Cadence *Hearts* Flannel

I know that as the parent of a girl, one big temptation is to dress your daughter up as if she's your personal doll 24/7. Just walk into any Baby Gap or Old Navy, and you'll see that the options for girls are so much more enticing than for boys. I've recently become acutely aware of many people paying attention only to Cadence's outward appearance. I guess it's only natural, since most folks think that parents always want to hear how cute their kid is. And of course I enjoy hearing these kinds of compliments; I wouldn't be plastering the internet with her photos if I didn't. At the same time, though, I also don't want Cadence to grow up thinking that the most important thing in life is for her to look "cute" or "pretty" or that her main value as a girl or woman is to look good for other people.

Fact is, Cadence is about as active and playful and rambunctious as any boy her age I've seen. I was raised in a family that believed that girls should be quiet and gentle and that they don't grow up to be certain things, like, say, a photographer for National Geographic. I don't want to place those kinds of limits on Cadence.

I admit that sometimes it's really hard to let Cadence pick her own outfit, when I'd really like to take her out and about in that adorable dress, but she's rather run and jump and climb in a flannel shirt and jeans.

And even when she DOES wear something a bit more on the girly side, I hope she'll always be comfortable enough in her own skin to just be her goofy, lovely self.

I *Heart* My New Camera

It's true, folks. I've broken down and gone the digital SLR route. Although I've gotten some sweet shots with various digital point 'n' shoots over the years, nothing beats the speed and depth of field capabilities of an SLR, and I really missed hearing the click-click-click of a REAL camera.

So what did I end up getting? I stayed true to my Nikon roots and got the D40. It's about the cheapest digital SLR you can get, considering you get the body PLUS the 18-55mm lens for under $550. In addition, I got the new 55-200mm f/4.5-5.6G ED AF-S VR DX Zoom Nikkor lens for $240. The VR stands for Vibration Reduction, and when you're zooming at that rate, it really helps, esp. if you don't use a tripod (which I don't). Add to that the tiny yet functional Nikon SB-400 speedlight for $110, and that's pretty much my kit.

While on first look, there is nothing spectacular about this photo, which was one of the first photos I took with my new camera, the thing to notice is that I captured Cadence in mid-air quite easily because as soon as I press the shutter button, the photo is taken. No more waiting a whole second for the camera to finally take the photo, which is usually a half-second too late. I totally love the instant gratification this provides me.

I am also loving my new speedlight. I am able to tilt the flash head upwards so that the light bounces off the ceiling. This gives a flash photo a more natural light look to it. Now I don't have to wait for the light to be *just right* to take some decent photos, although I do still prefer natural light. Always have, and always will.

I'm still getting used to the new equipment, so it'll be a while before I get the kind of photos I'm aiming for. It's been rainy these past couple days, so I haven't had the chance to get out as much as I'd like.

I can already tell, though, that I'll be wanting to take a LOT more photos and of things other than Cadence in the future with my new set-up.

See? I've already expanded my subject to include flowers.

And raindrops on grass blades.

Family Time

Last Monday, I took a vacation day so we could hang with Ted's sister Lauren who was visiting from Sweden. Although the temps were still on the chilly side, the sun warmed things up so we ventured out to a playground nearby.

As you can see, Cadence comes from a family who takes their playing seriously. It's no wonder she's such a good jumper.

I have a feeling that recess will be Cadence's favorite subject in school. That's if recess isn't outright abolished in schools by then, in which case we'll keep her at home.

We're sad that a great big ol' pond called the Atlantic separates us from Lauren, but we're glad we had some one-on-one time with her while she was in town. Cadence definitely enjoyed hanging out with her auntie.

Friday was Ted's Dad's birthday, so we met up with the family for dinner at Brass Restaurant and Brewery in Barrington. Cadence was so excited about it being somebody's birthday, and she made us practice singing 'Happy Birthday' in the car ride. I think Grandpa was pretty tickled when she sang for him, although there was no cake, which was what I think Cadence was really looking forward to.

Don't these two look good together? Yeah. Good genes. Hurray for families!

Best Shot(s) Monday--Spring!

We've got spring fever here in the Windy City. It's been a cold, wet winter and we as a collective metropolis plan on WILLING spring into reality.

C'mon, Spring. How can you say no to a face like that? Admit it. Resistance is futile.

Go visit Tracey's Picture this for more folks' Best Shots Monday.

I *Heart* My Friends

(My brain is rather mushy this week, so I turn to my friends for a little support and material for this here blog.)
This photo of Cadence (hot DANG, she looks like a KID!) shows her wearing a Sew Rad creation by our friend Jan Hammer, the lovely wife of Ryan Hammer, who plays bass in the Tim Lowly band with Ted. Jan and Ryan went to the Rosie Thomas/Denison Witmer show with me on Sunday night. When I went to pick them up at their apartment, Jan delievered a bag of goodies, which included this lovely t-shirt. It is totally the type of shirt I'd want to wear if I were a two-and-a-half year old indie rock toddler. Jan and her stitchin' friends inspire me to learn how to sew.

My friend Michele has been working on the 5 questions I gave her to answer on her blog. She's gotten throught the first 2, and her posts are definitely worth a read. Post #1 is the answer to the question "What traditions from your family of origin do you plan on continuing in your *new* family?" And Post #2 is the answer to the question "What are a few of your favorite Montessori-based activities that anyone can do in their home with their toddler/preschooler?" I took a lot away from both posts. This will be required reading material for Ted.

One of the reasons my mind is so blank this week is because I'm grieving over the Virgian Tech shootings. Carol of Bokumbop wrote a post on Kimchi Mamas that pretty much articulates why this tragedy has had such a deep impact on many Koreans here in the U.S. (I was born in Seoul, if you don't know) and back home in the motherland (and I'm sure, around the world). Besides the killer sharing my ethnic and immigrant background, as a mom, I can't help feeling for all the mothers and fathers affected personally by this tragedy. The always-inspiring Jen Lemen cross-posted what her sister Patience wrote which was something really beautiful for one of those moms.

That's it for this week. Next week, I will unveil the New and Improved Photography of Sarah-Ji made possible by a generous grant from my mother.