Making Progress

This is Jackson.  If you've been reading along, you know it's been a rough winter at our house.  Lots of coughing and runny noses, sore throats and from time to time, gulp... even worse.  There's been a trip or two to the emergency room and a few visits to urgent care.  But he's on the mend at the moment, which does my heart good.  I titled this post, 'Making Progress' though, for two reasons.  One is Jackson - fighting the good fight and for the moment, making progress against all that is ill.  The second reason is that I've been navigating the learning curve the past few weeks... delving into some new technology that I hope will improve my photography.  I've made a few tweaks to this photo, can you tell?  The first few tries looked pretty fake - not at all like the real-life boy that Jackson really is.  But I like this version.  So - Making Progress.  Yep.  It's a good thing.

Living the Dream

I'm very excited!  I've spent this very long... long winter doing a lot of work in an effort to get me a lot of work.  As a photographer, I mean.  I've been plenty busy rushing kids to the doctor and volunteering in school classrooms, which is all very important.  But a while ago I set out to see if I might make a thriving business out of my passion for photography.  I'll admit.  It's been slow.  That's to be expected, though, my first full winter out there.  No one knows my name, no one knows I'm here... so that's OK.  But I really want to make this work, so I've been doing the leg work the last few months, setting the stage for a more rewarding spring, summer and fall.  So, here's a little bit of what I've got going on.  I'm really thrilled to be part of a non-profit group looking out for the small businesses that make up Downtown Oconomowoc.  I'm volunteering for the organization working tirelessly to build the city's first universally accessible playground.  I'm on my way to offering SO many more choices through my website, like Christmas Cards and Birth Announcements and Senior Graduation Announcements... it's really cool!  I'm also proud to be the photographer involved with an awesome fundraising project at Nature Hill... one of Oconomowoc's two intermediate schools.  Stay tuned for more on that!  So, you can see, I've been a busy girl... but a great kind of busy.  The kind of busy that helps you ease your head down onto your pillow at night and know you've done a good job... the kind of job that just might let you live your life's dream after all!

Nana Love

I got the chance to see my sweet niece Celia over the weekend.  This little girl has been the focus of quite a few of my photo sessions... who can resist those dark eyes and my God the eyelashes this one has!  Celia is 16 months old now and clearly knows who her favorites are.  

She was left in the care of my mom (otherwise known as Nana) for the day Saturday and would have nothing to do with the rest of us.  Not even the doting attention from her 8 year old cousins could tear her away from the protective arms of her Nana.  

This pairing provided the perfect opportunity for me to take a few photos of the moments that are so fleeting in life... as soon Celia will be brave enough to climb out of the arms of her grandma and join the rest of the brood in the basement, or in the living room or out in the yard... leaving fewer moments for the snuggle of love.

Enough Already!

I just unloaded my dishwasher and this is what I found.  A collection of medicine measuring cups and droppers... each one represents an entire bottle of pain killer, cough syrup or anti-histamine consumed by my five year old.  Ugh!  Last week my brave boy underwent surgery to remove his tonsils and adenoids with the hopes he'll now be rid of a cough that's become a chronic condition.  Today he went back to school - nearly healed - and I'm so thankful.  Here's to never (or almost never) having to down another gulp of bitter medicine again!  

 

Shooting Fuzzy

This is fuzzy.  I know, he looks "well loved" right?  He's my son's favorite thing of all time, goes wherever he goes, which can be hard on a (used to be) white baby lamb.  Anyway, he was the subject of a sorta obsessive photo shoot I went on over the weekend.  My highly talented photographer friend Pam recently gave me a crash course on photographing manually with my camera - a whole  new world for me, whose primary reason for success has been that little green box. But that's now changed.  I've navigated the learning curve and have entered a whole new world... so thanks fuzzy, for being such a well-behaved subject and thanks Pam, for all you do for me - you're the best.

Winter Water Fun

My son Jackson had his tonsils and adenoids removed one week ago... so when this out of town trip came up I was a little worried if he'd feel up to it.  Guess so! 
He and his sister took to the hotel like two little fish....

I'm sure I'll worry about Jackson's health for awhile longer, but look at that smile!  He seems to be over it all already.