While Sugar Plum Fairies Danced in Their Heads

Why is This So Hard?!?

 HELP! I'm at a loss of what to name this little girl! I mean, we're naming a human being! It's kind of a big deal... a really big deal for me!
I think about it ALL day! I'm on nameberry.com all the time looking at all sorts of names! We've thrown around so many, but nothing is sounding quite right to me. With both my other kids, I just knew it when I heard it that that was their name. I think my problem with this baby is that I'm waiting for that same gut feeling when I hear a name. But it hasn't come yet. Thank goodness that we have four more months to figure this out.
I know that we'll eventually need to at least have a few names when we go to the hospital and decide there.

Some of the names we've been throwing around (in no particular order):
Mary
Winnie
Penny
June
Rebecca

We tend to like more throwback, cutesy names. But all of the above names have been either completely or almost completely tossed out.

I need some help! Any suggestions?!

The Magic of Black and White

I just love black and white photographs. I know color makes things, well, colorful. But when an image has a wide range of black and white values, it just speaks to me so much! Once you strip away the color, all you're left with is the emotion of what you are seeing.
It's as if time really does stand still and you are now putting yourself if the subject's shoes.
Can you hear the creek passing you by?
What about the giggles?
Can you feel the cool, crisp water rushing through the creases of your toes?
What interesting rocks, leaves, or sticks were found?

A photograph can be moving just like any song or piece of fine art, if you only take the time to look.

Now these photographs may not mean anything to anyone else but me.
But to me, these are special. For me, I got to capture this one little moment of childhood innocence and now I get to bottle it up and keep it forever.

Around Here

I asked Lucy to get dressed before we went outside... a tutu, swim shoes, and a beanie. 

I love three year olds!

* I got my Christmas tree up! But that's about all I can say. And I mean just the Christmas tree...no ornaments or anything.
* I re-pierced my right ear. It's been closed for what seems like over a year. I have tried and tried I don't know how many times to re-pierce it! But I finally had the guts to get that earring back in. Yay for actually wearing jewelry again!!

* I scored 111 points on one word playing Words with Friends against my sister-in-law. Can you believe it?! It's got to be some kind of record! It is for me at least. The word? Maize. (triple letter on the z, plus a triple word!)
* I can't remember why, but the other day I said "What the?!" and Lucy echoes with "What the fritz?!"

The Fox

1. Here 2. Here 3. Target, found here and here 4. Here 5. Here 6. Here 7. Here 8. Here

I love Todd's name. It was one of those out-of-nowhere, hit-you-in-the-gut names for me. I just knew it when I heard it that this was his name.

His name literally means "fox".
That's it.

And because of that, I can't help but love anything with a fox on it. Seeing a fox reminds me of the sweet, cuddly, little boy that has blessed our family tremendously. 

Pretty much my heart melts at the sight of a fox these days. 

Now I bet the next time you see something with a fox on it, you'll probably think of me :)

A Home Away From Home

...we visit quite often.

22 Weeks

Baby's growing!! And jumping around in there! 

I can't believe I'm already 22 weeks along. This pregnancy has zoomed by so far. In fact I am constantly forgetting that I am even pregnant! I guess chasing around two little tornadoes would do that to a person. 

Lets see... this pregnancy I can't get enough of jalapenos, salami, sourdough toast, and chocolate milk. But the chocolate milk is a staple, pregnant or not. :)

I need this pregnancy to slow down...I'm not ready for a third one yet! I've only got two arms! 

But I'm sure by the time comes I'll be ready.