I have been enjoying a glorious week with Will back in school. So much so that I have been able to reflect happily on the three weeks we had of Spring break. Over the break I introduced the little dude to the idea of paint; and, to my happiness, he thought it was the coolest thing since sliced bread, which makes me shine inside because I love to paint. I have always loved drawing and being crafty and still spend most of my down time with glue, scissors, and paint under my nails. We have started mailing his creations out also because in the midst of enjoying our LOOOOONG spring break I would do anything to keep him entertained, so adventures in mail commenced.

The worst part of being a mom is realizing that sometimes you are just going to screw up royally! We have struggled for a long time to potty-train our little dude - which by the way is one of the hardest things I have personally ever done and would rather pull out my eyelashes one by one instead of doing it again anytime soon. We used every incentive known to man: candy, tv, play outside, go to park, watch mom pull out her hair and crumple on the floor in defeat… They were all met with indifference until we found “Lego Man.” Now anyone who has met my son in the last 3 months becomes immediately aware of his love for Lego Man. It took all of 0.00009 seconds for him to become addicted to this video game for our XBox - which is rated E for everyone. Now I don’t know about you, but “everyone” means peoples of all ages to me. About 15 minutes into this game I realized this was not so, but it was too late. We had found his drug of choice and decided to go for it. Now, I am not writing this to bore you all with my parenting mis-adventures but as a warning: E for everyone means 6 and up. I know - it was news to me, too. So in the end, we had to “break” our XBox to end the three month ordeal. But the little dude ended up pretty much potty-trained, and “Lego Man” is out of our lives. As a peace offering, we bought a Wii with sports games. Now we trade potty for golf, and I am just happy golf is not violent.

On a more important note, we are really excited because there is going to be a contest announcement coming soon. So all of you local folks who are booking a session with us this year, check back soon for all the details because you could win big prizes. I was tasked with doing my self portrait for some print stuff, and here it is. I feel so naked with everyone looking at me :)

Do these one-day-on-the-weekend-holiday days throw anyone else off? I mean, I know Easter was on Sunday as it always is, and it is not actually a national holiday, and that a bunny bringing candy to my house is not cause for a week long celebration but, seriously! I feel like there was a day off work where people laid around getting fanned, drinking mojitos, and I missed it. So I must mourn it just a little. We are in the last week stretch of Will being off school around here, and I am sad to say he is playing XBox right now so I can write this and finish up the only bit of work I will get done all day. Last week was another 3-month-old session, and we hung out around the house playing dress up in all her cutest clothes and seeing what new things she has learned since the last time we hung out.

I know, I know - I am hopelessly addicted to fields. I guess that is why I live where I do: so I can be close to them. I have had a few people inquire about doing shoots in fields lately, so I went out on a trek to find the perfect one. Things required: 1) no power lines in field, 2) must be unkempt, 3) at least one tree. I found it right around the corner from my house, which makes it even better. So upcoming clients who have asked about shoots in fields, you will be seeing yourself in this field very soon!

Oh my, I feel like I just wrote “field” 20,000 times. On another note, I went shopping today at my favorite antique place (which actually moved forever away and is totally not as good as it used to be), and I got some awesome scores. I had been serching for an old bassinet for ages to use on newborn shoots, and I found one in a flower shop of all places. And it is from the 50’s - so cute and simple and it still had its stand. I am over the moon about it. I will have to see if my baby model A is available for a quick shot so I can show it off.

Have a great weekend, everyone!

Often when my husband and I are out and about and I see something so outlandish, I shout out, “SERIOUSLY!” as if to say, “Someone has got to be seriously screwing with me.” Like “Did you just see that dude with the hole in his head and the rainbow tattooed on his tongue?” I mean that was SERIOUSLY so crazy that my mind has just bent in over itself and imploded into star-shaped, sparkley confetti. Well, this also happens when I am thumbing through photos after a shoot and I see the cutest thing ever! There is star-shaped, sparkley confetti all over my screen right now.

Over the weekend I had the honor of hanging out with the loveliest of families to photograph. Their little man is 10 months of cuteness, for sure. I am honestly always in awe of the fact that people invite me into there homes and allow me to practice my art with them and their families. It is such a beautiful thing, and I never tire of it. We started in the house then hung out in the yard for a bit and ended with a bath in the kitchen. I had a blast guys!

The little stinker thought she could wear me down, but I have the patience of an elephant when it comes to getting the picture I want (LOL!). She was beautiful once she decided to take a nap under the heater though. This is little A, who was born on V-Day. We had a good time, and her mommy and I got to catch up while she thought she was wearing us down. Look at those feet by her head, totally missing the womb!

This new look has been in the works since the beginning of the year. The rampant sickness around here slowed everything down, but Josh (resident computer guru) sat down this weekend and “made it work” - very Tim Gunn of him. I like the clean feel of it. I think it goes well with my style, and the header is ever changing, so it will be different every time you come. Soooo Cool!

Hope you like !

-malin

Well, here she came - two weeks early, that is. And I was not yet prepared! You may remember this lovely bun-in-oven:

And here is what she looks like when fully cooked:

As the mommy has been my dearest friend since we met in the 7th grade, I got to go visit when she was just a few hours old. I went while my little dude was in school on Friday. Oh, the coolest thing: she was born on V-Day! Her boyfriends will have to work extra hard. Expect to see more of this pretty face. She has a date with my camera already set for this upcoming week :)

You guessed it: I finally came down with whatever has been going around. If I have not replied to your email, it’s because I am trying to get to everyone between deep sleeps - so bear with me.

To entertain you while you wait - a moment at the Heart is Found house:

Will and I, playing Star Wars “Lego Man” on the X-Box

Will: I AM THE BAD GUY!
Me: I think you are a Jedi.
Will: Oh! I am Obiwan Jedi!
Me: Then who am I?
Will: You are Obitoo!

And the Jedi universe is safe with Obi-1 and Obi-2 on guard…