Happy Birthday Sweet Child

Yes, my child is turning 4 years old today!  I can not believe it because I think I am still on "pause" mode, trying to preserve the previous 3 years to the best of my ability.  I watched her at a year old trying to take her first steps and make sense of adorable babble.  Now she can out run the fastest toddlers in town and yes (it's hard to believe) but she can actually out talk me, her Momma!!!  It's hilarious.

Kira is truly a Mommy's girl, which I absolutely love especially when she tries to intentionally act older by softly telling me to "go over there Momma so I can make some friends" and then as evening falls she will cuddle up with her favorite blankie, sweatshirt, book and pj's and want me to hold her "very tight" till she drifts off to sleep.  I savor these moments especially because she's just so busy all day!  When she's finally fast asleep I look down at her and still see a baby.  I stare at her wondering if she'll remember these tender moments, but for certain I will.

This child is so very special in so many ways, not because she's my daughter but because of her innate ability to comfort others.  Her personality is evolving but she remains so giving, loving and affectionate to her parents and family.  She's concerned and asks many questions, which I try to answer on her level.  She's maintained an incredible sense of humor that still amazes and surprises me.  Loving her is easy and so natural and I smile to myself thinking how fortunate and proud I am to be her mother.

So we wish you a wonderful Birthday sweet Kira as you continue to grow and explore your world.  You remain the center of our world, today and always.

You are so very loved!

January Ramblings

I so can not believe that it is January already!  Our third Gotcha Day was on January 7th, last Friday.  It feels like yesterday when I first held this child, my gorgeous baby girl in my arms (only now she's 20 lbs heavier) and it's been three entire years?  Okay, so now I see what everyone means when they say "they grow up fast", it's true.  I had to look at a few videos of her as a baby to realize how grown up she is now.  It is strange to hear her babbling back then and think "when is she going to talk"?  Now it's the reverse, I try to recall those first few months as a new mother and remember how awkward it was to ease on into my new job.  Yikes there was no internship or mentoring, more like flying by the seat of one's pants!  Fortunate for me I did have amazing role models, my Mother and my sister who happily advised me when needed.

I know I re-made this blog so I would write more often, yet somehow I can't find enough hours in the day to write or perhaps it's that I'm too tired or java'd out and can't sit still:))  yeah, that's more like it and explains my insomnia.

My photography has slacked off because I dropped my camera, BUT bought a full frame Nikon to replace it and if there was ever motivation to go and pursue my business this camera is it.  The photos are magnificent directly out of the camera.  I have been contemplating (before my other camera fell to the ground)  buying another 1/2 framed Nikon but my husband surprised me with the D700 and I can see for sure why it's worth the money!  This time around I'm insuring this expensive piece of equipment, including accidental falls.  Anyway I did manage to get some amazing photos of Kira  and even with slow shutter, ISO and aperture wide open, there was barely any blur, except when the tot started throwing things at me.

So now I'm also trying to get creative and sort out the toys, photos, learning books and make my living room look "user friendly", well I guess it is user friendly, perhaps neat and tidy, or just clean would be more like it.  I've lost track on how many times I've tripped over a block, shoe or some technological talking toy.  I need cabinets, drawers and shelves stacked at least to the ceiling.  Just can't decide what kind of look to go for.  Crate and Barrel, PB or Home Depot.  It doesn't matter as long as the toys get put away by the end of the week LOL!

For now, the holidays have passed and a New Year is here.  I didn't make any resolutions, but decided I do need to get out more, exercise and eat better (dried mangoes and soy lattes don't count as protein and veggies)  Also bought a work out tape, but find watching others working out more interesting and less breathless.  I remember the good old days when I would ski hours on end, or work hours on end (without a break) and now wonder how I did it.  Maybe more soy lattes???  Actually I was recently introduced to the WII or some facsimile there of and found it so much fun.  Hmmm, next investment perhaps!

Okay enough rambling for now.  Some of my favorite photos of my babe "working it" as she says when she allows me to take some photos of her.