New Work

 I finally got around to posting 2 of my latest works: a fun anniversary greeting card and a New England-y landscape painting. I did both paintings using gouache.
Both are available in my shop! I hope you like them as much as I enjoyed making them.
The landscape painting is of an antique house that was down the street from us where we used to live.
 It had a huge row of lilac bushes in front of it that were quite spectacular in the spring. I saw this view when I would walk by on my way to the post office.

I'm now entrenched in a new nursery-decor painting that is filled with detail and I'm so excited with how it's coming out so far. Hopefully I can show it soon!

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Lately

These two kiddos are getting along lately! They also fight more too. Ah, siblings.



Isn't it funny how Paige's headband falls around her forehead? She looks like 80's Jane Fonda.
She claims she "likes it this way." But her head is just too small. hee!!!



I am starting to move into my studio space in my house and it's coming along nicely. I have loads more boxes and books to unpack but I've put my painting desk in working order. Now, I'm finding time to paint by putting Noah in daycare 2 days per week. I have a few projects I'm working on and researching right now.



I just created this little gouache (pronouced "Gwash") painting of my neighbors' dog as a gift because they have been kind. Plus, this is the dog I called animal control on when it wouldn't leave my porch (when we first moved in). Oops! Turns out he is a little lovey and they don't have a leash-law here. He was friends with the former owners so I bet he was just looking for a treat! I'm learning all about country life here! The people are extra friendly and so are the animals!

I'm going to add other details to the painting, including his name. I really enjoyed making this; perhaps I will do some more pet portraits?

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21 months old

Dear Little N.,

You turned 21 months old the other day! Just like every other day I cannot stop wanting to squeeze your chubby little bear-cub body. I never tire of you holding my hand (squeezing my finger oh so tightly) or the way you bring me the toys you want to play with.





This month you have been discovering that you have your own opinions about things and now you make it known. Yes, you've started having tantrums. You don't like or want to share. You only like to do things YOU want to do and the way YOU want to do them. You prefer to live on your OWN schedule. I'm so sorry my sweet; but life just doesn't work that way. I'm sorry it makes you cry and stick your lip out. I'm sorry that you feel you have to yell about it and stomp your little feet. You'll get used to things pretty soon; but you sure are trying your Mama's patience!









Despite your newfound independent streak you are still my little fella and I love you no matter what. You are a ray of sunshine and each smile brings me relief, hope, and love. Keep smiling, ok?

 







You are a whirling force of curiosity, wonder, helpfulness, and affection. You are wonderful and I love you to infinity for always.
Love always,
Mama

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Leaf Peeping in Pepperell, Ma

After we dropped Paige off at preschool Noah and I took a drive around our new neighborhood and took photographs of the changing leaves. Well, I did. Noah zonked out in his carseat (too early of course!). I find the landscape to be so soothing here. So much detail and lovely places to explore! New England foliage can't be beat! Pepperell is filled with some of the best scenery I've found in one place. Here are some of my favorites, but you can see the whole set here.

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Pickin' time!

OMG, we live right near an awesome apple orchard and farm stand. Score! I can't say enough how much I love our new town. I think the kiddos are pretty happy too. Paige yelled "This is the biggest apple in the WHOLE PATCH!!!!!" every single time she picked an apple. (I didn't correct her to say "orchard") You could hear her little voice echo through the land! So sweet. Living in the New England country is better than I imagined. There seems to be a new treat around every corner.

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Paige loves

Paige, lately you love:

Your headband...
 

Making art...specifically drawing with markers and cutting paper to turn into elaborate animal collages...
 

Your baby chick toy that you named "Boo-Boo."

 

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Preschool 2013-2014

On September 3rd Paige started at her brand new preschool in our new town. It was a hit and she loves it. Too bad her brother isn't quite as thrilled to have her gone.










When did her legs get so long? Where did my baby go???

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20 Months

Dear Noah,

Oh my! I am so so soooo sorry that I haven't written you a letter in so long. I feel so bad about it. Let me just say that it's not because I don't love you or worship you. At first, I was lazy and thought "I'll get to it tomorrow" and then a lot of time went by. Then, your next month came along and I figured I'd just do it then. But I realized that nothing new had been going on and I realized your letter was going to be quite boring. Some more time went by and we ended up buying a house and selling our house on the spur of the moment. It was a crazy few months!!!! The camera was packed away for quite a while and now we're finally unpacking, getting settled and getting back into the swing of things. You and your buddy Maren the Wonderdog. 

You've had a nice summer! You've been running around outside constantly...enjoying puddles, mud, dirt and fresh air. Your kind of heaven! You've gotten, just recently, so much better on your feet. You've mastered being careful on the stairs. You are starting to get good at climbing up the playground rock wall. You love to open drawers, cabinets, and anything else you shouldn't. Such a little dickens! You are endlessly curious about everything you find. I love that about you...even though it also frustrates me so much when you GET INTO EVERYTHING. But I'm grateful for your curiosity and interest in things; I know how good and healthy it is. You are also starting to speak (your doctor was a little concerned that you are behind). Each week you are building your vocabulary little by little. You are speaking more than Paige did at this time and she's a little chatterbox now; so I'm not too worried. Let's see; what are some of your words? "Mama" "Dadda" "doggie" "outside" "cheese" "shoes" "hello" "hi" "bye" "uh-oh" "no no no" "bubbles" "booboo" .

You love to try and blow bubbles (and end up just chewing the wand). You love to dance, sing to yourself, giggle to yourself and swing. You love going for walks in the stroller so you can point at everything you see. You love car rides. You have started loving to read books with me. You love your new backpack and carrying it wherever you go.






You had sleep troubles for a good chunk of time...let me tell you, it sucked. You were waking up 4 or more times per night screaming, needing to be held, needing milk, needing needing needing. We went without solid sleep for weeks and weeks. It was so horrible. It even got to the point where we would go almost full nights with no sleep. Something had to change. Once we moved into our new house, we worked on the "cry it out" method with you. It's tricky on you because you like to barf when you cry. But, you finally sort of suddenly outgrew the barfs and POOF! the cry it out method started to work! We started giving you your evening milk well before bedtime instead of letting you fall asleep drinking your bottle rocking in our arms. Then, we switched to reading books at bedtime and singing a few songs while you got sleepy. Then, we just let you sort of yell after we lay you in the crib. We'd leave the room and you'd yell for a while until you finally fell asleep. Each night was less and less crying until you didn't even bother crying anymore. We also didn't go in your room at night when you cried at various times. (in the past, I'd go in and you'd just smile and be fine...trying to play me!!!) You are finally sleeping through the night with very little crying. We made sure to leave a bright nightlight on in your room in case you felt fearful of the dark and we know you are fine. Each morning you greet me with bright happy smiles and hugs. It was a torturous process and I hated doing it, but things are so much better now. You are in a great mood all the time now that you're sleeping properly and I finally am regaining a sense of sanity.


 



Another great part of the summer was the week we spent with your Dad's side of the family at a lake house in Maine. You got to bond with all your cousins who all took such good care of playing with you nicely or watching over you like mother hens. You seemed to have a great time there (despite being in the worst part of your sleep troubles at the time). I just loved seeing you have fun with your family. What great memories.





Noah, you are such a special little boy. You are turning into such a sweet, caring, and funny little guy. Your happy energy keeps me going through the day when all I want is a nap. I love getting to know you. Every hug, every kiss, every smile from you is a treasure in my heart. Thank you for being you and know that I love you more than the world to the moon and back to infinity. Happy 20 months little fella.

Love you always, Mama

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