Year: 2010

Christina Keller, my brother’s longtime girlfriend, is running the NYC Marathon this weekend to support the Alzheimer’s Association New York City Chapter. In addition to working for the Alzheimer’s Association in NYC, she’s worked at an assisted living facility for more than eight years—she knows how devastating this disease can be. She’s so close to her fund-raising goal—if you know anyone who has been affected by this disease, or simply want to do your good deed of the day, think about donating. You can do so here. Thank you!!!

“In Alzheimer’s [disease] the mind dies first: Names, dates, places—the interior scrapbook of an entire life—fade into mists of nonrecognition.” —Matt Clark

I bought the boys winter hats from an Etsy store called The Royal Blossom.

I love them.

“Wearing a hat is like having a baby or a puppy; everyone stops to coo and talk about it.” —Louise Green

To get ready for the kids’ great grandmas’ visit, Sophie helped me make …

an apple pie.

And by “help” I mean she ate the apples and learned that you shouldn’t take a bit of an apple slice and then put the rest of the slice back in the unbaked pie crust.

Great Grandma Gebhart and Owen

Great Grandma Mangan and James

Sophie giving my uncle Corey a check-up

My aunt Ann holding Owen and talking to her son, Ben, who was on his way to teach in Belize (check out his blog here!)

four generations (it was difficult to get a good picture)

three kids, in the beautiful outfits their Great Aunt Susan made for them—she sells her handmade clothes on Etsy (check out the site, here!)

After everyone left and shortly before Andy came home I had a few (oh so brief) minutes in which all three children were napping at once—a most perfect day.

“Good apple pies are a considerable part of our domestic happiness.” —Jane Austen

“Concentration is the secret of strength.” —Ralph Waldo Emerson

5 lbs., 11 oz., 19 inches—born October 9 to two of my very best friends. Congratulations, Jenna and Greg! And welcome, beautiful Hannah!

“And the seasons they go round and round
And the painted ponies go up and down
We’re captive on the carousel of time
We can’t return we can only look
Behind from where we came
And go round and round and round
In the circle game.” —Joni Mitchell

James: “We’re both getting really good at tummy time.”

James: “And you know why Mom took this picture? Because I was just on my tummy. And now I’m on my back. And I got there all by myself. (I was tired of Owen doing everything first, you see.)”

pictures taken October 10

“It is the nature of babies to be in bliss.” —Deepak Chopra

Owen: “Here we go again, Mom taking yet another picture.”

James: “Just look at the camera so we can get out of this obviously-made-for-one-baby boppy.”

Owen: “Whatever, I’m too tired.”

James: “Seriously, enough!”

“The camera can photograph thought.” —Dirk Bogarde

bouncing on the bed

making messes

dodging kisses

(Thanks, Tari, for the delicious lunch, and thanks, Whitney and Lauren, for the great visit!)

“Three little monkeys jumping on the bed
One fell off and bumped her head
Mama called the doctor and the doctor said
No more monkeys jumping on the bed.” —traditional rhyme

“I remember a time when the bloom was on the cotton
When our hearts chased the clouds like the swallow on the wing
When our cares which were already few were soon forgotten
Just sittin’ on the front porch swing.” —Buddy Sheffield

“Look this way, James and Owen! Yes, right here! Look at Mommy! James, put your hand down! Sophie, smile! Let me see your pretty teeth!”

“Aw, James, you’re almost smiling! Owen, smile! Let me see you smile! [Insert silly noise made with tongue and lips here.] Yay, Sophie! I see your teeth! Now smile! Everyone smile! La la la la la! Smile!”

“James, Owen! Smile! Sophie, I see more of your teeth but I need to see you smile!”

Close enough. (This, after about 30+ clicks.)

“I like to think of photographing as a two way act of respect. Respect for the medium by letting it do what it does best, describe. And respect for the subject by describing it as it is. A photograph must be responsible to both. I photograph to see what things look like photographed.” —Garry Winogrand