Moments of Happiness and Moments of Sadness

I don't know where to begin. Then let's start with my watermelon philosophy. The last couple of nights, after Matthew fell asleep, we brought watermelon up to the room and ate it. As I was eating chunks of the watermelon, I noticed that I would always bite the sweet part first and then finish up with the less sweet side. Wow, each part of the watermelon has a purpose - one to satisfy my taste, and the other almost equivalent to a glass of water. I just haven't figured out yet what the skin can do for me. "Girl, it's just a watermelon from Walmart," my husband commented after I expressed my thoughts, and we laughed.
Lately, or I must say since Matthew was born, I definitely have a refined opinion of life, or I must say I have a purpose in life. Last year my purpose in life was running in the forest and chasing birds and other animals with my camera, and now it's all about running around the bed for up to two hours a night with Matthew to put him to sleep.

Kidding aside, I still cannot figure out how we managed to teach our boy to sleep through the night. I have a feeling that my running around exhausts him. Well, I continue to carry my camera with me everywhere, even in the house. In this photo, Matthew is just under 3 months, and it is hard to believe that next week he will already be 4 months. He possesses an exceptional understanding of the camera; he willingly strikes a pose when feeling inclined, but averts his gaze when uninterested. It brings me joy that we share this level of communication, as I too would flee from the chaotic bursts of camera flashes.
Well, since I have been walking close to home premises, I now pay more and more attention to small things around me. As I was strolling with Matthew on the driveway, and when he eventually closed his eyes, I started to photograph the garage brick. I swear, I started seeing contours of our continents. And I do have many photos of the clouds too.

I once found myself gazing at the sky, spotting shapes in the clouds. On that occasion, I believe I saw a parade of elephants, although I was unfortunate enough not to have a camera with me. However, having my husband around, I still get an opportunity to shoot some action photos. I do continue to shoot bumblebees, but I was lucky this time to capture birds in action.
Lastly, I would like to express how thankful I am for all the Comments and all your visits. Yes, life with Matthew is very precious, and I want to enjoy every second - he is growing too fast. Every day is a different day, full of Matthew's surprises.

In a couple of weeks' time, Matthew will be baptized. Unfortunately, we were shocked by the sudden passing of my father-in-law on August 18, 2008. After a long battle with Hepatitis C, our dad collapsed. We miss him a lot, especially my husband, as he always had a special relationship with his father. Matthew is our little miracle, as he arrived just in time to be loved by his grandfather.
~ Anna

Comments

Dick said…
Oh Anna that is sad news about your father in law, as long as you have parents you are still a child yourself no matter what age you are.
I hope Matthew will sleep the night over soon but there comes a day you have to wake him more than once for school etc. lol.
Thank "YOU" for all your nice comments.
kRiZcPEc said…
...did I miss anything? oops, sorry about your father-in-law's passing.
Bob Johnson said…
Wow, Anna, a lot of stuff has happened, my deepest condolences to your Husband's father passing.

What a cute intelligent looking baby, they grow up fast, and like you said priorities change big time.

When you come back, you come back with a bang, beautiful pictures, the bird action shots are awesome.

I voted on your new icon, you and baby Matthew, I don't know why I vote though, the last poll you had you asked how many posts a week you thought you should do, I said 200, you're not even coming close to that,lol.

Good to see you back and congrats on the upcoming baptism for Matthew.
Am so sorry about your Ftaher in law Anna, God will strenghten your family in Jesus Mighty Name Amen

am happy Matthew is growing big and strong daily. . . we thank God for mercies

Welcome back and yes I did and do miss you

Godbless
Anonymous said…
Hi Anna,
Sorry to hear about your father-in-law.
And 4 months? wow time passes so quickly! Your pictures are great as usual :)
S-V-H said…
I'm so sorry to hear about your father in law passing away, Anna, my deepest condolences to you and your husband!

And your post is beautiful again, your little sunshine is gorgeous and so much grown already. Enjoy the time with him to your fullest!
Hi Anna,
Matthew sure is growing fast! What a handsome little boy. Lovely photos you have included in your post as always.
So sorry to hear about your father-in-law. Sending you lots of purrs.
--JB
Anonymous said…
Hi Anna - Nice post, but so sorry to hear about your father-in-law. That is a beautiful baby you have there! I can tell from the expressions on photos that you will have your hands full once he gets a bit older. He really looks like he will be his own little man.
Unknown said…
Condolence to the family. Stay healthy and be happy.
Anonymous said…
Beautiful photographs, Anna. Wonderful
MedaM said…
Hi Anna,
I’m sorry to hear about your father in law passing away. My deepest condolences to you and your husband!
Your post is wonderful again. Matthew is growing fast. He is so beautiful little boy. I also enjoyed all other photos that you posted.
I'm sorry to hear about your father-in-law. My condolences to you and your family.

Your photos are beautiful as always.
Anna, God bless your family as you go through this trying time. I am sorry for the loss of your FIL.

Matthew's ADORABLE and he does look like he's used to the camera lens. :D What a BEAUTIFUL photo.

The bird shots and sunflower are FANTASTIC too.

What a great comeback post. I know your blogging will be less frequent, but it's ALWAYS a treat when you have time to show us your world. :D

All is well here but busy. I just shot a ton of peach photos outside. :D

Big Hugs, JJ
Lynda Lehmann said…
All of these photos are gorgeous, Anna, and the bird action-shots are great.

Yes, having a child does change our perspective as well as our energy levels, lol.

Matthew is precious and beautiful and I'm happy to see how much he's grown.

I'm very sorry to hear about your father-in-law. Life is so bittersweet.
I am so sorry to hear of your loss. It is never easy to lose someone you love, particularly when it is sudden.

I am moved by your post-baby perspectives on life. It is the small things in life that I find the most beautiful and intriguing. I supposed that's why I love the dandelion photo you've posted.

Hugs,
Cindy
Max Coutinho said…
Hey Anna,

Once again, my condolences *bowing*!

Matthew is so gorgeous! He is becoming a really good looking little man :D!

Ahh, loved the flower as well...with the rain drops (I mean, it is rain, right?) and all: romantic!

I understand why you see life with new eyes: you have born life within so, now you feel special, complete (as if your purpose on earth is half way done)! I wish you all the happiness in the world, my dear friend :D!

Cheers
Andrea said…
Very very good pictures.
One day Matthew will run with you in the forest,to take wonderful pictures.
It will be a great moment:be sure!
Thanks for visiting my blog.

Bye
Peter said…
Hi! The watermelon story reminds me of the tact people take when they're described as a glass half empty or a glass half full person.

The philosophy there is whether you look on the positive side of life or not.

I tend to lean on the side of being positive but that all depends on how I'm feeling at the time, as I'm rather tidal with life being sweet one moment and the next, somewhat sour.

As for eating the skin, I'd suggest not eating it as it can make you as sick as a dog. I'm talking from experience here, and orange peel is not much better.

Take it from me, kids are very good at training parents but you must learn to pull in the reins so you don't go chasing your own tail.

Great photo of Matthew, he looks like King Tut sitting up there in all his boyhood glory. As for the camera, perhaps he feels like a Hollywood star being chased by the paparazzi.

Mood swings are common amongst rising stars. Action man hubby should be able to set him straight.

I'm sorry for your loss and I can understand what you're going through, as my father-in-law passed away only recently, having lived with us for a considerable length of time.

As for being a grandfather, I will have to wait a little longer as bad news hit here as well. Moments of happiness and sadness strike us all at the most unexpected of times.

Take Care,
Peter
kml said…
Glad to see you back, Anna! Matthew is sure growing fast - it does go very fast indeed - my youngest just got his drivers license this summer. Seems like he was just learning to crawl - now I'll never keep up with him!

I am sorry to hear of your loss, but as you said, he was able to enjoy Matthew and I am sure that meant so much to him.

Your birds are beautiful - great catch with the fish!

Take care!

Kathy
myonlyphoto said…
Hi Dick, thank you so much for your kindness. It is in fact true, you said: 'as long as you have parents you are still a child yourself no matter what age you are'. Yes time flies fast, I can only see him going to school, lol. And you are very welcome my friend. Anna :)
myonlyphoto said…
kriz no problem, and thanks for your kind words. Hope all is well. Anna :)
myonlyphoto said…
Yes Bob, that is life. Looks like 2008 has been handfull year for us. Thank you for all your kind words, I will pass them to my husband. And also thanks for your always kind words about Matthew. I am keeping my fingers crossed, but this baby surprises us every day, little smart things he does. Hi actually cleans his face with facecloth, lol, I don't know if he knows yet what he is doing, but he can repeat it up to 4 times.

Thanks for voting Bob, lol, your last vote was promising, lol, but this one is even more promising. You never know, but I think it is coming.

Thanks again for your visit, will be soon to read your recent post - meteor hitting moon, I think I may find some time to surf the sky in October, of course if weather permits.

Anna :)
myonlyphoto said…
COH thank you so much for always kind words. Your visits, inspiration is always appreciated. Thanks for missing me, and I am glad that your husband joined the blogging forces with you - now that I am up to speed with your posts, lol. Anna :)
myonlyphoto said…
Thanks Priyank for your kind words. Yes, almost 4 months, but you know it feels like four years for some reason, it really feels like Matthew been with us all the time. He is so precious. Thanks again for your comment. Anna :)
myonlyphoto said…
Susanne thank you so much, your kind words mean a lot to us. Our little sunshine is growing every day, he does little things there and there and it is really fun to watch him grow. Thanks again for your kind comments, it is appreciated. Anna :)
myonlyphoto said…
JB purrs accepted. As always thank you so much for your kind words and kind comments. But remember I can always say the same about your photography and very entertaining blog. Anna :)
myonlyphoto said…
Hi Will. Thank yo so much for your kind words. And we too call him at times the 'little man', and he is, lol. I think you are right, he will be handfull, but I am ready, motherhood is my newest profession, and I love it. Anna :)
myonlyphoto said…
Hi kbguy, thank you for your kind comment, it is appreciated. BTW welcome to my blog, and for sure you will see me soon on yours. Anna :)
myonlyphoto said…
Thank you roentarre, your comments are appreciated as always. Anna :)
myonlyphoto said…
Hi Medam. Thank you so much for your kind words, I will pass them to my husband. Yes Matthew is so precious, poor little thing by now knows his camera. And he loves to watch preview on the LCD screen, lol. Thanks again for your kind comments and visits. Appreciated. Anna :)
myonlyphoto said…
People with Cameras, it if wasn't your icon, I would think you are new here, lol. Thanks for your kind words, and nice comments about my photos - you are Drowseymoneky, are you? lol. Thanks again, Anna :)
myonlyphoto said…
JJ thank you so much for always and always kind words, and your emails too.
Matthew is actually very much used to camera, he know the flash, lol. Believe or not he knows how to turn aways soon as I show up with camera too, lol. I actually used that photo with my baptism invitation, everone loved it too.

Will be over to see your peach photos if you posted them, but if not, I still will be over.

Thanks again, all is appreciated. Anna :)
myonlyphoto said…
Thank you Lynda for all your kind comments, and for visiting too knowing that you are busy also. It is appreciated.

Oh yeah you are right about the energy levels, I think I am in the highest excited level right now, lol. Kidding aside, I don't even know where I get so much energy.

Yes he is growing fast, and believe or now he probably is looking different already from this photo, just it is hard for me to tell since I see him every day.

Lynda thank you for your condolences, yes 'Life is so bittersweet.' - but there is so much we can do, it was designed like that, and we have no control over it.

Thanks again for your comments. Appreciated. Anna :)
myonlyphoto said…
Thank you Cindy, yes sudden loss is always harder to accept. Thank you so much for your kind words.

Cindy you said: 'It is the small things in life that I find the most beautiful and intriguing.' - so true, I feel the same way.

Thanks again, appreciated your visit and comment. Anna :)
myonlyphoto said…
Hi Max, my friend thank you so much for your condolences.

You said: 'He is becoming a really good looking little man :D!' - oh oh he is, and he is our little man.

Well I have to tell you a bit of truth about the rain drops on the sun flower. Well, you know I have limits now, so I had to improvise, well I showered the flower myself, lol, the light was prefect, so I thought the little water drops will enhance it.

You said: 'I understand why you see life with new eyes: you have born life within so, now you feel special, complete (as if your purpose on earth is half way done)! I wish you all the happiness in the world, my dear friend :D!' - oh Max this is so beautiful, and so true, thank you my friend. Anna :)
myonlyphoto said…
Thank you Andrea, I am already looking and deciding what camera he should own, lol. Oh we will be one great team one day, but we already are now too, as he knows to pose, lol. Thanks again for your comment, Anna :)
myonlyphoto said…
Peter, interesting perspective about my watermelon story, and I will take the advice - but who in the world eats the watermelon peel, lol, only you Peter. You are trooper to try new things, lol.

You said: 'he looks like King Tut sitting up there in all his boyhood glory' - lol, wow I can see it too.

I think he does 'feels like a Hollywood star being chased by the paparazzi.' - I been called the paparazzi too many times before.

Peter thank you so much for your kind words, and I am sorry to hear about your father in law also. It must have been hard especially because he lived with you. As for us we are still waiting for his phone call.

Peter, I am sorry about the loss of your grandfather status, but you know nature has its course and when the times comes everything will be perfect. One thing Matthew thought me, don't ever give up your hope.

You said: 'Moments of happiness and sadness strike us all at the most unexpected of times.' - so true, and I am sorry too.

Anna :)
myonlyphoto said…
Thank you Kathy for your kind words, they are always appreciated. And yes time flies, but it is so much fun to see kids growing, and seeing how they bloom all the time.

It was pure luck the get that photo with the fish in the beak. Thanks again, all is appreciated. Anna :)
Anonymous said…
Super...
Merging Point said…
Watermelon - Classic example of the mind interpreting. yes it happens when the mind gets tuned to every tiny thing that comes to hand. just got to be watchful it doesnt lose the flavour of "just seeing it as it is"

Great shots that reflect your inner core, Anna!
Jo's-D-Eyes said…
Hi Anna,
So sorry to hear about your dad-in law, be carefull my friend so you need some happyness, your blog is full of energy and , you are "my star" (see my blog why)be carefull with any-life always!

Tke care greetings from
JoAnn's D Eyes/ Holland
Max Coutinho said…
Anna,

You are most welcome, darling :)!

I can tell that you are extremely happy with your little man :D!

LOL LOL oh, so you showered the flower...well, you did a great job at it *High 5*!

Motherhood is beautiful!! And you are most welcome, darling *bowing*!

God bless you!
Anna, life has so many stages and there is change daily. Matthew is a special gift and that gift helps you go through the tide of life's sorrows that enter as time marches on.

What beautiful photos - from the eye of a true artist. Thanks.
Fruity said…
He's a cute little baby. And that wonderful bird in flight. Fantastic shot!
Fruity
Swubird said…
Anna:

These are really great images. You are quite the photographer. Tell me, what is the gray flying bird in the second image? It's beautiful, and you captured it at the exact moment of gracefulness.

Happy trails.
myonlyphoto said…
Thanks passionnature78! Anna :)
myonlyphoto said…
Hi Joann, thanks so much for your condolences, and thank you so much for you comment, means a lot. Anna :)
myonlyphoto said…
Merging Point your words are so inspirational always. Thank you so much, Anna :)
myonlyphoto said…
Robyn you said: 'Matthew is a special gift and that gift helps you go through the tide of life's sorrows that enter as time marches on.' - you are so right, he is a real gift. Thanks for beautiful words, and your comments. Anna :)
myonlyphoto said…
Thanks fruity for your lovely comment, appreciated. Anna :)
myonlyphoto said…
Hey Swubird, thank you so much. The bird on both photos is the Caspian Tern, they are very entertaining birds when they fish. Once the fish is swallowed, they return and surf just above the water to clean their beaks, it really looks so cool. We used to think these were gulls, but they are more fun to photograph them in action. Thanks again, Anna :)
Preity Angel... said…
Dear Anna, sorry to hear about your father in law...

hey your matthew is grown up now he is so cutie pie..coool..i can't wait to see my little angel now. well
Astro Galaxy said…
Greetings,
Your baby is very adorable and love the pictures you took.
deepest condolences for your father-in-law.
Take Care
myonlyphoto said…
Thanks Angel for your condolences. Your cutie will come with no time. I am very happy for you, and believe me if you think life is good now, you will see life with your baby will be even more precious. Thanks again, Anna :)
myonlyphoto said…
Thanks astrogalaxy for your nice comment, condolences and a visit. It is appreciated. Anna :) I will see you later on your blog.