Mommy and Me

 

  My Girls at Easter by Jay Scott on 500px

It took me way, way, too long to make a portrait of my two girls. Together, that is. I know that Angie wanted to feel that she was looking good on the day that I made the photo. We all know that Fiona always looks good. :-) At least for the five minutes that I have her attention and then it starts to drift. That's okay. As long as I'm set up and ready to get her during her best times following eating when she is just full of smiles.

This wasn't her best time and I missed focus on the best smiles because she so consistently wiggly but it's alright. I love her smiles but a little more serious face is good, also. Angie has her giggling up a storm in the living room right now. She didn't have the best nap this afternoon and that's always when it's easiest to get her giggling. For that matter, Angie and I laugh at our own silly jokes the hardest when we are very tired, before bed.

And, what would a photo session be without a nice outtake that shows her mid-laugh with those two cute little teeth showing in the bottom? I think she is working on a few more. She has been eating like a little horse, enjoying all of her milk as well as the feast she enjoyed at Easter dinner. She also had a very generous portion of the spicy pasta sauce we made the other night. I hope she continues to enjoy eating all of those delicious and adventurous things that Angie and I enjoy so much. I'm prepared to cook differently, if necessary, but it would be nice if she stayed interested in the intense flavors that Angie and I typically enjoy.

Six Month Photos

 

  Almost Six Months - 1 by Jay Scott on 500px

I just realized that I had posted these photos to 500px but not to my site. They may have been taken little while before she actually turned six months but we are calling them her six-month photos. We were planning on the messy face photo but didn't really have anything for her to eat right around that six-month anniversary mark that would resulted in a lovely comical messy baby face. Add to that that Angie and Fiona are both currently sick and now is not the optimum time for another photo.

Oh, I have ideas and they will get done but there's plenty of time and no shortage of progress photos to look back upon during this time. Just none that were specifically set up and executed to the extent that her monthly photos have been to this point.

 

  Almost Six Months - 2 by Jay Scott on 500px

The last week or so has had a lot of signs of possibly teething and extensive voice exercising. By that I mean ear piercing shrieking and squealing. Oh, she's happy but making it hard on our ears and brains. Poor Kiwi. Fiona does like her attention, and we appreciate that, but the time might be coming for her to learn to be a bit more independent for just a few seconds while we have something needing to be done. I could barely believe I'm saying that because she practically refuses being spoon fed anything, yogurt being the exception, and wants to do everything herself when it comes to meal time.

Add to that how she's able to make it across the living room and almost into the kitchen in about four minutes by rolling and we have one busy girl. I know it will only get worse and by the way that she's pushing herself up she will be crawling in no time, at all.

Time certainly does fly and I'm glad there are a lot of videos and photos to look back upon during these fleeting first months.

Frosty Apples For Ma

My mom has wanted me to make a photo of frosty berries or apples for a long time. Finally all of the conditions came together for me to be able to make a few nice shots today when I got home from some business. The early morning fog made for the hoarfrost, the wind had not blown it away, yet, it was not too far into the winter that the apples were shriveled or ugly looking, and it was in a location that I could easily get to. Though, the excuse could be made that the teleconverter I have been coveting would have made an even stronger, closer photo than these. Angie supports the purchase but perhaps I will wait a little longer to see if it's the right idea. There have been more than a few instances lately where it would be great to have more reach and that seems to say to me that this purchase would be justified.

 

  Frosty Thunderchild Crabapples 2 by Jay Scott on 500px

First, I will complete a few more shoots, think about it a little bit longer and maybe save a little bit of money from Christmas to go with birthday money to make my decision. One of my doctors believes that it would be better for my neck than the 200-400mm f/4 alternative, and be better for my mental well-being if I had that extra technology at my disposal. Unfortunately, Dr. Branimir Gjetvaj is not a medical doctor but one of genetics and ecology and an acquaintance who also knows his way around a camera so a bit of the weight behind his purchase opinion is lost there since his background isn't so much concerned directly with my health. Today, though, I was told that because of the number of times I have recently wanted more reach, in addition to giving my disabled self every advantage I can, I would be wise to consider this. Of course, neither of these guys are the ones swiping the plastic for the purchase. :-)

 

  Frosty Thunderchild Crabapples 1 by Jay Scott on 500px

Three Months Old

 

  Three Months Old by Jay Scott on 500px

Our dear daughter turned three months old today. Far ahead of the curve, in our opinion and as sweet, cooperative and agreeable as babies get.

Our love for you is limitless, Fiona Lily.

Time flies, doesn't it. During a hectic week, this was the best part. I very much enjoyed working on the photos from Saturday's excellent shoot but I have a verbal NDA with the family so I'll need to wait awhile to share them. What I can say is that I have at least one new portfolio shot from the day which means it was a successful shoot.

Today during our Costco run we bumped into a real estate agent I had worked with in the past. He was great and it was good to see him, say hello and catch up briefly. He's been monitoring me on Facebook and inquired about a family session so there might be another short notice shoot to try and get the photos made and ready for Christmas cards this year.

Because of that I had best quit rambling and try to scratch a few more things off of the to do list, including getting him the information he wanted. Tomorrow's exercise with Paul takes priority but the afternoon will mean resuming that ever-growing list to see if I can complete an item or two faster than what is added to it.

At some point this winter I may even have a video compilation of Fiona to share. However, that will require many more hours of work using software I'm not familiar with so, no promises. :-)

This Picture is Worth Many More than a Thousand Words

August 9 is the estimated date.

Without a doubt, I'll keep you posted. :)

Happy Canada Day from Kiwi!

Long Awaited Breakfast

Yesterday morning, while enjoying some coffee and sun on the deck, I heard a distressed buzzing beside us. It sounded like a fly caught in a spiderweb. It was a small wasp.

After days of rain, and little insect activity outside, I imagine the spiders were getting hungry. This catch will keep him fed for awhile.

Arachnid's Breakfast by Jay Scott