Sup-ah Dup-ah Wide!

Our sixth anniversary came just recently and while I was away at my workshop Toby picked up me a super fun present - a wide angle lens. I currently have a lens that goes pretty wide but this one is even wider...supah dupah wide! Unless you want the whole room in your picture, you have to get pretty darn close to your subject. This creates some funny warping effects around the edges of the frame. Totally fun for a toddler. Robbie greatly enjoyed letting me take a picture and then let him look at it. He was also fond of showing me his toys so that he could then look at them on my LCD and say "Trat-er" (tractor) or "James!".

Robbie laying on me watching TV. I took this myself - gotta love the capability of wide angle.

Don't Say Cheese

I am so glad I haven't forced Robbie to smile for the camera - even though I've taken a billion photos of him. Now that he can start to understand basic directions like "hold up your stickers" he will do it without breaking into a crazed Charles Manson smile like so many kids are programmed to do. It's a long way from being the perfect model but at least he doesn't have that Pavlovian response to a lens that (as someone who photographs a lot of people) drives me crazy.

Just Like Mom

Recently Robbie has discovered how to say (ie: Beg For) chocolate. I'm not sure which came first - learning the word or deciding it was the single greatest flavor on earth, but he's mastered the word and has learned that the flavor can be applied to everything.

Before bath time it's "chot-lit!" meaning "put some of that sugary syrup in my milk, please". After dinner it's "chot-lit!" meaning "hey get one of those Healthy Choice fudge pops out of the freezer for me please!" This morning it was "chot-lit" which I could only understand must have meant "give me chocolate, not breakfast Woman!".

We compromised.


Yep, that is chocolate syrup on pancakes. It only took about a teaspoon. I think I'm going to rename chocolate syrup to "Get-your-toddler-to-eat-syrup".

A boy and his trains

Its been entirely too long since I posted - I am sorry!

I'll just jump right in with the latest pictures, taken yesterday morning while Robbie was still in his sweet SpiderMan (or as he says "spuh-man") jammies. Everyone who knows Robbie already knows he loves trains! He has many of the engines and cars in the Thomas collection - thanks to two overly indulgent parents and some help from "Grummy" and "Grumpy".

Over-indulgence aside, I can't feel too guilty because he does play with them every day without fail. He never gets tired of them.
I recently started trying a reward system for good behavior that involves stickers. The problem was I didn't want stickers all over my furniture so I bought two metal boxes perfect for holding trains....

Every time he does something without having to be beaten...I mean...asked forty-five times, he can pick a sticker. We have a wide selection but he has a one-track mind and likes to run through all the stickers in one collection (see if you can figure out which) before trying any others.

He's been good...a lot.






















Robbie and his new favorite engine, James.

Putting James in "the Box".

Family Photos

What family photo session would be complete without at least one runny nose and one uncooperative party? Well we were in luck because we had Robbie to stand and shout "no no no no no!" and Toby to refuse to sit down because of all the "homeless pee". For the record, the "homeless pee" was any stain on the concrete.

A big thanks to Kim for taking our pictures (we love them) and putting up with our oddities.

Fall Fun

Mud Cakes

For anyone who doesn't know - we have no yard. We moved into a new house and landscaping is
still in progress but Robbie doesn't seem to mind. He loves to dig in the dirt, dump dirt on his own head, eat the dirt, etc. One day recently he was playing with the garden house and filled a sprinkler ditch with water - then fell in. I attempted to take his muddy clothes off and take him in the house but he would have none of it - and I gave up after I got his shorts off. Rather than fight it, I let him play in the dirt and grabbed my camera.

So much like dad

There is a picture of Toby when he was about two. It is in black and white and this picture looks exactly like Toby...but it's Robbie. I'll have to dig out Toby's and post them side by side. I can't believe how much like a boy he is starting to look and how little like a baby (pause for sniffling).

A Boy and His Dad

I snapped this shot of robbie sitting by Toby's legs while we waited for the Grantsville 4th of July parade to get rolling.

Nemo, Nemo, Nemo, Nemo, Nemo and Marlin Junior.

Robbie's first pets are six little fish that he likes to supervise. Each time I feed them he says "more, more, more" - I guess he thinks they are still hungry...or maybe he just likes to watch them eat.

Peanut Butter & Crackers

Robbie loves those handy snacks with the crackers and peanut butter. But - he throws the crackers on the floor and gives himself a peanut butter facial.

Beating the Heat - Father's Day

The Underwear Necklace

Who knows why kids do the things they do? Jelly sandwiches in the VCR, peeing in the heating registers, flushig cell phones, I've heard a few stories. What I haven't heard of is a toddler having a fascination with wearing his father's clean underwear (swiped from the folding pile) around his neck. This was no fluke - I kept taking them back and returning them to the pile. Each time, Robbie would take them back, put them around his neck and go about his day. Finally, I had to take a picture for future....blackmail.
I think what's funniest about this photo is his little "thumbs up".

Big Boy "Briches"

These jeans are Robbie's first "Big Boy Jeans" meaning, they aren't made from flimsy baby denim that's highly flexible and soft. No, these jeans are made out of the same stuff we wear and, on a tiny frame are so stiff that he can barely raise his legs higher than a few inches. It sounds like a bad thing, but with his recent fascination with dirt, rocks, stickery shrubs and, in general, things that hurt - these jeans came just in time.

Dirty Mouth? Clean it Up!

Rough and Tumble Kid

At fourteen months, Robbie has decided he likes dirt. It must be bred into their genes, because very few boys don't like dirt. Most like to get dirty - mud fights, off-roading, etc. Robbie likes all that stuff and more. He likes to eat dirt...or at least sample it.

Happy First Birthday Robbie!

It's hard to believe a year has already passed, but tomorrow Robbie will be one year old. To celebrate, we had a little "photo shoot" in the basement studio. Sometimes he found this amusing, sometimes not.

See more at Flickr

Happy Halloween - beware the wild insects

This year we couldn't agree what Robbie should be. I said "Bumblebee" because it's the only year that I get to make him be something cute. By 2007 he'll already be deciding for himself that he wants to be Bob the Builder or a dragon or who knows what. This year he should be cute.
Toby wanted him to be a Pirate because "Bees are gay". I'm sure the bee community would argue that point, but then when you think about bee society - millions of males and only one female...maybe he's on to something.
Since we both knew Robbie wasn't about to wear an eye patch, Toby bought him a 'coon skin cap and now he has two costumes: Davie Crockett and a Bee.

The Rock Star Life

Last weekend Toby and I took some "alone time" and Robbie stayed with "Grummy and Grumpy" while we went to Jackson Hole.

While we were there, the Gap in town had this really adorable outfit on clearance (which at the Gap means it's still about 40% more than you'd pay at Target) that was so cute we couldnt' resist.

So here he is- Robbie, the Future Rock Star.

As is typical of us anytime we get time alone, we spent it shopping for Robbie. He came away like a bandit with a new monkey, a license plate with his name, a submarine, a sweatshirt, two shirts, a pair of jeans and I can't even recall what else.

Robbie the flying wonder baby

Last week we went to Oregon on vacation - partly to visit family and partly to avoid the virtual certainty of a nervous breakdown if I had to spend another week working.

We got to go to the beach one day and Robbie got his first taste of dipping his toes in the ocean, eating Marionberry ice cream and ... sandruff.

In, all I think he had a good time (except perhaps when we were pouring bottled water of his feet and butt in a pathetic attempt to wash away some of the sand)

My son - the model.

Is he an Old Navy model? Or is his mother just spending way too much time working?

The Big Little Man

robbie-orange-shirt
Originally uploaded by Robbiekins.

He almost looks like a little boy in his "big boy" clothes. The shorts Grummy Kathy bought him are a perfect match with his little orange polo shirt.

Say what?

robbie-duh
Originally uploaded by Robbiekins.

Today I had a few moments to try to take some pictures of Robbie so I moved fast and grabbed a sheet out of the dryer, tossed aside his diaper (at my own risk) and plopped him down on my photo table for a few snap shots. Of course, no little session would be complete without at least one hilarious expression.
I call this one "You want me to do what?!"

Soggy or water logged

robbie-drool
Originally uploaded by Robbiekins.

This little boy has been a drool factory for over a month now. It started with the appearance of his first two teeth under the surface of his gums (they look like tiny white dashes) but it just keeps on going and the teeth never break through. He doesn't seem too bothered by it, but he goes through four outfits a day - and that's not counting changes caused by diaper issues.

I defy you to show me a cuter child

robbie-tummy1
Originally uploaded by Robbiekins.

Yeah ok, maybe I'm slightly biased...but even from a non-biased, purely photography professional's perspective...this kid is dang cute! But, because he's my kid he's the cutest baby on earth....past ,present or future.

We like him a bit...we may keep him.

A Very Big Week

This week Robbie turned four months old and, if that weren't enough, he started cutting two new little teeth on his bottom gums. And if that weren't enough, he learned to roll over...but that part was more traumatic than the teeth, I'm afraid.

This morning I put him down in my office on a couple of his baby quilts that I usually lay him on to play for a while when I am working. I ran upstairs to see Toby off to work and heard him crying. I thought it was just the usual "how dare you leave me alone, woman?" crying so I didn't run immediately downstairs. When I did get down there about 30 seconds later I was so surprised to see him face down on my plastic floor mat (the kind that protect the carpet from chair wheels) that I said "Oh My God!"

Unfortunately Toby hadn't quite left yet and he heard me say it. He came flying down the stairs thinking who knows what (that I'd left the baby on a high surface and he'd fallen, maybe). It was funny to me, but it took him a minute to put his stomach back in the right place.

Rolling back to front is no problem...but apparently back to front uses a different skill set.

Sweet Pea Siesta

siesta2
Originally uploaded by Robbiekins.

He loves his vibrating chair....only slightly less than he loves being bare foot...only slightly less than he loves being outside. Put them together and you've got a winning combination.

Ace Ventura, Pet Detective

siesta-kitty
Originally uploaded by Robbiekins.

You know that scene in Ace Ventura...when he comes into his apartment and all the animals flock to him and the music comes to a crescendo...

I feel a little like that when I work outside. I sit on the patio with my laptop and the baby...and the cat stops by...then the dogs sneak onto the patio and soon I'm surrounded by small creatures who seem drawn to me by some magnetic force. Or, maybe its just because they all recognize me as the bringer of chow.

Livin' La Vida Loca

Robbie in Hammock
Originally uploaded by Robbiekins.

Life is tough for me as a baby. So much eating, sleeping, smiling, being carried everywhere. It's enough to wear a guy out. So, at the end of the day I have to spend a few minutes relaxing in mom's mother's day present - the hammock. It's a tough life, but little moments like this make it all worthwile.

This is getting to be ridiculous

I'm sure if he could talk he'd tell me to stop dressing him up like my personal play thing. I'm sure if he had the articulation of an adult he'd have a lot of things to say...like:
1. Milk is good and all...but how about an Oreo now and then to go with it?
2. Bath time is good...we should do that more often. Like every other hour. But why don't you turn the heater on so that when you get me out, the air is a toasty 85 degrees?
3. I don't need socks. I know you think I do, but I don't. If my feet get a little cold, I'll deal with it. If the dogs lick my feet, I'll deal with it. Actually, I like that last part. You should let the dogs in the house sometimes.
4. That hammock you brought home is nice. Just prop a bottle in my mouth and put me out there in the morning. I'll be good to go for at least an hour.
5. I wish these darn arms would do what I want. I could get all kinds of things in my mouth then. I've got my eye on that bluetooth headset.

This little piggy

piggies
Originally uploaded by Robbiekins.

With feet that pink and cherubic, it's almost a crime to make him wear socks.

Where's The Baby?

camoflage
Originally uploaded by Robbiekins.

If ever I cannot find my son, or (heaven forbid) I accidently step on him, it will be because the clever kid blends in with his environment.

I guess really he can't take all the credit...some of it has to go to me, the person who dresses him in these ridiculous outfits that blend in with the surfaces he naps on.

Puppy Dog Leisure Suit

puppydog-suit
Originally uploaded by Robbiekins.

When else in life can you get away with wearing an outfit of matching prints, top and bottom? Perhaps in senility...but in either case some one else is dressing you and having a good laugh at your expense.

Jeepin

jeepin
Originally uploaded by Robbiekins.

Yesterday we went to The Gateway (an outdoor shopping center and condo community) to shoot some Senior pictures of Toby's cousin and a friend of hers. We took Robbie with us and Toby wore him in his little Jeep chest carrier. It was very sunny, so Toby's Aunt Karen bought Robbie a little Tiggr hat at Gymboree. Toby was shooting over Robbie's head and I happened to turn around and take this shot of Robbie peeking out from his papoose.