Hoot Hoot

This Halloween was SO much fun.

Last year, Ollie was just too little and had no idea what was going on. This year, he got it. Wear the costume, say "tee to teet" and you get candy. Easy as that.

I was also very proud of my little non-sewer self for making my little hoot's costume this year. Sewing is not one of my skills and I didn't use a pattern, but I was happy with the outcome.

"hoot hoot"

I love the above left picture, that's ollie's cheeser underbite grin and I find it so goofy and adorable.

I had a very busy day on Halloween and took no time whatsoever getting myself together so I look like a bit of a hag, but I had to have a picture of myself with the cute "pumpkin smuggler" shirt my mom found for me. It was oh so appropriate. What else can a 9 month pregnant lady be on Halloween?

Anyway, it was a really fun night watching my little buddy and his friends have so much fun. It's amazing how happy it makes you feel to see your kid happy.

A happy time

So, Jon and I decided to have some little family/maternity pictures taken a few weeks ago. At the time, I would have rather had a fork stuck in my eye than have photos taken of myself, but Jon kept telling me I would regret it if I didn't have any pictures of this really amazing time in our lives and eventually, I agreed.

My vain, girly mind could point out all kinds of flaws and unflattering features, but my better side is prevailing and saying these are beautiful. They really are. This has been an incredible blessing in our family to have this opportunity to be pregnant and with a sweet baby girl. I really can't think of what else I could ask for in life besides for her to be healthy. It seems like an impossible thing to have TWO perfect, healthy kids, a boy and a girl, but it seems to happen a lot so hopefully that is a blessing we will know :)

Anyway, I love how these turned out. Jen Herem did a fabulous job in less than ideal conditions. Being a photographer myself, I knew I was asking a difficult thing to shoot inside in such a small space with less than ideal lighting, but she made it happen! I really wanted these done at home to make them feel very comfortable and natural, and I think that's just what we got. I am happy we did it.

I love it. I love this incredible little space of time in my life. I love my absolutely wonderful husband, my perfect, adorable little toddler, my big, round belly, the sweet but wildly active baby girl inside, and the family we are together. Life is good.

How does he know??

I have the greatest little boy on the planet.

How did I ever become so blessed to be his Mommy?? I think I will wonder that for all eternity.

I am just in awe at the heart my little man has. He is two. He is wild and crazy and throws tantrums and fits and gets into trouble, but at the same time, he is SO incredibly in tune to his Momma's feelings lately.

I have been sick a couple of times in the last couple of months. Once with a yucky cold, and just yesterday/today with some awful stomach bug. It's really tough being sick when you are pregnant and especially when your hubby isn't home and your family lives far away. Thank heavens for my friends... I honestly do not know what I would do without the incredible friends and neighbors I have here. I rely on them SO much and every single time I am in need of help, someone is there. I am so so lucky.
Anyway, though, Ollie. In the midst of his wild 2-year-oldness, each time I have become sick, he has instantly gone on his best and most adorable behavior. He knows. He knows I am sick, he knows I need him to be good, and he does it. He seriously does. He is patient and happy helps me more than he understands and I just don't know how he knows to do that?!

Example #2.
A couple weeks ago, my good friend and I were sitting on the floor at my house, having a very sad cry over some really awful trials she was facing in her life. We were both so sad, and Ollie saw. He walked up to me, looking very concerned, and I said "It's ok buddy, Momma is just sad, it's ok" and without missing a beat he said "uck?" (hug in Ollie language) and walked right up to me giving me a great big hug followed by a great big kiss. He then immediately turned to my friend and did the very same thing. No prompting, no asking, he just did it.
He just knew.
I don't think there is any better medicine on the earth.

That's how I know my little boy has an exceptional heart. I hope he reads this some day when he is older and realizes how much it meant to me that he did that.


In other, less sappy news, Ollie has graduated to his new big boy bed! I can't even tell you how shocked I am at how well he transitioned. He was busting out of his crib about 10 times a night and so I couldn't even imagine what he would do with a bed that was EASY to get out of, but it seems that the freedom was just what he wanted. He still gets out of bed almost nightly, but FAR less than with his crib. He loves his bed! Even when he falls out of it at night, he still wants his bed and wants nothing to do with a crib.
What a BIG boy he is! I'm so proud :)

excuse the poor quality pictures... they are from my phone :)

30 weeks

Hello again friends

Well, here we are, 30 weeks!

weeks 24 and 30

The month of September seems to have slipped right by when I wasn't looking. Fall is always a very busy time for me with my photography and so I am certain October and November are going to fly by just as fast, if not faster and before I know it, baby girl is going to be in my arms instead of my ribcage. That's scary... and exciting!

Pregnancy is going well overall. It's definitely not quite as rosy as it was in my second trimester... lots of back pain, swelling and not much sleeping without the help of Tylenol PM. I've been quite whiney in the past few weeks actually... sorry if you are a friend or family member who's had to listen to it :)

I am so happy that this baby is growing healthy and strong. She should be around 3lbs now and just packing on the weight day by day. She is still VERY active. It's really fun to sit and watch my belly while she is doing her gymnastics in there. Jon gets a kick out of it too... I love to watch his face when he is watching my belly or when he is poking her and waiting for her to kick back. His eyes get real big and he just smiles. This little girl has him right where she wants him.

Overall, life is good. My family has received some huge blessings recently and I feel so grateful and so happy with my life right now. Ollie has been SUCH a good boy, he's so sweet and charming and adorable. I have been sick the past few days and he has been nothing but patient as Mommy was a total bump on a log. Oh I love him. Don't know what else I could possibly ask for. All is well.

Ollie wanted a bump picture too... Here is his sweet little bump at 22 months. :)

Boys will be boys

Have you taken your kids to your local fire station? If not, you should.
My good friend, Elise, told me you could take your kids over there just about any time for a little tour, so we finally did it. What a fun thing to do! The boys were indeed in little boy heaven with all the trucks and lights and gear. The firemen were so great and I'm pretty sure they were excited to have some cute little kiddos to play with for a bit.

Anyway, put this on your list of fun things to do this summer.

What a little stud.

Terrible two's and 24 weeks

Hello friends.

Are you all having a lovely summer? I am.

It's been lovely, but exhausting to be honest. We have had so many fun things to do and Ollie has had so much fun with his friends, cousins, grandparents and family. It really has been so fun to just watch him soak it all in.

However, there is a down side to having so much fun. My little almost two year old seems to think that the rules no longer apply, sleep is no longer necessary and fits will get you anything your little heart desires. Oi. I love my little man more than anything in this world, but this terrible two thing is wearing this big pregnant lady out. I hope things calm down before baby girl gets here. Actually, I hope they calm down tonight :)

I thought I would post this picture of the Pops because this boy NEVER falls asleep anywhere but his bed or the car. But today, he decided he didn't need a nap before or after church, which has NEVER happened before, and finally, around 6, he crashed watching TV with Dad.

And the belly...

Oh the belly. I hadn't taken a new bump picture for a few weeks and I really didn't think there was THAT much change... and then I saw this...

Weeks 18 and 24

Eeeeeeeek!

I think my baby is growing in a sideways oval shape or a triangle.
I am large.
Wow.

Other than that though, things are going well. I still feel quite good but I am starting to swell. Probably from the heat and all the traveling I have done in the past few weeks. Cankles and sausage fingers not so funny when they are on YOUR feet and hands.

Still, things are going well and I am really happy that our baby girl is growing healthy and strong. I'm trying really hard to remember that when I get overwhelmed with how big I am getting and the swelling comes. I said over and over again before I was pregnant, that I would GLADLY gain the weight, endure the morning sickness, put up with the swelling and pain and whatever else came if it meant I could be pregnant. I forget that sometimes, but every time I feel her kick or squirm in my belly, I am reminded how much I LOVE being pregnant and getting to experience all of this, even the not so fun stuff. It's still a miracle and an absolute gift to be able to carry this little one.

Something NEW and EXCITING!

I have been working SO hard on this new project and I'm so excited to share my new website and new vision with you all!

Head on over to

to enter the "STYLE MY KID" contest!!
Trust me you don't want to miss out on this one!