(e) denarobles@gmail.com (t) 919-450-7831
i have a son.
and he is eleven.
and he is
HAPPY.
he is giggly
chatty
and snuggly.
he is motivated
inspired
friendly
and loving.
he bounces.
he laughs.
and for the first time in several years
he is really
and truly
HAPPY.
and that makes me
HAPPY.
Take it in, the sparkly eyes, the bright smile, the luscious long silky hair, the exuberant playful joy. My BABY.
As parents we all have our ‘things’. At least I hope we do. Otherwise I am just admitting to being a tad freak-ish. Which I would admit to anyway. But, the things. The ‘things’ our parents did for us that we loved and want to adopt for our own parenting experience and also the ‘things’ we vow to never repeat. Oh, issues of religion, tv, allowances, discipline, embarrassment in public, eating habits etc all come to mind. We all have our lists. We also have our ‘things’ that we make up all on our own just to assert our own ‘parent power.’ So far mine are kind of silly. For example, my babies don’t wear their first pair of shoes until they are well walking. No newborns in Nikes and patent leather for me. I also don’t cut their hair at all until after their 2nd birthday. No reason. I just don’t. I suppose it is to mark a milestone. The transformation from babyhood to toddlerhood. Or for the simple selfish love of soft whispy curls.
Well Cameron is 32 months now, well over 2, with a full head of long hair. Lovely soft whispy curls. These curls make up the hair that was on his head when he was born. He is meant to be my last baby and each milestone that moves him closer to BIG gets prolonged a bit. I threatened to duct tape him to the floor so he wouldn’t walk. I talked baby talk to him with no intentions of proper talk (and I abhor coochie goo talk.) He nursed past his 2nd birthday and will probably start preschool later than his brother and sister. Heck, he may even go to high school in diapers and take his blankie to college. HAHAHA…ummm no. Well, despite my best efforts he walks and talks anyway. He will say good bye to the diapers and go to school this year. The blankie will be exchanged for some other thing by college I am sure. But the hair? It can just keep growing and growing can’t it? Can he go to college wearing the same curls he was born with? I knew a little boy once who had very very long whispy hair. When he was 4 he told his mom he wanted it to be so long that when he walked across the street his hair would still be on the other side. Nothing wrong with that right? But he got BIG anyway. And cut his hair. If I don’t cut Cameron’s hair he will get BIG anyway. He will cut his hair. He will be BIG. I have no parent power in that.
You know where this is leading don’t you?
I did a baaaaad bad thing. I let my baby get BIG yesterday.
And I am SAD about it. I want to take it back. He doesn’t look like the same baby to me. His voice is familiar but when I turn to him it is coming from a different little person. A BIGger little person. I don’t want him to be BIG. But he will anyway, no matter how much parent power I exert. He just grew 3 inches taller in 6 months and before I know it he will be a GIANT like Aidan…who will by then be an adult and halfway around the world doing his own great thing. India will be taller and better than me and Cameron will be BIG. I know I will find other ways to discover my parent power, teenage years necessitate it. But in my quiet time I will remember the little milestones that helped them grow and perhaps I will still have the locks of hair to remind me and I can find some way to secretly pack the blankies into the college suitcases.
Okay, I’m a bit freakish. I am okay with that.
xo
d.
Patsy Dunn: He is still adorable.
Rebecca: Oh my! What a difference a haircut makes. Such a handsome young man now!
Metta: * SCREAM * * Deep breath * I'll get over it.
Rebecca: Oh my goodness - he has eyes, and cheeks, and a neck! His new self is just as gorgeous as his old self, but I know you're sad about it so I'll be sad with you for a bit. Guess what? Long hair or no, he'll still be your baby. (thank goodness)
Paul Dunn: Oh my!! Cameron you are growing up so fast. I miss you and your family so much. Can hardly wait to see you all again. We'll go for a ride in the truck OK. Love Hopa Dena, you are so poetic. I read and reread your blog post. (This one should go on the family log as well). Love Dad
In Memory of Soft Whispy Curls » Chapel Hill Newborn Baby Child Photographer – Darling Art Photography Blog by Rebecca Mudrick: [...] My first attempt was a bust – I really needed Dena there as an “assistant” to help occupy the little guy while I attempted the close ups. In the end, it took both of us shooting and a bowl of chocolate chips to record the last bit of “baby” Cameron. And I’m so glad we did … because after a weekend snow storm and a serious bout of cabin fever, this long hair is no more. I still can’t believe she did it. [...]
PamN: I love his new look - he still looks like an adorable toddler to me!
Mel: Cameron is so beautiful - both ways - just like his siblings. If Matthew didn't have the crazy Munroe cowlicks I might let his grow, but alas, the poor boy is cursed to forever have short, thin, screwy hair.
frederique: Both ways, he simply has "it". Gorgeous pictures (and those from your previous post *gasp*, little model, he is)
frederique: Both ways, he simply has "it". Gorgeous pictures (and those from your previous post *gasp*, little model, he is) And may I ask where you got this fun tee-shirt. Would love to get one for Nathan
Corey Sewell: Aaawww - I know it's a huge change but he looks so adorable! Love the cut!
Sam: Nooo, dont take away that great hair. Long hair should be encouraged, and him especially has a great figure for it.
Stacie: *sniff* He's gorgeous. But, oh, cutting boys hair off makes me sniffle a little when they suddenly look older.
Danielle McCarty: What a sweet post! :) It made me teary eyed - so cute! You do want to hold onto them and keep them from growing up.
Tanya: His hair was SO long. What a change! Can't wait to see him and the rest of you :)
Aidan, my 10 year old, took this gorgeous macro of a rose this week with my Canon G10. Isn’t it lovely?
His remarks: “Don’t diss the kid!”
PamN: He's ready to be your second shooter!
Julie: wow! I want a print, please. And could you have mr.aidan autograph it for me? Seriously.
Patti: I agree... he's ready! Just beautiful.
Holly Curtis: This is BEAUTIFUL! I am so impressed - I know you are a proud mama photographer! ;)
Cristina: Absolutely gorgeous! Talent runs in the family, I see.
Zion: That is way cool... way way way cool
christine: holy cow. not fair!!! :) i guess talent just runs in the family! gorgeous photo! :)
ally breazeale: seriously beautiful. what a lovely print that will make!
Patsy Dunn: I like the idea of a print with his autograph. beautiful!!!
Paul: Aidan, This photo is Super Fantastic. Wow!!
Kristie Chadwick: What a great shot, I love it.
corey civetta: gorgeous - he did great! talent obviously runs in the family. :]
Ruth Williams: Oh... me likey! ;)
Hello!
I photographed an adorable little 2.5 year old girl last week. But first I have a few important business items to cover.
This is the cute, sweet, fun, and busy little Alice from last week. She was very comfortable in front of my camera and showed me quite the variety of 2 1/2 year old attitudes. She even took a few turns behind the camera as well.
This one is my favorite.
This one is just FUN. I love how two year olds do everything they do with all their heart completely invested. It is all or nothing.
xo
dena
Tanya: I love those curls! And the scrunchy face - such a 2 year old thing to do.
Sherri W: OH those are great. To see two sides of her is awesome!
Shellie Gansz: oh she is just precious! what beautiful soulful captures!
PamN: Dena, I LOVE LOVE LOVE these! She is so pretty, and everything about these says "little girl"!
christine: love these!! she's gorgeous and you did a great job capturing her smiles! :)
Joyce: Beautiful! Yes, I always love the honesty of two year olds. There is no artifice at all. Wonderful!
Stacy W.: Oh so adorable!!! Always love your b/w's. I love two year olds too!
allie: what beautiful images of a gorgeous little girl... that smile, those curls- just precious!
Tara: Aren't two year olds a gem. Love the first one.
Lina: Perfect capture of her personality :)
Patti: What a sweetie! LOVE!
Cindy Thymius: I love how you've captured the myriad of emotions in the two images!
Michelle: Curls and personality - what a great combination!!
Kristie Chadwick: What a cutie. i just lover her hair. Such great captures.
nina: Great capture of her personality. Perfection in B&W!
The kids were thrilled today to hear school was cancelled due to snow! I admit I had a bit of a laugh at school being cancelled on account of 2 inches, but whatever. Britons could never survive a Boston winter. Supposedly Bostonians could never survive a Canadian winter either, or so I was reminded often by Canadian friends in Boston. Either way, it is a hot cocoa with marshmallows kinda day, curled up under blankets watching movies munching on popcorn kind of day. We’ll take that once in awhile. Who really wants to go to school or work anyway??
Rebecca: Ooooh! I've been wondering how you've survived the snow. I've been hearing about it on the BBC World News all morning. Looks like you had fun! Enjoy the hot cocoa and marshmallows and give the kids a nice warm hug for me. xoxo
sheila buhr: WOW these are stunning. As I sit here with minus thirty windchill. I think a pot of chili for supper sounds good!
Michelle Haley: I LOVE these...my gosh that pouty lip one is adorable!
lauri: I heard it's because they don't have snowplows in London. Plus the kids need the day off so you can create all these fun photos! Looks like they had a blast.
Anna-Karin: Looks like you had a great snowday. Love all these captures and the snowman is just icing on the cake!
Dawn Roberts: Ohhh I wish we had snow. These are great, love the snowflakes in the hair.
Michelle Miller: Looks like tons of fun! Thanks for sharing!
PamN: Awesome color! Such great memories for them, too!
Tara: What a great way to capture fun in the snow. That is the cutest snowman I've seen.
Jessica: Oh what a fun day! We are having one of those today, now I am inspired to go grab my camera when we go out:)
Patsy Dunn: I absolutely LOVE that close up of Cameron. Looks like lots of fun. I brought winter clothes to Utah and it is very warm here, so I am too warm.
kristina: LOVE these images! And I'm soooo jealous of all that beautiful snow!
Merryn Gomez: what cute expressions! Love it! I want to shoot snow! Its 45 degrees celsius in South Australia!!
Kelli: So, cute. Love them...they make me cold!
A few weeks ago a friend from Boston emailed me asking about Aidan. How is he? We don’t hear much about him, show us some new photos, etc. Well, Aidan is…Aidan. Aidan is 9, 9 and three-quarters that is. He could probably remind me quickly exactly how many days and hours old he is also. Because that is Aidan. Aidan is sweet and moody and complex and mature and cuddly and caring and curious and growing and changing and imagining and creating and chillin’. In other words, Aidan is good. Thanks for asking. Aidan also has a way of hiding, hiding behind books, in his world, with his friends, from himself, and behind his hair and especially away from the camera. But one evening last week he and I played a bit before the sun went down.
whoa, did you notice the hair??
I have been enjoying this book Eat Pray Love. I was reading one night last week and came across a paragraph that stopped me. The author is in an Ashram in India trying to learn to meditate and to know God and she thinks about her nephew while doing so. To me, she was talking about Aidan. Not only talking about him, but describing him in a way I have never been able to put the words together. Because I want to remember these words here, I quote:
“…is an eight year old boy, skinny for his age, scarily smart, frighteningly astute, sensitive and complex. Even minutes after his birth, amid all the squalling newborns, he alone was not crying, but looking around with adult, worldly and worried eyes, looking as though he’d done all this before so many times and wasn’t sure how excited he felt about having to do it all again. This is a child for whom life is never simple, a child who hears and sees and feels everything intensely, a child who can be overcome by emotion so fast sometimes that it unnerves us all. I love this boy so deeply and protectively. Sometimes he has troubles sleeping because he cannot still his mind. ……. He is surrounded by souls who would do anything to help him. And not only that–he has wisdom and patience of his own, buried deep inside his being, which will only reveal themselves over time and will always carry him through any trial…”
So true. How comforting to know that he may just have a few kindred spirits out there too. Love you.
Dan: Whoa. You're right - the hair *did* get long. Are you going to show any after pics as I know you cut it for him. Love this quote - it *does* describe Aidan perfectly. That kid has always been an old soul and I've always loved him and wish him the best. Big hugs to you and all your amazing offspring.
dena: well...an after pic would require getting him in front of the camera again, wouldn't it. He'll only do that for large sums of money or for the amazing Reb and all her secrets.
Jess: wow what a powerful quote and amazing description of your son.
It has been a rough couple of weeks with a sick baby, bad weather, doctor’s appointments, travelling Hy, a bit of work here and more there, then school events, school parties, school shows, school meetings, looking for new schools (wouldn’t it be nice to find one that doesn’t touch JULY!!) add on a few life changes hanging in the balance…and I am utterly exhausted! Good news is sick baby is no longer sick and there are only 4 days of school left. Then I enter a whole new cycle of exhaustion don’t I? Ah well. If I am absent for awhile…don’t send anyone looking for me, I am probably hiding really really well and don’t want to be found. Just so you don’t have to stare at my sparkly see-through windows any longer, here is a photograph of my lovelies that I keep forgetting to post. Oh yeah, and my new house project???? Not even getting touched, sorry to say…
Rebecca: Love love love your beautiful lovelies. Give them all a squeeze from their favorite Auntie Rebecca. Big hugs to you too!
Paul Dunn: Wow What Great Pic. Love ya all. Dad
Reb: Yes, he is gorgeous!!! Where did you take that? The beach? Michigan? En-ga-land?
Jessica: He is BEAUTIFUL...ahh his skin is perfect. Wonderful shot.
Gail: that is a really beautiful shot of your son. perfect.
dena: Thanks! Rebecca, it was taken in a marshy field in Michigan.
Rose: What an awe-inspiring shot! I love the color treatment too. Amazing. Glad I stopped by.
Rebecca: Awwww. A beautiful post about an amazing boy. We've always known there is something special about that kid, and I truly believe he is going to grow up and do something wonderful in the world. Aidan, the world is better because you're in it. Just do your Mom a favor and don't grow up too fast! Sending big hugs across the Atlantic . . .
Paul Dunn: Gosh Dena, Ask your brothers about being NINE you had 4 of them. Of course you ruled them all. I remember being Nine. It was a great year -- a move from the big city (San Francisco) to a very little country town in the south of Colorado -- what an adventure, got my own donkey to ride, my first "real" girl friend (Jeannie Mortensen), the first time I got beat up by a bunch of bullies and the first time I went ice skating and rode a horse. I chopped wood and coal for heat and hot water. Fed and cared for rabbits. Did chores and cooked meals and cleaned the house because Mom was very ill. I almost got bit by a rattle snake and made lots of friends. I ate (with much enjoyment) my first Mexican Food, I really liked the hot sauce and salsa. I also experienced sadness and heart break but I grew from the experience. It was an exciting and memorable year. It is what you receive and what you make of it. Aidan has the ability to make being NINE the best year ever. Love Ya All Dad
Patsy Dunn: wow! All any of us mothers can do is the very best that we know how and hope that it is right and enough. What I remember about 9 year olds is cub scout activities and all of their energy. I taught 10 year girls in Primary for a long time and loved that age and the boys who came along with the Sunday class were very special to me. As far as getting them to 18 in one peice, I have no idea how to do that and not repress their wonderful imaginations and energy. As much as I hated my kids to hurt, I knew that stitches and broken bones were sometimes part of childhood. Enjoy nine, 12 and 13 get very interesting. Of course this Nona knows that Aidan is tops! What a cool fellow.
Rebecca: "Two pints of Ben & Jerry's" - Rebecca says "Bring it on!" Hee hee. Love these pics of Aidan. Gosh, he's gorgeous - don't tell him I said that though ;)
Paul Dunn: Christmas is past so maybe for Easter Aidan can have 2 new ones. Nice and fun pics. I really enjoy your postings. Love ya all. Dad
Patsy Dunn: But does he have a lisp? Gotta love him, cause he is toooo cute, especially in red.
Frederique Starmans-Rossollin: He looks so grown up! What happened?? And so HAPPY HAPPY!!!
PamN: This just made me smile BIG!
Rebecca: You know, your description of Aidan sounds just like Cam too (except the 11 year old part, lol). I think you have a house full of happy happy boys!
Paul Dunn: Happy is Good Happy is Wonderful Happy is Best I sure miss you guys. Love Papa
Tanya: That makes me happy too!
Isabel Macenka: It's nice to see you! I heard you are moving to Grand Rapids. I hope you like it there. I got into a private school called Winsor. I miss you guys alot.
Nico Jochncik: Izzy??