Well, to all the parents out there, when you are going to take your baby for the first time for baby pictures, you are probably going to be very excited. This is something that most new parents love to do, and they can sometimes get carried away. That??s okay though, as this is something that happens once in a life time. Those first pictures are going to be some of the favored ones throughout life, as they are never that small again. These pictures are also treasured by relatives, especially those that might be far away and don??t get to see the baby very often, if at all.
Yeah, I know that there are many great places where you can get your baby pictures done, and some are definitely better than others. You can ask to the people you know , who have had done taking great baby pictures and ask them where they went.??? You want to find a place for baby pictures that will give you what you want, and allow you to do what you want. If you want to take three different outfits with you, that is something that you should be able to do. In fact, you may find that many places encourage you to bring a change of clothing and any props that mean something to you.??????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????
Particularly. I’m not telling everyone that my baby is as cute as much, but for me??? my little one is cute – what parent does not feel that way? Still, when I got back the baby shower pictures, I was pretty surprised. That was one cute, photogenic kid in my opinion.??? The first few baby pictures that we had taken ?? the ones of Julie right after the delivery ?? looked like all newborn babies look. She had a pinched, scrunched up, red face, and was strange, pudgy, and wrinkly all over. As what I have noticed, after a few weeks, however, she had transformed pretty much completely. She looked very different from how she had at first. She even had a little bit of hair starting to grow in on her head!????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????
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I was surprised, when one of my friends first suggested that we enter her in a baby picture contest, I was not thrilled with the idea right at first. After all, I did not want her to be one of those over-pressured child actor kids who end up not being able to live a normal childhood. Still, I had to admit that the baby pictures did look very good and, with a visit to a professional baby photographer, they could look even better. It seemed like it was worth a try.
Likewise, when we went to the photographer’s office for the first time, we got to really get a look at her work. I can see, that there are baby pictures all over the wall, and in every nook and cranny. You can find cute baby pictures there, the other one that I have noticed, it look like more sedate and serious, and even a few abstract studies in form that involved babies in them. It was clear right away that this woman knew her business, and really had quite a passion for babies.
But, if you don??t want to go a few times a year for baby pictures, though some do this during the first years because they grow so fast, ask to get shots that work with the different seasons.??? Well, you can get some that are summer-like, and some that suggest winter or Christmas, if that is what you celebrate. That way, you have pictures to put up that go with the feeling that you get when you look out the window. You can also get some that are neutral so that they look good no matter what is going on with the weather.
Unfortunately, getting your baby pictures done can be kind of a hit or miss proposition ?? especially with a newborn. If she is not in the mood for it that day, that is it. There is no reasoning with a kid that small. Anyway, that day was a waste. None of the baby pictures really came out all that well, and after only about 5 minutes of shooting, we had to go. She was hungry and needed to be fed, and seemed pretty sleepy and grumpy as well. The next time we went, however, was pure gold. We had some of the most gorgeous, well-put-together pictures of babies I had ever seen! I’m trying not to get my hopes up too high, but I bet we can win that contest.
As to the parents like me,??? when ordering prints of your baby pictures, get more than you need.??? I assure you that you won’t hurt to put some??? away, but you will be sorry when you simply don??t have enough to go around. I know that baby pictures are special things, and those that love you are going to love to have pictures of your children. Think about sizes before you go, so you don??t have to go through the pain of reordering prints when you simply didn??t get enough baby pictures. Don??t forget that those who get larger pictures will also want wallet size, so get enough of both. So, parents why don’t you try taking pictures with your little one
, it’s a bit fun??? and likewise you can treasure these forever as he or she grows.
Posts Tagged ‘love’
Love Those First Baby Pictures
Tuesday, February 23rd, 2010What Tango Dancing Has Taught Me about Love
Tuesday, December 15th, 2009The man I??m involved with is passionate about Argentine Tango dancing?? I mean really, really passionate.??? When we started dating, he wanted to know if I??d be interested in learning Tango.??? I was, I am, so we are.??? What an amazing discovery it has been not only into the world of this man, and Tango dancing, but also into the relationships between men and women.
This is what Argentine Tango has taught me about relationships and love:
=>??? Argentine Tango is danced in an embrace that can vary from very open, in which the leader and follower connect only through their arms, to very close, in which the connection is chest-to-chest.??? What is critical in both styles is the ability of the dancers to be over their own axis, or center point in their body to stay balanced?? much like a relationship between a man and a woman, where you are not only connected intimately together as a couple, but also independent of each other as well.??? One of the difficulties I experienced in relationships with men when I was younger was my tendency to build my world around them and to want constant togetherness.??? Those relationships tended to be short-lived.
In my current relationship, one of the things my partner says impressed him about me was my lack of jealousy around his platonic female friends as well as my understanding of his need to do certain things on his own.??? Part of the beauty of a relationship between emotionally mature adults is the fact that you can be independent of each other and lead very independent lives.??? But when you come together, it??s because you want to, not because you feel some obligation towards this person.??? And the fact that you are independent of each other makes your coming together that much more special, inviting, and engaging.
=> ???Tango is essentially walking with a partner and to the music.??? A good dancer makes you see the music in their dance.??? And what a beautiful metaphor for a great relationship!??? For what more is there than to be able to walk through life with your partner?? allowing them to see inside your life, your love, and your heart?? seeing the ??music in your dance,?? as you have the opportunity to see theirs.??? And you dance to the music you create together?? your relationship.
=> ???Argentine Tango relies heavily on improvisation.??? Essentially, there is no basic step?? it is a living act in the moment, as it happens.??? Okay, so are there any basic steps in a relationship???? None that I??m aware of, that??s for sure.??? Every relationship stands on its own and creates its own special story, and ??dance,?? if you will.??? In fact, in order to progress into something special and miraculous, each relationship must be created in the moment without a set of rules.??? Otherwise, it takes away the creative choice and free will of its?? partners.??? It must be allowed to unfold of its own accord without either partner hanging on to a rigid, preconceived version of what they think it should look like.
The truth is, we are all unfolding, growing, and changing in our own lives moment by moment.??? If we??re not, it probably means we??re stuck.??? So how could a relationship be any different???? If it??s not growing, changing, and evolving all the time, it??s probably stuck and stagnant?? not pretty.??? My partner told me recently he thinks relationships are incredibly fragile?? they are not unconditional, but rather conditional on the part of the partners to re-commit to each other and the relationship every day.??? Otherwise, a relationship can wither and die quickly.??? What would it be like if we re-committed to our relationship with the one we love every single day and remembered how fragile life and love can be?
=>??? Tango is a conversation between the man and the woman.??? Since there are no strict rules, it requires real communication, contact, and a subtle, yet direct, non-verbal dialogue between the partners.??? In fact, without that communication between the man and the woman, nothing happens.??? The dance stops.??? And so do relationships.??? Verbal, non-verbal, direct, and indirect, our communication with the partner we love is critical to the success of the relationship.??? Without it, everything stops.??? Relationships and love are like plants.??? They??re either living and growing, or they??re dying.??? But they never stand still.??? They can??t.??? Just as we are, relationships are a living, breathing entity and require loving communication in order to survive and thrive.
=>??? Tango must have one leader and one follower, but there must be both in order for the dance to occur.??? Otherwise, it??s just a battleground of two people vying for control.??? Now sometimes the roles will be exchanged or go back and forth, but only one at a time.??? Okay, so what happens in a relationship when both people are trying to lead, take control, or vie for power?? it stops dead in its tracks.??? I??m not saying the man always has to lead and the woman always has to follow.??? However, just like in Tango, you must choose one or the other in the context of your relationship and communicate that to your partner.??? Because I am a woman with ???a lot of feminine energy, I like letting a man lead in a relationship, and I am extremely content to follow.??? But if something happened to my partner, if he were sick or somehow incapacitated, I would have no problem picking up the lead and being strong enough to hold our relationship together.??? That is also part of being a woman.
Tango has been around for a long time.??? And so have the relationships between men and women.??? But maybe it??s time we remembered that life and love, especially, really can be a beautiful dance between the partners?? loving, sensual, embracing, intimate, creative, but only if it??s danced in the moment.
I hope you dance?? and stay in the moment of love.
Diamonds- A symbol of a man’s love
Saturday, December 5th, 2009The word diamond originally came from the Greek word “adamao,” meaning “I tame” or “I subdue”. It was later changed to “adamas” to describe the hardest substance known to nature, this time meaning unconquered or invincible.
Today, the diamond stands for wealth, status, durability, brilliance, and peerless quality.
Throughout man’s history, it has also been related to magic, healing, protection and invulnerability. But perhaps the diamond today is best known as a symbol of enduring and timeless love.
In ancient times, the diamond has been believed to possess supernatural powers, making anyone victorious against any number of enemies if they wear the gem on their left arm.
In ancient India, they were symbolic of divinity so these stones were used as the eyes of Hindu devotional statues.
In Roman times, it was used as a medicinal aid, to guard against poison, insanity and unfounded fears. During the 15th century, diamonds were reserved only for kings, worn as a symbol of their strength and invincibility.
But all these came to pass when Maximillian I, Archduke of Austria, gave Mary of Burgundy a diamond ring during their betrothal. It was then that the diamond engagement ring was born, a man’s symbolic gift of unwavering love and fidelity for his bride-to-be.
Other early examples of these diamond engagement or wedding jewelry include the Bridal Crowne of Blanche and the Heftlein brooch of Vienna.
Even how the diamond ring is worn is symbolic, rising from a belief dating back to ancient times. It is common practice to wear your diamond engagement or wedding ring on the third finger of the left hand.
This is due to an Egyptian belief that vena amoris or vein of love ran directly from the heart to the top of the third finger.
And for millions of people across the globe, this piece of solitaire brilliance that they can gaze upon on their or their partner’s hand echoes their love for one another.
And no wonder the diamond is symbolic of marriage and commitment, for we want to feel that that sort of everlasting union is equal only to the durability and invincibility of a diamond gem.
A diamond is forever, as that famous De Beers slogan goes. That tagline is what actually prompted the widespread popularity of diamonds as modern symbol of love.
Their creative advertising campaign, which started in 1938, is one of the most successful and innovative marketing campaigns of the 20th century. Ironically, it was triggered by the sudden supply of the large amounts of diamonds from South Africa, which flooded the market.
The De Beers Company enlisted advertising agency N.W. Ayer to help create demand in the market and hype for diamonds, while also cleverly manipulating and controlling the market price, as they own almost 90% of diamond mines in the world.
Nevertheless, diamonds are the unwavering symbols of love, commitment and devotion, expensive gemstones that match the worth of a loved one’s priceless “Yes, I’ll marry you.”
Family and the Future of Love Relationships
Wednesday, August 19th, 2009Now, tonight, and everyday, tell your spouse you love them!
Tuesday, August 18th, 2009Holiday Cards And Holiday Invitations – Let Your Family and Friends Know You Love Them!
Sunday, July 12th, 2009The end of the year is the most popular time to send holiday greeting cards. If the sender is sending Christmas wishes or hosting a Christmas party, there are numerous types of cards and invitations available. There are many themes for holiday parties including traditional Christmas elements such as Christmas trees, wreathes, and presents. Other elements may include poinsettias, snowmen, and bells. For a Hanukkah celebration, there are many wonderful invitations and cards featuring traditional menorah or Dradle.
There are lots of other holidays year round that may call for sending a card or throwing a party. Independence Day invitations or 4th of July invitations are very popular. The summer time is a great time to get guests together for an outdoor barbeque or picnic. There are some great invitations that feature the flag or fireworks. Halloween is also a great opportunity to send cards or throw a costume party. Halloween invitations have some great themes like pumpkins, ghosts, and trick or treaters.
Since you will often need to order lots of invitations or holiday greeting cards, it is important to find a distributor that offers a discount. Many distributors will offer a discount for orders over 25 or 50 invitations. Others offer a discount for ordering invitations online. Look for discounts like 25% off or free shipping. These types of discounts can help save a bundle, especially helpful at the holiday times when money can be spent on other things.
So no matter when or what the occasion, cards and invitations can always come in handy. Choose the best theme for your party and find discount holiday greeting cards and discount holiday party invitations to stay in a budget. And most importantly, have fun!
The Fabulous One Minute Robot Your Child Will Love
Saturday, July 4th, 2009Heres a kids’ activity thats sure to become a household favorite.� It offers your child a fun filled opportunity to use a set of mobility commands in order to achieve a specific goal.� It requires plenty of strategy, so you’re sure to have your child’s full attention from beginning to end.� It also offers enough variety that you can tailor it to keep up with your childs advancing skills.��
The objective of the game is for your child to navigate a robot through the house without causing it to malfunction.� Youll need these simple things to get started:
- A start and finish point
- A Robot
- A set of Commands
Start and finish point:� use tape or string.� Place one piece on the floor where the activity will startin a bedroom, for example.� Place the second piece at the finish linein the kitchen, for example.
Robot:� mom or dad will work just fine.� Take a sheet of red (or any color) construction paper and wrap it around your left forearm.� Secure it with a rubber band or piece of tape.� Take a piece of yellow (or any color) construction paper and secure it to your right forearm.
Commands: these are the commandsForward, Stop, Red Turn, Yellow Turn.� Forward means walk slowly forward.� Stop means stop.� Red Turn means turn 90 degrees to the left (because red paper is on your left arm).� Yellow Turn means turn 90 degrees to the right (because yellow paper is on your right arm).
A malfunction occurs when commands are given incorrectly:
-The robot cannot turn while� going forward.� The Stop command must be given before the Red Turn or Yellow Turn command. For example, if your child gives the Forward command, and then a few seconds later gives the Red Turn command, the robot malfunctions and the game starts over.� (Indicate a malfunction by saying something like, Malfunction, incorrect command, and then tilt your head forward and shut your eyes.)
-The robot cannot be given the same command twice in a row.� For example, if your child calls Red Turn twice in a row, then the robot malfunctions and the game starts over.
-If an unrecognized command is given (such as Backwards), a malfunction occurs and the game starts over.
When your child is able to navigate the robot to the finish line without causing a malfunction, the objective has been met.� When you cross the finish line, use your monotone, robot voice to say something like, ‘Congratulations! You have successfully completed the objective.� It took you three tries to navigate the course without error.� Will we resume robot command instructions in the near future?’��
Some suggested variations to keep up with your childs skills:
-Create infrared zones.� To do this, place squares of newspaper in various places along the course.� If the robot steps on one of these, a malfunction occurs and the game starts over.
-Play with a timer.� The robots battery is low and it must get to the recharging center within three minutes or it will shut down.�
-Charge the robots battery with knowledge.� Before the navigation part of the game, charge the robots battery with correct answers to questions.� In your robot voice, ask your child questions that correspond with her skill level.� For example, ‘What is 2+1?� What noise does a dog make?� Etc.’�
-Reinforce left and right recognition by playing without the colored paper on your forearms.� The turn commands will now be Left Turn and� Right Turn.
Of course, following directions can be just as challenging as giving directions, so be sure to provide your child an opportunity to play the part of the robot.�� Many other variations will pop up as youre playing the game.� No matter the exact procedure, this activity reinforces a variety of skills and demonstrates once again that the best resource for fun and learning is good old-fashioned ingenuity.
Late Life Love: Your Aging Parents & Their Relationship Choices
Friday, April 17th, 2009When it comes to your aging or elderly parents and their relationship choices, do you think of yourself as:
* Enlightened?; or,
* At least, moderately cool?; or,
* How about, somewhat willing to give the benefit of the doubt even though you’re all scrunched up inside at the very thought that they – your beloved, getting older by the moment – parents would do what you believe they’re up to?; or
* Totally shut down, do not mention that in my presence, unwilling to consider the options?
Interesting, isn’t it? We pass judgement on our parents even though we totally hate the thought of them passing judgement on us for the same sorts of things. Talk about a double standard!
But, you have to admit that by our midlife perspectives, some things are tougher for us to imagine our parents doing than to imagine ourselves pulling off.
Things like ……………… sex.
Things like ………………. having a perfectly healthy relationship with a member of the opposite gender after losing a spouse.
Things like ………………. falling in love with someone we (their children) neither know nor approve.
Did I mention things like sex?!
Of course, who do we think we are to be sticking our midlife noses into their private lives? Why, we’re their kids damn it! We have a stake in this! Shouldn’t we/you have first right of refusal?!
You’re so funny.
Let’s think about this for a moment:
- I’m not talking about extra-marital stuff here. However, if your parent has lost a spouse (i.e., you’ve lost one of your parents), they spent how many years loving – or at least tolerating – the emptiness can be incredible.
- You have your own life. Yes, you feel the loss and the hurt, but for the most part you have your own family or involvements. Remember how busy you always say you are when those same getting older by the minute parents ask for a little of your time? Umhmm, that.
- Are you really so selfish that you feel you’ve any business denying your remaining parent happiness? How would you feel if they did that to you? And, even if they did do that to you . . . didn’t you learn anything from the experience?!
- Do I note a little fear that you might have to start sharing what you thought was yours alone (i.e., your parent) with someone else (i.e., that other person)?
- Even worse, what about your inheritance?! You don’t really believe your parents’ things are owed to you, do you? And then having to share, or even worse, to sacrifice your “rightful belongings” to your parent’s happiness or some such. Oh come now.
I see your point.
No, actually, I don’t.
You know, relationships are strange and amazing things no matter what the ages of the participants. We get so caught up in how things ought to be done in our narrow little view of the world, that we forget we aren’t the only ones living in that world. If that’s how you’ve been living your life, come out from under your rock. Try breathing a little!
If nothing else, consider how you would want to be treated given similar circumstances a few years down the road. Or, think of how you might have preferred being treated when you were younger – if your choice wasn’t your parents’ choice – and respond through that learning.
Your parents, no matter what their ages, are adults. In fact, they were adults before you even arrived on the scene! That means they’ve seen more, felt more, and lost far more than you my friend. They’re survivors. Now, just because you don’t necessarily approve of some of the choices they’ve made to survive and perhaps even to thrive – in life’s second half, so be it.
And if one of those choices involves “love”, who are you to stand in the way . . unless, of course, there are some serious physical, emotional, psychological issues going on . . which are actually not as common as you might want to imagine? As I said, relationships are strange and amazing things. And, they keep us young at heart. Now, that’s healthy!
You know, a friend of mine wrote a book a couple years ago that focuses on just this sort of thing: Late Life Love: Romance & New Relationships in Later Years by Connie Goldman is a godsend of a book to adult children and their aging parents as well. It consists of a series of interviews with 22 couples who have connected and discovered romance – of varying sorts – in their later years.
If you’re having a tough time coming to terms with your aging parents’ “choices of the heart” get your hands on this book and sit down for some real learning. You owe it to yourself. Heaven forbid, you owe it to your parents!
Just do it . . . if for no other reason than to give yourself hope that aging isn’t a dead end. (Of course, most dead ends are turns in a direction we hadn’t anticipated. But, they can be a little scary while we’re trying to figure them out). Just like growing older can be scary, and falling in love can be scary, and living life to the fullest can be the scariest of all.
Get the book. Give your aging parents a break, and a little credit. And, keep growing my friend!
I Love You and I Need Space
Wednesday, February 25th, 2009Do you sometimes feel overwhelmed and want to hide from your loved ones? Are you finding yourself even starting arguments, having an accident, or becoming ill so that you can have some time alone? Wouldn’t it be wonderful to have a constructive way to have that need met?As a Marriage, Family Therapist for 26 years, I have heard the cry for alone time from many clients. Especially in these busy times, it is very important to have a way to satisfy that need, and not at the expense of others or your body.
For example, Dean and Kathy, who were in my office for marriage counseling, were complaining to me about their frequent yelling bouts. When I asked them the time of the day that most of their arguments occurred, they replied, “We have a fight practically every evening when Dean comes home from work.”
In their common scenario, Dean would arrive home around 6:30 pm., after what he described as a stressful day at the office and on the road in rush hour traffic. Kathy would greet him at the door, stressed from a full day of looking after their two active young children, and their dog and cat.
Fiasco is a good way to describe what happens when two stressful people meet with different pressing needs. Dean, exhausted and drained, desires time alone to decompress from the pressures of his day. Kathy was also burned out by that time of the day from the many demands from her family, and she wants Dean to help her with the children. She also desperately wants to speak to an adult, but is frustrated because Dean is not listening.
To help them resolve their problem, I suggested to Kathy that she take at least twenty minutes for herself before Dean comes home. Then she would be better able to be relaxed and undemanding at that crucial time.
Then I told Dean that it would be a good idea for him to briefly greet his family and then to spend at least twenty minutes alone to regain his composure. Dean loved the idea and decided to hide in the bedroom, to change his clothes and to stretch out on his bed while listening to soothing music.
Both Kathy and Dean were able to hear how each other felt during the twilight hours. With understanding and compassion, they were ready to solve their problem. By the end of the counseling session Kathy and Dean felt acknowledged and satisfied with the plan.
When the couple returned the following week they were very excited with the results. Kathy and Dean realized that they both mistakenly believed that the other person did not care about them. Now they accepted the truth that they deeply cared about each other and just needed some space.
The loving couple were experiencing smooth transitions during what was previously a “witching hour.” Dean was able to switch gears and be the loving father and husband he wanted to be. Kathy succeeded in shifting into becoming the patient, loving wife she truly was.
Dean and Kathy also followed my suggestion of putting a sign on the closed bedroom doorknob that said, “I Love You and I Need Space.” They agreed to display that clearly communicating sign whenever they felt the need to be alone in order to relax and re-group. The children also had their signs ready when they needed them.
At the next session, the couple reported fewer arguments, accidents, and illness. The family, including the dog and the cat, were much more harmonious.
No matter what age you are, it is a wonderful gift to yourself and others to explain what you need so that you can be supported. To make sure that they get the clear message, post your sign, “I Love You and I Need Space.”
Singles Find Love And Fun
Tuesday, February 24th, 2009True.com Helps Singles Find Love And FunWith over 11 million members, True.com has become one of the most popular online dating services. Some people join to look for love. Others simply want to experience some fun with potential dating partners. With millions of eligible singles, there’s literally someone for everyone. True.com also offers a friendly environment that encourages both safety and a proactive pursuit in meeting other friendly singles. Below, you’ll learn more about True.com’s service, the benefits of using the service and how you can get started without paying a penny.Dating, Love And MoreSome online dating sites are specifically-geared toward those searching for a lifelong partner. They use questionnaires, personality profiling and a variety of matching processes that bring people together who may eventually end up sharing a life with one another. For them, marriage and family are the priority. Other dating services are created merely to encourage members to meet dozens of other singles. After spending intimate time together, they happily move back into circulation amongst other singles for more dating adventures. For them, having fun and sharing stimulating experiences is the priority. Still other dating services offer both. They cater to people who want to find love. But, they also provide a forum for those simply looking for dating fun. True.com offers the best of both worlds. Amongst the millions of people using their service, you’ll find those who are pursuing a lifelong mate and those who hope to share intimate experiences with like-minded adults. Each members’ safety is aggressively protected to ensure everyone has a great experience.Loves Comes With A PriceThough True.com offers a free trial, long-term membership requires a small fee. If you choose to join for only 1 month, you’ll pay $49.99. A 3-month membership will cost $79.99 (reducing the monthly price to under $27). Those who wish to join for 6 months can pay $129.99 upfront, dropping the monthly fee to under $22. These prices are similar to other dating services and should be considered an investment for finding other singles with whom to share fun, love and more.Benefits Of Using True.comOne of the main benefits of using True.com is its attention to protecting the safety of its members. The online dating world is filled with potential predators. True.com uses an exhaustive screening process to match potential members to a criminal database. They also run background checks on members to ensure that felons and married individuals who are misrepresenting themselves as single are identified and weeded out of the True.com singles population. Also, they offer robust search features, chat functionality, compatibility tests and the True.com U Magazine to help expand the pool of singles who are well-suited for you.Getting Started With A Free TrialYou can start looking through the profiles of millions of members immediately for free. True.com offers a free trial for anyone who wishes to explore its service. The free trial allows you to create your own profile, add photos and read the profiles of other singles.