Project 366: Weeks 5 - 8

I'm playing catch-up today from my month long hiatus because...

There is a battle being waged in my head. Two warring factions that I can't seem to reconcile: my desire to live a purpose-full, meaning-full life, and this strange affection for that seemingly innocuous orange button festooned with the word 'publish." (if you use blogger, you know what I mean). Everywhere I turn I see people dealing with real problems, and what do I write about? Fluff, mainly. So I took a step back last month and refocused on my priorities (my family, my faith, my creativity) until I felt whole again. 

No, the battle isn't over, but for now I've signed the peace accord. The fluff will now take the backroad. Not that fluff doesn't certainly have it's place in my heart. It is a needed escape. A welcome outlet for my creative pursuits. But sometimes it seems so...insignificant. Especially when I am intently focused on my laptop, and out of the corner of my eye see my one-year old melt to the ground and land in such a pitiful heap of utter despair and self-pity only a child can master...all because she just wants her mom. 

She gives me purpose. She gives my life meaning. She is important. More important than this blog. 

So I continue struggling to find balance. Which is why I am behind on my self-imposed Project 366. Oh well, what's the rush?

February 2 - H relaxing

February 6- Shopping for tile for the backsplash. 

February 9- An early Valentine's gift from Grandma 

{a adorable handmade doll that H instantly fell in love with}.

February 10- Grunt labor installing the backsplash tile (more pics to come soon!)

February 11- H checking CNN for her daily dose of news before breakfast whilst she grooms Sir Leopold. 

February 12- Homemade pretzel bites with herbed mustard dipping sauce. 

February 13- A fresh box of crayons. Is there anything better?

February 14- Baby + mirror = hours of entertainment

February 15- H exploring the possibilities of a career in anthropology
at the Natural History Museum of Utah

February 16: Our discovery after our one-year-old was being uncharacteristically quiet. 

February 17- A little joyride on H's new birthday present.

February 20- "Um...honey, did you spill something in the basement?" "What?" "Like a foot of water?"

February 21- H enjoying a play-date with her friend.

Feb 23- Life, as it turns out, is not all bubble-blowing and kitty-mauling.
Sometimes you bite down on a wicker basket and it really hurts!

February 24- H rearranging all the apps on my phone for the 467th time.

Project 366: Week 3 & 4

These two weeks are all about H. I know. Big surprise. She's kind of a big deal around here.

 January 15 - Yep, those lips. Everyone comments on them.

 January 16 - H loves her sippy cup.

January 17- the daily Battle Royale: kitty boy vs. pajama clad kid. It usually ends in tears.

January 19- H with Penelope, our favorite piggy.

January 20- On our trip to St. George, we had to stop at the cheese factory in Beaver, Ut for spectacular Jalapeno cheese curds! My mother thinks it odd that my sister and I take pictures of our food. 

January 22- H in a rock.

January 24- Cutting out fabric for the breakfast nook in the kitchen.  (pictures coming soon!)

 January 27- A surprised H crawling down the hallway.

 January 28- Ice cubes in a mesh food holder: the only thing that makes our teething baby happier.

January 29- H helping Nate install the barn door for the pantry.  (pictures coming soon!)

January 31- Sweet little baby feet.

Project 366: Week 1 & 2

I'm finally doing it. I have hemmed and hawed for years about doing it. But there was always an excuse. My camera sucks. I'm too busy. My cat has too much fur. The windows are dirty. My toe hurts. Well, I got a new camera for Christmas, and I am determined to learn enough about this blasted thing to take one good picture by the end of the year. So let it begin....

My 365 project. Er...make that 366...it's a leap year! Yeah, yeah. All you over-achievers have been doing this for years. And you have made big, fancy, beautiful books. And you got them published. And your pets are cuter than mine. And your photos should be on bill boards. I almost didn't tell you about this little project of mine, for fear of utter rejection. Or worse: failure. But I am no longer afraid. I am turning into a braver version of myself (watch out!)

If you are curious as to whether or not I can keep up this commitment for an entire year (ack...the pressure), you are not alone. I'm hoping that you'll hold me accountable if I post all my pics here. Ok, not ALL the pics, because...well...no one needs to see every detail of my mundane life.

So, heres a select few of my photos from week 1 & 2. The biggest surprise? Not all the photos are of baby H (who after taking her first steps on Christmas Day is quickly trying to outgrow that moniker)!

January 1 - We started off 2012 with clementines and a pomegranate

January 2 - After hanging our barn door track over the pantry, Nate couldn't resist acting as the door himself. It was 7:30 am, thus the bed-head hair.

January 4 - I have a thing for orchids. Someone please tell me how to get mine to re-bloom so I can stop buying them every few months!

January 6 - What breakfast (and every other meal) looks like at our house: Hazel standing in her highchair while Mom/Dad hover nervously close to keep her from plummeting to the ground.

January 7 - Our back patio after the first snow storm of the year.

January 8 -  Yes, we buy Cheerios in bulk. Yes, we put our daughter in the empty box. We're classy people.

January 9 - Our bedtime ritual: bath, brush teeth, p.j.'s, dim the lights, read some books, pray, goodnight kisses, sleep

January 10 - Egg-free chocolate chip cookies. mmmmmm

January 12 - Life with a little person. Plastic stuff. Oh the irony.

January 13 - Creating a gallery wall in the hallway.