This month you’ve proved yet again that you are definitely the cleverest, funniest, best looking little boy ever! Even allowing for my natural bias, I’m certain that you have more personality than any other kid ever in the history of time. I’m not sure a sense of humour is normally this developed in someone that still wears nappies…although your hilarious ‘wee on the floor when my nappy comes off before my bath’ routine loses some of its charm after a few repetitions.
Your talking is still developing really strongly. Whenever you’re in the back of the car we have lovely chats about ‘up’, and ‘dark’, and ‘woof woof’. Often you just sit in your seat and babble away to yourself. It’s not exactly Radio 4, but Mummy and I always have great big grins when we hear you chatting like that.
Unfortunately this letter is going to be very short. That’s because they get written a month in arrears, and December was…not a great month for letter writing, as you’ll see in the next letter. The result is that I am writing this in January, and frankly I can’t remember anything else about November. Sorry.
Love,
Daddy
BN If you can’t see the following slideshow in an RSS reader or Facebook, click here to view the blog post.
This is the first of a new category of posts called ‘Who’s Your Daddy?’. These will be about how becoming a father has changed my reaction to the world, because I think becoming a parent is such a life-changing experience. The effect isn’t always positive, and it’s certainly not always easy, but it does alter your attitude to things!
I’d love to hear about other people’s experiences. What do you miss from your pre-parenting life? What have you gained that was unexpected? What would you advise prospective parents (apart from “Don’t do it. Back away from the Bugaboo. Don”t you understand you’ll never really relax again? Leave me here. Save yourself!” which isn’t really very constructive).
Here’s one to get things started. I can’t handle seeing a child in distress or pain on TV or in a film. The bit at the beginning of Madascar 2 where the baby lion gets kidnapped? Bawling my eyes out. Jenny and I had to stop watching a South African film called Tsotsi, which previously would have right up our strasse, because of the kidnapped baby being kept in a cardboard box and wrapped in newspapers instead of nappies. We literally couldn’t bear it. Almost every episode of Grey’s Anatomy is an emotional minefield.
Does anyone else recognise this, or is it just me? Please leave some comments (directly on the blog post if you’re reading this in Facebook or via RSS) and let me know I’m not going mad…
drpbier - Oooh, tough question! There's no question I miss a lot from my pre-fatherhood life, mainly around freedom and flexibility. On the other hand the whole reason this website, this blog post and this comment are here at all is because having Isaac has opened up certain possibilities for me. Plus, the second time round you'd expect to know a lot of the 'stuff' that can make the first time such a jarring experience. So overall, yes I would. But I'd be a bit nervous in case Isaac tried to put the baby in the washing machine or something.
Martin - Dave, I have a question. Now you have the experience of the ups and downs of raising a child - would you have another one?
dean wallman - Dave agree with you 100%, a year or so ago we watched shows like Law and Order Special Victims Unit with ease, now anything which shows a kid being harmed in anyway is so much more difficult to sit through. Oh and if you want a song guaranteed to bring on the tears try listening to "Sweet Child" by Carole King, mind you even "Kooks" by David Bowie is guaranteed to get me going.
Look forward to reading more and recognising exactly how you're feeling
Last weekend I had the pleasure of meeting the newest member of the Pollard family. Sophie is just about to turn five months old, and believe me, this is one sharp little girl – I don’t remember the last time I was so intently watched. I did manage a faint smirk after seriously turning on the old magic, but she certainly doesn’t give up those smiles to every Tom, Dick or David.
The next day I found out that poor little Sophie (and her best friend Toby) had gastroenteritis. I hope you both feel better soon!
Last weekend I had the absolute pleasure of shooting my first ever competition winners! Elias is Hanaa and Ola’s little boy, and they’re just about to move out of the apartment he’s always lived in, so we thought a session there would be a fitting way to mark the end of an era.
I think you can tell from these photos that this is a very special little boy – thoughtful, affectionate and full of beans. He and Isaac are going to get on like a house on fire when they meet up (hopefully not literally). Thanks for such a fun shoot!
Hi all. I’m sorry not to have posted for almost the whole of December, but it’s been quite a rough ride. Firstly Isaac got herpes simplex, a really nasty virus which covered his gums, lips, tongue and throat in ulcers which meant that eating and drinking were agony. Imagine how frightening that is for a little boy who can’t understand what’s happening.
Anyway, after a week of very intensive nursing our small patient, I got a dose myself. I couldn’t eat a banana because chewing it was too painful…not a great time. For that week, I basically existed on soup, lukewarm cordial (cold hurt too much) and self pity.
After that we had a real tragedy. My father-in-law Leonard passed away, from a brain tumour diagnosed just over 2 years ago. He was a huge character, and his loss has ripped a massive hole in the family. Needless to say, this has not been a happy festive time in the Bier (or Goldsmith) house.
So, sorry for the radio silence, but I’m sure you’ll understand. On a brighter note, I’d like to wish all my friends, family and clients a healthy and happy 2010. I have exciting things planned for David Bier Photography which I’m looking forward to sharing. Isaac turns 2 this year and I feel pretty sure he’ll be throwing a few curveballs at his Mummy and Daddy.
Toby’s now nearly 3 months old – and it’s incredible just how much he’s developed since I took those newborn pictures of him just a few weeks ago! Those smiles, those bright little eyes…it’s such a privilege to see that personality starting to emerge.
Hannah and Glenn chose my “Bump to Birthday” package, so at the end of his first year they’ll be able to look back at these key stages. I can’t wait to see how his six month photos compare!
Last Sunday was a busy one, with two separate sessions. Here’s the first, with Adam Cooper (plus Mum and Dad) in a playground near their home. Adam met some great big dogs and generally had a fine old time climbing up and down the stairs to the slide – which is pretty impressive for someone who’s only been walking for a week! I’ve known Adam virtually since birth – Laura and Phil were in our ante-natal classes – and it is so lovely to see him turning into such a beautiful little boy. Hearts are going to be broken in a few years when he starts using those massive brown Spanish eyes…
I’m very pleased to congratulate Hanaa (and Elias) for my favourite entry to the competition! Hanaa, I hope this makes the Monday morning blues a little easier to cope with…and when you’ve got your free print up on the wall, you’ll always have your little Spiderman grinning down at you!
Last Sunday I did a shoot for Emma and Dean of their little girl Sophia. She is a proper firecracker, and I had all kinds of of fun trying to keep up with her…Here are a couple of my favourites, just to keep the Wallmans going till we have their viewing session – enjoy!
Superman, Spiderman, Batman…we’ve seen the film, worn the t-short, eaten the Happy Meal, blah blah blah. It’s time for the next generation of superhero! What super powers do your kids have?
David Bier Photography is giving away a free child portrait session and a 12×10″ gallery wall print. To enter, all you have to do is add a comment to this post (by clicking the ‘Leave a comment’ link below) that includes your name, your child’s name, age, superhero name and special power. Only comments on this post will count – not messages on Facebook, emails, or text messages.
After the deadline of 22nd November, I’ll pick my favourite entry, the one that’s the most creative, fun and original. Whoever submitted that entry will get the shoot and the print. Two runners-up will be eligible for a free session and a discount on any prints they’d like.
Hanaa Bengtsson - Elias: 01/07/2008
Our 17 months old monster Elias is a monkey. His special powers are climbing and jumping. He can climb on everything, high chairs, push chairs, dinning tables, couches and people, you name it. Once he has made it to the top, he is ready for part 2 the jumping. We think he will be a Spiderman when he is grows up.
Adam Cooper - Little Adam defies physics.
He can produce 6 times more shit than the food he eats!
Mark Keizner - I don't know if these count as super powers but Meghan can shoot laser beams from her eyes and Lois can Fly..if only I could find a use for them..But seriously, if making me happy when I have had the worst day is a super power then they have it.
by drpbier
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