Ander's FIRST haircut!

Today I took Avery and Ander to a "A Haircut & A Playdate" coordinated by a great local moms group I recently joined.   Both of them loved the "play" part, especially playing with other kids... but Ander didn't know what he was in for with the "haircut" part!  He was so so pitiful... he just cried and sat there motionless and sucked on his paci.  My heart broke and it took a little getting used to seeing him with less red hair and curls but it was short-lived and I think he looks great.  Such a big boy.  He also chose today to take some of his first solo steps.  Today has been one giant bittersweet day.  The last storyboard shows his before and after shots.  I'd be fibbing if I said I didn't shed a little tear today...  they do grow up so fast!  But we are really looking forward to many more playdates!

 

Audrey Girl Products!

A few months ago I was contacted by a woman who went to my high school and saw my photography fan page.  She wanted me to do pictures of her tutus, headbands and bows and I of course was delighted!  When I received the package in the mail I was more than impressed with the obvious hard work that goes into creating such amazing products.  Oh and have I mentioned how much I love having a little girl to dress up like this???  If you have a little girl I would highly recommend dressing her up in audrey girl!  I will also be using these for photo shoots so if you want pictures like this of your little girl just let me know.  I am currently running a great special for the months of June and July :)
Thank you again, audrey girl!

Today is our anniversary!

Jay and I have been married 4 years today!  I've been reflecting over it all morning and what a whirlwind it's been.  We've experienced joyous births, devastating losses, major moves, career successes and financial strains to just name a few major life events.  We've changed, learned and grown as individuals... a couple... and as parents.  It's been hard but it's been wonderful.  Trusting in our higher power, ourselves and each other has led us to where we are spiritually, emotionally and physically.   We are blessed and grateful and I can hardly wait to see what today and many more tomorrows bring.  Thank you to all of you who have supported us through it all.  We couldn't do it without all of you!

I love you Jay and am so happy and proud to have you as my husband, best friend and the father of our children.

Cutest Baby/Tot Contest: Chicago WINNER!

We just spent a wonderful week in Seabrook, SC with friends for vacation.  We had the best time and can't wait to do it again next May!  Kenna won my Cutest Baby/Tot contest that I held a few months ago and since we knew we would be going to beautiful Seabrook we waited until then to do their family session/prize.  Beach pictures are great but we wanted to do something different.  The house we stayed in overlooked a gorgeous golf course and I knew it would be the perfect setting for this gorgeous family.  I took these at sunset when I knew the lighting would be warm and "glowy."  Getting the perfect shots literally took no time at all :)  They want an album of their session and I am having so much fun designing it!  Thank you guys for the pleasure of doing your first family portraits!

Growing Up...

As Avery gets older we enjoy more and more "girl stuff" together.  We've been getting ready for a beach vacation and the other day she sat patiently while I braided her hair... well not too patiently which resulted in a rather quick and sloppy job on my part :).  I told her that it was the perfect hairdo for the beach and she then wanted to try on her new beach clothes.  LOL!  Then today I did my mani/pedi while the kids napped and when I got her up she saw my painted nails right away and started pointing to her own.  So I decided to give her her first ever manicure.  So sweet.

In not-so-little boy news, Ander finally had his one year pediatrician appointment.  He is now 20th percentile in weight and 75th in height.  Looking like he is going to be tall and skinny like his daddy ;)  Hard to believe that when he was born just over a year ago he was the tiniest peanut at 5 lbs 13 ounces.  Cliches are cliches because they are true... they really do grow up SO fast.  Mother's Day was wonderful this year.  I really could not be more proud and happy... with everything.  I am so so blessed...     

Glen Echo Park

This weekend my sister-in-law came to visit us so we made plans to do something fun which included a family day event at Glen Echo Park and then spending the rest of the day and night at our aunt and uncle's home.  Getting 2 kids ready for a full day and night away from home can be chaotic.  Then a misunderstanding regarding who (if anyone) was in charge of directions, my limited physical mobility being wedged in the backseat between 2 toddler car seats, and issues with my iphone navigation system that isn't the fastest... it MAY have taken about 45 minutes to arrive at a destination that was about 2 miles from our house.  At least I can laugh now :).  Once we got there the rest of the day and night was very fun.  I am amazed by how much there is to do here with the kids that is FREE.  In Chicago a day like that would have cost a small fortune!  I of course took tons of pics and had a hard time limiting what to share ;)

On another note, I am about to start getting busy with photo shoots again so stay tuned if you wish! :)

Ander's Birthday!

I am behind... I've been neglecting my blog.  I wanted to update first with Ander's first birthday.  He had a great celebration with family and absolutely LOVED his cake.  I had requested his daddy get a cake with white frosting and that's what I got... and pink polka dots too ("... well that was the only cake they had with white frosting...").  Ha!  But Ander dove right in and his expressions were priceless.  He even tried to stand on it but the cake held up pretty well!  I can't believe he is one and I am now officially the mother of 2 toddlers who are only 15 months apart!