No nap=art project time

So we've been struggling at our house with sleeping through the night and also with naptime.  Now, Jessica has always been a child that fought me before she had a nap, but it seemed to be getting better, thankfully.  Today, she didn't sleep at all & Ella was up the night before.  These two things equals a very tired mommy.  What I decided to do to prevent Jessica from being too loud & waking Ella was to do some art projects.  She really likes to color so I thought great, maybe that will work & it did!  She had a great time & was quiet while Ella slept.  I am very thankful b/c at least if it's just one of them up, then I feel like things are more manageable.  Here are a few pics from our naptime turned art time.  Enjoy!

Can't tell yet which hand she will use, I'm still betting on a lefty ;)

Lots of new pics for Dada's office

Love this one...so Jess, trying to decide which color to use

She looks so much like Michael in this one...could be b/c she's being naughty

Somehow, crayons up the nose, look cute in this one ;)

Setting an example

Parenthood is the hardest job, isn't it??  Yes, it is so rewarding & there isn't a day that goes by that you don't cherish, but it's hard.  I mean you have a little one(s) that watches your every move, mimics you, and looks to you for all the care they need (and they need a lot).  Here's a poem that I found that was quoted in a mother's devotional that I received for Christmas...so true!

"The Little One That Follows Me"

A careful woman, I ought to be;
a little one follows me.
I do not dare to go astray,
for fear they'll go, the self-same way.

I cannot once escape their eyes,
whatever they see me do, they'll try.
Like me, they say, they're going to be,
that little one that follows me.

They think that I am good and fine;
believe in every work of mine.
The bad in me they must not see;
my life to them, must, an example be.

I must remember, as I go,
through summer's sun and winter's snow,
I'm building for the years to be,
for that little one that follows me.

 Also, here are a few pics of the little ones that follow me.   Let's hope I don't go astray too much b/c I know that these two have many good things to do in this world.  Took these pics the other day when it was rainy outside and used a diffuse glow effect to make them look more "artsy".  I've discovered that the light meter in my camera lies...so I have to go for more exposure when backlighting...good to know.  Hope you enjoy & have a wonderful day!

We had been talking about a "choo-choo" in her book & thought this would be cute--below in sepia as well, couldn't decide!

Yep, she's trying to use her feet to lift the thing

The color looked good in this one

Very artsty for me...only her hair & the lantern are in focus

Gotta get the little one in on the action too

Very antique looking to me

Had to include it in color also, that little Ella is just too cute

Just loved her feet in this one & her focus is just like her Dada

Still chewing on everything...was hoping she'd be out of that phase by now, oh well, still cute

My little eskimo

On Friday we got snow & it was a very cold day....what is a mommy to do??  Well, of course, break out the new poncho & let my little one model it for me.  She's such a precious thing.  I think I'm getting better with the whole color balance thing in my pics.  On a different note, she's very mobile now & crawling (normally--still some scooting, but mostly crawling with all 4s) everywhere.  Some of these are really cute, of course, having such a cute baby in the pics doesn't hurt either.  Hope you all have a wonderful day & that we defrost here!

Look at the little princess

Good contrast & color here

Love the texture of the fuzzy trim

Sweet little face

Love this one...look at the little feet

Yep, the little munchkin can crawl...this is going to get really interesting

Just liked the angle of her face here

More crawling

Is it a laugh or a cry...I don't know??

Definitely a laugh ;)

The hooded poncho is pretty, don't you think??

You can almost see those little teeth just under her gum

My assistant Jessie gave her a brush, hey whatever entertains her is great with me

Look at that little face & those chubbers cheeks, love them

Sunny snow day

On Saturday, we had some of the coldest & prettiest snowy weather I've ever seen.  So pretty & snowy that Dada volunteered to take Jessie out to play in it.  Well, they both had a blast.  Jessie was so excited to eat the snow & also to be able to fall in the snow.  I have to brag on my husband for a moment--he was tired after a long week of work, but he took his Saturday morning to spend with Jessica, who, at the moment, is not the most pleasant little toddler.  We are dealing with a strong-willed child who has a temper...Lord, help me, no seriously, I need it!  Anyway, they had a great time & the look on Jessica's face as Michael pulled her in the sled or helped her go down her slide was priceless...enjoy a look at our little toddler & her Dada.  I am so thankful for such a wonderful father for my kiddos...love that man.  Have a wonderful day!

22 months playing in the snow

Getting snow to throw at mommy

Blowing snow on Jessie...just thought this was a cool pic b/c I actually froze the action

Just liked that she as surrounded by snow in this one

Doing snow angels with dada

Still trying to get enough snow to throw at Mama

Just liked it in sepia

Look at that little cutie

So excited that she slid into the snow

Very contemplative in this one...wonder where she gets that??  Dada maybe?

Saying ohhh, ohhh

So happy Dada was helping her on the slide

Love this one of them

Getting a little wind burned, but still having fun

My favorite...it would make a good canvas