Come to the Table

I was a food stylist. And, I was good. I found these pictures that were taken about 2 months before I got pregnant with Greta. These were for a promotional ad campaign for The Bristol in Leawood, Kansas. We shot for about 4 days with photographer, Kenny Johnson, in his studio in downtown Kansas City. Kenny is a soft spoken man, very very talented and not a bit arrogant. He was such a pleasure to work with. We had the chef of the Bristol on set to answer any questions and to make sure the recipes were followed precisely. I remember he offered me a job and I laughed...I only make food look good, not taste good!
I am so pleased to find these pictures - I don't have many of all of the work I did...But, here is the proof that I know how to sling a plate of more than just chicken fingers and applesauce, right Greta?

It is amazing, the detail put into each shot. Every single morsel and sauce was placed with purpose..even the sesames were toasted and glued on each cracker. I even made the crackers! I made the bacon curly and I blackened the tuna. I placed each grill mark on the salmon and I picked every kernel of corn.

I have to chuckle a little as I sit and study my old pictures in a room cluttered with baby dolls and bristle blocks. Now I am styling life. May my children turn out as perfectly well mannered as the tuna tartar!

LOVE

The Cherry on Top

Sleeping is the one thing that our Jack has not mastered...at least, not at night. I had to catch these magical moments with care. Jack is almost 6 months old, now. We made it through the cold winter by bundling and cuddling and we are really ready to get outside and see what life is all about. At 5 and a half months, Jack sprouted his first 2 teeth. He rolls all around his crib now, and he will crawl as soon as he figures out what his arms are supposed to do. Right now he scoots with just his legs on his chest....but he is going places! Jack coos and sings when I sing him lullabies and when Greta sings to him. He smiles and laughs so hard when you offer him even the smallest smile. He even sits up unassisted now! He is almost ready to try bananas. What a little monkey. Jack is a joy. He is the cherry on top.

Kite

We took the kids to a field right at the end of our street and flew Greta's kite. It is the perfect thing to do on a March afternoon. It was quite a sight for her! You rarely see an elephant in the sky...it may have been a first for all of us!

So sad, its funny part 1

So sad, its funny part 1, originally uploaded by DerekandRebecca.

Jack never cries. He just hollers...never tears unless he means business. But, he hates the word, "Ahhhh". Obviously.

ABCs

ABCs, originally uploaded by DerekandRebecca.

Finally caught on camera.... I have been trying for some time now,and the little squirt knows it. Guess she was feeling adventurous. I am working on getting her rendition of "Bushel and a Peck".

Baby bird

Poor baby bird has a hurt wing. This past week has been one of little sleep, many tears and lots of love. It all began on Friday evening when I was making her dinner, just to give this post some flavor, Greta was having scrambled eggs with cheddar cheese, a Belgian waffle and fresh strawberries, grapes and banana. Oh, yeah.. and chocolate milk (it was Friday, you know). She was playing in our living room and running around like usual when she fell in the kitchen right behind me. She whimpered and got up reaching out to me for a kiss. Then she went on her way, down to our family room with Derek and Jack. She didn't eat dinner and didn't protest when it was time for books and lullabies and bedtime. In the night she did wake up, but I thought it was because she could hear Jack bellowing for party time at 3 am. She was singing. Then, first thing Saturday morning she showed us she was in pain. We took her arm out of her jammies to see that it was very swollen. We called the doctor and took her in. She was so good and did everything they asked but cried when her arm was extended fully. An xray was ordered. We were at the hospital most of the day and came home and ate "hangeburgers" and "chocate" milkshakes. Then we also realized that poor Greta was also getting Derek's bronchitis. Oh no!
So, Greta has been absolutely pitiful. Her temperature was lingering at 101 and she was lethargic. She wouldn't move, but just cried and cried. Her little arm hung at her side and she screamed if you touched it. Seeing your baby hurt so much is terrifying. I couldn't leave her side. Derek ran for juice and popsicles and I made homemade chicken noodle soup. Cohen brought over soup and banana bread and an Elmo balloon with his condolences. Everyone's thoughts were for Greta. The doctor called and reported that the xray could not determine if her elbow was broken or not because her bones are so young. But because there is fluid on the elbow he thinks it requires another xray. We wait. I have never been so worried. I have never felt more like a mother. There is power in kissing booboos and cooling fevers and it comes from that place that only other mothers know about.