November Photo Fav's

I just love photographing my littles but she doesn't feel the same way. It's a struggle to get anything 'good' these days. So when you see a smiley cute photo, just know that it's likely the only one out of 100 snaps. The others are crying, crawling away, ripping off headbands and hats, etc. But I'll never stop. She'll learn to love it.... I hope :) Here are my favorites from November....

The next two are Thanksgiving day.

We went to a tree farm just to browse and I got a few shots in her Christmas outfit from MudPie.

And then we went to see Santa at the Village Christmas. It is less than two minutes from our house. They serve hot chocolate, cider, and coffee.. they make amazing cookies..and Santa comes on a firetruck. They run off of donations. It's really awesome because it's not crowded and you can take your own photos. It's nice to get out with our community too!

Our Beach Portraits

When we were on vacation we had our family photos taken for the first time! It was great timing since Addison just turned one. I chose the lovely Erin Wheeler @ Erin Wheeler Photography many months beforehand. She met us right outside of Ocean City on a quiet section of beach and sand dunes. To say Addison was not in the mood would be an understatement. She just woke up from a short nap in the car and was hungry and chilly. Kind of disappointing that we didn't get those big silly smiles, but what can  ya do? I have had plenty of sessions myself where a child is having a rough day. I still love our photos, and I already have some canvases on order! All I really wanted was a few of us all together, doesn't matter to me that she isn't hamming it up. 

These are some of my favorites...

And one of me and one of my best buddies ;)

12 Months

I'm late on this post. Maybe because I don't want it to be true!!

My baby is turning into a toddler.

Her 12 month stats: 20lbs. 30inches. She is around the 60th percentile for weight and 75th for height. At her two week check up she was in the 5th! The girl has done a lot of growing this year :)

She is changing so much everyday. She talks A LOT.  She loves to try and repeat what I say.

Words she says:
DaDa
Baby
Blankie
Dirty (diapers lol!)
Ba ba (bottle)
Booberries or Boobies (Blueberries haha)
Apples
Cheese (for both the camera & the food)
Hot
Hi Pretty
Mama
Bath
Puffs

Sounds:
"AT AT" when she's doing something she knows she's not supposed to
"YO YO YO YO" - an African lullaby in her book hahaha

Words she attempts that I understand:
Doggie
Assen (Addison)

She hasn't tried to walk yet. She is starting to stand for longer periods. I can't wait for her to walk, but then again I can. So whenever she's ready is fine with me! :)

She is the biggest fake cougher, it's kind of hilarious.

Bedtime is around 8pm and recently she's been doing well about not eating until 3:30am, I hand her a bottle and go back to bed, and then she wakes around 8am. A huge improvement.

She still takes three bottles per day and then the one overnight. Soon, no idea 'when', we will be taking the bottles away. It's going to be tough. She loves her ba ba's. I am not ready!! Cold turkey or wean?!

Her favorite toys are her babies and her new anywhere chair from Pottery Barn. It's adorable how she sits and lays in it.

This past month she celebrated her birthday, visited the hospital yet again, and took a vacation with mommy & daddy to the beach.

Her birthday was perfect, I'll make a post for that soon! The hospital visit was scary. She had a fever in the middle of the night and while giving her a cool bath we noticed one eye looked lazy/droopy. Not a good sight to see your baby. I was so scared something was wrong. Thankfully, after 8 hours of hospital and doctor wait, they said she has an ear infection that caused her eye to swell! Who would have guessed that?!

And the beach was awesome. It was so nice to get away. We ate out, a lot. We spent a lot of time by the pool, had our photos professionally taken, and we walked the boardwalk down to 'Sunfest'. I wasn't ready to come home!

To my sweet one year old

Littles,

You are ONE today.

I can't even begin to tell you how much you mean to me. The moment you were laid in my arms I swear my world forever changed. Everything clicked. THIS is what life it about.

You were a peanut. I couldn't believe my ears when they told me your weight. 5lb 7oz.

Tears streamed my eyes uncontrollably. A foreign feeling filled my heart. To love someone I just met so much, I couldn't even bare it.

September 14th 2011, just hours shy from my birthday, you my baby made me 'mommy' and it was the greatest gift of all.

my birthday

Days flickered by into weeks and then months. I sat amazed every time you learned something new.


I tried etching it in my memory so I would't forget. I took photos of everything... your little fingers, your smiles, your frowns, toes, and your nose... and of course those beautiful blue eyes.

The year wasn't always easy. We had our struggles. But, the overwhlemed new mommy tears just made me stronger, the sleepless nights were more than worth your morning smiles, and the learning curves just made me wiser.

You remind me daily of what really matters in life. Every night I soak you up. I love being able to hold you in my arms while you sleep. I thank God you are healthy, happy, and loved. 

You are spunky, always keeping me on my toes. You are already mischievous (I'm going to have my hands full!) You are so smart. And you are truly beautiful in every way.

I don't know where time goes, I don't know who took my tiny newborn, but I do know I am looking forward to this next year of your life...watching you grow, learn, and shine. 

I love you silly girl.
Happy 1st Birthday Addison Mae.

P.S.
Your Daddy loves you just as much, this was just a letter from Mommy :)

Addison's Cake Smash & 1 Year Photos

I did my baby's cake smash a week or so ago. She did awesome, it was fun to watch! It was my first indoor cake smash and it didn't go as bad as I though haha. So I have my first client one tomorrow! Her birthday is in two weeks. Stay tuned for a zillion more photos :)