avablog

The more attentive among you may have noticed that my infant photography predilections run counter to current trends. Not that I don’t love sleeping babies curled up in pea pods as much as the next guy. I just think there are so many ways these little humans are visually interesting; there are so many avenues [...]

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Ava’s friends Aaron and Claire came over to play yesterday, and eventually things turned to dress up. I love this shot of Ava in her finery standing amidst the detritus of our damaged tree in the side yard.

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If someone rents a movie* from your fancy iTunes store and then, while about 30 minutes into it, goes into labor, do you think you could cut that person a break on re-renting the same flick when they finally have time to watch it again? Even 50% off? What if we sent a copy of [...]

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I like the way you can see the idea of a smile flash across his eyes before he actually smiles. It’s like when you’re having a staring contest with someone, and you can see in their eyes that they’re going to break before their mouth ever moves. Untitled from Nicheplayer on Vimeo.

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Hiya, born baby. You’re an awfully cute little fella. Sometimes I’m surprised by how adorable you are, though I shouldn’t be. First of all, you’re my son, so I’m supposed to love you like crazy and so forth. Everything you do is cute, and you’re amazing even when you’re crying. Etc., etc., blah, blah. But, [...]

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Leah has been agitating the last couple weeks for a picture of our family, and the recent visit to Decorah gave her the chance she’d been waiting for. As usual, we imposed on Uncle Kevin to get behind the lens and work his magic. For those not in the know, it’s not easy getting a [...]

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Here’s the boy, snoozing away on mama’s shoulder at Magpie Coffee Shop in Decorah this weekend. He’d just eaten, which accounts for all the snooziness.

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Taken at the fish hatchery in Decorah over the weekend. Ava put this little bouquet together herself.

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I’m finding I’ve missed this process of documenting all the little milestones in our infant’s life. Em appears to be developing right in line with expectations. His latest things are spitting up and cooing, one of which is much, much cuter than the other.

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I miss all the good stuff. This morning, Ava came into our room when she got up so she could get some snuggles with Baby Brudder (she HAS to learn to say her th sounds someday). I got up to use the restroom, and while I was down the hall, I could hear L’s breathless [...]

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Helmet optional.

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“Three windbells cool the humid summertime; Clashing their shrilly sweet metallic chime.” –A Chime of Windbells This season always reminds me of falling in love with my husband. When we were first dating, we would take his dog, Maggie, for long walks through the dark, tree-lined streets–and down to the river–on warm summer nights. The [...]

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I chatted briefly the other day at school pickup with the mother of one of Ava’s classmates. Turns out she had a friend who reads this blog (or maybe the other one). The mother had been describing Leah to her friend when she mentioned Ava’s name, and the acquaintance suddenly realized exactly who was being [...]

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Everyone was in a good mood at the impromptu 4th of July cookout hosted by our neighbors and friends Sarah, Mac, and Andy. Even Emmett. Here he is, smiling, much to the consternation of his mother. She’s not bitter.

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It’s been fun lately to watch Ava become more interested in physical pursuits. I haven’t pushed her in this direction at all, mainly because I wanted to see what kind of natural affinity she’d have for things like throwing balls and riding bikes and scooters.

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Emmett, your mom is awfully worried lately about your gassy tummy. It’s true that you spend a fair amount of time these days fussing about when you’re not eating or sleeping. I’m not convinced it’s gas. Which isn’t to say you don’t have gas. Oh, you do, little brudder. You do. I just wonder if [...]

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