March Memories

 A few Saturdays ago we went to take pictures in the blooming orchards.  Well, it turns out that the orchards in my memory weren't on the street I remembered.  But, we found these cool trees in the process.  Eliana was moving so quickly in the fading light that this truly was one of maybe three or four that were in focus.  Yeah for playing Hide and Go Seek from me:)

 

I feel like the trees bloom for such a brief moment, and then the green takes over.  It isn't that I don't like green; it is after all my favorite color.  I simply am amazed when the trees turn white, pink, and purple.

Eliana and I visited with these amazing kiddos last week.  Oh how I love them!  Timothy has grown so very much!  They all have!

 I love when we visit Michele's house, because Eliana always gets a lesson in sharing.  :)

 

Notice that they toy Eliana is using to try and open the front door has WHEELS on it!?!?!  This child has no fear when it comes to exploring.  Her creativity and curiosity seem to be limitless.  Tonight Kyle attached a basket to the front of this toy.  Eliana was thrilled to carry her panda around from Grandpa Hal and Grandma Sue.  It is currently one of her favorite toys.  

 Does anyone know what kind of tree this is?  This was the first year in five that I actually captured the blossoms before the disappeared for the season.  I love them!  I was even brave enough to knock on a door of a stranger's house just to ask if I could photograph her tree.  She smiled and was quite willing.

 

I love the variety of colors Eliana and I see as we go walking together. 

 

Sometimes, you capture the image you have in your mind perfectly.  It is such a rare treat for me, that I am delighted when it happens.  I've been photographing roses since I first got my hands on a camera, and sadly most of them are disappointing compared to the true beauty of the rose.  Awe, but this picture, that pretty much sums up what I saw.  These flowers were from Right to Life's 25th Anniversary Dessert last Thursday.  I must say I walked away with a lot of things to ponder about life and abortion. 

Rachel to the Rescue!

Eliana can pull herself up on things like chairs, the couch, walls, people, and other objects that are taller than her.  She hasn't stood up by herself yet.  If you let go of her hands, she can stand for a few moments.  While holding someone's hands, she can walk places.   

Eliana loves Rachel!!!  It was rather humorous trying to take these pictures.  I was the photographer, and Rachel was Eliana's rescuer.

I personally am not a huge fan of pink, but I've found that pink on Eliana is quite cute.  I would never wear a tutu and ballet slippers, but on her they are adorable!  Actually, that isn't all true.  I wore ballet slippers during my wedding reception.  I'm not a huge fan of high heels either:)  I think they can be pretty, but I'd rather be comfy.

Do you see why Eliana needs a rescuer?  She doesn't even keep her eyes open as she goes plummeting toward the ground.  It is probably a reflex of some kind to protect her eyes:)

Rachel, Eliana, and I went on a stroll and found these beauties!

Early Morning Surprise

 Early Morning Surprise

(Inspired by Mr. William Carlos Williams)

by Tasha Guess

So much depends upon

an early morning feed

and an unpleasant smell

found on my baby's head

Have you ever read Love that Dog or Hate that Cat by Sharon Creech?  If you haven't, YOU SHOULD!!!  I've been thinking in poems for days.  I read each book in about two days.  I started rereading Hate that Cat to Eliana yesterday when we were outside enjoying the beautiful weather.  She loves poetry!

Let me share with you the first few poems of Love that Dog:

             JACK

Room 105 - Miss Stretchberry

           September 13

          I don't want to

          because boys 

          don't write poetry.

          Girls do.

             September 21

           I tried.

          Can't do it

          Brain's empty.

               September 27

          

          I don't understand

          the poem about

          the red wheelbarrow

          and the white chickens

          and why so much 

          depends upon 

          them.

          If that is a poem

          about the red wheelbarrow

          and the white chickens

          then any words

          can be a poem.

         You've just got to

          make 

          short 

          lines.

So, back to my poem.  I'm guessing you might be wondering why so much depends upon an unpleasant smell found on Eliana's head.  It wasn't just an unpleasant smell, there was something crusty on her head and cheek.    After feeding her at 5:30 am, I brought her back to her crib to continue sleeping for a few hours.  After laying her down, I noticed a drying puddle of something that used to be in her belly at the head of her bed.  It was hard to tell how much of a puddle was there since we only have a night light on in her room.  I decided to wake Kyle up.  My plan was to carry the still sleepy Eliana in my arms out to the couch so that he could change the sheet.  I was hoping to be able to lay her back down to sleep for a little while, and I knew that if I changed the sheet she'd wake all the way up.  

Although a little started by being woken up, Kyle was willing to go with my plan.  I scooped up Eliana up and headed for the couch.  Kyle was half way done pulling off the sheet when Eliana gushed all of the milk she had just taken in.  Sometimes I wondered if Eliana was getting more milk now that she is older.  I nurse her, so I don't know exactly how much she takes in.  I know that I drink TONS of water all of the time and eat healthy to keep up the milk supply.  Well, after this morning's fountain of milk covering so much of me, I can say for certain that she is taking in a whole lot more than she did a few months ago.

After loudly calling Kyle, "Kyle, I need you NOW!"  We sprang into action.  Kyle bathed Eliana.  I pulled the slip cover off the couch, got a load of laundry going, and showered.  

It is a few minutes after 8am with one load of laundry drying, another in the washer, plants having been watered, photos taken of coming poppies, breakfast enjoyed (by me, not Eliana), a baby sleeping since 7am, Bible study lesson completed, and Kyle off to work.

Tulips

I've never really noticed tulips before, but I've decided that they are delightful!

 Aren't these eye catching?  My mom's birthday is in March.  We didn't get to see her on her birthday, but we brought her these when we saw her this weekend.  She LOVES red!

 Nanny loves purple.  

Friday's Walk

 There is a field near Kyle's work.  He showed me where these purple flowers were.  I never would have noticed them if I was driving.  I'm so glad we were walking and got to enjoy their beauty.

 Can you find the spider?

Eliana was busy trying to find the puff cereal in her hand.

Roadside Beauties

Eliana and I brought a meal to some friends who live about 30 minutes away.  In between our homes is some gorgeous country side.  On the way home we stopped off to capture some of God's stunning work.

Eliana is a roadside beauty too!  She has to have one of us by her when she sits on the toy graciously given to us this past Sunday.  Kyle and Eliana got a kick out of each other as he moved her around and made car noises.

I introduced this toy to Eliana this past Monday morning.  After her nap, I brought her back into the livingroom.  She got so excited to see this toy again!

I know St. Patrick's Day was yesterday and that I already posted a bunch of her in this cute outfit, but I decided I really like this shot too and had to share it!

A Spring Walk

I know that it is technically still winter for a few more days, but I see spring everywhere!

 Kyle was sick Friday through Sunday.  He slept probably close to 20 hours of the first two days.  So, Eliana and I ventured outside while he napped.  Thankfully, he is feeling much better!  This was picture was taken at a bit of a distance.  I was hoping to find more of these flowers up close.  They are probably my favorite spring bloom.

I had never seen these before. I was started by them when I looked up close.  I'm guessing they'll bloom some more soon, but they are pretty neat in this form too.

Humming birds can be very hard to spot, but I found this one way up in a tree!

I was totally bummed by my walk, because I didn't find the flowers I was looking for from my first picture.  I took another way on my drive home, and ta-da I found a whole grove of them!!!

Fuzzy Flowers

I love that the weather was nice on Monday and Tuesday.  Eliana and I went on walks during the day and the Kyle joined us for evening walks!  

These flowers remind me of seahorses.  Does anyone else see them???

These are the same flowers but from a slightly different angle.  Pretty cool eh?  It is amazing what bending the knees can get you when it comes to photography.

Do you see the fuzz on these flowers?  I'm amazed at God's details in the small things.

Huntington Library

A little over a week ago, we visited the Huntington Library. It is simply gorgeous there!

Kyle and I really like the Japanese garden. They even have a Chinese garden now. Last time we were there, that whole area was under construction. We were very impressed with the beauty, but totally dismayed that fried rice cost $9 and chow mien cost $11!!! Yikes! We gladly took our free cups with ice and filled them with water at a near by drinking fountain.

My husband, the adventurer, had no problem standing in the middle of the coy pond to take pictures of these ginormous fish.

Young and old were fascinated by these fish.

Awe, and now for my favorite shot of the whole day. I just might frame this one for my daughter's room!!! I simply love red and yellow roses!!!