Day Twenty-One--1.31.11

Gooo.  Gurgle.  Pfft.

Just a few of Baby-E's favorite words right now.  She's starting to "talk" and tries to have a conversation with us.  It's amazing to watch her try to learn social norms.  She speaks, waits for us to answer, and then has something else to say.  It's really pretty cool.

So here she is talking to Hubby about something important that happened to her today. 

Day Twenty--1.30.11

My front room serves as the official train area for H-Man and has so since Christmas.  Honestly?  I don't mind the train being out 24/7.  In a few short years he won't want to play train; and I'll wish to be tripping over his toys instead of walking on eggshells due to a teenagers attitude.

Day Nineteen--1.29.11

Whoops.  Life got in the way of me blogging.  And I think the weather is about to get in my way as well.


We took off for our first trek to the lank of IKEA.  Holy cow.  I've NEVER spent four hours in a store before, but did at IKEA.  Hubby and I had no idea what time it was or how much time had passed--that place is like a casino with no real obvious way out, no windows, and no clocks. 

I know I have a pic on my phone, but it's being a turkey and not uploading correctly, so no pic for that day.  Boo.  :(

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."