baby love. {part 2}

just some more photos of my

(adorable, curious, perfect - if i do say so myself)

five month old baby.

homeschooling thoughts.

(washing shells)

i officially started doing preschool at home with roman this past fall. so far he LOVES it, and asks each morning, "do we have school today?"

on the last day that i did school with him before our decided Christmas break, he was so bummed. i, however, was very excited to be off the hook! i was starting to feel throroughly overwhelmed and inadequete as a homeschooling mama. as much as i try to set aside time to plan, i never spend nearly enough time doing it. although i have a million ideas swirling around in my head, i feel too overwhelmed by all the choices in front of me.

i decided that over Christmas break, i would really sit down and take some time to PLAN and ORGANIZE. i was going to pick up that huge box of preschool books from my mom, i was going to spend hours making lesson plans and schedules.

did i do that? no. the box is still at my moms. i spent hours editing photos in my holiday free time instead.

some moments i start thinking, "maybe roman would be better off in a REAL preschool." then i realize, wait, what he heck is so REAL about preschool that isn't REAL about being at home? having worked in daycare/preschools, i saw that those teachers are figuring it our on their own also. they are bombarded with a million choices, and have to come up with lessons on their own too. they make changes as time goes on. they find things that work, and things that don't. they have children who won't sit still, who are bored, who don't like the activity that they've planned. there are good days and bad days in REAL preschool too.

so, we've started school back up again. i am pretty satisfied with our first two days back.  i am still NOT happy with how little time i spend planning.  that is something i need to work on. luckily i'm really good at coming up with activities quickly, all those daycare and sunday school teaching days paid off!
however, i want roman to have the BEST i can offer him. which is defiately better than what i've been shelling out lately.

however, he loves to read and write. he is learning his letter sounds. and this morning, even though he is sick with the flu, he asked, "do we have school today?" so it's not all bad, right? :)

dear roman.

dear roman,

please stay four forever.

love, mama

baby love.

baby face

baby feet

baby, baby love.

{asher michael}

five and a half months.

these are part of my attempt to take ashey's photos each month on one of two similar sheets that i have. i missed month four. i planned to take roman's monthly baby photos on a cream colored sheet but only got to month two:) i have so many photos from this day that i love, i think i'll have to post more another day...

pictures roman took.

real life conversation between roman and i:

me, "roman, do you want to be a photographer when you grow up?"

roman, "i AM a photographer."

there is something super special about photos that your four year old takes,

uninhibited and unplanned.

he isn't trying for any style, he isn't influenced by any photographers.

he just takes pictures exactly how he wants to and he loves it.

inspiring, no?

thanks for capturing these memories rome :)

2011.

2011

sick sick sick days of pregnancy.

my dream of having two little boys coming true.

a beautiful birth, a frighteningly long week at the hospital.

special moments at special places with aaron, my best friend of 11 years, my husband for 5.

moving to the country.

roman weaning at 3 years and 2 months, playing with his babies, talking to my tummy,

picking flowers for mama, becoming a brother, wanting to be just like dada – his “buddy”,

 becoming an artist, loving homeschool.

babywearing + breastfeeding.

growing asher, then watching asher grow.

(i'm pretty sure this is the ONLY photo i have of us as a whole family!)

almost five months.

a friend and i got together and did this fun photoshoot of asher,

one day before his five month birthday.

i bought this awesome blanket that i've had my eyes on at target for these photos and we used these great vintage toys. my dad always puts vintage toys under his christmas tree. they have all been in the family for years. these blocks were my papaw's when he was little. the old teddy bear was my dad's:) who knew back then, that someday little asher would be playing with them.

asher thinks he is such a big boy now.

he had his first ride in the front seat of the cart at walmart. he was smiling so big and looking so proud of himself. this morning we all randomly decided to go to bob evans, and for the first time asher sat in a high chair. he was so cheerful and loved sitting there by himself. he is so strong, he didn't even bonk his head on the highchair like we worried about :)

i fed him a little mashed up banana. this boy is dying to eat. everything.

he also sucked on a lemon. 

so yes, he is moving on to that next baby stage. wearing his six month clothes, sitting up on the bed playing with blocks and standing up in the exersaucer.

he's still that same boy he was his first week of life - smiley as ever, loving to watch my mouth as i sing.

i love this little person.