I went back to the basics for this week’s picture: natural light. I’ve come to rely on my external flash, and I wanted to see what I could do with just the natural light in our house. What I forgot is that the natural light in our house STINKS. The weather needs to warm up so I can get Lucy outside on the weekends for some of these shots! Darned winter birthdays!

Simon (left) and Mary (right) at Week 10.

This weekend was the Super Bowl, and darned if the Giants didn’t win the thing again. I have to be a little happy, because my father-in-law is on cloud nine, and we like him, so we want him to be happy. This is in no way related to picture of the week, but if you want to see a bonus picture, I might have one that is giants-related.

Simon (left) and Mary (right) at Week 8.

The first picture I have of Mary smiling came at week 8, and it appears that Lucy is following the same trajectory as her sister. Smiles are infrequent, but seem to be picking up speed. I can’t quite produce them on-demand just yet, so I was fortunate to snap this shot as Lucy was being held by my cousin, Kathy.

Simon (left) and Mary (right) at Week 8.

The sleeper she’s wearing here could have been a Christmas outfit, but she was too little for it. It’s hard to believe that at 7 weeks, she’s probably only about as big as Simon was a week or two after he was born. And she is steadfastly against sleeping at night for longer than 2 hours at a stretch. I know that’s totally normal, but it is also totally normal for me to be eager for that stage to end!

Simon (left) and Mary (right) at Week 6.

I had every intention of bringing my camera along for my brother’s birthday celebration yesterday and taking lots of pictures, particularly of Lucy with family members, in the hopes of getting a good shot for the weekly picture. Kate asked me if I remembered the camera about 3/4ths of the way to their house. Yeah, I completely forgot it. So this week’s shot was hastily assembled during a few minutes of good awake time she had before “bedtime.” I use the term very loosely, at this point.

Simon (left) and Mary (right) at Week 6.

We were hanging out watching the Giants/Falcons playoff game when it came time to take picture of the week. The light from the windows gives Lucy some interesting catch-lights in her eyes.

Simon (left) and Mary (right) at Week 5.

Kate’s parents came down to help out for a couple of weeks, and we SO appreciate their assistance. Her mom is actually going to be here until the 7th. A few days ago, she requested that she be in picture of the week, and really, how can I NOT put her there after all the assistance they’ve provided! So major props to my in-laws, my parents, and all the other family and friends who have lent a hand in various ways (hospital visits, entertaining kids, meals, laundry, cleaning – the list goes on and on) over the past three weeks. We really appreciate all the help and caring that everybody has provided!

Lucy’s hair looks a bit red in this picture, but I think that has more to do with the white balance of the photo than any actual real read hair.

Simon (left) and Mary (right) at Week 4.

It’s been an eventful past couple of days for Lucy. At her two week appointment she hadn’t put on any weight since leaving the hospital. We’ve spent the weekend changing her feeding schedule, and Kate has been an absolute champ with the nursing and supplementing, so we’re hoping that her followup appointment tomorrow yields a positive trend in the weight department. With the weight stress and the (good) craziness of Christmas, it’s been an exhausting weekend! I go back to work tomorrow, and it may well be more restful than being at home! This week’s picture was taken on Christmas day.

Simon (left) and Mary (right) at Week 3.