Letters to my Children – October 2017

Posted on November 21, 2017 by smgoode

Dear Ariya,

We’re getting into the groove of our schedule. School, swimming, ballet, Diwali practice. You are so excited to go on stage with your friends from Balvihar and wear your Indian outfit and dance on stage. I’m so glad that we live in an area for you to have Indian friends and learn about our culture. You were also in a play called the Ramayana. Pretty famous play. And you were the Goddess Sita. It was so amazing to see you practice and really get into it. You love reading books about Diwali, the Ramayana, Holi. It’s pretty awesome to see you so excited about our culture.

You were also excited about Halloween. I must confess, I’m not a crafty or handy mom. I don’t make costumes. Or never really thought to. We went to Target. You wanted to be Mulan. Which is pretty awesome, because Mulan, while not a real princess, is like a warrior princess, right? I’d say she’s pretty rad. So you were Mulan. We went to our friends Halloween party, went trick or treating on the walking mall, and then finally went trick or treating on Halloween night with our friends, the Patels. They have an awesome neighborhood to trick or treat in. It was a pretty fun time. We’re still eating candy from Halloween.

You love learning so much. When we get home, you may want to decompress, watch a few episodes of tv. But you always want to work on your “fun” sheets. Practice your letters and numbers, coloring. You love when we read to you. We go to the library and you grab maybe 5-10 books each time. It’s crazy. I hope I never lose those books! But I love that you love to read!

Dear Asha,

You are growing like a weed. I tried to keep the 18-24 months on you for as long as possible, but wow you grew out of everything so fast. We had to turn around your car seat because your legs were so smooshed. But you love being able to see everything, in the right direction.

You love going over the animal flash cards. You know how to say Bee and that a bee says “Bzzz bzzz”. You know that lions and tigers and bears say “ROAR”. And you love saying ROAR. You can say point to and say eyes and nose. You know where your mouth, tongue, teeth, hair, head, fingers, toes, and “bee bo” (belly button) is. I think you can say Please, although it sounds like peeeeeaaaaassssss. And the rest of it, who knows what you’re saying. You do love to babble and make lots of sounds. And I just keep talking to you. You understand a lot, which is pretty amazing. You’re just growing so fast!

For Halloween, you were Minnie Mouse. And you were the cutest Minnie Mouse. You loved the ears, you loved the dress. But trick or treating at the walking mall was during your nap time and that was TOUGH. We had to wait in lines to get candy, and you hated being strapped in the stroller. But you did love the Halloween party and trick or treating in our friend’s neighborhood.

*all photos except the ones taken on Halloween are on film

Letters to My Children – July and August 2017

Posted on August 28, 2017 by smgoode

Dear Ariya,

I feel like this summer went by so quickly! We filled the days with swimming, playing and more swimming. Like, a lot of swimming….We took advantage of this pool membership and tried to go as often as we could, and there usually was a babysitter there to help me out. You love your babysitter Savannah. And she was a lifeguard too, so she was able to help you swim when you weren’t having your lessons.

In July, we took a trip to Cape Charles, VA. We stopped off at Nani and Nanu’s house to visit for a little bit, which was nice. It’s always good to play with your mom’s old toys and hang out. But we drove a few more hours down to the beach and got to check out the house that we’d be staying at. Grandma and your cousins and aunties and uncles were coming too! Even Uncle Eric was there! How exciting!! The beach was fun, the water was shallow and warm, and I did not have to worry about any waves crashing down on you and your sister. The only thing that creeped you out were the snails. There were MILLIONS of them, just buried in the sand. And the ocean seemed so far away, we had to walk OVER these snails just to get to the water. Yeah, it was creepy. But we had a great time. We went to the aquarium one day when the weather was kind of gloomy. And we went to the library another day, they had the most fun little corner full of toys and books for kids like you. You had a great time with the cousins, even though there was a lot of fighting and yelling to share over all of the toys. But we definitely made some memories and I was there to take photos of pretty much everything.

As soon as we got back home, you had music camp with your friend Asher at SCAA. We love learning with Ms Karen, and you had so much fun! This year’s theme was traveling the world, learning about other cultures and singing lots of songs.

And the NEXT week, we did camp at Sonshine, your preschool. The theme for the week was STEM. It was pretty cool, the experiments you did. One thing that was funny was that every day I dropped you off, Asha cried and cried for you. She missed you so much. I don’t know how she’ll handle you going back to school!

You also got a big girl bike to ride. It still has the training wheels on but you’re having fun. You’re very cautious, and try to ride slow. It stinks that we’re on a hill, we do have to be careful when you ride around our house. We may need to take your bike to the park one of these days, so you can practice some more.

August was a great month too. We got to visit my family in New York. And THEY had a pool too! You met a TON of your older cousins on my side of the family. I bet you didn’t realize how many uncles you had. And you got to see Mala ben again. I think you were just in awe of having an older sister cousin. And we were there just in time for Rakshabandhan. I was able to tie rakhis to all of my brother cousins (missing Niraj bhai and Akash) that were there, and you were able to tie rakhis to your brother cousins too! Hopefully we’ll be able to make this a yearly tradition and see everyone next year! Well, we know we’ll definitely see them next year, because we have an Indian wedding to go to! Rushabh uncle is getting married to Nithi auntie and you get to wear your beautiful indian dresses! I know you’re excited about that!

I think you’re finally getting the handle of this swimming thing. You even jumped off the diving board and swam to the side in the deep end on your last swim lesson at the pool! It was so amazing, and you acted like it was no big deal. You are such a rockstar! You keep asking about when school will start, when you’ll be in the 4s class, and when you can start ballet. Soon, sweetie. Right now, let’s enjoy this time together and soak up the last of the summer.

Right now you love giving hugs and you’re such a big helper and such a sweet big sister. Asha is so lucky to have you, even if it seems like a pain, always fighting over a toy or stuffed animal. Thank you for being so patient with her. I know she’s going through phase where you can’t reason with her, she wants what she wants. But you’re doing a great job of working through your emotions and hers. You’re getting so big. I can’t believe that I have a 4 year old. Where did the time go?

Dear Asha,

You have become SUCH a water baby! You love splashing in the water and kicking your legs. We play humpty dumpty you jump off the side of the pool to get wet. I will definitely have to enroll you in some Mommy and me swim classes when Ariya is back in school. I know you’ll love that.

You had such a great time at the beach with your cousins. The sand, the sun. Oh man, did you love putting the sand in your mouth I think you even tried to PUT A SNAIL IN YOUR MOUTH. Yeah, I was not too happy about that. You were very independent in the shallow water. You’d just do your own thing, you hated me hovering.

While Ariya was in camp, you were a mess. I thought we could have some fun times, just you and me, but you were not having it. So we went to the gym a lot. And played at home. I wonder how this year with Ariya in school will be for you? I do have some fun things planned, like music class with Ms Karen at SCAA, and the mommy and me swim class at Kids First. Should be good times.

Your personality is so big Asha. We joke that you’re such a terror. I don’t know if it’s a 2nd child syndrome, or what. But you definitely let your wishes known. You’re finally saying Mommy (but you say it the way Ariya screams it when she’s downstairs and I’m upstairs, like MOMMMMMMYYYYYYYYYYY. When you say it, I have a mini heart attack because I think something’s wrong. Nope, it’s just you repeating what you hear), and you wave and say Bye bye, and when daddy comes home from work in the morning, you say Hiiiiiiiiii. It’s the cutest thing. I gotta get you on video starting to talk. you’re definitely making a LOT of sounds and it’s the cutest thing ever. But when you’re not happy, you let it be known. Scratching, pinching, hair pulling. Poor Ariya gets most of it. We love you and wouldn’t have it any other way. But, maybe if you could just grow out of this phase soon, that would be awesome. K?

*all photos shot on film

Letters to My Children – May and June 2017

Posted on July 9, 2017 by smgoode

Dear Ariya,

May was a great month. We went to the fair during Apple Blossom, and saw some fire trucks. It was your last month of pre-school in the 3s class at Sonshine Learning Center. It seemed like you had a field trip or a birthday party every few days. You even had your FIRST ballet recital on stage, as Tinkerbell. You had so much fun you didn’t want it to end! It was a hard concept for you to understand, “summer vacation”. That you weren’t going back to school, that you won’t see your teachers or most of your friends. I had to explain all the fun things that we were going to do, all the fun things we had planned. Like to trip to see Daddy’s friends in Port Angeles, Washington. Or the beach trip that we have planned with your cousins in July. Or the swim lessons and soccer lessons that you were taking with your best friend Asher. It took a little while, but by the time we were on the “jet plane” on our way to Seattle, you were ready to start the summer!

You had a great time in Seattle and Port Angeles. We got to hang out with Niki didi and meet her new husband Nikhil. We went to the Pacific Science Center and rode to the top of the Space Needle. And the Seattle Aquarium and Pike Place Market was pretty awesome. Then we borrowed Niki didi’s car to meet Daddy’s friends Cindy and Mike in Port Angeles. It was so much fun! We explored new places, got to check out beaches and tide pools, mountains and lakes.

June was even better! You got to spend some quality time with Grandma and your cousins. It was Asha’s first time away from us and you were the best big sister, helping make her feel comfortable. You had such a blast, for the next few days afterwards, you talked about how much fun you had at Grandma’s, and how you wish you could go back and see your cousins, and how you wish you could do it again. Lucky for you, we’ll be seeing Grandma and your cousins and aunties/uncles at the beach in July!

You also started playing soccer with your friends Asher and Ishanvi. And while you love the games and the dribbling of the ball, I don’t think you’re much of a fan of the sport. You kind of hang out by the goal net while everyone else chases the ball. Swimming is definitely more your thing. You’re getting a little more comfortable putting your face in the water. You’re kicking and gliding and having a ball. I know you can’t wait to go to the beach and show everyone your moves.

Dear Asha,

Your daddy and I were so nervous for you and our plane trip to Seattle. But you surprised me! Out of the 5 hour plane ride, I think you napped for 3 in the ergo carrier. Thank goodness for that! Sleeping in a strange place in the pack and play, that’s another story. It wasn’t….bad…but it wasn’t great. Our strategy was to keep you busy, make sure you got your naps in (thank goodness for the ergo), and kept you up later than your usual bedtime. It worked for the most part. You had so much fun seeing all the new sights, meeting our friends, exploring everything. It was a pretty fun trip, even if you spent a lot of it on our backs napping.

June has been just another month. We’ve spent more time running around for Ariya’s events, playing at the park when you really want to play soccer with her. Playing at the pool while she takes her lessons (you don’t really complain, but you hit a wall when it’s nap time).

You’re doing some cute things lately. You said your first word at Grandma’s house. We were looking at the mirror, and I pointed at you and said, “Can you say “Asha”?” And you DID. You said Asha! I pointed at Ariya, and asked if you could say her name. AND YOU DID. You’ve been saying “Dada” for forever. And when I pointed at me and asked you to say “Mama”, guess what you said……..”DADA”. And now it’s a big joke to everyone. We all laugh, and I’m convinced that you know what you’re doing. That’s ok. I’m patient. I can wait for you to say MAMA.

You also started doing the funniest thing. Every time you have a poopy diaper, I ask if you have a stinky butt”. You pinch your nose and say “peeeuuuuuu”. So adorable. You let it be known when you’re upset. You scream when Ariya tries to take something that you’re playing with. You bring me your shoes all the time when you want to go outside and play. Sometimes first thing in the morning. You love animals so so much. So much that we can’t get to the pet store to buy dog food because I’m busy chasing you down after you see a dog that you want to say hello to. No Asha, not all dogs are friendly. But you do love our dogs. You pet them, you’re so gentle with them. And you pat Ariya and me all the time, on our arms and legs. So sweet, when you want to be 🙂 There’s this song that I sing to Ariya to signal that it’s time to go to bed. “Now it’s time to say good night, say good night say good night, now it’s time to say goodnight, we had lots of fun”. Every time I try to sing the song to you, you know what it means, and you SCREAM. Do you not like my singing? I won’t take offense. I say this all the time. But I really need for time to stop, or slow down. You two are growing way too fast and it hurts my heart to know that I’m missing it, or that I’ll forget it. Which is why you’re probably used to seeing me with a camera to my face. I don’t want to forget a thing.

Nikon f100, Portra 160 rated at 320 and pushed +1

Nikon f100, Portra 400NC rated at 200 and pushed +1

Pentax 645nii, Portra 400

Pentax 645nii, Portra 160 rated at 320 +1

March 2017 – Film Project

Posted on April 27, 2017 by smgoode

I don’t know what happened to my “one film stock, one film camera, one lens” project. This month, I was all over the place. I wanted to compare the film stocks Lomo 800 to Fuji Superia 800. I also wanted to test out a new (to me) point and shoot camera, the Fuji Klasse s. I finally got my Rolleiflex 2.8E back from a CLA with Harry Fleenor, and wanted to test it out. I wanted to try some funky light leaked processed film that I found out about through Instagram, Psychedelic Blues, I think? They process Kodak Gold film to create these funky light leaks. And THEN, I tried some black and white, and played with the TLA 200 flash with my Contax G2. And because the workshop with the Find Lab and Jonathan Canlas was coming up in April, I thought I’d try shooting film with my video light. Anyway, so yeah, it was a fun month in terms of scans, but as usual, ALL over the place. One thing I discovered is that I do NOT like Cinestill. The roll that I shot was water damaged, and it was not pretty. Enjoy!

Nikon f100 and Fuji Superia 800

Nikon f100 and Portra 400

Pentax 645nii and Portra 400 +3

Pentax 645nii and Portra 400 +3 with video light

Pentax 67ii and Portra 400 +1

Nikon f100 and HP5

Contax t2 and Lomography 800

Nikon f100 and Kodak 400 treated by Psychedelic Blues

Contax G1 and Japan Camera Hunter with TLA 200 Flash

without flash

Fuji Klasse S and Fuji Superia 800

Contax N1 and Fuji 200

Nikon f100 and Delta 3200

Nikon f100 and Delta 3200 with Video light

February 2017 – Film Project

Posted on March 19, 2017 by smgoode

I had enough of black and white film to go with my gloomy feelings of winter in January. February, I wanted COLOR. And I wanted to use my Pentax 67ii. Ever since I got it, I’ve had the hardest time loading the film. It’s just something that comes with practice I get. We did get a chance to get away to Snowshoe, and I should have brought my Pentax 67ii, but I still get a little self conscious shooting with it in public. It’s just so big, at 5 lbs. Wouldn’t have mattered, because Ariya was sick the whole weekend and we basically stayed in the hotel room the whole time As for color, I tried to stick to keep it within the same family. Portra 400NC, Portra 160NC and because I was so excited to try some slide film, I tried a roll of E100SW.

Pentax 67ii and E100SW. Those COLORS.

Pentax 67ii and Portra 160NC

Nikon f100 and Portra 400NC

One Second of Every Day – January 2017

Posted on February 4, 2017 by smgoode

It’s interesting that with each new year, I keep thinking up new projects to work on. My friend Francesca of Francesca Russell Photography created this amazing body of work, the beauty of every second, a video showing one second of every day for the whole year. And it was just beautiful to watch. I had been doing monthly videos for 2016, my goal was to do a year’s worth of videos ever since I took the Every Day Films Workshop last October. So far, I’ve done October through July and am currently working on August. I love doing these videos. Don’t get me wrong, I love photography, but it’s amazing to see my daughters hit these milestones in action. The way my daughter Ariya says COOL instead of SCHOOL, or seeing Asha crawl for the first time. It’s pretty amazing. Which is probably while video will always be one of my main projects. If you want to see all of my videos, you can check out my vimeo account here.

As for my 2017 project. I’ve joined a pretty great group that helps for accountability. After watching my video, feel free to follow the circle with Jennifer Stamps Photography here.

Here’s the first video of many. One Second of Every Day – January 2017

Letters to Our Children – January 2017

Posted on January 30, 2017 by smgoode

Dear Ariya,

It’s a new year! You’re back at school, back to your usual routine. You’re learning your letters, having fun at school with the many crafts and activities that you do. It’s been pretty cold at home, but no serious snow just yet. It just so happened that the one weekend that we went to visit Nani and Nanu, it actually snowed down there! We weren’t prepared and didn’t bring your snow gear, but your daddy braved the roads to drive to Walmart and get you new snow boots. And boy did you have fun! 8 inches of snow full of fun! I’m hoping we get some snow at home though, because our front yard is made for sledding. But when we’re not hoping for snow, we’re going to Asha’s music class, or your ballet class. We go to the children’s museum, and have playdates with friends from school. And on the rare day that it’s warm, we go out on the patio so that you can ride your bike.

The other day, you saw some construction workers outside. The first time you mentioned what you wanted to be when you grow up. You said “I wish I could be a construction worker so I can dig like that”.

A year ago, you had the hardest time pronouncing your S’s. Like School was cool, Snack was nack. Cutest ever. You’re outgrowing it, and I kind of miss it. I

It’s been rough for you though. You’ve been missing your daddy. It’s tough for you, when he’s at work for long stretches of time, when you don’t get to see him. He’s gone before you wake up, and he comes home past your bedtime. But it’s ok, you’re strong. Your daddy will be off for a few days and will spend all of his time with you.

Dear Asha,

You are walking now! It’s crazy, you’ve taken more than a few steps, and you get so excited each time you go further than the last. Well, you’re not full blown walking yet, but you’re so close. And I’m not ready. I actually burst into tears. Where did the time go? When you did you go from being my little baby to being my little toddler? You’re babbling up a storm too. I keep saying mama, dada, but nope, no first words yet. Just a lot of syllables. You’re also still waking up at least once in the middle of the night. I’m trying not to let it get to me. I’m hoping that you’ll get over it. I just don’t know how to help you get over it. Can anyone out there help me out?

You do love your sister, you’re her little shadow. You’re obsessed with legos, just like her. You want to play with her play doh everytime she’s playing with it (and promptly puts it in your mouth, bleh). And you love pulling her hair. For some reason she lets you. I don’t understand why she lets you, but she does. Because she loves you so. She loves flinging you around, holding you, picking you up. And you love every second of it. You’re so lucky to have each other.

Portra 400 on Pentax 67ii

Portra 400NC on Nikon f100

Fuji 400h on Pentax 67ii

Film 366 Favorites of 2016

Posted on January 5, 2017 by smgoode

The year has ended and I have survived 2 366 projects. One was a digital 366, using my Nikon d610 and Fuji x100t. And the 2nd was a film 366, using a variety of film cameras and film stocks. I went a little crazy exploring the world of film. I’ve acquired a ton of film cameras, tons of film stock. I was all over the place. I wasn’t able to keep track of my film 366, because I shot SO MUCH FILM. Here are some of my favorites of 2016.

I’m crazy enough to do my 4th 365, for 2017. I’ve also decided to slow down with film and focus. So, I’m doing a digital 365, and I’m doing 1 roll of film a week, and for each month that I shoot film, I’ll be using the same film camera, same lens and same film stock. For January 2017, I’ve started shooting Acros 100 with my Nikon f100 and 35 f/2 lens. Let’s hope I come out with some decent shots!

Letters to our Children – December

Posted on January 2, 2017 by smgoode

Dear Ariya,

What an exciting month it’s been! Your daddy had to go to a work conference in Orlando of all places, so you got to experience your first trip to Disney! You were so excited to ride on a “jet plane” to meet your favorite princesses, like Elena (you asked where Gabe and her sister Isabelle was), Rapunzel (who twirled you and talked about her friend/lizard Pascal) and Ariel in her grotto (you were so starstruck meeting Ariel!). We ate at the Beast’s palace and you wore your Belle dress. We met all of your favorite characters like Minnie and Mickey, Daisey and Goofey. You were over the moon. We took pictures of you with all of them, and you even got their autographs. I think your favorite ride was Dumbo and Winnie the Pooh. And you LOVED the Frozen Sing a long at Hollywood Studios. I mean, you just sang your heart out, and it was amazing to see.

Then we had Christmas! We baked gingerbread cookies, made reindeer food and read tons of Christmas books. The tree was decorated, the presents were stacked and you were ready to see what Santa brought you. Nani and Nanu came to visit, and you had a blast playing with them. Santa must have thought you were a very good girl, because you got a TON of presents. You are one very lucky girl. We also so Moana that day, and I think Moana might be your new favorite Disney princess. I have to admit, I can’t get those songs out of my head!

And for New Year’s Eve, your Grandma and Auntie Carmen came to visit! More presents! But more importantly, more quality time spent with family. You loved working on the life size puzzle of Doc McStuffins with Grandma. And that Read Along Princess books was THE best present ever, Thanks Grandma!

Looking forward to what 2017 brings us!

Dear Asha,

You turned one! We ended up having your birthday part at your Grandma’s after Thanksgiving. Nani and Nanu came to visit, and Grandma and Auntie Carmen got you a beautiful cake with your face on it, along with a chocolate flavored smash cake. You went to town on that cake! Lots of family from your daddy’s side was there, and it was so much fun for you and Ariya playing with them.

You were such a superstar on the plane to Disneyworld. You pretty much slept in the ergo while Ariya had her fun. But you did get some play time in the pool, and got to meet some disney characters too. You won’t remember this trip, but I do have pictures to prove you were there!

Santa must have thought you were really good too, because you got some pretty good presents too! Lucky girl! I think Ariya loves playing with your presents more than her own, but it’s good because you two play together so well. You love following her around, and she loves tackling you to the ground. You laugh together, even when you make Ariya upset after destroying all her cities and towns made up of blocks and legos. We call you Asha the destroyer. (We used to call Ariya the destroyer too).

You are still waking up at least once at night, but it’s ok, I’m hoping you’ll grow out of it eventually. Crossing fingers!

You’ve got a ton of teeth now. 4 on top and 4 on the bottom. You love eating eggs for breakfast and you love bananas, strawberries and pears. Apples are funny, you love to just chew them to get the juice but then you spit the pieces out. So messy. And you love spaghetti, although I think you like making the mess more.

Looking forward to what 2017 brings us!

(Taken with the contax g1 and Portra 400vc (expired), rated at 100, with flash and pushed +1 in development, at Disney)

(Pentax 645nii with Portra 400, rated at 800 and pushed +1 in development, Ariya)

(digital, Ariya baking gingerbread cookies)

(digital, Asha’s official 12 months)

(contax g1 with flash, fuji super 400, Asha’s 1st birthday)

(digital, Ariya and Asha, Christmas morning)

(contax g1 with flash, ferrania 400 (expired) film)

(digital, Christmas afternoon, with wacky Christmas outfits purchased by Santa (I mean, my husband))

Letters to our Children – November

Posted on December 1, 2016 by smgoode

It’s been a crazy month as your father and I have worked through our emotions during this year’s presidential election. I want for both of you to grow up in a world where we take care of each other, no matter what color your skin is, what religion you practice, what gender you are or think you are. We are all created equal and should be treated so. I want you both to stand up for yourself, to not be bullies or mean girls, but to be kind and always look out for others. If you see something wrong happening, do something. Always voice your opinions, be strong in your beliefs. Be kind, respectful, caring, inspiring, smart and fair. Take care of this world that we live in, because it’s the only one we have. Let’s not be wasteful. Let’s give to the less fortunate. And always appreciate what we have. We love you both so much and always want what’s best for you.

a few photos on film, assortment of cameras (contax g1, pentax 645nii, pentax 6×7) and film (portray 160, 400 and 800)