Move over, Anne Geddes

 Kaufman Photography

Lily is a rather opinionated (and inflexible) baby, and hasn’t really cared for it when I’ve tried to get my Anne Geddes on. Turns out she doesn’t enjoy being folded in half and and tied in an adorable bow or being planted in the garden alongside the hydrangeas. Also, she’s a really light sleeper.

I have been unsatisfied with my attempts to capture Lily’s charm on camera – my pictures (mostly of her mid spit-up)  just don’t do her justice, but I didn’t want to have another horrible experience at the mall.

Thank goodness for the lovely and talented Kate Kaufman (of Kaufman photography).

Kate is not only an awesome photographer, she is also a baby whisperer – a necessary skill in the field of newborn photography.   I was nervous Lily wouldn’t cooperate during her newborn session, but Kate (also and obviously a mother as well) was soooo patient.   She used her magic to turn Lily into putty.  It was awesome (and I learned a couple tricks for calming babies). 

To top it all off, I had a great time during the session.  I was frazzled and tired when I came to Kate’s house, and it was so nice to just relax in her home studio and talk to her about the joy and anxiety and exhaustion and awesomeness associated with procreating.  I highly recommend her to those in the Boston area!

Here are some more of my favorite shots (though it was hard to pick):

Kaufman Photography

Kaufman Photography

Kaufman Photography

Thank you, Kate!

Token baby-comparison post

I hate to do it, but I have to.

It’s a tricky comparison because Squiggles (top, 9 weeks) was born 6 weeks early and Lily (bottom, 6 weeks) was born only 2 weeks early.  But we still think they look quite similar, other than the fact that Lily weighs as much now as Squiggles did when she turned a year old.   :)

I’m rather fond of these girls, incidentally.

Move over, Maslow.

We have been (half-heartedly) trying to explain the difference between want and need to Squiggles.  I can’t say we’ve had much success  - her earnest list of “needs” is constantly expanding.  Just a sample:

• My need to eat Oreo-yo-yo-yo-yos for breakfast.
  
• My need to drink Daddy’s Diet Coke.
  
• My need to NOT be careful on the stairs.
  
• My need to jump on Daddy’s belly.
  
• My need to pick my nose.
  
• My need to put my hand in my milk.
  
• My need to jump on Daddy’s computer.
  
• My need to pick Mommy’s nose.
  
• My need to poke Baby Sister’s eyeballs.
  
• My need to give Baby Sister some licorice.
  
• My need to NOT go to bed right now.
  
• My need to put my hands in the toilet.

It’s all fun and games ‘til the moped tips over

To celebrate Lily’s arrival on Earth, 

we had ourselves a barbecue in my parents’ ginormous backyard.

At first, things were relatively calm. 

 

There were lots of trampoline tricks, and the kids were super impressed that Bill could jump on the trampoline with his prosthetic leg (no photo, unfortunately).

Then the kids asked for wagon rides. Farmer Darin made a grand appearance and drove the kids around the yard (a Dickey party tradition).

But then somebody left the key around and the kids decided to drive. 

Which was actually no big deal… they do it all the time. 

Then… Uncle Michael found Lance’s decrepit moped and folks took turns taking a spin about the yard.

Wait… who let the kids drive???

There may have been a small crash of sorts when the moped hit a dip in the lawn.  Rumor has it that the girls flew several feet through the air and that their fathers ran at lightning speed to the site of the crash.  Luckily, the girls walked away with minor scratches and bruises.

Not to be outdone, Squiggles and Lucy also found thrill-riding devices.

But wildest of all was Grandma Lynette.

Blessed.

This past Sunday, we had a blessing ceremony for Lily at my parents’ church.  Lots of family and friends traveled to join us, and my dad (Grandpa Dave) gave Lily a beautiful blessing.

Photos by the fabulous Miss Sarah and Miss Karen.

Sweet Smell of (White) Pines

I’ve been too long away from this wild open sky
On the concrete trails that wind through canyons dark and wide
……………………..
Now the dust lies thick and heavy where my feet are falling
There’s nothing but the sound of the Jaybirds calling
~Kate Wolf, Sweet Smell of Pines

Yesterday we hiked the eight-mile mountainous trail from Tony Grove to White Pine Lake.  I always find it therapeutic to be so far from the madding crowd that all you can hear is the breeze softly rustling flowers and leaves.

Tim took Squiggles - thanks for the backpack, Mike and Jill!

I took Lily – thanks for the Ergo infant insert, Aneesa!

And it wouldn’t have been as fun if we hadn’t brought Grandma (who stole my Ergo and carried Lily part of the hike).

And Grandpa (who was a good sport and helped Squiggles when she insisted on hiking a section instead of riding in the backpack).

The scenery did not disappoint.

I deemed the day a grand success, even though I could barely walk when we got home.

The Grove

It was a little scandalous that Lily was 3 1/2 weeks old and had never even been to Tony Grove.  Even worse – Tim was (thirty-something) and had never been. So we fixed that.

Squiggles has been on several large watercraft, but this was her first time kayaking.

She didn’t like it.

We can generally gage her level of discomfort by how long and how fast she sucks her thumb. 

She did, however, enjoy making lemonade with Grandpa.

And throwing rocks in the lake.

Lily loved the wilderness, obviously.