Life at Sunset :: Torrey

“The Swan family made me feel incredibly welcome with a cup of tea and smiles all around!
Maddie stole my heart when I walked in the door, not only was she ridiculously cute, but her personality made her even more adorable. Moments later I found myself oohing & ahhing over Violet and her big blue eyes! It was obvious to me that Maddie & Violet were the world to Torrey
and to her girls she was the their world.”—Tausha Ann Photography

I like to think that I’m a pretty good stay-at-home mom. I can do crafts and teach the alphabet with the best of them. But by 3:30pm every day, I am completely out of ideas.  It’s too late for naps, too early for dinner, and a couple of hours before my reinforcement gets home from work. Luckily, on this particular afternoon, Tausha came over to take some pictures and break up the monotony of another winter’s day.

We usually start out downstairs. The living room is my sanctuary, and I like to spend my time in pretty places. However, I try hard (though often unsuccessfully) to keep it from being overrun with toys. As a result, it doesn’t keep the little one’s attention for long.

Upstairs we go, where everything is brighter, made out of plastic, and far less organized. I would have left this one in her crib until she turned 5, but when she learned she could propel herself over the railing, the risk outweighed the convenience. Maddie wants to show any and all guests her “big girl bed,” and this newcomer with a camera was no exception.

My sweet little Violet. She spends most of her days watching big sis. You can tell she wants to move and keep up, but she just can’t quite figure it out yet. Maddie moves enough for the both of them though, so for now, I’m content to hold my sweet baby while Maddie takes the spotlight.

The “tour” then took us to Violet’s room. Specifically, the reading corner that Maddie loves. For all of her rambunctious 2-year-old ways, she has surprised me with the sweetness she shows Violet.  Always wanting to maker her laugh, read her a book, or “help her roll over” (which is when she forcibly log rolls her) across the living room. It’s all done out of love.

My biggest adjustment going from one child to two was the logistics of keeping two kids happy at the same time. I’ve learned that as long as they are both within close proximity to me, that’s usually all they want. I can’t wait until they can engage and entertain each other!

Look at those dimples! Think of every rumor you’ve ever heard about redheads and know this: they are true. And I have 2 of them! This ginger is a firecracker in human form. Always running. Always laughing. Never still.

Time for baby food and a snack. T-minus 30 minutes until help arrives.

Remember when I said I usually run out of ideas this time of day? You know that’s true when I let my child talk me into going outside on a 30-degree day right before the sun goes down. She’s the only one who can make me laugh under this set of circumstances. She would play outside all day, every day if I let her.

Even on the really long afternoons, I’m so glad this is my job. Thank you for capturing it, Tausha!

For more pictures and a peek into Tausha’s perspective of the shoot, be sure to check out her post here. And don’t forget to check out the rest of this amazing series as well!