Back in the Saddle...Again!

First of all, I have to say, To all who bother to check my blog for updates, a BIG apology for my almost month and a half absence.  So many things have happened in that time, including discovering that I am pregnant!!  This was a big surprise, but as I polled most of my seasoned mother friends, it's very rare that a child is actually planned.  So, it's a relief that we're not totally irresponsible. 

Needless to say, with this new revelation, most other things came to a screeching halt or at least drastic slowdown for a few weeks, because I felt dreadfully ill.  I have to be thankful, though, I am not a person who throws up easily, even when pregnant, but I don't know what's worse, praying to the porcelain gods or wishing you could just to knock the feeling. :S  And for one week my head felt like it was going to burst with terrible headaches, which left me in my bed many an hour a day.  My kind doctor reassured me I was not going to die of an aneurism, but that yes, pregnancy hormones can also make your head throb.  Thankfully, that particular symptom has passed, and I'm down to just occasional periods of feeling "ick" during the afternoon/evening.  I'm 9 weeks along, so hopefully I only have another 3 of that to go like last time!

As I said, most other things have been put on the back burner for now, including my attempts at improving my photographic skills.  Frankly, I just haven't felt that inspired, but I guess that might be normal given my circumstances.  But, I'm determined to get back in the saddle soon, with a couple of possible portrait sessions coming up.  I keep up-to-date with my favorite photography blogs, so they're helping me feel a little more motivated.  And now that the sun is shining more often and the grass is peeping out, I just may venture outside to find some good nature shots too.  In the meantime, before I get too adventurous, here are a few shots I took on a recent trip to our local Aquarium with our family and good friends.

Note:All photos taken by LaFemmeRioux.

Baby's First!

My little L. had her first snowboarding experience on Sunday afternoon!  Her Uncle Eddie and Auntie JuJu bought her a snowboard, and helped her go down her first hill with Mommy and Daddy cheering her on.  Too cute for words. :)

At Long Last!

I can't believe it's been almost a month since I've blogged!  Where does the time go.  Been feeling a little uninspired, with winter weather and bad colds cooping us up a bit.  But, last weekend we were able to do a little bit outside together, and we had fun being out in the frosty air. 

Ah, winter, it's so beautiful to look at, and yet so frustrating when you're trying to go somewhere!  Cars need to be warmed, windows scraped off, driveways plowed and walkways shovelled.  I remember being a child, though, when winter meant nothing but fun in the snow.  I can remember laying in my bed, listening to my dad's radio playing in the livingroom, just PRAYING. that my school would be on the cancellation list!  And, boy oh boy, if it was, what fun was in store!  Snowmen (or snow sculptures if my artsy mom was helping.:) and sliding, and skating on the family pond.  I could choose from either set of grandparents to visit, because we all lived down the same little laneway that I still reside on.  Most times when I came in from the cold to either house, the sweet aroma of cookies and pies and...mmmm...homemade BREAD..would revive me and my tummy would growl in anticipation!!  Oh, the fond memories of childhood. 

Now I have my own child, albeit still a little young to fully enjoy the outdoors in the winter, but nonetheless absolutely THRILLED. to be pulled around in her little sled over the snow.  Sometimes I have to turn around to see if she's laughing or crying, it's hard to tell sometimes, but it's usually just a wild laughter.  What a card.  And so, I have a few winter pictures to share with you.  I hope the season is treating everyone well and you are all keeping safe. :)

Note: All photos taken by La Femme Rioux. (c)

The Patience of Daddies

My husband has had the past three weeks off of work before he begins his carpentry licensing course, and I must say, I could really get used to having him around!  It's so nice to not have to ship him off in the dark of the morning to go to work, but instead have coffee together and enjoy a few minutes of quiet.  It's also been wonderful for our daughter to be able to play with her daddy anytime she wants!  She just adores hm, and he pretty much lets her do whatever she wants to him...use him for a pack-mule, a horsey, play-dough buddy, and well, pretty much her personal slave. haha Of course you know how it is with Daddies and Daughters, there's a special connection they all have that is different from even that with mommies and daughters.  Daddies are their first loves.  And I'm determined not to be jealous, I know she still loves me, especially when she's upset or scared or hungry, or just needing a hug.  I can content myself with that.

Where we are staying, with my husband's parents, is in the country, with wide open fields, and a path down to a river which freezes in our frigid Maritime temperatures.  It's so peaceful and serene there.  Cold when the wind blows, but still, very peaceful.  Sometimes I think of the advantages of moving to a city, and get a little bit wistful for things that aren't easily accessible in our smaller communities.  But then I go for a walk and feel so close to creation and think, You can't get quiet like this in the city.

We tried to take our little peanut sliding the other day for the first time.  I mean, last year we pulled herr around in the snow, but she couldn't go down the hills by herself.  This year she's much adventurous!  She is two years old (going on 10) after all.  For about two days we had a nice blanket of snow, but unfortunately it wasn't very good sliding snow..too light.  We ploughed a little path in the backyard and tried to make a little run for her.  It was ok, except she didn't like the snow piling up on her lap!

It didn't last too long, but oh well, next time will be better.  So, we pulled her along down to the river, her and our bouncy little dog.  Between the tromping in the snow, and the cold air, our little princess was pooped and needed to be carried home on Daddy's shoulders, singing away...until the singing gradually faded and her little body drooped and she fell asleep on her trusty steed.  It was the cutest thing I ever saw.

I will always cherish moments like these.  I wish they would never end!  But, snow melts, the sun goes down, and little girls start growing up.  Change is constant and ever forthcoming.  And hopefully, those little girls, no matter how big they get, are never too old to love their daddies.  I know I'm not. :)

Apologies!

Just a quick note to anyone reading, I'm sorry I haven't written in awhile!!  We have relocated temporarily and I haven't been able to connect my computer to the internet yet, but I have some new pictures to share as soon as I can.  Hang in there, and thanks for reading. :)  A bientot chers amis!

The Kiss of Snow

We woke up to a blanket of snow this morning.  Isn't it wonderful how with a new snow everything seems so calm and quiet and problem-free?  For one lovely moment you don't have a care in the world, and the only sound you hear is the soft pat-pat of snowflakes falling on your hair.  It's like poetry.

Moments like those remind me of the 4th Grade.  I had to memorize "Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening" by Robert Frost.  I practiced over and over until I was able to recite it to my teacher.  I always have remembered bits of that poem and they often come back to me in the winter quiet of our country home. 

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Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening
by Robert Frost
Whose woods these are I think I know. His house is in the village though; He will not see me stopping here To watch his woods fill up with snow. My little horse must think it queer To stop without a farmhouse near Between the woods and frozen lake The darkest evening of the year. He gives his harness bells a shake To ask if there is some mistake. The only other sound's the sweep Of easy wind and downy flake. The woods are lovely, dark, and deep. But I have promises to keep, And miles to go before I sleep, And miles to go before I sleep.

Note: All photos taken by La Femme Rioux.

Made with Love

I'm finally finished!  For now. :)  No doubt I will go back over them now and again and do some tweaking, I can never leave well enough alone.  So, without further ado and too much dialogue, here are my favorite shots from the H Family photo shoot.  My Flickr link for the entire album is here. I hope you enjoy!



Note: All pictures were taken by La Femme Rioux.