Still fighting the bug

Well a big thank you to all who have been asking about my little Air Bear, and remembering her in your prayers. RSV (respiratory syncytal virus) is super contagious, usually produces cold like symptoms, and can turn into other things like pneumonia. It attacks your eyes, nose, throat, and lungs just like a cold. There are many kinds of RSV so your body does not become immune to it, and you can get it again and again throughout your life. In severe cases the patient can be hospitalized for respiratory distress. I got all this info off of web MD. Aris thankfully doesn't need to go to the hospital. The poor little thing however, looks and sounds terrible. She has been a very good little baby considering how yucky she is feeling, and has slept a ton over the past few days. I am hoping that all this extra sleep can help her to fight off this virus sooner.

Yesterday I scrubbed and washed and aired out the house. The weather has been so mild. I am looking forward to taking the girls to the park as soon as little Aris is feeling 100%. It feels good to have a freshly cleaned home and I even had a chance to work on my alligator illustration. It is almost finished. My friend Kirsten (Abby's Mom) came over last night. Abby and Sloan played on the computer and Kirsten watched the girls so Dean and I could go out for a little date. I feel guilty that we left a sick baby at home, and I tried to cancel but Kirsten refused. She said we needed to get out of the house. We were only gone for a little over three hours, can I tell you it was a much needed break. We had a lovely dinner, and then went to Barnes and Noble so Dean could use his Christmas gift certificate his brother Eric gave him. Aris slept most of the time we were gone and as soon as I got home she feel asleep for the night. Dean and I don't get to go out by ourselves very often so this was a very special treat.

Dean is working on the doors for his side job again. They look so good. He isn't using nails so the process is time consuming. Everything has to be glued and clamped. The result is quite lovely. I will post some photos tonight of our girls, Dean's project, and my alligator illustration. Thank you again for all the concern for my little Aris.

Everythings on hold

Little Aris has RSV and possibly strep throat. Needless to say I am putting everything on hold until she is better. I will write more tomorrow.

Happy Valentine's Day

This one is very interesting, you don't see many kids valentines with cigarettes anymore.

The heart and little girls hand move.

This little girls head pops up to reveal a long neck.

Her arms move up and down to rock the baby.

Her hand pops the lid off to reveal a little heart in the pan.

This little guy's head moves side way to steal a kiss.

His eyes move up and down along with his tail.

His eyes, guitar and puppy move on this one.

Her little suit case has a silky fabric pocket to put a coin or a piece of candy into.

His arm and eyes move up and down.

All the arms, legs and tail move on this little guy.

Neck and racquet move up and down.

I think if a little boy gave this one to my daughter I might be a little worried.

Hope everyone enjoys this special Valentine's Day. I thought I would share a few vintage Valentine's from my collection. I love the art on every single one of them. They sure don't make them like they used to. Hugs to all.

Whole lotta workin' going on

These are just a few paintings by Chris.

The "work in progress" sketches.

I know, I am a little obsessed with smiling suns.

Had a chance to talk with an old friend from art school. Chris Ryniak his wife Trisha and two darling kids live in Ohio. They are some of the kindest nicest people you will ever meet. Chris also happens to be quite an amazing artist. I was fortunate enough while in art school to always be surrounded by friends that were the funnest and most talented artists. There were many sketch nights over at Shawn and Kevin's apartment. I was lucky enough to always be invited. So much talent. It was fun to be in school surrounded by the frenzy of constant creativity. Sometimes I wish I still had a group of artist friends I could meet with once or twice a month to have sketch nights and allow for constructive criticism of current works of art. Life just gets so busy when you have family and little ones. I still keep in touch with a few of my old friends from art school and have recently come back into contact with a few I had lost touch with. All are doing exceptionally well in there artistic fields. It keeps me moving forward. I have so far to go when it comes to my art, but everyday I do something artistic I am one step closer to attaining my goal of becoming a better artist.

I am leaving you with a few of the sketches I will be working on for the next few days. Can't wait to show the finished pieces this weekend.

Swine Lake, finally

Here it is Eliza, and you'll never guess what time of night the title hit me. Almost one in the AM. The question can stop haunting me now..........I have a huge smile on my face while I am typing this mind you.