Baby Avery

It's been one week since I got the middle of the night call that my sister was in labor. My sweet niece Avery was born at 5:33am! It was such a neat experience being in the room when she entered the world. I love that little bundle!

Funny Girl

Found these on my camera...

See that HUGE GREEN LEAP FROG watch? She freaks if we try to take it off. It is so big she has gotten her arm stuck in the slats in her crib. Why does she love it sooo much?!
Saturday mornings are great. Look at her face. She loves this book!

Like Mother like Daughter

It might be one of my earliest memories.
I was three, maybe four and my "Deedee had to be washed. Traumatic I tell you! I remember most of the time, I couldn't even wait for it to dry completely, my mom would give in, and off I was with a damp pink blanket held to me nose, and my thumb in my mouth.
Heaven, I tell you. I can still remember that smell.

Now I am the mean mommy who takes away the blanket to be washed!
It makes me giggle just thinking about that! Kate hates when she has to depart from the little silky square called "Bobo". Sometimes we have to check in on "Bobo" while in the washer. Kate thinks it is so funny to see "Bobo" spinning around so fast.
And just for the record, Kate has been known to break me down, and off she goes with damp blanket.

Out of the mouth of my babe...

Her Noodle Trick

When the ice maker made a noise, Kate looked at me with big eyes and said, "Maybe it's a lion!"

When went outside to say goodnight to the moon, and I asked her if she could reach it, and she said, "I need a ladder."

Smagic-Sandwich

Nutri-grain Bar- Dog

Me: What is your name?
Kate: Kate!
Me: Kate what?
Kate: Kate Jesus!

This morning Matt called, and Kate has learned what his ring tone is and started running and yelling, "We're coming Daddy! We're coming!!!"

We call boobs "foofies" in our family. Kate has started the "What's that?!" game in the shower, and I told her "foofies", and now every time I change in front of her she points and yells "WOOFIES!"

Me: Did you have fun playing with your friend at the park?
Kate: Yeah!
Me: What was her name?
Kate: Melia (Amelia, our neighbor)
Me: No, it was your friend from nursery, what was her name?
Kate: Um...Raegan?
Me: No...
Kate: GIRL! Name Girl!!!

Me: How many strawberries do you have? Count them..one...
Kate: dos, tres, cinco. CINCO!

"Yes! Costco! We going to Costco!"

She was suppose to be napping, but I could hear pages turning, and figured she reached through her crib to get some books. I walked in there, and she had her shirt off, and had all of her blankets and stuffed animals in a pile that she was sitting on and reading her favorite book. She said, "I am Princess Kate! I want to sleep in mama's bed!" Drama Mama!

I went to bed with wet hair, and woke up with some craazy locks. When I went to wake up Kate she laughed and said, "Whoaa Princess Mama!"

(Compiled during this week)

What can I say? It's my Love Language.

Kate got something similar to these for her birthday.
Somehow they made their way from her tub, to our shower.
Matt and I have been having so much fun leaving little notes to each other everyday.

I never knew Matt was so funny and romantic!
Seriously, invest in some next time you are at Target.

(Also, if you haven't read it, The Five Love Languages is the best book for your marriage!)

Note to Self: Don't forget...

Today Kate and I went to the pool. She had on her cute little brown and pink polka dot two piece. We worked on kicking, big arms, floating, and going under! She hates going under, but after she came back up, she said, "Mermaid!" I don't want to forget how timid she is, and how tightly she hung onto my neck. After our mini-swim lesson, we laid in the sun together eating grapes. She wanted to sit in between my legs on the lounge chair. The closer the better in Kate's book!

We came home, and had a picnic outside in the shade. She thought it was so fun, and kept asking where the basket was! She thought she was pretty funny when she got up, kissed me, and said, "Have good day, bye bye!" And pretended to walk away. But then ran back asking where her "samagic" (sandwich) was!
I love days like these, and I hope we have many, many more this summer!
(Last year at the pool. Love that little chubby girl! She is taller, and much thinner this year. I miss the chub!)

Kate's 2nd Birthday Party

It is pretty funny how much time and effort went into her 1st Birthday Party Decorations
and especially the food! (You will want to click on that one!)...
compared to this year! It really crept up on me this year!
I knew she would have fun if her little friends, cousins, and cupcakes were present. So I didn't stress!

Here is the big TWO year old in all her glory! I love this photo!

I semi-decorated with a Pinwheel theme...

Party girl at her favorite place...The Beach Club! She talks about this place all the time, so I thought she would love her party there. I was right!

Mattie and I with our TWO year old.
She a little bit freaked out during her "Happy Birthday" song. A little overwhelming for her.
How many adults does it take to light a candle?

She got an adorable owl "pack pack" and immediately wanted to try it on!
Me and my babe.
Loved opening presents this year. (Nice faces Rob, Cort, and Claudia!)
Kate and cousin Addie
Darling sun hat from Auntie Carly and Uncle Chad.
Kate and her cousin Addie and friend Roxie.

I want to pinch that bum.
Saying goodbye to her guest! She was SO tired by the time we got home! Party was a success!

So I don't forget in 20 years, these are the attendees:
Cousins: Tyler, Jake, Addie, and Carter
Friends: Angie, Raegan, Jenna, Roxie, Ryker, Aiden, Tanna, Avery, and Ainsley

Kate's Room

When Kate was born we lived in a one bedroom apartment. Then we lived with my parents until she was 14 months old! I waited a long time to be able to do her nursery...I love it, and more importantly, she does. I still have a few little things to do, but for the most part it is done.

Little Lover

Matt is at the temple, and I told Kate we could watch Tinkerbell while he is gone. She is sitting on the couch, wearing her Tinkerbell PJs, while wrapped up in her Tinkerbell blanket, holding onto her Tinkerbell cell phone, with Tink laying next to her. Oh, and she just asked me to make some "popkerns ppeeeease!" She is a funny little person. I love her. And nights like this.

Proud Mommy Moment

(kate with her friends at her 2nd bday party. raegan in orange, kate in yellow, and angie in the polka dots.)

The week Kate turned 2, she was gifted a new attitude. She has always been sassy, but now she raises her voice, and has some strong opinions. It was a long weekend. No time for naps, and it has been a little rough.
I walked into nursery to check on Kate (ie. chat with my friend) and while I was talking, I saw Kate walk up to her little friend who was standing by the door crying. Kate patted her on the back, and said a really sweet voice, "She be back, be back!" I died. Such a proud mommy moment. I am so glad I got to see that and be reminded that the attitude is a phase, and she is still my sweet girl.

Kissy Girl

thank you, photo booth, for capturing this.

This girly loves to smooch.
Sometimes I ask her for one, sometimes she she asks me for one.
She makes Matt and I kiss every night. Pushes our faces together, and says, "Go, go."
And then usually tries to get in on the kiss.
Love those little puckers.

Lately

I made my first batch of jam...

Made these invites for Kate's 2nd Birthday Party...
Trying to keep up with these two. Kate is getting so mature lately! The other day she said, "Look at the birdies flying in the sky!" What?! Matt and I couldn't believe she said an 8 word sentence!
Taking a few newborns photos...


I am now working with the Beehives (12 and 13 years old girls) at church, and I taught them some basics of photography during their midweek activity...Night shots were their favorites!


We have been anxiously awaiting the arrival of my 2nd niece...and I spent some time preparing for her shower and made these little cupcake holders on my trusty Cricut!
And then made some little accessories, and onesies for her!



Can't wait to meet the little bundle very very soon!

I have been lazy.
A lazy blogger mostly.
I haven't even posted to my photography blog in forever. I am going through a phase with photography. Sometimes, it becomes a chore. The guilt of not capturing Kate perfectly, or not editing fast enough, or not posting all the shoots. But I have a new computer, some new equipment, and I am feeling good about it again. It has been a hobby of mine since I was a teenager. I have been thinking about it differently lately, and love that it is a hobby I can do inside or outside of the home, and it gives me creative outlet that I need. I have taken the pressure off myself, and I just having fun with it.
Here is a fun shoot I did with my friend Jylare and her family.