Inspiration

I found this great blog  blogs.photopreneur.com and am feeling very inspired.  He created a list "60 Sources of Inspiration for Photography" including everything from shooting at a different time of day, giving yourself a theme, revisiting your past, or even using yourself as the subject.  Writing a blog was on his list as well and I do have to say that I completely agree.  It feels good to see my photos posted somewhere even if it's in my own blog and it keeps me motivated because I want an image or two to share for the day.  Photography is an artistic medium that works perfectly into my life at the moment because I can create while I'm with my little girl and I don't feel like I'm neglecting her.  Actually most of the time I incorporate her.  She really has become my inspiration and it's funny, when I shoot her the images have such a lovely child like quality in comparison to my other work.  She has made me see the world in a different way and opened my eyes therefore I am experimenting and I'm excited with the outcome most of the time.  At the moment, I feel as if a door has opened and there is this constant flow of inspiration and it's exhilarating really.  It makes me excited to see what tomorrow brings and what can be created...

day trip to vizcaya

Today I wanted to have a little time with my grandma so I surprised her and took her and Rio to Vizcaya.  I've been there a couple of times because of work but I never got the chance to wander around and really take it all in.  It really is such a magical place, the gardens have shrubs formed into mazes.  There are statues everywhere and the stairs and walls are made of coral.  It's like walking into a little fantasy land and I was there with my lovely ladies.  xoxo

first day

Drum roll.......  Today was Rio's first day of swim classes!  She's like a little fish in the water.  The teacher came by every few minutes and gave me a exercise to do with her.  She was kicking her legs and splashing in the water, she was loving it!  I was having so much fun with her, I enjoy everything so much more just by seeing how excited she gets experiencing the world.  At one point while she was holding onto the side of the pool there were three guys (in their late teens at most) standing next to the life guard stand.  When she saw them she actually picked herself halfway out of the water and lifted up her arm and WAVED to them.  My 14 month old baby is already crazy over the boys.  I am in so much trouble...

Words

All the magical words my daughter says:  bye-bye, Papa, Mama, baby, hi, oh-oh, Mini (for Mini Mouse), dog, smiling, turtle, nose, bird, bear, pretty, caca, pee-pee, bread, cooking, Dora (the explorer), tiger, ball, teta (and of course she has to point to my boobs in public and proudly tell the world) and the "sh" part of shoes.  

Oh and of course she knows cookie now too!

Easter Weekend

Lately my husband, daughter and I have been "living for the weekend" to spend time together as a family.  So when I heard three day weekend because of good friday, I almost did a cartwheel!  On friday, we drove up to Orlando to see family and right after Rio went to sleep we took advantage of having some help and went out on the town.  We ended up getting sushi and then we went dancing.  We are parents and we love every moment with our little girl, but it feels so go to go out every once in a while to enjoy each other and stay out late.  How important it is for a husband and wife to go and steal moments to remind each other how much love there is between them.  And equally important to have adventures as a couple to keep things exciting!

On Saturday we stole another night for ourselves... we saw fireworks in downtown (now that was a surprise) but really good fourth of July grade fireworks that lasted for at least 15 minutes.  

The Easter Egg Hunt was too cute, seeing Rio crawl all over going from one egg to the next, she looked like a little cherub with her short curly blonde hair and puffy dress.  And yes, she had to bite the head off of the chocolate bunnies she found and I had to dive in to get the chocolate and wrapper out of her mouth.  She was showered with so much love from everyone and I think that was the best part of this whole weekend.  To stand back and see how smart and funny she is and how she interacts with everyone.  I really am such a proud mom and Roberto and I would just look at each other and smile.  Watching as she makes everyone fall head over heels in love with her.  What more could a Mama ask for?

Watermelon!

I just wanted to have a watermelon with my little girl yesterday.  So when the sun wasn't so hot, we went out to the back yard and enjoyed a juicy watermelon together!

We're heading up to Orlando to visit my husband's family today for Easter weekend and I will have lots of photos to post on Monday.  

Happy Easter everyone!  Enjoy your families and eat lots of Candy!

Day Trip

It was such a gorgeous day yesterday I had my head set on taking a day trip somewhere.  So I decided on the Japanese Gardens about an hour north of me.  The last time I was there was last year for a festival but I didn't actually walk around the paths...  It's a mile through all the trees and little rivers, so beautiful and peaceful.  I was so surprised how well behaved Rio was.  She just sat in her stroller while we walked and I photographed for a good hour and a half.  People kept stopping and commenting on what a good girl she was.  I politely thanked them and thought to myself,  "Wow, this place really is magical because Rio is NEVER this patient."  

It really turned out to be an awesome day and anyone living or visiting South Florida I recommend a visit to the Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens   www.morikami.org