A Work in Progress

Half-Marathon Training Program

2012-01-17T17:27:00.014-06:00

Are you ready for prime running season? The Runner's Image Spring Half-Marathon Training Program is just about to start! It is a 12 week program designed to help walkers and runners prepare for a spring half-marathon.

Download the pamphlet for more info. Return it to Runner's Image or at the first meeting, Feb. 21, 2012. Can't get the brochure to download? Email me @ lwoodyatt@gmail.com.

The program starts on Tuesday, Feb 21, 2012 and all proceeds for this half marathon training program go to the Literacy Council in Rockford. At the end of the program you will be prepared to run a trail run half-marathon, like the Literacy Run Half-Marathon on May 12, 2012.

Last year was the first year I participated and I loved it! Now, I have run before and I have even run a marathon and half-marathon before, but it had been quite a few years since I had really committed myself to train for a race. We met twice a week for group runs and were given a training program to follow on the other days. I won't lie, it is a time commitment, but it was so much fun and rewarding to run with this group. I was able to find a group that fit my pace and continually felt challenged to do my best. When I actually ran the Literacy Run Half-Marathon, I did much better than I thought, I was so well prepared.

My mom also did the program as walker. She had a great experience and found a wonderful group of supportive people. She used this program to help her continue towards her fitness goals and plans on participating again this year.

Whether you are a seasoned runner or a newbie, you would be able to find a coach and group that will help support you as you take on this challenge. Looking to stick to your New Year's resolution? This would be a great opportunity. The program starts 6 pm on Tuesday, Feb 21, 2012 and we will be meeting at the Millennium Center in downtown Rockford. Our Tuesday training runs typically go along the Rock River and our Saturday morning runs are split between downtown and the trails.

So why is this program different than other programs?
*It is a lot of fun and you make some great friends!
*Trail runs that help you prepare for the real thing
*Coach supported runs (about a 10:1 ratio)
*All proceeds go to the Literacy Council
*Great for anyone who needs some motivation (experienced and newbies alike)

If you have any questions at all, please comment or email me @ lwoodyatt@gmail.com. I will do my best to answer your questions. I believe so strongly in this program and think it such a cool thing for Rockford! Hope to see you there!

**All the photos in this post are courtesy of Ron Leonhardt and are from the Literacy Run Half-Marathon race.**

"Promise Me You'll Remember"

2011-11-08T16:59:00.005-06:00

"Promise me you'll always remember, You're braver than you believe, and stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think." ~Christopher Robin to Winnie the Pooh (A.A. Milne)

"Have the Courage to Follow Your Heart"

2011-11-01T21:56:00.001-05:00

Simple Truth Tuesday

2011-10-25T17:32:00.005-05:00

"Your being here on earth matters and it can be meaningful" - Oprah

This is about all I can muster right now. I have so many ideas for the blog, but haven't had time to get them together. Until then, I will continue with these simple, yet profound truths. Happy Tuesday!

Simple Truth Tuesday

2011-10-18T18:17:00.002-05:00

Simple Truths Tuesdays

2011-10-11T19:33:00.003-05:00

I am going to start on a new adventure on the blog! I am going to call these weekly posts "Simple Truths Tuesday". It is my intention to post at least once a week, even if just a little blurb, quote or single pic. Here is the first:

Down on the Farm

2011-10-09T21:19:00.010-05:00

Lucid Dream Team made an appearance at the Nada Farm Event this past weekend. We really had a great time and met some great artists/ exhibitors. I wasn't quite sure what to expect, even though Andrea had been to the sale/event/classes in May. It really is on an old farm, they weren't kidding! Chickens roamed the grounds, there were horses in the back pasture and sales galore in the barn. This inspirational piece of prairie was simply divine!
We truly got a taste of what an outdoor show can really be like....in this case, even though the weather was unseasonably warm for October, it was also crazy windy! Good thing we had plenty of weight on the tent (thanks to my husband Aaron) and a couple of good stakes in the ground. Both days were absolutely beautiful and it was invigorating to be outdoors. I even got a chance to paint en plein air on Saturday. Even though the farm is out in the middle of the country, there were people lined up outside of the gates both days waiting to be allowed in. I never knew such an event and community existed in Northern Illinois! It was really exciting to be a part of the event. I hope we can do it again sometime!

Check out Tattered Tiques for more pics of the event!

Autobiography

2011-09-04T08:40:00.002-05:00

If anyone ever thought, "Hey, where does Lizzie get her inspiration?" I think this painting answers that question. All of my paintings are based on some part of my life. This one happens to be of myself and my daughter. When I first started it, the piece seemed a little somber or sad when I wanted quite the opposite. I hope I was able to turn it around.
The quote in the background says, "If I could keep any moment it would be this, watching you and holding my breath at the wonder of it all." I found this quote by Brian Andreas and knew it was perfect. If you've never seen his stuff before, check it out here. I love his tender and true descriptions of life.

Back to School

2011-08-25T07:04:00.008-05:00

I have been trying to get as much done as I can before Sept 17 & 18 (in time for the Rockford Artists' Fair) and haven't been as successful as I'd like. School officially started yesterday and I inevitably shifted my focus to seating charts and lesson plans. I did manage to finish this piece though. It is my largest and most detailed piece yet.The words on each girl say, "Never forget who you are little star" and "Never forget how to dream butterfly" (lyrics by Madonna). I'm not quite sure if they are sisters, friends or mother & daughter...not sure if it matters.

Finally Finished...Again

2011-08-08T07:44:00.007-05:00

You may remember this piece from way back in March, when I thought that it might be done....but, oh no, it was not! It has been nagging me quite a bit since then. It looked a bit incomplete and the message seemed to be unclear. I have been hunting for a mother/daughter quote to top it all off, but had the hardest time. Yesterday, with the reality that summer is coming to a close and the Rockford Artist Fair is coming up, I got into high gear. So here is what I found:
It was actually a quote from a book on friendship. The words read, "I only wish you could see what I see when I look at you." (by Kobi Yamada). When I read that quote, it all clicked into place for me. My original intention with this painting was to show that deep connection between mother and daughter and it turned into sending a message to my daughter. I have so many wishes for my daughter, but one the biggest ones has to be that she be gentle with herself.

Biz update

2011-07-30T08:21:00.009-05:00

It's been a little while since I've mentioned much about the 'biz'. So I thought I'd let you all know about what's been happening around here.

First of all, I've teamed up with Andrea to be apart of Lucid Dream Team. Her blog is here. Our business blog has yet to be created, but I will let you know when it is up and running. While we create different artwork, we will be going in together on craft fairs and our Etsy adventure.

Speaking of Etsy, we launched our Etsy shop! I have only one item for sale as of today, but it is a start. I am so excited to get our stuff out there!

Andrea & I also had our very first art fair at Edgebrook in June. We learned the joys of setting up the tent, arranging all of our artwork and taking payments via our smartphones (that was pretty cool). It was a great way to spend my birthday and I look forward to many more.

I also had my first gallery opening at River Valley Community Church at the end of June. It was a small show featuring 4 artists, but I was so proud to be a part of it! It was really awesome to see all of my work in one place and I really felt a sense of accomplishment.

And the last bit of news is that I will be participating in the Rockford Artists' Fair on Sept. 17 & 18, 2011 here in Rockford, IL. I did apply for the Greenwich Village Art Fair, but didn't get in :(. That was a pretty big blow for me, but I moved on to plan B. I am super-duper excited to be involved and am gearing up as we speak.

Phew! That was a lot. Can't wait for all that is in store for us as we move forward in this adventure!

I know, I know

2011-06-19T14:44:00.000-05:00

"My Mother's Prayers" 5"X5" mixed media collage

I know it is Father's Day, but I had to share this piece with you. I just finished it this week. I had been meaning to finish it before Mother's Day...and, well, you know how life happens. Even though the quote says "I remember my mother's prayers and they have followed me." I could easily substitute "father". I have known from a very early age that my parents diligently prayed for me. And, yes, their prayers have followed me all of my life. I am so grateful for such faithful parents and grandparents. What have they prayed for me? That I will always know that someone loves me. That I will grow up to know the joy of having my own family. That I will always be the best Lizzie I can possibly be. The prayers are endless and I will never know them all. What are some of your parents' prayers for you?

I Did It!

2011-04-30T22:06:00.000-05:00

I applied for the RAM Greenwich Village Art Fair. I can't believe I actually did it! I have been preparing for quite awhile for this and the deadline was today. It is in the mail!

Although this is not my 'official' application, these are the images I submitted. Besides producing enough artwork to show, I had to buy a tent, make some display boards and actually set up my booth in order to take a picture of it. The whole booth part is the most nerve-racking and unpredictable part. It is totally outside of my knowledge sphere, but I'm getting there. It feels incredibly amazing to have this stage finished and has taken quite a bit of courage and just plain work to complete it. Now I wait for a response.

Winter, 12" X 15", Acrylic on Canvas

In the meantime, I continue to paint. This is my most recent piece. It is a little different than what I had been doing, but I like the direction I am headed. This is an acrylic painting on a sheet of unstretched canvas and it is purely painted, no collage or mixed media. It is also a little larger than my other pieces. To me, she tells more of a story than the others do. The girl stands peering out the door in the warmth and protection of her environment as winter is visible just out the window. I have a couple more paintings in mind that include windows and doors and I am excited to get going on them. I can't wait to see what comes next!

Done, done and done...i think

2011-03-16T22:09:00.000-05:00

Dare I say that I think I am actually done with these three pieces? You might be sick of seeing the same ones again, but if you scroll down, you can probably see a difference. Although I have not been starting a lot of new pieces, I have been working on finishing these.

Begin Now, 12" X 12", Acrylic painting on wood panel

This piece, "Begin Now" started out as what I affectionately called "Sparkle Girl", but she has come a long way. The girl really beckons you to take action now. As George Eliot said, "It's never too late to be who you might have been". So now is that time in my life where I have begun to take the first steps towards "who I might have been".

Mother & Daughter, 12"X 24",
Acrylic on wood panel

I am still unsure whether this piece is truly complete. I had done another mother and daughter painting over last summer, but I think it really lacked the tenderness of the relationship between a mother and daughter. In this piece, I tried to show how the the warm and protection of the mother gives the child a confidence and assurance.

Nurture, "12" X 20",
Acrylic on wood panel

This is another painting that I continue to revisit. You may not notice much of a difference besides a name change, but for me, there is a huge difference. I mainly worked on balancing color and adding contrast in the vines. I still don't know how to 'read' the painting myself. At times, I see the same tenderness as the painting above. Other times, I see a disaffected, detached girl and then I will notice the peace on her face, the peace that come from a knowing and certainty. She seems to mirror my own thoughts and feelings. Despite my changing feelings about her, I know that she is taking care of those things that are most important to her with a quite strength.

More to come later....

More works in progress

2011-02-20T08:17:00.000-06:00

One of reasons I renamed this blog " A work in progress" is because I am always so excited about what I am working on that I can never wait until it is finished to share it with others. So here are two of my latest paintings.

This first one, is really almost finished. The only problem is that it needs a little bit more. There are two issues with that: 1. I'm not sure exactly what to add to finish it and 2. I don't want to ruin it with whatever I decide to add.

"Growing", 12" X 20", acrylic mixed media painting on panel

Here is the second painting. I was calling her "Sparkle Girl" for awhile until I came across a quote from Francis Bacon, "Begin doing what you want to do now. We are not living in eternity. We have only this moment, sparkling like a star in our hand-and melting like a snowflake...". So now her title is "We only have this moment".

This is my first 'commission' of sorts - well at least my first painting started at someone else's request. She still has more work ahead of her. I can't wait to see what happens next!

"We only have this moment", 12" X 12", acrylic on panel

Nurturing

2011-02-10T07:37:00.000-06:00

So here is a sneak peek of my latest painting. It is just a sneak peak because I'm not quite sure how to finish it. I am going to give it some time and space to grow.

The end...and the end

2011-02-07T07:20:00.000-06:00

I finally finished this one! When I started, I had the idea of using balloons to symbolize letting go of. I originally intended to represent how we need to let go of the things that no longer serve us or that are negative in our lives in order to open up a space for growth and goodness. As my grandpa grew sicker over these past few weeks, it was clear that the idea of letting go took on a new meaning for me.

So as I enter into this time in my life when I am forced to let go of him, I am gentle with myself, knowing there is no right or wrong way to let go.

Courage

2011-01-23T13:48:00.002-06:00

So this year I beginning on a new adventure that will take a lot of courage. I am embarking on starting my own business and in doing so following in my mother's footsteps. The business plan, details and money are not secure, but I have committed my heart. So here we go!

Refocus

2010-11-04T06:54:00.003-05:00

I'm finding the need to refocus. No...not my camera lens (but I have been having focus problems in that areas also). With all of the busy-ness of the school year, I have lost focus on those people that matter the most to me. I am finding that I spend all of my energy on people and things that do not really matter. And guess what? I don't have much energy to give to those that I love the most. So hopefully I can refocus and re-engergize as we head into an even busy time of the year. In fear of getting too mushy, I'll leave it at this: I love that little girl and handsome man.

I feel a little inspiration coming on....

2010-10-03T15:15:00.002-05:00

So I've been noticing silhouettes a lot lately and have been meaning to get around to making some of my own. So here is my first attempt. It takes just the right picture to make a good silhouette, so I had to dig up this one from earlier this summer. Now that I'm thinking of it, I'll have to take some pics that will work good for this. So what to do with this now? We'll just have to see...

Moving a little slowly lately

2010-07-07T12:34:00.004-05:00

I've been moving a little slowly lately...here are the three pieces I've been working on. This one used to have a yellow background and I decided to paint a landscape in the background instead of just a solid color. She is almost done. No title yet, but she seems quietly hopeful to me. Here is the next painting I've been working - an obvious mother and child. The background is a complete mystery for my right now. I think I will end up patterning a la Gustav Klimt, but I don't want it to look like a complete rip off. And here is the last one. Another mother and child, this time I started with the background so that I wouldn't get stuck, but I seem to be having more problems with the faces. I think the girl looks more grown up than the mother, so I am going to have to work on that one.

3 paintings and 2 days to go until they need to be finished. I was really productive last week, I spent so much time thinking and painting that I think I burned myself out a little bit. So it was back to the studio today for me.

I think I'm in love

2010-06-30T08:19:00.007-05:00

Who knew a palette could cause such a stir, but I think I'm in love. So what is so special about this palette? I won't waste your time with super dorky stuff, but just trust me!

I have started my summer painting class at NIU. It is exactly what I thought it would be and yet nothing like I thought it would be. It is a challenge to say the least. I am being stretched farther than I imagined. Here is my first painting "You are Safe". A little 'craftsy' for a 'real' art class, but I'm going with it! This is my second painting...ok, I confess, it is not quite finished. I still have to add some text and do a little touch up. It's for my mama....I planned on having it done a little sooner, but better late than never.And here is number 3. It is in progress. I'm not quite sure where it will go next. It is interesting and exciting to be so enthralled in my artwork...I'm not sure if I have ever been this productive since my undergrad. Every spare minute I go to my studio and paint or work on ideas, prepare panels to paint on, or research ideas. I can't wait to see what happens!

Things Ava Loves

2010-05-20T21:03:00.003-05:00

Here is a little taste of what it is like to be Ava right now. It is so amazing to see things through her eyes.

template courtesy of paislee press.

Baby Shower Success!

2010-05-02T20:22:00.010-05:00

Today was the big day! It was Heidi's baby shower (and Heidi & Bob's 1st year anniversary)! Above is the picture of the invitation for the "Feather Her Nest" baby shower theme. It was so fun to decorate! Our house became a vision in teal green (and yes, it is teal green and not blue...for those thinking that Heidi knows the sex of the baby, but just happened to neglect to tell everyone). Instead of a card, we asked guests to bring a book for the baby. We started quite a library for baby!

Below are a few of the decorations. Before you say, "Lizzie, you're so talented", you must know that Andrea (a.k.a. the best mother-in-law in the world) did most of it. I basically provided the location. The house was simply beautiful! We had such a fun time and everything went so smoothly. Can't wait for that little one to arrive!

In other news: Here is the evolution of my painting...I hate to say that it is finished, because there are things that I'd like to touch up, but I doubt that I'll end up working on it any more....you never know.

Painting Update - 3 days left

2010-04-18T10:21:00.003-05:00

Here's where I'm at. My painting is due on Tuesday night, so I guess I have 3 days left to finish it...the only technicality is that I have to work two of those days, so it is really like I've got 1 day and 2 nights (after Ava goes to bed of course). That's not all though...I have to write an artist statement, 3 lecture summaries, 2 artist biographies and 4 journal entries. This is the procrastination that I was talking about earlier on Facebook.

"It looks finished to me", you say. Well, those white blobs at the top are supposed to be peacock feathers, the grass and all of the tree branches need a second coat. And then there is endless touch ups, resolving my contrast and color balancing issues.

2010-04-12T21:24:00.005-05:00

I've finally been pretty productive/creative lately. Having a master's class that requires you to create artwork will do that to you. While this may look like an ordinary doll, it is in fact a serious art doll. Ok, not so serious, but I still love her. I made this little girl for my little girl. Attempts to acquaint the two have been unsuccessful as of yet. I am sure that eventually Ava will love her!

Here is my next bit of creativity:

Another assignment for my class is to create an 'art project' that incorporates the influences of a couple of African American Female Artists. So here is my interpretation. I was inspired by Emma Amos because I am truly seeking to find that emotional connection to my artwork now more than ever. I was also inspired stylistically to Minnie Evans - I don't think it is hard to see the connection to her artwork. I actually started this painting before Ava was born. I had the drawing done and a little bit of the wings on the right painted, but not much else. There is a 'mama' and baby figure in the center (that's Ava and I), the butterfly and wings represent change and growth. Overall, it is about love and nurturing. I am thinking of adding a tree with roots to represent my family tree of sorts. So I've been chugging along on it. It is due in a week...I've got a lot more work to do.

On the home front, I finally finished painting the kitchen. I had painted the 'bump out' a different color, but I just didn't like it. So I painted yesterday. Amazing how a little rest and relaxation will get you fired up to conquer the world.

And where did I find all of this energy? Well, it actually did start before Spring Break, but spending time in Maui sure did help! These are my two sweethearts - you couldn't find a better pair for love and inspiration (and lots of snuggles too).

Sorry for the somewhat incoherent post, but I wanted to share what I've been up to lately. Enjoy!

~Lizzie

I've gotta get my butt in gear

2010-01-10T08:51:00.007-06:00

With the new year (and a new house) there are so many things swirling through my mind....things I want to get done, things I'd like to make. The list seems to get longer by the day. While writing the final for one of my classes, I stumbled across this artist, Mike Stilkey:

Are you kidding me? This is awesome! So somewhere inside of me a little voice says "I should have thought of that" (or better yet) "I can do that." And then I start thinking of how I can gather old books and what I could paint on them and where I could put it in the house.

But here is what is standing in my way...

Projects I've already started in the house, or rather projects I've been thinking about starting have got me at a roadblock. I've been trying to figure out the kitchen of course. We spend the most amount of time in here and I hate (well, maybe not hate, but seriously dislike) the color yellow. I've had fabric swatches hanging up for about 2 months, hoping to get inspiration. I'm thinking of lime green, teal or a grayish blue.

Here is another project I'm in the middle of. I actually started painting this book case. The top is almost done and I'm not sure what to do next. My mom has painted a lot of cute pieces of furniture and now I've got the bug. Why have a plain white bookcase when you can have a totally cute painted one?

So here are just two things that pop in my mind. If I do anything, it should be these things, right? Not that simple though, because the really funbuster is work. Here is what I REALLY should be doing: writing a final for Tuesday.

Why is it that the not so fun stuff seems to win? I let you know how the other projects go. ;)

Thank you so much!

2009-11-29T21:15:00.004-06:00

Thank you all so much for all of your comments! I just wrapped up the presentation portion of my assignment and have a week to write the paper. I appreciate your help sooooo much! I had a George Bailey-like moment as I sat down to read all of the comments. I feel so blessed to have such wonderful friends and family! I am also floored by how insightful and thoughtful your responses were. This is such a great movie for so many reasons and I am glad I picked it for my final assignment. I needed a little pick me up right now.

So, I figured you needed a bit of a reward...what better way to thank you than with pictures of Ava? Here are the updates from our family.

Thanksgiving at the Setter's
Right after waking up from a nap...snuggle time with Mommy!

Ava's new favorite activity: reading books.

The Setter Clan

Our princess...in her Halloween costume.

This little update was fun! I'll have to get back here more often. See you soon!

It's a Wonderful Life

2009-11-27T19:33:00.003-06:00

Hi folks!

I know this is a departure from my normal posts, but please read on. Seeing as there are no new super cute pics of Ava, I am not sure how I will be able to hold your attention, but here goes. This is an assignment for my Masters class. It is a mini critique of It's a Wonderful Life. Please give me feedback, as that is also part of my assignment. THANKS A MILLION!!!

There are many reasons that It's a Wonderful Life has become a classic. However, due to space and limited attention spans, I will not go into all of them here. Primarily, the film tells a touching and relatable story. It is about a man who, imperfect at times, significantly touches the lives of those around him. From the desperate prayers at the beginning of the film that psychologically call us to attention, we root for George Bailey in an almost primal way. We are reminded throughout the film how this ordinary boy puts aside his own ambitions to help those around him. In the end, he learns that although his life does not turn out how he had planned, he has been truly blessed.

George Bailey is a character that most of us can relate to. Tired of small town life and chocked full of ambition, he desperately tries to escape Bedford Falls. Most adults can think back to a time when we also went through this same period in our lives. Whether we wanted to travel the world like George or grow up to be a veterinarian, there was time in our lives when anything was possible. We all started out as dreamers, like George. Besides violence and death, the idea of a "Dream Deferred" as Langston Hughes puts it, might just be one of our biggest fears. So, from the moment we know that George is a dreamer, we feel disappointment and regret whenever there are obstacles that distance him from his dreams. It is this tension that draws us into the movie and grips us. As the movie end, we soon realize that tension slip away as George recognizes all the good things that have come into his life because he didn't pursue his dream.

The audience knows, just like George comes to understand, that our values change in life. We understand that those things that may appear to be hindrances in our lives are really the things that make life worth living. True, George may have had to set aside his boyhood aspirations, but it was all worth it in the end. The film charges us to believe that the little things in life matter the most. It also challenges our fear of unfulfilled dreams. Is is really so scary to set aside the childhood fantasies that we once held onto so tightly? It is really so horrible to grow up and be the one thing we said we would never be? George Bailey thought he would never marry, but found out in the end that it was his wife who gave him him all the good things in his life. It is ok to grow and change. We're human. We're still learning. So instead of living in fear of what you will not do or what you will not be, look around and see how life have given you exactly what you needed to be happy.

Talking on the Phone

2009-08-13T11:30:00.003-05:00

Watch out! Ava has learned to use the phone and thus begins a lifelong obsession with the phone. I am sure this a glimpse into her teenage years. Sorry the camera shakes so much, but I couldn't help but giggling! My, how much she has learned in the past year!

1 year old!

2009-08-07T12:23:00.007-05:00

Ava playing in one of her many basket the morning of her first birthday. This has been 'her thing' lately. If it is a basket, then she wants to be in it and then out of it, then in it for a while. Such a beautiful smile!

I can't believe that it has already been a year! I know it is cliched to say this, but it really is true!What I can't get over is how happy she is and how happy she makes other people (including your's truly). She is such a blessing to have and I am so glad that God chose us to be her parents! She has so much more to give to the world, but if this first year is any indication of things to come, I can't wait for the rest!

Ava enjoying the birthday festivities....

I'm back.....at least for today

2009-07-31T09:16:00.005-05:00

After a long hiatus and seduction by Facebook, I'm back (at least for today). I do love to blog and I love to read other people's blog so I have renewed my commitment to this. I also figure I waste obscene amounts of time on Facebook doing nothing and I could use that time better here. We'll see ;)

So the past couple months in Ava's life have been active, to say the least. Ava took her first vacation out to Sedona and loved the constant attention from Papa & Yaya Woodyat (duh, who wouldn't love that).

Ava in the hiking backpack.

Swimming with Daddy.

Climbing in (and out and in and out) of the car.

Going up the stairs...this may be her last picture crawling up the stairs because she figured out that it is way cooler to walk up them (with help of course) like Mommy & Daddy. Bad for our backs....good for Ava's confidence.

Look Mommy! This is safe, right?

Just doing a couple pull ups...they aren't so hard, I don't know what everybody is complaining about!

"Pruning" Mommy's flowers.

Right now we are getting ready for Ava's first birthday. I can't believe that it has gone so fast (I know, I know...they all say that, but it is true). I will forego the tears right now, but look for a sappy post coming soon.

Ava's 1st Christmas!!!!

2008-12-28T16:12:00.003-06:00

Ava & Bampa
Posing for another picture in her pretty pink dress

Family pic at Papa & Yaya Woodyatt's house

Who could resist those eyes?

Well, we did it! We survived our first Christmas as a family! I am still digesting (not literally) everything that went on. It all went so fast and before we knew it, we had celebrated Christmas 3 different times in two days. Amazingly enough, Ava wasn't worse for wear! She did really good with the difficult napping conditions, all of the different people and numerous costume changes.

Ava got lots of presents, but she enjoyed eating wrapping paper the most..typical 4 month old....geesh! We are still figuring out how to fit all the new toys and clothes in our house. As exciting as her 1st Chirstmas was, we cannot wait for the Christmases to come.

My Child ia a Genius!

2008-12-09T12:22:00.003-06:00

That's right! I knew when she first smiled at 1 week and was holding up her head well before other babies her age that Ava was a prodigy. So here is the evidence. Ava was being a little fussy on Saturday (I know you are saying to yourself "This cannot be, Ava is always in a good mood" HA!) so Daddy took her upstairs to play the piano for her (this always seems to calm her down). It soon became obvious to Aaron the she desperately wanted to play herself. So he set her in front of the piano and ...well, you can see what happened.

Other excitement is our days....Ava has become really good at holding up her head and now really enjoys tummy time. She continues to tell stories to us constantly and has figured out how to 'yell'. She really loves bathtime (I would post a video, but apparently obscene videos are not acceptable). She is also getting a handle on the whole sleeping thing. She is starting to fall asleep on her own, although this usually involves a bit of crying. We go to the doctor on Friday for her 4 month check up and I am sure the doctor will be commenting on how perfect and overachieving she is. I will save the bragging though.

Learning to Tell Stories

2008-11-21T14:53:00.003-06:00

Ava has started to 'tell stories'. It is funny to see her struggle to 'say' something, she gets so serious and concentrates so hard. She even had something so important to tell us that she woke up and talked for about an hour at midnight one night. She is super cute right now and getting more fun each day. What an exciting time! Recently, she has discovered how tasty her hands are... can't keep them out of her mouth!

She has made leaps and bounds in the sleeping area. She is now sleeping between 10 and 14 hours at night (yes, I said 14...you can be sure that I tiptoe in a make sure she is still breathing) . She still wakes up at least once or twice, but I'm not complaining. We have been working on naps this week and even though there is always crying involved, she has taken every nap in her crib (except one....which was an exception because who could turn down a nap in Aunt Annie's arms?).

I am not sure what to do with all of this extra time, but I like it. Mainly, I have started to bake. Fall is the perfect time for yummy treats. Rested assured, I will be sharing all this sweet goodness with those around me. Also, is you see me slowly gaining more and more weight, you may need to organize a baking intervention.

Need I say more?

2008-11-12T11:45:00.002-06:00

Actually, Ava is just modeling my latest creation. I knit this hat for a friend's baby, not for Ava (although I think she is working her way towards one of her own). If you are interested in knitting it yourself (for you crafty types) here is the link. I have enough yarn to make another one, so if you think you know a little one that deserves this lil devil hat, let me know (and give me a month or so) and I can make you one....only catch is the it is sized for 3months (it is a little big for Ava who just happens to be 3 mos.).

Ode to the Mobile

2008-11-09T12:13:00.002-06:00

My heart does sommersaults at the sound of your sweet lullabies.
I delight in your bright colors that dance through the air.
And when you play, mommy hears no cries,
Maybe she will have time to blowdry her hair.

Oh, mobile...what would I do with out you!

Well, Ava's cold is finally getting better....13 days later. She seems to be just fine during the day. Now we only to rescue her from coughing fits at night. Other than the humidifier, we are still giving her medicine and sucking out the 'good stuff' from her nose (which you can imagine how much she loves).

Sleeping is going sooooo much better now. We haven't been doing anything different yet, but I think that getting rid of the cold is the biggest help. She has been sleeping 8-11 hours at night with only one or two wakings. The body snatchers have returned my sweet little girl! You
cannot imagine how much better I have been feeling. So this week we are going to try to work on napping in her crib. Basically, she has been sleeping on my chest for naps because she wakes up after about a half hour in the crib (this does not apply when she is at Nana's where she will sleep for up to 3 hours on Nana's bed...grrrrrr.....). Finally, I see a glimmer of hope!

Obligatory Halloween Pics

2008-11-02T21:20:00.002-06:00

Well, here it is...our first Halloween (and our first holiday) as a family. In the search for Halloween costumes, what could be better than a princess outfit? I struggled with getting the cutest/cleverest costume ever, but got burnt out really quickly. Sure I could scour the internet for hours on end, but why bother when Old Navy had this super cute (and cheap) costume? I did have a matching tiera for myself (from my bridal shower) but never got to wear it...

The "scarey" photo is how we spent about 2 hours of Halloween night. After all the trick-or-treaters had gone, we ventured over to Nana & Bampa's house just in time to interrupt their nice quiet evening with cries of sheer terror (now that is what I call scarey). Ava has been sick for the past week and let me tell you , it has been a whole lot of trick and not so much treat around here. On the positive side, she has been sleeping more at night. The trade off is the screaming during the day. More adventures in new parenthood!

So this is Ava's first cold and I thought for sure the Dr. was going to think we were crazy for making an appointment. Much to my relief, we were not the first set of totally paranoid parents he has seen. He was very nice and reassuring, gave us a presription and a lot of piece of mind. I slept a lot better that night even though Ava continued to cough :( I know she has to get sick sometime, but I was hoping she would be a little older and we would have had this whole sleep thing figured out.

Speaking of sleep, no progress since giving up on sleep training. I did go to the library and borrow 4 books on sleeping. I figure when the time is right, I'll be ready.

Goat Lickin' Good!

2008-10-25T17:15:00.004-05:00

I'm not sure that Ava actually realized that the goat was trying to lick her, but her face sure has a goofy look on it. Right after this pic was taken, we witnessed why we should never let Ava touch farm animals....let's just say it is too gross to describe and Aaron and I left the barn in search of hand sanitizer. This pic was taken on our obligatory fall trip to Edward's Apple Orchard. We had a lot of fun and can't wait until Ava can actually taste a fresh apple cider donut herself!

Since I have last written we have officially given up on sleep training....I don't know who it was meant for, but definitely not for us (or at least not right now)! I mean....if something makes this little cutie into a monster, you'd stop whatever you were doing too.

Ava has officially found her hands and they have provided hours of chewing entertainment. She doesn't mind gagging herself from time to time, although it drives me nuts. I guess you have to pick your battles....

I still don't get the whole age thing, but as of Tuesday, Ava turned 12 weeks old (in my world, that is 3 months old, but in baby age time, she isn't 3 months old until Nov. 5.....who knows?). We are looking forward to the endless photo opportunities that Halloween will provide. I also realized that I was originally going to go back to work on Monday... I am soooooo glad that I decided to wait until Jan. I just couldn't imagine trying to function in the real world yet. I don't know how some moms do it!

She's got Daddy's eyes

2008-10-17T12:14:00.002-05:00

If any of you have tried to take a picture of Aaron, you know exactly what I mean when I say that Ava has got Daddy's eyes. For those of you who don't know, it is virtually impossible to take a picture of Aaron with his eyes completely open. All of Aaron's pictures inevitably end up with half open eyes, making him always look sleepy (I would post an example pic, but I don't think he would appreciate it).

So here are just a couple pictures we took the other night while trying to take an 11 week picture of Ava. Her eyes are mostly open in one of them...that seems like a victory in itself. Although the rest of them may appear like she is just smiling so big that she closes her eyes....you would be mistaken in thinking that. A split second before each shot, her eyes were completely wide open. Well, at least she has got the smiling thing down.

Today, we are in the middle of "sleep training". I am not sure if it is training her or me. This is definitely not fun. She was doing really good with sleeping long stretches at night and taking naps, but we seem to have gone backwards. I 'll let you know how it goes. Wish us luck! (I would take a picture to show you all how Ava is dealing with this...but it does seem a bit cruel and a bright flash while she is screaming bloody murder might not help her calm down).

Sombody should be sleeping

2008-10-13T05:50:00.002-05:00

Ok, so not just somebody, but two somebodies should be sleeping right now! However, I don't believe that is Ava's plan right now. This seems to be her favorite time to be awake...anywhere between 4 and 6 am. So here we are, me at the computer and Ava in her swing. I do see signs of fading though.

This is not pic of us right now.... I would not be smiling so big. Aaron took this a few days ago. It not only show how big Ava is getting, it shows how tired Lizzie is getting. I am going with the "fake til you make it" motto right now. She was doing really good with sleeping (5-6 hour stretches at night) but has seemed to have slipped backwards.

Speaking of slipping, I think she is slipping back into crankiness....I mean sleepiness...I must go and fight the good fight.

Newest project

2008-10-09T14:14:00.003-05:00

Ava has been sleeping a little longer during the day so I have been able to find some time to get some 'creative' stuff done. This is a Warhol inspired piece a co-worker wanted Lisa and I to do for her last spring (see how timely we are on getting this done). She gave us pics of her dog and full artistic reign. So here is the result. I really struggled with the colors and still don't know how they are going to print out. We'll see, I guess.

p.s. Thanks to all of you who have been leaving comments...it is really encouraging and fun to read them!

I found the coolest thing....Scrapblog.com

2008-10-05T22:28:00.005-05:00

So I found this website where you can basically drag and drop pics into premade tempates and layouts to make cute scrapbook pages. I think it is pretty cool. You can even save them as jpegs and print them out yourself....I have much more to discover, but it is pretty awesome so far. Hope you enjoy the pics of Ava's first month!

my first movie

2008-10-01T10:07:00.002-05:00

here it is! my first movie....hope you enjoy watching her as much as i do!

Seven weeks old!

2008-09-23T20:16:00.004-05:00

Ava is starting to discover things around her more. Who knew a link could be so entertaining? Although this pic was taken a few weeks ago, it pretty much sums up most of our days. She loves sitting in her bouncy chair, snuggled by Winnie-the-Pooh.

The past week has been a little challenging. I read somewhere that at six weeks babies are the most wakeful and the fussiest. Ava definitely got that memo and continues to take it to heart. While she is still a very good baby, she is beginning to test my sanity.

I just finished her birth announcement and am pretty excited about them...except for addressing all of them. But I think they are pretty cute and I got some flashy hot pink envelopes to go with them. I just love designing things for print. It is a lot of fun and I wish I had an opportunity to do more.

Someday (when I get some extra time, ha ha) I am going to figure out how to post a video... until then, enjoy the pics.

Ava's first dress

2008-09-15T01:53:00.002-05:00

This is Ava's first dress. I was surprised at how cute she was. I didn't think I would get so mushy inside at the sight of her in a dress. I've never been a 'girly girl', but this dress was so adorable! It is funny to think that she has never worn a dress before. It is fun to be there for all of her firsts...as cliched as it is. Another first, her first 'social' smiles. She has always been a smiley baby, but I realized last Saturday that she was responding to Aaron's smiles. This little girl is so much fun! I would have never thought that I would be so smitten. I knew having a child would be rewarding, but never dreamed that it could be this good! What did I do to deserve smiles like these?

Looks can be deceiving!

2008-09-05T11:51:00.002-05:00

I know it looks like she is an angel...but looks can be deceiving. This serene pic was only achived after 2 hours of fusing, crying and screaming bloody murder while taking a bath. Even though she is 4 weeks old, Ava is far from a routine. I thought for sure she was tired and would slip right into sleep this morning and that I would be able to go back to bed also. Was I wrong! So after a lot of fussing, I decided to give her a bath under the theory that it would wear her out. Well, it did. Of course, I had to endure 5 minutes of screaming, but I would say that it was worth it.

I also discovered a second use for the baby monitor. Not only does it help me hear what Ava is up to, it also helps me keep track of the naughty bunny. He is no longer safe to wreak havoc while I am out of the room....beware bunny, your cord chwing days may be coming to an end!

new art

2007-04-24T07:14:00.000-05:00

i've been a lot more interested in photoshop lately. i found this demo on line and had to try it. and i have to say...i love this piece. it took me about 2.5 hours. so, now i want a pen tablet....imagine the fun i could have then!

Me Encanta Mexico!

2007-04-06T22:18:00.000-05:00

I love Mexico! I never expected to like it so much, but our spring break trip to Mexico was perfect. We stayed at an all-inclusive (which I've never done before) in Riviera Maya (which is about 1 hour south of Cancun).

All we did (truly) was sleep, eat and sit on the beach. Ok, ok, there was an escape at snorkling and kayaking but those only last a half hour at the most. It was a smaller resort, but I think that was a good thing. We were able to get whatever we wanted to eat or drink whenever we wanted without much of a wait. This took ma few days to get used to as did not tipping every time we got a drink.

One thing that sticks out in my mind was the Carribean Sea. I remember waking up each day and going out to the beach and every day thinking, "I can't believe the water is that color". In terms of the water and the beach, I would have to say it was prettier than Maui. Gasp, I know, blasphemy.

Well, it was a much need break from school. This is the long haul now, but it was great to escape.

New Bedroom, New Smile

2007-03-26T09:34:00.000-05:00

It is days like yesterday that make me think that I am manic-depressive. I don't say that lightly, and I've been told that I am not, but there are definitely days that I am soaring high (no drugs involved) and days that I am a sloth permanently connected to the couch.

So what happened yesterday? I decorated our bedroom. I cannot tell you how exciting it is! I feel like I finally have a grown up bedroom. I love it! It was magical to sleep in. I spent the entire day on this room and I got it all finished. I sewed the curtains, sanded and painted the dresser, bought a new comforter, mirror and lamp. Did I mention I love it, love it, love it!

The weather was beautiful yesterday (and I think it will be the same today). Spring is here! I love this weather! I truly believe that Spring is life giving and I love the energy that I feel pulsing right now. It really makes me think that we should move to warmer weather.

ski weekend

2007-02-19T09:31:00.000-06:00

aaron and i went skiing this weekend in wisconsin. it was so much fun! i have to say that i am so proud of myself. i was really afraid, but excited at the same time. i remember skiing in high school and having so much fun. almost ten years later, it is a totally different story. what if i fell and broke my leg? i can tell that i am not as fearless as i used to be, but this was definately exciting to test my fear. it was a perfect weekend! i am no amazing skiier, but i did prety good. it was also so much fun to be alone with aaron. he is so amazing. i can't imagine a better person to ski with and spend the weekend with.

1st post

2007-02-07T20:33:00.000-06:00

so here it is, my first post. we will see how this goes and how i end up using this space. it makes me feel special though...having my own spot on the web.

i am working on a lot of new things in my life right now. it all seems to be going well.