The End of an Era

C has had the same lovey, Baby Tad, since she was about 9 months old. This stuffed toy has been wonderful for her - when we got it, it sang 6 different "daytime" songs; identified shapes and colours; made a kiss noise and said "I love you"; and most important, played 6 different songs for nighttime, in one minute segments. Ever since she figured out how to turn on Baby Tad's nighttime music we've heard at least 6 minutes of music every night, if not 12 minutes, or however long it took her to fall asleep.

Slowly but surely the other parts of Baby Tad stopped working... first the shapes and colours, then the kiss, then the daytime songs...

This week the unthinkable happened - the nighttime songs stopped working. C keeps saying Baby Tad is sick and doesn't understand why new batteries won't make him "feel better." I told her Baby Tad is still good for cuddling, just can't sing to her anymore but I know she's really disappointed.

(He's so well loved his hand is permanently dirty, no matter how many times I try to clean him.)

So, my dilemma is whether to get another Baby Tad and replace the one she has loved and cuddled for just under two years, or to leave it and let her either find a new lovey or become content with Baby Tad as is, with no music. Leave a comment and let me know what you would do!

Fun with Lightroom

C is getting older in front of my eyes. About a month back I started noticing a slightly different look to her face that would be there for a blink of an eye and then gone. Since then this look has been coming more and more frequently. I think it's part of her losing her toddler face, though I know it won't be completely gone for a good while to come. I managed to capture it a few days back and was just enchanted by it when in Lightroom, so ended up playing for a while just on the one shot. These plays are presets I got for free from a link Tracey included on Shutterbugs, with some tweaking after as needed.

I know which one is my favorite, but I won't share that until I hear others' opinions. Please leave a comment to let me know which you like and why.

Original (after my standard RAW conversion tweaks)

Blue Bear


Wheat Fields


Hit the Road

Go Away, Snow!

It snowed again today. What is with this weather?? We have never gotten this much snow before! C enjoys playing in it, but with me being 7 months pregnant, it isn't as easy to stoop down to reach the snow to play in it with her! I tried to help her with a snowman - ack, I couldn't do more than half of the base before my back and my belly were hurting too much for me to continue. No tobogganing either - C is too young to go on her own and I can't go on a toboggan because of the pregnancy. :(

So today, to make me feel better and remember what is to come, here is a shot I took last spring.

Busy Bee

In Celebration of Robbie Burns

Whether they know it or not, most people in the world know the poetry of Robbie Burns. The Scottish poet (Jan 25, 1758 - July 21, 1796) wrote many many poems and songs, including the one that every one knows - For Auld Lang Syne. Every January 25, Scots around the world (and a few honorary Scots) lift a glass in celebration of his life and his contributions. Here are some shots from the local Robbie Burns Night, put on by the Celtic Arts Society and Royal Canadian Legion.

The Pipe Band In All It's Glory

On the March


Here Comes the Haggis (and yes, haggis does taste good)


Highland Dancers Leaping (I love how they are all in midair :))


Kilts Swirling

Tutu 2

So no pics yet of guys in kilts, those still have to be converted/edited, but hopefully I should have those for you tomorrow, with stories from Robbie Burns night.
For today, you get to see C and her tutu!

C's reaction when I brought the tutu out


She loved playing in her tutu but kept hiding when the camera came out :)

Here's the Tutu

Just a quick one to show you the tutu I made for C on Thursday night.



Jon and I are heading out to a Robbie Burns dinner tonight, so hopefully I can get some great shots of guys in kilts. :)

Slackin'...

I know, I know, it's been ages (okay 4 days) since my last post but I've just been out of it this week. I got whatever Jon and C had/have so I've been too tired to do much of anything. Good thing is, I've been getting tons of sleep - no more insomnia for me!

C and I have been to a few playgroups, but I spent most of the time sitting on my butt gabbing instead of following the kids around with my camera. I did go out last night to make no-sew tutus with some of the other ladies in my group. C's turned out nicely but lighting and tiredness made the pics just look horrible. (I need an external flash!!!) I'll try to take more tomorrow so I can show it off. :)