My Photography Rebirth

I got my official start in photography during my senior year of high school.  I took B&W photography as an art elective and the I took a few more B&W photography classes in college as well.  I then took a LONG hiatus from anything but the occasional snapshot because I did not have access to a dark room.  I really wish I could get back into a dark room...I do miss that.

Fast forward a few years and for some reason I decided to buy Photoshop.  I LOVE photoshop...it is the most fascinating program....at least to me.  Playing in photoshop became like a stress reliever but still I only had a point and shoot and an old one at that.  I think the thing was like 4.5 megapixels....blah!!

Fast forward again to the birth of my daughter and the dust being brushed off of my camera and the return of the photag itch.  I longed for a "real" camera but we just couldn't afford one.  So I made due with my old P&S.

 

 

Then I decided to gather up some of my Christmas money and get a new point and shoot.  I was happy with my increase of megapixels but still limited.

Then in June Aaron decided that for my birthday we would take the plunge and get the DSLR I had been longing for.  I almost cried when we spent the money and felt so guilty about it but we knew that we would save in not having to pay to have pictures taken of her.  We saw it as an investment and it was just in time for a Father's Day shoot which was my first "session" with Ava.

Then on New Years Day I had this crazy idea that a 365 blog would be a great way to push myself and to grow.  I have already learned a lot of new things, gotten myself completely out of auto, and tried some new techniques.  I think I'll try to dig out some of my old B&W portfolio pieces to share.  Maybe I'll hunt those down Friday. 

Day Sixty-Two

Home Cookin' and more visitors...

Wednesday's are a little tougher because I have an evening class so I have to make sure we stick to a strict schedule during the day.  I like to make sure Ava gets in a good nap before I go because it makes things go smoother for Aaron,  He gets home around 3:20pm which is when I need to walk out the door.  I don't get back home until after 8:00pm so I also like to make sure dinner is on the stove and ready to eat when I leave.  This normally limits my options to soup or crockpot meals.  Today I decided to make chili but felt like we just had chili a few weeks ago so I used shredded chicken breast instead of ground beef for a change.  I just boiled the breasts in homemade stock before preparing the chili.  Here is a photo of the ingredients.  There is no set recipe...just depends on what is in the pantry.

I don't have a photo of the finished product but it was Oh so yummy and hit the spot after class :)

After I got all of the ingredients in the pot it was time to get Ava down for her nap.  She was pretty tired by this point so it didn't take long.  I love those types of days.  While she napped I figured I would attempt some shots of some more visitors that stopped by.  Today it was geese and these two guys hung out in the yard literally all day.  It's nice and flooded so there are plenty of worms surfacing so the eatins' good. 

I have been spotted....don't think he saw me as a threat since I was inside.

I wish I had used this lens (55-200mm) the other day with the turkey instead of the one I typically use (18-55mm) because I was able to get a much closer shot.  I was too lazy to go downstairs though.  This is still not as close as I would have liked but with the lenses I have I would have had to walk half way across the yard and then they would have left.  Still I am pretty happy with my shots.

The deer have been coming out too late in the evening to catch them but as soon as they start surfacing earlier I will share a photo of them.  I love the local wildlife. 

Day Sixty-One

The star of the show...

It was pretty late by the time I got around to taking pictures.  I am a master procrastinator but that was not the problem today.  My forgetfulness was the problem today because I completely forgot that the battery died on my camera last night which meant I had to wait until the battery charged. 

We went out to Bed Bath and Beyond while it charged.  We got a new bath rug thing; exciting I know.  So exciting that it will be the feature of the photos today.

...then Ava stole the show...or at least stole the frame.

...then she raided Mommy's make up drawer...

 

...and stole Mommy's make up brush.

 

Just another little moment in our world :)

Day Sixty

Warmth....

It's ironic that the snow days we had, have caused people to now crunch to make up for the lost time.  To work twice as fast to fit it all in.  It's ironic that because of the snow days I find myself longing for another snow day.  I would love a snow day to lay under the blankets and watch a few movies and enjoy my beautiful daughter and her amazing father.  My family!!! 

So it's kind of like craving chocolate on a chocolate free diet.  You find a bunch of fake chocolate products and with each bite are disappointed that it doesn't taste like chocolate however you take another bite because maybe, just maybe, the next bite will.  Ok, well maybe if you have never been on a chocolate free diet then you might not be able to relate but let me just tell you...it SUCKS!!!

So tonight my craving was not food related but weather related.  I figured that maybe if I looked into the fire long enough it might make it snow.  Ok, well I didn't really think that would work but I figured maybe I could convince myself it was snowing.  It did not really work out that well and neither did my shots.  In typical Monday fashion my battery died before I could get my settings completely worked out.  The shots aren't bad they just aren't what I was going for.  Ahh...it's Monday...what else is there to say.

Now I am off to grab a square or two of TJ's dark chocolate because thanks to my post I am craving chocolate too.

Day Fifty-Nine

Bathroom Extras...

Today we made a run out to BabiesRUs to get a few needed and soon to be needed bathroom accessories.  Ava has taken a liking to the stand up shower which I don't mind but she likes to march around and the floor is slippery.  So the solution is a shower mat and here is the little miss trying it out.  She had to get in right away...I barely had enough time to remove her socks.

She approved and had a much safer shower tonight so score for that.

Let's see....we also have started to notice that missy wakes up dry every morning and is wet within ten minutes of being up.  So we got her a potty chair so I can start putting her on it in the mornings.  I don't plan to rush her and my real goal is to start potty training at 18 months.  However since she is waking up dry I am going to see how things go.  We also got her an extra for Nana's house since Nan already mentioned needing one soon.  I can't believe how fast they grow up.  A part of me will be sad to not have to change her diapers any more...well, when that time comes.  

Day Fifty-Eight

Precious sleep....

When you have a child your first and probably hardest lesson is how to function on little to no sleep.  You can no longer nap or lay down just because you're tired.  In fact, you will most likely go to sleep hours after you should have and wake up hours before you're ready to.  Sleep is no longer a necessity but a luxury and as a nursing Momma it was deprivation times ten.  Nursing your baby takes more energy than most people realize because your body becomes a machine; working around the clock.  It is busy meeting your babies every need so not only are you just tired but your body needs rest.

One of the greatest tricks I have learned as a Mom is how to efficiently power nap.  I'm talking closing your eyes for fifteen minutes and actually feeling refreshed.  That was something I never knew how to do prior to being a Mom.

Today we set up our new mattress set.  We got it back during the snow storm and haven't been able to get it in the house.  It has been sitting in the garage but today we got it in.  So tonight I should enjoy a good nights sleep.  Sleep is a parents greatest gift to themselves.    

 

Day Fifty-Seven

Another First...

Today I got Ava's hair up into her first official ponytail.  We have managed piggy's and half pony's but this was a first.  She looks absolutely adorable.  I just have to share an overload of pictures in honor of the pony.

 

 

 

  

 

Makes your heart melt doesn't it.