Monday, January 27, 2014

Saturday, January 25, 2014

Mommy Diaries: One year...

My sweet little baby is officially a toddler.  Grady turned one year old and I cannot believe how quickly this year has come and gone.  Becoming a parent, I imagine, is a lot like being thrown overboard with just one swimming lesson under your belt.  Good luck parents, just keep swimming! 
Except, there are no parenting lessons before having a child.  You simply have no idea what you are in for until that beautiful little human is looking up at you (crying, I might add) as you attempt to put on a diaper for the first time in your life.  The year starts with a lot of confidence, exhaustion, and love for this child, whose survival completely depends upon you.  It then ends with less confidence (turns out this parenting this is tougher than it looks!) same level of exhaustion (does this ever go away?), more love, and most heart wrenching of all, less dependency on you for survival.
Your baby has gone from being an immobile snuggle bug to a moving, determined, communicative child who plays peek-a-boo and laughs when you say “no” to him sticking his hands in the dog’s water bowl.  He’s had his first haircut and you begin to see the little boy he is turning into.  

And it’s only been one year.  One year.




As a child, it felt like time went so slowly.  Now, as a parent to a child, time simply cannot stand still long enough.  “The nights are long but the days are short,” someone recently told me.  It’s true.  Too true. 


What will the next year bring if so much has already happened in just one year?  I cannot imagine.  I must admit, every morning it feels like I’m being thrown overboard for the first time but I’m learning to paddle a littler longer each time.


So bring it on.  I’m ready.  In fact, I’m excited to have the opportunity to get to know this little boy and the person he is becoming a little more.  Time does not stand still.  Maybe it shouldn’t.  Each day I get to spend being Grady’s mom is priceless.  I want as many of those days I am able to, even if it means he has to go from being my baby to a boy who wants nothing more than to get out of the house and away from his nagging mom to see his friends.  (Thankfully, we have a few years before that stage hits.)

I’ve learned a lot over the past year, as I’m sure you have, no matter your child’s age.  There are many lessons to be had but part of the fun is learning them as you go along. 

 

So I’ll leave you with just one lesson I’ve learned in these 365 past days or so: 

Stop.  Take time.  Time for your baby, time for yourself, time for your partner, and time for your friends.  It’s easy to forget about everything that comes after “time for your baby.”  It’s difficult to do all the other stuff.  This does not mean it shouldn’t be done.  Sometimes the road less traveled is the better, albeit more difficult, path to take. 


Also, kiss that baby as many times as you can a day.


Here’s to another year of making memories…


photo credits to Kristy Dooley Photography, Sheila Brosnan, and Photography by Melissa thank you ladies :

365 / day 12 play group

Day 12

Pushing my cart

Thursday, January 23, 2014

365 / Day10 Tears

Day 10

Not everyday is sunshine and rainbows, but this is real...


Monday, January 20, 2014

Wednesday, January 15, 2014

Tuesday, January 14, 2014

365/ Day 2 Father and son bonding

Day 2

After a long busy weekend, it's just as special having those quiet moments with one another at home <3








Monday, January 13, 2014

365 days/ Day 1 Playing with boys

I decided to give myself a challenge, and thought this would be a fun way to document my life, my pictures, and myself for 1 year 365 days. My hopes are to look back at this photo journal and just remember a glimpse of that day, what we did, a simple memory to cherish and also to see myself grow as a photographer <3 <3  

So here it goes...

Day 1

I always knew I was going to someday be a mom, for some reason I saw myself raising girls playing with dolls and doing our nails. Then Grady came along and all day we play with trucks in the dirt and I wouldn't  dream of it any other way!!


Tuesday, January 7, 2014

Pelski Baby Bump

I LOVE meeting with glowing moms-to-be, and Allison is just that! It's such an exciting time and I was so glad to be able to help them capture this moment before there little boy arrives this March. Since both are outdoorsy people we decided the Isham Tree Farm would be the perfect spot, I love how they came out! Enjoy <3

Monday, January 6, 2014

Our 2013 "perfect" family Christmas

Merry Christmas 2013

If I’m being honest, Christmas is never “perfect”.
It never goes exactly how I picture it in my mind the entire month of December.
Because in my mind, I’m creating a Better Homes & Garden kind of Christmas.
The kind of Christmas that takes your breath away.
Perfect packages, delicious food, impeccable decor, smiling kiddos, happy family.
No mess, no chaos, no tears, no burnt meals.
Then Christmas arrives and my day is far from being worthy of a BH&G photo shoot.
And if I wanted to, I could let this ruin the holiday for me.
I could always be “disappointed”.
I could always be “wanting more”.
I could always play the “I shoulda” game.
I could focus on all the imperfections.


Part of my breakfast was a full blown disaster–like the throw directly into the trash kind of disaster.
I set the fire alarm off while cooking bacon.
Our dog Roxy got loose.
And my home looked like a war zone.
I’m pretty sure I used every dish in the house to cook a meal.
But can I tell you something?
And will you promise to believe with your whole heart that I mean this in the LEAST cheesy way imaginable?

This Christmas was perfect.
Best yet.


This little boy that I have co-created…he's my insurance policy, my guarantee that Christmas will be magical and perfect despite my many imperfections. He reminds me that the Spirit of Christmas isn’t about creating a facade of perfection.
Christmas is about feeling and giving love.

What I loved most. Watching Grady interact with family. Trading presents back and forth. Giving hugs. And kisses. And thank you’s.  Watching Grady cuddle with his grandmas, grandpas, uncles, and aunties. Hoping Grady learns how great it feels to GIVE. I went to bed Christmas night with a full heart.

Now, time to enjoy snuggles from my boys and celebrate everything this New Year brings <3 <3