this weather

Today was 72 degrees...72 degrees I tell ya! That's kind of a big deal here in Northern Colorado. We are getting majorly spoiled and I'm sure next week it will be negative 2 like January is supposed to be.  Everyone was in a bit of twittering buzz today...there was just something extra special in the air.  The kids went outside without their jackets on and came back in from recess telling me that they were d-y-i-n-g of heat stroke (did you know 4th graders are of the dramatic type?)  We are trying to soak in as much of this warm sunshine as possible- like it will slowly release into our blood stream during the coldest of winter days. I wish we could store up this sunshiny goodness :) 

{4/52}

"a portrait of my daughter, once a week, every week, in 2015."

Everdeen Kate: Playing peek-a-boo...makes you laugh every time :)  

 Linking up with Jodi :)

a little hike in january

Today we enjoyed an unseasonably warm January day.  I felt like we just needed to head outside.  Everdeen and I are both trying to get over colds and we just both said good riddance to our pink eye. It's so nice of toddlers to share everything with you, isn't it? :) We headed to one of our favorite places, Bobcat Ridge, for a little hike. This year Everdeen was able to make it the mile and half to the old cabin.

We found lots of animal holes, lots of deer droppings (Everdeen quickly learned how to tip toe around them), and lots of prairie dogs.  It was eerily quiet out there...not a sound.  We always like to imagine what it was like for the Native Americans who lived out here hundreds of years ago. Undoubtedly very peaceful...and beautiful.  Even in the winter there is beauty around us. I try to remind myself of that every winter so as not to wish away this season, but enjoy it just as much as the others.  Winter can feel claustrophobic when we're trapped inside all day, but Colorado always brings us a warm day just when we need it most. 

 The family that Reeboks together stays together...

This little cabin was last lived in in the late 1920s.  Their family's baby girl was born right there...I couldn't help but imagine bringing a baby into the world in a one room cabin with dirt floors no electricity or running water.  It makes you really think about how heroic mothers are and how many mothers have given birth to their babies in those same conditions over and over. Amazing.

Because anything can be made into exercising equipment...

When we were almost back to the car Everdeen sat right down on the path and wouldn't budge.  This ambitious little one had walked almost three miles!  Someday she'll be trail running this path with her daddy and Grandpa, but for today we didn't mind carrying her the rest of the way as her eyelids grew very heavy.  

Our past visits to Bobcat Ridge here and here

Favorite Photographs {2014}

I rarely showcase my pictures on my blog...wait let me rephrase that :) I rarely showcase pictures I do for others on my blog, but I thought it was due time that they had a little limelight. I've been organizing my photos and didn't realize how many sessions I had had this past year. I go back and forth almost daily on whether or not I want to keep up my little photography business...but with every family, friend, or new client who asks me to capture these beautiful moments, I feel truly honored. 

a warm january day

We went for a long walk through the prairie this afternoon.  I may have done the dumbest move in parenting history when my daughter asked to take a nap (asked I tell you!) and I said, "Nope, we're going for a walk!"   Now, she of course is wide awake singing the alphabet song instead of sleeping, but our walk was well worth it.  The sun was shining and we found a bear cave (the underground tunnel for the bike path) that we had to run through at least ten times.  We've been kind of stuck inside this weekend as Everdeen is recovering from a nice bout with pink eye.  I always feel that no matter what ailment you have you will always feel better with fresh air and warm sunshine. And it's always a good idea to soak up these rare, warm, January days before the next cold spell sweeps over us.

Can we talk about the 'terrible twos'?

When Everdeen was a wee baby, 6:30 became the most dreaded hour of the day...our witching hour. She would cry and cry and we could never figure out why.  We would bounce until our rear ends were numb on the exercise ball,  put on white noise, and follow every step in the Happiest Baby on the Block book.  Some nights we had relief, but others were long and exhausting.   Besides those few months at the beginning, Everdeen has been the happiest, calmest, most easy going baby.  We have been blessed to say the least.  We even naively thought we had missed the "terrible twos".  Here she was at 2 1/2 and we had yet to see that infamous toddler behavior.  Sure we've had some moments that have not been so fun, but overall it's been pretty easy sailing.

But oh, these past few weeks...we have a new witching hour.  The moment Everdeen gets home from daycare she exerts her independence and new found vocabulary she undoubtedly is trying out on her classmates.  "Mama, you stop it! That not okay! Walk away!" Reeeaaal nice.  

But our biggest challenge has been bedtime.  Our once sweet, calm, and easy bedtime has changed drastically.  To say our little one loves to hear stories is the biggest understatement of the universe. Everdeen could listen to stories for hours and trust me she has.  We read from chapter books and read her favorite picture books over and over again.  And the moment we close the book the screaming and flailing begins.  It's hard to watch such a tiny human be so upset over, what seems to us to be small mundane things.  She is learning this world, learning boundaries and expectations and it's hard for little ones to grasp sometimes.  I know our consistency  will pay off and that the time and energy we are putting in now will make future parenting much easier.  At least until middle school ;) I can see how these toddler years are a pivotal turning point...giving in because of pure exhaustion seems like a brilliant idea when bedtime is taking two hours, but Martin and I take a deep breath and continue on. 

We've seen small glimmers of hope that things will return back to the way they were soon.  After the "Daddy go away" we'll hear "Ooooh! You made that dinner for me? Ooooh thank you Daddy!"  Or Everdeen will say as we walk upstairs to bed, "I'm not going to throw a fit tonight, Mama."  We definitely have our days filled with melt your heart moments too, but during a screaming fit it can be hard to remember sometimes.  

Often times I feel like the terrible twos are a taboo subject...no one talks about tantrums and screaming because who wants their child to be categorized as 'terrible'? Maybe we shouldn't look at this stage of life as terrible, but as a prime opportunity to teach and guide our children.  We should look at this time as a chance to really nurture and love on our little ones when they need it the most, as they are learning right from wrong.  Maybe us mamas should share more of the not so picture perfect moments so that we can feel relieved, even normal that it's not just our toddler throwing a tantrum over the color of cup they are drinking their milk from...because obviously the pink cup makes the milk taste much better.

Any words of wisdom or advice from those of you have survived this stage or are going through this same thing now would be much appreciated :)

{3/52}

"a portrait of my daughter, once a week, every week, in 2015."

Everdeen Kate: A big girl bed for my big girl! It's been very bittersweet for me changing your baby room into a toddler room...when I squeeze you tight and say you're my sweet baby girl you are very quick to correct me with, "Mama, I not a baby I a big girl!"  Oh my sweet Everdeen, you will always be my baby! 

 Linking up with Jodi :)

{1/52} {2/52}

"a portrait of my daughter, once a week, every week, in 2015."

Everdeen Kate: Enjoying the last evening with the Christmas tree while you play pretend with your dollhouses. I love listening to you use your imagination as you create your own little world. 

"a portrait of my daughter, once a week, every week, in 2015."

Everdeen Kate: Staying inside and snuggling on another cold and snowy weekend. 

 Linking up with Jodi :)

Cold Snowy Days

January is here which means of course snow, snow, snow. I always enjoy the snow...until we start to get cabin fever. It makes me miss our warm summer evening walks oh so much. These snowy days have been filled with giant colorful messes, playing music, dancing, watching Guess How Much I Love You more times than I can count on my fingers, and snuggling by the fire.  The other evening the living room turned a vibrant pink so we ran outside...some of us without our shoes on and watched the painted sky.  Winter can be a really beautiful time here in Colorado.