Tyson Zahner Photography» Parenthood

Zoe pushing Zane’s car around.

Tyson — Mon, 07 Mar 2011 01:49:38 +0000

Zoe is 9-months old now and she’s ready to start walking any day. She loves to push things around (boxes, clothing baskets, etc.), and today, apparently, Zane’s car needed a rolling jump. So Zoe was there to help out.

Enjoy this quick little video from today.

The rest of the story!

Tyson — Sat, 05 Mar 2011 03:55:45 +0000

Several of you have commented on how cute Zane and Zoe were in their 3-year/9-month photos that we posted earlier this week. While we appreciate all the doting, we didn’t want you to think that the photo shoot was all Peaches ‘n’ Cream. In fact, I think my children are the hardest subjects to shoot.

This collage gives a much more accurate depiction of how the photo shoot really went down.

I call this piece . . . “Summing up Sibling-Hood” (I hope it gives you a chuckle like it did for me and Rachel)

My Little Models – Zane and Zoe

Tyson — Mon, 28 Feb 2011 00:42:03 +0000

Zoe turned 9-months old yesterday (and Zane turned 3 a little over a month ago) so we took the kids into the studio and did a quick photo shoot with them. They’re growing like little weeds. Here are a few favorites from Zane and Zoe’s photo shoot today.

Father Forgets

Tyson — Sat, 28 Aug 2010 20:50:19 +0000

Today . . . something completely unrelated to photography.

When you have children, I think somehow the heart grows exponentially. I am not usually (and never really have been) the emotional type, but today I stumbled across an article that really touched me. I was reading it out loud to my wife, Rachel, and all of a sudden, about half way through the article, I felt this wave of emotion pour over me and I could barely continue reading through my tears as I thought about my role as a parent and my relationship with my own son.

I’m not 100% sure why I was so affected by it, and It’s strange, because I’m certain I wouldn’t have had that reaction 3 years ago before Zane and Zoe had come into my life. Nonetheless, I think it’s something every parent could stand to read (and probably re-read on a regular basis)

So . . . if you have 5 minutes, read the article below. But be careful, you may want to have a box of tissues close by

This article was written several decades ago, and since then it has been published in many well known books and magazines.

Father Forgets

Listen, son:

I am saying this as you lie asleep,

one little paw crumpled under your cheek and

the blond curls stickily wet on your damp forehead.

I have stolen into your room alone.

Just a few minutes ago,

as I sat reading my paper in the library,

a stifling wave of remorse swept over me.

Guiltily I came to your bedside.

There are the things I was thinking,

son: I had been cross to you.

I scolded you as you were dressing for school

because you gave your face merely a dab with a towel.

I took you to task for not cleaning your shoes.

I called out angrily

when you threw some of your things on the floor.

At breakfast I found fault, too.

You spilled things.

You gulped down your food.

You put your elbows on the table.

You spread butter too thick on your bread.

And as you started off to play

and I made for my train,

you turned and waved a hand

and called, ‘Goodbye, Daddy!’

and I frowned, and said in reply,

‘Hold your shoulders back!’

Then it began all over again in the late afternoon.

As I came up the road I spied you,

down on your knees, playing marbles.

There were holes in your stockings.

I humiliated you before your boyfriends

by marching you ahead of me to the house.

Stockings were expensive -

and if you had to buy them you would be more careful!

Imagine that, son, from a father!

Do you remember,

later, when I was reading in the library,

how you came in timidly,

with a sort of hurt look in your eyes?

When I glanced up over my paper,

impatient at the interruption,

you hesitated at the door.

‘What is it you want?’ I snapped.

You said nothing,

but ran across in one tempestuous plunge,

and threw your arms around my neck

and kissed me,

and your small arms tightened

with an affection that God had set blooming in your heart

and which even neglect could not wither.

And then you were gone,

pattering up the stairs.

Well, son,

it was shortly afterwards

that my paper slipped from my hands

and a terrible sickening fear came over me.

What has habit been doing to me?

The habit of finding fault, of reprimanding

- this was my reward to you for being a boy.

It was not that I did not love you;

it was that I expected too much of youth.

I was measuring you

by the yardstick of my own years.

And there was so much that was good and fine

and true in your character.

The little heart of you

was as big as the dawn itself

over the wide hills.

This was shown by your spontaneous impulse

to rush in and kiss me good night.

Nothing else matters tonight, son.

I have come to your bedside in the darkness,

and I have knelt there, ashamed!

It is a feeble atonement;

I know you would not understand these things

if I told them to you during your waking hours.

But tomorrow

I will be a real daddy!

I will chum with you,

and suffer when you suffer,

and laugh when you laugh.

I will bite my tongue

when impatient words come.

I will keep saying as if it were a ritual:

‘He is nothing but a boy – a little boy!’

I am afraid I have visualized you as a man.

Yet as I see you now, son,

crumpled and weary in your cot,

I see that you are still a baby.

Yesterday you were in your mother’s arms,

your head on her shoulder.

I have asked too much, too much.

- W. Livingston Larned,

——————————————

and since no post on this blog would be complete without a photo, here’s a snapshot of the three people that I love more than anything else in this entire world!

My little girl is 3-months old . . . and prettier than ever!

Tyson — Fri, 27 Aug 2010 02:18:45 +0000

Do I sound like a proud papa or what? Yeah Zoe is exactly 3 months old today so of course we took some 3-month pictures. It’s amazing how much she’s changed in just a short time.

Most of the time, Rachel and I both just stare at her and can hardly believe how beautiful she is (good thing she got her mama’s looks eh?)

Here’s just a few from my little lady’s session.

Zoe looks like . . . ?

Tyson — Fri, 04 Jun 2010 06:01:10 +0000

Well . . . I imagine every parent in the world tries to figure out who their kids look like when they’re born. Of course, Rachel and I are no different. We’ve been making comparisons all week long, and while the general consensus is that Zoe looks like Rachel, I did manage to find one small physical feature that I’m responsible for.

First let’s look at baby pictures:

I think it’s pretty obvious from the above pictures that Zoe mostly resembles her mother. The lips, the eyes and especially the nose, but before you dismiss me completely and start asking what the mailman looks like, examine closely to see if you can find the one feature that she got from daddy.

It may not be too apparent from the baby pictures above so I’ll help you out a little bit more. Have a look at the picture below to see if you can find it (HINT: both Zane and Zoe have this feature)

Did you find it yet??? If not, scroll down for the answer

That’s right. My best feature, the good old butt chin. Even Zane has it (and he’s adopted). So the two of you can thank me when you get older and you realize the many advantages of a chin dimple.

#1 – Great excuse for taking so long to shave (Zoe, let’s hope this isn’t an issue for you)

#2 – It’s a butt you never have to wipe.

#3 – Great place to store left over crumbs of food for later consumption.

and that’s just a few of the many advantages. So Zane and Zoe . . . . from your father . . . . You’re Welcome!

Zahner family update, a video & some newborn pictures

Tyson — Tue, 01 Jun 2010 02:44:50 +0000

Well, we came home from the hospital on Friday, I shot a wedding on Saturday, we shot Zoe’s official newborn session on Sunday and today I’m finally getting around to giving you all an update on how things are going in the Zahner house . . . pretty good actually.

First of all, Zoe and momma and both doing great. They are indeed the two most beautiful ladies I know. In fact, I was looking at Zoe the other night and I told Rachel, “I think you’re gonna have to do the discipline on this one. I don’t know that I could ever scold her”. My mother assures me I’ll change my tune as soon as she hits toddler-hood. But for now, I’ll stick to my assertion that my daughter is the most beautiful newborn ever created and that she can do no wrong.

As far as Zane goes, everybody has been asking how he’s doing with his new little sister. Actually . . . he’s doing unbelievably well! Seriously, Rachel and I never expected him to be sooo sweet and accepting (knocking on wood right now). We really thought he’d see her as a threat to how much attention he gets and it hasn’t been that way AT ALL (It probably didn’t hurt that the first time Zane came to the hospital to see Zoe, “she” gave him a present to open. I’m sure the new train set probably helped a little bit to win him over). But honestly, he’s been very helpful around the house. He went and got wipes and a diaper today while we were changing her. He’s been holding Zoe and “petting” her and giving little kisses. It has been really really sweet (see some of the video and pictures below if you don’t believe me)

Anyway, here is the video I put together today (to view it, you’ll have to visit the blog directly . . . just in case you’re reading this in your e-mail inbox because it won’t show up there). And then below that are a few pictures from her newborn photo session.

DISCLAIMER there is a small bit of somewhat graphic content at 1minute 50seconds into the video. If you are squeamish, you may want to close your eyes for about 10 seconds when it gets to that spot.

Baby Zoe has arrived!

Tyson — Thu, 27 May 2010 19:03:06 +0000

Well . . . Zoe Lyn Zahner is here. She arrived last night (5/26/2010) at 6:50pm. She is a big girl weighing in at 8lbs, 2oz. 22in. Delivery went pretty smoothly (thank God for epidurals! – I think I benefited from it as much as Rachel).

Zoe was 1 week late (taking after her father) so we had an induction scheduled. Rachel really had hoped that Zoe would come on her own though so she told her on Tuesday night that she had until 4:30AM to start the process naturally. Again, just like her father, she waited until the last minute deadline and sure enough the contractions started on their own right before we left for the hospital.

It was a great day (thanks to the epidural) – one of the best, most memorable ones of my life. I have a newfound appreciation for my wife and this amazing miracle of life that she’s created. Zoe is just beautiful. She has a full head of dark hair. She looks like Rachel except for her chin which matches daddy and big brother.

We’ll be at the hospital until at least Friday night.

Thanks for all the prayers. Here are some pictures from the last 2 days.

Zane’s bedtime routine

Tyson — Fri, 12 Feb 2010 06:19:21 +0000

I know I haven’t posted much personal/family stuff recently so here’s a chance to catch you up a bit. I won’t bore you with all the details but Zane has just been too cute lately. Something tells me he’s going to be the class clown and the star of the school play.

Every night when we go to bed, Zane has his routine that he must follow. It involves brushing his teeth first and then saying his prayers which starts with “Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep” and then progresses into praying for all our family and friends (by the way, daddy put the pillow on his lap one night several months ago and now everyone MUST pray with a pillow on their lap. Don’ t you know it’s the only correct way to talk to God? – just watch the video below and you’ll see what I’m talking about), and then he lays in bed with mommy and daddy for a little bit and then finally going to his own “big-boy” bed (his 2nd birthday gift from mom and dad which he’s quite proud of).

The video below is just a little glimpse into our nighttime routine. Enjoy!

[See post to watch Flash video]

If you don’t see the video, you may need to visit our blog directly at this link – http://www.tysonzahnerphotography.com/archive/2010/02/12/zanes-bedtime-routine/

boy or girl? Drumroll please . . . . .

Tyson — Mon, 04 Jan 2010 21:15:57 +0000

We went to the doctor today and Rachel had her first ultrasound. The nurse said that the baby was very cooperative. The most cooperative she’s had all day in fact. Everything looked good. The baby was moving quite a bit and we saw it’s heart beating and we saw it’s little toes and rib cage and face. The only thing we did not see was a penis. So I’m no doctor, but I think that means we’re having a little girl.

WoooHooooo. Daddy’s little girl will be here in less than 5 months.