the rebel - day 2

 

 

 

it's here!!!

Woo hoo! I can't believe it, but I finally have my new Canon Rebel (a digital T1i)! I may have to use exclamation points in this entire post.

{photo courtesy of Eden}

My first Canon Rebel was purchased in college (i.e. pre-2000) and of course was a 35mm film camera. By the time digital really became the only thing to use, I was using my Canon Digital Elph point-and-shoot. It has served me well, very well. But, since I became pregnant with Eden I really wanted to replace the old film rebel with a new one.

This Christmas, I made myself stick to the plan, saved all my Christmas money, pulled in some money from Daddy and soon-to-be-birthday presents and voila -- I ordered the new camera with a snazzy new 50mm-fixed lens. It arrived this afternoon, and as soon as the battery was fully charged at 5 I started snapping away.

I have so much to relearn. Here are some of my favorite photos from today, taken on the fully automatic mode. Gotta go talk about someone's day now. Enjoy!

 

Photo above taken with the point-and-shoot. Photo below taken from the exact same spot with the Rebel -50mm lens combo.

Conner's birthday

A few weekends ago, we were able to help Keegan and his family celebrate his little brother Conner's first birthday. Of course Eden had a grand time helping open the present and playing with all her friends. Doesn't she look cute with a "little brother"?

 

I was the *photographer* for the party, hence only one shot from my camera that I'm actually in. Nonetheless, it was a really fun time and great to celebrate with one of our favorite families.

- ashley

the dentist

On Monday (Feb. 14), I took Eden for her first dentist visit. We started role playing a week or so prior to the vist - Ashley or I acting like the dentist, and Eden would lay back with her mouth open and let us inspect and use our fingers to simulate the tools. Then, she'd do the same to us.

When we arrived, Eden walked up to the counter and said, "I'm here for my appointment." Then, the receptionist gave her a new stuffed puppy since it was Valentines Day. She grabbed the puppy, hugged it, let out a shrill of excitement, then proceeded to roll around on the ground with it.

After their romp-around, I was handed some paperwork and started to fill it out. The hygenist, Jamie, came and introduced herself, and Eden did not waste any time. She was off to the back with her like a shot. When I caught up, Eden was already in the chair getting her "bar-b-que napkin" on.

She did everything Jamie asked, and never once cried, yelled, or tried to get away...seriously, it was like she was in a trance. I asked her a few times if it hurt ... she looked at me and said, "No."

Jaime scraped, brushed, sucked, sprayed, and looked around for 15 or so minutes ... with a stock-still 3 year old.

The dentist and hygentist said the same thing - all is well ... and no more teeth to come in (the last molar was peering through the gumline and is now showing). A good first checkup indeed!

What was most amazing was that there was no television or coaxing (other than the puppy dog that she held onto the entire time). Needless to say, we are still gleaming with pride.

tonight's dream

in her sleep tonight, Eden cried out ...

no, no ... i don't want to, i don't want to ... not yet

Her go to phrases since Saturday.

NO, NO, NO, NO, NO
I don't wannoo, I don't wannooo
NOOOO, not yet.
NO! I don't want to do it.

Such a fun new change this week.

big girl

Recently, we've seen signs of Eden growing up. Aside from her having all her teeth (post from dentist to come) and walking down the communion aisle by herself ...

• She has recently been walking into and out of PDO without asking to be picked up. She now asks to hold our hands.
• While she has been trying to get dressed by herself for a while (and getting quite good at it all - can put her clothes and shoes on by herself), she just recently picked up the ability to do buttons.
• The other night, she spent 15 minutes in her closet by herself reading books while Ashley and I talked at the dinner table

Of course, she still wants us to read to her ...

• She loves to lie down in the bathtub, and prefers "mommy's tub" without toys to her own tub with toys.

• Now that we have a step stool there, she can get on the potty all by herself
• And finally, she has taken on the profession of puppeteer for all of her stuffed animals; they often try to talk to us while we are trying to talk to Eden (and for some reason they all have the same voice).

days of the week

Here's the latest little jewel Eden surprised us with from school ...

Photo and video editing at www.OneTrueMedia.com

the january visit

CC and Granddaddy have graciously agreed to do all of the driving and visit us in Baton Rouge once a month this semester since travelling takes a lot out of Ashley these days. For our January visit, they came a few days after CC's birthday so we were all able to celebrate together. Whitney was even able to join us for the weekend, all the way from Florida.

When we got home from work on Friday, Eden showed us her new friend, Bebop, that she and CC made at Build-a-Bear at the mall. Eden was smitten.

By the time we got home from dinner, it was time for a little music in the kitchen and a baking project to make CC's birthday cupcakes.