A new design...

I just finished up a 5x7 Birth Announcement and posted over on my design blog. I'm trying to occupy my time with something other than waiting impatiently for our little girl to make her arrival. I'm still undecided on her announcement, but at this rate, by the time she arrives I will have several to choose from!

To view the back of this announcement visit the Design Blog .

*Miss Anna is 2*-Looking back...

My little girls 2nd birthday is quickly approaching. So with the help of my dear hubby, we did a little mini session over the weekend. It seems like not so long ago she was just coming home from the hospital.

...Our Little Miss 1 week old...

...and at 6 months...

...and at 1 year...

...13 months...

...and 18 months...

...And now she's almost 2...

Now that she's two, she's going to be a big sister; either shortly before, or very shortly after her birthday. It's amazing to watch her grow and learn everyday. Everyday she is smarter than the last, with more attitude than the day before. Our Little Buggie is very independant and strong willed...we've got our work cut out for us for sure, but wouldn't trade a minute (well maybe just 1 minute) for anything. She's the absolute sunshine of our lives.

~A Day in our World~

Yesterday I thought that I would just take photos throughout our day. Everyday things that we do. Then I looked back and noticed I did a similar post in December, around the same date. So I'm going to attempt to do 1 day per month, and document a day in our world.

We live in a little valley, so a lot of mornings in the winter we wake up with fog. It wasn't too thick yesterday, not like it had been the few days before. Some days it never burns off, so it's dark and gloomy, but yesterday the sun came out and it was beautiful...still cold, but a nice day.

And everyday after I open the curtains we begin our day. Mine starts with this (at least during pregnancy). First blood sugar check, then get breakfast fot the little one & myself, then some vitamins. While I'm getting things ready for our day & taking care of a few of the things I need to get done in a day the Lil' miss is well occupied with some Curious George or something else on PBS.

This is what I see everyday, but only while I'm sitting, which currently is for about 90% of the day.

I've taken on a few projects in the last couple of weeks though. I've mentioned quilting/sewing. This weeks project has been a 'Cars' quilt for Lil' Anna's 2nd birthday. It's almost finished, I just have to trim the edges and bind it together.

Since I'm thinking about her birthday already (it will be a busy month), I thought I better do a trial run with the cake pan I bought. I've never done a shaped cake, so didn't want to be going in blind. Did a little research on the pan & some recipes ideas. She's a chocolate lover, so her cake will be chocolate for sure, still not certain on the way I will frost/decorate it. I'm thinking fondant for the bottom & frosting on the top, but we'll see.

This sample cake, which I'll take to church Sunday to share, is a chocolate with strawberry filling and cream cheese frosting. I came up with the idea from a brownie recipe I have that is chocolate crust with cheesecake filling and strawberry on top. My icing was a bit soft and I didn't have any more powdered sugar...oh well next time!

Something else that's an 'everyday' at our house, is text messaging and reading something from my Bible. Yesterday I read in Matthew chapter 7. I came out with a few important thoughts for the weekend.

1-2 "Do not judge others, and you will not be judged. For you will be treated as you treat others. The standard you use in judging will be the standard by which you will be judged." This is something that we're working on especially hard this year.

7 "Keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you." With all the other news and goings on this week in our lives, this passage revives our hope.

12 The Golden Rule "Do to others whatever you would like them to do to you. This is the essence of all that is taught in the law and the prophets."

And at 2 years old, being able to have 'big girl' treats is the best. Our special rewards/allowances consists of moneys (she loves putting the spare change into her pig) this has worked well the past week for getting her to sleep in her own bed. One of her favorite things is getting her finger and toenails painted.

And it's just another day in our lives.

--Just My Kid--

I finally made an attempt to try out my new camera today (on something other than craft projects)...it wasn't for very long, but we went out on the back patio and my little one actually let me take 3 photos.

Then it was back to being uncooperative, bossy, and all other things a 2 year old can be!

I'm hoping that with my hubbys assistance this weekend we can get out and do a little mini-shoot for her birthday invites. You'll definately get to see this outfit again once our Little Grace arrives, her auntie got the little misses' matching outfits for Christmas.

A Little Bit Crafty

So one of my favorite hobbies is sewing, and I've had the itch to do some crafting lately (it could be my way of nesting, cause I dispise cleaning). Anyways, I decided to make my daughter and our little one on the way matching dresses for Valentines day. I'm being optimistic as my actual due date isn't until Feb 20th. I'm using New Look Pattern #6688, veiws C (2 yr old) & E (newborn) I'm going to have to alter the size for view E, it's a toddler pattern and the smallest is 1/2.

Here are a couple of snapshots of the first finished piece, the other should be done by the end of the week, if I find some more extra time. I also did a couple matching hairbows for the little princess almost 2 year old, going on 20 year old, that calls me Momma.

--Special Offer--

If you had a portrait session with me during 2008 your images are eligable for the 2008 Best of Sale. Check out the 2008 Best of Gallery between January 4th and January 19th.

Only the photos listed in this specific gallery are offered at a discounted price on selected sizes for 15 days only. Be sure to check out all the sub-galleries, you never know where something from your session could be. Prices include sales tax, shipping is an additional $3.00 per order.

Special pricing does not apply to collages or special order items. In order to qualify for the special promotional pricing you need to e-mail me with your order. I will submit all the Best of 2008 orders on January 20th, full payment must be received by January 19th.

BLOG ONLY SPECIAL OFFER: Anyone who mentions something about the post dated January 17th, 2008, when sending their order will be entered to win a $25.00 gift certificate to be used on a future session or order.