It's a good thing he's adorable, because this was a super tough week on us. We had multiple nights of bad sleep (yes, we have tried sleep training, and no it does not work with this child), and Jamie and I were feeling like zombies in a fog. CRANKY zombies in a fog.And then we *think* we *might* have figured out that Ezra's teeth are really bothering him and that's why he can't sleep. So far, ibuprofen before bed seems to be helping all of us, and we feel like our normal selves again. But it took awhile to get there.Ezra also turned 8 mos. old this week. So of course teeth are in the mix, but he has no other physical symptoms yet -- no actual teeth and no red, swollen gums. That might have been why we were slow to think of this. Or it could have been the sleep deprivation that makes us feel about as smart as hillbillies on meth.
Here's my cranky, crying boy.
This was Sunday at brunch. I love how he looks like a food critic about to take this place down.
This is Ezra playing with my buddy Andrea, whose birthday we were celebrating at brunch.
This is Fitz, who is growing up so fast! And who supplies Ezra with most of his clothes (thanks Fitz!!).
This is Ezra playing outside this week on the patio (on the few days of sunshine that we had).
And Magda is a big fan of the family outdoors as well!
This is Ezra playing with the only part of the antique toy that could strangle and kill him. Don't worry. We keep an eye on him.
On our way to the first Farmer's Market of the season...
Awww, there's a smile!
This is Ezra attempting to crawl. So far, he is only scooting backward. Um.... Yeah.
And I'm trying to teach the kid to feed himself cheerios. Does he like them when I put them in his mouth? Yes. Can he pick them up? Of course. Does he put them in his mouth? Nope. He likes to drop them on the floor. Magda LOVES this kid, I tell you.
Man, this week has been busy! I had four shoots last weekend and four shoots this week (two of them were full 8-hour days). To say I am a bit backlogged on my photo processing would be an understatement!Tonight I finally wrapped up one of my family shoots from last weekend, when the weather, the light and the flowering trees were all working in my favor.I wish I had more news to report, but sadly I'm just working my tail off and doing it on hardly any sleep. Tonight for dinner I had a handful of tortilla chips and salsa and for the second night in a row, I'll be crawling off to bed around 9. You would think this would mean I was well rested, but since Ezra was up from 2:30 - 5:30 am last night, you would be wrong.Have a great weekend everyone! Wish me good sleeping juju!For your internet share today, 
This week, I'm working on some commercial shots, and these are some of the supplies laying around my studio.Yeah, I'm in heaven. You guys know about my obsession with school supplies, right? Let's just say I'm working on a Back to School project, and it's waaaay more fun than even I thought it would be.Other than that, it's dreary and rainy out and I only got 4 hours of sleep (and not even continuous hours, at that), so I'm gonna wrap this up quickly.For your internet share of the day, how beautiful is 
It was twenty years ago today that I disregarded my father's advice and called a boy to ask him on a date. And what a ride it has been! These are some of my favorite shots of us -- taken in a photo booth a few years ago. They are taped to my computer so I can see his handsome mug while I work. I am so lucky to have snagged him for myself -- I still ask the universe what in the world I ever did to deserve such a wonderful guy as my own.For your internet share of the day, 
Oh you guys. YOU GUYS. Who wants to come over for some grillin' this summer??So, our backyard was a pit. There was no grass (well, there were small remainders of clumps of grass here and there) and there were many holes (some back from Memphis' days, some from Magda. NONE from Merlin.), and there were weeds (oh my were there weeds). And, to put it gently, our yard was for the dogs' enjoyment, not ours. This wasn't really by choice, it's just how things had worked out.
We have wanted a patio for a very, very long time (we've lived in this house for ten years now!), but we couldn't justify the cost on an outdoor space when there were so many indoor (ie: used 12-mos-a-year) spaces we needed to fix up first.But then came Ezra and his eating. And his dropping of the food. And the messy kitchen. And I suddenly realized why the neighbors and their three kids next door eat outside all summer long.So we made the commitment and hired my friends 
And yeah, this girl loves it as well. Although I think she hates how we follow her around making sure she doesn't dig or mess up the yard now.
And see that little space back there for the grill? How rad is that! So it's close to the kitchen and not on the patio in the way! Hooray!Now, the space isn't finished yet. I'm still looking for some comfy lounge-type chairs for the other side of the patio, and we got a great indoor-outdoor rug for Ezra to play on while we read the paper, and there may be a fire pit in our future. But because it is taking FOREVER to find comfortable outdoor lounge chairs (if you have suggestions, please let me know -- I've tried HomeGoods, Target, Cost Plus World Market, Ikea and Pier One), I wanted to at least show you where we're at now. And I'll be sure to post a "finished" look when I get there as well.Oh! But I do LOVE our table and chairs -- we got those at IKEA for a steal, if anyone needs such a purchase.For your internet share of the day, 
What a week! Because of my work trip, I didn't take as many shots of the family. But that one up there? That was Ezra napping Sunday morning and I thought he looked so angelic. What a cutie.
You know that photo up there? I didn't take it. Jamie did! I'm trying to teach him how to use my camera so I'll have some shots of Ezra and I together. Don't worry. I saved you one at the end :)
Look at those long legs!
And here I am with my kids on my first Mother's Day. Clearly, I am more excited than they are.
Today, our patio was completed! But I'm not showing you all of it because the light isn't right to photograph it. I know! Annoying, right?! The problem is that for the next two days, I am booked in shoots during the prime hours for best daylight. Which means you'll have to wait until next week to see the finished project. This is a pretty good teaser though!Our yard is on a slope, and so this is the back of the patio. The front is level with the yard. Can I tell you how much I love that stone wall? LOVE IT.For your internet share of the day, these 
I had a very short break this morning before my shoot started, so I took the train to the National Mall and walked around snapping photos like a tourist. Although, if I were a *real* tourist, I would have been taking the images with my iPad. :)I walked all of my 10,000 steps before noon today, and now that I'm home, I'm closing in on 20,000. I doubt I'll make it though as I'm about to collapse into a heap of exhaustion.No internet share today -- too wiped. Instead, enjoy this bonus shot of President Lincoln's memorial.