Baby Annabelle Rose

So in my quest to take the best pictures possible I am shooting just about anyone that will let me.  That led me to Baby Annabelle who was a mere 6 days old and to my dismay wide awake for the 2 hours I spent with her.  My first newborn shoot was exhausting, hot and left me feeling like a failure but the new Mommy and Daddy love the pictures and I can only get better from here...right Anne!?  Thanks again to Annie Schaber Photography (check out her link on the sidebar) for everything!

Not sure where this is leading but what I do know is that I love to shoot my own Riley and that I want to take the best possible pictures of #2 so any practice I can get will only help me.  I am not jumping into starting a business of it and by no means think I am ready for that (but thanks for the sweet comments everyone!) but if anyone asks me to take pictures or if I am there with camera in hand pictures will be taken.  Anne-after this I once again am amazed at how fabulous your pictures really are.  This is NOT EASY and the pressure I felt from the second I walked in was nearly suffocating.  I was flustered, panicky, and downright nervous and these were friends of mine!  Maybe one day I will make some extra dough with my camera but I bought it for my own pleasure and for the pictures I take of my family and friends to be nice.  Thanks again for all the sweet comments-you are much easier on me than I am on myself!

20 weeks

PREGNANCY HIGHLIGHTS:

WEEKS: 20 weeks 

BABY'S SIZE: 7 inches, 10.5 ozs, the baby is the size of a cantelope!

TOTAL WEIGHT GAIN: So far only 6 lbs.  

SLEEP: This last week I have been sleeping like a rock and only getting up to pee once!

MOVEMENT: I am feeling tiny kicks every morning and evening with some surprise powerful kicks throughout the day.  So much fun and very exciting every time it happens!  

SYMPTOMS: Round ligament pain and I am starting to sweat all the time.  Thank goodness it has cooled down tremendously!   

WHAT I MISS: After a few chilly mornings in a row plus the rain I started missing my mocha's again!

CRAVINGS: Oranges!  Lot's of oranges.  NOT the juice though.  I remember the horrible heartburn I got from drinking that with Riley so I stay far away from it now!  And also Dove chocolates with caramel!  Yummy!

MATERNITY CLOTHES:   Still making due with my regular clothes.  Who has the time to go maternity clothes shopping?!

WHAT I AM LOOKING FORWARD TO: To be exact 13:15 Tuesday afternoon when D and I will be taking a look at the baby and seeing if it's a boy or a girl!  Yay!  We are so excited!  We went shopping and out to eat for a quick date on Saturday (mmm PF Changs!)  and we stopped by Pottery Barn for Riley's big boy sheets and comforter and then I had to sneak a peak at the crib bedding.  Let's just say Derrick now hopes it's a boy after seeing the prices of the girl bedding!  ; )   

1st Day of School

Riley's real 1st day of Parents and 2's was this morning.  (tear)  I thought about him from 9:15-well all day actually and couldn't wait to hear how it went.  Luckily for us we start Sunday School this week and that is also Parents and 2's so D and I get to do that with him-I could sure use a refresher on the B-I-B-L-E (that's the book for me, I stand alone on the word of God, the BIBLE-gotta love that song)! Anyways, here is Riley Man's school itinerary.

9:20-9:30 Arrival: Sign in and Fellowship
9:30-9:40 Circle Time/Story Time
9:40-10:15 Free Time with Parents/G'parent
10:15-10:20 Clean Up Time
10:20-10:25 Jesus Time
10:25-10:30 Bathroom Break
10:30-10:45 Snack and Parent Devotion
10:45-11:05 Stretching out our Sillies and Parent-Child Separation Time
11:05-11:15 Music Time
11:15-11:30 Large Motor Play
11:30 Goodbye Time.

Derrick and I can't believe he is starting 'school' and after we laid him down for bed Wednesday night we reminisced on his babyhood.  Although after bathtime he still requests to be held like a baby and loves to snuggle in his warm (dryer warmed) towel while we talk and rock so there is still some baby in him and really he will always be our baby, our firstborn and our little man.  Love you to pieces Riley.  We are so PROUD of you!

Standing in front of his cubby-looking a little puzzled.  

His favorite part of his first day was hand/finger painting.  When you ask the boy if he finger painted the answer is NO and then he holds out his hands-ok Mr. technical.

Sunday School was fun also.  Basically it's a craft, music time, playtime, clean-up time, snack and bible story time so you stay busy.  Here is Riley's first craft of a sheep.  Baa.

Sneak Peak Back to school style

Yes our big boy is heading to Parent's and 2's on Thursday with G'ma Hutch.  The same church/school that I went.  I can't wait to take pictures of him in front of his cubby and in his classroom.  The 2 hour, once a week class has the cutest itinerary and I am dying to buy about a million books from the scholastic order forms he brought home from orientation.  I loved those growing up and was so excited to see them after all these years!  The excitement is palpable and isn't his backpack adorable!?  I think so!