We're still taking photos!

As someone who typically has trouble remembering that I own a camera, I feel like I am doing a top-notch job taking pictures each day. So, excuse the lack of quality in these photos-- at least they exist.


17/365-- "Baking with Daddy" -- Daddy had the sudden urge to eat shortcake with our freshly-picked. Aleigha enjoyed helping. (Pardon the mess...we're in the process of packing/moving).

18/365 -- "I'm Hungry, Mommy"--  If dinner is delayed, I often bring out the large Costco bag of organic tortilla chips. I left them on the table and Aleigha helped herself!

19/365 -- "Helping Mommy Pack"-- Aleigha's been watching me pack all week, so today, she "helped" me out by packing one of her favorite books. 

On average, forming a new habit takes 66 days, so I probably shouldn't celebrate pre-maturely.

And the Challenge Continues

I really am taking a photo a day...mostly. In some ways this challenge has been easier than I thought it would be. In other ways, the challenge is tough-- I just don't think about the "photographic" moments. Like writing, I think that photography has to be inspired. But, like writing, sometimes you just have to force yourself to do something or you'll never do anything. 

So for this week, I hit a dry bit a dry spell. But, since I had to take a picture, I took a picture of something unexpected: 

11/365 --"Just Because Rose" -- Jason gave me a red rose...just because. (I know the quality of the photo isn't great-- sorry). 

12/365 -- "For sale" -- This is the shelf I am selling on craig's list. I told you I hit a dry spell. Day 12 is filled with nothing but craig's list items. (Do you want to buy a shelf?)

Then, Aleigha does something noteworthy and I remember to capture it. She climbed on the table all by herself for the very first time. Then she demanded to come "DOWN."

13/365-- "Screaming 'Down'" -- Look at her face; I'm not exaggerating.

Back to the dry spell. 14/365 = Null. Nothing. Nada. I didn't take a picture.

15/365 -- "Father's Day" -- On Father's day, we skyped with my in-laws. Aleigha was thrilled. She spent most of the time leaning into the camera and babbling talking.

16/365 -- "Berry Picking" -- Jason has a day off, so we went strawberry picking at Mackintosh Fruit Farm  in Berryville, VA. Fun place! Aleigha was an excellent berry picker. She learned how to pick the ripe berries, and she put them in the bucket after she picked them.

 Before (above). After (below).

Even Aleigha has her limits.

Brought to you by the Color Red

9/365 -- "Red Spaghetti Sauce Face" -- Why do I ever think that serving red sauce on food is a good idea? 

10/365 -- "Red Curly Hair" -- Yes, her hair is red. Yes, it is curly. And yes, I know you can't get this color in a bottle (or so I've been told by women who wish they had her hair color).

365 Day Photographic Challenge

It's been awhile since I wrote on this blog-- I stopped when the school year started last August!

Well, now school is over and I have a little more time. I'd like to take pictures more often this year. So, at the encouragement of Rebekah at Honey and Cheese, I am participating in my first 365 Day Photographic Challenge.

Here are the pictures I've taken since June 1. (Yes, there are more than 8. I had trouble deciding which ones to eliminate). I have a not-quite-2-year-old daughter, so most pictures are going to be of her. Sorry, can't help it.

1/365 -- "Just Before Church" -- Aleigha collapse into mommy's and daddy's bedding and "read" a coloring book.

Same day...Aleigha reading her fav book while getting (another!) breathing treatment.

2/365 -- "Playing Outside" -- Aleigha enjoys collecting sticks and dandelions outside.

Gotta pick all the dandelions!

3/365 -- "Ready for a Walk" -- Gotta have all the essential things for walking!

Same day...Aleigha is being mommy's kitchen helper for the first time.

And, we took a lot of pictures this day, apparently. Aleigha is learning how to use the potty.

Chillin' on the potty.

...and lovin' it! 

4/365-- "Baby Houdini" -- Those are car keys, but Aleigha understand the basic essentials to un-lock the door. Yikes!

5/365 -- "Picnic with Daddy" -- We were preparing for a trip, and the table was covered with stuff, so Daddy and baby had a picnic on the floor.

6/365 -- "At a Conference" -- baby did her part...by falling asleep.

7/365-- "Playing at the conference" -- Oh, trust me on this one: Aleigha did so much more than sleep at the conference. She handled being confined to her stroller for most of the weekend well, but to give her an outlet for her energy, I took her to the nursing mothers room to run around.

So, where's 8/365? It exists...I promise. I'm not going to share it, but I'll describe it.

Aleigha is sitting on the potty, looking slightly concerned at her "success" (as in, she pooped in the potty!) So, I'm not going to share it because 1) it might embarrass her one day and 2) that's gross. 

So, that's our big news! We're making some potty progress. I had my doubts last week after a little (failed) pep talk: 

Me, to Aleigha, immediately after she pooped in her diaper: "Aleigha, we poo in the potty. Don't poop in your diaper. Poo goes in the potty." 

Aleigha stared at me for a few seconds. Then, she looked at the potty. "Poo"? 

"Yes, poo goes in the potty." 

She happened to be clutching her favorite stuffed Winnie-the-Pooh toy at the time, so she threw that into the potty. I caught myself saying, "No, Aleigha. Pooh doesn't go in the potty, er, I mean, Pooh bear doesn't....poo poo does. Poo? Poop? Oh great...." 

By then, the moment was lost. Pooh was in the potty. Poop was in the diaper. And I don't know what A.A. Milne was even thinking-- Winnie-the-Pooh bear? Pooh? Seriously? Any other mothers out there ever find Pooh in the toilet? Toddlers can't hear the silent "h" ya'll!

PS: I meant to post this yesterday, so now I have to take a 9/365 and post again today. Ah!