Moment of Beauty #70/365: Battle Veggie

He has no problem playing with them at daycare.  Now only if he'd eat them!

Moment of Beauty #69/365: Happy Birthday Mom

Happy Birthday Mom - since you weren't really a willing model, I will post just the cake (from Modern Pastry in the North End local peeps)...

Happy Birthday! Thank you for all that you do from the bottom of all of our hearts...
xoxo

Moment of Beauty #68/365: A few of my favorite things

While I waited in the car for Corey, of course I had my camera with me so I started to play with my 85 1.8...  Got some really pretty bokeh and a clear shot of Bishop on my cell phone...

Ok - I'm a camera dork...

Moment of Beauty #67/365: In Yo Face

Got to spend a little quality time with my little man yesterday morning before getting ready for work.  I go to cuddle and this is what I get...  Sorry for the blur.  I also thought I'd taken another photo but no this was the lone winner!

 

Moment of Beauty #66/365: Future Torture Method

Whenever she goes toward her brother, she goes towards his hair...  Oh, what lies ahead...

 

Moment of Beauty #65/365: Food as clothing

Bishop's in a mostly independent "I'll feed myself" phase and we want him to learn to use his utensils...  Here he is having breakfast Saturday.  He ended up wearing more than he ate and that t-shirt is with us no longer... Oatmeal anyone?

At least Lianna's not there yet  -  just the cute little mouth ring...  (yeah, okay, who am I fooling!)....

 

Moment of Beauty #64/365: Opposites

How is it that I have such opposite children at the moment?  Look at Lianna with her open expression...  The angel....   

And then there's Bishop.  Not that he's bad but see what he's doing?  The beginning of the end I tell you.  It's the beginning of the end!

Moment of Beauty #62/365: How can you resist?

He is truly the best.  Fresh at times but truly the best.  How can you resist this face?

This angelic face was immediately followed with:

 

Moment of Beauty #63/365: Nada

Wouldn't you know that the one shot that I took with my camera today I deleted in camera?  Alrighty then...  I think this will have to be my monthly fail day (remember I said it looked like I'd be averaging one day a month?)...  but did it have to be this early on???  lol

Moment of Beauty #61/365: My Competition

Seriously.  She will try to sleep in between us whenever possible.  Hmmm...

 

Moment of Beauty #60/365: Little Miss Peacock

Just got this headband in and couldn't wait to try it on.  Apologies for the non-staged photo!

Moment of Beauty #59/365: Man's Best Pillow - Oops Friend

What this dog won't do for him.  He is her favorite too...  He was shopping for rings.  Instead we got her...  

 

Moment of Beauty #58/365: Is that me?

You can't see it but Lianna's looking at herself with a dirty face after breakfast.  She doesn't look pleased, does she?  lol...

 

Moment of Beauty #57/365: Invading his space

All she wants to do is be close to him and all he wants to do is have his space... LOL...

 

Moment of Beauty #56/365: Chillin' with her daddy

Just a shot of the two of them while he's watching tv...  No real story...  :)

 

Moment of Beauty #55/365: Holding hands

I hope they grow up being close.  Just in case, Bishop put his hand on the side of her bassinet this morning and she reached up to touch him..  Oh, how she adores her big brother...

Moment of Beauty #54/365: A Glimpse

Every once in a while Bishop will have a look that makes him look so much older than he is...  Or, maybe I'm refusing to accept that my son is growing so quickly before my eyes...  Excuse the food - I didn't feel like editing them out either!   lol...

Moment of Beauty #53/365: I've got nothing

I got home from work, next thing I knew it was 10:30, and the next time I saw the clock it was after midnight.  Oops - so far 2 pictures not taken - if I average one per month or less I'm happy...  Next!

Moment of Beauty #52/365: Macro Mini Milky Way

Again - one of those days where the day has escaped me - between work, home, dinner, kids settled, me unwind and it's 11:44pm and no picture...  Wanted to do another macro shot but didn't use the same lighting.  We have dim indoor lighting too.  Can you tell I'm trying to make excuses?  Not crazy about the noise but here you go...  My shot for today...

Moment of Beauty #51/365: Mood Swings

I took a lot more photos than two today but I couldn't decide on which one to use so I'm posting two today.  This was taken in the morning & it's pretty apparent that she's none too pleased.   What a beautiful dirty look!  The other thing I love about this picture is how sharp it is - I used the 105.

This one is SO much sweeter.  Like Bishop, she can light up the room with her smile.  Maybe it's because I'm their mom &, as a parent, we all feel this way about our children, & grandparents about their grandchildren too (can't forget you!!! :)  
Either way, sometimes there are no words to explain the joy I feel when I am around my children.  I am truly blessed.  They are the greatest gift and the greatest joy...

Moment of Beauty #50/365: The Grump

Is this really my daughter?  My happy, smiley, eyes light up little girl?  Not sure why she's frowning...  Maybe this is the beginning of the end for taking her picture...

Oh and yes - the bib has been written on.  We had tons of bibs for Bishop and he turned out to hardly use them.  He didn't drool or get messy like she does...  So, this bib says Mr. Right on it.  Well, I couldn't really let her wear a bib that said Mr. Right on it, could I?  So I took a Sharpie and wrote in "Looking for"...  I thought it was funny...  Corey, well... not so much...  lol...

Moment of Beauty #49/365: Nemo

Well sort of...  For those of you who know the movie think of Nemo shouting "First day of school!  First day of school!"  Technically, this is Bishop's 2nd day at daycare.  His first day was a half day.  Today was his first full day.  He'll be going twice a week so he can be around other children and also give my mom a break.  We're excited.  Anyway - here he is - less than five minutes in and he's already playing and doing his own thing...  I became chopped liver...

Moment of Beauty #48/365: Peachy Keen

Picture it - 11:30pm and I realize that I do not have my picture for P365.  In the living room.  Lights are off.  Only visible light is the television and the computer monitor.  Sitting near me are those jelly peach candy thingies..  The back of my keyboard is white.  The 105 is on the camera.  Here is the shot - I think it's at 2000 ISO too...  LOVE LOVE LOVE this lens!  Oh and it's virtually SOOC - no real editing done...

Moment of Beauty #47/365: Ribbon

I'd ordered some butterfly wands from Zulily the other day and they arrived...  I liked the way they glistened in the sun and the 105 was on the camera so I just played around.  Turned out to be my only pictures for the day... 

 

Moment of Beauty #46/365: Who's Watching Who?

Corey is off on Tuesdays and watches the kids in the morning and my mother takes them in the afternoon.  This morning as I was getting ready for work I couldn't resist this shot... Who's watching who???

 

Moment of Beauty #45/365: Progress

So, I'm not sure if I've mentioned this before but my intention is to portfolio build this year and fully launch in 2012.  That said, I'm taking all the steps necessary to make sure I do it the right way...  One being....  ta - da......  membership in PPA...  Came in the mail today - VERY EXCITING...  Not that my blog pictures are an indication of the level of my work since they're mostly quick takes of my family and daily life and usually shot in so-so light with little set-up...   Regardless, I am very exciting to now be a part of a community that I hope to have a  long-standing relationship with...  hee hee!

 

Moment of Beauty #44/365: Alternative Seating

Who knew?

 

Moment of Beauty #43/365: Eats, Sleeps, Wakes the Keyboard

Yesterday's post was taken around 7:45 pm.  Shortly after waking this morning what did Bishop want?  The keyboard of course.  He's not even fully awake yet he wants to be close to the keyboard...  Love this little boy...  (Oh, and yes, that is a bruise on his cheek.  Walked right into the armrest of the chair in the living room...  Yep...  Nice...)

Moment of Beauty #42/365: The Concert Pianist

Mozart in the making?

 

Moment of Beauty #41/365: Eyes closed

I don't know if I've ever mentioned how I love watching the kids sleep with Corey.  There's such peace and contentment - on both sides.  To me, it's the sweetest thing...

 

Moment of Beauty #40/365: The Boppy Lounger Revisited

Apparently, it's not just for babies and adults...  Jazz seems quite cozy here.... lol...  Then again, I am talking about our dog who likes to sleep under blankets, tries to sleep in between Corey and I ALWAYS, and is slow to move every morning when he takes the dogs out. 

Moment of Beauty #39/365: What's that Mommy

We put them together in the playpen the other night and he was curious about her...  He looked at the belly button but I'm not sure he actually touched it...  What you're not seeing is when he pushed her away with his leg (not a kick but he tried to move her)...  In retrospect though, I think it was his reaction after she yanked his hair...

Anyway, just my kids...

Moment of Beauty #38/365: Tiny Bubbles

Corey needed new glasses so off to Lenscrafters we went.  While waiting for the eye exam, he asked if I'd taken the picture.  I saw this and said why not...

Can you guess what it is?

None other than.....

 

Moment of Beauty #37/365: Her Eyes

Not that this should be an excuse but I really sometimes rush just to get the picture taken.  Sometimes I try to get creative but by the time I leave the office, get home, dinner, kids, pets, etc etc it's almost 11 and I scramble...  I promise to make a concerted effort to get out there and take great moments of beauty...  Here's one though of my lovely little girl.  The 105 is a worthy lens...  Heavy too...  When I switched back to the 35 it was SO light...

Anyway - here she is...

And yes - her eyes kill me...

 

Moment of Beauty #36/365: Foiled...

Lianna has this new thing where she grabs your face and will give you open mouth kisses, well, drool actually...  By the time I got the camera out and settings together, this is the look I got.  I didn't quite get the kiss but I did get the drool (look closely)! 

Moment of Beauty #35/365: Tired Baby

Just a quick shot of Lianna and her tired eyes...  Little one is ready for sleep - as am I!

Moment of Beauty #34/365: The Only Picture I Took Today

I really really thought I took a picture for today's post.  I DID take a picture.  The only picture I did take today.  In one way it does keep up with the project's goal of taking a picture every day.  I can tell you why I think the 105 is a moment of beauty.  I can even show samples...  Verbally, easy peasy..  Oh let me count the ways...   Visually...  hmmm...  A clean, crisp shot?

 

Moment of Beauty #33/365: The Playpen

I'm kinda liking this theme where I show you objects that are made for children but as we can see by Corey aren't just for kids...  First it was the Boppy Lounger.  Now, the playpen...  They look so peaceful, don't they???  lol... He's going to kill me one of these days... Until then I shall post away!

 

Moment of Beauty #32/365: Snow!!!!

Bishop played in the snow for the first time today.  Last year he was still little and he wasn't sure what to make of snowflakes falling on his face.  This year though is a different story.  He's at an age where's he's more inquisitive and wants to explore....  This is both good and bad people.  Good and bad....  :)

Moment of Beauty #31/365: Time Out

As you can see, no photo.  A dear friend lost her husband recently and while I'd taken pictures over the weekend, this wasn't on the top of my list between leaving work early to attend the wake and taking care of my babies.  I actually remembered that I'd not taken a picture at 10:20pm and thought I might sneak one in before midnight but found myself waking up shortly after midnight.  Given recent events I'm cutting myself some slack.  Sorry for not posting a picture people...  Hope you're all well.  Tell your husband/wife/children/family that you love them even when they push your buttons.  Our lives can end in an instant, with no warning.  Make sure the last thing you share with everyone you meet is a little love...

Moment of Beauty #30/365: Giggles and Drools

This little girl has the best personality.  She brings me so much joy.  They both do.  She is today's moment of beauty because I just love the look in her eyes, her smile and the drool on her chin and cheeks... 

Moment of Beauty #29/365: Totally Irresistible

Went to Panera with my aunt and her friend (and mine) Doreen...  Bishop's such a good baby.  Never fussed until the very end when it was close to his nap time.  Here he is with Doreen - just loving the attention.... totally sweet ad totally irresistible...

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Moment of Beauty #28/365: My Other Half

You've met our kids.  You've met two of the dogs.  You've met me (sort of).  And while you've already met Corey, you only met him from behind - lol.  And so, without further ado, here he is, front and center.  This man has brought so much joy to my life.  He is the man that I love; the father of my children; and just an amazing person to know.  Don't think I'm wearing rose-colored glasses ladies - no relationship is perfect, he is not and I am far from it.  BUT I would not want to take this journey with anyone else by my side.  

 

Moment of Beauty #27-365: Afterglow

I love the afterglow of a candle that's just been put out.  Thanks to the 105, I was able to get up close and personal...

Moment of Beauty #26/365: Paper Clips

How is this a moment of beauty?  The colors are what inspired me with this shot.  I'm having such a good time learning to shoot with this lens... 

 

Moment of Beauty #25/365: Running water

Not my normal pic AND since the macro's not left my camera since it's arrival, this was taken from inside my car as it warmed up.  It's a picture of water that was running down my windshield...  

 

Moment of Beauty #24/365: Newest Member of Our Family

I am pleased to introduce the newest member of our family:  the 105mm VR macro!

I'm in LOVE!  It's a good thing I met Corey before I met this lens!  (only kidding - sort of)...

Moment of Beauty #23/365: Me & My Little Man

I tried to take our picture together holding the camera in my right hand - back-button focus and all!  He wasn't thrilled, can you tell?  Ha ha ha...  You should have seen when I took the pacifier away...