Family Photos/Pro B-day pics!

I mentioned a few weeks ago that we got family photos done before Sam and Tobes' birthday party (with Sam's family), and we finally got them back :)

The photographer, Jordan Verlage, did an amazing job as per usual ;) He took our maternity photos as well as Tobes 1 month shots.

And now, here's some of my favorites (along with my new banner at the top - did you notice it? It's all shiny and new)!



My babies. My heart soars with pride of them!



Tobes (right) and his bestest buddy Sam





This is going to be blown-up as big as I can and placed above our couch in the new home!



Best buds





Nursing moms (I love this shot)

One big happy family!

I can't post these without one of Toby's Brotha and Otha Motha (and Fatha...)

And here are pictures from Sam and Tobs' first birthday, by the same photographer!

Happy Birthday to The Tobes

My ridiculously handsome little man, Tobes.

1 year ago today, I was made a mommy for the second time!

We had just finished celebrating your big sister's birthday, and you made your appearance on your due date, with 42 minutes to spare!

1 year ago today, a little boy was placed in my arms. We didn't officially know if you were a boy or a girl before you were born, but as soon as you were born, we knew you were Tobes. The early days were just spent getting to know you. We had a baby before, but we had never had a Tobes. I wondered if you'd like being wrapped against me (you did!) or if you'd prefer the swing (you didn't). I was excited for you to meet your big sister, and wondered if you'd like being her little brother (you do!) And I was excited to start our new life together as our happy little family. You were the missing piece. You were the one we were waiting for to complete us.

And now you're our little man. You're constantly exploring, and even though it keeps me on my toes, and even though I wish you'd sit still for just. a. minute, I wouldn't really have it any other way. I wonder if you're going to grow up to be an engineer like your daddy, or maybe an acrobat? You certainly are a daredevil - your scariest hobby is scaling the ladder up to Princess's loft bed. You're very quiet when you do it, and we have to be VERY careful about keeping that door closed now!

You have blonde hair and in the right light, I can see little hints of red, but otherwise you look a bit like your daddy, and a bit like your Uncle James. I wonder if your hair will stay blonde, get more red, or change to something completely different? I wonder who you'll end up looking like as you grow out of babyhood.
I wonder what you'll be like as you get older? Will you like music? Will you like to read? Will you keep your no-fear attitude, or will you mellow down with age?

This past year has been amazing. I love learning more about you each and every day, and I cannot wait to see what this next year brings. I think you're amazing, and I am so excited to be your mommy!!

I love you. Happy Birthday!

Happy Birthday to the Princess

The Princess, in all her 4-year-old glory. Isn't she beautiful? :)

4 years ago today I became a mommy.

4 years ago today a little girl was placed in my arms, and I was shocked (we expected a boy), nervous (I don't handle change well), excited, thrilled (we had always wanted a girl), and elated for the rest of my life as a mommy to start.

4 years ago I was dreaming of who you'd grow up to be. I was hoping you'd like dance, and Disney. I was hoping you'd be smart, and funny. I was hoping you'd love books, and being read to. I was wondering if you'd keep my eye color and who you'd look like more as you grew up. I was excited to show you your home, your puppy, and your family. I was excited to take you to the park, and the zoo, and share all my favorite childhood places with you.

And now you're my Princess, and you come by the nickname honestly ;) You love dresses and your long hair. You LOVE dance (yay!), and Disney. You are a bubbly little girl who always has something to say, and you're ridiculously hilarious when you want to be. You love to make us laugh. You love to "read" (look at books), and you're constantly bringing books to me. You have my eye color, and daddy's hair color, and it changes back and fourth who you look like more (though I think right now you look a LOT like I did at your age). You're a beautiful girl with a smile that takes up your whole face.

Even when I get frustrated, you make me proud to be your mommy. You're smart, funny, happy, and kind.

I love you. Happy Birthday!

If You Go Out in the Woods Today...

Yesterday we celebrated Tobes birthday alongside his bestest best bud, Sam! The boys were born 2 days apart (Sam shares Princess's birthday) and a joint birthday venture meant that Tobe's first birthday was given all the focus and celebration it deserved (something I was nervous about when I first got pregnant with another June baby).

Sam's mom just so happens to be one of MY bestest best buds, The Common Sense Crusader :) And she and her lovely husband co-hosted the event.

It was perfect, almost right down to the weather!

We started out the morning with family portraits done by Jordan Verlage, the same man who did our maternity and Tobe's newborn photos. We got shots of Tobes, Sam, and Princess (her 4th birthday will be celebrated with friends in July. That is what I keep telling myself, and it's a promise I am going to hold to!) and then family shots, as well as one big happy family shot.

Some examples of his work - one of my favorite maternity photos

The Common Sense Crusader and I

Baby Tobes... I can't believe he was ever that small!

I will take this moment to mention that Ms. Common Sense and I keep getting asked if the boys are twins (they do look alike), and when they find out they aren't, they ask if we're sisters! Actually, we've been asked the sister questions a couple of times outside the boys altogether. Isn't it said that people who spend a lot of time together start looking alike? Well I'll put on the matching nylon windbreaker if you do, m'dear!

Not sure who would be who in this picture, but don't they look snazzy?

After photos, we headed to the park. The forcast for the day was sunny and bright up until the day before, when Mr Weatherman predicted thunderstorms and showers all afternoon :(

But while that might have been the forcast, no one told God ;) Because we had "soft light" for the photos (which meant no scary squinty eyes for us!) and then BEAUTIFUL weather up until the literal end of the party (it started to pour rain as we loaded up, then the sun came out again! *lol*)

It was an amazing day! We had a lot of fun, with a lot of great people, and I am so happy we could share Tobe's first birthday with those we love!

Professional pictures to come soon, I promise :) Jordan (who also took PARTY pictures) said they'd be ready in 1-2 weeks, so the countdown begins ;) In the meantime, here's some we took!

Sam

Princess and her friends

Birthday Boys!