Archive for February, 2010

Will is so into walking these days…with his trusty lion-walker, that is. He still hasn’t taken steps on his own, but I’m predicting that it will be any day now. He’s getting braver each day about letting go and standing on his own. Walking in the house tonight just wasn’t cutting it. We have a really long hallway, but it just wasn’t long enough. He’d walk/run down the hallway, run into our front door, turn around and wave his right hand and me and shout until I turned him around. Then he’d walk/run down the hallway, run into the ottoman, and repeat the whole shouting/waving process until I turned him around again. So I decided that it was time that Will and Mr. Lion meet the outdoors. He LOVED it and we walked up and down our street a few times before his little ‘ol legs tired out.

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He’s got his own license plate, courtesy of CP :)

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In other, non-walking news, Greg and I booked our cruise last night! We are SO excited! 149 days until we leave :) Which means I’ve got 149 days to lose the last bit of weight that I’m wanting to lose. Swimsuit = amazing motivation to get toned up! I give you full permission to ask me how it’s going every time you see me and help keep me on track!

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1. Hi, sorely neglected blog. I’m sorry I haven’t visited you lately…this last week has been busy and between the cleaning and the order deliveries and the editing, I haven’t visited here once. I’m sorry…I promise not to do that again!

2. Did you hear? We got SNOW today! Honest to goodness actual snow! Texas weather is about as crazy as it can get…It was 80* and sunny on Sunday and snowing today. I love every second of it though! Especially those 110* summer days. I can’t get enough of those.

3. Here’s your proof for #2.
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4. More proof.
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5. Even more proof…I have about 50 more of these, but I’ll stop now…even though he is the cutest darn thing that ever did live!

6. That cutest darn thing that ever did live is really damaging my sleep. He’s never been a great sleeper, but I’ve gotten used to 3-4 hour stretches of sleep. The past week though, man…he’s been up every couple hours again until we give in and bring him to our bed. I think he’s got another couple teeth coming in (those will be #5 and #6, if you’re paying attention), but I’m about to start drinking coffee to keep me awake and going during the day!

7. I’ve been doing some calculating, and I think I need an extra 4 hours every day to get everything accomplished. One of those hours would be dedicated to working out (see #8 for the reason why), one would be dedicated to one-on-one time with my hubby, one would be dedicated to cleaning our house, and the other would be dedicated to uninterrupted sleep. If only!

8. Greg and I are planning a cruise for the summer! I’m so, so, so excited…so excited that I’m hardly thinking about the fact that I’m going to be away from my baby for 7 days and 7 nights. Okay, well, that’s a lie. I’m thinking about it a LOT, but it’s overshadowed by the fact that I trust my parents with my life and I know that they will take better care of Will than I can and I know that Greg and I need that time to reconnect as a couple. We’re hoping that two of our best friends can come with us too…eeek! So exciting!

9. I’ve lost 3 pounds since I started getting tortured daily by Jillian! I really slacked off last week (I didn’t workout with her once), but I did run 16 miles (5, 5, and 6), so I guess it makes up for it. Although it puts off my trip to the mall to by new jeans by another week…which kind of sucks. But I’m still down 3 pounds and I’m super excited about that!

10. Space for spring sessions in 2010 is quickly filling up. I have one more session opening for March, one for April, and a few for May. I’ll be announcing Bluebonnet Mini-Sessions this week, so be on the lookout for those! If you’re interested in booking one of the open sessions for the spring, email me ASAP!

Will wanted to wish you a VERY Happy Valentine’s Day!

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And his Mommy had to share one more because he’s just too darn cute ;)

Austin baby photographer

Give your loved ones a big hug today!

1. Have you heard the news? My office is now PURPLE! Bright purple, to be exact. And I absolutely adore it. I’d adore it even more if the built-ins were white…*hint hint* ;)

2. Here’s my workspace. Wouldn’t it be pretty with a crisp, white desk and shelves? Greg says he likes the dark wood. I think he’s lying and he’s just not up for a repeat of our cabinet-painting extravaganza before we moved into our house. That’s okay…I’m working on him.

3. This picture (the other side of the office) is a better picture of the color. Everything on this wall is from Ikea…Man, I love that store!

4. Any LOST watchers out there? Greg and I had our worship pastor from church over tonight to watch it and it was a blast. I still am no closer to figuring out what is going on (I actually think I have MORE questions, if that’s even possible), but I’m loving it.

5. Are you a fan on Facebook? If not, you should become one…Rumor has it that once I reach 400 fans on Facebook, there might just be a fun giveaway on the blog! A little something for the in-town readers and a little something for the out-of-town readers. So pass the word along to friends, family – whoever!

6. Today I finally took the plunge and started actually planning for Will’s birthday. It’s a little over a month away (*gulp* I’m about to have a one-year-old) and I figured I’d better get on it instead of panicking that I haven’t done anything yet. So my friend, Shelby, and I went to Hobby Lobby. I got TONS of cute stuff for his car-themed party. I’m actually really excited now and am not dreading the fact that my baby is growing up so much anymore!

7. Speaking of my baby…he’s got three teeth now! Another one popped through on the bottom that I had no idea was even coming up. It wasn’t there on Sunday and then *poof* it appeared on Monday! We’re still waiting for those top two teeth to break through – they look *so* close and he still seems to be bothered by them. Hopefully they’ll break through soon so our home can be peaceful at night once again.

8. I have one opening in February  and two openings in March for sessions. I’m also going to be offering Bluebonnet mini-sessions this year, so be on the lookout for that announcement. Those are sure to go fast! I really hope all this rain we’ve been having will equal an awesome year for bluebonnets.

9. I am so not looking forward to the wintery-mix that we’re supposed to be getting on Thursday. High of 35*? That is WAY too cold for February, Texas. Come on! I will seriously take 102* over this nastiness any day of the year. I am not a winter person at all…snow is fun for vacation every once in awhile, but bitter cold in February is too much for me! I’m thanking the Heavens that I don’t live in the northeast right now. I might shrivel up and die with all that snow!

10. Do you have plans for April 17th? If not, you should go register to run in the Run for Life – Agape 5k. The Fellowship Round Rock is sponsoring it and it’s going to be an amazing day benefiting the Agape Pregnancy Resource Center in Round Rock. I’ll be taking photos of all the runners that day (I’m running the course on Friday so I can participate too!) and I’m super excited about it.

This amazing woman was my mentor teacher for my first half of student teaching. To say that she is a blessing to me is an understatement…she made my student teaching experience so wonderful; she made me feel like I was a real part of the 5th grade team and it was such an awesome experience! She’s expecting their second little blessing…though they’re waiting to find out the sex of the baby. I’m so not a patient person when it comes to things like that – I want to know now! But I think the idea of waiting is fun and I applaud them for their patience!

It was chilly and pretty overcast out, but I got some great images of this beautiful family that is about to be one person larger! Their first blessing, Ryan, was so sweet to me! He held my hand as we walked all over the park and made sure his panda bear was tucked safely in my camera bag for every shot. I think we *may* have as many pictures of the panda bear as we do of Ryan…just maybe ;)

Natasha and Jeremy, it was so, so great to see you guys this weekend! I hope that little one stays put a little while longer, even though I’m itching to find out if it’s a girl or a boy! :) Enjoy your sneak peek!

Austin maternity photographerIsn’t she beautiful? She has such a gorgeous, round belly!

Austin family photographerThis might be one of my new favorite family images…I love how they’re both looking at Ryan. Such a sweet moment!

Austin child photographerAnother new favorite…LOVE all the dandelion bits in this one. This is what childhood is all about!

Austin maternity photographerThere’s nothing better than a mama and her boy :)

I got to meet this adorable little boy yesterday for our mini-session…isn’t he gorgeous? I’m totally in love with his hair, his eyes, and all his teeth! He was a bit sleepy for the beginning of our session, but he perked up when his Daddy sacrificed his cell phone in the name of smiles. :) It’s so interesting to me to see how developmentally similar babies of the same age are…Little A was crawling all over the place, pointing, and pulling up, just like my little 10 month old. I think they would’ve gotten along quite well!

J family, thanks for meeting up with me yesterday and for being patient with me getting your sneak peek up since my internet was down yesterday. I had a great time with y’all! Enjoy your sneak peek!

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Austin baby photographerI absolutely adore this shot of A and his mama…so, so sweet!

Austin baby photographer

1. I’m going to start doing ToT. I’m committed to it!I figure it can’t be that hard to come up with 10 semi-interesting things to talk about each Tuesday…right?

2. Speaking of things I’m committed to…I just started doing the Jillian Michael’s 30 Day Shred…for the um…100th time? But I’m committed to it this time. I promise! I’ve got a fancy little check off chart and my last day of it is March 5. Just in time for our 3rd wedding anniversary! My reward for sticking with it and finishing is (hopefully) losing my last 5 lbs of Will weight and a brand new pair of jeans. A pair that doesn’t have gigantic, patched holes or doesn’t stretch out horribly after wearing them once. Yay!

2. How stinking cute is he?! We went to the park and he was so, so, so excited to have found a rock to play with and beat all over the playground equipment with. I love his little personality that’s shining through.
Austin baby photographer

4. I started watching a little boy part time this week and so far it’s going really well. He’s Will’s age and they really get along well! Will seemed SO excited to have him around on Monday and I’m looking forward to having him back here tomorrow.

5. I really thought I’d miss teaching more than I do when I quit last May. I thought I’d feel like a little piece of me was missing without teaching. But you know what? I don’t. I don’t miss it one tiny little bit. Reading about the new STAAR test that will replace the TAKS made me so grateful that I’m not teaching anymore. I love my job as a Mommy and a photographer and I feel completely fulfilled.

6. Our small group is studying Revelation and it’s been inspiring and FUN so far. We’re still without a study, but just reading through the chapters and discussing them in depth with our group. If you’ve got any suggestions for bible studies, send ‘em my way!

7. One more of the boy…isn’t he handsome?
Austin baby photographer

8. Gosh he looks grown up in that picture. I really, really, really need to start planning for his first birthday. Anyone have any great party-planning sites they can point me toward?

9. My parents are watching Will this weekend and Greg and I are going to take advantage of the free babysitting to see a movie…I want to see Dear John. Greg? Not so much :-P I guess I’ll probably have to compromise and see something different with him. Maybe one of my girlfriends will take me to go see it!

10. Almost done proofing this little sweetheart’s pictures…be on the lookout for them soon, mama! :)
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Happy Tuesday, all! :)