The Paper Mama Photo Challenge: Resolutions

The Paper Mama's photo challenge this week is resolutions. There are lots of things I'm trying to improve in my life, but one area that I know I need to work on in regards to my children is to have more patience and to not be bothered by little things. For example, yesterday I was taking pictures of Ella, and I really wanted a shot with her in the middle of the bridge. Did she cooperate? No. In fact, she was scared at first and it is actually amazing I got the shot I did. I need to have patience with her as she is learning and growing! I can't be frustrated by the little things!

My photo last week was chosen as a favorite!

2011 Project 365: Week 1

If you aren't familiar with Project 365, it is a challenge to take a photo every day for a year. I took on the challenge in 2010, and ended up taking a photo almost every day (although I did miss a few days here and there). I'm excited to take on the project again, but instead of posting my photos in a separate blog, I'll be posting my photos weekly here. I'm going to try to take a photo of both Ella and Troy every day (or at least one of them together), but we'll see how it goes!

Day 1 (1/1/11):

Day 2 (1/2/11):

Day 3 (1/3/11):

Day 4 (1/4/11):

Day 5 (1/5/11):

Day 6 (1/6/11):

Day 7 (1/7/11):

What is in my camera bag?

I'm linking up with some other Project 365 blogs. Check them out!

Trying Not to Be One of Those Moms

You know the ones I'm talking about. Those moms who once they have children suddenly quit taking care of themselves and who start wearing sweatpants and old t-shirts out everywhere and never really fix their hair. I like to watch makeover shows, and many times the woman they are making over is a woman who forgot how to take care of herself once she had kids. I never really understood how that could happen, even after having one child. But now, having two kids, I get it. I often find myself feeling like I have no time for me. Sometimes it feels like by the time I get one kid napping, the second kid is hungry, and by the time the second kid is fed, the first one is waking up from their nap, and on and on. How am I supposed to find time to take a shower in that schedule, much less the time to actually fix my hair?

I don't want to be slouchy when it comes to taking care of myself. It is hard, really hard, sometimes to have the motivation to take the time to take care of myself the way I should when I feel so crazy busy with the kids (among other things). It doesn't help that I work from home, meaning that no one will see me. What does it matter if I'm hanging out in my pjs or sweatpants all day long?

First off, I'm thinking about it wrong, because it does matter because my husband will see me even if no one else does. I'm taking for granted that he would probably prefer for me to take the time to get ready during rather than looking sloppy. (Now, don't get me wrong, being able to hang out in your pjs with your spouse is a great thing . . . what I'm talking about is separate from that).

Secondly, my problem is that I don't make myself get a good start to the day. I do have kid-free time if I get up early enough. It really doesn't take that long to get myself ready . . . it just seems that way when I wait until both kids are up and going. I want to make a conscious effort to take the time for myself that I need. I don't want to let myself become one of those moms who lose themselves because of their kids. I know I'll feel better about myself if I'm taking the time to get a good start to the day taking just a few minutes to get ready properly. I write all of this as I'm sitting here in my pjs thinking about how I wished I would have gotten ready first thing this morning so that I would have the time for it, and I'd feel great about myself.

On an unrelated note, I entered Ella's photo into the I Heart Faces contest this week. I Heart Faces is opening this challenge up for voting, and I would love if you would vote for Ella (if you like the picture, of course!). She's entry number 8! Thank you!

Happy 23 Months Ella!

Happy 23 Months Ella!

Wow, I never knew how much fun it would be to have a toddler! Every day you make me smile and laugh, and I'm constantly surprised by what comes out of your mouth or what you do. Your personality beams strongly - until having you I didn't realize how unique and amazing an almost-two-year-old could be!

You continue to test us by throwing fits and whining at times to get your way (or so you think anyways!). We've started putting you in the corner for a minute to re-focus you to quit throwing the fit, and it is really funny how quickly you can turn the tears off. :) Most of the time you get to the corner, and almost immediately start signing and saying "finished! finished!"

Your communication skills continue to flourish, and I truly love that I feel like we are starting to have some real conversations.  You are putting together many phrases now. For example, if you need help with something in a different room you might say, "Mama, help. Come here." Although you've been saying "I love you" and "Good morning" for a little while now, the way you say those two phrases really makes me smile. Such a sweet voice and tone when you say those things!  You started singing last month, but this month you've really gotten into it. You favorite songs right now are "Frosty the Snowman" and "Roll the Gospel Chariot Along."

You are also incredibly observant. For instance, you will say "shh" to Troy because we do that when we are trying to calm him down. You've also started saying "Troy burp" if he's crying a lot. I guess you've noticed that we'll say something along the lines of "Troy needs to burp." You've also learned to "burp" your dolls or monkey. 

It may sound strange, but I love putting you to bed or getting you up in the morning. Our bedtime routine, although nothing special, is special. You are so sweet and precious!

We've started to notice recently that when you get tired, you don't really get cranky or sleepy. Instead you get crazy wild and energetic! It is pretty funny to watch you turn circles and go crazy when you get tired. It is a good cue for us to put you to bed! :)

You continue to show genuine love for Troy. I wish I could bottle up the moments when you interact with him. Sometimes you'll show him your toy or other times you'll insist on giving him a kiss before bed. You even asked for Troy to give you a kiss when you hurt yourself one day.

Favorite foods: peaches, banana, guacamole, tortilla, eggs, broccoli, noodles (especially with meat and red sauce), chicken nuggets, bread (rolls), crackers, cookies (animal cookies), rice, cereal

Favorite activities/games: Coloring (probably your most favorite thing to do right now), anything that involves putting things in things (like balls in a bucket),  puzzles, running around the yard, reading books (like Clifford, the Big Red Dog and The Foot Book), pretending to cook

It has been a while since I've posted a video, but this one was too funny not to share.

Untitled from Lisa Kennedy on Vimeo.

Ella @ 22 months

Ella @ 21 months

Ella @ 20 months

Ella @ 19 months

Ella @ 18 months

Ella @ 17 months

Menu Planning Monday

During the holidays, things got a little out of sort in regards to planning my weekly menus, but now that the holidays are over I'm looking forward to getting back into a regular routine with cooking at home.

Here's what I'm thinking for this coming week:

• Homemade lasagna. I've never attempted homemade lasagna, but I want to try it out! I found this recipe at Annie's Eats, my favorite food blog.
• Enchilada casserole. Depending on meat prices when I go to the store, I might do this with beef, chicken, or even pork.
• Chicken tortilla soup.
• Homemade pepperoni and beef pizza. Well, semi-homemade since I use canned pizza dough.
• Maybe PW's meatloaf. If I can convince my husband to try it . . .  maybe if I use bbq sauce instead of ketsup. :) With some roasted green beans.

By the way, for New Year's Day we had ham, cornbread, and black-eyed peas. I've never made black-eyed peas from scratch before, but I decided to try this recipe posted on PW's Tasty Kitchen. They were so yummy!

I Heart Faces: Best Face Photo of 2010

I have grown tremendously in my photography in 2010 (don't believe me, check out the photo I entered at this time last year). Now, I know I still have a long way to go in my journey as a photographer, but I really love this photo of Ella from 2010. I think it reflects my growth as a photographer in many ways.

The Paper Mama Photo Challenge: Sparkly

At first I was a bit stumped by this week's challenge (sparkly) because Ella doesn't have much of anything that sparkles. Then I remembered Ella's new sparkly shoes. I'm not much for "bling" but I love her sparkly shoes - so cute and dressy, and perfect for my little toddler!

My photo of Troy was chosen for 2nd place, as well as a favorite last week! :)