Character

Character cannot be developed in ease and quiet. Only through experience of trial and suffering can the soul be strengthened, ambition inspired, and success achieved.
~Helen Keller




Sometimes, it is so hard for me to watch my children go through a difficult task when I know I can help them. I know I am not talking about the kind of trial and suffering that HK was probably suggesting, but the obstacles that my little kids face are real enough to them. My husband encourages me to let them learn on their own and succeed instead of following my instinct to step in. I am grateful for that.

Guess what I'm doing today

Training in the rain...

This is the second day I have not left the house as I have become a slave to the potty chair and the inhabitant thereof. We have had many messes, a few successes and have done nothing much besides do laundry and watch DVDs. This morning, the choice was Singing in the Rain, at the request of the trainee mentioned above. Whatever it takes. I just don't know how much more I can take of being a shut-in.
Could someone please bring me some Pahal Zan for lunch?

Now is the season

Spring comes with flowers, autumn with the moon, summer with the
breeze, winter with snow.
When idle concerns don't fill your thoughts, that's your best season.
~ Wu-Men



I've been trying to keep busy, not just with my body and hands but with my mind. I am counting on positive, constructive and hopeful thinking to get me through the winter and my last trimester. So far, I am happy with the results. I have found that the aforementioned ways of thinking lead to respective actions. Overall, my days are more fulfilling in this season of my life.

Reality transport

Do you daydream?



Just remembering an exceptionally golden warm day in the Bahamas...

I'm cold.

Happy Birthday Baby!

We have a new nephew starting today.
Happy Birthday, little guy! We can't wait to meet you!

"Meow, meow"

Baby jaguar wants a snack... now.



Anyone who knows Dora as well as we do will get it.

Stars of Austin, and some thoughts

I felt it essential to replace "my bad self" with something else. I don't usually put myself in the spotlight for so long.
We had a great little trip to Austin, Texas last week. I needed to get out of the frigid weather and we wanted to see my brother and his cute little family. We really liked Austin and my two-year old loved all the stars. They were everywhere and we caught her singing "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star" on several occasions. So cute.

•••••••
I think I am back home to stay for quite a while- at least until I have this baby and I feel like I can handle three kids. That might be a long while, but who knows. I might get the travel itch sooner than I think.
In the meantime, I hope to dedicate myself to being a better blogger... and come to think of it, a better photographer and entrepreneur. I have been quite passive and stagnant about my work lately and that's not really what I want. I want to improve, improve some more, and then some more.
I love photography and I know there is so much more I can do.

More on my new resolve later...

My bad self

me
in Soho
very pregnant and cold
but hangin' tough.

photo by mom

Sleeping

Oh, how sweet is a baby's sleep.

I love the peace and comfort newborns emanate while they are sleeping. As I watched this little girl in between shots, I couldn't help but feel calm, quiet and quite relaxed, enough to want to take a nap when I got home. They are little wonders, aren't they?

Thanks T and baby M for a peaceful morning!

Catching up

It is not the magnitude of our actions but the amount of love that is put into them that matters.
~ Mother Teresa


It seems like I have "catching up" posts a lot. Sometimes I think I travel too much.
One more trip before the baby, to warm weather this time, and I'm pretty much going to be a home body for a while.

It's so hard to catch up and feel again like I am on track, doing the right things and enough of them. My to do list is way too long to do it all and remain sane, and I may have too high of expectations for what I what to accomplish. Therefore, my hope, and goal, is to do everything with a purpose and to focus on the most important things first. I think the rest will fall into place. That is until our third child comes :) Until then...