Exposure, WB, Focus, and Lighting Feedback Please!

[RebelScum]

After having considerable issues with white balance, exposure, focus, and lighting (so yeah, pretty much everything) I tried to reshoot my setup from a couple of days ago. Please see my previous thread if you are interested in the horiffic results Bad Exposure, Bad WB, Bad Lighting, or all of the above? from that.
I'm specifically wondering about my exposure, but also would appreciate feedback on the white balance. Does she seem to have a yellow cast? How do you feel about the focus? I feel like her eyes are still not the focus point but can't pinpoint where else it might be. All feedback would be much appreciated! There is a large window behind me, but no other lights and it was a pretty overcast day. I shot with a Canon Rebel Xti and my nifty fifty.
Other Exif:
Manual Exposure
1/125 sec
f/3.5
ISO 400
SOOC except to resize per forum rules:

[katia]

to me, it looks a bit underexposed. that's very easily fixable, though. however what really bothers me about this photo (not that it's not good or anything) is the soft focus. it could just be a result of resizing the image for the forums, though.

sorry i probably am not much help.

[autofocus]

Originally Posted by katia

to me, it looks a bit underexposed. that's very easily fixable, though. however what really bothers me about this photo (not that it's not good or anything) is the soft focus. it could just be a result of resizing the image for the forums, though.

sorry i probably am not much help.

+1..agree.
What technique are you using to focus?
What focus preference is your camera set on? (One shot, AI servo, AI focus)
Your WB looks OK on my calibrated monitor
As already noted, could use a little levels or curves adjustment

BTW, she's really a cutie

[RebelScum]

I had the camera set to Al Focus. I only have 9 sensors to choose from and the point I wanted to focus on fell between sensors. I elected to focus and recompose. What do you think is the best way to get around that limitation? Should I keep the focus where the point falls, not recompose, and then crop to get the composition I'm aiming for? Is there a different method I'm missing? Can you tell where the focus ended up? I can see the softness I just can't put my finger on where the focus landed instead of her eyes.
Thank you so much for the feedback! I'm trying to improve my skills and sometimes you just need different perspectives!
Btw, thanks for the compliment on my daughter! I made her myself! LOL

[autofocus]

Originally Posted by RebelScum

I had the camera set to Al Focus. I only have 9 sensors to choose from and the point I wanted to focus on fell between sensors. I elected to focus and recompose. What do you think is the best way to get around that limitation? Should I keep the focus where the point falls, not recompose, and then crop to get the composition I'm aiming for? Is there a different method I'm missing? Can you tell where the focus ended up? I can see the softness I just can't put my finger on where the focus landed instead of her eyes.
Thank you so much for the feedback! I'm trying to improve my skills and sometimes you just need different perspectives!
Btw, thanks for the compliment on my daughter! I made her myself! LOL

Here's what could be the problem. With the center focus point, re-compose method; any movement, even slight on your part, or the subject between the time you do it and the time you finish by fully pressing the shutter could just be enough to throw the shot out of focus. God knows, kids move I always recommend selecting the focus point nearest to, or on the eyes, and use that one. You also want to make sure you don't jab the shutter..that could have caused some camera shake...it's real easy to do that when you are anxiously waiting for that special moment to grab the shot. Using the 50mm doesn't help by not giving you much to hold on to, it being on the small side. The problem with AIFocus..it will allow you to take the shot before the camera locks in focus. Better to use One Shot mode which will not let the shutter fire unless focus is locked in