Margot Turns Two

March 17, 2015 ~ Crystle ~ 8 Comments

Margot - Milestone Lifestyle Session via Yea Yea Photography

Since the first time I heard Margot babble, I wondered what was going on in that little head of hers. Now I know. Oh, do I know! Let me give you a sampling of her favorite things to say on this, her second birthday.

Hey mama, watcha doin? — she asks me this about a million times a day

Ha ha, baby funny.

Uh oh, wha happuned? — usually when she sees shadows or light

It’s a [noun] jus lika [same noun]! Example: It’s a dog jus lik a dog!

Play more? — reserved for when she’s required to take a nap or go to bed

More cereal? — a new phrase she has thrown out there after she figured out ‘play more?’ wasn’t working out. Tonight, it worked.

(In a sing-song voice) Uuuuups, come back! — A song sung by adults from Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood to remind the kids to chill out when they leave, because “grownups come back”.

She sleeps in a twin size bed every night, only climbing out every night until she tires herself out and falls asleep. Usually an hour or two past her bedtime. That’s fun for us. She learned how to open doors the same week she started sleeping in her own bed, so we have had the cruel task of putting a gate up in her doorway to keep her from wandering the home if she wakes at night, or before us in the mornings. It probably isn’t necessary since she mostly yells from her bed.

Mommy, weh ah yew?! has evolved into Daddy, weh ah yew?! at night and in the mornings when she’s totally done with the sleep scene. It’s my new alarm clock. Just kidding, I never sleep, I have a six month old who forbids it!

She’s polite. She always says thank you, and is even getting the hang of no thank you. She says scuse me Sayee to the dog when she needs to get by, and is fine tuned with others emotions. She is quick to point out anyone who is crying in her princess movies, or on her PBS shows, and she genuinely seems concerned for them.

She loves to nurture her baby brother by bringing him binkies, toys and blankies, giving him hugs and kisses, and trying to entertain him when the adults are busy.

She loves dresses, chap stick, cameras and babies.

She throws her entire body into hugs, and always says mmmm-ah! when she gives kisses.

She is the happiest, most unsinkable human I know. And the cutest.

Happy Birthday, Margot Bryn!

A Day in the Life

March 9, 2015 ~ Crystle ~ 6 Comments

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I’ve been a Cheechako for eighteen months, officially. When you’re new to Alaska the locals call you a Cheechako. It’s only after you’ve been through a full summer and winter cycle that you graduate to ‘Sourdough’. Even though my family is wrapping up our second winter here, we’re part of Fairbanks’ transient population and for that reason I don’t feel seasoned enough to call myself a Sourdough.

Our second winter was easier than the first, mostly because our expectations were born from experience: chronic sub-zero temps, and darkness before and after the winter solstice really dominate the landscape and mood. I gave birth to my second child here, too, permanently solidifying my connection to this land. The cold and isolating Alaskan winters are arduous for this native Southern Californian, but they have their merits, too.

Aurora Borealis, which is said to be ancestors celebrating earthly events, came out in full force the week my baby Woodrow was born, and a few glorious shows in my city neighborhood have occurred in the six months since. It still wasn’t easy being stuck indoors with a newborn (Welcome to the World, Woodrow!) and a bold toddler (Climb down from there, Margot!), all while running my Photography Business, Yea Yea Photography.

My winter days are spent cooped up indoors, trying to find a balance between managing my home, playing with my kids and growing a creative business. My summer days in Alaska are precious. They’re reserved for accumulating outdoor experiences. They’re for wildlife viewing, Denali camping, and farmers market falafel eating! They’re for trail running, berry picking, and hiking. They’re currency and compensation for six long months of winter.

We don’t know where the Army will send us after our time here (a year and a half from now), but it will likely be less dynamic than Alaska. The lessons learned here on seizing the day will never be forgotten, and maybe after I leave I’ll finally feel confident to call myself a Sourdough. 2015-03-09_0010

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This post is an entry to the Sakura Bloom Sling Diaries Volume VI – A Day in the Life

Woods – Six Months Later

March 9, 2015January 25, 2023 ~ Crystle ~ 1 Comment

Woodrow - Six Month Milestone Session Via Yea Yea Photography

Look at those teeth! That gummy grin is no more as we enter the days of messy baby food, and clumsy baby mobility.

Only after shooting a newborn session last week did I realize that my baby wasn’t such a little baby anymore. His chunky little grin and long, round body are hulk-sized next to a newborn. While playing on the ground, he rolls from side to side, reaches his rotund hands out for toys and wiggles in an adorable attempt at crawling. He loves watching Margot play, and does not want to be put in a corner.

You’ll most happily find him in a Sakura Bloom ring sling (I’ve even converted several friends to this method of babywearing!), or asleep in his father’s strong arms. His giggles are infectious and his farts are hilarious. This kid can do no wrong. Even his wanton disregard for a sleep schedule is tolerable.

Today at his wellness check, the doctor told us he’s a lefty. He must get that from his Nana Steph, Pop-pop and aunt Rachel. (Update 2023: he is a righty!)

I think he’ll be a great baseball player, and so fun to watch at bat. (Update 2023: we prefer soccer.)

Woody loves our shelter dog Sally, and the dog is so needy, she will tolerate even the most aggressive tugs at her ears. You’ll typically find Sally parked at Woody’s feet, enjoying a few kicks and toe-pinches that she undoubtedly confuses for petting. They’re a so sweet together.

Before we know it, we’ll be celebrating his first birthday, watching him take his first steps, and listening to him pick up on the English language. He’ll eventually sleep in a big-kid bed like Margot, then figure out how to open a door and holler “more play!” in the doorway behind the baby gate, also like Margot. He may even enjoy a princess movie like Margot, but probably not.

Happy Half-Birthday, Woods!