Thoughtful Thursday

Like that alliterative title? I thought you would, you're weird like that. No, really that's just my way of letting you know that I am going to show photos (old news if you follow me on Instagram) and I don't have much to say. Clever.

Family Photos

Recently Eric was volunteered (by me) to take some photos for the directory at my father's (he is a pastor) church. We decided to take the opportunity to get some decent family photos as well.


Me with Elise, Cordelia, Eric


Elise


Cordelia


Me


Cordelia with her Grandpa Mike


Grandma Sue (aka my mom, aka Sue), Cordelia, me (aka Maria), Elise

 
Sam



Eric


Elise and I


Cordelia and a little bit of me

Same Day , Different Years

All of these photos were taken on December 5th beginning in 2008. I just love looking back and seeing how things have changed and how they have stayed the same over time.

2008




2009



2010





2011





How has your life changed or stayed the same over the last few years?

To the Vet With Bumblebee

Bumblebee is under the weather today and I am off to take her to the vet (I will update you on her condition later in the day). So I leave you with a few photos from this morning.







I hope you are well.

Photographic Evidence of a July Day

Pregnancy Photo and the Term Baby Mama?

Yesterday evening Eric and I were discussing the fact that we need to get a few good pregnancy photos for the archives, now that I finally look pregnant. We have been struggling with the pregnancy photo issue. We really want to take some pictures that are unique and different. Pregnancy photos are tough, because they are pretty formulaic by nature. The whole point of them is to focus the viewers attention on the belly and there are a few tried and true methods for doing such a thing. I must note that we didn't want to do anything too pretentious or artsy (because we can certainly do that), just simple and joyful.

Thankfully Eric is a great photographer and he worked well within the established cannon of pregnancy photography. Here are the results of his efforts.

Exhibit A) Here we have the classic belly gaze. I think this type of photo is just a requirement for any pregnant lady.

Exhibit B) Next we have the belly grasp and smile. This style of pregnancy photography is all about showing how happy the woman is to be pregnant in spite of all of the discomforts and it's true pregnancy is really amazing.

Exhibit C) The two handed belly grasp. Yep, we pulled out the big guns here. You can only mean business with the two handed belly grasp.

Bonus Story that is probably only funny to Eric and I:
Yesterday Eric and I were out running errands and decided to stop and have a cup of coffee. On our way to the coffee shop we were joking around and Eric said that he was going to order a coffee for his baby mama. I knew he wouldn't say such a thing because it's just kind of a dumb thing to say. Anyway, I triple dog dared him to do it.

We went into the coffee shop, which had a fair amount of customers all standing within ear shot. I gave Eric the look in order to taunt him about the dare, not expecting him to do it. When the coffee guy came over in his skinny jeans with perfectly coiffed, slightly messy hair and just the right amount of practiced distance in his eyes he asked what we wanted. Eric responded by saying," I'll have a house coffee and a decaf for my baby mama here." He also pointed to my pregnant belly for emphasis. The coffee guy was utterly unimpressed, but the gal behind us was amused. Ahh the power of a triple dare, they're never really that funny but they always hold power.

A Few More

You may recall that last Monday I began the arduous task of uploading old family photos. I have been very busy, as there are hundreds and hundreds of photos. I have been finding little gems mixed in with the usual Christmas gathering photos. I thought I'd share a few more just because they are so great.

I love this photo. It's such a personal moment. Who took the photo? When was it taken? I always have so many questions when I look at these types of photos. What were the circumstances? Who treasured this image so much that it was kept for all of these years?

Eric and I aren't exactly sure who this girl is, nor do we know the circumstances surrounding the photo, but it is just such a great picture. I mean look at all of the elements: her outfit, her pose, those socks, the look on her face. The whole thing seems like it should be on a Hallmark card with a little funny caption...what would it say?

Do you have a favorite old family photo?

Family History

Eric and I are both historians. I am not sure when it happened, but both of us have become the keepers of the family history. With the impending arrival of our first child we have been giving a lot of thought to her family history. I think it all started over a discussion about a collaborative piece of art we would like to make for her. We finally settled on making her a family tree and things have gotten out of control from that point. We have both been going over our entire family histories. Have you ever done that? It gets out of hand FAST. If that weren't enough we have also decided to scan all of the old family photos that we have. We are afraid that the quality of the photos will continue to degrade, but saving them onto the computer is just another way for us to preserve them. Needless to say this has become quite a project.

So, this morning I find myself wearing archiving gloves and scanning photos. Don't worry I don't look too professional I am wearing a pajama t-shirt that reads I put ketchup on my ketchup.

Here are some of the photos that I have already scanned. Some of them are really straight forward, while others are strange and a little confusing. We're saving them all because we're meticulous like that.

I can't help but wonder what the circumstances were that led to this photo. Were Eric's grandparents having a picnic? Was this a local hangout?

This photo is so strange to me. Why was is saved for all of these years, who was this man whose head is obscured?

While looking through the photos I first noticed that Eric's parents had let their family histories intermingle in the photos. I am having difficulty figuring out which side is which as there is very little labeling done on old photos. Then I noticed that my family photos are also interspersed, thankfully they are labeled on the back to avoid confusion,but there is something sort of beautiful about that mixing of family histories. Somehow I can't help but think that it will all make sense to our daughter. Although it will all be well organized by the end of the week, just because.

Then I found this photo, it's my mom. She's 7 months pregnant with me. She could never have known that someday her daughter would be nearly 7 months pregnant with her first daughter, looking at this picture and feeling so connected with everything. I wonder if my daughter will someday continue the cycle?

*PS Has my Mom aged at all? Ding dong she looks the exact same.