It'll keep the Dr. away

Photo with the photo wall

Lyndsay was encouraging me to take pictures with Jack from further back, to incorporate him into the setting. That way, when we're looking back at these in 20 years, we can say, "Hey, I remember that- couch/ table/ blanket, etc."

She gave me the specific suggestion of getting a picture of him in front of the photowall- so, here he is! I thought about printing out a picture for the frame that doesn't have one- but I think this picture will go there, so it'll be cool that it's missing. KWIM (Tom& Mary, that means "know what I mean?")

Oh- I should add- this was a practice version of what will be the real thing. I know that one of the frames is crooked and there's a glare on the upper left side. Any other suggestions are welcome!

Can I just tell you...

....how much I love this belly? I also love how shocked he is to see a bus with a face.

Happy Birthday, Jack!

First of all....what?!? No comments about Jack's boo boo? Don't worry- I won't tell him. But, for those of you who were concerned, he's doing fine. He has a bit of a bruise, but he's working hard on adding some more to make the one on his head look smaller.

So, the family headed up to the DC area to celebrate Jack's big 0-1. Here's the photo of the day- Jack first taste of cake. He's such a gentleman with his little bites.


Here ya go, Polly. This one's for you! He didn't really get messy. We gave him a cupcake (rather than a whole cake) and he was really more about the cake part vs. the frosting (clearly, he didn't get that from me- I was eating the stuff out of the piping bags).

Check it out...

Last night, as I was getting dinner ready, I saw this out the kitchen window. Jon said it was a sign that he should go play golf. Whatev.

Jack's first big boy boo-boo

I know, I know- you were expecting to see some birthday photos. They're coming- don't you worry. But, we hit a new milestone today. Carnage. Big time. In fact, the faint hearted may want to close this website and come back another day.
Jack smacked his head on the door frame tonight. It was loud- so was he. Poor fellow. It actually feels a lot worse than it looks. This is him, pre-Ibuprofen.


Did you see it? It's that cut on his forehead that I'm talking about. We're expecting a goose egg in the morning. Stay tuned. Poor sweetie.

Up he goes

Jack has been going up the stairs for a while now. I just haven't had the guts to stand back and take a picture while he does it.



I think he got confused when I wasn't right behind him.



***I'll have you know, I was at f/2.8. So, that counts for one part of my homework. I was too afraid to back it up :)

Assignment 1: turn it down and back it up.

If you've seen that extra prance in my step, it's because I'm excited. A local photographer, specializing in children's/ family photography, has taken me on as a mentee. Seriously, so cool. There are three of us and today we met at my house. We talked, the kid played, we took pictures; life was good.
Lyndsay gave me two (major) pointers to get started. Dial down my f/stop (I'm going to work w. 2.8 this week) and back up to get more of the surroundings in the photo...basically, enough of the face shots, MC!!! So, be on the look out. I'm gonna turn it down and back it up!

If you have a chance, check her out:

www.lifeinmotionphotography.com

Operation: Get out of the house

I've been having issues taking picture of Jack recently. Either he's trying to grab the camera or crawl away as fast as he can. A photographer friend of mine showed me how, if you get down on the floor in front of the door, he'll come racing towards you. You should have seen Jack and I. He'd race to the door, me clicking away. I'd pick him up (he's confused at this point as to why he's not already outside), take him to the end of the hall and repeat. Oh, and we did go outside when we were done. And it was hot. H.O.T.

Speaking of toes...

I love his, too.

Toes

Jack loves 'em. He loves his own, he loves his momma's, he loves his daddy's. Show him some toes and he'll try to play with them. Fortuately, he's give up biting them for the most part; although, I do catch him chewing on his own while he's in his car seat.

So, here's Jack, looking cute.



But, here's what he's really doing (please note the toes):

Outside.

In a diaper.
On a chair.
Eating grass.

Life doesn't get any better than this.






Checking out the grassy goodness below.

A cap and a leaf

That's all it takes to keep this little guy happy. Oh, his new favorite game is called "don't look at the camera."

Jack, the superhero

Our son is amazing. Would you believe that this little boy can go from this:




...to this:




...to this:



in less than 2.5 seconds with absolutely nothing in his surroundings changing?!?

It's true. The kid is amazing.

Let's get back to the Jack we know and love.

Rooaaaaar!

Just a quick snapshot I got of Jack the other day while he was taking his lion for a walk.

Poor Jack

His world now ends at the bottom stair.