Happy Halloween!

Halloween 2008 will be especially memorable! We had incredibly beautiful weather, and we had the Phillies parade!! Unfortunately we didn't make it to the parade but we had fun at our parent + tot morning at Waldorf and then went to visit with Gran Ann, El Papa Woo, Papi, Uncle Craig and many others at MPI. Carver opted for an early bedtime rather than and afternoon nap, so he missed trick or treating (I don't think he minded).

Composting Is Cool...and Cute.

Carver loves fresh apple juice in the morning. Apples are pretty much all that goes through my juicer lately and we're left with fabulous apple pulp for our compost pile. Walking to the compost pile has been one of Carver's daily 'chores' with me. I adore watching him proudly walk with his little blue bucket full of compost goodness...especially in the bright knit hat I made him :)

Morning Nature Walks

Per Kyle's suggestion we've been going on morning nature walks for the past 2 weekends. They are so much fun and we live so close to the fabulous Wissahickon Park we would be fools not to take advantage! However..these photos are from our walk in a little section of the Fort Washington State Park near Flourtown. It was a crisp morning and we made sure to bundle little Carver up.

Back Yard Fun!

This afternoon we ran around in the yard chasing Cappy and his blue ball. We also spotted what's eating our very first homegrown pumpkin, and also a g-hog.





Just wanted to post this shot of Carver, not just because I think he's the cutest little boy in Philly, but because I wanted to share the handmade craftiness of his tie-dye onsie. I picked this bright cheery number at Julie Foster's table while checking out the Skippack Days on Sunday afternoon. Thanks Julie we love it!

Day Tripping to the Jersey Shore!

I just wanted to quickly post about today's little adventure to Stone Harbor, NJ today. Summer is almost over and Carver hadn't been to the shore yet and I didn't want him to miss out, especially now that he can walk! We had a great time and met up with our friends Christel and Izzie. Carver didn't waste anytime making friends with the 'big' kids and enjoyed playing in the huge hole they had made in the sand. When I asked Carver if he wanted to walk down to the water he ran to the ocean and didn't hesitate at all, he loved the waves and laughed every time they hit him. Izzie was a trooper and played hard as well, despite her teething pain and short nap. I didn't get any photos of it but, she had a little boogie board in her baby pool and loved 'riding' it! She is totally too cute!
Thanks for meeting us down there Christel + Izzie! We hope to see you again soon.







I hope to post about the great wedding I shot last Friday, by the end of this week!

SuperStar Numero Dos!

It just so happens that I know THREE women who have the exact same due date!! Crazy! And each of their bellies looks completely different. One of those women is my BFF Erin, and her belly is biggyful ;) Sometime this September she will be birthing a beautiful baby boy. I am so excited to meet him and I hope I can be there when he's born. A few weeks ago we had a little impromptu photo shoot and we had a blast! Seriously, they were so fun and energetic, every minute was a riot. Enough jabbering... here are my favorites! Oh and Stella is a true Super Star!











Congratulations to you Loca!! I love you Mama!

A Joy To Play With!

It was so great to hang out with Joy yesterday! She took the day off and came over to our place. Lunch, fun at the playground and while Carver took his nap we lazed around kibitzed a little and watched a reality show called Rich Bride, Poor Bride. This episodes bride & groom rented an ATM for their reception, not that they had a cash bar, but so that guests could take out cash to fill their envelopes for the bride & groom's gift!!! Terrible.
Joy didn't bring her camera along yesterday, but I had mine. During our playground adventure she couldn't resist herself and swiped my camera! No complaints here though... she always gets great shots of me and Carver and I just couldn't say no. Thanks Joy!

photo•Joy Moody




photo•Joy Moody



I love love love this shot of Carver on the slide! This is his favorite thing to do at the playground.
photo•Joy Moody

Vacation Getaway!

It's been a few weeks since returning from our fabulous and very warm vacation to Naples, FL. We spent the week with my in-laws and were living life! The first day of our vacation was a bit of a travel nightmare. I forgot my luggage in the car at the Philadelphia airport (not going to explain the details of that) AND forgot my camera bag and Carver's coat in the overhead compartment on the plane! Luckily and thankfully I received ALL items a few days later! Whew!
It was hard to edit down to a few photos to post on the blog, so here are a lot of my most favorites...

Swinging at the community center playground...

Having the time of his life cruising in his 'moving seatzee'!


We took a drive to the Shell Factory, and it was like walking into a David Lynch film. This place sold EVERYTHING and anything! They displayed various stuffed animals under fluorescent lighting...

Who needs to travel to the middle east to ride a camel? Not William and Bailey!!


Ben and Will play a game of air hockey..

You could purchase an unlimited amount of yapping toy doggies...

I can't believe I had the opportunity to obtain Angelina Jolie's driver's license!

Ok, back at home now... dying Easter eggs.

Carver and I take our first dip at the beach club's pool.

Kyle and Carver at the Naples Zoo..

Carver with what Kyle calls his 'hard eyes'..

I have the habit of photographing people I don't know when I'm out and about in public places. I couldn't pass up the opportunity to capture this sweet moment between a mother and her daughter, however, I think the mother was giving me her 'hard eyes'!

During one of Carver's afternoon naps, Kyle and I lived it up in the sun..and shade.

I wish we had more photos of all of us together, in ONE photo! It seems it's always me with Carver or Kyle with Carver, but I loved this little shoot we did nonetheless.

Love, love, love this photo of Carver with his El Woo in the pool!

Here's two fun shots to end the blog, from L-R: Bailey, El Woo, Carver, William, Brad and Ben, in the hot tub.

Looking forward to hopefully doing it again next March!

What To Do, What To Do?

I haven't left the house much in the past few days, trying to get Carver well rested and recovering quickly from his ear infection and cold. Today I was really going stir crazy and I feel like Carver was too. It amazes me how fast a 10 month old crawling exploring baby can destroy a room! Nevertheless we had a fun time hanging out inside and of course I had my camera...

We thought the lens shade was the coolest thing ever!

I finished knitting this hat months ago, but I can't get Carver to keep it on his head for more than a minute! Cappy gave me a paw and modeled it for me.


Wow! This is the first time Carver's worn this hat for more than a minute! We made it to 3 minutes! Then it was on the floor...

He had fun attacking the sheep skin rug.

Then he had enough of me and my picture taking.

Cappy gave me some love...

Hot To Trot At 82!

This past Saturday February 23rd, Rosario, my 'Dadafied', Carver's 'Pop-pop' turned 82! He was born in 1926! The cost of a first-class stamp was $0.02, The Queen of Great Britain was born, The Great Harry Houdini dies, actors Marylin Monroe, Andy Griffith, Mel Brooks were born. He's never been much for big parties or receiving gifts on his birthday, he just loves to have the family around. He doesn't even like decorated birthday cakes, just give this man a chocolate Pepperidge Farm cake and he's happy!
I don't know anyone else who lives as simply as my father. I'm sure being a child during the Great Depression has a lot to do with it. However, he's not a hoarder like I've heard other depression babies being, although come to think of it.. he does have quite a collection of cottage cheese and yogurt containers.
Anyway, I could go on and on about how fabulous I think my father is but I'll shorten it for you with just a few of his qualities.. First off he is a MASTER of pretty much ALL trades! Carpentry, masonry (brick,stone,concrete), cooking, gardening, cleaning, mending holes in pants and sewing missing buttons, drawing, painting, photography (which is how I got started), and he can fly planes!
Happy Birthday to my father, who claims that he's been around since West Chester was a prairie. I love you.

I asked my dad to scan and email me some photos of the two of us when I was a child, and here's what we got...

Here we are in Puerto Rico, I think I'm about 1 year old and my dad is 52.

Notice the brick wall we're sitting on at our home... he built it! I think I'm 3, which would make old Ro 54.

Three years old here and I totally remember this bathing suit! I loved it!
Oh man gotta love the 80's! This might be 1984, and I'm 6 or 7? I think my father still has that Mexico t-shirt! Kyle said I HAD to post this photo.


Here are some shots from his birthday gathering. In attendance were... My brother Michael, sister Gina, nephew Dominick, step-mother Amy, Kyle, Carver, Cappy and Gracy (the dogs).

Notice the kitchen cabinets and the kitchen table.. He built those!

Amy, my dad, and the popular square Pepperidge farm cake.

Amy cheering Carver up with a little song and dance. Carver wasn't feeling well with an ear infection and cold. Poor little guy.

Gina's very handsome and crafty son, Dominick, holding his handmade fabulous soap. Dominick should totally sell his soap on Etsy!

Pop-pop and Carver, Favorite Aunt Gina and Carver.

Carver with his Uncle Michael.

Last but certainly not least, Carver with Daddy.

Main Street Manayunk Stroll

This Super Bowl Sunday was a mild 50ish degrees in Philadelphia, so we checked out Main Street in Manayunk. I brought my camera along to document the day and came away with some fun 'journal' photographs. Today reminded me of when we get that first real warm spring day and everyone is out enjoying it.

First we stopped by Mugshots Coffee House where I met John with his two very photogenic Chihuahuas, Alice and Lucy.

In dedication to the movie boxing champion 'Rocky', I would like to title this photograph.. "Eye Of The Carver".

I've always loved the early black & white street photography of famous Philadelphia photographer, Ray Metzger, along with my all time favorite photographer 'HCB' Henri Cartier Bresson. After 13 years of shooting I'm still trying to capture my true "Decisive Moment" photograph.
Although these street shots are not decisive, I think the color is nice and if you're a conceptual thinker maybe you would get more out of them, than I.

I was trying to get this shot of a vacant store front. I loved the architecture.

One shop shuts down, another one opens. This shop is new on Main Street, called Spectrum Scientifics. I didn't get a chance to go in, but it looks like a great place to purchase all your astronomical viewing devices and Slinkys.

Ingredient Specialty Foods carried a delicious assortment of edible delights! I learned a little something about Gruyere cheese and Kyle participated in the olive oil tasting bar. He preferred the spanish olive oil out of the 3 other choices, and I purchased a gourmet chocolate and bacon candy bar. Our buddy Chris thought it tasted like a dog treat, but how would he know what a dog treat tastes like? I thought it was delicious!

The sidewalks were crowded on Main Street and lots of people were walking their dogs.

This dog wins the Biggest Dog I've Ever Seen award. I'll call him the Main Street Mastiff. Seriously, those cute Chihuahuas Alice & Lucy were smaller than this big guy's head!

During the Manayunk Arts Festival, the Artesano Iron Works gallery sets up their tent with working blacksmiths who demonstrate the intense process of making the business's beautiful iron pieces... Kyle loved their big knockers.

After countless times of driving & walking past the Manayunk Design Group storefront, we finally made our way inside! Unfortunately Carver was approaching his nap time and I wasn't able to really browse the shop's treasures. I did however snap a few interior shots and I just loved the old chandelier and their inherited cockatiel 'Tweety'. We found out that the owner and the woman working there that day, are Drexel alumni as well! They were in the graduating class of '83 and '85, I think? Frank, the owner (pictured below), salvages architectural elements of local Philadelphia buildings that have dates with the wrecking ball. You can find all these pieces of history in his shop and incorporate them into your own home or business.

This beautiful dress is at the Nicole Miller shop. Kyle, it would make lovely Valentine's Day gift... hint hint. Although, I don't know when I would wear it? Will one of my single friends get married already! A wedding that I'm not actually working at, is way overdue.

On our way down to check out the furniture shops...

We ran into friends Rachel and Scott in Pompanoosuc Mills! Carver gave them his contagious big smiles!

A Little Bit Off The Top

I'm sure that at Sharkey's Cuts For Kids in Villanova, they see a fair share of moms bringing in their botched baby haircuts! I mean, I can't be the only mom out there who failed miserably at trimming up their little one's hair, can I? Thank goodness for May at this place! She was fabulous and super quick and excellent with Carver. You can't go wrong with Jeep seating plus Elmo and Friends on DVD! Although Carver didn't crack one smile for the camera, he was completely entranced by the boobtube and it was the best $20 I ever spent!

Before...

and After...

and in between...

Kaitlyn Turns One!

My very beautiful and good friend Amy threw a first birthday party with friends and family for her gorgeous baby girl, Kaitlyn. It was held at the Little Gym in Frazer. All the kids had a great time and I'm sure they were ready for naps by the end of the party! According to Amy, Kaitlyn was possibly a 'little overwhelmed' by all the action, but she was trooper and her eyes lit up when it was time to blow out her birthday candles!
The babies below are all my girlfriend's babies! We've all had our children within a few years of one another, and I'm sure we're going to have more!
I love this shot of the two gorgeous mommies with their birthday babies! Carly's boy, Trey, turned one also and shared the party with Kaitlyn. Carly and Trey are on the right, and Amy and Kaitlyn are on the left.

Carver getting adjusted to all the happenings around him.

Cutey patootie, Emilia.

Laurie and a very excited Lillie!

The birthday boy, Trey!

Carver cruising.

Handsome eight month old, Luke.

Adorable eight week old, Ava.

Daddy and Carver.

Mommy and Carver.

I'm not sure if this is the first pizza eating experience for Kaitlyn, but she definitely loved the pizza!


And the finale... cake time!
Here are Scott, Kaitlyn and Amy for her very first birthday cake! A year goes by so fast!

Social Butterfly

This past week has been busy in the social events category, and has flown by extra quickly because of it! Thursday we had a quick but 'eventful' visit with Jess and her 15 month old baby girl, Mischa. Carver experienced his first little kiss from Mischa! It was so adorable! He had a fantastic time playing with Mischa's toys as well, especially her dancing Dora doll! He loved how her hair moved around and he would grab and pull at it.




Mischa loves it when Jess reads to her. She would grab a book and plop right on her mommy's lap for some story time.


I've been trying to get over to visit with Jess and Mischa, since her 1st birthday in October! Hopefully this spring/summer we will get to see more of them.
Mischa is such an adorably sweet little girl who loves to dance, laugh, talk, walk and give kisses!


Next up... we spent the following day with Auntie Lauren who is expecting her bundle of joy any day now!
Carver eating a wagonwheel snack in Wagontown.

Having fun with the door on the entertainment system.

Auntie Lauren putting a movie on for the kiddos.

Unfortunately I wasn't able to get a few portraits of Lauren and Brian in their nursery. But I was able to snap a few 'work in progress' shots of her super crafty mother-in-law, hand painting a beautiful willow tree on the nursery wall. Paulette even made the ENTIRE crib set! Lauren picked out an understated toile fabric with a gorgeous color of light blue/green, if I were to name the color it would be 'Dreamy'. It all turned out so lovely! Lauren and Brian have worked very hard on preparing and designing the nursery, all we need is the baby...

Cappy Has A Friend For Life

The days have finally arrived where Cappy and Carver can play together! I keep a very close eye on the two of them when they're playing. Cappy likes to growl and bark when he plays, but that doesn't frighten Carver one bit. Yesterday morning the two had a blast chasing after each other around the coffee table and playing tug with Cappy's teddy bear. Kyle and I are in trouble when Carver wants to run and chase Cappy all over the house. Aye dios mio!
Cappy waits for the right moment to get Carver's attention...

This is the moment...

Or maybe this is the moment...

I don't want to hear ANY comments on Carver's attire! I think he looks adorable in all his different stripes,BabyLegs and all!

Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year's! Whew!

Happy New Year! We've had a glorious past few months and are looking forward to the new year. For the Thanksgiving holiday we took the Auto Train! It was the first time for us and look forward to possibly doing it again in a few years. Carver had a great time looking out the window with Kyle and when we had dinner in the dining car, he enjoyed reaching for everything that wasn't bolted down! We had beginners luck with our car being the FIRST off the train! I wish I had video of the passengers clapping and congratulating us as we walked to our car. We were told that you could be waiting for up to an hour and a half before your car was unloaded!

At 7 months old, this was a trip full of 'firsts' for Carver. It was his first trip to Florida, first Thanksgiving, first time wearing sunscreen, first time in a pool... in a moving seatzee, in a stroller along the beach, eating watermelon, dining out and sitting in a high chair, seeing palm trees, it was even his first time getting a professional hair cut at a barber's shop!
Here are the Walter's dipping their feet in the pool...


Carver reaching for his GranAnn through the Lanai screen...

The Walter's strolling down the Naples coastline for the first time together.


Outside a barber shop minutes before Carver's first professional haircut.


Carver and El Woo sharing a few laughs before the deed.
Here's the barber prepping Carver for his first haircut. I really thought that W.C. would have been just fine with someone cutting his hair, but he wasn't! He screamed, cried and arched his back like mad. We felt so terrible but he really was in need of a trim, we just couldn't bear hearing another 'Oh She's so darling'! El Woo hopes that Carver won't remember this experience. I'm pretty sure he won't, but I've got the photos if he ever wants to be reminded.



Thanksgiving dinner was in Florida this year. I welcomed the change of warmer weather and a slowed down pace. The group was much smaller than years previous, we missed the usual crew, nonetheless we still had a great time. Dinner was delicious and we all contributed to the preparation and cooking of the lovely meal. Mama K cooked up a storm with a divine pumpkin,cinnamon soup, mashed sweet potatoes with pecans and brown sugar, baked potatoes with bacon and cheese topped with cilantro and a delicious cranberry relish! Kyle did his usual and cooked the turkey perfectly, and I made a light arugula salad with pomegranate and toasted pecans with a light vinaigrette dressing.
The table was beautiful!! I can't say we ever had pumpkin soup served to us in pumpkin bowls! They were too cute!

While visiting Mama and Papa K, we ate at 3 beach front restaurants! They were all fabulous too! I've only got photos from 2 out of 3 places though...
Here we are at La Playa Beach & Golf Resort in Naples' Baleen restaurant.

Then the next day we went to HB's On The Gulf at The Naples Beach Hotel & Gulf Club. The lunch there was amazing! I had their Tomato Bisque and their Jamaican Pineapple Boat. I hope we get the chance to eat there again next time we visit! If you check out the link to the hotel (above) we sat exactly where that couple's dining in the sunset!

Before we knew it was Carver's 1st Christmas! We had a wonderful Christmas with both our families and ate until we were way past our 'stuffed' point! Christmas eve afternoon was spent at my father's home. Carver was pasted around by all and interacted lovely with the entire family! It blows my mind to see him interacting with people now!
Our Christmas cards went out with these two photos included in them. You wouldn't know it, but Carver had a terrible cold during this photo shoot. He still had a great time though! I knitted his hat especially for these photographs. The pattern is called 'Candy Cane' from a fabulous baby knits book called Itty-Bitty Hats, by Susan B. Anderson.

Here is a typical scene in the Messina kitchen! My father made the kitchen table at least 40 years ago, and every family member (except my mom & dad) has been photographed when they were baby's sitting on it!

All the grandchildren... Mikey, Kenny, Carver and Dominick

The oldest grandson holding the youngest grandson!

Well, here we all are (minus my brother Tony, and Kyle-who took the photo)! Even the crazy dogs, Gracie and Cappy!
Santa meets Carver for the first time and they hit it off wonderfully!

The Walter's and their train set Christmas day. El Woo may finally have a grandchild who loves model trains as much as he does!

I shot more video footage than photographs this Christmas, but our Uncle John was sure to capture some fun moments of Carver on this special day.


Cappy was pooped out by all the running around and playing with the children...

Couldn't pass up the opportunity to photograph father, son and grandson.

The most beautiful Christmas tree ever!

Aunt Joan and Uncle John serving up bread and butter with a smile!

New Year's Eve was very low key. So low key, I've got no photos to show for it! However if you check out Joy's blog you can see it in photos. Joy was good about breaking out the camera! Joy and Don came over and we watched Kyle and Don play Guitar Hero on the Xbox. That was pretty hilarious! And Joy and I checked out website templates, talked about photography, played with her new Nikon D300 (which is awesome!), and really enjoyed each other's company. Kyle and I had planned to just hang out solo, but it was great to have Joy and Don spend the last few hours of 2007 with us.