Trick or Treat

I have always loved Halloween.  I have fond memories as a kid of getting dressed up and going trick or treating.  It's one night I'm excited to experience with Gigi.

For her first Halloween, I knew what she would be as soon as I found out I was pregnant.  When my sister Jean was little, my mom dressed her up as a pumpkin.  I always remember how stinking cute I thought she was.  What do you think?  Wasn't she a cutie?

So, I knew that little Gigi would be a pumpkin.  I found a good costume from Pottery Barn Kids and I bought it when they were running a 20% off sale and on top of that, I had a 15% off coupon!  Score!

Adam and I debated on what we should be to coordinate with her outfit and decided on being scarecrows.  She handled everything really well.  Especially considering we had makeup on all night - she didn't even seem to notice.

We spent the afternoon at a birthday party for our friend Gabby.  There were about 8 toddler aged kids running around in costumes all afternoon.  Now I know what I have to look forward to.  We then went trick or treating with all the kids.  Gigi made it about 20 minutes and then was done with it.  I think she enjoyed the night and I'm already thinking about what she'll be next year.

Pumpkin Patching

There's a pumpkin patch in Phoenix that I've always heard about but never went to.  Luckily, this year, Adam's company put together a family day at the Schneff Farms Pumpkin Patch so we got to take Gigi.

Unfortunately, it was over 90 degrees yesterday so we weren't able to bundle up and pretend like it was fall.  We had to change Gigi out of the outfit I had originally picked for her because it was far too warm.  I love Phoenix and the warm weather but there is a point when I'd like it to get down into the 70s for awhile.  It'd be nice to be able to wear a long sleeved shirt.

We did the obligitory pumpkin patch pictures with Gigi.  Unfortunately, she had no smiles for us and she was enthralled with the hay so we didn't get any really great pictures.

Hay, hay, hay - looks so yummy

Take the picture so I can get back to the hay

The pumpkin farm had a ton of other stuff to do and will be a great place to take Gigi when she gets a little bit older.  There were a number of family friendly rides, a petting zoo, putt putt, hayrides (though they were Zombie hayrides), and a corn maze.  All of this was only $17.  I can't wait for her to get a little bigger - it'll be a ton of fun.

We took a stab at the corn maze but it's very large and we got a little lost so we eventually turned back and tried to find our way out.  It would be super spooky at night though.

Once the sun went down, Adam's company had arranged for a private bon fire were we get to cook our own hot dogs and do some S'mores.

Little Gigi normally goes to bed around 7:30 and every other time we've tried to stay out past her bedtime, she has a serious meltdown.  We decided to risk it last night since the farm was only 25 min from the house.  We came prepared with a bottle (I'm not super comfortable breastfeeding in public) and we had the carrier for if she fell asleep.  She ended up doing really well.  She took a quick cat nap at about 6:00 and then she was able to hang out with us until we left at about 8:30.  She fell asleep in the car and then quickly fell back to sleep when we got home.  Win!

Projects Update...

So writing the post on my playroom projects got me moving a bit.  I thought I'd give an update.

Magnetic Chalkboard - Alrighty, this one is done!  I bought the drip pan at Wal-Mart for $11.99, chalkboard spray paint from Lowes (not sure of the price - the hubs bought it), and Velcro strips from target for $6.99.  All up, this project probably cost in the $25 range.  Gigi won't be able to use it for awhile but it'll be a fun addition for when she's ready.  The only thing I don't like is that the drip pan has some writing imprinted on it and you can still see it after putting on the paint.  For the price, I can't complain but it's a bit annoying.

I'm now looking for the plastic magnetic letters but can't find them at Wal-Mart or Target.  I'll probably just have to order them from Amazon like everything else.

Texture Board - This one is mostly done.  I have one more ring I want to do but thanks to my sister, Jillian, I was able to get the rings attached to the cork board without using any tacks.  She suggested velco strips and I had a few tucked away so I gave it a go.  I take the rights down and let Gigi feel them so she can see different textures.  I can also change out the fabric as I want to.

Alphabet Wall - I finished up the letters I bought as a test run and I really liked them so I've bought all the other letters I need (they were 40% off at Hobby Lobby!).  I plan on starting the rest of the letters this week.  I'm hoping to have them done in the next couple of weeks.

I still haven't done the book shelves.  They're currently hidden away in her closet and I forget about them.  I should take them out and then maybe I'll get them done.  I've a new project to the list - a growth ruler for the wall!  She's already 27" tall and I don't want to miss anymore so I've got to get this one done quick!

Projects, Projects, Projects

When you're a SAHM, you need to find something to do besides laundry, dishes, dirty diapers, and story time.  For me, I'm taking on getting the playroom sorted as that's where we spend the vast majority of our time during the day.

We have a bookcase full of toys and books.  I bought a mat for the floor so that she won't bonk her head when she rolls over.  I have a chair for me to sit in and we got a tv to play PBS Kids or something more adult for me when I'm getting bored.

But during her naps, I'd like to try and find something else to do.  I've found four projects on pinterest that I want to try out.  I am, however, not being very proactive in getting them done.

Texture Wall - I found this on pinterest and thought it would be fun.  We've already been to Joann's and picked out a few fabrics for the wall.  I had no idea how expensive fabric was and especially since I don't want large swatches of fabric.  Anywho - I have these all done, I just have to find a way to attach them to Gigi's cork board without using tacks (I don't want them to fall off onto the floor).

Book Shelves for Gigi's Room - In the old house, we had some small book shelves up in Gigi's room but with the new house, she has a whole playroom with large Ikea book shelf.  I thought it would be fun to still have some books in her room so I found this pinterest idea for book shelves using Ikea spice racks.  I have the spice racks - I just need to paint them white.  I should just get this done - it would be super easy.

Magnetic Chalkboard - This one will be fun as she gets older and should be super easy.  I have the drip pan and chalkboard paint.  Again, I should just get it done.  Note - mine will not be as fancy as the one in the picture.

Alphabet wall - I've really wanted to do this one since I found out that I was pregnant, but it will be the most time consuming and expensive project to do.  I've bought the scrapbook paper and three letters (her initials) to see just how time consuming this will be.  Who knew that these 8" paper mache letters would cost $2.99 each!?!  I'm going to try the letters I have this week and make a decision on if I want to finish the project or not.

When life takes over....

Man, when life takes over, updating the blog is the first thing to go.  This year, my life has changed pretty drastically.  Primarily with the addition of this little peanut - 

Miss Gigi enjoying the new playroom chair

Baby Gigi joined us in March this year.  Talk about a life changer.  Before baby, I was traveling every week for work getting upgraded to first class.  Now I'm a SAHM (Stay At Home Mom for those of you not in the know).

This peanut has changed the way I think about work and life.  Now, I'm not sure I want to go back to work (though the adult interaction would be fantastic) and I'm also learning to appreciate the little things alot more often.

For instance - showers and getting dressed.  I never fully appreciated them until Gigi came along.  As much as I love this peanut, up until about a week and a half ago, her naps were all 45 minutes or less.  Try taking a shower, getting dressed, blowing drying your hair, and putting on make up in 45 min or less - while also trying to get a load of laundry going, washes the dishes, maybe taking a nap (because she was up three times the night before), or just having quiet time to watch tv.  I've taken to only washing my hair every other day (don't judge) because blow drying just takes way too long and I can't do it in front of her (she's scared of the blow dryer).  I now understand why moms completely chop off their hair.

But then, one day about a week and a half ago, I took her to story time at the library with a friend.  When we got home, she took a TWO HOUR NAP!!  I didn't know what to do with myself.  I was washed and dressed, laundry going, and dishes done within 45 minutes.  What do I do with myself now??  I thought it was a fluke but thankfully, it hasn't been.  She's now consistently taking 1.5 hour naps twice a day.  I had read on other blogs that six months was the turning point, but I didn't believe them.  I had resigned myself to four 45 minute naps everyday.

So what am I doing with all my time that I have to myself now?  Well, pinterest has given me alot of ideas that I'm going to try out.  I have at least three projects for Gigi's playroom that I need to finish up...good content for the next blog entry...stay tuned...

Little Girl Brooks

Last year I did a blog about the Brooks family with some of the pregnant pictures I took of Mommy Brooks. This year, I was lucky enough to be able to take some pictures of their beautiful and smart daughter before her 1 year birthday.

I met Gabby over Christmas last year for the first time.  She was two months old and a very easy baby to like.  I then got to meet her again in April when I came home for a visit.  She was older and more interactive but still very easy to like (except for when she threw up on me!).  Now that I'm home, I get to see her nearly every weekend and she continues to be very easy to be around.

Momma Brooks asked me to do these pictures and I had never really done pictures of a 1 yr old so I was had no idea what to expect.  We setup an area in a park using some of the fall decorations that are going to be used for Gabby's birthday.  We must have looked crazy - fall decorations when it was still 90 degrees outside??

Anyhow, Gabby was a pleasure to work with.  Mama and Dad Brooks kept her entertained so I could focus on the pictures and I think they came out fantastic with the color combination!  What do you think?

Maybe we'll keep this a tradition - new pictures of Gabby every year!

Baby Brooks

On the second half of my trip home, I spent about five days in Phoenix.  I went to check on the house, to get some warmth (Canberra has been freezing), and to attend my friend Kim's baby shower.  Kim found out she was having a baby back at the beginning of the year and she has been so excited.  I think she was even more excited when she found out it was going to be a girl (look out Cooper Tew!).  She's going to be a fantastic mom and Blaine...well, Blaine is going to be in for an interested ride with two Brooks women in the house.

I've been slowly building my portfolio of portrait photography (you know, in case I ever decide to quit my high-paying corporate job that flys me all over the world).  I've done an engagement, a family, a baby, and now, thanks to Kim, I've had the chance to do maternity pictures.

It was around 114 F in Phoenix the day we decided to do pictures and I couldn't talk Dad Brooks into heading out to the park for pictures.  It was just far too hot.  So we settled on their backyard so we could go inside to cool off every now and then.  As it turns out, we got a fantastic sunset and fantastic light.  

I hope you enjoy the pictures!  I think the pictures came out pretty well.  Thank you Kim and Blaine for letting me capture this precious time for you!

Hello Cooper Tew!

During my last trip home, I made a special stopover to North Carolina to visit with my friend Merritt and her husband Morgan.  But the real reason of the trip was to meet the newest member of the Tew family - Cooper.  I missed most of Merritt's pregnancy so when an opportunity arose to get to see her and the new bub, I did what I could to make that happen.


I got to meet Cooper right away - they brought him to the airport to pick me up but it was midnight and he slept through the whole thing - already a good sign.  As it turns out, Baby Tew is one of the most chill babies I've ever had the pleasure of hanging out with.  He hardly ever cried, he let me hold him without being freaked out that I was a new person.  He was the best kind of baby -quiet, chill, and not mine.


If you follow this blog, you know that I've been trying to get into this photography thing.  Lately I've been focusing on food photography b/c I've suddenly become very domestic.  I think it's a need to nest that I can't fulfill b/c I live in a fully furnished apartment where, when I decide to move home, have to fit is a 5x5x6 crate.  But I digress, this blog is about Cooper.


Mert was cool enough to agree to let me photograph her bub as I hadn't done babies before.  Thankfully, the day we decided to do the session was gorgeous and we happened to catch some beautiful light.  I'm not completely happy with them but the colors in them are very pretty and I think we were able to catch just how chilled out the kid really is.

Love the hat!