A photo for the press...

Today, I was faced with a challenge of doing a portrait of Evelyn and I. Why was I faced with this challenge? Well, it is kind of a long story.

Let me attempt to make it brief.

A good friend of mine, Ashley, had her own good friend, Kelli, from college who is now a freelance writer for a Chicago community health magazine. Kelli was assigned to write a piece on fitness and health in pregnancy. Ashley referred Kelli to me and she asked me all sorts of questions about my experience as a women, a pregnant woman, a new mom, and, a nurse who works in Obstetrics and low risk neonatal care.

And that's how I ended up sitting on the floor, setting my exposure, and after failed attempts with my self timer in coordination with my daughter, I got my husband to push the button to capture the shot.

It would have been awesome if it was some beautiful photo of us cuddling close on a chair or gazing into one another eyes. But, I've only dipped my toes into this world of family imaging and, at this point, that would have been impossible to arrange.

So, right now, I'm just happy we are both looking at the camera. :) It's a good start!

I'll post the link to the article whenever it gets printed. I had fun answering all of Kelli's questions. It's weird to think that somewhere some woman will be flipping through this magazine in a doctor's office and come across a photo of Evelyn and I.

It's weird, but, I must admit, it is a little bit fun too!

The Fuel Drawer

This is the Fuel Drawer. A MUST HAVE for parenting! It's filled with protein bars for both of us and tea to keep us going. I call upon this drawer for strength at least three times a day.

I highly recommend the Luna Caramel Nut Brownie Bars. They are delicious (dairy free) and really help me satisfy my chocolate craving. Greg is partial to the Luna S'mores bars. Yes, I know what you are thinking. Aren't Luna Bars made for women? Technically, you are right. However, Greg is man enough to not care. They are delicious, with 9 grams of protein in a light 180 Cal snack. He eats them in conjunction with his Muscle Milk bars. He can have those Muscle Milk bars because I think they are disgusting. I tolerate the S'mores bars (Have I ever mentioned that I don't like marshmallows?) but, seriously folks, the Caramel Nut Brownie Bars are were it's at!
And then there is the TAZO Awake tea. I try not to use this too often because I surely became dependent on this little tea bag in college and it sucked. So, I only allow myself to use it on days I work. I will be the first to admit that it tastes like a barnyard (and I'm an avid tea drinker) but, let me tell you, for a women who hates coffee (sorry everyone) this does a great job of kicking me in the butt when I need it most.

And, believe me, after 6 days of my little daughter having a crappy cold and knowing I have to head in to work in a few hours and stay up well past midnight, this drawer is my life source.

I wish I could fit the whole thing in my purse.

(Some days, I try).

Photo of the Day

This is my favorite photo of the day. I just love how curious she looks.

This was also the most terrifying shot of the day. I was certain that she would fall. I threw a gigantic pillow under the chair with hopes that they would never meet; thankfully, they did not.

This chair means a lot to me (as does the baby). This chair was my Grandma Elizabeth's (name ring a bell?). In 1940, my Grandpa Bushy made her a vanity table and this is the chair that he bought and painted for her. I am lucky to have both the chair and vanity table in my bedroom.

I did a major piece of retail therapy today and I bought myself a 35mm f/1.8 lens for shooting infant photography. I am loving this and I am aspiring to capture some great images. *See Post on Dreaming*

This new lens has been so much fun to play with. I'm just learning the ins and outs of it but I am already loving it! Look at how beautifully blurred I can make the background with this new piece of wonder?


Evelyn, on the other hand, does not seem to care. To all who believe that Evelyn always seems to smile for photos, here is a photo for you. Mostly, she acts indifferent unless I completely make a fool out of myself.
Or, she acts like this. Yup, I get this a lot too.

And that's when I pull the plug and decide that maybe it is time to cuddle and take a nap.

And, for real, we love our naps!

A Dreamer

I had my first official "photo-shoot" with Evelyn today.

Official, meaning I made a huge mess of our bedroom throwing clothing off our couch, turning our furniture on end towards our window, and only getting three decent photos because my daughter only wanted to play with the pashminas and eat her feet.

Plus, the light was leaving fast and, alas, I am still only shooting with my Kit Lens.

With that said, I am proud that ALL of these shots were done on Manual Setting. The three shots I got are "so beautiful" (Greg).

It helps that the subject is so beautiful though.

It helps a lot!

I've been reading a lot about photographing babies and children.

I want to master it.



It makes me really happy!

10 Ways to Keep Your Day More Interesting...

Here is a fun little list of things I like to embrace/add to my day to day life that help shake it up a bit. Add a few to your day and you are sure to have some memorable moments.

1. Smell Spoiled Milk. (Now go Gag)

2. Buy a new color of nail polish. I bought Haute Chocolate from Sally Hansen and I'm loving it.

3.Watch your dog throw up all over your cream colored carpet. (Now go Gag...and grab a rag).

4. Bounce up and down on an exercise ball while holding a baby. It is way too much fun.

5. Accidentally smell spoiled milk again... and gag again.

6. Chop off your hair. It's like jumping into a pool that is 84 degrees on a hot summer day. So refreshing but still warm in all the great ways. See me bellow with about 10 inches missing.

7. Eat Peanut Butter and Honey Toast over your laptop. Go ahead and spill some of that honey on the mouse click button. Now give it a few good clicks and, Walla, You now have a touch pad click control because that button ain't clickin no more!

8. Slip into poor English and Grammar while embracing your dork-us-ness.

9. Start figuring out how you will decorate your Christmas tree into a Valentine's Day tree because you know it is still going to be up on Feb 14th.

10. Go find your old USB computer mouse from your college computer because you accidentally "touch-clicked" italize with your laptop mouse and you didn't mean to and that honeyed clicker isn't working anymore.

11. Bonus: Plug in that USB mouse and figure out how you will explain your honey spilling to your husband the next time he sits down with the laptop.

"I just think a real computer mouse that you can hold in your hand makes you feel more intellectual while you are surfing the web. Try it. Trust me. You will never go back to that stupid, silver, clicking button again."

And, believe me.

He won't.

FREEDOM!

For the first time since June 3rd, 2010, I am ALONE in my own house.

Just me and Lupin.

I have so many plans.

I'm going to scream, run, and play!

Granted, I only have 10 minutes before I have to leave for work.

But I'm going to make them count!

PARTY! :)

Father/Daughter Portrait Time

"Just hold her up quick for a second Greg!" He groans. "It will only take a second. I swear! I just want a nice picture of both of you." He obliges, swinging our daughter up, ready to pose and indulge my new hobby as family photographer.

"Great. Now, just have her look towards the camera and try smiling up at her."
CLICK
"Greg can you get her to pay attention to me? Turn her my way!"
CLICK
"Gosh Greg. Stop Distracting Her!"
CLICK
"No Evelyn, let go of Dad's eye socket."
"This way Evelyn. Over Here!"
CLICK
"Remember to look up at her Greg."
"Now Smile Greg."
CLICK


"Got it! Great. Thanks Greg"

I pull my eye out from the camera's view finder and find my husband staring back at me with his mouth hung open and eyes wide.

"Was that really necessary?" he asks with an annoyed undertone.

"Yes. It certainly was!"

Wouldn't you agree?

Picture of the Day

Somehow and somewhere between feeding, changing diapers, waiting on the Culligan man to arrive and fix our water softener, taking Evelyn to class, making Tortilla Soup, and giving Evelyn a bath, I managed to take a few photos today. The above is the only decent shot I got. But I really like it. It is everything my daughter is all about right now. So it's perfect.

I popped it into photoshop to see what I could create. I felt like the original photo just seemed a little dull.

So I made it this way...

I went a little overboard with the color popping but at least now her feet have a bit of life too them. Maybe a bit too much life but I'm new at this so that is a.o.k. in my book.

But this wasn't exactly the look I was craving.

For some reason I've been fascinated with old, black and white photo's lately.

So I abandoned most all color (surprise, can you see the red tones there?) and created this one.


This one I just love. There is something about a black and white photo that just makes me pause and reflect on the moment. Maybe it is because I am too easily stimulated and my brain just goes wacky crazy with color.

But somehow I feel like this look perfectly captures all that is pure and joyful about a baby playing with her feet.

So fun!

Cleaning Update

Apparently dwelling on my procrastination gave my brain the bump it needed.

I cleaned my daughters room.

I cleaned the kitchen.

I did the laundry.

Now I'm off to make my bed.

Weird how the brain works.

Maybe I should blog about things I don't want to do more often!

Cleaning Woes

Why is it that I dread cleaning? I loath it. I really, really hate it. I procrastinate, putting it off for days.

Yet once I start it feels so good! Organizing a makeup drawer is heavenly. A closet filled with labeled boxes filled with the corresponding bathroom supplies makes you feel free. A bed all made up with soft linens and fluffy pillows? Ahhh... the thought itself is just so relaxing. So then why can't I harvest these feelings as my desire to not clean makes me live in a completely unorganized mess? The gnawing feeling of procrastinating is so much worse. I hate it.


I spent an hour shaping up our bathroom yesterday. I was victorious! It felt amazing. I went to bed looking forward to tackling some little cleaning projects today. I had won one battle against this endless list of chores and I was all gun-ho about waking up and doing so more!

Yet here I sit dreading that darn bedroom of mine. I could even do a little bit now before Evelyn wakes up from her nap. ... I could...but I won't. Why not?

What is wrong with my brain?

Organizers/Cleaning fanatics... I need help and advice! How do I engage my brain into liking the wonderful feeling that comes with cleaning? I know that probably makes no sense to you. Why would anyone not like something that makes them feel good and helps them keep a functional, healthy, and clean life? I have no idea. I'm all messed up in my head.

I'm wasting my time blogging about it instead of doing it. My bed could be made by now people! But it won't be. Like Men's Warehouse, I Guarantee It!

Accepting that my ability to tackle my room does not exist today, I'm trying to psych myself up for walking down into our frigid basement and changing the loads of laundry. But I don't have socks on and my toes would certainly get frost bite and then what do I do? My daughter certainly would not love me without toes! I'm sure of it.

So here I sit, blogging.

Hmmm...

Maybe I should call my maid? Yes, she would certainly help with the basement and bedroom. What's her number again? Oh right. Unlisted. Website? Here it is.

www.getoffyourbuttanddoityourself.com

Crap.

Time to raid my husband's sock pile and grab a nice warm pair.

Side Note: I do not have my own socks. I don't see the need when he has so many. He does not agree with this perspective but it has worked out so far so I haven't seen the need to change. Plus if I had my own socks I would have to match and fold them. That would be way too much for my brain to handle.

Poor Guy. He's stuck with a wife who steals his socks and would rather blog about cleaning than actually do it.

Lucky man, huh?

Lupin's Debacle

I thought I was being a good dog owner. From time to time, I like to think of myself that way. It gives a nice boost to my confidence. You see, I made an appointment for Lupin to get a haircut. After 8 months without a real cut (I made a half hearted buzz attempt at around month 5 that got us to 8), I surrendered to the costs of the groomer and brought Lupin in. And when I say I brought Lupin in to get groomed I really mean Greg did. But I arranged it, so that counts, right?

Anyways. Lupin's fur does a funny thing for him. When he has it, he looks like a cuddly dog with substance.
He's got good fur to sink your fingers into and pull on (at least that is what my daughter thinks). You take one look at him and you just want to cuddle him close. He looks like a nice medium sized dog. Lupin: The perfect, cuddly cockapoo.

And then you go cut off his hair and WAM!



You've got yourself a girl-y looking, yippy poodle-dog.

Lupin is never pleased looking like a girl. He often returns ashamed. When he visits my parents' dogs, Casper, an American Eskimo with long, flowing white hair, visibly laughs at him. I'm not kidding. He loves to taunt the poor guy after a hair cut.

But this time his simple grooming brought too much to the table for the little guy to handle.

The groomer seemed to get a little carried away with the "Girl Poodle" look and shaved much to close to his...well...member. (How's that for politically correct?!)

The poor guy. He's walked around in pain all week. Some of the time, he refused to walk at all.

Eventually, I had to intervene and start applying my daughter's diaper cream and various skin barriers to the area. I even got out some breastfeeding cream (GASP! I KNOW!?!) and applied it.

It was gross. It was degrading. But, I love my dog.

Sadly, the pain grew beyond our control so this morning I had to bring him into the vet.

Now, he looks like this.
You probably note that I am having to hold him still for this picture. He simply did not want to be photographed. Also, please continue to note my daughter in the background trying to suck on his blow up collar; She's a smart girl.

Needless to say, the poor guy has been through a lot.

And, tonight, for sure, I am making Greg apply the cream to help the guy out.

*Now, don't get concerned. I am fully aware that you are all thinking "Did she really just blog about her dogs junk?"/"Why did she decided to blog about that? Gross!"

To answer: Yes, I did just blog about that. And I did it because I don't really have much shame when it comes to blogging about that sort of stuff.

And yes. I agree.

Gross!

Anabel

I have an older sister. Her name is Anabel.

She is way cooler than me. (Even her name is cooler than mine).

And I'm not just saying this because I'm her younger sister and I have always looked up to her (in both a figurative and literally way- She's 5'9 and I'm 5'6).


She really is super cool.

Anabel has traveled all over the world. Whenever I say this, she counters with "Just parts of Europe." But for a girl who has NEVER even seen a Customs Sign, she's been all over the world.

She can speak french.

Kids older than 3 absolutely LOVE her. Kids younger than 3 like her too but she just doesn't know it. I have no idea why. They flock to her, for real. She could be (well kind of like) the Pied Piper. She'd walk around playing her flute and kids would follow.

Well, not a flute, more like a fiddle.

That's the other thing. She fiddles.

Really, really well.

Yes, old fashion fiddling. How cool is that?

I wish I could contribute her talent to being inspired by a wonderful little sister. However, I admit that more often than not I was the one shutting the door to the piano room while she fiddled so I could watch tv or read a book in silence in the other room.

I'm a lover of silence. (AND I married a musician. Smart, huh?)

And when I say I "was" the one who shut the door, I fully accept that I still am the one.

My brother is afraid to do it (we will do a post on him next. Watch out David). I'm the only one blunt enough to shut the door to the music.

It's not that she isn't good. She's actually amazing.

It's just that she can literally play for hours and hours and hours..and hours... and...well... you get the idea. I blame my over stimulating inner thoughts. I just can't handle too much going on in my exterior environment. I can't even drive, talk, and listen to music at the same time. It's an issue.

Anyways, all of the hours of playing leads us to another cool thing about Anabel; She's super passionate about stuff she loves.

I admire that. I wish I had something I could do for hours upon hours without even noticing time flying by.

She's lucky.

Hmmm..what else makes her cool? Oh yeah! She teaches a college class!!!!

Musical Linguistics. I don't even know what that means.

She is up and beyond me. Kicking it into overdrive with her passion for life, music and education.

Oh crap, I forgot to mention the decorating element.

She can decorate too. If you want your house to look old and colonial with a splash of color and funk, Anabel is your woman.

Even her jewelry is hung in a funky, organized mess type way.

Mine is in a heap in the bottom of a jewelry box.

So, in summary.

Anabel is awesomely cooler than me.

And I'm happy about that.

Because she is my sister.

My New Hobby

My New Hobby for the New Year! Hello 2011!!!

Yes, I realize that I'm a day late. Give me a little break. It's been a busy weekend.

SO WAM BAM! IT'S NEW YEARS MAM!

So, now that it is 2011 and we are all that much more mature. I invite you to meet my new friend; My Nikon D3100. I have decided that the Nikon D3100 is no longer my favorite thing. It's my ultimate favorite thing. I love it. I long to spend more time with it. I want to take it on a date (just me and the Camera- sorry Greg) and take photos of flowers and sunrises. But it is January and everything is white and gray. I can not find flowers and it is way too cold for me to watch a sunrise. I miss the color green. I can't wait to photograph green things. But I can't, so in the meantime you will have to suffer with photos of my daughter.

Bummer huh?


I'm learning some great Photoshop Elements tricks. Who knew that there was SO MUCH more to a B&W photo than just hitting the B&W button? There are layers, sharpening, feathering, and hints of red and some sepia. There isn't even a B&W button! It's all gradient mapping and so much more! Regular B&W is boring. But this is awesome!!!

You will have to forgive me but I can rave about my photo-editing skills only because I am a foolish amateur and I think anything is awesome as long as the picture looks different from the original. Someday, I hope to get to the point where I can identify the true details and differences in photos. Currently, I can only understand total disasters. So this photo receives a Pass. I'll try to remember to save an F so I can show you. They are funny. They are ugly. They are embarrassingly awesome.

Your eyes will strain. I promise.