Decoration

When I was little, I always had wallpaper in my room. So at night while I was falling asleep, I would trace my fingers on the pattern and it would comfort me in some strange way. Once Ben was settled in his new bed, I realized, while lying down with him one night, that his wall was completely blank. I found this very disconcerting and immediately went in search of something to decorate it. And where did I go? Etsy of course. I LOVE that 'place'. And I found the decals pictured above. I love them and so does he. He calls them his birds and his tree. So thanks so much ellynelly for these beautiful images to fall asleep to.

Hide and Seek

First thing this morning I heard Ben saying "Where's Mommy?" Josh said he didn't know. Last night Ben came into our room in the middle of the night and it was a bit crowded in our bed. So when Sam woke up to be nursed, I decided I would just sleep in his room in the spare bed. But Sammy was so chatty and playing with the toys in his crib that I couldn't sleep. So, like Goldilocks, I headed for the next vacant bed in Ben's room and crashed there. Josh and Ben checked in Sam's room and then downstairs on the couch. Ben was wondering where I could be when I heard Josh say "Maybe she went to the store". Yeah for a pack of cigarettes. Then they found me in Ben's bed and I heard Josh say "Mommy's sleeping. Should we let her sleep?" And Ben, of course, replied "No".

Equality

Ben must have decided that he felt deprived by not having experienced the 3:00 in the morning bath because his fever was so high last night that I had to give him one too. The same time almost to the minute as Sam's a few days ago. What he couldn't grasp was why he had to go back to bed after that. He thought it should be playtime. I then gave him a look that must have said, "Go to bed or I will have to scream really loudly for an hour" because he hopped into bed immediately.

One Light

I hosted the OneLight workshop a couple of weeks ago and it was great. Zack was very humble and sharing of his knowledge and just a nice guy, which is always appreciated. And I learned a lot. Now let's see if I can keep it in my pee brain. These shots are much more posed and stylized than I usually do, so it almost feels like a different photographer took them, which I find exciting and a bit unnerving at the same time.My friend Melanie was the model for the day and some other students jumped in from time to time to give her a chance to shoot, including the fabulous Jennifer, red head extraordinaire. And you have to LOVE that the tag line for the workshop is "People are happier when they're lit". You had me at LIT.

Fever in the Morning, Fever All Through the Night

I always say that you haven't led a full life until you have taken a cold bath at 3:00 in the morning. Sam had the fever and was out of school for three days last week. Now Ben and I have it. It is a cruel, cruel world. Thank god for Meagan. If it weren't for her, I would be lying on the floor with two children running around me in circles in our own filth.

More From Ben's Camera

These were all taken by Ben with the exception of course of the one of him. Unless he is already doing self portraits. But I don't think Fisher Price has a self timer. I was going through them all and found one of Meagan getting dressed in the bathroom. He caught her with a naked bum. Somehow I don't think she knew our budding photographer was capturing her. The dirty little bugger. Needless to say I deleted that one. I have to draw the line SOMEWHERE. I particularly like the one of me with my camera in one hand and a Shiner in the other. Ah, heaven.

Sloth

We're watching 'Go Diego Go' right now and it's about a sloth in trouble. Diego is an animal rescuer (oy!). If you go your whole life without seeing this show you are one lucky SOB. Hearing them say sloth over and over again makes me feel dirty. Like they are invoking the seven deadly sins. Diego keeps saying, "Sloth. Can you say sloth?" And Ben keeps looking at me when they say the word 'sloth'. Now why would he do THAT?

Loteria!

I played Mexican bingo last night at my friend Tanya's house with some of the 'Other Mothers'. We had SO MUCH FUN. I can't remember the last time I laughed so hard. Well, okay, it was the last time I was drinking with Tanya, but still. Lately, I have been feeling so blessed in our move to Austin. I have met such fabulous people and really feel welcome here in a way that I could not have foreseen. It is just such an amazing place and I have made some dear friends. I feel so lucky. I AM so lucky.

The Hood

In the last couple of weeks have I have visited East Austin a few times. Apparently it is considered the hood in Austin. Which makes me giggle. The scary side of town is rather sweet and quaint. Take me to the Tenderloin in SF. Now THAT is the hood.I like it in East Austin. It wreaks of possibility. There is a cafe there that my old friend Jenny took me to. Go figure. The high school friend from Marin County, who lives in Reno, is introducing me to Austin neighborhoods and cafes. The cafe is called Progress and it is a gem. The perfect place to hang out with a good cup of coffee and a good book, or some friends and some good conversation. You should check it out. There was a guy in a kilt there while I visited. Come on now. Who can resist a kilt?

Greyson Turns Two

My dear friend Melanie's little boy turned two a couple of weeks ago and I STILL haven't posted the pics. So here they are. Maybe by his next birthday I will be able to consistently spell his name correctly. For some reason I can never remember if it's G-R-E-Y or G-R-A-Y. Oh well. Every relationship needs a little bit of mystery. Look how much he has changed since we first met him: • - - - • - - - • - - - • - - - • - - - • - - - • - - - • - - - • - - - • - - - • - - - • - - - • - - - • - - - • - - - • - - - • - - - • - - - • - - - • - - - • And this ones goes out to Tanya and her family who have had a rough week. Remember who loves you baby!

More Photo Booth

I kept meaning to post these from months ago and never did. I decided to date them and that's when I noticed they were both on 'holidays'. Guess that's how we celebrate. We go to the photo booth. We are wild and crazy that way. Notice the heart on Sam's sweater for Valentine's Day. I knitted that sweater for Ben when he was in my belly and all I could do was puke and knit. Ah, those were the days.

Last Chance

I am officially ringing the dinner bell on my Welcome to Austin Special. After this Friday, March 28th I will be reverting to my existing pricing structure. If you want to get in while the getting is good then just send me an email. I will need to receive your $50 deposit by this Friday. You can either mail it to me or send a credit car payment via PayPal or by telephone. Thanks so much to all who have participated so far. It has been so much fun. Once it's all said and done, I will announce the three winners of the FREE 10x20 storyboard from their session ($100 value). Yee Ha!