Yesterday I actually did do better, and in the afternoon V and I decided to give Kelly a few hours off.  V and I took the train into Philadelphia for a day full of fun, Christmas cheer, and junk food.

I was in full keep-my-3-yr-old-from-running-into-traffic dad mode and not in dutiful-and-creative-photographer mode.  Most of the ones I did take were on my phone since it was easier than digging my “real” camera out of the bag, but I got to be focused on my daughter instead, so it’s for the best.

Favorite part of the day #1: riding on the SEPTA train.

Favorite part of the day #2: Pizza and — more importantly — soda.  The rest of the afternoon was a constant tug of war between an excited child who hardly ever drinks anything with sugar in it, and a dad who was very aware that the drinks he foolishly purchased were decidedly un-kid-sized 16-ouncers that just might require an urgent potty break at any time.

It all worked out.

It was chilly.  Yes, parent police, she had a hat and gloves.

The Macy’s Christmas light show was a big hit, as were the model trains at Reading Terminal Market (favorite stop of the day #3).  By that point we were pretty tuckered.  Homeward bound.

Most of all I remember how it felt to walk for the first time into the park, see the lights, and more people than I had ever been around, all cheering.

The Phillies lost to the Mets that night.  And last night they lost to the Nationals.

The Vet is long gone, but Citizens Bank Park is a heck of a place to see a ballgame.  And this time I was the dad, and my daughter was experiencing not just her first Phillies game, but probably her first baseball game of any kind.  She didn’t have much idea of what was going on, but she did know the crowd was cheering, and she got really into it.  She learned how to chant “Let’s  go Phillies!” which from what I’m told by people watching the game at home, got her some airtime on TV.  And she loved seeing the “green monster” dance around on top of the dugouts.

It was magical.

The Farmer’s Market runs from 9am-1pm every Saturday from May through November, and I can’t wait to go again in the fall when the weather is cooler.  I grabbed a cup of coffee from the Artisans Gallery & Cafe booth and breakfast from St. Peter’s Bakery, and tried to keep up with V, who has been through this routine countless times before.  I should have known that what she really wanted was to play with the other kids at the toy area in the middle.  They have an array of startlingly entertaining wooden food items, which V kept trying to feed me.

When we finally pried her away, it was time to explore.  I was happy to see that there was live music (apparently there almost always is), a wide array of fruits, vegetables, herbs, arts, crafts, candles, popsicles, soaps, wine, bread, pork, buffalo meat, the list goes on and on… all being showcased by people who seemed, without fail, happy to be there and delighted to talk to you.

V is also learning where money comes from (mom), and what you can buy with it (popsicles!  pies!).  She’s still working on the concept of getting change back, however.

More lovely colors and things to look at…

Check out their website for a list of all of the vendors on any given week.  We live in a fantastic area for local food, and for that I’m grateful.  Even if you’re not someone who loves to buy fresh produce and push around a double stroller, the Farmer’s Market is definitely worth visiting.  Walking around I felt like I was on vacation, and I had that unhurried, relaxed feeling you get when life is good.  I’ll be coming back again.

Have you ever been to the Farmer’s Market?  If the answer is yes, what draws you back week after week?  If not, what do you love doing on weekends?  (We’re always looking for amazing local resources!)

Here’s a recent picture of Tyler. (For the ladies.)

Yes, I posted this on Instagram earlier this week (if you’re an Instagram user, I hope you’ll follow me… my username is rgestes), but sometimes I like to bring my “real” camera along too.

Shamelessly self-promotional sidebar: if you’ve seen enough shots of MY kids, and would prefer to see images of YOUR delightful children in this space, we can make that happen.  Give me a call.  :)

Nikon F100 | 35mm f/2.0 | Fuji Neopan 1600 shot at ISO 800

In the wee hours of Sunday morning, Kelly woke me up and told me we had a trip to take.  Right away.  We made our way to Phoenixville Hospital and waited for the action to start.

Let’s just skip forward a few hours…

True to her name, she’s got a nice set of pipes.

Let me stop here for a moment.  I don’t take it for granted that this was the sign on the door where she stayed.  We know of a number of families who are sitting beside their babies, hoping and waiting for good news from the doctors, sometimes receiving it and sometimes not.  There are countless more who never had the chance to meet their children at all.  We’re incredibly grateful for Piper’s good health… but we hope you’ll join us in remembering and praying for the families of Luke, Blake, Dylan, and others who are walking a much more difficult path right now.

[Sidebar: While I fully expect that the only people who have made it this far in this post are friends and family, if there are any photographers who are reading this, please consider signing up with Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep ... it's an incredible way to reach out to young families dealing with the loss of a child.]

The grandparents got a chance to hang out with The Pipes as well.

V finally got to meet her little sister.

One of my favorite shots here on the left.

I’m sure I’ll have plenty more photos in the weeks to come.  In the meantime, for anyone who has tried to call or email in the past few days, or who is waiting on photos… I’m slowly easing back into work and will respond as quickly as possible.  Thanks for your patience.