Tuesday, May 31, 2011

Memorial Day Weekend.

I've been horrible with blogging lately. I'm finding it harder and harder to make time to update with words and pictures. It's always in the back of my mind to jump online and share, but it seems there is always something of greater importance to do...like spend time with family. Hey, you can't blame me for that! ;)

This weekend was probably one of the most relaxing I've had for a long time. The weather was gorgeous, Micah was home, and the girls were absolute angels. It was truly picture perfect.


On Saturday, I took Levi's newborn pictures. I knew I was in for it when I arrived and he had been napping for a while. He started to wake up shortly after I arrived and began setting up my portable "studio". Brittanie brought him downstairs and we gave it a whirl. Can I just say that I have an even greater respect for newborn photographers?! After the first few attempts, I started to panic that I wasn't going to end up with anything close to useable for them. He did eventually fall into a very light sleep, and I was so flustered that I ended up shooting from the wrong angle and now have a bunch of pictures that need backgrounds cloned out...and I am really struggling trying to figure out how to go about doing that. Oh well. Live and learn.
Right now, I'm really enjoying the fact that my photography "career" is just a really awesome, rewarding hobby. I'm actually very content with that. Who knows what will happen sometime in the future. Right now I'm concerned with the right now. :)

Wow, so that got a little long. Anyway, back to said weekend.

Micah's 29th birthday was Saturday, as well as our 6 year wedding anniversary. Can you believe it?! Six years of marital bliss has flown by. It got me thinking of all we've "accomplished" over the years. Two homes, four cars, four jobs (each of us have had two, and I still work at both), and two beautiful, perfect baby girls. There are a billion other things we've accomplished, but these few stood out the most to me. We certainly have come a long way. Friends have come and gone, even some family, but we've stuck together, fallen even deeper in love, and now share our hearts with two sweet little girls that depend on us for everything. Love is quite undefinable.


We had a FHGI get-together Saturday evening, so Micah and I decided to celebrate everything on Sunday. We both dressed up, packed the girls' things for a trip down the road to Gram and Pap's, and headed to our favorite town for lunch and some shopping.
It's so refreshing to get out, just the two of us. It doesn't happen nearly often enough, and we bask in the sweetness of alonetime when it does.

After a relaxing afternoon out, we came home to two napping babies, joined in on the "fun", then headed to Aunt Cheryl's for a Memorial Day picnic. I didn't bring my camera out hardly at all this weekend, mostly because I didn't feel like it after my disaster of a newborn session. Sometimes you just need a break, and I thought this weekend was as good a time as any to take that break.
Hannah got the chance to play with her cousins, and Sarah spent time in the arms of Aunt's, Uncle's, and cousin's arms.

Monday was nothing short of fabulous. Micah was off from work (normally an 11-12 hour day) and we had gorgeous, sunny, 90+ degree weather. It was absolutely perfect.
Hannah woke up begging to go to Grammy and Pap's, so I got the girls dressed, loaded them into the double stroller, and started the 1-minute walk to my parent's house, leaving Micah at home to begin installing the new garage doors. Don't worry...he did have help! :)
What started as a quick visit ended up in a whole-day event. Grammy was planting flowers while Pap mowed the lawn. Hannah wanted to help plant flowers and was soon covered in dirt, her little flushed cheeks rounded from smiling.
I normally wouldn't do this, but I rigged the garden hose into a flip flop and created a sprinkler for her...and let her run through it in her clothes. She thought this was amazing and squealed and laughed. Micah said he could hear her at our house four doors down. :)
After naps, we headed back down to Grammy and Pap's for a cookout and more fun outdoors. This time, I remembered Hannah's bathing suit.
New flips went straight into the pool.




In between dips in the pool, bubbles were blown.

I love her face in this one.


We ended the evening by splashing in the pool. It was a splendid weekend! I hope you enjoyed yours as well!

Sunday, May 22, 2011

Malakanich Family Shoot

I had the opportunity to do a family/1st birthday cake smash shoot with the Malakanich family. They are an adorable couple with two amazing little boys.
Here's a little sneak peak!


Jacob dug right in to his 1st birthday cake. It was a blast, and he made quite the mess! What a cutie!

Stay tuned for more pictures!

Friday, May 20, 2011

Sunlight!

The girls and I headed outside today since we had our first glimpse of sunshine in over a week. We brought out the sidewalk chalk and colored then ate a few bites of lunch (Mickey Mouse chicken nuggets and an apple) outside before we had to come inside for a potty break.
After a nice, long nap, Hannah and I ventured back outdoors. Sarah stayed right by the door inside since she was content in her exersaucer...and if there's one thing I've learned in this journey of motherhood, never disturb a content baby! (obviously she was in my line of sight and carefully monitored for those who were worried!)
Notice the bow in her hair! So cute!

While outdoors, Hannah posed for a few pictures.



::Quick peak in to check on Sarah...

And lastly, my girl hammin' it up for the camera upon request. She's really getting the hang of this whole "pose for a picture" thing!


Dinner from our favorite pizzeria is on it's way, so I'm going to go prepare everyone for our meal. Enjoy your weekend! :)

Sunday, May 15, 2011

Maternity Shoot.

My best friend since the first day of Kindergarten is expecting her first child any day now! They don't know what they're having and the anticipation is through the roof! She is a gorgeous Mommy-to-be and I wish them the best in this new season of life!








Isn't she glowing?! Daddy doesn't look too shabby, either! Congratulations, you two! I just know you'll be fantastic parents!

Friday, May 13, 2011

TGIF.

We've made it through another week here. The sun decided to make an appearance on Monday, and continued to shine until yesterday afternoon.
We took advantage of the nice weather and spent a lot of time outside. We made it a point to walk to Grammy's for dinner. Sarah's a big girl now and is able to sit up in the stroller!

Sarah made it a point to taste the stroller straps. They met her approval!
Hannah made it a point to yell at the birds!

::Randomness::
My girls love each other.


Unfortunately, the nice weather didn't last forever. We've had rain and severe thunderstorms the past two days. It's been fun for Hannah to yell at the "funder" and see the "ighting" flash. I'm glad she's not afraid!

Did I mention my girls love each other?!


In other random news, Sarah is becoming a pro at rolling over. She's my little star. *swoon*
Ready...

Set...

GO!

She also specializes in flipping to her belly, but I didn't catch that on film.

For the moment, we're hanging out in the air conditioning (yes, I know it's only May, but why suffer in the humidity and heat when you can flip a switch and have COLD AIR?!) watching the rain subside and fog roll in. Forecast says rain and thunderstorms for the next 10 days.
Make the best of it!

Sunday, May 8, 2011

Motherly.

Whether you've been a mama for a day, a year, or a decade, you have the "know-how". You know how to soothe, how to love, how to make sure baby is fed, clean, warm. No matter the previous experience, the moment that infant is placed in your arms, you somehow know how to hold, rock, kiss.
Then there are the things we can never master, no matter our experience. How to prevent boo-boos. How to keep our children from hurt. How to keep them from the harsh realities of the world.
Even in my inexperience, my imperfections as a mother, I know my children know that I love them, that they are cared for and will be nurtured. That part of my title came the moment I knew cells were dividing.

My best friend is due a week from today. I think hourly about the anticipation of the arrival of a first child. I can hardly wait for her to realize the tremendous love and bond she will feel for this precious life the minute he or she makes an entrance into the world.
My cousin delivered her first daughter 10 1/2 weeks early yesterday. She is doing exceptionally well, despite her grand entrance. Showing up just in time for Mother's Day was an unexpected gift.
I watched this past evening as my Mom loved on her girls. The overwhelming joy a granddaughter (or two) brings appears to be like no other.



Being a Mother is an awesome gift.

Celebrating it with the ones you love makes the day that much more exceptional.




The girls chose not to nap today, and while normally this would make me upset and cranky along with them, I decided to seize the moment and take the family out for an impromtu photo shoot in the backyard.
Between dandelion picking, bug spotting, and bird calling, we managed to grab a few shots.
This was a "piggie" shot fail, as Sarah's tiny toes are barely visible over the blades of grass, and Hannah's sandals were mistakenly not removed. At least Daddy's feet are center stage!


Gosh, I am so blessed.
We're off to squeeze in bubble baths and some fun before bedtime.

Happy Mother's Day.