something so cool

No new pics today. Just wanted to fill you guys in on something we are SO excited about.

Sarah's 1st birthday is coming up on October 28th and I'm about to kick into big time party-planning gear. Sarah is in love with animals of any kind so I think we're going to have a Down on the Farm party for her (well okay, let's just face it - the party is for US!). Our house is already cram-packed with toys that she just doesn't play with so we have decided to go a little nontraditional with her gifts this year. We registered with Heifer International so that in lieu of birthday gifts Sarah's friends and family can make an even bigger difference with the Pigbear in mind. Heifer International is an organization that, through donations from people like all of us, fights world hunger by giving livestock and other life-changing, profit-bearing materials to impoverished people around the world. The registry works basically like any other store registry - Sarah picked out some of her favorite animals (with a little help from Mom and Dad) and would like for you to consider buying one. Or a share of one - but no, Grandaddy, you can't just buy an udder.

Check out her registry here.

And for those of you coming to her party in October, we don't want to completely spoil your gift-giving fun so we're asking that you wrap up something from you home that you think a one-year old would like to play with. Just to give you some ideas Sarah is currently enthralled with phone cords, water bottles, milk lids, boxes, hangers, and anything else along those lines.

Thanks for spreading the Pigbear love!

a little caveat for the family members that are screaming "nooooooo" at your computer screen right now: grandparents, aunt, uncles, and the like may be excluded from this little adventure if you just can't bear the idea of not getting Sarah a gift (or if you've already gotten her a gift). So please, don't hate.

some days are good days

Today was definitely a good one. It started off with a brisk morning walk that demanded Sarah wear her new hat. Fall is definitely in the air and I love it. And I really really love her in this hat.










Then after her morning nap we went over to Erin and Caitlin's house for a photo shoot. Nothing like a fresh face and new surroundings to get the creative juices flowing again. I've been feeling blah about my pictures lately but little Caitlin definitely jerked me out of that! She's six months old, which I've decided is the perfect age to photograph. They're expressive, happy, not afraid of strangers and, best of all, they stay where you put them! Think I could go into business strictly photographing six month olds?

the obligatory pasta pictures

Isn't it some kind of rule of parenting that you must photograph your kid's first sloppy, goopy, greasy experience with spaghetti? I'm pretty sure it is. And I'm SO not a rule breaker so here they are...







And, for those of you who don't know, there are two ways to say "all done" around our house.

In baby sign language...




...and in Pigbear...

smitten

I think that pretty much just sums it up.





MamaJo and Papa are back and we've got three more days together. That Pigbear couldn't be happier.

how big is Sarah?

SOOOOOO big.



Learned this one in Cali. It's a fun game. Anyone, anytime can ask "how big is Sarah?" or "how big are you?" and the Pigbear goes into this little stance. It also works the other way around. Several times a day she assumes "so big" position, waiting for you to acknowledge that, yes, she's in fact SOOOOO big.

Caught this one with my new lens which is definitely a keeper. Took me a few days to play with it since it arrived in the midst of me thinking I might only be around for a few more days. Luckily I was back in the land of the living today and managed to perk up enough to grab a few quick shots. I'm sure there will be more to come.

p.s. Yes, Nana, Sarah did cut her first tooth when we were in Cali...thanks for asking!

somebody thinks she's a baby

And, no, that somebody is not me. Although I have spent the last two afternoon/evenings in bed moaning and groaning while my husband and Pigbear serve me soup, crackers, tylenol, gatorade, extra pillows, socks, you name it. We used to have a little crystal bell for times like this. Whoever was the sickling got to keep it by their bed to have whatever they needed in an instant with just a little tinkle of the bell. That Pigbear shattered it about 5 months ago. I think she was sending me a subtle message that my days of enjoying being the sick princess have set. And the "get-your-sick-bootie-out-of-bed-and-make-me-some-breakfast" days have dawned.

Back to my original point. Somebody thinks she's a baby. And it's not sick little ol' me.

Recently Sarah re-discovered her pacifier. She took one occasionally when she was itty-bitty. Usually just at times when it was absolutely unacceptable for her to cry. Sundays during church. On the airplane. That's about it. It's been buried at the bottom of one of her gazillion toy baskets and she found it. With a big "I'm a baby" grin on her face she's been toting it around...

white is my nemesis...

...that being said, I'm fairly pleased with how these came out. I've been feeling like I'm in an artistic slump lately. I think it started after having to leave my littlest muse in CA. Good thing the Pigbear is always up for a little hamming action! That combined with my new lens coming sometime this week, a stack of photog books awaiting me at the library, and discovering a great deal on the latest version of Photoshop that I've been drooling over, maybe I'll get out of it soon. If Brandy would just have her baby and give me someone new to photograph I'm sure it would be all good! (nothing like a little guilt trip to get the oxytocin flowin', right?)









I'm still not sure which picture I'll enter for the competition. I'm rethinking whether it should be a headshot or not, and all of your choices were. I may have to narrow it down to the top 3 and just let you guys pick!

Spoiled

Notice the capital "S"?

That's what's Sarah has been getting for the last several days - Spoiled, with a capital "S".

MamaJo and Papa are here. Which means fun, fun, fun for the Pigbear. She's gone on walks, out to dinner, played outside, been pushed in the swing, taken her first visit to the zoo, had a special babysitting night, got her first birthday present (shhhh, it's a secret), got a special toy for the sprinkler, and the list continues. There's nothing like grandparents, huh?

I have tons o' pictures so just bear with me. This is what I get for skipping a few days of posting.













And, finally, proof that Sarah Lorraine is 100% my daughter...





Have a wonderful weekend, friends!

under the weather

That Pigbear has not been feeling like herself for the last couple of days so, sorry, no pics. MamaJo and Papa are here now though so I'm sure we'll be getting some soon. Well, I did take this today, just for fun. When you run out of subjects you make do, right?



And I wanted to THANK YOU ALL for all your replies yesterday. I tallied up all the "votes" with #6 in the lead and #3 a close second. Not what I expected. But now I'm rethinking whether my entry is even in this batch...a lot of you mentioned some others I hadn't thought of. Sooooo you may have to do this again! I'll keep you posted. But, seriously, thank you for your encouragment. You really don't know what it means to me!

stop lurking and vote

At Aunt Lori's prodding, I've decided to enter my first photo contest. It's for Parenting magazine, and she had the entry form all cut out and stuffed in her purse when she picked me up from the airport two weeks ago. I don't think I'd been in the state of California for more than 20 minutes before she had it in my face, insisting I enter. Trust me, you don't tell that woman no. So I'm entering.

I'd love your help deciding what to enter. The guidelines state they're looking for "a mix of originality, charm, and technical proficiency." I know there are lurkers out there who refuse to post comments, which is totally fine, but this time I need your help!

Here are my choices (I know you've seen these before)...

1.


2.


3.


4.


5.


6.


7.


Can't wait to hear what you guys have to say.

I'm it

Evidently I was tagged by J.J. so here it goes...

1. If you could build a house anywhere, where would it be? Somewhere within about an hour's drive from every relative and friend I have. Okay maybe not every relative, but most of them.

2. What's your favorite article of clothing? Definitely my pajamas.

3. Favorite physical feature of the opposite sex? A smile that's genuine...and my honey definitely has it.

4. Last CD you bought? Yikes...It was a super-cheesy CD of scripture put to music for kids. Bought it to use with my children's choir. They LOVE it. I, however, cannot get it out of my head on Sunday afternoons.

5. Favorite place to be? Under the covers with the Pigbear and her Daddy.

6. Least favorite place to be? Sitting in traffic driving a stick-shift.

7. Favorite place to be massaged? I'm a sucker for facials and neck massages.

8. Strong in mind or strong in body? Stronger in mind than in body, for sure.

9. What time do you wake up in the morning? Whenever my Pigbear alarm goes off. Unfortunately she doesn't have a snooze button. Usually around 6:20. Sometimes a heavenly 6:45.

10. Favorite kitchen appliance? the KitchenAid mixer my mom gave me as a housewarming gift.

11. What makes you really angry? People who are insensitive, mean, or rude.

12. If you could play any instrument, what would it be? Piano.

13. Favorite color? YELLOW! (haven't you read my profile? C'mon people, get with the program!)

14. Sports car or SUV? I'm seriously not a car person. Our '91 Ford Ranger is good enough for me. Okay, that's a total lie. But only because I'm still mad at it for losing it's transmission in the middle of St. Louis. A story for another time.

15. Do you believe in an afterlife? Without a doubt.

16. Favorite children's book? The Quiltmaker's Gift. Although my answer to that question will vary everytime you ask it.

17. Favorite season? Fall, Fall! My baby's birthday is in the fall!

18. Least favorite household chore? Dusting.

19. If you could have one super power, what would it be? The ability to bring world peace...I know that's cheesy but, gosh, wouldn't it be nice?

20. If you have a tattoo, what is it? I'm SO not a tatoo girl.

21. Can you juggle? HA! In addition to not being a tatoo girl I'm also SO not coordinated.

.22. Person from your past you wish you could go back and talk to? Isabelle Parker, James Murray...

23. Favorite day? Friday, for sure. Friday, at 6:00 pm, more specifically.

24. Sushi or hamburger? Sushi! Paul, Meghan and Dave can attest to the fact that I tore through some sushi on Thursday night.

I guess that's it. Please no one tag me again. That was way too taxing. In an effort to force her to update her blog I'm tagging my sister and just cause it'll be fun, Aunt Lori.

And, I can't post this without throwing in a few pictures so check out this cutie...10 months old! Can you believe it? Thanks for cooperating, Caroline!

the last of the Charlotte pics

I guess posting these means that my trip to see my first niece really is over. I'm majorly hoping they'll be flying out here in October for Sarah's birthday. If I tell myself that then it's not nearly so sad to think about being away from them.