I Just Gotta Push!

Day 23: Black and White


Ahhh freedom to take pictures of what ever I wanted today.  I act like there is a man with a gun ready to take aim and fire if I don't follow the directions.  What I wanted was a picture of Doodle and all her Frwends in her bed.  What I got was soooo much better.  For months now, Doodle has been trying to climb into her crib.  Yes, I know she is almost 3 and still in a crib (and still SLEEPS with a paci).  Yes, I know if she can climb in she can climb out.  What you don't know is that she is a rule follower and knows her climbing limitations.  She has known how to climb out since December, but will not even try to throw a leg over because she knows she would fall and get hurt.  What you also may not realize is that my kid (God bless her soul) wakes up happy and stays happy in her crib for a long time (enough time to empty the dishwasher, take a shower, and throw on clothes).  The way I see it, we have the perfect set up.  She won't climb out, she is happy even when awake, and I don't have to worry about her.  Well, I have a feeling that is all about to change.  See for yourself.

I want to try!

I just have to push with my legs

I think I could do it Mommy!

 She is so proud of her latest accomplishment.  We have started to discuss making her bed a big girl bed like her  friend Japurb's bed.  This kind of talk always leads to a very long run on sentence with lots of excited stuttering about going to see Japurb and Sammy (the dog).  The adults in the household have discussed the conversion process and may attempt it this weekend.  I hope that her agreeability about a big girl bed has more follow through than her desire to have a little yellow potty (that has a twin white potty that both do nothing but collect dust in the bathrooms).  The adults have also discussed how many more "frwends" Doodle with have once she is like the cool big kids.  Just imagine what she can put in her bed then!

I got a lotta frwends!

Beautiful Inside and Out

Day 22: Landscape

I took a little me time tonight and drove over the mountain so I could get some landscape pictures.  I intended to stop at the scenic overlook and VDOT memorial in I-64 West and get some pictures of the valley below.  When I got to the VDOT memorial, I was struck by the beauty of the flag, the mountains, the sun, everything!  The reason I wanted to take the pictures in the first place is because every time I drive over the mountain, I have a sense of beauty.  Even when it is foggy and I can only see 10 feet in front of me, there is something beautiful about the mountains.  I remember driving over the mountain the first time 2 years ago (almost to the day) heading towards our new home.  Leaving behind family and friends, comfort and familiarity.  I was exhausted from a long drive and anxiety over moving, my Favoritest's new job as a fellow, my new job as a stay at home mom.  I was filled with every emotion one could think of.  As we crested the top of Afton Mountain I couldn't get over how beautiful it was.  Little did I know that our new home would be filled with as much inner beauty as the surrounding landscape.  We landed in a lovely townhouse surrounded by young families and kids the same age as Doodle.  Those families have become our friends and our extended family.  I found other friends (through UVA House Staff Social Network) who understand the crazy, hectic, frustrating, amazing life that our family leads because of my Favoritest's job.  Having those ladies for support and friendship has made a huge difference in my happiness.  I was also given a huge gift with this move.  TIME.  I know I always say that there is never enough, but I have more now than I ever did before.  I have time to enjoy Doodle.  Time to explore new hobbies like photography and writing.  I have time to indulge in old hobbies like scrapbooking.  I have time to sit on the computer and chat with my friends. All of those things give me the patience to deal with the frequent stints of single parenting and solo meals.  So, this picture that I intended just be something beautiful, has really made me think about the beauty of my home.  Two years after first seeing those mountains, I still marvel at their beauty.  More surprisingly is that I am still marveling at the inner beauty of our home!

A Little Dirt on the Wheels

Day 21: Micro


As a parent do you ever  have those moments where you are convinced this thing that lives in your house is so unlike you that they couldn't possibly belong to you?  I am not even talking genetics.  I am just talking about habits and behaviors that our kids pick up from those around them.  Logically one would assume they would develop habits and behaviors like their parents.  But kids aren't logical creatures.  Which brings me to today's photo.  

This is an up close and personal picture of the wheel of Doddle's doll stroller.  Mind you, dolls never grace its' seat.  That special spot is reserved for Ming-Ming and Tuck.  Tonight we took the whole gang for a walk.  Doodle wanted to take her "little stroller".  She was running up the hill when she stopped in her tracks, squatted down, pointed and the wheel and cried "Mommy, what had  happened?"  It took me a few minutes to realize she was talking about the dirt that had collected on the wheel.  It rained earlier and the sidewalk had lots of dirt and leaves and mess on it.  She wanted me to wipe it off with a wash cloth.  I convinced her to walk on, and most of it fell off.  However, on the return trip down the hill the same thing happened.  She was devistated.  Her prized ($10 from Target ) "little stroller" had a dirty wheel.  I managed to get her and the stroller home without having to carry any one and as soon as we walked in the door she wanted a wash cloth to clean the wheel.  I opted for a quick rinse in this sink.  Doddle was happy.  


The world was right again.  But it sure did get me thinking about this kid that spends so much time with me.  There are moments when I know exactly where she picked up a habit or behavior.  Her recent sassy tone of voice, I know is a total impersonation of me when I am fussing at her.  This need for things to be clean.... I don't know where it comes from.  It doesn't matter if it is her hands, her feet, her toys... she doesn't like them to be dirty.  She doesn't like to paint or use glue, because you might get sticky.  She wants a wet wash cloth at the table to keep her hands clean!  If you know me, you know what a conundrum this is for me.  I am not a neat person.  I don't put things in the right place, and I certainly like to get my hands dirty working on a project.  I guess it just goes to show that nature and nurture are in constant battle!  


PS
I had a hard time picking between the picture of the wheel and this stunning (in my humble opinion) picture of a neighbor's flower.  A gardener I am not, so I have no clue what it is.  I do know that I managed to get 2 bugs inside the flower!

Rainy Days and Mondays

Day 19: Summertime
It's been another Monday around here!  Another un-friend kind of day.  I have finally realized that even thought I don't leave to go to a job, I dread Monday as much as the next person.  I think it is the reality that the solo parenting starts again.  As does the solo house keeping, cleaning, dog walking, and everything else it takes to make this house run  crawl.  To make matters even more entertaining, Doodle has been struck with a horrible case of the toddler stutter.  I love my child.  I promise I do.  But the constant repetition of whole words is like nails on the chalkboard.   The shining bright spot in my day was getting to play with the camera.  I think I should name it, you all know how much I like to name things:)  Any suggestions?  Anyway, I was a day late with yesterday's challenge: Summertime.  I can think of a million things that say summer time, but it's been a cloudy, rainy, dreary few days around us.  So today as I sat down in a moment of peace and quiet, I looked out the window and saw our neighbor Japurb's lawn mower laying on its' side.  It just made me think of all the summer hours we spend outside in our courtyard.  So I snuck outside and snapped a few pictures.  Then I came in a played on my iphone with it and came up with this:

Day 20: Water
Today's challenge was easier to photograph.  Water, plenty of it around here.  As I walked inside this morning, I noticed some rain drops left in a spider web on Doodle's outdoor climber.  I immediately thought of my dad's cousin Barbara.  My dad sent her a video of Doodle, she and I became friends on Facebook, and I learned what a fantastic photographer she is.  She has really inspired me to play with my camera and see the beauty in the details.  So when I saw the water drops, I knew that I wanted to capture that beauty.  I think I managed to do Barbara proud!

My Baby Girl

Day 18: Eyes

Zoe is the last member of the family to make it into the photo challenge.  She was mine before my Favoritest and Doodle were ever even thought about.   I got her right after I graduated from college.  My friend Katie's mom rescued her from a farm in South GA.  I saw her (and her brother) late one night.  I went home, had a few beers and told my friend Josh that I was getting that brown dog and I was going to name him Brody. Josh told me it was an ugly dog and was going to get huge!. Well, he was a she, and I named her Zoe.  In the sober light of day, she was ugly (had mange and was pretty sick) but I already loved her.  Josh was also right that she got bigger than I thought she would.  My dad said it was a mistake.   That was 11 years ago. Now he agrees that she was the best mistake I have made.  She has been a wonderful companion.  She is protective, affectionate, playful, and beautiful.  She thinks my Favoritest is the best thing I ever brought home.  She lets Logan (our beagle) have the big dog bed and wrestles with him even when she is achy and tired.  She is terrorized by Doodle, but if she hears her waking up in the morning she sits outside her bedroom door.  I often worry that her time will come before Doodle is old enough to remember her.  She drives me crazy, but I couldn't imagine the last decade of my life without her!

We're Off To See The Wizard

Day 17: Bokeh


Bo-what?  Bokeh.  If you are totally clueless like me here is the wikipedia link to the definition of bokeh.  So basically, it is a picture that is in focus and blurry at the same time.  Challenging to figure out.  But really fun because I got an early birthday present today.... an new DLSR camera (Nikon D5100).  I am super excited about it.  Still trying to figure it out.  Also trying to stop my Favoritest from playing with it while taking unflattering pictures of me.  It has lots of settings and buttons and stuff.  I already love it!  I am sure you can guess what I spent the afternoon doing!  
So, once I played a little, it was time to figure out the bokeh shot.  From my extensive (10 minutes) worth of research, I figured out I needed something similar to Christmas tree lights, an object to shot, and something in the background.  I played around with several light sources because I had no intentions of getting into holiday bins in the middle of June.  After lots of failed attempts, I realized my Madame Alexander dolls had all three elements.  The curio cabinet has it's own light source, the mirrors and glass help it to resemble twinkling lights, and I had a subject, and background.  If you know me, you know I have enjoyed collecting these dolls over the years.  I got my first MA for my 10th birthday.  The most recent (the Wicked Witch you can see in the background) was a holiday gift from my Favoritest.   I have over 20 of them.  Someday, I hope to add the the collection by giving them to Doodle.

We Go Together Like.... Oil and Water

Day 16: Mason Jar

BORING!  That's what I thought about having to take a picture of a mason jar.  Surprise.... I had fun doing it!  Several summers ago I taught science classes with my friend Amy.  One of my favorite things was always mixing oil and vinegar or water.  I just love the colors floating around in big gloopy bubbles.  So, I tried to capture that in my photo.  

More challenging than taking the picture, was what to bore you, my friends and followers with:)  But as I enjoyed a few peaceful moments playing mad scientist, I realized this picture perfectly depicts the Doddle and I, especially this week.  We are so much alike, but are so very different.  Sometimes, as my friend Kate would say "we are not friends". And there are days when I think she is so perfect I want to freeze her in time!  There have been moments when I wonder what planet she came from and how can I send her back.  There have also been moments when we have laughed and giggled and shared a joke and it seems that we are in perfect rhythm.  Tonight, as I sang "You Are My Sunshine", Doodle got so tickled she couldn't stop laughing.  Feeling her body jump against my chest made me giggle.  Soon we were both laughing so hard, we could barely finish our song.  In those moments our oil vs. water personalities mix together to make something beautiful and perfect, if only for a fleeting moment!