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Bellaire Farm

2012-06-17T10:33:00.001-04:00

Last weekend we made a trip to Bellaire Farm to pick up a weekly share of vegetables (courtesy of our friends who were out of town). Hattie had fun picking sweet peas, visiting with the bunnies, playing in the dirt, and posing for the camera. We're looking forward to another trip to the farm soon.

2012-03-20T21:12:00.000-04:00

Exhale. One year old. Next month. A few thoughts: Wow, has it already been a year since this little sweet person has been with us? Wow has it only been a year since this little sweet person has been with us? In so many ways, it feels like she's always been a part of us. I know its hackneyed to say "It's hard to remember life before them" but it's so true. The way her little nose crinkles when she smiles. The way she makes sure no one is left out of having a smile from her, even the strangest of strangers. :) The way she sings herself to sleep every night. These are a few of her daily antics. These are a few of my favorite things. She has grown so fast and every day finds her learning a new thing. (Waving has been all the rage these days with her. She literally wakes up waving to all of her toys before she is out of her crib and when we go out, everyone gets a wave even if they are a mile away and don't see her.) She is on the verge of walking - our furniture is merely guard rails for her trajectory but not for too much longer. There is so much going on that sometimes I wish she would slow down so I could soak her up like a little sponge. Oh, my girl. How I love what you have done to us. You have made our love for you and for each other deeper, wider, and more flexible. You have taught us so much about the beauty and grace of the Lord. How we have enjoyed this year. How we look forward to the next. We love you, sweetheart. (written by Mommy)

The Rocketeer - Halloween 2011

2011-10-31T21:02:00.000-04:00

6 Month Photo Shoot

2011-10-22T22:06:00.003-04:00

I can't tell you the number of people who have said to me, "enjoy every moment because they go so fast!" And I can now confirm - they are right. Our sweet little girl is now 6 months old!
A few of her likes: Amos' tail, faces, music, morning time, momma's iPod touch, riding in the 'backpack', smiling, music, nursing, bouncing in her bouncy chair, any object she can get her hands on, music, her momma, the computer screen, oh, and music; just to name a few.

Day with the Cousins

2011-10-22T21:33:00.001-04:00

The girls (and Sam) met up for the day in Short-Pump

Hattie Loves Faces

Sam Loves Hattie, and Tessa is a Doll!

Yay for Aunt Jenna

The Sista's.

Get that Camera

2011-10-22T21:30:00.001-04:00

Fall is Upon Us

2011-10-22T21:28:00.000-04:00

Home From Work, Best part of the Day

1, 2, 3 - Kiss Hattie!!!!

Baby Blues

Momma and Baby at Blue Mountain Brewery

Enjoying the Mountain Views and Fall Weather

Around Labor Day

2011-09-18T10:07:00.002-04:00

Uncle Nate's Visit

2011-09-18T10:06:00.002-04:00

Madeleine L'Engle Quote

2011-08-14T00:00:00.002-04:00

A friend shared this quote with me today, and I feel its worth passing along.

"There is nothing so secular that it cannot be sacred, and that is one of the deepest messages of the Incarnation." - Madeleine L'Engle

Birth Announcements - Finally

2011-08-12T10:37:00.000-04:00

It only took us about 4 months to get around to these. There are 50 hard copies finding there way around the country to different family and friends. I'm sorry that not everyone will get a hard copy in the mail, but if you'd like to print a copy yourself I can email you one. Just let me know.


photo credit: Robin

peace!

Bath Time

2011-08-08T21:27:00.001-04:00

It was high-time for me to break out the camera that had been tucked away for weeks. Somewhere in the midst of all the hullabaloo that comes with the excitement of new parenthood things got busy, challenging, and more busy - and more challenging. I wasn't finding or taking the time to shoot some nice photos (plenty of point and shoots, but they're just not the same as the same SLR).

We've fallen so in love with our little lady over these first few months. But I, for one, didn't know how "full-on" parenting is. And you know, no amount of pondering could have ever revealed it to me. And as every parent says, "where has time gone?" Somehow we are encroaching on the 4 month mark with Hattie. (how did that happened???)

Its becoming more clear that her eyes are a radiant blue like her Mimi's. Skin ever-so-soft. and Demeanor, ..... oh demeanor... this girl has personality aplenty.

I love this one because it looks like she's telling her momma a story from her day.

She's recently discovered the joy of sucking her fingers. The noise she makes doing this is hilarious.


tasteful, yet, tacky. or tacky, yet, tasteful. not sure?

Peace!

Know What Its Like: Nathanael Hyer

2011-06-22T12:40:00.000-04:00

Around 8 weeks

2011-06-14T08:21:00.000-04:00

Mimi and Daddy-O

2011-05-06T09:44:00.000-04:00

My parents, affectionately known to Hattie as Mimi and Daddy-O, came for a visit this week. Its amazing to see, and think about, the connection between all of us that spans the generations. Family is such a rich blessing!! Hope you find time to be in love with your family today!

we moved.

2011-05-04T17:51:00.000-04:00

We moved. Actually a group of loving people moved us.
I must confess there were more than a few moments where I was thinking, "what were we thinking?!"
But now that we're here. Its amazing. Here's a few pics.

Amos staring down his nemisi

out the back door

Music Time

On: Knitting, Prayer, Giving a Name and The Most Beautiful Smile I've Ever Seen

2011-04-29T10:13:00.000-04:00

I'm going to keep sharing these stories as long as they're fresh in my mind.

_________________________________________

In the final days of Robin's pregnancy she was growing more and more uncomfortable by the minute. As her husband, it became increasingly difficult to watch her in this state of body and mind. Especially knowing that I was powerless to mitigate her discomforts. On one particular evening, a day or two before Hattie was born, Robin asked me to pray for her.

Like many areas of my life I usually come out of the gates quickly and with little thought, but then as the gravity of my words (or actions) becomes more apparent I slow down and become more thoughtful. This prayer was no different. I don't know exactly how the prayer started, but I came to a place where I wanted to ask the Great Searcher of Human Hearts [1] to send us our child. But I couldn't finish the sentence. It seemed wrong.

Our child, was still being created. Knit together. Fashioned. Who was I to ask the Giver of Life to hurry things up. Even in the midst of my wife's discomfort? I couldn't ask for that.

"You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body and knit me together in my mother’s womb." Psalm 139:13

I thought of my child - and how, if I already knew him or her I would tell them to enjoy these final moments before their birth. Enjoy the time with their creator. What awaited him or her was a world filled with so many opportunities to be well acquainted with evil and hurt. Take your time getting here little one.

Something miraculous happens in those moments when a child comes into this world. I watched every second of Hattie's birth. I can remember seeing her head, full of hair, for the first time. And as Robin labored to be delivered, Hattie came closer and closer to birth. Her head would appear a little bigger and a little bigger with each contraction. For about 25 minutes I though Hattie's head was about the size of a racket ball. Its all I could see, and I wasn't exactly familiar with how large a newborn's head was supposed to be. So I deduced then and there that she was just really tiny. And, I couldn't figure out why with a head so small she wasn't fitting out. Hattie is a tiny girl, but her head was actually the size of a large grapefruit, not a racket ball. I'll spare the details of what Hattie's head was doing in order to fit out, and why I thought it was so much smaller.

________________

From the moment Robin asked me if I could confirm what the pregnancy test was revealing that verse above (Psalm 139) never left my mind. I thought of it almost every time I thought of our baby. Jealous at times. Longing for that personal touch from God.

Obviously (and many of our friends and family, as well as any parent, can attest) there have been so many moments over the last 10 days where we have felt so incapable of parenting our little child. Most of the nights since her birth have included a several hour "papa/daughter" session where I try to remind Hattie of how tired she is. And she always persists that she's not tired at all, and the land where she comes from its really 2 in the afternoon, not 2 in the morning.

I often turn to prayer in these hours. And nearly every time I pray. Whether prayer for Hattie, for myself, or Robin, Hattie's demeanor noticeably changes. So many times when I've started to pray Hattie starts to grin, smile and even chuckle (out loud) some times. I know it sounds crazy. I wouldn't believe it myself if it hadn't happened countless times.

Its amazing how intimately Hattie must know the One she has spent the last 9 months being fashioned by. Again, I'm jealous.

Throughout the pregnancy I prayed and asked the God to share with me what he called Hattie, during their time together in the womb. I'm not here to say that she was or was not called Hattie. Only that I know he has a name for my daughter. He knows how to bring a smile to her face.

Eventually things will transition and I'll be the one who brings a smile to her face. First with a tickle on the bottom of her foot. Then through funny stories. Leading to ironic and witty humor. Eventually, as she laughs at how old fashioned her papa is :)

I don't know if these smiles will be the same as those I've seen in these first days. The pureness of them has yet to know pain. The genuiness of them has yet to know cynicism. The joy they represent couldn't possibly be more authentic.

Best part is: they're contagious. I never fail to stop in my tracks and smile too. They are the most beautiful smiles I've ever seen. Photos don't do them justice.

________________________________________________________________________________

[1] George Washington used this phrase to refer to our One God. I've loved it ever since I heard it.

Monday Morning Inspiration

2011-04-25T09:11:00.000-04:00

A New Kind of Birth

2011-04-24T17:26:00.000-04:00

We stop.

We remember.

An event that seems so strange in the context of our modern world.

Rising from the dead?

God forsaking God on the cross?

The resurrection is so absurd, so far fetched.

Could it be real?

Is it real, to me?

This week I've asked myself: what does the resurrection mean to me?

I've had a hard time answering the question.

Not willing to cop out with my answer - its been a struggle to find the right words. I may be able to pull one over on someone else, but I must to be honest with myself.

This morning as I was out for a walk with Amos, 6:30-ish on Easter Sunday morning. The sun was just rising, the spring air - clear, with a sense of newness. Lush gardens beginning to express the colors of spring, and Amos and I - walking.

I worshiped God in that moment, so aware of his presence and love. And my question resurfaced.

What do I think about the resurrection?

I had a heart wrenching thought. The apex of the christian faith, resurrection, new life, the restored humanity, can all be so hard to grasp because I spend so much time denying it.

This day. This Easter Sunday morning, its so easy to affirm the Life of Christ and his resurrection with our lips.

But what about tomorrow?

When I walk past the needy man.

When I choose anger, over gentleness.

Rash judgment over patience.

When I choose despair over my circumstances instead of hope.

Do I really affirm the Resurrected life of Christ?

Its hard to say yes.

But - if I confess that I do indeed deny the resurrection of Christ. I must also proclaim that I affirm it!

The Gift of God, through Christ, his Holy Spirit, connects with me on occasion.

I hear someone.

I see someone.

I forget myself, and serve.

Its true.

I affirm.

I deny.

I am a sinner.

I am a saint.

There was a man named Nicodemus who approached Jesus under the cloak of night. Nicodemus offers a compliment to Jesus. And Jesus responds with a statement about the life renewed. "Unless you are born again, you cannot see the kingdom of God" (John 3:3)

Born again?

I watched a birth this week - the birth process is still very fresh in my mind.

While the birth lasted but an instant, there were 41 weeks of pregnancy leading up the moment of new life. We welcomed our daughter Hattie Nell into this world on Palm Sunday at 7:28 am.

And I agree with Nicodemus' response to Jesus: "What do you mean? How can a man go back into his mother's womb and be born again?"

Let me tell you, I know for a fact that is impossible.

My 6 lb 15 oz daughter was a 'just fit'.

Jesus answers him, "Humans can reproduce only human life, but the Holy Spirit gives birth to spiritual life"

Birth.

Birth follows a season of pregnancy.

Heavy laden.

Expectant.

Stretching.

Pain.

And then. Just as the day is new. Just as the tomb is rolled away. Just as the songs of the bird awakes the morning.

Birth.

New Life.

Joy.

Peace.

For me, the language of affirming the resurrection of Christ hasn't come easy. Its been sort of like a pregnancy.

I think Jesus knew this. Thats why he used this language of birth.

Affirmation. Denial. Expectancy. Pain. Joy. Hope. Surprise. Sorrow. Celebration.

But always - life.

Flesh.

Blood.

Life.

My Ladies

2011-04-20T18:02:00.002-04:00

Hattie takes after her Momma: they're both amazing! Robin was incredible throughout the pregnancy and she was nothing short of heroic through the delivery. I love seeing her with Hattie, now. The joy is uncontainable. Which is why I'm sharing some more pictures :)

The Love of a mother is something to be seen. A funny story (funny now, not when it happened): Our second night at the hospital we thought we'd give it a go with Hattie in the room, since that is how it would be at our house. So we had gone through all the necessary steps: a feeding, a clean diaper, a tight swaddle and rocking with Papa until she had fallen asleep. Lights out somewhere around 11:30. We thought we had it licked. Just as the lights went out we made a comment (I can't remember if it was me or Momma, probably me) "man, things are going so smoothly..." Not 2 minutes after my head hit the pillow I heard a cough, a splat, and some gargling. Robin and I both jumped out of our individual hospital beds, scrambled to find a light switch, (which wasn't easy. think of two cartoon characters scrambling around bumping into each other). When we got some lights on we realized Hattie didn't seem to be breathing. She was struggling. Also in the chaos we were going to try to push the Nurse button, but that may take too long. So Robin grabbed Hattie and tore off down the hall toward the nurses station. Two nurses met her in the hall (props to Martha Jefferson), and got Hattie to clear the mucus and colostrum. In hindsight it wasn't a big deal, however us being so new at being parents were a little overwhelmed. We returned to the room and talked strategy for the next time that may happen.

Luckily since then, Hattie has been great. Our first night at the house went smoothly. Feedings about every 3 hours. Not too much sleeping. Mainly nerves. Hattie did amazing.

Enough with the type, here are my beautiful ladies:

When we came home from the hospital we started to identify those elements of our homecoming that were going to be crucial to our first day's survival. One of those is the Moses basket we've been handed down through Robin's side of the family. At some point during that first day I noticed a little cross folded from a palm leaf stuck in the basket. It was a symbol of Palm Sunday - the day of Hattie's birth. Our friends Steve and Chelsi, who have been a rock for us in these days, had come to the house to pick up Amos for the week, and Steve placed the palm cross on the basket. Here's Hattie with Steve and Chelsi. When I think about Steve and Chelsi, as well as all the other people around us here in Charlottesville I recall that it "takes a village to raise a child." And our village is so beautiful!

Hattie with Chelsi

Hattie with Steve

Hattie Nell - Part I

2011-04-19T17:24:00.001-04:00

Our little one has arrived - and she came in the form of Hattie Nell. In all our months of waiting you would think that the gender mystery was so huge that we (I) would not loose a second to find out what it was once the baby was arrived. Ha. I forgot to check. The moment of her birth was spectacular and stands forth in my memory so brightly, but one thing I didn't think to do was find out the baby's gender. And because we had requested that the nurses and doctor allow me to announce it - no one else said anything either. When I did realize I could now find out the gender maybe 1-2 minutes after she came out, I ran around the room past all the equipment and nurses, and took a glance. Sure enough - a girl! What a surprise. An amazing surprise. And when they asked what her name was, well, that's when I lost it. I couldn't speak out her name tears and the lump in my throat kept me from saying it. Eventually I got around to saying it - first to Robin, then to everyone else. Hattie Nell. Hattie means: Home Loving. Nell: Sweet Charmer. Hattie because we love the name (loosely named after Hattie McDaniel the woman who played Mammy in Gone With the Wind). The name Hattie went out of popularity nearly 90 years ago and that only added to its charm, for us. Nell is a family name - Robin's mother's middle name.

The birth story could go on for pages, and I'm sure we'll get around to writing it soon, however, I just wanted to share a few pictures.

Family friend, family doctor and now Hattie's pediatrician Dr. Gelburd came by to do one last check in the hospital before discharge.

Personal Friend, fellow father, and co-worker Ben Hays came by to let us know their son was born just one day after Hattie. They stayed in the room right across the hall from us. Amazing!

A Lenten Snow-Day

2011-03-31T22:53:00.000-04:00

Its been so long since we've stepped off the hamster wheel of parent-to-be-preparations and studying and all the other hullabaloo that demands our attention. I thank this morning's snowfall. Even if I was tempted to get out there and take care of business as usual the snow has convinced me to stay inside with my Sweet Lily and faithful hound.

This season of Lent has summonsed me more than years prior. I'm not sure if that is because of our impending family addition, my exhaustion from carrying a heavy load or something else - but no matter the reason I'm grateful to have stopped to contemplate the words of Karl Barth as part of our Lenten readings. These words have brought beautiful thoughts about grace to light. I love this: "When we speak of grace, we think of the fact that [God's] favorable inclination towards the creature does not allow itself to be soured and frustrated by the resistance of the latter."

So we stopped and just rested in this grace we had forgotten. Forgotten because of our distractions, or obligations, or any number of reasons. But with Butta' Bean on the way fewer distractions are better :)

Speaking of Butta' Bean - I think we're all set (laughing hysterically on the inside). Hospital bag is packed, the car seat is installed (thanks Justin!), the dresser is assembled (thanks to all those years of practicing with Lego's and Ikea), the clothes are all washed (thank you Robin) and we have been offered so much support, and prayers, and blessings by so many - Thank you!

Now we are just waiting for Butta' Bean to make his or her debut. Exciting! We went to Target last night to pick up a point and shoot camera so sharing photos and video will be easy. Since family is spread all over the country we felt this to be a necessary purchase. After spending too long at the Target electronics counter I second guessed myself and bought a camera that once I got home and used I didn't like. So, its going back and another one from Amazon will be on it's way.

Here's a few pics of us from our snowed in morning. Robin is almost 39 weeks here - so beautiful!

And of course a few of Amos...

Yours Truly :)

The Main Street

2011-03-21T23:21:00.000-04:00

Lately I've been working on a portfolio of images for a website that will be launched next month. More on that later. Some of the images I've been taking I really love and have been wanting to share - but alas, I'll continue to keep them a secret so the group I'm taking them for can have first pic of the good ones :). However, here's one of my personal favorites that I don't think will make the cut for their site.

Kris Pringle - Photo Session

2011-03-02T08:41:00.001-05:00

Our friend Kris Pringle blessed Robin and I with a pregnancy photo-shoot last weekend. The pictures came out amazing. Here's a few of my favorites. You can view all of them at her blog.

Thanks again Kris! We love the pics!

Charlottesville Says

2011-02-28T11:23:00.000-05:00