the best of her

Queenie.

Nothing can bring her down.
She works SO HARD.
Every day she puts her pencil to the paper, sticks out her tongue and WORKS.
She chomps away on some snack I've given her, making a huge mess.
She laughs at NieNie running by because "No, baby no. You're my baby... you naughty baby."
And then she works and works and works.
I am blessed to have her. To learn from her that I should never give up. That work makes us stronger.
And that truly enjoying your snack involves lots of crumbs, every where.

hugs

This, internet friends, is Melinda the great.
She is great, because as soon as I met her she hugged me.

I love hugs. Being hugged and giving hugs. Leg hugs, side hugs, goodbye forever hugs, half hearted hugs (better than no hug), squeeze your eyes out hugs, doughy little arms around the neck hugs.

I love them. Don't you?

If I ran for president, I would give my speech about babies bottoms (how their cuteness will save the world and such) and then I would move on to hugs and how they are uplifting, informative, and recreational. They're like saying "I think you're SWELL, so here's something to keep you cozy on the way home."

Must Haves When Doing A Photoshoot
#14. stretchy pants

beach

lucky

I love these images so much. Each time I see them they make me want to go plant a big wet one on every body in my family.

Merrick is the sister of Janssen (you know, a favorite of mine). I throughly loved this session, even with the sweat dripping down my neck. Now that's LOVE.

a forever day

Queenie was baptized this month. She wore her white dress, a necklace we gave her and a very knowing smile.

Cousins, aunt and uncles, grandma and grandpa, and many of our closest friends came to show their love.

During the day thoughts of the first white dress she wore kept coming to me. At 6 weeks old she was given a father's blessing in a handmade and very delicate dress my mother gave to me. B held her in his arms and blessed her to be a friend to many and reach out to those who felt alone.

She does exactly just that. Queenie is joy - any one who meets her is fortunate to take a piece of it away with them.

not working

I would be remiss if I didn't post about this baby.

She had me at "....". Babies can do that to a person. She looked at me and I knew, as I did with my own little ones, that her spirit was old and wise inside that tiny new body.

home again

We're home. We missed you little red house.
We feel at ease in the comfort of your walls. Quite at our leisure.

where i have been

Here and there.

Mostly here:



And here:



And here:



But I'll be there sooner or later. I can promise you that.

about these chickens

I'm guest posting today at Freckles in April. Come visit me.

growing

Little Chichi, I am so super duper in love with you.

Your knock knock jokes,

your sloshy stumach,

your dimples that pull me in for a big smooch,

the way you swing your arms,

your lovely even temperment (we get all types here),

and the way that you always ask for me to sit by you.

Happy happy birthday to you sweet tot.

I'll figure out how to stop munching on you before kindergarten. Maybe.

what can i say?

They distract me.


{she is an official bike rider now}


Something I have been loving lately- these beautiful rose buds made by my very talented little sister.


Naturally, we're related.

is it written all over my face?

Thank you Meleah for being the most amazing second (or first, whatever). And for letting me dance on your rug.

the difference a day makes

Has anybody seen a baby?

Because I've misplaced mine.


Things you really MUST know about NieNie:
She is, of course, very interesting.

She's a leg grabber. Usually when I'm on the phone, have my hands covered in raw chicken, writing a love note to Mr B. And then my pants fall down.

She thinks life is hilarious. No relation to the previous sentence. Because that was not funny.

She has Goofy teeth. Please don't tell me that the gap will eventually close. I will hear not one word of it.


She throws her pacifiers out of her bed. And very quickly becomes seriously offended. "WHO HAD THE AUDACITY!!??"


She has one blond curl. And if she doesn't have a blond curl please shake me "Whats the matter with you? I almost didn't recognize your baby!"

She does great Popeye impersonations:

She loves blueberries. A word of caution new parents, just one word. Ration.

She also loves Mr. B. As much as she loves me. Which is HUGE in our family of estrogen, I mean women.

She makes our world go round.

She's one. Darn it all.