The Photoshoot

Recently, I began stalking a local photographer. The lighting, editing and composition of her photos are beautiful. It doesn't hurt that her little boy resembles our sweet B. When I saw Sunny Jones was offering Mommy and Me mini-sessions the weekend of Mother's Day, I jumped at the chance! 

After I booked I was immediately nervous about the time frame - only 30 minutes - and our attire. Here come the rolling questions:

Will B be in a good mood? Was a noon start time the most preferable time? Will he get a good nap that morning? Would he need a bottle before or after? What if he gets sick in the next two weeks? What if he falls and scratches his face? What would he wear? What should I wear? Will 30 minutes really be enough time? What if he freaks out and refuses to smile?

The morning of was typical for me...wait until the last minute and rush out of the door, only to go back in to the house to grab the four things I forgot while Dad and B wait impatiently in the car. Luckily, B took a bottle and napped in the car. We arrived just in time for our noon session. 

Then the magic happened...

I put him on the pallet in Sunny's studio and he started smiling and posing like he was made for this. 

I'm sorry...is this the same kid that produced these little gems from a previous monthly shoot at home.

Let us not forget these other quality photos that will make it in his wedding slideshow. But the cuteness doesn't stop here...

Those eyes...that pose...he was adorable on set but these photos are amazing! 

The book adds the perfect touch of reality; DUH, this is how we read books at home. Oh and let me know if you have a contact at Luvs Diapers. They are welcome to pay me royalties on the following pictures...

It's safe to say, the next time you visit our house, it will be disgustingly overwrought with pictures of our beautiful baby boy. 

A huge THANK YOU to Sunny for capturing these images. I can't help but smile, giggle a little, and shed a tear when I look at them. 

The Monthly Photo Shoot

I am not good at the cutesy things in life. I am not crafty, baking is not fun for me, scrapbook-ing is my nightmare, and writing thank you notes* seems like a chore. That being said, taking monthly pictures of B is important because hopefully someone else will do something cute with them. ::Hint, hint:: Let's face it, it won't be me. 

So each month - somewhere around the 18th, we aren't exact - I begrudgingly get out a white onesie, place the appropriate sticker on his chest, and strategically put him in the same positions as the previous photo shoots. 

Last night, five days late (seriously, how much can he change in 5 days?), we had the most difficult shoot to date. He won't sit still, plus I don't know how to work our fantastic camera. Here are some gems to share. I will use the action setting next time.

"I just want to stand!"

Bright idea: He thinks Toby is hilarious...let's try that. FAIL.

"Oh, look over here at these fun things" -B

"Adam, you are too close." -Ma

Nappy Giraffe was not interesting enough...off to the humidifier cord.

Directing the imaginary band.

Goin' down!

So cute...except for the seemingly broken wrist. 

"No, the camera is the other way." - Ma

"Ugh, you people and your pictures." -B

"Lindsey, get out of the way." - Dad

One of the best!

My other favorite.

Chillin' at eight months

*NOTE: I cherish every gift I have gotten and understand the importance of a thank you note. 

The People's Eyebrow

You know those ADORABLE pictures that I post on Facebook of sweet B? Like this one: 

B enjoying his ExerSaucer.

For every precious, sweet face I capture, there are four to five not so great photos. Actually, I have more than 1,500 pictures on my phone and 75% of them are the good, the bad, and the ugly of our little man. This kid requires some serious shenanigans for a smile on camera. Normally he giggles at next to nothing, but when the phone or the real camera comes out...stone cold. 

Exhibit A: Ma, Get this thing out of my face.

So I snap away and keep trying to get the perfect shot. Then it's on...Instagram, Hefe filter, insert witty post, #theseallife...BOOM. Share with Facebook and let the "likes" flow. 

But what happens to other pictures, you ask? I look at them throughout the day when I am missing B and need a pick-me-up at work. Sometimes I text them to Dad so we can share a moment thinking about the little life we created. I remember fondly the words that came out of Dad's mouth right after B was born, "I can't believe that just came out of you." 

Please, share in our good times with the following outtakes. 

Pissed baby. 

Drunk baby.

WTF baby.

The People's Eyebrow. 

The actual People's Eyebrow.