Family Resemblance

A Sea Change

Until this week, Noah was still pretty busy figuring out how this walking stuff works. He was a tornado of destruction there for a little while, always getting into trouble. We joked that he was like the Kool Aid Kid from those old commercials, just crashing through walls and generating messes everywhere he went. But, now that he's a champion walker, he focuses on more than just the act of getting there as he toddles about. He is looking for fun. He's still getting into all sorts of things he shouldn't, (pushing every button on the DVD/ VCR player, splashing in and turning over the dog's water bowl, trying to crawl into the dishwasher and the toilets, and taking every opportunity to flip over the trashcans) but he is starting to understand what things are considered no-nos. Finally.

About the same time Noah got mobile, Angus became VERY possessive about what he sees as his stuff. Now, Angus calls our car Angy's Car and our house Angy's House, so you can imagine how lovely things have been here for the past month. Everything is Angy's. And on top of that, Angus is just a naturally careful child. He'd get whatever activity he'd be playing all set up, and then "Hey, Kool Aid!" WHAM!! Here comes the Noahinator. So, basically just as Noah was ready and able to go out into the world and discover and conquer, Sheriff Bossypants instituted his long arm of the Angy's Law. I hear it so often that I started to hear "No, that's Angy's!" in my sleep.

But, this week gave birth to a new dynamic in our home. The boys started to truly play with each other and to see it happening is beautiful. Angus began to see Noah for the good time he is, instead of just as a fun ruining nuisance. And Noah got to hear Angus say more to him than the usual, "NO, that's Angy's!" Hallelujah! Now, a simple game of peekaboo between them turns into 15 solid minutes of belly laughter. A wrestling match can turn into a tickle-fight and a hug-a-thon complete with big wet baby kisses for all of us to enjoy. Playing You-Can't-Get-Me now includes us all. Which is great, because the only kinds of people who can get with that sort of repetition are other little people. If you are over 8 years old, it gets old quick.

To put it simply: Noah entering toddlerhood + Angus beginning to understand what sharing means = GOOD TIMES.

bits and pieces

Sometimes, it isn't what is in the picture that makes me love the shot. It is what's IN the picture. Sometimes it is the closest thing to capturing the real things that fade. Not the images, but the feelings. The smells. That which can never truly be revisited. Like how sunlight has a way of making Angus' hair appear to glow, to become reflective and iridescent. The camera can't seem to ever do it justice. But this shot almost did. Well, at least it captured (for me) the feeling I had while I was awestruck by it's beauty while we took a walk one sunny day. And, Angus has this abilty to be so still and focused. The picture of him with his beloved blanket on his head is just so Angus it brings tears to my eyes. The perfect capture of his silliness, his deep need to be comforted, and his stillness interlaced in one moment. And Noah. Oh, Noah. Holding you in my arms means the inevitablity of a mouth kiss initiated by you. I've never known of a baby who loves to kiss the way you do. That's why I love this photo so much. You are going for it. And the shot of Noah with the drum is the perfect capture of our baby's relentless committment to total and complete determination until domination. They are not the best photographs I have ever taken of the boys, but they capture some of the most precious memories I will ever have.

Best Friends

Argent Party

Lots of folks travelled from afar to come and celebrate the little human filling up this gal. Good times with good friends old and new. Congratulations, Janey and Matt!