Last glimpse of winter, new beginning awaits

Another winter is behind us.  

Whenever I got a chance to walk in nature, I'm always amazed with its wonder.  You see the sleeping beauty in winter,

and then the restoration of life.

This seems to be a constant cycle,

and yet there is subtle difference in each of them.

No matter how fast human world changes, nature also changes according to her own pace.

I wonder when we're going to learn to slow down, and enjoy what God's creation.  In this financial crisis, and potential global epidemic (which also somewhat because of what we've done), when are we able to have a quiet moment and reflect on what's really important in our life?

Something for a change

I've been exploring different options for my photo style.

Up until now, most of my photos are towards the soft and romantic side like this,

which is not bad, considering this is baby portrait.

It can capture the intimacy of the bond between Aidan and his surrounding people.

And below is a series of pictures on Aidan's reaction to his grandma, under has different style which I also like.

At the end of the day, different style can fit in different situation.  So it's all good to me. =)

When everyone is busy

Aidan usually has no problem getting on his own business, such as staring at the blank space.

It's a welcoming scene, as mom and dad can do some other things.  I like the above picture, as if he's actually thinking about something.  

This usually won't last too long, as he's usually not capable of such long concentration.  He'll soon be looking at something else.

Until he finds more interesting interactive creatures, namely, people.

Warming up to grandpa

It's not news that Aidan is totally warmed up with grandma.

With enough exposure, he's now warming up to grandpa too.

It's understandable why it takes Aidan a little longer to warm up with grandpa, considering grandpa's serious look.  That's  largely due to the need of such figure in order to discipline an once disobedient and naughty kid like myself (I think I still am naughty nowadays).  =)

But now that the discipline part falls onto me (or in the future), and with this chubby round smile ...

Grandpa has an easier time to soften up and facilitate the bonding moment.

And that allows grandma to update  her weekly wallpaper on the phone. =P

5 months old Aidan

Sometimes I just don't know where time goes.  It went by so fast.  Aidan is now 5 months old.

I thank God that he continues to grow in really good health.  He's getting rounder, and his arms are wrapped with fatty meat.

Having visitors has become a weekly routine, which we enjoyed a lot as I miss my friends all this time. 

I hope they'll have fun visiting us too.

In this particuar case, I think my friend did have fun. =)

And this is good.  At least Aidan has a purpose...

A tourist attraction! =D

Sleep like a champ!

Except for the bathing time, Aidan's usually sleeping by the time I get home.  After a long time observation, I think this is his favorite position.

For adults, I don't think we can hold this position for long.

But for some reason Aidan can keep this position up all night long.

And it doesn't seem to bother him at all.  

Church time, nap time

Every week when we go to church, Aidan had a good time in nursery room looking at different aunties, uncles, and most of all, babies.

And I think that must be a pretty intensive exercise in his eyes, because he'll be sleeping in his car seat soon after he's in the car.  As he grows bigger and bigger, the car seat becomes tighter and tighter.  So before he outgrown the car seat, I better preserve this moment too.

Comparing to his early pictures in the same seat, he surely occupies a lot of space now.  And so is his feet.  

Many readers wonder why I can have  so many smiling pictures of Aidan.  I can't deny he's a pretty 'easy-laughing' baby.  So on the other hand, this kind of expression is a bit less likely to come by ...

Actually, the main reason of me don't have much crying pictures of Aidan is because I'll usually put down the camera and take care of him when he's crying. =P

Oh, btw, mommy got Aidan a pack of colorful balls last week.  And he's one of his fascinated look, sort of...

Alternate use of sipping cup

Lately we're trying to introduce another container to Aidan, the sipping cup.  Not that we need him to start using it seriously, just to warm him up with this idea.

And look at his 'eagerness' to learn ... nah... I think he rather like to figure out the lock or pretending to drive a motorcycle or something.  =P

And to the real introduction of the cup ...

So far so good ...

OK, a little hiccup there ...

Hey, this is no food!

Yeah, I'm talking to you!

Sigh, what can I say? =P

Let's play ball!

'You have to treat the ball as your friend, if you want to be good at it.'  (Quote from cartoon Captain Tsubasa) =P

So here's a big kiss on his new friend (or bite).  =)

And off he goes, the exploration of the property of sphere.

Oops, where is his friend going??

After playing, Aidan will go back to his comfort station, namely, mommy.

The directional light for this shot is quite harsh, because it's bouncing from my mirror closet (yeah, the one that Aidan play with everyday).  But I still like the highlight on mom and Aidan's face.  =)

Daily exercise

Boy, I'm amazing how many pictures I've taken over the weekend.  Soon I think I'll expire my shutter life.  Taking pictures and processing them has become my daily exercise.

For Aidan, his exercise certainly gear towards the physical side, such as wrestling with his toy snake, or worm, whatever... =P

Since Aidan needs to be monitored, mommy gets her fair of exercise everyday too.  I think that's why she's in such good shape.

Being a baby has his advantage.  That is, he can get whatever rest he needs before taking on the next round.

Unlike the unforgiving world, he'd also get unlimited encouragement and love to go on.  =)