THE New Family has got some BIG news!
4 + one more = 5
Click to read the BIG news.
IT IS APRIL FOOLS DAY!
And to celebrate the New Family is taking Opa out for dinner.
Dad promised that he had some big news. He used the biggest font possible to share it with you.
What? Why? What were you thinking? Was it not big enough for you?
Back to the blog.
Sunday, March 31, 2013
Son's Up
"Don't be alarmed," he said. "You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who was crucified. He has risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid him." - Mark 16:6
Hoppy Easter
Liesel is still under the weather. Here she does her best to muster smile.The dress was a gift from New Family Grandma Woodall. Adorable.
Below, Buddy (also still under the weather) plays with his new lamb blanket, an Easter gift from Mom and Dad. It has the Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep prayer.
The stuffed animal Peeps probably did not taste as good as the edible kind, but the Twins sucked on them anyway.
Buggy plays with her lamb.
Below, Buddy (also still under the weather) plays with his new lamb blanket, an Easter gift from Mom and Dad. It has the Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep prayer.
The stuffed animal Peeps probably did not taste as good as the edible kind, but the Twins sucked on them anyway.
Buggy plays with her lamb.
Thursday, March 28, 2013
Multiple Updates: Dad is Down
A week after first seeing nasopharyngitis symptoms in EJ and subsequently having some himself, the New Family Dad has succumbed to the misandry virus affecting half of the NF household. Despite two cups of coffee, and a strong motivation to contrary, Dad could not rally himself to perform the day's duties as prescribed. He was simply sapped for energy. Instead, Mom had to pull double duty, thus exceeding her professional and personal commitments all while listening to the whining (and nasal wheezing, coughing, and sneezing) of her big and little boys.
Update Friday 3/29: Mom has now been hit with symptoms and Buggy's nose is runny. So whatever it is, it has broken through the glass ceiling. Looking at the trajectory, the girls will get worse before they get better.
Dad lost all of his energy today and would have spent the day on the couch if he could, but the Twins have to be fed, changed, and tended to. Fortunately for him they slept a lot.
Dad fully lived the notion that as a parent, he never really gets a day off.
Update Saturday 3/30: Buddy is almost symptom free and back to normal. He is only a little Krusty Clown.
Dad has some energy back, and his faucet nose has shut off (thanks to Mom for letting him snore 'til 8:00 this morning), but he is still swollen and irritable and that makes everything harder to do.
Buggy's nose is still pouring and she cannot inhale while on the bottle (or when swallowing solids) so she does not want to eat. So she is miserable and hungry. Her face too is swollen. Dad promised a few readers Easter pictures, and he tried his best, but they are not the best. She was miserable, uncooperative, and not very pretty.
Mom is about two days behind Dad in her symptoms. That means that tomorrow, Easter Sunday, will be the worst day for her. She does not want to hear that. Monday should see improvement, though she might not have the stamina to go to work.
Update Monday 4/1: Mom thought she had the strength to go to work for a full day's work. She did not and came home early.
Update 4/2: Dad's symptoms still linger. EJ is the most symptom free. Mom is off work for another sick day (despite a mounting workload). Liesel's sinuses are still stuffed up. Coffee substitutes for energy to get the day's chores accomplished.
Dad shares a thought with Mom during one particularly challenging episode wrangling the Twins while low on energy and patience, "Do you know what the difference is between imagining what life would be like with the Twins before they came and what life is like with them now that they are here?"
"No," Mom replies.
Dad, "Now, when I am done imagining them, they are still here."
Mom, at first gives a puzzled look, then understands, "Ah yes, never a day off."
Update Friday 3/29: Mom has now been hit with symptoms and Buggy's nose is runny. So whatever it is, it has broken through the glass ceiling. Looking at the trajectory, the girls will get worse before they get better.
Dad lost all of his energy today and would have spent the day on the couch if he could, but the Twins have to be fed, changed, and tended to. Fortunately for him they slept a lot.
Dad fully lived the notion that as a parent, he never really gets a day off.
Update Saturday 3/30: Buddy is almost symptom free and back to normal. He is only a little Krusty Clown.
Dad has some energy back, and his faucet nose has shut off (thanks to Mom for letting him snore 'til 8:00 this morning), but he is still swollen and irritable and that makes everything harder to do.
Buggy's nose is still pouring and she cannot inhale while on the bottle (or when swallowing solids) so she does not want to eat. So she is miserable and hungry. Her face too is swollen. Dad promised a few readers Easter pictures, and he tried his best, but they are not the best. She was miserable, uncooperative, and not very pretty.
Mom is about two days behind Dad in her symptoms. That means that tomorrow, Easter Sunday, will be the worst day for her. She does not want to hear that. Monday should see improvement, though she might not have the stamina to go to work.
Update Monday 4/1: Mom thought she had the strength to go to work for a full day's work. She did not and came home early.
Update 4/2: Dad's symptoms still linger. EJ is the most symptom free. Mom is off work for another sick day (despite a mounting workload). Liesel's sinuses are still stuffed up. Coffee substitutes for energy to get the day's chores accomplished.
Dad shares a thought with Mom during one particularly challenging episode wrangling the Twins while low on energy and patience, "Do you know what the difference is between imagining what life would be like with the Twins before they came and what life is like with them now that they are here?"
"No," Mom replies.
Dad, "Now, when I am done imagining them, they are still here."
Mom, at first gives a puzzled look, then understands, "Ah yes, never a day off."
Daddy's SweeTart
TRIVIA question: If the New Family Dad had to pick a favorite candy, what might he choose?
One answer:
From the bright pastel colors to the distinctive sweet and tart flavors, this would be among his favorites. So, naturally, he feels the same affection for Liesel's new sleeper.
And of course with Easter coming, Dad is tempted to indulge in sugar until he is comatose.
He loves to buy Brach's Chicks and Rabbits, open the bag and let them age for a few days before eating them. They get hard when exposed to air, much like the hard marshmallows in children's cereal.
(Side trip: Nostalgic cereals, were these among your favorites as a kid? What was NF Dad's favorite childhood cereal? Hint it wasn't brown the or pink version. The blue one was rare and that lent it an air of exclusivity.)
And yes, they should be called Chicks and Bunnies, but they are not.
He likes jelly beans too but he boycotts the white and black ones. Its a flavor thing.
One answer:
From the bright pastel colors to the distinctive sweet and tart flavors, this would be among his favorites. So, naturally, he feels the same affection for Liesel's new sleeper.
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| Daddy's little SweeTart |
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| http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showthread.php?t=336896 |
(Side trip: Nostalgic cereals, were these among your favorites as a kid? What was NF Dad's favorite childhood cereal? Hint it wasn't brown the or pink version. The blue one was rare and that lent it an air of exclusivity.)
And yes, they should be called Chicks and Bunnies, but they are not.
He likes jelly beans too but he boycotts the white and black ones. Its a flavor thing.
Wednesday, March 27, 2013
Caution on the Track
AS previously posted, the Twins like to use a hallway as a race track. Here EJ was charging full speed ahead to catch up with Daddy when he was suddenly distracted by a toy.
He is still sick and recovering. But he remains in good spirits.
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| Yellow flag for obstruction on the track. |
He is still sick and recovering. But he remains in good spirits.
She Knows No?
SO there are many dangers around the New Family house that could harm the Twins Liesel and EJ. Dad, ever so on top of it (not), mitigates the risks by constantly monitoring them and employing "redirection," literally picking them up when they have stumbled upon a forbidden area or thing and giving them something else to focus on by setting them down somewhere else, usually in front of something bright and shiny.
He foresees the limits of this strategy and will get around to properly baby proofing one day, but that is not the point of this post.
Dad has observed that Buggy seems to understand the word "no." That is, when she gets into something that she should not get into, Dad will call her name, gain her attention, say "no," and surprisingly, to him anyway, she modifies her behavior and discontinues the action that earned her the rebuke (Mom is not so impressed because her expectations of her highly intelligent children mean that they should know "no" and several other words by now). It is as if she understands "no" and, more delightfully, has chosen to comply.
She is nine months and a few weeks outta the womb. She knows what "no" means as much as her brother can explain the Cypriot saver's haircut.
But her behavior is uncanny. Dad wonders why she would react to his command as if she actually understood "no." To be sure, he is not complaining. He is judicious in his intervening in his children's activities, restraining himself to only that which is necessary to address imminent harm, and he certainly appreciates the seeming reciprocal respect of prompt and correct response to his "no." However, he would like a plausible explanation.
Mom has a theory. She believes Buggy to be reacting to his tone of voice instead of his actual words. Jake, the late New Family cat was good at this having had a high emotional intelligence. He may not have understood what the Parents said, but he sure knew the meaning of how they said it. A pleasant note meant something good for him (usually a treat or some much wanted affection) while a harsh tone meant someone was displeased with him and he should leave the area immediately. Persuasive as this is, Dad has experimented with several tonal deliveries, some commanding, others pleading, but he still gets the same response. She behaves as if she knows what "no" means. Much like in an earlier experiment, she seems to be reacting to the words he uses as opposed to the way he delivers it.
What could explain it?
He foresees the limits of this strategy and will get around to properly baby proofing one day, but that is not the point of this post.
Dad has observed that Buggy seems to understand the word "no." That is, when she gets into something that she should not get into, Dad will call her name, gain her attention, say "no," and surprisingly, to him anyway, she modifies her behavior and discontinues the action that earned her the rebuke (Mom is not so impressed because her expectations of her highly intelligent children mean that they should know "no" and several other words by now). It is as if she understands "no" and, more delightfully, has chosen to comply.
She is nine months and a few weeks outta the womb. She knows what "no" means as much as her brother can explain the Cypriot saver's haircut.
But her behavior is uncanny. Dad wonders why she would react to his command as if she actually understood "no." To be sure, he is not complaining. He is judicious in his intervening in his children's activities, restraining himself to only that which is necessary to address imminent harm, and he certainly appreciates the seeming reciprocal respect of prompt and correct response to his "no." However, he would like a plausible explanation.
Mom has a theory. She believes Buggy to be reacting to his tone of voice instead of his actual words. Jake, the late New Family cat was good at this having had a high emotional intelligence. He may not have understood what the Parents said, but he sure knew the meaning of how they said it. A pleasant note meant something good for him (usually a treat or some much wanted affection) while a harsh tone meant someone was displeased with him and he should leave the area immediately. Persuasive as this is, Dad has experimented with several tonal deliveries, some commanding, others pleading, but he still gets the same response. She behaves as if she knows what "no" means. Much like in an earlier experiment, she seems to be reacting to the words he uses as opposed to the way he delivers it.
What could explain it?
Sibling Empathy
DAD would not normally make a big deal about this except that it has happened numerous times. Buggy seems to have empathy for Buddy.
Recently, and again while Buddy was fussing, she removed her binky from her mouth and offered it to Buddy. On another occasion she popped it into his mouth!
It is as if she is thinking, "I know how that feels and this is what I do to feel better."
Maybe Dad is reading too much into it. Maybe not.
Recently, and again while Buddy was fussing, she removed her binky from her mouth and offered it to Buddy. On another occasion she popped it into his mouth!
It is as if she is thinking, "I know how that feels and this is what I do to feel better."
Maybe Dad is reading too much into it. Maybe not.
Update: A Couple of Sickos
DAD is now recovering from whatever virus infected EJ. It is not fun or pretty. Thanks for sharing Buddy!
Interestingly, the New Family ladies showed no/few sign or symptoms. Is it a guy thing?
Anyway, except for the symptoms of Rhinovirus, Dad feels okay and has plenty energy, which is good because otherwise Mom would have to take sick time from work to tend to her guys.
Wait, that would be a bad thing? There is fresh chicken soup in the fridge.
Update: Buggy now has symptoms. She is sneezing and looks tired.
Interestingly, the New Family ladies showed no/few sign or symptoms. Is it a guy thing?
Anyway, except for the symptoms of Rhinovirus, Dad feels okay and has plenty energy, which is good because otherwise Mom would have to take sick time from work to tend to her guys.
Wait, that would be a bad thing? There is fresh chicken soup in the fridge.
Update: Buggy now has symptoms. She is sneezing and looks tired.
Tuesday, March 26, 2013
Two Foot Tall Club
WITH the Twins now more upright and on their feet more often than not, their length seems like the wrong way to measure them, rather, they should now be known by their height. So here are the two newest members of the Two Foot Tall Club.
Buggy above, with a seeming sense of purpose and some place to go, quickly evacuates the area via her walker.
And just as quick she is back after she changes her mind. Since she is back, why not trade vehicles?
The other Two Footer, Buddy Too, is not yet ready to go walking on his own. He'll get there; there is no reason to push him yet. He's proven his determination. Beside that extra 3/4" in height makes him top heavy relative to her so he has more mass to manage.
And a handsome 2/3rds yard tall he is.
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| "OK Dad. I am outta here now. Bye bye. Luv u 2." |
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| "Uh, could I borrow some money?" |
The other Two Footer, Buddy Too, is not yet ready to go walking on his own. He'll get there; there is no reason to push him yet. He's proven his determination. Beside that extra 3/4" in height makes him top heavy relative to her so he has more mass to manage.
And a handsome 2/3rds yard tall he is.
Monday, March 25, 2013
Check Out Her New Ride
BUGGY has a new way to roll.
She has yet to move it anywhere and so far has only mastered dismounting it. But that will come in good time.
She has yet to move it anywhere and so far has only mastered dismounting it. But that will come in good time.
Article
Many babies starting solid foods too early, CDC study says
The CDC worries about losing its relevance. How does it justify its raison d'être if parents just ignore it?
The First Cold
DAD doesn't know how Buddy got it, or why Buggy did not get it (they share everything including feeding spoons), but Buddy has his first cold. But he has been a remarkably happy sicko (he has never been one to hide his discontent).
His condition is, well, gross. His nose runs like a faucet. He is congested in his sinuses. He briefly had a fever. He coughs, sneezes. and hacks. But his energy and enthusiasm hasn't waned. So
His condition is, well, gross. His nose runs like a faucet. He is congested in his sinuses. He briefly had a fever. He coughs, sneezes. and hacks. But his energy and enthusiasm hasn't waned. So
Saturday, March 23, 2013
The New Walker
BUGGY shows of the Twin's newest toy, a Fisher-Price walker. This should help them master walking skills or at least entertain and amuse Dad for a period.
Update: The Kineseology of getting Upright
DAD has carefully observed each of the New Family Twins pull themselves upright. While Buggy uses her arms to pull herself upright while pushing with her legs, as one would expect a child to do, Buddy pushes against his extended arms using his massive glutes and quads to get upright. He starts by reaching for a perch above his head. Then he locks his elbows and shoulders. Next he positions his feet underneath himself. Finally he pushes hard upward storing energy in his legs and rear much like compressing a spring. Once he has stored enough energy to bolt upright, he relaxes his deltoids and literally pops up to his own delight.
At some point he is going to figure out that it takes less energy to rise up using his arms to lift himself rather than as a cocking and trigger mechanism.
Update: Buddy continues to pull himself upright and now toddles between hand perches. He can, and has, made his way from the far end of the play-space to Dad's end using the fencing for support. This is not a fast or easy process for him and Dad is glad to see his determination.
Buggy can stand upright without holding onto anything for seconds at a time. She is learning how to balance and may take her first unassisted steps soon. Also, her coordination is a good proxy for her level of fatigue. A tired Buggy topples more easily than a fresh from a nap one.
At some point he is going to figure out that it takes less energy to rise up using his arms to lift himself rather than as a cocking and trigger mechanism.
Update: Buddy continues to pull himself upright and now toddles between hand perches. He can, and has, made his way from the far end of the play-space to Dad's end using the fencing for support. This is not a fast or easy process for him and Dad is glad to see his determination.
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| ♪ "Workin' my way back to you Dad!" ♪ |
Buggy can stand upright without holding onto anything for seconds at a time. She is learning how to balance and may take her first unassisted steps soon. Also, her coordination is a good proxy for her level of fatigue. A tired Buggy topples more easily than a fresh from a nap one.
Makin' Broccoli
THE Twins sure do eat a lot. It is time again to make some more food.
Below, Dad steams broccoli.
The first time Dad did this he blanched the broccoli. It turned out great, slightly sweet with no bitterness. This time, however, he steamed it with out the ice water bath and it was very bitter.
Curious, he went in search of an answer. It turns out that the ice water bath does double duty. First it halts the cooking process so the florets do not become mushy. Second, it rinses off broccoli's bitter compounds.
To test this, he rinsed the florets under water and it dramatically improved in flavor. Dad, believing that broccoli always had to be bitter, has discovered a new favorite vegetable.
His next challenge is to figure out how to cook an entire piece, stalk and bush, without the bushy end turning to mush or the stalk remaining under done. He has an idea that involves submerging the stalk in boiling water while allowing the bushy end to steam.
Below, Dad steams broccoli.
The first time Dad did this he blanched the broccoli. It turned out great, slightly sweet with no bitterness. This time, however, he steamed it with out the ice water bath and it was very bitter.
Curious, he went in search of an answer. It turns out that the ice water bath does double duty. First it halts the cooking process so the florets do not become mushy. Second, it rinses off broccoli's bitter compounds.
To test this, he rinsed the florets under water and it dramatically improved in flavor. Dad, believing that broccoli always had to be bitter, has discovered a new favorite vegetable.
His next challenge is to figure out how to cook an entire piece, stalk and bush, without the bushy end turning to mush or the stalk remaining under done. He has an idea that involves submerging the stalk in boiling water while allowing the bushy end to steam.
Monday, March 18, 2013
Update: Buddy's Big Milestone
DAD has eagerly waited for it. He thought it would arrive last Friday. And each intervening day brought new promise that that day might be the day. But those days were not that day. But today is that day!
Buddy hitherto has not yet pulled himself fully upright to a standing position. He has pulled himself to a kneeling position. He can hold himself fully upright when placed in that position. But until now he has not bridged the two positions.
Of course he was too embarrassed by the possibility of failure to do it in front of Dad. He waited until Dad left the area. And as soon as he did, EJ popped right on up.
Good job son.
Update: Having figured out his newest skill, Buddy puts it into practice as if he had always been doing it.
Buddy hitherto has not yet pulled himself fully upright to a standing position. He has pulled himself to a kneeling position. He can hold himself fully upright when placed in that position. But until now he has not bridged the two positions.
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| What's so special about this? He did it on his own! |
Good job son.
Update: Having figured out his newest skill, Buddy puts it into practice as if he had always been doing it.
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| "What? It is no big deal Dad. All of the kids are doing it." |
Saturday, March 16, 2013
Roly Poly
BUDDY boy recently got dressed to brave March's cold drizzle and venture out for a weekend errand with the rest of the New Family. Dad noticed, liked, and photographed his son's rotund physique.
The round ones give the best hugs.
The round ones give the best hugs.
Wednesday, March 13, 2013
Buddy
WELL here is a gratuitous abuse of New Family blog readers. Dad posts a shot of Buddy sans context.
What is Buddy doing? Where is he going? Why has he paused just here, just now?
Conspiring Nanners
THE Twins wore their banana sleepers (banana, nana, nanner, get it?) while in their play space today courtesy of Dad.
A teething, drooling Buddy took all of the toys out of the laundry basket. This is the game he and Dad play. Dad puts 'em away, Buddy takes 'em out so Dad can do it again.
Buggy uses her pacifier as a teether. Dr. Pedia says it has to go Buggy, but can Dad let it go?
Buddy is still not ready to pull himself up to standing, but here he makes it onto his knees.
The bully Buggy can pull herself up. She tends to knock him down and walk all over him to get at what she wants. He cries for Dad to come help.
Take that you bully! Now down herself, she cries out. It becomes a noisy time with screams of delight, anguish, and just because they've been up for over two hours. Dad tunes the cacophony out to attend to some work.
Dad turned his attention away from them for a few minutes to get through the 254 e-mails he received since he last logged in. While working, he had not noticed that the room had gone silent. When he finally looked down he realized the Twins were somehow able to get into the basket together without him noticing. This is interesting because it required coordination between them (no matter how unintended) to roll the basket up from its side (see first photo). And that they did without crying, whining, or otherwise fighting.
A marvel. Playing quietly having worked their way into the basket without Dad noticing. Uh-oh, Dad now recalls the stories he has heard about twins plotting and coordinating together. All of those stories had the same theme, the two were able to accomplish great feats of evil by working together silently.
Dad gets a shiver up his spine at the thought and turns them out to find another activity to do.
Conspiracy is not allowed.
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A teething, drooling Buddy took all of the toys out of the laundry basket. This is the game he and Dad play. Dad puts 'em away, Buddy takes 'em out so Dad can do it again.
Buggy uses her pacifier as a teether. Dr. Pedia says it has to go Buggy, but can Dad let it go?
Buddy is still not ready to pull himself up to standing, but here he makes it onto his knees.
The bully Buggy can pull herself up. She tends to knock him down and walk all over him to get at what she wants. He cries for Dad to come help.
Take that you bully! Now down herself, she cries out. It becomes a noisy time with screams of delight, anguish, and just because they've been up for over two hours. Dad tunes the cacophony out to attend to some work.
Dad turned his attention away from them for a few minutes to get through the 254 e-mails he received since he last logged in. While working, he had not noticed that the room had gone silent. When he finally looked down he realized the Twins were somehow able to get into the basket together without him noticing. This is interesting because it required coordination between them (no matter how unintended) to roll the basket up from its side (see first photo). And that they did without crying, whining, or otherwise fighting.
A marvel. Playing quietly having worked their way into the basket without Dad noticing. Uh-oh, Dad now recalls the stories he has heard about twins plotting and coordinating together. All of those stories had the same theme, the two were able to accomplish great feats of evil by working together silently.
Dad gets a shiver up his spine at the thought and turns them out to find another activity to do.
Conspiracy is not allowed.
Monday, March 11, 2013
Update: 9/12ths Year Old Today!
THE New Family Twins are nine months old today, or to a tax accountant 9/12 of one year old today.
Mom had their check up appointment scheduled since their last one at 6 months. Back then they were containerized, i.e. easily transported from home to car to office in infant carrier car seats. Those are gone. They are now carried to the car and from the car to the office in Mom and Dad's arms. Loading, unloading, opening and closing a stroller is not worthwhile for these brief excursions. Especially under March's cold drizzle.
Liesel is tall and skinny and in the 90th percentile for height (29") and 25th for weight (16.5 lbs.). EJ is 75th for height (29") and 25th percentile for weight (18 lbs.). So she'll be the family's runway model and he'll be the Olympic wrestler (assuming they bring it back as a sport).
She pulls to a standing position and crawls like a champ on all fours. He is not lazy, just content to stay on the floor, and uses his massive upper body strength to pull himself around. She is four, while he is front wheel drive.
Neither experience stranger anxiety.
They are both on stage 3 solids twice per day supplemented with formula. Dr. Pedia says to increase that to 3 meals/day supplemented with solid snacks while concurrently reducing bottle feeding. The goal is 100% table food by 12/12ths months old. Dad is absolutely on board with that since he is tired of cleaning, making, and feeding bottles.
Lower two teeth have emerged while their uppers are about to push through. Dr. Pedia wants Buggy to give up her binkies. Oh boy, Bugaboo is not going to like giving up her soothing binky sucking habit. Nap times have just become noisier affairs.
Update: And boy have they. Buggy likes her pacifiers and has formally registered her protests with the Committee for Review before she will fully relinquish them. Mom, composing the en banc committee, will weigh her arguments (and Dad's implorements) and render final judgement.
Mom had their check up appointment scheduled since their last one at 6 months. Back then they were containerized, i.e. easily transported from home to car to office in infant carrier car seats. Those are gone. They are now carried to the car and from the car to the office in Mom and Dad's arms. Loading, unloading, opening and closing a stroller is not worthwhile for these brief excursions. Especially under March's cold drizzle.
Liesel is tall and skinny and in the 90th percentile for height (29") and 25th for weight (16.5 lbs.). EJ is 75th for height (29") and 25th percentile for weight (18 lbs.). So she'll be the family's runway model and he'll be the Olympic wrestler (assuming they bring it back as a sport).
She pulls to a standing position and crawls like a champ on all fours. He is not lazy, just content to stay on the floor, and uses his massive upper body strength to pull himself around. She is four, while he is front wheel drive.
Neither experience stranger anxiety.
They are both on stage 3 solids twice per day supplemented with formula. Dr. Pedia says to increase that to 3 meals/day supplemented with solid snacks while concurrently reducing bottle feeding. The goal is 100% table food by 12/12ths months old. Dad is absolutely on board with that since he is tired of cleaning, making, and feeding bottles.
Lower two teeth have emerged while their uppers are about to push through. Dr. Pedia wants Buggy to give up her binkies. Oh boy, Bugaboo is not going to like giving up her soothing binky sucking habit. Nap times have just become noisier affairs.
Update: And boy have they. Buggy likes her pacifiers and has formally registered her protests with the Committee for Review before she will fully relinquish them. Mom, composing the en banc committee, will weigh her arguments (and Dad's implorements) and render final judgement.
Saturday, March 9, 2013
The Wagon
THE Twins new wagon is assembled and ready to go. It is an early birthday present from Grandma and Grandpa Woodall.
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| EJ likes the footwell best. |
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| Liesel would prefer to walk. |
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| Buddy checks out the trailer. |
Friday, March 8, 2013
Buddy Stands Out
BY standing for long periods of time.
EJ will not pull himself upright yet, though he attempts to, but when put in an upright position, he apparently can maintain it for long periods of time.
Buggy goes up, and comes down, as she chooses having mastered pulling herself up and sitting (or falling) down at will.
There is some doubt, but by certain accounts, when the above series of photos were taken, Buddy had been upright for at least 20 minutes.
EJ will not pull himself upright yet, though he attempts to, but when put in an upright position, he apparently can maintain it for long periods of time.
Buggy goes up, and comes down, as she chooses having mastered pulling herself up and sitting (or falling) down at will.
There is some doubt, but by certain accounts, when the above series of photos were taken, Buddy had been upright for at least 20 minutes.
Hailey III
THE final series of photos Hailey took while visiting. This time we look at photo quality.
Click to see more.
Hailey uses a Canon EOS Rebel T3 for her work. It captures incredible details. Uncle Kregg's laugh lines come through beautifully in the above shot.
The manual focus allows the user to set the shot, emphasizing what is important by placing the focus on the subject. Above, a laughing Liesel's sleeper sleeve was this picture's focus (click to enlarge).
And of course, there is no Auto Focus beam to distract babies and make smiles melt into fascination.
Compare the previous focus to the one immediately above. Here her sleeper collar is sharp while all else around her is slightly out of focus.
Her photos really impress by capturing color and surfaces as the eye naturally sees it. Notice the the shiny hard plastic toys on the Exer-Saucer above contrasted against the green textured soft plastic shell itself. Dad's point and shoot (a.k.a. point, click, and get sh*t) cannot match this.
Above, Buggy samples her buzzy bee. While Liesel is not as sharp as the bee toy, one can readily see how a small adjustment of emphasis could make this photo pop.
Again Hailey uses focus to draw viewers to her subject. Above Buggy and Buddy await dinner. Buddy's impatience is more acutely seen.
Click to see more.
Hailey uses a Canon EOS Rebel T3 for her work. It captures incredible details. Uncle Kregg's laugh lines come through beautifully in the above shot.
The manual focus allows the user to set the shot, emphasizing what is important by placing the focus on the subject. Above, a laughing Liesel's sleeper sleeve was this picture's focus (click to enlarge).
And of course, there is no Auto Focus beam to distract babies and make smiles melt into fascination.
Compare the previous focus to the one immediately above. Here her sleeper collar is sharp while all else around her is slightly out of focus.
Her photos really impress by capturing color and surfaces as the eye naturally sees it. Notice the the shiny hard plastic toys on the Exer-Saucer above contrasted against the green textured soft plastic shell itself. Dad's point and shoot (a.k.a. point, click, and get sh*t) cannot match this.
Above, Buggy samples her buzzy bee. While Liesel is not as sharp as the bee toy, one can readily see how a small adjustment of emphasis could make this photo pop.
Again Hailey uses focus to draw viewers to her subject. Above Buggy and Buddy await dinner. Buddy's impatience is more acutely seen.
Thursday, March 7, 2013
Hide and Seek
"WHERE did that girl get to?" Dad wonders having only left the play area for a moment and not finding her immediately upon his return. She could not have gone far, while she is quick, she is not superhuman. Never-the-less, she was not readily visible from his vantage when he performed his well being check so he had to abandon his task and investigate further to find her.
Panic, followed by visions of worst-case-scenarios, and repetitions of self assurance quickly followed. There are stairs; they could fall; he has blocked them, but has he done so effectively?
Several steps into the play area and he thought, "It figures," having heard a chirp from an odd location.
Hiding like a sniper in the shadow of cover, she was not easy to see. Above, the flash illuminates her face but without it, she was barely visible.
Dad squats down to confront her. Acting as if nothing were amiss, she came down from her hidey-hole feigning concern for Dad's brief worry.
He expects this routine will play itself out over and over again many times in the coming years.
Panic, followed by visions of worst-case-scenarios, and repetitions of self assurance quickly followed. There are stairs; they could fall; he has blocked them, but has he done so effectively?
Several steps into the play area and he thought, "It figures," having heard a chirp from an odd location.
Hiding like a sniper in the shadow of cover, she was not easy to see. Above, the flash illuminates her face but without it, she was barely visible.
Dad squats down to confront her. Acting as if nothing were amiss, she came down from her hidey-hole feigning concern for Dad's brief worry.
He expects this routine will play itself out over and over again many times in the coming years.
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