Pumpkin Carving: Newly Discovered Talent?

Pumpkin Carving Fun for Halloween

Baby in a Pumpkin picture is a thing on Instagram. A lot of parents are doing it. I'm usually not a big fan of hypes. But this one, there is only one chance in your child's first Autumn. I imagined my daughter in a pumpkin. Off to Target, I was:

Let's explore how I carved a pumpkin for the Baby Pumpkin Picture. I will share the final result at the end.

Materials Needed

First, you need a large, handsome pumpkin. Most major grocery stores have them around the Fall season: Walmart, Target, Ralph's (Kroger's unique name for Southern California), Publix, Trader Joe's, etc.  Pick one that is big enough to fit your baby, has a clean surface, and make sure to check for bugs or any rotten parts.

If it's your first time, grab a tool set too. I bought one from Target for 5 dollars: 2 carving knives, 1 tracing tool, 1 spatula, and a stencil booklet.

You will need a flat surface, some paper towels, a pen or pencil, and a large circular object like a bowl or pan.

Carving Instructions

1. Put the handsome pumpkin on a flat surface.

2. Clean the outer part of the pumpkin with a wet towel and dry it.

3. Take a big circular object and put it on top of the pumpkin around the stem, and draw a big circle on the top of the pumpkin.

4. Using the big knife, cut the top part. Just stab deep first, then use a sawing-like motion following the circle. Make sure you are not cutting off too much of the pumpkin. You want it to look like a pumpkin, not a bowl. 

5. Scrape out the pulp and seeds. There were a lot more than I expected. Use the spatula and hand. You can save these on the side for now. 

6. Draw 2 smaller circles at the bottom of the pumpkin for the leg holes. Your child will be sitting inside the pumpkin with legs out. I had to cut out a couple more times to make the holes big enough. 

7. Let the pumpkin dry. If you live in a cold region, keep it inside. 

 

You are done prepping!

Taking the Picture

• Early in the morning or late afternoon is the best for the optimal lighting. We took the picture at 3 PM and had a bit of trouble with tree shadows. 

• Put the pumpkin on the grass. Gather some leaves and spread them around the pumpkin. 

 

• If your child is too small, put a towel inside the pumpkin to raise the seating height. 

 

• Put on a hat, headband, or a ribbon in fall colors (orange, brown, ivory, white, etc.) on your baby. 

 

• Make sure to get a lot of pictures quickly. Your child might get sick of sitting pretty soon. Take pictures from many angles.

 

• If you have rattles or toys that make noise, bring them. Use them to get your baby's attention towards the camera. 

 

• Be cautious with pumpkin rolling when your baby moves around a lot. We almost had it flipped upside down. 

 

Here is a peek at my try. Our daughter thankfully enjoyed sitting in a pumpkin and gave us plenty of time to take photos and videos.

Reusing the Pumpkin

The pumpkin was $6 from Target. One photo shoot seemed like a waste of $6. It was my first carving experience. So I tested my artistic abilities on the other side of the pumpkin. 

I didn't use a stencil. I found inspiration from the Google Search and drew it on the pumpkin. The carving took about 15 minutes. It turned out pretty good!

My cats were interested in my Jack O'Lantern for a split second, then they walked away. I think they were impressed. I think..

Pumpkin's Got A Lot To Give

Let's not waste any of the pumpkin. The seeds we put aside earlier can turn into a yummy snack. I baked the pumpkin seeds in the oven. Just be careful eating them. They are crunchy, but they can get stuck between your teeth or poke and hurt inside of your mouth.

 

Conclusion

The Baby Pumpkin photo was a fun project. Just like any other thing, if you snooze, you lose. There are very few chances to make this happen. Babies grow fast. A lot of things are now or never. Try it. You might be able to find your hidden talents along the way. Just like why you should do the "holiday things,"  take a chance and make a memorable day with your family. We had a blast in the neighborhood park taking pictures. 

Happy Spooky Halloween!

Living With Kittens vs. Baby

Taking Care of Kittens vs. Baby

My wife and I didn't have a fine blueprint for our family when we got married. Then we decided to adopt a Russian Blue kitten because she was too adorable.

We got along pretty well. She is an intelligent cat. One that is so adorable. 

A few years passed by, my wife and I started to get busy with life. Our little furry friend looked lonely. So, we decided to adopt another kitten, a friendly, hyper-active cheese tabby.

We thought they were a big responsibility. We couldn't go on a vacation for extended periods of time, we had to break them apart when they got into a catfight (literally) and visit a vet's office.

Now came the baby. It's a whole different story. Two cats were easy. They didn't even need potty training! 

In this post, we will explore some differences between raising a kitten and a baby.

1. Independence vs. Dependency

• Cat: Cats are generally independent animals. They groom themselves, use a litter box, and don't require constant attention or supervision. In fact, a lot of cats dislike it when human keeps tailing them around. 
• Baby: Babies are entirely dependent on their caregivers for all their needs, including feeding, diaper changes, and emotional support. They demand round-the-clock care and attention.

2. Communication

• Cat: Even though our cats respond when we call their names, English isn't their strong suit. They communicate non-verbally through body language and vocalizations. We need to observe carefully to understand their needs.
• Baby: Babies communicate through crying, facial expressions, and eventually, words. It is much easier to understand their non-verbal cues than the cat's. 

3. Development Stages

• Cat: Cats go through distinct life stages, from kittenhood to adulthood. They were cute little kittens for about 2 months and then boom, all grown cats.
• Baby: Babies go through complex developmental stages, including physical, cognitive, and emotional growth. Milestones encompass motor skills, language acquisition, and emotional bonding.  

4. Healthcare

• Cat: Cats require routine veterinary care, vaccinations, and preventive measures like flea control. Health concerns are typically more straightforward.
• Baby: Babies need regular medical check-ups, vaccinations, and monitoring of developmental milestones. Caregivers must be vigilant about various health aspects.

5. Social and Emotional Bonds

• Cat: Cats can form strong bonds with their owners, offering companionship and comfort. However, these bonds are different from human relationships.
• Baby: Parenting involves deeply emotional and complex bonds with your child, shaping their emotional well-being and future.

Conclusion

Raising a cat or baby is both very rewarding experience with ample share of challenges. Across the species, between the living beings, we can build life-long relationships. I still think back to the moments when the 2 cats and our baby all first came into my arms and falling asleep safe and sound. It was a feeling like "I have no one else in this world but you to depend my life." The soul to soul connection is an unforgettable moment. Kittens and human babies have a lot of differences, but after all, they are all really cute.