Don't go by the Light

The new discovery of what some call the tenth planet from the sun UB313 has finally got a face. In December the Hubble captured the first image of it, revealing that it is only about 1% larger than Pluto. Not the 25 to 50 % origionally thought. The origional size was calculated using just light reflection not actual size as the hubble can detect by measuring the six pixals it took up. The object relects about 92% of its light, unlike the 60% Pluto relects, was the cause for the error. Showing it must have an icy surface. It makes you wonder about many of the other objects we look at in space. One of the ways we calculate the age of the universe is by measuring light from distant stars. Anywho, More recently the Keck observitory in Mauna Kea captured an even better image discovering a moon orbiting UB313. Ground telescopes used to be inferior to space telescopes because of blurring caused by the atmosphere, but today new tecnology in adaptive optics is achieving amazing stuff allowing for images beyond imagination. This allowed the Keck telescope to discover a moon that Hubble couldn't see.

Out of this World

Today is the day! The New Horizons space craft is scheduled to launch today from Cape Canaveral from 1 to 3 o'clock. The space craft will be the first to travel to Pluto and beyond into the Kuiper belt ( where they recently found a body larger than Pluto called UB313). I am quite excited about the mission. Only problem is we won't get to Pluto until about 2015, but at least its on its way.
Most astronomers consider Pluto to be a member of the Kuiper belt and not really a planet. But recently two more moons were found orbiting Pluto along with the moon Charon. So some astronomers are now more apt to call it a planet. To me, names are not important. I can't wait to see what we find out. Since they are not going just to find out if there is water like we are on Mars, more good science can be done without the preconceived notions that life may have existed. I am more interested to see what the Kuiper belt actually contains. Many theory's have been made, ranging from a dense asteroid field to a scarcely populated area. But we do know that most comets started out in the Kuiper belt. When all the planets align just so, every once in a while it pulls one of those body's out of the kuiper belt in to the inner solar system, then it either hits the sun or orbits it becomming a comet. So to infinity and beyond goes New Horizons today(since it wont be returning).

Silly Lilly

Since I did a little tribute to Josh I figured I should do one for Lillian too. I have taken so many pictures of her but they never seem to show just how beautiful she is. Either her eyes are closed or she has some funny expression on her face. Even though the lighting in this picture is poor, it really shows her beauty. I suppose I am looking through a fathers eyes, but come on, look at this kid! Lilly is a very fussy one. She needs to be held for most of the day. If you cradle her in your arms she will still probably cry. She wants to be on your shoulder in a hugging position. She makes the most lovely squeaks and noises. She hums while she drinks her breast milk. She is always the first one up in the morning, and somehow manages to move herself across the crib while Josh is exactly where you put him down ( I have yet to figure this out, I have watched her time and time again, and she doesn't move an inch. I think when I leave she just gets up and walks to a different position just to freak me out). As in the picture, she is easy to get a smile out of, and lights up a room when she does. I noticed recently that she stops crying when she sees me coming to get her rather than after I pick her up. That tells me she is a little more aware of what is going on around her, so perhaps she will be a smart little bugger. I love that she wants me to hold her all the time. I love that she cries when I give her to someone outside my family, then stops crying when I take her back. I love you Lillian.

Baptismal

Yesterday we Baptized our twins. What a neat experience. Father Ken from Saint Bonaventure gave a very nice service. Joshua did not even pout while he was being splashed and Lillian never even woke up! A good friend of mine from Gillette, Paul , was the Godfather. We origionally planned to have my daughter be the Godmother but they wouldn't let her because she has not been confirmed. So we went without a Godmother. We had a lot of family which was nice. Only a few couldn't make it ( I guess the ones without phones).
I couldn't help but feel a sense of pride throughout the day. Most of the other babies had fancier Christening outfits on than my twins did, although ours were quite nice. But we were the only couple that had two babies. I felt twice as blessed as everyone else. I felt proud as we stood in front of the whole church proclaiming our children belong to God. I did not want to get down again. The night before I was devisatated by the Patriots loss, how quickly that feeling went away as the things that really matter take over your thoughts. There is always next year.

40 days and 40 nights (of painting)

Here are some pics of my babies room. I meant to post these before they were born, but couldn't get a digital camera until Christmas. I spent many hours painting a Noahs ark theme. total cost was about 20 bucks for paint and brushes .

Bug Eyed Boy

Black and white pictures have a way of capturing a moment that a color picture just can't do justice sometimes. I am very proud of this picture. Not because I am some kind of photographer, because I'm not. It took me about 40 shots to get this one. But because I think it is the first picture that shows some of Joshuas personality. He is a sweet boy. Sits in his bouncy chair all day not making a peep, while his sister cries unless she is held for every moment. When he does cry (only if he is hungry), his cry is this soft, delicate cry. Not a loud cry at all. One you could easily sleep through for 10 or 15 minutes before you notice it. He actually says the word "waaahhh" as he cries, but he does so with a soft tone and a tenderness that will break your soul. His cry sounds more like the love of his life just broke up with him or he just lost his best friend and he is crying alone in his room, not for anyone else to hear. Most of his time is not spent crying though, he is a very content little guy. I feel bad sometimes that his sister gets more attention than him because she will let out her cries when just the least bit uncomfortable. While she is being pampered, he waits patiently for someone to pick him up and spread some attention his way. So look at this little boys face staring back at you, he is ever so grateful to have someone lugging him around, fixing his next meal for him, while someone else is saying his name trying to get a good picture. His patience has paid off and he knows his mother will hold him tight while he sucks his nourishment and stares at her face.
I saw his very first smile while I plucked his bottom lip like a guitar string. He gave it just to me. The very first smile a new man gives to any human alive, and he gave it to me. I tried to share it with my wife, but he wouldn't have it. I guess it was my gift alone. I have no picture of that. Nor do I need one. Not even a 100 mega pixel camera could show you the gift Josh gave to me. The gift of his very first smile.