Day Eighteen--1.18.11

Taking pictures of a ten-week old is difficult.  First, the planets have to allign for her to be

1  fed
2. awake 
3. agreeable to having her picture taken

I usually have two of the three when I WANT to take her picture.  Most times it's "OMG where is the camera she is ready NOW."  And by the time I walk the five feet to pick up the camera and turn it on, the moment is over. 

I love taking pictures.  This 365 day challenge has been fun, even though it's only day eighteen.  It's forcing me to get my camera out and learn even more about it. 

In my (very humble) opinion, I've done pretty well the last three years taking pictures with my camera.  I mess with settings, try to find the light, and get my camera more to "M" mode than any other.  I am by no means a professional photographer, and I don't claim to be one.  I've put photos in the county and state fairs.  (Toot my own horn:  I swept a category at the county fair!)  I know what makes a "good" photo over a bad one (and frankly, I am sick of looking at bad photos that people try to pass off as "good"); even if I don't follow those rules every time.  Honestly, I'm not out to get the perfect photo every time.  Sometimes I just want a quick snapshot and those are just as great as the photos that took me forever to do.

BUT, I digress.  Taking photos of a 10 week old is an event.  Today I made sure Baby-E was well fed, rested, and happy.  I quickly set her up so I could get a pictures of her the first time she was wearing a pair of jeans.

I managed to get about five pictures before I heard The Fast and the Furious.  Remember I said she was well fed?  Perhaps she was too well fed.  My dainty little girl promptly filled her diaper, causing our photo shoot to come to an abrupt end so that my model could have a wardrobe change.  But that's okay.  THAT is what makes photography a challenge--getting a good picture in before those sorts of things happen.  :)

Now I know why she was smiling.

Take my picture with Sissy.  (Notice who he's holding?  His first true love, Buddy.)

Day Seventeen--1.27.11

I was so nervous when I learned that Edith was a girl.  We didn't find out her gender until her birth, so I never mentally prepared myself for having a daughter.  I was VERY convinced I was having a boy, and never really thought of girl things. 

I know what to do with a boy.  I'm used to playing "boy" toys with H-Man.  He's a very typical boy--lots of running, jumping, whooping and hollering.  Lots of outdoor play.  Lots of trains and trucks and dinosaurs. 

But now?  Now I'll get to un-box my Barbie dolls.  I've been buying up original covers of Baby-Sitters Club books for later readings.  I'm excited to do some "girl" things in a few years. 

Now I'll have someone that knows what accessories are and why they are important.

 

 

 

 

Proof that the right accessories can make an outfit. 

And H-Man photobombing my session with Baby-E:

Day Sixteen--1.26.11

I love it when I can get a picture of both of my kids together.  This morning H-Man was watching cartoons in his mis-matched pajamas and wanted Sissy there with him.  She was happy to oblige and I was even happier to get a quick snap of the two of them.  I hope they are always this peaceful together--but they wouldn't be siblings if they didn't argue every now and then..  ;)

But right now H-Man loves Baby-E and calls her Sissy.  He always wants to help take care of her:  getting her diapers, paci's, and making sure she's warm and has a toy near her at all times.  He's an excellent big brother and I love watching the two of them interact.

Day Fifteen--1.25.11

H-Man has been BEGGING Hubby to build his "race car puzzle" for nearly a week.  So tonight, before dinner, they sat down to build it.  H-Man hung in there for a good thirty minutes before he got bored and wanted to do something else. 

It was nice to watch Father and Son work on something together, for the first time.  I'm sure this is the first of many projects for the two of them.

Hubby showed H-Man how to make sure he had all of the right parts before starting.  They read the directions together, and H-Man worked on counting all of the nails.  Hubby had to bite his tongue a few times while H-Man told HIM what to do.  "Hammer the nail in Daddy.  Don't go too fast.  Watch your fingers."  It's always funny to hear your words come out of H-Man's mouth.

"O-tay Daddy, do step one"

 

"Mommy--I am soooo bored."

Day Fourteen--1.24.11

Dinner is (usually) made by me most nights.  Sometimes I go the easy route and just make some Hamburger Helper (which my son LOVES) and sometimes I take a bit more time and make something we all love.

Tonight was Olive Garden Zuppa Toscana.  YUM.  So easy and SO good.  My friend Jenny shared the recipe with me, and now I'm going to share it here as well.  (The italics are my edits to the recipe.)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Doesn't that look DELISH?

 Olive Garden Zuppa Toscana


3/4 cup onions, diced 1/8 inch  (left this out since I used spicy sausage)
1 slice bacon, 1/4−inch diced  (used a tablespoon of bacon grease in the sausage instead)
1 1/4 teaspoon garlic cloves, minced
1 ounce chicken bouillon  (I've substituted chicken broth and stock)
1 quart water
2 medium potatoes, cut in half length−wise,  (I put in about 8 potatoes)
then cut in 1/4−inch slices
2 cups cavallo greens (kale can be substituted),
cut in half, then sliced into 1/16−inch strips  (I just rip it up)
1 1/2 cups sausage link − spicy, pre−cooked, cut in half  (I use a roll of spicy sausage)
length−wise, then cut at an angle into 1/2−inch slices
3/4 cup heavy whipping cream


1. Place sausage link onto sheet pan and bake in 300 degree oven for 15 to 20 minutes or until done.   (I just fry it up in a pan)

2. Place onions and bacon into 3 to 4 quart saucepan and cook onions over medium heat until the onions are almost clear.

3. Add garlic and cook for 1 minute.

4. Add chicken bouillon, water and potatoes, bring to a simmer for 15 minutes.

5. Add remaining ingredients then simmer for 5 more minutes and serve.

Day Thirteen--1.23.11

It is truly amazing how much work a three-year-old adds to the house.


As I went around tonight picking up the clutter and putting it in its spot, (or somewhere hidden where I don't have to deal with it right now) I started to notice all the little touches of H-Man that are around my house.  Matchbox cars on the bookshelf, a derailed toy-train in the living room, his book on the end table, and his little slippers by the door.  Little reminders of where he has been today and what he's been doing and playing.

Then I noticed this:

 

H-Man is smart, but there is no way he is ready for Shakespeare.  I had to wonder what this book was doing out.  Then I noticed the placement of it and realized that the front-room light was on and I didn't turn it on.  H-Man had gotten this book off of the bookshelf, and used it as a step to reach the light switch that he's about two inches too short to reach.  It's the little reminders of him at the end of the day that make me smile.

***********************************

Remember when I said that nearly every time I had the camera out, Baby-E was asleep?  Here's the proof.  She was asleep in my arms and I placed her on the couch so I could get my camera.  She was so sound asleep the flash didn't even bother her.

Day Twelve--1.22.11

I have several friends doing the 365 Picture A Day photo challenge.  Yesterday, my friend Amanda posted a picture of her son standing on his tip-toes to reach something off the table.  She snapped that picture because she wanted to remember that moment--because anyone that is a parent knows those moments are fleeting.  One moment they are an infant in your arms, unable to do anything for themselves.  The next moment they are a little person that can make decisions, have a conversation, and reach things off of the table.

Amanda is someone whom I admire.  She's an amazing photographer with her own photography business; she's a mom of three boys (two of which are newborn twins); and she is one fierce friend.  She'll tell you her flaws, but you honestly wonder how she could have any since she's such an amazing person.  Oh--and she's gorgeous, too.

So Amanda, I hope that was enough love for ya' because I wanted to steal your idea for capturing pictures of our kids feet.  :)

Baby-E was sitting in Hubby's lap and I started snapping away.  This was my favorite of the thirty pictures I took of her piggy-toes.