just to prove I'm not dead...

I could just look at the lush green here all day long. It's obviously not Colorado. Which means I've obviously been traveling again. As you've probably already guessed from the lack of blog posts. I never like to announce that there's a perfectly lovely vacant home just waiting to be robbed though, hence the lack of notice beforehand.

So where were we this time? (don't even try to disguise it...I can hear the irritation in your voice) We headed out to California to visit family one last time before our move. It's such an easy trip from here that we couldn't pass up Brent's spring break to head out west. Sarah had a ball playing with aunts, grandparents, cousins. I promise I have more photos but right now I'm up to my neck in proofing from sessions I had out there (and before I left) and emails to answer. I promise I'll be back when it reaches a managable level!

spunky

I think that's an appropriate word for her these days. Her little personality is totally blossoming and it's such a joy to watch (on most days that is- other days I consider selling her to the circus). She's found her sense of humor and will make herself giggle at the drop of a hat. I also think she might have an imaginary friend or two because I often catch her strolling around the house with both hands behind her back mumbling to herself: "yeah, yeah, yeah" or "no, no, no". It wouldn't be terribly surprising if she had an imaginary posse running around the house. I mean, it runs in the family and all. I'm not going to point any fingers but let's just say that *I* never had an imaginary friend. (Insert shout out to ShockBock, RoShockBock and Guh)

Two more tidbits about her latest fascinations. She's been "boy" stalking and "papa" stalking lately. She'll chase down any boy or papa she sees in any store or park we might be at. If you're over 50 and are clearly not a woman you're definitely Sarah's "papa". And if you have short hair and are under 50, you're definitely "BOY! BOY! BOY!".

What will we do with her?





Non Pigbear-related excitement: Most of you know that my sister has a cool little shop over on Etsy that sells clothes that are way, way too trendy for a young hag like me. WELL. She was recently featured on the official Etsy blog. I'm sure there are some stylin' mamas reading this though so go check it out. SO PROUD!!!

we got our pi'bear back, pi'bear back, pi'bear back

Does anyone remember the Chili's jingle that went like this: I want my babyback, babyback, babyback (repeat)...CHILI's...babybackribs. (not sure where the question mark for that sentence goes...so...how about...here...?) Well, everytime Sarah is sick we mix up that little jingle into our battle cry: "I want my pi'bear back, pi'bear back, pi'bear back."

Good news: We've got our Pi'bear back.

Bad news: Now we're pretty sure she has pica.

While that's probably quite a stretch, she certainly has been fascinated lately with munching on dirt, sand, play rice (it's sort of food, right?), and just generally anything that she can get her grubby little hands on - see previous post. Today, it was just play rice. And pebbles. And Cheez-its. Which may debunk my pica theory.











disclaimer: For those who have expressed concern (MOM!)...NO SARAH DOES NOT HAVE PICA.

In The Garden

Okay, get in your best Willie Nelson voice. Let's all join in, "I have come to the garden alone...". Well, actually, I didn't come alone--I tagged along. Deed had a photo shoot scheduled Friday afternoon with a family, and the locale was the Garden of the Gods. In case you couldn't tell from the different writing style and somewhat obscure reference to an old gospel song, this is not Erin blogging.

Usually when Daddy blogs, there's a video, but not this time. It was such a gorgeous day that I decided to take my camera (Deed's "old" one) and try my hand at some photos. Sarah was feeling so much better, and she and I had an absolute blast. If you're ever in Colorado Springs, you must go to the Garden of the Gods. It is a public park full of great rock formations and views of Pikes Peak. I've included a few snapshots to prove that Sarah is feeling better.


Princess Pigbear and the Raiders of the Lost Ark?

I like this shot of a rock formation called "Kissing Camels":

But Sarah might ask, why bother with Kissing Camels when you can kiss the earth? And then swim in the earth?

What a great time. The good news is that Mommy has a photo shoot today, too, this time in Fox Run Park. So we'll get to do it all over again. I'll leave you with this one.

who invited Reality over?

As indicated in my last couple of posts I was flying pretty high after our super-fun vacation out east. Apparenly Reality doesn't read my blog because he thought nothing of intruding right into our blissful cocoon and dropping a raging case of RSV into our laps.

I should have known.

I'm considering never taking Sarah on an airplane again. Every time I do she comes down with some nastiness, even ending up in the hospital last time! Hopefully we won't be going that route again but the doc did warn us yesterday that RSV often turns into pneumonia in little ones which would mean being admitted again.

I'm still determined to think positively. And even though Pi'bear was miserable yesterday she's perked up a bit today and has even gone so far as to babble a few words and crack a few smiles (the only word she said all day yesterday was "baby" - pitifully and trancelike over and over again as we sat waiting for the doctor and she heard some poor tyke screaming bloody murder over an immunization).

Here she is, pacifying herself with "bu-bu" (quite a lovely habit of sucking on his bum, dontcha think?) and destroying my stationary box.





One more thing. If Reality comes knocking on your door today, tell him you're not interested.

for real this time...

I finally have time to post more photos and details of our trip. For those of you who don't know, Sarah and I were invited by Samantha's in-laws to spend a week in their home on a private island near Hilton Head. Caroline and Sarah were beside themselves over spending every waking moment together for an entire week. Samantha and I were giddy over having some time away from the girls while Nana Rose and Papa John did the grandparent thing. It's an amazingly beautiful home on gorgeous grounds, inhabited by two of the nicest people on the planet. What a blessing to spend the week there.

Enjoy some of my snaps from the week...and check out one.frame.a.day for more...

I haven't finished proofing all of them so I may add more later. As wonderful as it was, I sure am glad to be home!

photographer's paradise

If the big guy (or gal) is taking requests I think I've found where I'd like to go when I die. I have lots and lots and lots to share about our trip to the South Carolina shore but for now, just this...



I promise to post more soon...thanks for not giving up on me while I was gone!

bye bye Daddy

That sounds like a sad title, doesn't it? It's not nearly as depressing as it sounds. Sarah and I are headed out tomorrow morning for a week in HILTON HEAD! (told you it wasn't depressing) Samantha's in-laws graciously invited us to spend the week at their summer home and we are thrilled to be headed east tomorrow. I'll be sure to post a gazillion photos when we get back next weekend but this week will be void of any blogging or potd'ing. Sorry! Here are a few pics of Pi'bears and her Daddy to hold you over...







Some of you may have already read this on my photography blog but it's worth repeating: I'll be in the Monterey Bay area the last week of March. If anyone is interested in booking a session I'll make time to do a limited number while I'm there. Email me at erkatco@yahoo.com if you're interested!

Enterprise friend

I know there's a girl here who links to our blog from Enterprise, Alabama but for the life of me I can't remember your name or blog. Just checking to see if you're okay...

me, the pixie

I've always wondered what I would look like with a pixie cut. This weekend I learned why I should never speak such thoughts aloud to my fashion-forward sister. We walked into the mall on a mission to weigh ourselves down with gap bags. I walked out of the mall with short hair to rival Brent's. I'm not saying I don't like it. I'm just saying that the influence she exerted over me as a child apparently hasn't lifted yet.

So here it is. My pixie debut...







Needless to say there was a little boredom weighing in on my decision to take these photos. Sarah and I have been stuck in the house all week with various inspections and cleanings going on in our house, preparing to sell. Today was our day of freedom...WOOHOO...well, it WAS our day of freedom. But then the Pigbear started throwing up. So now it's the day of freedom we wish we had. And instead we're inside, snapping self portraits, yaking up oatmeal, and wishing it was spring already.

eta: I keep forgetting to tell you guys where I got the wings from Charlotte's pics (and the banner pic)...BABY GAP, of course. On sale now for 9.99. They should totally be paying me. Oh wait... :)