1.  I am way behind on sneak peeks.  I am just completely slammed right now, so bear with me.   Upcoming sneakie peekies: a birth session, a darling newborn session, three cutie sisters (twins and a big sis!) and tons of others.  I’m busy working on galleries and orders right now but will post some soon!

2.  I want an ice cream maker.  Anyone have one they recommend?  Who knows if I would even use it, but the idea sounds awfully appealing–something fun to do.  We have a sort of problem with kitchen gadgets around here, though.  We have all of them and rarely use them.    I think the kids would have fun, though!  Well, at least for the one time we used it.  Hehe.

3.  I am in love with the creativity behind these shirts from Finley and Oliver.  Here are my two sweeties modeling the Louisiana tee (where Jackson was born) and the Arizona tee (Addie’s birthplace).  My fave part and the cherry on top is the darling little felt heart placed right at the city where they were born.  Grace will make any state! Doesn’t everyone need one for their little one?  Someone on Facebook mentioned that it would be good for the Texas/OU game.  How cute if you and your hubby love opposing sports teams!

4.  I found a class for Addison while Jack is in preschool.  It is called Little Jumpers and while the substitute teacher the first day was less than stellar with the kiddos, the permanent teacher that was there yesterday rocked.  I crack up, though, when I realize how very different and laid back I am now as a second time mom.  When I had Jack in classes, he was just like Addie and loved to run around and explore rather than sit and follow along.  I would dutifully go run after him and bring him back to circle time each and every time.  Now?  Well, she has a smile on her face and is happy.  Who am I do ruin that?   If she prefers checking out the ledge on the window over singing “Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes”, more power to her.  It really is quite calming knowing the only thing you care about it that they are happy, no matter what they are doing.

5.  I’m looking forward to a night with five awesome fellow photog chicks in a few weeks.  We are going to spend the night at the uber-rad Hotel Valley Ho, eat at Oreganos, maybe hit up a comedy club, snap lots of photos and just laugh.  These gals rock.  Such talent, silliness and awesomeness wrapped up into one.

6.  I love this print.  Kind of always been my motto.  I have a hard time not dreaming up the “next big thing”.  Love it.  What do you dream big about?

{image via stella + hodge}

7.  I want to start doing bento boxes for Jack’s snacks at school.  Have you heard of them?  Looks awesome, plus there are just so many fun things to buy for it!

8.  Jack’s imagination is in full swing right now.  Well, it has always been like that, but lately that is all we do.  Playing bookstore in his room, then library, complete with the check-out system.  Riding in a firetruck on the living room couch, going to work, braving the wild jungle of stuffed bears and monkeys.  Playing the bug man with a jump rope (the rope is the spray hose) and a bucket (the dispenser for the spray).  This is actually a tried and true fave of Jack and resurfaces each time the real exterminator comes to spray.  The list goes on and on. I love the imagination of a child.

9.   I’m pretty darn tickled over one of my images being in the August issue of Babytalk magazine.  I will be posting a photo of it later, so bear with me in my giddiness. 

10.  Hard to believe that five years ago this week, we were evacuated as a result of Hurricane Katrina, living in Baton Rouge in the house of a friend with around twenty other people.  Such strong memories still, such reminders of grief and change.  Those still affected–because, yes, people are still affected–are in my heart and thoughts today.  Always, really, but especially this week.  Five years, wow.

xoxo,

laura

“Don’t wait to make your son a great man – make him a great boy.”

~Author Unknown

My Jackson is on the verge of four.  No.way.  He still has two more months left of being a three year old, and I am holding on to those two months tight.  My sweet firstborn has quickly passed his baby days and is becoming such a boy.  It brings tears to my eyes when I think of how fast I feel he went from being a year and a half (when we found out we were expecting his sister) to celebrating his third birthday.  Really.  Where did two go?  It was a whirlwind of being pregnant–the sickness, the worries, the preparing, the anticipation, then a blur of those delicious yet sleep-deprived newborn months, all the while running a business.  It was an adjustment, but one that I didn’t even have time to realize we were making.  Some days I was sad for Jack that it wasn’t just days of mommy and Jack, other days I was delighted that he now had a sibling so close in age.  Some days were pure bliss–playing, giggling, learning, enjoying.  Other days were spent frustrated and wondering if it was just the age or was it because he has to share the attention now?  During that time, Jackson became extremely anti-camera.  Yet another stage, but my mommy and photographer’s heart sunk each time he would run the other way.  I longed to have images of my sweet boy.   It was no better when someone else photographed him.  Man, you should have seen our family photos last year.  You haven’t seen them?  That’s because they weren’t really “family” photographs.  A certain three year old was conspicuously absent in almost all of them.  Last week, my sweet Jackson made my heart sing.  He not only let me photograph him, but he actually enjoyed it.  We had fun “exploring” and spending a few quiet moments checking out some chickens and other fun finds.  He is so many things, my dear boy.   Above all, curious.  Kind.  Spirited.  Pensive.  Loud.  A doting big brother.  A master imitator.  Funny.  Lover of his “comfs” (comfy pants).  Inquisitive.  Rowdy.  Ahhh, my sweet, slow down.  Please don’t grow up on me too fast. Thank you for these quiet moments together.  Though we talked, so much was said in the silence…

i love you more than all the stars in the sky,

mommy

“Siblings–the definition that comprises love, strife, competition and forever friends.”

~Byron Pulsifer

We traveled to California for the long weekend to visit family.  These three are my adorable cousins, and it was so.much.fun to see them again.

It had been awhile–the last I saw them, I was pregnant with Jackson.  My children had never met them, so I was so happy for everyone to be together.  In my mind’s eye, they were small children that loved to run around, hunting for bugs and sweetly coloring at a table.  I got to know three very much older-acting tweens (and a teen) this weekend.

D, the oldest, I quickly discovered loves all things aquatic.  He is intelligent and curious.

The lone girl in between two brothers, S,  still loves to be creative and has such a sweet, mothering side.  She happily chased after Addie as she ran from room to room and watched out for her the whole weekend. 

Little S is the kind-hearted, banana-loving (his nickname is Monkey) younger bro.  He loves donuts with sprinkles and can row a mean paddle board. 

It was a fabulous feeling to get to know my cousins all over again in these new stages of their lives.  We had a blast and stayed busy the whole weekend.  How fun that we now live on the same side of the country. Thanks for showing us SUCH a wonderful time!!

xoxo,

laura

“A well tied tie is the first serious step in life.”

~Oscar Wilde

Here is a giveaway for the little dude in your life!  Check out the fab ties from Baby B Boutique!

TO ENTER:

Simply  visit Baby B Boutique, come back here and leave a comment with your name and tell us what is your favorite Baby B Boutique accessory!

FOR AN EXTRA ENTRY:

post a link to this blog post on your Facebook page.  Come back here + leave a comment with your name and saying you did so.

FOR AN EXTRA ENTRY:

Become a fan of Baby B Boutique on Facebook (search Baby B Tutu Boutique).  Come back here and let us know you did!

FOR AN EXTRA ENTRY:

“Heart” Baby B Boutique on Etsy as a favorite, come back here and leave a comment with your name and that Baby B Boutique is now a fave!

FOR AN EXTRA ENTRY:

Post a link to this giveaway on your blog, come back here and write a comment with your name and a link to your blog.

The VERY LUCKY winner will be announced on Monday, June 7th, so check back to find out if it is YOU! 

xoxo,

laura

“We find delight in the beauty and happiness of children that makes the heart too big for the body. “

~Ralph Waldo Emerson

Dearest Addison,

Eight months.  Wow.  I just don’t where the time is going.  You are such a wonderful addition to our lives.  You are growing much too fast–I see how quickly Jackson got to three years old and it makes me want to stop time in its tracks.  I love these days.  They are days of watching you delight in seeing me upon waking in the morning.  The determination in your eyes as you concentrate on pulling yourself up to stand, and your glee as you crawl quickly across the floor in pursuit of some random toy you have spotted.  You have four teeth and happily click your tongue against them to make quite a satisfying sound.  I think you believe that you are making a kissing sound back at me.    You love your brother to pieces and break into a wide grin whenever you hear his voice.  Lately, you love to climb all over him when you both are on the playroom floor.  You are such a sweet baby, and I never even knew you were teething until the teeth already had broken through.  It was only then that you decided to let me know that you were in pain.   You love to feed yourself and you are blissful when you are an enormous mess of smashed avocado and sweet potato.  I love you and your brother more than all the stars in the sky.  Don’t grow up too fast, my sweet.

All the love in the world,

mommy