Her

I love.  

She refuses to smile for the camera.  

I am lucky when she looks at me.

Maybe Stella will be my model. My center-of-attention.  My Katie .

I still adore taking photos of her though.

Especially with my new toy.

I need the practice.

And even if she won't smile for the camera
she will smile for Daddy.

And that is even better.

Because it's real.

Just like me

Cheers,
A

Upgrade

This is my current camera.  A beautiful, friendly, happy little Nikon D60.  Santa brought me this camera two Christmases ago, and it birthed a love of photography that I never knew I had.

It has served me well.

And it is leaving me a week from Thursday.

A friend of Nadia's has agreed to buy it.

She's about to become a mom for the first time.

She'll have her hands full...but when she has room in them, she'll have a wonderful Nikon to hold, too.

This really is an amazing camera.

It's the perfect starter for anyone wanting a DSLR. It's quick. It's easy. And even on full auto it takes amazing photos.

I'm about to order the Nikon D90 from Amazon.com.

I'm so giddy my fingers are shaking.

A winter's worth of hat making and it's finally mine. My fingers are calloused. I have carpal tunnel syndrome.  But it's all worth it.

(And I'm kidding about the carpal tunnel. And the callouses. I'm just a whiner.)

The only thing that could top this moment is...

A 70-200 2.8 falling from the sky and into my lap. Free of charge.

Even a 24-70 2.8 would be fine.

I've said it before and I'll say it again: I'm not picky.

Goodbye, D60.
 Thank you.

Cheers,

A

Wednesday Wisdom

I've decided to change my "What I Know For Sure" posts into a new feature titled "Wednesday Wisdom."

I can't promise I'll post every Wednesday.  But I'll try.

Maybe you'll look forward to my musings.

Or maybe you'll steer clear on Wednesdays.

I fully support your freedom of choice. And I hope you choose to read.

Okay...here it is.

Installment ONE of Wednesday Wisdom.

*My nipple is not a pacifier.  Conversely, Stella would like me to know that a pacifier is not my nipple and therefore she will not have it in her mouth.

*I got really highly extremely excited over my new running shoes (shown off in my last post).  I don't run. I'm allergic to running.  I'm allergic to most exercise. I'm currently trying to beat the disease.  It's touch and go.

*I haven't worn a pair of heels in months.  The surprising part of this news is how little it upsets me.

*I might be interested in getting to know more about Lady Gaga.  I think I might enjoy her music.

*I need to sell about 10 more hats to "finance my dream."  Hurry up and order!

*The last week of The Tonight Show with Conan O'Brien was the best ever. He was hilarious. I wish he didn't have to leave. But he left well.  The quote in the sidebar is from that show, and it's a good one.  "Freebird" was a perfect swan song. I hope he comes back to late night.  I'll watch his show over Jay.  Except maybe for Mondays. I really enjoy Jay's Headlines bit.

*Why do people insist on asking if DRL and I will try for a boy?  What is wrong with two girls? Is my life somehow incomplete because I don't have a son?  Maybe we tried for a boy twice and failed miserably.  Or maybe we tried for girls and succeeded.  Either way, our family is complete and we are happy.  Even though we are son-less.

*I have been working out for two full weeks and have lost zero pounds.  I'm starting to think I'm exercising incorrectly.  Or that my body has decided it likes to be festively plump.

*Dear body: I do not want to be festively plump.

*I am excited to hear news of Lucinda's new baby boy's arrival.  I can't wait to cyber-meet him.

*Apple just released the iPad.  Because on top of a MacBook and an iPhone, people need an iPad.  It's an iPhone that won't fit in your pocket and a MacBook that will fit in your purse.  I'm not sure this is going to revolutionize anything.  I guess we'll see.

*I'm trying to sell my camera. It's not working so well. Much like my weight loss.  Oh sorry. I mentioned that already, didn't I?  Sore subject....

And because no blog post is complete without a photo. Here is a recent favorite...

Cheers!
A

Content May Be Disturbing to Some Viewers

I'm a big fan of The Biggest Loser.

I've been watching it for the last three or four seasons.  Every episode. Every week.

I'm in love with Bob.  He's on my "list." Even though DRL says that girls are certainly NOT on his list...

But I digress.

At the beginning of this season, Bob and Jillian challenged the contestants to bare all and stand on the scale in front of all their friends and family members.

Then they told America to have the courage to do it, too.

They said it helps motivate people to lose the weight.  Showing your peers what you really look like under all the clothes and make-up and Minolo's.  (Who am I kidding. I own zero pairs of Minolo's.)

So, readers. Here it is.  What I look like underneath the maternity jeans.
I have 20 pounds to lose.
30 if I want to get back to "Ballerina Weight."
Which I don't.
At least not really.

Okay maybe a little.

Look away if you lack a strong stomach.
Or have a touchy upchuck reflex.
Or are currently suffering from the stomach flu or morning sickness, or any other condition that might make upheaval of your evening meal more likely.
Oh...and if you have a heart condition or a history of heart disease.

This is effin' scary.

(I can't believe I actually went through with it...gulp. I feel brave. And mortified.)

This is what I look like after delivering two children.

I'm soft in the middle.

Like a jelly doughnut.

Luckily I have Jillian's 30 Day Shred.

A membership to the  YMCA.

My friend Jason who has graciously volunteered to be my trainer.

And this photo to look at.

Embarrassingly.

Oh wait.

I don't need this picture.

I have a mirror. A full length one.

Excuse me, I'm going to die now.

Goodbye forever,

A

Two

Today marks the two year anniversary of this small blog.

Two years.

Two camera lenses.

Two children.

Two pets.

Two minutes remaining until I completely lose what's left of my sanity.

You get the idea.

Today I was asked to take headshots of two fabulous interior designers.

A friend and her colleague.  The women behind HautHaus Design.

Their office was fantastic.

Flooded with natural light.

Even today when it's grey and cloudy and gloomy outside.

I set my camera to aperture priority, the white balance to cloud,  and the ISO to 400 and snapped away.

If you look closely at the center of this photo, you can just barely make out my reflection.

Proof that I am keeping at least one of my New Year's Resolutions.

Thank you HautHaus.
You girls are awesome.
Now come fix my house...

And happy Blog-iversary to me!

Cheers,
A

Sister Quilts

I finally finished Stella's quilt.

Anyone have a pattern for a pillowcase and/or sham?

My work here is done.

Cheers,

A