although I could not get a smile for the camera, at least the pouting and whining had stopped.

February 2, 2010: 4:14pm

Photo-a-day: Day 1

I woke up this morning, so happy that January was behind me; it was a new day, a start to a new week and a new month. Today is also the start of me photographing at least one of my kids for 28 days straight.

Day 1: Picking up my boy from school. He is such a dreamer! Rain can be falling by the bucket load and he will still come out carrying his jacket instead of wearing it.

February 1, 2010: 11:50am