My child the animal.

When I went to walk Chance, Aiden let himself in to Chance's home. He shut the door himself, and I found him in there when I came back inside. He fought me to stay in there, and cried when I took him out. For being such a "good boy" I made sure to give him a "treat" for good behavior! *bow wow*

103.8

Just got home from the ER with Aiden. They second day of his new daycare and already they had to call, and said he had a 103.8 fever. I called the dr. but they weren't taking any more appointments, so I took him to the ER for our monthly double ear infection. They sent us on our way with an antibiotic and a suppository to lower his fever, as usual.

I can't wait for him to get his tubes in. But in the mean time, he got an adorable peach shirt at the hospital because he puked all over me when they tried to get him to take Tylenol by mouth.

Is it over yet?

Winter that is...

I am missing the warm weather and beautiful flowers in our neighborhood. I got my camera in October and this was a picture of a flower in our neighborhood that I took during my first use with it. I didn't get much outside enjoyment with my camera before the dreaded winter came in.

I am very proud of this picture, and now I am just waiting anxiously for this weather to be over so that I can work on my landscape skills, and not wear a jacket!! This picture is one of my favs!

Valentine Card

I designed this at 5:45am this morning and I'm pretty pleased with it. I am thinking I might start diving into the "template" business as well as designing invites and announcements. I really enjoy laying out a card and matching it with brushes and fonts.

I especially love the feeling I get when I know I've just created a very cute masterpiece! With the help of some great photography, and an adorable little boy, I created this and I can't wait to send it out!

Fun with pp'ing!

Here is my first attempts at photoshopping. I have not been the best at this in the past, but I love the way pictures look with a little tweaking!

I want to practice this as much as I can because pp'ing goes with photography hand and hand. Let's face it, a good picture is wonderful thing-but can always be enhanced! I can't wait to make a Valentine's card to send out, seeing as I slacked on the Christmas cards!

Valentine's Preview..

Here is one of the shots I took today at Cara's house. I had the pleasure of meeting Cara and her lovely family. She has an amazing home, and an even better studio setup. I am truly jealous. They are the most friendly people I have ever met.

It is so nice to have a friend that has the same passion for photography that I do. We could talk about it for hours, and we did. =)

She was awesome at what she does, and I can't wait to play with her again soon!!

Mr. Businessman.

Even on Friday nights he is on the phone talking business.

So not in the mood to be a "subject," but cute as hell anyway. =)

Introducing

Mr. Chance Devlin.

I know you had a brief introduction the other night but here is a pic of his little face! He is normally running around like a mad man so I had to catch him unexpectedly when he was eating. Isn't he adorable? It is virtually impossible to get a good picture of him because he is mostly black and his features DISAPPEAR in pictures. But, he's adorable nonetheless.

Man versus beast.

Aiden had a very rough day today. I got a call at 2:30pm that Aiden fell at school and needed to be picked up because his tooth went through his lip. I rushed through the 30 minute drive with a vengeance thinking my little boy's tooth was surely going to fall out and that he was going to have a disfigured face for a while (shallow, I know). So, when I got there I was pleasantly surprised that there was only a minor cut on his lip. He seems to be behaving normally-I am relieved.

Tonight was a typical evening in the Devlin home. You could hear whining and arguing between the puppy and Aiden as usual. There seems to be an ongoing battle for toys between the two, you would think they were siblings. Aiden is very laid back. He doesn't usually like the high strung personality of our 3 month old maltipoo "Chance" but lately they have been playing well together. Until tonight, they both HAD to play with this stinkin' ball. The ball IS the dogs. But, Aiden had his eyes on it and the dog thought they were playing tug of war.

This is how it all played out.

Please don't mind the runny eye or ketchup stained face. I rushed to my blog instead of worrying about it! Hey, priorities! =) You can see the cut on his left cheek if you look in this one.

This is my favorite of the set. He is growling like the puppy. It is neck and neck!!
And Chance takes the lead, Aiden is becoming weak...
I WANNNNNNIT! (cue Rocky theme song)
A last stitch effort...
And Chance runs away with the ball..TOTAL MELTDOWN!
I giggled my whole way through this post. I love my little boy, I feel so lame for even documenting the brawl but I think it's funny. Gotta love the determination of a two year old!

(Don't think I didn't grab the ball from the dog and give it Aiden him as soon as I put my camera down. Hey, what are mom's for?)

Leaky Faucet

Using a slow shutter speed to get some pix of the dripping water.

I'm pretty pleased with the results. Focus was pretty easy on these. I just used continuous mode to get the right "drops."

Lesson

Taking pix of TJ to show him the difference between pinholes and catchlights. It was dark in the room so the second picture isn't the best example. =)

Direct flash:
Reflected off of tv:
He hates to be in pictures, but I think he's a great, sexy subject! =)

Lesson 1, Assignments 1 and 2

So, here is my first attempt at the lesson 1, assignments. The first assignment was to "get close" to something abstract so that the subject was nearly unrecognizable, and to use composition techniques that were discussed.

The second assignment was to capture a subject from multiple angles, while still maintaining composition techniques that were discussed.
I enjoyed working on these assignments, and look forward to moving on!

Mastering the histogram.

Today in my photography class we went over the histogram. I have been looking forward to this lesson for a while because I know it is very important when determining if a picture is correctly exposed. I learned how to read a histogram, and correct any exposure issues.

Here are some test shots I took of some rocks outside of the Abbot House where our class is held.

This first shot was taken at ISO: 100, ss 1/80, f 10. The histogram was leaning towards the left and was clipped so...I decreased my shutter speed. ISO: 100, ss 1/50, f10. As you can see this is better but still a little underexposed. The rocks in the back right corner are to dark. With this picture, the histogram still leaned to the left so I adjusted my shutter speed one final time.

Here is my final product. ISO: 100, ss 1/30, f10. This picture produced a perfect histogram and I can see the results. The picture shows perfect exposure. Now, focus...that's another story.

By Jobe, I think she's got it! I love learning something new on a daily basis. This is getting to be so much fun!!

First REAL event.

So tonight I attended my first "event" to photograph. I went with Berkan to a corporate party with a lot of very friendly individuals that, by the end of the night were sick of my camera. I am finally feeling like I am learning enough to take great pictures. It was a wonderful experience to be able to ask Berkan exactly what I needed to obtain a great shot. I used my 18-135mm with EF (and new Stofen) for most of the night. I did use my 50mm 1.8 to shoot a few dessert shots, which ended up being my favorite shots of the night (go figure). I mean, people are great and all....but dessert shots are what people really care about! haha

This first one has GREAT BOKEH! It is really my favorite, mainly because of the clarity and ROT. I am going to use it for my lesson 1 assignment!

BW Conversion/Edit

Just a little play with the lovey pic. I think I may frame this one. I love his face!! This is my first attempt at a bw conversion.

Banket lovin'

Before Aiden was born my mom bought him a "lovey" that is a blanket with a silk underside and a bear attached to it. Ever since he was very little, he has been in love. He calls it his "banket." He usually likes to rub the silk on his face, or cover his face with it as he is going to sleep. He CANNOT go to sleep without it, by any means! I keep meaning to go to JC Penny's to get another one for when this one shreds apart and dies. In the mean time, he carries it around with him everywhere, but it does not leave the house. He is only allowed to take it out of the house when he gets his eye surgeries. He does have a "substitute banket" for school but it is not even close to being as soft or snuggly as this one! If he is in a "cuddly mood" and I make him leave it home, he screams "BANKKKET!!" repeatedly until he forgets about it. Hey, the boy loves his lovey...

So, tonight when we got home and he was relaxing on the couch, I caught him snuggling with it and just happened to have my camera nearby.

Enjoy my mommy goggle capture! I actually took a minute to pp it a little. I am not very good at pp'ing pix yet. But here was my workflow: adjustment to curves, bump up in hue/saturation, adjustment to contrast, and a USM. =) How's my first attempt at posting a pic NOT sooc?! =)

Abuse and Neglect.

Let me start out by saying, I am not a slob. I used to be. But not anymore, not since being pregnant and having Aiden. Actually, I turned into a super-freak-OCD cleaning- machine!! But, recently life has prevented me from tending to my house and things that typically were done on a daily basis. I guess you could say I'm spending every free second I have doing something else. *ahem* Photography. Not to mention: the holidays, making a trip to Maryland to get the new TV, kid parties, going out, Weight Watchers, photography class, trying to do the lessons, having a few invite orders...AHH!

Needless to say, my house is stressing me out. I am literally counting the days until this weekend when I can attack this bad boy. So, I am going to be very brave and display the evidence for all of the world to see. I really wish I was a SAHM again so I could deal with these issues full-time instead of working full-time and having to deal with them too! TJ always says we can get a maid but that just doesn't seem practical.

TJ insists I'm crazy, and that "the house is clean! I don't see what you're freaking about" so-since I know he is a fan of the blog and checks it daily, here are few images to bring to your attention...

Dining Room:
Notice the clothes all over the place and other random items that need to be put away!!

The worst room in the house, our bedroom!
Notice again, clothing EVERYWHERE! I put some things on the bed thinking I would be forced to deal with it tonight. Now, I'm here and NOT GOING TO DEAL with it today. I'm just to tired and this blog came first! haha (Hey, at least the bed is made)

And we come to main problem, the laundry hasn't been done in two weekends because we have been so busy. Plus, we have no laundry soap!! Nice touch huh?
On to the bathrooms! Nice counter top huh? Gotta love the fact that TJ bought himself a beard trimmer and when he shaves-whiskers go EVERYWHERE! Gotta love it!

And that brings us to the toilet. Brace yourself...I think there are creatures living in there! I purposely didn't do a closeup just so nobody would lose their lunch!

If you're still looking, I have no idea why you are. LOL Maybe to scoff at me and use me as an example to your spouse as to how bad a wife can really let things go! Well, photography has been my number one priority these days-and it shows!

I need to overcome this beast this weekend! Then again, I also need to complete my Lesson 1 photographyassignments on Yada. Wait and see which task comes first!!

Daddy& Aiden cuddle time.

There is nothing more precious than watching Aiden and TJ cuddle after a hard day at work. I really enjoy sharing in the moments they have together. It always amazes me what a special bond the three of us share. TJ always knows just what to do to get him to laugh hysterically. Mostly, TJ does great impressions of Elmo, Blue (Blues Clues) and the donkey from Shrek. These are the moments I usually take mental pictures of, but today I wanted to capture it on my blog. Aiden is always so content leaning on TJ watching his show. He loves his daddy so much, and you can always see it on his face!

Self Portrait.

The artist emerges. haha Actually, there is nothing I really hate more than having my picture taken. I guess because in the past few years I haven't really seen any pictures of myself that I thought were good, except from my wedding. So, it is difficult for me to actually take a picture of myself. But, I got my hair cut and wanted to share the new "do."

Yesterday I decided to get my hair cut after 8 1/2 months. Yah, I was due. The hairdresser always asks the initial "So, when was the last time you had your hair cut?" question and it was quite embarrassing to have to explain that I just don't make any time for myself and usually my hair is neglected. I rarely wear it down because it is so thick and heavy. She was young and hip (wow, I sound old) and said that she would really "take the weight off" which should have been a warning sign. It is very "stylish" but I am not usually "that girl." So it is going to take some getting used to. TJ really likes it, so that is what is helping me! He says "wow, you are so trendy lately with your glasses, new outfits, photography thing, and now hair!" It was so cute of him to reassure me. He always does his best to tell me how pretty he thinks I am when I am unsure of myself.

It is really layered, light, and wispy. I am getting used to it now but on the ride home I was a little scared of my reflection in the rear view mirror. It should hopefully be long enough to wear back, in the mean time-it looks adorable until I wash it!

The Lone Leaf.

Ok this may seem like a silly post, but I've been looking at this leaf for weeks and the lawn men haven't discovered it yet. On the walkway to my house there are nothing but bare trees and bushes. For some reason this ONE little orange and yellow leaf has fallen from the trees, has made it through all of the leaf sweeps. It is tucked every so perfectly under this dead bush and remains there day after day. I actually noticed it before Christmas because it sticks out like a sore thumb. I decided to take a picture of it because it deserves some recognition for its plight to remain strong through the crappy weather! It is so bright and pretty. Such a great reminder of how cold and stark the neighborhood is right now.

I can't wait until spring when the pretty colors emerge and I can go outside to photograph the new flowers! Until now, I enjoy seeing how long this pretty little leaf will remain under the bush in hiding!

Nakey HINEY TIME!

I am a total sucker for a naked baby butt. I know, I know, Aiden is probably on the brink of NOT being a baby anymore, but really...I love the cottage cheese ridden dimples of his hiney when he sits! I also love to watch him run down the hall and his little cheeks shake...he's got his daddy's butt! So cute!

So, I loved when he got out of the bath and I found him in front of the bookshelf. He just took it among himself to take a seat and read away. He loves "torrry's" (aka stories). This pic of him smiling is a little OOF but I love his face, and I think it's cute anyway. Can we say, MOMMY GOGGLES?!!

(Please excuse the gift bags in the background-the kid has so much already, I'm scared to unpack anything else!!)

It's Thursday night....

What does that mean? GAME NIGHT!! Woop Woop!

On Thursday it is known through all the lands that it's "guy's game night." TJ will arrive home promptly with his 6 pack of Bud, quickly do his homework like a good little boy, and scoff down his dinner. Why you ask? So that he can meet his friends on Xbox 360 live so they can all play war games and act manly. He plays with my friend's husband, and his brother. If he's not on by around 6:30p.m. his phone starts ringing, wondering where he is.

I know not to ask much of him, or expect anything of him on Thursdays. It's his time. Hey, I can give up one night a week I suppose. Besides, who doesn't love a man in a sexy headset?!! Thursday's just wouldn't be the same if I didn't hear things like "aww man, I'm out of 'nades" or "I'm over here, I'm over here...you got my back man?" Even Aiden will sometimes pick up the remote and say "aww man, s***" We try hard not to laugh.

Gotta love how the beer is tucked away, just so. =)