Special Delivery!

Hey friends!

Today I wanted to show you some of the images I captured on my very first newborn lifestyle session! I was so excited when a high school friend of mine let me into her home so I can practice my lifestyle photography skills on her family. (Or lack thereof) :-)

This is all so new to me so please don't judge to harshly. I still want to practice more before I start offering these sessions out to people. So if you know anyone with some interest, send them my way! rc2photo@yahoo.com

And now introducing: The Watson Family

Here are some of my favorites.

Thank you so much for looking! And special thanks to Heather, Loren, Evan and Miss Norah for allowing me to shoot their beautiful family.


xxx

Ryan

I'm ok with it....

So, this weekend went by way too fast and while I had so much fun I finally realized something. I'm not 21 years old anymore and you know what.....I'm ok with it.

Friday night I went and had a nice meal with my mom, sister, Molly and chunky Charlie. We had a really nice time and it's not something we do often anymore because we are all super busy but I'm glad we got to spend some time together, just us. We went to Aspen Creek, that place is so yummy. We all had the spicy chicken salad and we at some shrimp that was supposed to be like Bang Bang Shrimp and some chips and queso for apps. (Molly's choice). The imitation bang bang was really tasty and spicy just like I like it. I will for sure try that again sometime. My salad was ok and I ended up tossing my leftovers when I got home because the smell was making me ill. Eww.

Saturday was AWESOME! I got up and was able to go for a run before the little bug even woke up for the day. I always get really excited when I wake up before the babe. These days it's becoming more common. I'm such an early bird. After I did a quick 3 miles I went to the grocery and then the hubs had to run out to Cabela's so me and the little one decided to go to the park. We went to Greenwood Boat Docks park for the first time and it was SO nice! They have this whole little water park and there are different areas for kids to play in. When we went there were people using a few pavilions for birthday parties and there were canopy's set up in different places. I honestly love it! And it's five minutes from home. You can't beat that and I  can't wait to take Charlie to play in the water area. She's going to have a blast but I'll  have to wait until it's not super crowded when we go. After we went to the park I called Ryan and he was almost home so we decided to go try out the new ice cream place on Dixie called Chillers. It was nice but expensive. I think we'll probably just support Valley Freeze from now on. We love that place and we would rather keep our money local when we can. After ice cream we went home and hung with the little bug until I had to leave to go get my massage. I've had a groupon since last November and it expired at the end of the month so I knew I had to get in there soon and just get it done. It was nice. I'm so chatty though and feel awkward during massages if I'm not talking so I talked to my therapist while she was giving me my massage. We talked a lot about books and kids and stuff like that. It was nice and the time just flew by.

After my massage I went to Farnsley Morman Landing for a mommy and me photoshoot with my friend Holly and her adorable daughter Max. We didn't have the ideal time for a photoshoot that's for sure. 4pm and in direct sunlight but we made it work and I have some GREAT images from that shoot. I know Holly will be pleased. :-)

When I left there I went and got a pedicure and then went home to relax before the little one had to go to bed.

......I feel like I need an entire new blog post for Sunday.....

Sunday arrives.

Morning routine with the kiddo commences and then I took her to my mamaws house to stay the night. After giving mamaw a list 1 1/2 pages long of dos and donts' of Charlie's routine she kicked me out and said they would be fine. Ha :-) I didn't doubt it.

I arrived at Cabo San Lois first, as I usually do. I swear, I can TRY to be late for something and I still show up early. I don't know how that's even possible. A kid hasn't even hindered my routine. Oh well, I guess I'll always be early for everything. A few of us hung around and talked for a while before the party really started going and that was really nice. Once more people started arriving and more alcohol started being consumed things got really interesting. Brian and Kristin really made sure this day was going to be fun for everyone. There were pool games, beer games, flip cup, beer pong, and cornhole. Everyone was pretty content doing their own thing and mingling.

I had a lot of fun on Sunday but I realized that my Saturday with my little family was more fun. I honestly love hanging out with my friends and being with them in general but I just can't drink and party like I did when I was younger anymore. And I'm totally ok with it.

I spent the better part of my 20s drinking, partying, playing Navy and acting like a goofball with my friends and now I just don't want to do that anymore. I'm not sitting here saying that I'm never going to drink another drop in my life or I'm not going to hang out with my friends anymore because that's not the case. (Unless they don't want me around) I'm just saying that I don't need to bong beers and get wasted to have a good time. :-)

On Monday morning when I woke up I couldn't wait to go get and see my little bug! I went and got me and the hubs some breakfast first, picked up my dishes from the party and then went to mamaws house to see what her and the kiddo were up to. When I pulled up mamaw was walking with Charlie in her stroller and Charlie had her superstar sunglasses on. She looked too cute! I hung out and talked with mamaw for a while then me and the bug went to the mall so I could get this scarf I've had my eyes on for months at Yours, Mine and Ours. They had ONE left! I couldn't believe it. AND it was half off because they are closing for the summer. I also got another scarf and t-shirt because the deals were just too good to pass up.

Monday evening we went to my mother in laws side of the family for a bbq. It was SO nice to just hang out and relax with family for the day. Charlie was being a little goofball as usual and all she could say was gah gah (dog) because there were two dogs there. She loves dogs and animals. I'm just over cautious when it comes to dogs and her because I was attacked by a dog when I was younger and my mom was too by our own dog when I was in high school. You can never be too careful because you just don't know what's going to happen.So anyway, Monday was super nice and relaxing and I'm glad we got to spend some time with family.

Wow. That was a SUPER long blog post. Weekends are crazy. I'm 3 days behind on my 365 project so hopefully that gets caught up soon.

I hope everyone had a great weekend. As you can tell, I did!

xxx

Ryan

Weekly 365 Update

Not much to add today. Just updating the good ol' 365.

135/365

Jumped in bed with her to get this one :-)

136/365

Annoyed with my camera antics.

137/365

First attempt at "Freelensing"

138/365

Being a silly girl

139/365

She loves her blankie.

140/365

A little tired.

xxx

Ryan

A dose of cuteness for your Thursday.

GOOD MORNING!

I've had coffee today so excuse my excitement. As promised I'm here to deliver your dose of my 365 project. These pictures are all of my little bug. When I can't find anything to take pictures of I've always got the cutest girl in all the land to snap a photo or two of.

Here we go:

124/365

Had fun splashing around in grandmas sink on daddy's birthday dinner day. I've always wanted a sink that sits in front of a window. Look at that LIGHT!? Photogs dream right there. For our next house, this will be a requirement. Ahh.....7 more years.....

125/365

Not quite ready for bed yet.

126/365

Getting a quick bath after dinner at grandmas house. Again with that light. Drool.

127/365

Our friends left their baby pool at our house after the Derby party so we threw some water in it and Charlie had a ball. She was wearing a bathing suit but decided to go to the bathroom so we got changed and just decided to go nakey. She loved it. 

Here she is contemplating life and other things after a hard day at daycare....

Seriously. This kid is too much. I just can't handle the cuteness.

Hope everyone has an amazing day! I've got a special photoshoot planned tonight that I have to keep under wraps until the 17th! UGH! Surprises are so fun though :-)

xxx

Ryan

IT'S DERBY WEEK!

Squeeeeeeeeeeeeee!

I'm so excited! This is my absolute most favorite time of the year! I had plans to take Charlie to the Balloon Glow on Friday with Courtney and the kiddos but of course she is still recovering from that stinkin ear infection so we didn't go. My mother in law came over and brought me dinner and watched Charlie for a little while so I could go run some errands. That woman is a SAINT! Seriously, they help us out so much and I'm super grateful. All of our parents have been so much help. They aren't kidding when they say it takes a village. I'm glad I've got a large one!

So anyway this weekend wasn't exactly as fun as I wanted it to be. We had our friendly weight loss competition yesterday and I didn't win. Boo. BUT I've lost 14.8% of my body weight in 4 months so who gives a CRAP!? The money would have been nice but I prefer this lifestyle change and I have plans to keep losing until I get to my goal. 15 more pounds to go! Trucking on. Big congrats to my friends Ashley Shutts and Brian Vogel. They killed the competition. As did Brian's wife Kristin and my best buddy Geoff. Plan get skinny for summer is in effect!

Aside from weigh in yesterday me and Charlie didn't do much. Ryan came home early from the farm and I needed that break because Charlie was driving me bonkers. So when he got home I ran some errands and picked up some things for the Derby party and then last night my friend Geoff came over for some friend time and I had a few drinks for the first time in a month. I sure do love Blue Moon. Yum.

Today was uneventful. Charlie slept most of the day and I got to get the house somewhat put together. There's still work to do but everything will be in order for the party this weekend.

Here's what I've been up to:

112/365

The boys had a good day.

113/365

Double Ear Infection :-(

114/365

"So I can't go outside if I'm sick?"

115/365

Hollywood 

116/365

Diaper Daze 

117/365

Awake.

Thanks for looking! Hopefully I have time to write again this week!

HAPPY DERBY WEEK KENTUCKY!!!!

xxx

Ryan

Oh no, not again!

I had fun plans for me and Charlie when I got off work today. We were going to go to the park and play, well she was going to swing and I was going to push her. It was going to be so much fun.....until daycare called......

I got a call right at about noon saying that the bug was running a fever of 102. CRAP! I was hoping it wasn't anything serious but I called the pedi and they were able to see us at 230. I left work at 1 to relieve Ryan of his duties so he could go to work and when I got home Charlie settled in for a little nap before we had to go.

I woke her up at 2 to get her ready to go, gave her some motrin because her fever was now 103 and then got her strapped in the car to go. We got to the doctor at about 215 and got back into a room pretty quickly. The nurse poked, prodded and weighed the little one and that set her off and she cried for pretty much the remainder of our visit. When Dr. Rash came in and started her examination she said the words I was hoping I wouldn't hear.....double ear infection.....AGAIN?!?! We just went through this last month! She wrote us a script for something a little stronger than the amoxicillin but I'm pretty sure we haven't seen our last ear infection. We were doing so good for the first 10 months and now it seems like she keeps getting things. Hopefully this isn't followed by another stomach bug. That was AWFUL! So anyway, hopefully she doesn't have to get tubes in the future but I'm starting to think that's very possible.

So anyway, that's what's been going on with me today.

Hopefully tomorrow my girl is feeling better tomorrow.

Day 113/365

xxx

Ryan

It's a brand new week!

Well it's another week back to work before DERBY WEEK! This week is long then I have two 4 day work weeks so that's going to be nice! I have tons to do on those two off days though so it's not really too much of a break.

Yesterday was Easter and we had a great day spending time with 2 parts of our family circle. This year we went to the Cecil side and the Ranalli side. It's so hard running around with a baby, I don't know how we did 3/4 stops per holiday before Charlie came. That's no fun. I still felt pretty rushed yesterday but I'm glad we got to spend time with our family.

Charlie's first Easter was magical, as is every first holiday with her. She's so funny and loves everything at this age. I can't get enough. The Easter bunny brought her some really cool stuff and then she got some treats from some of our family members too. She did get some chocolate covered peeps but mommy made sure those were gone when we got home from all of our running! I probably shouldn't have ate those or the THREE Reese eggs I ate yesterday but oh well, YOLO. Yuck. I felt gross after. Plus our final weigh in for the diet competition is this Saturday. I'm pretty sure I'm not going to win but I'm super proud of myself for losing 21 lbs in 4 months. I feel good and things just keep getting better. I also received several compliments yesterday regarding my weight and my hair loss. Ha. Those always make me feel good! That's how I know that what I'm doing is working. When you don't see someone for several months and they can tell you've lost weight, that's a great feeling.

So, anyway this weekend was  a lot of fun. Charlie stayed at my dad and Jeannine's on Friday so Courtney and I went to Oiishi and ate way too much sushi. It was delicious. I love that place. Saturday after I picked up the bug we went to the park and she got to swing for the first time. She LOVED it. I was actually going to take her today when I got off work but I forgot Ashlee was coming to get Jamie's thumb drive so maybe we will go Wednesday if the weather is still nice.

SO! Here is my updated 365. I actually cheated on day 111 because I took that picture on Easter which was day 110 but I liked it and wanted it to be a part of the project. So oh well. It's my project, I'll do what I want! ;-)

Day 107

Every Tuesday and Thursday I go to my in-laws for dinner since Ryan works nights. (I know you've heard this before) Well, this is pretty much what Charlie looks like when we get home on those nights. :-)

 Day 108

Had to "BEE" careful not to get to close to this little guy. ;-)

 Day 109. 

This nest is right outside our front door. Since I've taken this photo the bird has laid 2 more eggs. So now we have 5! I cannot wait for these little guys to hatch. We're going to have to re-route traffic to our backdoor.

 Day 110.

Charlie made some friends.

Day 111.

 Cheating. Easter Sunday. Love my family. 

 

Well guys, there is my update. I'm going to download the mobile blog app for my phone so I can try to keep up more. I feel like I should be posting more than once a week but really my life isn't that interesting!

Hope everyone has a GREAT week.

Happy Derby Festivities to all my fellow Kentuckians!

xxx

Ryan

It's my party & I'll NAP if I want to!

This past Sunday we had a birthday party for our special little girl who is turning 1 on the 14th. I seriously cannot believe a year has gone by. She has filled our lives with so much joy and laughter and I couldn't imagine life without her.

We ended had a small party after much debate and I'm SO glad we went that route. I originally planned on inviting our WHOLE family which was close to 50 people and a few close friends too. That would have put us at about 65-70 people. For a ONE year old's birthday party. That's just a little too crazy for us AND for her. Instead we invited Charlie's aunts & uncles, her grandparents and our grandparents and we had such a great time. I'm not really into big birthday productions for kids. I never had that when I was growing up and I turned out just fine. I don't judge people that spend hundreds and hundreds of dollars on their kids birthday parties but that will never happen with us or our kids. It's just not my thing. Plus, there is no way she needs hundreds of presents. She's one and we just don't have the room for tons of toys!

So back to little bugs party. It was at 2 on Sunday and the weather was beautiful. I spent the night before getting most things ready. Including this cute little chalkboard. I found the idea from Pinterest and added Charlie's details.

That morning I got up early and made sandwiches and got the kitchen together for the party.

The Menu included:

• Different kinds of sandwiches
• Chips
• Pasta Salad
• Veggies
• Fruit
• Cake
• Ice Cream

 I then went to pickup her cake which I ordered from the same lady that did our wedding cake. Her name is June and she's with JuLi's Creations and she's awesome and very reasonably priced. Check her out if you need some cakes or catering in the future! So, after I picked up the cake I took a trip to party city and picked up the balloons I had ordered the day before. They were SO cute and I was worried they weren't going to fit in the SUV but luckily they did :-)

Once I had the goods it was time to go home and wait for everyone to arrive. Charlie ended up taking a nap in the morning which kind of messed up her schedule a little bit for the party. She slept from about 9-1030 and wouldn't take another nap.........until her party. Ha!

Here are some of my favorite pictures from the day. Most of them are her playing with her cake and not eating it. My kid loves vegetables. Put a cake in front of her and she doesn't know what to do with it!

The cake and Charlie's mini cake.

Playing with a cup.

Getting ready!

This candle was used by my husband, his brother and his sister on all of their first birthdays. :-)

"I don't like this"

Just eating my puffs.

Get me outta here!

Just eating the yogurt puffs out of the cake and not touching the cake.

 

 

Mid party nap!!

 

So tired.

Can we go outside?

Oooooooo!

She didn't like it. Nope.

Enjoying the day outside!

Giving grandma some love. 

Our girl had such a great party and we are so glad that most of the family could make it!

365 update is coming up!


xxx

Ryan