Day 181 {Thrilled about Thursday}

I was inspired by Melissa's top 5 picks for this quarter.  You should check them out, they're amazing!  Anyway, I tried my hand at capturing catchlights tonight...so hard when your model would rather play than stand still! ;)  I feel like I'm still having issues with this focus thing.  I even focused this one on her nearest eye and I continue to think it's slightly blurry.  I realize it could be in part to my zoom kit lens (instead of using a prime), but do you have any other recommendations??

(1/160s; f/4; ISO: 800; focal length: kit lens--28.1mm)

Day 180

Our first little girl...

(1/320s; f/4.5; ISO: 1600; focal length: kit lens--40mm)

Day 179 {True to Tuesday}

Our beautiful baby girl!  She's just too cute for words, at least in my opinion!  ;)  So, I cheated a little today and actually cropped this one slightly.  I've been finding it hard to frame a good shot when she's twirling around.  I need to practice!  Also, still feel like I've got this focus thing off...seems slightly blurry to me, what do you think? 

SOOC--kind of (cropped and added watermark)

(1/125s; f/4.5; ISO: 800; focal length: kit lens--40mm)

Oh, and for those of you waiting to hear the sex of baby number two...sorry, not only would the baby not cooperate last night, but we want to make it a surprise!  You'll just have to wait with the rest of us until November! ;)

Day 178 {Monday Me}

We're half-way there!!  We reached 20 weeks yesterday and all is well.  The ultrasound is tonight, so we'll all get to see the little baby in his/her element!  Can't wait.  I think that the lighting and the fact that I focused on something before jumping in front of the camera (plus upping the f-stop) helped with the focus today.  I only took 50 pictures before settling on this one!  What do you think?  What do you see in focus?

(1/100s; f/7.1; ISO: 400; focal length: kit lens--28.1mm)

Day 177

Catching fireflies with Daddy is good way to spend the evening!  If only they'd light up in the jar...oh well, makes the release all the better! ;)

(1/80s; f/4; ISO: 1600; focal length: kit lens--30.6mm)

Day 176

Bath time with friends is much more fun!

(1/60s; f/4; ISO: 3200; focal length: kit lens--24.4mm)

Day 175

Trying out a new fondant recipe today in hopes that this will be the one we use on her birthday cake...coming up in less than two weeks!!

(1/50s; f/4; ISO: 1600; focal length: kit lens--26.3mm)

Day 174 {Thrilled about Thursday}

For those of you who saw yesterday's post, we weren't really sure what had happened to her arm.  She and Daddy were playing a game on his shoulders and when he went to take her down, she started crying.  Typically she's a very tough kid, tougher than most I've seen...she just rolls with the punches.  But, even when she stopped crying this one seemed to bother her.  She favored it all night, and held it close to her body.  We did what we thought was a thorough check for broken bones and determined it might be a sprained wrist, since she kept pointing to her mid-forearm.  We iced it, wrapped it, gave her some Tylenol, put her to bed and she slept through the night with one tiny wake-up.  This morning, it still bothered her, so I took her in to the doctor who determined she had a dislocated elbow!!  WHAT??!!  I don't even know how she slept last night with her elbow popped out of place. That's our little trooper, no tears.

So, while I held her, the doctor popped her elbow back in (and I definitely heard that one)!  Within 30 sec. she stopped crying (no lie), and within five minutes she was climbing back into the car ready for a bike ride.  I can't believe her, so brave and strong!!

(1/1250s; f/4.0; ISO: 800; focal length: kit lens--30.6mm)

Day 173

Someone had a bit of an accident today, playing a little too hard with Daddy.  Dr. Mommy applied the wrap and Dr. Daddy provided a good deal of love and kisses.  Hopefully just a slight sprain, but it may require a real doctor's check tomorrow.

(1/40s; f/3.5; ISO: 3200; focal length: kit lens--18mm) 

Day 172 {True to Tuesday}

We headed to a local farm today and spotted this guy right next to the hen house!  His plumage was massive!!

SOOC minus watermark addition

(1/640s; f/5.6; ISO: 800; focal length: kit lens--50mm)

Day 171 {Monday Me}

Where am I, you ask?  Well, I decided I had to get a shot of this beautiful flower before the heat wave comes along and it is no longer.  My husband and daughter actually gave this to me last Easter (2010) and I planted it outside, knowing full and well that my track record for transferred plants is pretty glum.  However, the other day, we spotted this guy with a huge bloom ready to pop open and here it is...just a few months shy of Easter!

(1/125s; f/5.6; ISO: 1600; focal length: kit lens--55mm)

I have not been thinking about what my settings are lately except for the ISO and exposure reading.  I need to get back in the habit of checking everything...ugh!

Day 170

Giving Daddy a ride on her train...

(1/100s; f/5.6; ISO: 800; focal length: kit lens--50mm)

Day 169

We headed out to a local balloon festival today.  Got there right on time to see the balloons fly off into the distance...pretty neat!  Then we of course had our fill of BBQ sandwiches, fresh cut fries and an orange cremesicle icee.

(1/640s; f/5.6; ISO: 200; focal length: kit lens--50mm)

Day 168

Someone got some new shoes.  Since then, she's been running all over the place because they're her 'running shoes' and she barely even takes them off to go to sleep.  Guess I made a good purchase!

(1/100s; f/5.6; ISO: 400; focal length: kit lens--55mm)

Day 167 {Thrilled about Thursday}

I'm so happy to have found a prop that makes this little girl pose for anything (almost).

(1/160s; f/5; ISO: 400; focal length: kit lens--37.5mm)

Day 166

I learned that sometimes things happen slightly by mistake.  I was trying to take some cute pictures of our little girl outside during the 'golden hour' and noticed that there was some great haze effect lighting coming through my viewfinder.  So, I snapped away.  Little did I realize until later that, I also captured some colorful lens flare.  Live and learn, right??!! ;)

(1/100s; f/5; ISO: 800; focal length: kit lens--32.5mm)

Day 165 {True to Tuesday}

He went for a walk AND to the dog park today.  So, this is what he looks like when he's done!

SOOC minus watermark addition

(1/50s; f/4.5; ISO: 1600; focal length: kit lens--40mm)

Day 164 {Monday Me}

I'm still having the darndest time with focusing on self-shots.  I think I should up my f-stop to get more in focus, what do you think??  I need time to take over 200, but couldn't manage to squeeze that in during naptime today.  Next Monday...I'll try!

Here we are at 18 weeks!!

(1/80s; f/3.5; ISO: 1600; focal length: 18mm)

Day 163

I cleaned all the windows today...whoo-hoo!  So, now I can use my spare time sewing Siena's new napmat for when she returns to preschool (gasp) in the Fall.  I couldn't resist these cute monkey fabrics.  I swear, I could waste my life savings in Jo-Ann fabric...I get sucked in every time I walk into that store (luckily for us--and our money, I don't walk in all that often)!

(1/80s; f/4; ISO: 1600; focal length: kit lens--28.1mm)

Day 162

We headed to a kid's festival for a fireworks show tonight!  I should have re-read some info on 'how to shoot fireworks' before heading out, but didn't have time.  I suppose we'll see some more before too long! ;)

(1/80s; f/4; ISO: 800; focal length: kit lens--21.3mm)

Day 161

For some reason, every time I come to this one particular park/ballfield, I'm drawn to these volleyball courts.  They sit there, lonely, overlooking the green luscious trees and the red farmhouse.  The colors just catch your eye every time.

(1/60s; f/5.6; ISO: 200; focal length: kit lens--47.5mm) 

Day 160 {Thrilled about Thursday}

I love that she's excited about monkey bars, those things are tough as an adult...have you tried them recently?!  Guess I need to work on my arm strength!  Note to self, in this picture: make sure you have a spotter when attempting to take shots of your monkey bar enthusiast solo!

(1/500s; f/3.5; ISO: 200; focal length: kit lens--18mm)

Day 159

What's the best way to eat a raspberry?  This way, of course...

(1/500s; f/3.5; ISO: 200; focal length: kit lens--18mm)

I learned that she doesn't always have to be in front of the camera for me to like the shot.  She's cute from behind too! ;)

Check out what others are learning...

Day 158 {True to Tuesday}

Wishing Daddy good luck at his baseball game!

SOOC minus watermark addition

(1/640s; f/4; ISO: 200; focal length: kit lens--24.4mm)

Day 157 {Monday Me}

When she's older, I hope that she'll have someone she loves take her for long walks on the beach, candlelit dinners on the back porch, bonfires for roasting marshmallows, and picnics in the sun.  For now, she'll have to resort to Mom and Dad treating her to such romantic dates! ;)

(1/320s; f/4; ISO: 400; focal length: kit lens--28.1mm)

Day 156

Let me just preface this picture by saying that this little girl's grandpa has been known to eat somewhere near 10 ears of corn in one sitting.  And he's a fit guy too...loves his corn.  So, I'm sure he couldn't be happier to know that his corncob passion has been passed along to his granddaughter!  She ate two (small) ears herself tonight!!!

(1/640s; f/4; ISO: 800; focal length: kit lens--28.1mm)

Day 155

I love this guy...

(1/500s; f/5.6; ISO: 200; focal length: kit lens--50mm)

Day 154

There's not much else that says pregnant like a jar of pickles, except maybe ice cream (and God knows I'm a sucker for that!!). 

(1/60s; f/4; ISO: 1600; focal length: kit lens--32.5mm)

Day 153 {Thrilled about Thursday}

I had really good intentions of getting some silhouette shots tonight, but someone wanted to roll down the hill instead.  That's fine, I'm just a happy momma when we can spend our days outside in the sunshine and do silly things like get grass stains on our knees.  Does life get any better?

(1/160s; f/5.6; ISO: 200; focal length: kit lens--47.5mm)

Day 152

Adios, Texas.  We'll miss you...sure was a good trip!  Be back soon!!

(1/80s; f5.6; ISO: 800; focal length: kit lens--55mm)

Day 151 {Tuesday Me}

I was thrilled that we got to go to Sea World.  Lately when we've visited we've either been way too busy, or it's been in the winter.  So, Shamu here we come/came!

They have a new Sesame Street Place inside Sea World, now, which is where we spent a great deal of time!!

 

(1/100s; f/4.0; ISO: 200; focal length: kit lens--35mm)

But we did manage to see the dolphins...

 (1/320s; f/4; ISO: 400; focal length: kit lens--55mm)

and, of course, the star of the show...

 

(1/200s; f/4.5; ISO: 400; focal length: kit lens--39.7mm)

Day 150

We couldn't leave Mimi and Tata's without a ride on Cochis!  Guess our little girl is a cowgirl afterall.  You can take the girl out of Texas, but you can't take Texas out of the girl!! ;)

(1/800s; f/5.6; ISO: 200; focal length: kit lens--55mm)

Then we made the obligatory run to the market in San Antonio to get some good Mexican food.  I feel bad for these northeasterners, they just don't know what good Mexican is!! 

(1/400s; f/4.5; ISO: 800; focal length: kit lens--35mm)

Day 149

A birthday party just isn't complete without a surprise visit from some mariachis!!  Siena had a blast twirling her skirt and dancing to the music, as did we all!  Happy birthday, Tata!!

(1/20s; f/5.6; ISO: 1600; focal length: kit lens--20mm) 

I cheated and used my flash! 

(0.8s; f/4.0; ISO: 1600; focal length: kit lens--21.3mm)

I kinda liked the motion in this shot!

Day 148

One nice thing about Texas...there are boys toys at her Mimi and Tata's house (Daddy's parents)!!  This is her excited face--really, she's having fun!

(1/640s; f/4; ISO: 200; focal length: kit lens--32.5mm)

Day 147

We're back...here are our times in Texas

The three of us joined up with both of our families for a great evening of nice weather, cool breezes, live music and good times a the Gristmill in Gruene.  I just love that town (below is their water tower)...highly recommended if you are traveling through central Texas.  Next stop, Austin for a big birthday party!

(1/50s; f/4.5; ISO: 3200; focal length: kit lens--37.5mm)