Day 332...Play-Doh Baby!

This morning I woke up to an overcast sky, here was our relief from the heat. We threw a blanket out in the yard, grabbed a few supplies, and started getting creative with our Play-Doh! I had nothing in mind as we began to mold and shape various colors of Play-Doh, but I knew Gracie would take the lead and we'd have something amazing in no time...

I was correct! Meet our Play-Doh Baby!

He comes complete with a pacifier, diaper, baby blue eyes, and of course, his very own Cuddles! We also made a soft, comfy blanket for our little guy and as I gently tucked him in for a nap, my assistant insisted that he close his eyes...

When he woke from his nap, it was time for a bottle! Gracie took over this task, since I had done a diaper change...

We had a lot of fun with our Play-Doh Baby (who never actually got a name), so much in fact, that it left my baby exhausted... :)

Day 331...Sweet Summer Mornings

I had a beautiful morning with my girl. She was super sweet, dressed like cotton candy, and so excited about our trip to the park. I packed her cheese bagel to go and we made it to the playground in time to enjoy an hour of shade before the sun made her appearance over the tops of the trees.

"I want to see a goldfish in that ocean."

This is what Gracie said to me as we rounded the corner and the lake came into view. We didn't get close enough to the "ocean" to see if there were any goldfish in it, but we did find a beetle along the path that Gracie was reluctant to leave behind...

Just Thoughts.

This happens a lot. I feel the wave of nostalgia rushing toward me and steady myself for impact. It hits me like a ton of bricks, leaving me happily knocked down on the floor of my yesterdays. Sometimes, I turn around to look at my daughter, and for a moment, I don't even recognize her. She's so big and it's during these moments that I frantically try to remember the way it felt to hold her fragile, little body safely in my arms, or I grasp for the feeling of perfect peace found during those early (early) morning feedings that I adored, the ones where I snuggled my tiny love and soaked in her scent, her warmth, those newborn features...She sleeps through the night now, and she informed me yesterday that she is "too big" to be rocked in my arms...(my husband laughed, I nearly burst into tears...)

It's only been two years, but then, it's already been two years...and so I do the best I can to live in the moment with my growing girl. I try to write down the funny things she says, because I never want to forget just how funny she is. I take pictures like a mad woman, because I want to look back and see the awesome day to day stuff that makes being a mother the best thing ever. I ask for lots of hugs and kisses, and then I hold on tight, until she wiggles away. I think I'm doing it...the best I can. Sometimes I'm overwhelmed by thoughts and feelings about my beautiful baby and her future, but for the most part, we do a good job of just living.

Catching Up...(again)

Day 328...

Saturday morning...

Day 329...

A few more from yesterday...

Splash! She loves going down the slide "by me-self". :)

Day 330...

We went for a walk this morning, then came home to enjoy the shade in the front yard. :) She loves being outside, so we try to take advantage of the cooler (but still not really cool) mornings!

I can't believe I only have 35 days left in my 365 Days of Grace project!

Happy Monday!

Let's Party!

This afternoon, we celebrated my nephew's 6th birthday! We had so much fun watching him enjoy his army themed party. My sister did an excellent job on his birthday cake, which as you can see, is a tank! The kids had the best time exploring the wooded area around the shelter where the party was held. Gracie and Austin were completely entertained by sticks and bugs. :) Happy Birthday, Chandler!

It was another HOT day, so when we returned home from the party, Sean and Gracie spent some time in the pool! It's been such a fun weekend, I just wish it wasn't over...

Day 327...Friday! :)

Gracie and I got out of the house early this morning, hoping to beat the heat. She's been asking every day to go across the street to the playground, and every day I tell her it's too hot (there's not even a tiny bit of shade over there!). This morning, I packed her breakfast for the road, buckled her into her wagon, and off we went! There was a nice breeze and the heat was tolerable at 8:00am!

I looked on as Gracie went singing and dancing across the playground, not a care in the world. She stopped to investigate random "buggies" and to fill the baby swing with mulch. She sat with me so that we could swing together, but preferred to push the empty swings on her own. She runs from them and clings to my legs when they swing back at her. :)
 

Happy Friday!

Thursday Five :)

I was determined to squeeze this in today! It's one of my favorite weekly posts and Thursday almost always sneaks by before I can play along! Here is my list of 5 things that have left me smiling this week:

1. It has been one hot week! In an effort to entertain my child in the air conditioning during the afternoon hours, we bring pieces of the outside in...Let me introduce you to "stick painting"! :) She loved it and so I loved it, too.

2. One of my step-sisters is in town visiting from Idaho! We only get to see her and her sisters during the summer and for a couple of weeks around Christmas, so we've been getting together often and enjoying our time with her!

3. I had three photo sessions this week! There was a 6 month old baby on Monday, my (almost) 6 year old nephew on Tuesday, and a maternity shoot for one of my best friends today! I am having so much fun and have already found myself learning so much!

4. I am looking forward to the weekend! We will be busy celebrating two birthdays. My nephew turns 6 on Sunday and my dad gets one year older on Monday, so we'll be spending time with him, as well. :)

5. Now for a quick Gracie story...Yesterday, Gracie found a deceased fly on the floor. As is usual with most insects, she became extremely concerned and interested in just what it was this fly was doing. I explained to her that he wasn't able to fly away and that he would have to go in the toilet. She walked over to her kitchen, picked up a strainer, came over to me and said, " I want to put him in me basket and carry him."...So, I wrapped the fly in toilet paper, put him in the "basket", and let him sit in his own special spot in the living room...until she turned her attention elsewhere... :) This girl loves her bugs!

Beautiful Days.

In our beautiful days, we cover lots of ground. We've been a busy family of three. We spent this past weekend out of town cheering for Uncle Will as he walked the stage in his graduation ceremony, shoe shopping at the outlets, and celebrating a memorable Father's Day with some of the special men in Gracie's life...

Gracie was somewhat helpful as I made Sean's "King for the Day" crown, which we presented to him the morning of Father's Day, but she was much more interested in having a crown of her own...

There is no doubt, she is our princess. :)

Happy Father's Day

I was sitting comfortably on one end of the couch, right across from Sean and Gracie, who were giggling and playing at the other end. There was a book in my hand and the sounds of the golf tournament playing somewhere in the background. We rarely get moments like this, these lounging-on-the-couch-as-a-family moments, so I closed my book and took the sight of my husband and daughter in. What a perfect way to spend Father's Day.

I'm not sure exactly what they had been discussing, I had temporarily zoned out while reading, but I did hear Gracie ask, "Daddy, where's your heartbeat?". (Gracie received a doctor kit for her birthday and we've been learning all about the purpose of a stethoscope, taking our blood pressure and temperature, and administering medications...)

I watched as he started to point at his chest, the spot where his heart beats, but then his hand changed direction and landed right on top of her head. "Right here", he said. "You are my heartbeat."

And this is why I celebrate him, not just on Father's Day, but every day. He's amazing, and just when I think he can't get any better, he does.

Happy Father's Day, Sean! You've taken on many roles over the years, but it is clear to me that fatherhood suits you best. Thank you for being an amazing father to our daughter, and for being the selfless, hardworking dad that you are. I love you!

Stepping Out...

I wanted to share my latest venture with you! I am currently in the process of turning my photography hobby into a photography business. I finally realized that there may be no better time than now to set out on this journey, so I'm stepping way outside of my comfort zone, throwing caution to the wind, and having a heck of a time with it already. Meet Little C:

I imagine you can already see it in that gorgeous grin, but this is one awesome toddler! And he may never know it, but I will remember my hour with him forever. Little C and his parents put their faith in me and gave me the opportunity to photograph their sweet family. That means a lot to me. It also means that I can feel the pressure...

If I'm being completely honest, I would tell you that I was a nervous wreck even hours before our session, my very first session with a child besides my daughter or nephews. The weather was unkind, but I stood back, imitating a photographer with confidence, and I pressed the shutter over and over, even while overcast skies sprinkled my camera with gentle rain drops. As moment after moment became frozen within the safety of my camera, something did begin to happen...I found myself smiling, laughing, and relaxing. I can't say that I ever fully relaxed, my goal to get great images was always at the forefront of my mind, but I fell into a rhythm that left me feeling comfortable in this new role, this entrance into a dream.

I have had an incredible amount of support from friends and family that has left me with a warm, reassuring feeling all around. My husband has thrown himself into doing what he can on the technical side of things (including putting hours and hours into building me my very own website, from scratch!), as well as telling me daily that he is proud. It sort of takes me off guard every time I hear it. It's not that he's never been proud of me before, but I feel like he wants this for me just as much as I want it. It goes beyond just being supportive. He's fighting for my dream, too.

So, I'm excited to learn what I can, practice, learn a little more...This is good for me, in more ways than one.

I have two sessions next week. I'm a little nervous. I just want to give these families the pictures of their dreams. No pressure there. :)

Daddy Days

Father's Day is right around the corner! I am already so excited about it. Gracie and I have been chatting, and we're currently brainstorming and coming up with clever Daddy's Day ideas. I think we'll be able to compromise on the perfect gift, whatever it may be... :)

Speaking of Father's Day, it appears that Sean's little girl is holding weekly celebrations in his honor, usually held on Saturday and Sunday mornings. On a normal day, she's ready to get up around 7:30. Lately, she's been sleeping in until almost 8:00! This is a change that I have appreciated. I take a moment to catch up on emails or blogs, have a cup of coffee, and wake myself up before diving into the day. Sean has been looking forward to a morning like this, since he's up before the rest of us every. single. day.

This past weekend, Friday night to be exact, Sean gave Gracie her "night-night" kisses and softly whispered in her ear, telling her that the weekend was here and that Daddy would be home for two whole days with his girl. The following morning, when the Saturday morning sun was beginning its rise into the sky, so was our Gracie. It was just after 6:00 when I heard her calling my name. I tossed and turned, hoping she would fall back asleep...at 6:30, it was time to get up.

I rolled myself out of the bed and walked into her room. Her little body was curled up comfortably and she gave me her "good-morning" grin as I stepped over to her crib. Then, she rolled over, looked up at me, and said, "Where's Daddy?"...

She knew her Daddy Days had arrived and was anxious to see him. :) It was incredibly sweet.

Sean didn't get to sleep in last weekend, she did the same thing on Sunday, but I have a feeling he really didn't mind. He was able to get in a little morning cuddle time with us and, of course, spend two whole days with his girl.

(I should note that Gracie slept in until almost 8:30 Monday, and until 8:00 on Tuesday and Wednesday! She's a Daddy's Girl!)

Wordless Wednesday

My easy, breezy, beautiful Carefree Girl :)

(For more Wordless Wednesday, visit 5 Minutes for Mom.)

It's all about the cone...

Gracie loves ice cream and would happily eat it morning, noon, and night. I imagine most kids are that way, and honestly, on days like today, ice cream seems like the best meal choice to me! Even the morning hours were sweltering as my mom, Gracie, and I walked the streets of a quaint and quiet shopping spot nearby. We found relief in each little shop, and then finally found our way to a Mayberry's for lunch and, of course, an ice cream cone. :)

During lunch, Gracie politely requested "pink" ice cream. After lunch, her wish was granted and we stepped outside to a shaded table to watch her enjoy. The funny thing about Gracie and her ice cream, however, is that this girl goes straight for the cone! Nana and I were happy to help her out with the strawberry ice cream, and Gracie seemed quite pleased when I handed her the mostly empty cone, her own special treat of the afternoon.

Bring on the rain...

We've been having lots of afternoon/evening storms here lately. It has also been so HOT during the day that the dark clouds and temporary downpours are actually a welcome addition to the day. I love storms, and apparently, so does my daughter. :)

She truly reminds me of me when I was a little girl. I don't recall wanting to storm watch as a two year old, but Gracie is happiest standing out on our front porch while watching the rain pour down. And if I allowed it, she would literally be standing out in the yard, ladybug umbrella held above her head. It's only when the thunder rolls, or the lightening strikes, that we are able to convince our little lover of rain to observe the weather from the safety and comfort of our home.

The funny part is that, while our two year old finds excitement in a storm and barely flinches at the clapping of thunder, our 6 year old black lab/border collie mix, Bentley, is completely terrified! He curls up, shivering and shaking, in a corner beside our bed. He also finds comfort while sitting in either Sean's lap or my own, his little face nudged in under our chins, seemingly hiding his eyes, praying for the storm clouds to move on...

How do your little ones, human or canine, handle a storm?

Day 313...

It was the perfect afternoon to have a cold, and quickly melting, treat outdoors... :)

Five Question Friday!

It's been a while since I've participated in Mama M.'s Five Question Friday, so here we go!

1. What do you think makes a good friend, or friendship?

For me, good friends are effortless. They...

Are easy to be around.

Bring out the best in you.

Make you laugh.

Are a comfort when you need to cry.

Give advice, but never judge.

Feel pride when you reach goals.

Celebrate when you celebrate.

Are happy to listen, even when you talk their ears off.

Love you for you.

2. What is the last thing you bought and later regretted?

I bought party supplies from an Etsy shop that never arrived...feeling a little regret...

3. Have you ever had a prank played on you?

Hmmm...I cannot recall a prank being played on me, and I can't say that I mind!

4. What is your favorite theme park?

Busch Gardens! We just took Gracie for the first time during Memorial Day weekend, and it was even more fun having her there! I didn't realize my two year old would love riding rides, but she sure did! I also love Williamsburg, Virginia (the home of our Busch Gardens). We visit as often as possible. Sean's family is from Virginia, we honeymooned for a week in Williamsburg, and look forward to spending Thanksgivings walking the streets of Colonial Williamsburg, as well.

5. Have you ever seen someone else give birth?

I watched my precious nephew enter this world! It was the most amazing thing I've ever seen, not only because I was present as he took his first breath, but because I watched as my baby sister stepped over that line between mothering her son in the womb and becoming his mother outside of it.

I am also very, totally, extremely excited about being in the room in August when one of my besties gives birth to her baby, and you better believe I will be taking pictures! Well, maybe not of the actual birth, but most definitely those first few beautiful, sweet, most amazing ever moments after. :)

Happy Friday!

A Thursday Morning...

Day 312...

Day 311...

You'd be impressed with how well she gets around in these... :)