At the Park. {365 - Day 221}

We finished up our shoot yesterday, so today we headed up to Central Park to enjoy the beautiful day.  We took the subway  (Kurt was impressed with my skills in public transportation navigation.)  Sarah Beth thought the "train" was the coolest. 

We strolled all through the park, exploring the narrow trails through rocks and beautiful landscaping.  Lunch at the boathouse, followed by an afternoon trip to the Museum of Natural History to beat the heat.   It was surreal bringing my daughter to a place where I had childhood memories of seeing the big whale and the dinosaurs.  She liked it, but I think she preferred running free and shoeless at the park.

I continue to be amazed at how adaptable Sarah Beth is.  Our schedule has been totally out of whack this trip.  Staying up late, eating at irregular times, roaming all over creation.  She is so patient and happy with whatever we do.  We are blessed to have such a wonderful little traveling companion.  Kurt took this shot of me with my best girl.  Love.

Day 221 {Canon 5D Mark III}

Swing {365 - Day 220}

A wonderful day in NYC!  We did our video and photo shoot for a fabulous and beautiful new client who I'm convinced will be my new BFF.  She's also a mom like me so she was totally cool with us bringing along our 3 year old for the shoot.  SB was amazingly patient and well-behaved as usual, and we managed to squeeze in some play time in between shooting. 

Here she is swinging at Madison Square Park.  Shortly after this, another kid joined her on the tire swing.  They yelled to go "faster faster faster" and SB was shrieking with glee until slipping through the tire and landing on the padded ground with a kurplunk and a slight bounce.  Oops.  She's a trooper though.  A quick hug and a dusting off and she was back in the game.

 Day 220- {iPhone + photoshop}

Empire State {365 - Day 219}

We made it.  In the "big city" as Sarah Beth calls it.  We survived the Lincoln Tunnel and got into the city just in time to stroll through Madison Square Park and hit the playground before it closed for the night.  As we walked back to our hotel on 31st street, we were greeted by the Empire State Building bathed in a beautiful sunset.  Hello New York.  We are happy to be here.

Day 219 {iPhone}

Road Trip {365 - Day 218}

We set off today on our first real road trip with Sarah Beth.  We are on our way to NYC to do some work plus visit friends and family in NJ.  We planned on stopping halfway.  Thank goodness.  Sarah Beth was pretty great the whole trip, but the last 45 minutes or so were getting dicey.  The drive up 81 is beautiful.  Lots of rolling hills and farmland.  I took this picture at the last rest stop we hit before making it to our hotel.


Day 218 {iPhone + photoshop}

"Endless Caverns" it says on the hill like a West Virginia version of the Hollywood sign.  I love the farmhouse in the distance.

After eating dinner at a slightly greasy but not terrible restaurant within walking distance from the hotel, we took Sarah Beth for a dip in the pool (she was thrilled) and now I'm on my laptop, Kurt's on his laptop, and SB is on her my iPad.  Gotta get our technology fix before getting in the car tomorrow...

P.S.  Does anyone else think it's weird that on Day 218, our hotel room # is 218?  Hmmm...

Wild NIght. {365 - Day 217}

Last night, SB woke up at 11:15.  We were still awake, sitting on the couch watching Gossip Girl on Netflix (don't judge) waiting for our sheets to dry.  I tried to soothe her back to sleep, reading books and singing to no avail.  She was up.  And with Mommy's bed temporarily out of commission, she ended up on the couch with us. 

We finally got the bed made around 12:30, and by then she was ready to party.  Bouncing around the bedroom singing bed time bed time.  She got her hands on Kurt's old stuffed horsey yesterday, so she tucked horsey into my spot and told me to move over.  Hmph.  Once we got all settled in, She wanted to go back to her bed.  Perfect.  This is how it went.

SB: My bed Mommy.
Me:  Great, let's go.  (We move into her room.)
SB:  Too bright turn off the light.  (I turn of the lamp.)
SB:  Too dark Mommy!  Too DARK!  (I turn on the bathroom light.)
Me: Better?
SB: Ok Mommy.  Read a book.
Me:  Ok.  (I recite Good Night Moon which I have memorized) then sing a lullaby.
SB:  No singing Mommy.  Just read.
Me:  Ok then.  (Re-read Good Night Moon twice.)

She drifts off to sleep and I sneak out.  Moments later, she gets out of bed, shuts her door, then stands in the middle of her room crying softly.  What the ? 

Me:  What's wrong baby?
SB:   (Sniffling) Mommy's bed.
Me:  Ok whatever you want let's just get to sleep.

So we crawl back in our bed.  She flops around a while, then says, "my bed Mommy." 
Repeat same scenario two times.  This lasted until 3AM.

I woke up this morning to this:

Day 217 {iPhone}

I guess she finally landed on "Mommy's Bed" in her little switcheroo last night.  We have got to get this kid sleeping through the night in her own bed.  She takes up way too much space.

Duet. {365 - 216}

Sweet neighbor Gavin came over today to play with Sarah Beth.  He crawled right up on the piano bench to plunk out a tune and SB, of course, got up right beside him.  They are so stinkin' cute.  I wish I had my "real" camera for this one, but iPhone will have to do.

Day 216 {iPhone + photoshop}

Working Dog. {365 - Day 215}

Another sweltering day, another photo shoot at Metrolina Expo.  Fortunately, the A/C was on in most of the buildings and water was plentiful so I'm not nearly as wiped out as yesterday.  We strolled around to take some shots of all the cool stuff for sale this weekend and came upon this hard-working pup named Nala.  Nala's job, I believe, was to look cute and attract customers.  She was doing an amazing job.  Wouldn't you buy furniture from this sweet face?

Day 215 {Canon 5 Mark III + Photoshop}