weekend in review

I think this weekend was the first official lazy weekend we've had in Huntsville. I actually struggled to get off of the couch for most of Saturday and I fear I brought Brent down with me. Sarah zoomed around at her usual speed but I think her mommy and daddy were bitten by the lethargy bug. Do you ever have those days where you spend the whole day going, "what should we do today"? That was us on Saturday.

At one point Brent sat straight up and said, "I know! Pi'bear and I will make cookies!"

Um, okay.

I can remember one time when we were dating when he helped me make chocolate chip bar cookies but other than that I'm not sure he's ever taken on that particular feat. And with the Pi'bear as his sous-chef? Ha! He gets mad credit though for making some fantastic peanut butter cookies, cleaning the entire kitchen, AND dunking his right-hand girl in the bathtub after it was all over...and as you can see from the pics, she needed it!






We were totally pumped about Saturday evening though because our neighborhood was having a dessert social complete with bounce house for the kiddos. We had a good rain a couple of hours before we headed out and it was S-teamy! My camera lens fogged up immediately but I love the effect it gave these shots.



I'm particularly in love with this second one even though it's out of focus, steamed-up, and seems to show nothing. It just has an aura to me. Can't put my finger on it but I love, love it.





Unfortunately, we strolled the two blocks - wagon, Sarah, and pie in hand - only to discover that our only outing for the day had been cancelled by the rain. Needless to say, we were disappointed but that didn't stop us from devouring the entire black-bottom banana cream pie within 24 HOURS. Oh my, it was glorious. Have I mentioned we're a growing family? Yes, we most definitely are!

And finally, just a little fun before bed...

hey you bloggers!

Wanna learn something cool?

Spurred on by a fellow photogblogger, Kristyn, I made a blog button for Princess Pigbear. For those that don't know, a blog button is just a cutesy way of advertising your blog in someone else's links list (or your own links list). See mine over there??? ------>

If you click on it then it takes you to the page where it's hosted. And then you can just copy the url address into your blog template. Okay, I know some of you are confused.

If you want to MAKE a blog button: (courtesy of Kristyn)
1. Design something in photoshop (or other editing software) that's about 170px by 45px at a resolution of 72.
2. Uploaded the 'button' to a site like photobucket...anywhere that will provide you with a url once it's up. You could also just insert it as a picture into your blog post then publish the post and click on it. It should take you to it's own url, use that. (am I making ANY sense?)

As for inserting the blog button into your own links list you're kind of on your own. I tried to post directions but blogger kept trying to post the HTML tags as actual images, etc. and I couldn't figure out how to make it STOP doing that. If you really want to know though I'd be happy to walk you through it...just email me!

I'll be sure to give you a huge shout out if I see my blog button on your blog!

my babies and me

(yes, this is Brent's shot. Yes, it says "photography by Erin" - just wanted it protected)

I asked Brent to take a few snaps last night after Sarah's bath. Would you believe I haven't taken a single shot of this belly? At least not with the express purpose of documenting this pregnancy. I feel horrible about it. Sarah has an entire album about my pregnancy with her, complete with notes from her daddy, ultrasound pics, the whole works. Everyone told me to slow down, that I wouldn't have time to do it with the next one and I waved them off. Of course, I would. Who did they think I was?

Unfortunately, they were right. My time for that has diminished since the last time I was pregnant. But my love for this child is just as strong as my love for Sarah when I was carrying her. That never changes. I love you Baby Maybe. (his/her new post-ultrasound name since we're only 90% sure of the sex!)

more, as promised

A few more of my faves from this past weekend. We celebrated Charlotte's first birthday a few weeks late...

She's not much of a birthday cake fan. I think she falls into the "eat to live" category like her mama. That just may end up jeopardizing our relationship since I am clearly a "live to eat" kind of girl and can't really relate to anyone that isn't right there with me.





Love this one of my goofy sis and her girl...



One evening Nana took Sarah out to help her water the flowers. It quickly deteriorated as all things tend to do when a toddler is involved...









Thanks for all the decorating/shopping help in the comments section of that last post. I've spent the last several days planning Sarah's big girl room in my head (could it be that I'm desperate to move?) and you guys have given me a ton of ideas. I think I'm going to hold out for that super cute retro kitchen set that several people say they've seen at Linens N Things and Costco around the holidays. If I can't find it in time I may opt to get Sarah a dollhouse for her birthday and save the kitchen for Christmas. I've got my eye on this one. If anyone knows of any other options that are neat, fill me in!

I'm thinking of doing Sarah's new room using a quilt made by her great, great grandmother as the inspiration piece. You can kind of see it in the photos in this post. I think it's a nice compromise between girlie pink and this mama's desire for something a little less...Pepto, if you know what I mean. Then I found this awesome chair from the Land of Nod that just may have to be ours.

As you can see, I've spent way too much time decorating a room that we don't even have yet. We made an offer on a house yesterday but we're really holding our breath. Not sure they'll accept it. Think happy thoughts...I need to move!

same baby, different summer

Sarah and I spent this past weekend at my dad's house in South Carolina along with my stepmom, my sister, and baby Charlotte. I have tons and tons of fun photos that I'll share soon (maybe even later today) but for now I just wanted to share a year to year comparison that struck me when I was photographing Sarah in dad's beautiful backyard.

Early last June we took Sarah to SC for the first time. She was sitting up but not quite crawling and was really beginning to become an expressive little creature. I couldn't help noticing the similarities between then and now.

Check her out here...and compare it to last summer.



and this...compared to this.



I guess some things really don't change!

Here are a couple more that I'm particularly fond of. And, like I said, more to come later.

grab a big 'ol spoon

Cause you're gonna want to eat her up with it.

Here's my perfectly precious niece, Lily. She was such a great model for me when they were here visiting. She totally helped me get the bug again for photographing little ones. I may even have to get my own out for some portraits soon.

Love you Lily!

Her parents aren't too shabby either...

(Parmy your CD will be in the mail this weekend!)

for lack of a witty title...

I'll just go ahead and put it out there that baby Cobb is a BOY!

Well, at least, the doctor is 90% sure it's a boy. And best of all, it looks like a healthy boy. Woohoo!

the fourth...finally

Seems like every other blog I read posted holiday photos like nine posts ago. I guess I'm always a little behind. :) Hope you enjoy these anyway. We had a fantastic time at the river with Brent's parents and family. They have such a cool place, made even cooler by little dirty baby feet running around all over the place. At one point we were all outside pushing Sarah in the baby swing when Brent's dad (aka "FIL", "papa", "BDR"...take your pick) made a comment about needing to put another one up for Lily next summer. I had to add, "I think you'll need two more...we'll have an eight month old!". I love that our families are growing and changing and filling that whole dang place with baby shtuff.

And for those of you who've been wanting to see the belly, this will have to do. I adore that Parmy thought to take a shot of me photographing Lily. I love this photo. I'm considering using it on my official website (that is, once I get off my lazy prego behind and get it done!)

Why won't blogger let me insert a title??? grrr.

Oh well, I couldn't think of a good one anyway.

I have lots of pics from the 4th to share but right now I'm too lazy and exhausted from my battles with our internet service provider today. If you checked out my POTD you can see I'm already distraught about the whole thing so I'll just skip the story and head for the photos.

This weekend Aunt Parmy taught Sarah one of the handiest little skills a girl could ever have: posing. She would say, "Sarah, can you pose?" and this is what we got. There's a hands-on-her-hips one too but it's just TOO. MUCH.



I'm so glad God made Aunties. Every girl needs a few good ones.

Happy Birthday, Baby Charlotte!!!

A few of my favorites from the past year. I love you, sweet girl!