and again, i can’t compete with mickey mouse clubhouse that was on right behind me. our day will be filled with horseback riding (or so she thinks she wants to do this), a trip to the park and lotsa lotsa cupcakes.

if you’re feeling sentimental like us.. you can watch her first days video here.

while searching my hard drive for a photo for an assignment, i came across so many little gems from the last few years 🙂 us– just me and the kids on our first big trip out with the new little baby.. april 06 – their faces crack me up here!

that pic just cracked me up 🙂 this one stopped me in my tracks. it’s not photographically amazing. but can you just feel that soft, flawless skin?? that classic newborn position…one month old.

lovely little lady sleeps like this now… love how her eyebrows and eyelashes have come in so nicely 🙂 remember when they close their hands up like that? and you would peel it open to feel the inside of the lovely palm?

she’s always taken the fashion risk with the clashing patterns.. love it 🙂

(last summer on the left, a few weeks ago on the right)

and the last one for now 🙂 such a goober 🙂

lately she ignores the camera. so nice to get a real smile today!

even though she is nearly 23 pounds, i stick her in these little 12 month sized onesies. 🙂 i love how her little arms look in them, her little skinny body, but then after a meal, her full little belly.

she likes to dress herself and has a say in what she wants to wear for the day. "long sleeves? no! socks please, my feet are cold. no dress today. heart shirt." yes, maam!

today we were out and about and she kept asking to go to more and more places.. the library, park, bookstore, grampies house, hamburger, please? i think she was avoiding going home because that meant nap time. she’s in that ever so lovely phase where she protests sleep. sigh. i never understand why kids don’t like to sleep. sleep is GLORIOUS! 🙂

to keep walking past her during her afternoon nap.. so hard not to climb in bed and snuggle that!

i dont know what it is about her little limbs. i guess we usually have them covered up but when i see them, i trip out because they are just so widdle! i can’t believe our baby is going to be 2 next week. yes, be prepared to read some weepy emotional posts for the next month or so. 🙂 so here are some pics of her from the last few weeks. just random. 🙂 her at the boy’s school- toting her strawberry shortcake book around. love me some str-str-str-strawberry! 🙂

back view of the pony- it seems like she has it up like this alot lately- but she doesn’t– it’s just the 2 days and we took massive amounts of photos. 🙂

sorting and piling and making rows- i LOVE this phase of toddlerhood. 🙂

but not so loving this phase of toddlerhood—

(her with caleb’s birthday cake) discovery of sugar and wanting to consume everything that contains massive amounts of it. and lots of crying and tantrums when she doesn’t get it. 🙂

happy friday!

she really does. she bakes us treats constantly. right now my kitchen is stocked with carrot cake and cream puffs. she makes them by scratch. on her own. she originally wanted to be a chef, but then a pastry chef, and now a wedding cake decorator. 🙂 i love that she has dreams! i am alllll for some homemade treats. 🙂 go kira!

and she really is a fabulous sister to her. she greets elsie with, hi best friend! 🙂 she puts up with the pushes and noooo’s that elsie gives her. she climbs in bed with elsie every morning and night to give her a snuggle 🙂 i am so proud of them. how many almost 13 year olds give their little sister her own playlist so she can listen to it when she wants?

one for 5gg’s 1product- american crafts foam shapes:

one for the sketch article that i wrote:

and one for the guest garden girl spot:
i really like this paper.  delish!

now the big dilemma this sunday afternoon— do i dare bother cleaning off my desk to scrap or just find a new place to clutter up for the day? 🙂

is driving me crazy. cold. then hot. then rainy. then blue. just when you think it’s time to break out the sandals, tees and skirts.. noooo, it starts raining. i know i’ll miss it in the summer– but i am so ready for some warmness!!! oh and i know i am a total baby, complaining about our 55 degrees here 🙂 and els is wearing a ponytail here. she never lets me touch her hair.  🙂

at least i got what i wanted for valentine’s 🙂

happy friday!

Top 10 reasons why her husband loves her:
1. She’s my hot momma
2. Her dedication to preserving our special family moments (Pictures and Journaling)
3. Her love, passion and commitment to our children
4. Her ability and willingness to help me work through stressful situations
5. Her commitment to our family’s health (She actually got my lazy butt to the gym)
6. Her incredible passion for her career as a photographer
7. She is extremely smart, creative and talented
8. She helps me stay connected with my parents and 11 siblings
9. She shares my commitment to financial security and savings
10. She enjoys spending time with me (mostly watching TV)

Jaden’s 10 reason why he loves his mom:
1. Uh, uh, uh…she sometimes buys me pokemon cards
2. Uh, uh, uh…she sometimes plays Nintendo DS with me
3. Uh, uh, uh…she lets me play in her scrapbook room
4. Uh, uh, uh…she plays dinosaur monopoly with me
5. Uh, uh, uh…she lets me play Xbox sometimes
6. Uh, uh, uh…she buys me donuts when she goes to Wal-Mart
7. Uh, uh, uh…she takes lots of cool pictures of me
8. Uh, uh, uh…she lets me play in the snow
9. Uh, uh, uh…she helps me draw pictures
10. Uh, uh, uh…she lets me watch cartoons

Grant’s 10 reason he loves his mom:
1. She gives me access to unlimited number of balls to play with
2. She continues to give me food, even though I don’t eat it
3. She puts up with my irregular sleeping habits
4. She gives me a kiss good night every night without fail
5. She allows me to crawl and jump on all her stuff, even her new furniture
6. She has taught me how much fun Dora the Explorer can be
7. She takes special care of me when I’m not feeling well
8. She buys me truck loads of  Pediasure because it’s the only thing I will eat
9. She helps me learn new words like “Watch”
10. She actually watches on my cue while I jump off her furniture

"Jessi, I’m so in love with you and I wanted to find a special way to
express my feelings.  As you know we are already going on a trip to ocean reef  Key Largo FL in March for work. Let’s spend a
couple extra days in FL so we can spend some quality time alone with
each other."

i drove down for 2 half days and it was just enough time to see all the new goodies. i got to have lunch with one of my favorite people.. shannon was at the ki booth and i have to say that this collection has got to be one of my favorites. all the flowers make my heart happy! and all the cuuute embellishments. love them! 

jenni bowlin had so many cute things. love these journaling cards. i am all over that butterfly! 🙂

and cosmo cricket  has me giddy over their new paper lines! love how they are so different but so equally cool.

love the bright colors of scenic route. those flowers are calling my name.

and of course..one of my most favorites- making memories

those were all from the first day- i stopped taking pictures then.. i felt kinda goofy. but here are some others that caught my eye:

october afternoon – love their designs and a nice company.
sei – always love their papers but this release is super cute.
bampop papers are so fun. can’t wait to use those!
hero arts so many cute stamps! their samples were all stellar!
autumn leaves has some cute lines out- im excited to use the heather bailey line!

that’s all i can think of at the top of my head. chris and i have a wedding to shoot tomorrow so happy valentine’s day!