Full Speed Ahead

I'm so ready for the weekend. I'm exhausted, which is pretty sad because I usually sleep a full 8 hours. During the day however, I'm running around like a mad woman trying to keep up with this kid. He's so darn fast! I haven't worked out like this in years! Countless reps with a 20lb weight, running laps around the first floor, stairs, squats, you name it. He's the best/worst boot-camp ever. I'm trying hard to let him explore while keeping him safe. Easier said than done. The safest place is in his pack-n-play, but after about 15 minutes I feel guilty seeing him penned up, so I take him out. He inevitably gets into/onto/under (it only takes a second) something seemingly innocuous and hurts himself. Again, I feel guilty. Looking forward to his first steps. That'll be peachy.

The Boys

I Love Me Some Smoothie

Natural Light

Got home a bit early today and got to spend some quality time with the little guy. Just yesterday he was at his 9 month check-up and we mentioned that he hadn't really started crawling yet. Well, one day after receiving reassurances from our family doc that he's just fine, he's begun crawling up a storm. He seems to be particularly fond of crawling after his storybooks so he can try and eat them. The Grouchy Ladybug is apparently one of the tastier selections in his library. After his evening bath-time routine (and a bit of a nap myself!), I got a chance to upload the pictures sitting on our camera including all of January. I've got a bunch of great shots to post (including ones from Las Vegas... I know, I know, I'm a slacker.) but I wanted to put up this one from the other day to show illustrate the benefits of natural lighting.

Since having our dSLR for a while, I've made a bunch of adjustments to the way I take pictures. I've stopped using auto, and I'm getting better and guesstimating where my aperture, ISO, and shutter settings need to be for a given photo. I'm also trying to use the histograms from the camera to make more intelligent adjustments on the fly. But most importantly, I've been focusing my efforts towards trying to avoid using the built in flash while taking pictures. It forces me to try and develop a steadier hand, but the warmth and emotion of photos just using natural light can't be duplicated with the on-board strobe flash. For example, here's a photo of Manu using the flash:
1/125; f4.8; ISO 500

And here's one without the flash.

1/30; f5.3; ISO 500


Full disclosure: I did a bit of post-processing on both of these pictures. Nonetheless, the flash picture has an almost superimposed quality. Also, there's an unnatural glare on the bottom of his cup, his nails, and his skin. The photo without the flash really gives a more true-to-life representation of the moment. And those were mostly backlit.


here's an example with some natural front lighting, no post processing.1/40; f3.5; ISO 500

Tilt-Shift Photography

As a brief departure from the shopping and fashion coverage of late, I thought I'd put in a quick post about an interesting photography technique I've come across. Tilt-shift photography can be used to create the impression of miniaturization through the use of a very narrow depth of field. The effect can be recreated by utilizing some simple techniques in Photoshop CS. Having a renewed interest in post-processing following a quick tutorial from visiting renaissance-woman Aziza E, I gave it a try on a few shots. I'm pretty pleased with the results.

I Can Do That In My Sleep

It's been a couple posts since you last saw our little bug. He's quickly becoming mobile which is a great new challenge. This morning when I went into his room he was sitting up in his crib talking away. What??? He learned that overnight? Of course he's been able to sit for awhile now, but we had to position him that way. Now...

he goes from rolling around

to crawling

to sitting back up again.

Who knew one could be so productive in their sleep?

But It's My Favorite!

My favorite decorating mag (and website) is calling it quits. I was worried this might happen as shelter after shelter magazine (Cottage Living, O at Home, Blueprint) have thrown in the towel. Somehow I thought Domino would be able to ride it out. It's soooo good. Total bummer. March will be the last issue.

Is it Worth it?

Can you tell I'm in a spending mood? It's this dreadful weather. Perfect for nothing except online shopping. I'm lusting after this Le Creuset cookware in Citron (color exclusive to Williams and Sonoma).

Wouldn't this set look just gorgeous in my sunny, farmhouse-style kitchen against the gleaming, white, subway tile backsplash? I know! Ok, I don't have that kitchen...yet. I also don't have the 1000 smackaroos (ouch!) it would take to make this cookware mine.... But ain't it pretty???

Keep Dreaming

Oh Neiman Marcus, why do you tease me so?

What I wouldn't give to strut around in a pair of these lovelies...

Sigh... You can't win if you don't enter, right???

Are We There Yet???

I just snagged two pairs of these super -clearance ($.99!!!) flip-flops from Old Navy in teal and lemon. They are a warm weather must-have for me! Now, I wait for the snow to melt...

Manu's World

I wish a had a "pause life" button I could push to really take in my favorite moments with Manu. He's growing and changing everyday. It's happening all so fast, I worry that I'll forget the perfectness of him right this moment. We're quickly approaching the 9 month mark which means his first birthday is just around the corner. Jeez.

I hope to share the following with him someday when he asks: "What was I like as a baby?"

Manu hearts:

• Food: This kids eats EVERYTHING. Riz jokes that we're going to end up on Maury with a 200 pound toddler. While I don't think he'll have any weight issues, he does have a full blown love-affair with food; any food. When we first introduced meat last month, I thought we had discovered something he'd turn his nose up to. Nope. He also loves some very un baby-like food including daal and rice, brown rice and seaweed, and Ezekiel bread with almond butter. Also, unless you plan on sharing, you cannot eat in front of him. Poor Aunt Sameena learned this the hard way when after a long day of work she sat down on the couch next to Arman with her chicken pot- pie. Manu gave her an ear-full until she handed over some of her filling. Of course this was after he finished his own dinner.
• Michael Buble: Faheem introduced Manu to Michael Buble during his visit to Pittsburgh in July. He's been hooked ever since and we spend a little time each afternoon dancing to his favorite, Everything. His face completely light up as soon as he hears the first couple of notes.
• Women: He's a shameless flirt. He bats his eyes at the check-out girl at Whole Foods, the bank-teller at PNC, and the ladies behind the cutting counter at Jo-Ann Fabrics. While he'll goo- goo and ga-ga with anyone who gives him the time of day, he's particularly fond of blondes. Just yesterday, he fell in love with a (blonde) bride-to-be at Kate Spade after she asked his opinion on a pair of shoes for her wedding party. Smitten! Oh, and if you can sing too, you're golden.
• Ladybug: His continued fascination with ladybugs is endearing. Ladybug became a favorite (his and ours) when we discovered that by dangling her from the car seat handle we could get through through a car ride quietly and with our sanity still intact. Love her!
  

Manu says "no thanks" to:

• Shopping: Manu has little patience for shopping. I have a good 15 minutes in any given store before I have to whip out the fruit leather as a distraction. He's considerate enough to warn me with a little fidgety-ness and a disapproving whine. Those are my cues to get a move on. If I wait too much longer he starts trying to back-bend his way out of the cart; his fruit-leathered face pout-y and determined. We're a real sight in those moments. Regardless, I will continue to shop with him. I love it enough for the both of us.
• Pacifiers: I've tried them on many occasions and he refuses every time. He'll hold it , look at it for a bit and then cast it aside. I thought babies love pacifiers. Instead, he sucks on his right forearm for comfort. Whenever he's ready for a nap he'll prop his left hand under his right elbow and bring his arm to his mouth and suck until he falls asleep. He's a true self-soother.
• Bottles: He used them until he was about 3 months old. Then, no more. Like the pacifier, he flatly refused. I tried to get him to use it, but quickly grew tired of the struggle and gave up. Turned out to be a great thing. He took to the sippy cup like a pro so we just went with it. One less thing to take away from him later.

Hmm. Can't think of anything else he really can't stand. He's a good-natured little thing. When he's had it, I find it to be pretty justifiable.

It's such a joy to see him to continue to develop and express his likes and dislikes. He's not only our baby, he's really his own tiny, little person. Incredible.

Brrrrr!

Is it warm where you are?
Have a happy and cozy weekend!

Start 'Em Young

Jump Around

Those Parents

We're turning into those parents. Call it parent goggles, sleep deprivation, or what you will. We think our kid is the sweetest thing ever and we've got the pics to prove it.

Go on and roll your eyes. We know what's up.

Don't worry about it going to our heads.
I'm sure when he starts talking back we'll being singing a different tune.

The other great thing about Hhds..

Trying new and exotic foods!

Like Turkey

With herbs,

And Risotto!

So turkey didn't go over so well at first. But just when we thought Manu was going to be a vegetarian, he came around.