Baby belly

Once again I sit here wondering where to start. It's not that I don't have anything to say, rather on the contrary. In fact I could probably just sputter and mutter and make your eyes go buggy and your brain spin as you read all my blabbering.

So I will try to say less and spare you all the mumbo jumbo that I cannot even sort out and get on with the last few days.

We finally decided to get ready for the baby and headed out to the cottage in search of the box of newborn clothes and the bassinet. 

In our searching Kaitlyn rummaged and found her box of old baby clothes and couldn't help but try them on.

After a relaxing afternoon and a BBQ we headed back with the bassinet. The box of baby clothes were nowhere to be found. Hmmm.

With the missing clothes pushed to the back of my mind we got on with our week. Kaitlyn's last winter session of gymnastics was this week and she informed me she was going to make a card for her coach. She loves to make cards and when I told her it was time she ran down the hall to the bathroom.

I called her back and she came running with  a pink postcard from the package of kleenex boxes.

After gluing it on the cover she picked colors and we came up with a little picture for the inside.

Then off we went to gymnastics. Next up is the spring session and I have my fingers crossed that we get the same coach. She was amazing! 

She involved the kids and was always on their level, you could tell she was passionate about what she did. Everyone loved her!

On the way home we always stop for a burger. On this particular day Ethan was tuckered out but was very adamant that he wanted to eat his burger anyway. He LOVES burgers and asks for them for nearly every meal. As he ate his chewing got slower and slower and soon his eyes were closed. He cracked them open a moment later and chomped another bite. With eyes closed he slowly chewed as he drifted off. I was a little worried that he hadn't swallowed it and might choke but after checking to make sure he had I was ok.

Now for those belly pictures as promised. If you are my mom or are completely bored by belly shots feel free to skip to the end. My mom cannot understand why anyone would want to see a belly but for me it is more about documenting the memories. Despite all my complaining about pregnancy I do want to remember it. The kicks and bruised ribs, the baby stretches that make me reach for the sky to make room for his moves. I do want to remember them.

It really is such a shot faze in life.

Oh, ya. I was thinking about that lost box of newborn stuff and was starting to stress as to where it could be. Suddenly I remembered that there was a box of stuff in Ethan's closet.

Sure enough it was the box. Now I am getting excited. Do you see that teeny tiny undershirt?

So now that we are getting excited Dave decided to snap a few photos. Why do I have to make a face? I don't know.

Could I not just smile. I think it is because the camera was flashing and clicking endlessly and I was starting to get a 'look'. Apparently I am very good at giving 'looks.'

They get me in trouble. A lot.

With spring slowly on the way we decided to venture out and explore a few puddles.

Turns out the water was pretty frigid still and it was more of an in and out kind of splashing.

Then the kids spotted the grass in the neighbors yard across the street. "Look, spring!" Exclaimed Kaitlyn and they ran to check it out.

After 20 minutes we headed back in with frozen toes and the kids have not wanted to venture out again all week. I guess we will be waiting for the warm summer rains for the good splashing.

Back in I have been plugging away on custom orders. Here is the one that I spent the last week and a half working on.

When the kids are in bed or are off playing in their rooms I plop down with my brush and make a little progress.

I should really be doing dishes, laundry, cleaning or planning meals. But I don't. 

Sometimes I miss being all domestic and on top of the house but at the same time I also know that there are seasons in life. 

Maybe I have them screwed up a little, I don't know.

Shipped today to Austin Texas and I hope the client loves them.

Next up on my list for the week. Hair. For the last month I have been rockin the pony and headband look. Is that even rockable? I doubt it so it was probably a good thing I finally made it in to the salon for a do.

This time instead of catching up on a good dose of tabloid gossip I decided to take along my sketch book. It has been ages since I sketched something for fun. Don't get me wrong I doodle all the time but it is usually basic and simple and for a purpose. 

It has been years since I really sketched something so I figured that I might have time while I processed.

I thought about what I would draw as my hairdresser applied the colour but nothing came to mind that seemed fun.

Finally I just decided to draw what I saw.

(click image to view larger) 

Yup, that is it, foils and all. And it was fun. I wasn't sure if I could still do it (sketch) and it felt really good. I love the challenge of sketching with ink. There is no room for mistakes and is therefor a little more challenging but it also forces me to try a little harder.

And I left a happy camper with a fresh new bob.

Don't you just love that fresh from the salon feeling? I wish I could keep it for weeks but after my first wash at home it is never the same.

Blabbering my way into spring

There is something special about south facing windows.

The morning sun is cheerful, intoxicating and invigorating. I cannot get enough. Kaitlyn is like I was when I was little and runs to sit in the warm patch of glowing light on the floor. She will drag toys and crafts to the slow moving sunny square and spend an hour or so basking and soaking.

Ethan is drawn to it as well although he usually gets annoyed after a few minutes and makes long squinty eyes and crinkles his nose before covering his face with his little hands and screeching.

Whew, take a breath. I know that should have been shorter and I am sure I could edit it but I really want to get  this out so I can go watch Dave fly his model helicopter around the room.

So unedited this post shall be.

It really is pricelessly funny to watch him chase the remote controlled helicopter all over the place. It seems to have a mind of it's own and often hits lights or gets tangled in the string for the blinds.The best part is watching Dave freak out and slam buttons wildly in an effort to get it under control.

Hmm, now I am wondering where this post was supposed to go. I really had nothing on my mind post wise that has to do with these photos.

Rather I have baby on the brain and art projects galore. 

I must really post all that later but I cannot sort it out clearly enough to get it out right now.

Instead here is one of the places my art goes.

This is the store where my art went after the show at the coffee shop ended.

They have been so kind and I cannot be thankful enough to them for displaying my art over the last year...or is it two now, I cannot remember. Yikes.  They really awesome there anyway!

I try to come up with pieces that compliment what they have on the floor and sometimes I fall in love with accessories or furniture there.

Like this orange sofa/chaise lounger/sectional. You can split it up how you like. I am not sure where it will go yet since we already have an orange shag carpet and next to that it might be a little much but I do see lots of giggles and stories and snuggles happening on it.

It also might fall out of style quickly but I really don't care.  It looks very slip coverable if we get sick of the color some day. Dave also doesn't think it is the most comfortable couch ever but the stretch out on it potential is huge!

And here is tiny glimpse at the second batch of three huge paintings (in progress last week) for a client in Texas. Which reminds me that I need to get a lot of stuff uploaded onto the art blog.

And now for a scary peek at our house. This is the real deal and why no one (except for my little sister) is allowed over right now.

We seem to find ways to go on living despite the mess and crazy overtake of bins from the basement.

Now for a few excuses as to why it looks this way.

- We have to move the furniture all out of the way when I work on large paintings so I can have  the floor space. (Dear studio, you cannot come soon enough!)

- I am tired and too busy to clean.

- the basement reno has forced everything upstairs.

- I slack in the house department when I am busy with orders.

Really I have no excuse. I am just this disorganized right now. Not only in the house but also in thoughts. I have been a terrible friend this winter. To real life friends, online friends and my imaginary ones in my head. Pregnancy is tough on me. I try really hard to enjoy it but I would rather cry. It hurts so bad. Sometimes the pain is so great I could throw up. My body aches and throbs endlessly. I am just not one of those happy glowy prego's, though I really wish I was.

If I could just get pregnant, feel a few kicks and pop the baby out all in less than a week I would be ecstatic!

Instant baby! What a dream.

However I feel terrible admitting this. I know the longing and ache for a baby. After the loss of our first baby the pain of wanting a child was ripping my heart apart.

The waiting to get pregnant process as we tried and tried was horrible.

But then the joy of the next pregnancy was amazing! It got me through the pain. 

In truth I feel like I should never utter a word of complaint since I have a friend who had 11 miscarriages before being able to carry one baby to full term.

I am ashamed that I do not enjoy being pregnant when it is something that I of course wanted and it is such a miracle.

When I look at the kids I am overwhelmed with gratefulness and love, every pain and ache is sooooo worth it but it doesn't keep me from wanting to cry and scream daily as I go through a pregnancy.

I am shutting up now, I said way more than I meant to but it just kinda spilled out.

Back to the house......sheesh!!

 I was talking about moving furniture and mess and stuff, so....

The nice thing is that the space created by the furniture being moved can also double as a dance floor to welcome spring.

And with out any more blabber, here is a little spring time dance. You might need to turn your computer volume way up to hear what they are dancing to (Dan Zanes).  

Happy spring!

Lots of belly pic next post....Dave took some tonight!

Chasing my 'tale'

We have been trying to get ready for our trip to Mexico. Fake and bake tans are in the works (not for the kids though) and working out has been on the mind.

However I am still packing on the pounds as the weeks close in. Then again, I do have an excuse. My thighs though, they are going to take a major beating (in the form of steep hills and a Wii board) after this baby is born!

Ethan has been having issues with the bright glare off the snow. I have searched high and low for his sporty shades and have turned up nothing. 

So he gladly sported  a pair of Kaitlyn's with no shame.

Since then funky blue and red 'Cars' shades have been purchased  for the dude. 
 

Now for a complete change of subject.

Oh, I should have warned you this was going to happen.

You see, when I don't post regularly (at least a few times a week) I start stockpiling thoughts and photos and next thing you know it all becomes a major mumble mumble of junk in my head.

so rather than post any of the stories siting in my sketch book or in my files I will once again just try to get caught up on daily life.

I am dying to share the bath tales that Kaitlyn has told and I hope to do it before the baby comes since it involves babies popping out of tummies and mommies not having enough hands.

It really is a post in itself so...soon.

Back to the catch up stuff.

Here is a photo I took of Kaitlyn. This is the un-edited and natural light shot.

I liked it, although to make up for the overcast lighting I could really bump up the exposure a little.

Then I decided to brighten it a bit and make it a B & W.

And then for fun I gave it a fantasy sheer glow.

These are the ones Kaitlyn has approved and would like printed. I am guessing they will end up in her room either taped with yards of masking tape to the walls or maybe with some arm twisting they could end up in one of her unused white frames.

I would rather use these two to frame but I like to give her some free reign in the decorating of her room.

And now Ethan.

This guy hates getting his picture taken. You would seriously think I was shooting him with laser rays or something. He turns his head and makes rude faces when he sees the camera so if you are wondering why there are more pictures of Kaitlyn it is because almost all the pictures of Ethan are of the back of his head.

Was that just a run on sentence?

If sure felt long winded!

The nice days have been , well, nice!

(changing subject again)

Puddles. I cannot tell you how well puddles go over here. 

Although today is snowy and cold, again, the rubber boots sit patiently by the door waiting for the next big thaw.

Another subject. My wildly creative daughter. Have I told you how much she hates her art class?  I do not blame her in the least since I find it rather painful to sit through art theory and the elements of drawing myself.

 The part that surprised me was her complete boredom and impatience when it comes to coloring or drawing. Rather she likes to create with clothing, "It's the fashion, mom!" Or with gluing and stickers and folding shapes. Clay sculpting or painting abstract art. 

When it comes to doing her pre school books she skips right to the puzzles, mazes, math and matching or sorting sections. Drawing and coloring sections go untouched.

I just never realized that all children do not love to color and draw. 

After the last art class (Kaitlyn walked out 10 minutes after it started exclaiming she was "just done!") I have a feeling that we will be spending the next few sessions playing tag and hide and seek in the halls.

I am just not going to push this one.

Rather I will encourage her creativity in her dancing, gymnastics (though she is pretty uncoordinated....like I was) and whatever else it is she seems to like.

I have a feeling Ethan might be the more artistic (paper wise) one. He enjoys scribbling and drawing big wheels. Time will tell.

For now he is pretty into his cars, trucks, tractors and trains. He wakes up, runs to the living room and dumps his bucket of cars on the floor. He has one in hand most of the day and then takes one to bed with him at night.

Oooo, ooo, ooo, yes! I almost forgot. Shoes!

The one thing that still fits, besides earrings.

The kids picked out new boots over the weekend and while they were napping in the truck after shopping I ran into a second hand store and found these.

10$ bucks baby!

Made my day!

By now you might be noticing a trend in the background of most of the photos. A big mess.

Every corner and wall is lined with junk.

No play dates here for a while. Well maybe a month. Carpet has been purchased and the old stuff is in the process of getting ripped out of the basement. I can hardly wait to get all the toys  and craft stuff back down there. 

I am a little afraid of the cleaning process once we get organized but I am super excited about the new storage system we have planned.

Another post there in itself. That one has to wait until the basement is completely done.

In the mean time we shift stuff around upstairs and mix lego, cars and dolls all together. It is fun for a few minutes but it takes an adult to figure out the cleaning up part.

Ah, ha. The one thing Kaitlyn will occasionally work on that is anything similar to drawing.

She hate to practice her printing but when she is bribed with something to trace she will comply. 

And she is quite proud.

Ethan works on his dots and curves.

And last but not least. Well maybe it is least. I do wish I had more energy and more hours in the day! Here is one of the 6 projects I am working on. None complete.

This is the main reason I have not been around. I am swamped.

I am happy about this. I love being booked and I love being busy. I haven't been able to get the last 8 paintings onto the art blog yet but after these projects are done I will get to work on that.

I think that I will be taking a break as well. No more orders until some other time.

I will compile a list and after the baby comes will evaluate it and my schedule.

I miss blogging, I miss reading, I miss sitting and not doing anything. I miss watching tv after the kids are in bed. However after two days in a row of any of those things I find myself back in front of a canvas coming up with something anyway.

Oh the circles we chase our own tails in!