A couple of weeks ago, Grace turned 9. It was 9 years ago that I left my job on a Friday night determined that I would not be back on Monday. After 36 crazy long hours of labor Grace was born, an 8 lb 6 oz baby girl. Who knew that little chunk would end up the smallest by far of my three babies. And who knew she would be THIS: in just a speck of time.
And so I am feeling a little sentimental about my baby girl today, and after having spent a fabulous two days just us (without little bro and sis)I am feeling both sentimental and proud. Here's why:
1. We went to the American Girl store on Tuesday. She went with her own money and was told she could spend her own money but not mine. She never once asked me for anything while we were there. If she admired something she checked the price and weighed whether she wanted to give up that much money for that item. In the end, I offered to buy her pj's to match her dolls and she just said, "Really? Are you sure? Thank you so much Mommy."
2. When she stays over at a friends house the parents always tell me she can come absolutely any time. She was a delight! That makes me so proud.
3. Her teachers say she is generous and kind and stands up for others and they say it like they truly mean it.
4. I am so completely proud of the big sister that she is, how she lovingly cares for Ella and Max.
5. I think she is going to be a photographer someday. I watch her compose the most ineteresting images, with texture and color and props. She manages to get Ella to love it, and gets some great expressions out of her.
6. She is a good friend, and she chooses her friends wisely.
7. When she dances, it is like God is in the room.
8. She is so thoughtful and loves to buy gifts for just about anyone.
9. She makes the best of a bad situation. Even when she's being punished, she makes it seem like it's a good thing. This can be very annoying and quite frustrating for a mom that believes she needs to suffer as a consequence, but still a good trait.
10. She totally goes with the flow. She's happy as long as she is spending time with people she likes.
I love you baby girl! You are a precious treasure.
And a few snapshots from our trip to American Girl in Natick, MA. We are with the C girls, and it was Miss H's 10th birthday on Tuesday! How fun is an American Girl birthday?
I am so excited to be headed out for an overnight to the brand new American Girl store in Boston. I am taking only my oldest daughter - I am so excited to be spending time with her, just the two of us. We have dinner reservations there tonight and an appointment to do Nicki's -Grace's AG doll with the neediest - hair. God knows she needs it.
I bought this bag yesterday that I am so excited about. It fits my little Rebel camera theat I use for snap shots and a small lens but also has pockets for credit cards and other purse things. I have been looking for the perfect bag for trips like this and ones where we go to cool places like Disney. It is small, but big enough and has lots and lots of pockets!!
The Bag And BTW, I did not pay that much for it. It was $49 at the Hallmark store in Littleton.
And just because I have to share a pic for every post... this is the image I created for a display I am doing for Scooter Britches, a very cool children's boutique in Littleton. If you haven't visited there yet, you must check it out! The dress Ella is wearing is from the spring Tea line.
Do you have a Princess that crawls into your bed? I surely hope you do....
This is my Valentine. I am going to attempt to put into words all the reasons why I adore this man. I am not much of a writer, so I can only hope that I say it just right. Here goes:He is a Father. Like he is a Father in every sense of the word, not just a Dad. Or one of those guys that sort of babysits when Mom isn't around. He Fathers. He loves. He teaches. He disciplines. He plays. He invests in his children.He lines up his shirts with his shirts and his pants with his pants and when he's really on, even the colors are lined up just right.He does laundry. Yes he does. Ladies, I know you are jealous, but it's all good because this makes up for him not knowing where the vacuum cleaner is or what you use to clean a toilet.He is good at everything because he believes he can do anything. He finished our basement after never having done anything like that before. The carpet guy wanted to know what contractor did the work because it was so flawless. This is also annoying b/c I don't have this trait.
He lets me be me. And that's hard sometimes because I am the opposite of him- emotional, passionate, and engaged. That can be challenging when emotions are not really your thing. He does it well, too, humoring me at times but also balancing me. I need balance. He is the yin to my yang. He may not be emotional but I have seen him cry- when his children were born and whenever God moves. It's awesome to see.He cleans up puke.He gets me, most of the time. And when he doesn't, he tries. He loves my business. It took awhile, but he loves it. He loves that it saved me, that it makes me, and that it was a prayer that God graciously granted me. I am proud of his work. I am proud of his work ethic. I am proud of his success. I am proud of his provision.He sort of has a big ego. I kinda like it. It's fun to knock it down sometimes. He loves me anyway. And that's a really big anyway.Happy Valentines Day My Love!
From Ella. It sounds like Vawentinesday when she says it.
Baby Fever. I've got it. It's lowgrade, not like I am stopping strangers in Walmart or anything just to smell their baby's head, but it could become more serious if not treated. There are only two treatments, 1} Have a new baby or 2} Hold someone else's baby. Since my family was marked off my to-do list as complete three and 1/2 years ago, (family...check) I will have to take option #2 as my treatment. And I might as well use it also as a creative outlet to introduce the art of newborn photography to northern New Hampshire, and to finally use some of the absolutely adorable newborn hats and blankets I have recently purchased.
So here's the scoop:
Who: Babies under 14 days old
What: A Newborn Casting Call- a chance for me to introduce newborn photography to northern New Hampshire, build my portfolio, and relieve my fever.
Where: Your home or my studio
When: If you are pregnant and due now through April 30th call me now. I will be reserving only a VERY LIMITED number of casting call sessions.
What you Get: A FREE newborn session ($100), an online slideshow you can share with friends and family, and one free 8x12. Additional prints, announcements and gifts will be available to purchase from an online gallery at 10% off.
Casting Call sessions will be VERY LIMITED. Call today to schedule a tentative date for 10 days after your due date. The date will be adjusted according to your baby's actual birthday.
