Cstyle

so this momma right here didn't take a single picture of her son on her fancy pants last month. not a single one. curse you iphone and your darn convenience self. But that's all besides the point today. Well not really, totally the point of the photos but not the point of this post. keep up.

This little guy is going to be a year old in a few weeks. in. a. few. weeks. It's had me really trying to stop and remember the days of a newborn and infant. Some how, they are so hard to recall. Like it was just a few months ago and this momma can't even picture his small face sometimes. What the crap? Is it just me or is like a momma thing, cause it ain't cool. So these sessions of trying to remember what life was like with a 1 month old leave me going back to old archive posts of my blog. Which then lead me to thinking PRAISE THE LORD I BLOGGED!

Yesterday, a sweet friend kept C so I could get several errands done for his party. Read: I'm eternally grateful, and I got in and out of Walmart in record time. I spent over an hour walking around Target. Read: H e a v e n. We are celebrating his party next week (a full 5 days before his actual bday) so family can attend. So if you need me this week, I'll be stringing cheerios (it goes with his theme) and crying to myself while I browse old blog posts. Keep this momma in your prayers why don'tcha. Prepping for a new baby all while watching your little guy turn one apparently does a number on the emotions. Who knew? Now if you'll excuse this random blog post, I have to go tell my son why trying to put his finger in my computer outlet will only cause regret. kids these days.

green beans anyone?

Let me just begin by saying that I hate almost everything about summer... shocking, I know? Sorry but I'm a scarfs and boots and sweaters gal. Always will be. You can't tell me that 90% humidity and 9 billion mosquitoes beats out caramel apple cider and christmas music. I'm sorry. You just can't win that argument.

With all that said, summer here in the 901 hasn't been as dreadfully awful as usual. We've barely hit over 95 most days which is big for us. And when I say it's 95 degrees out it really feels like 120 because of the sticky humidity. So to make the most of the breathable summer nights we are having, husband and I ventured out last week to a park downtown for a picnic and some good ole people watching for C. I snapped these photos with my iphone in between C chewing on my otter box case. For that kid all you need for a rockin summer night is green beans, a camera case, a fancy pants camera strap, and strangers walking by.

Josh and I were talking just the other morning about how each phase C enters is our favorite. Time with him just keeps getting better and better. I can't wait to see him as a big brother because a fun announcement.... our formal application for our adoption was accepted!!!!!!!!! We start our Home Study in just a few weeks:)

The Way I See You

Haven't done a TWISY post in a while but hey such is life. Also, I don't even know if that sentence makes sense but you get my drift.

^^a few weeks back inbetween watermelon devouring and kisses from lolli, I snapped these pics. Sun was setting.  Air was cool. Family was all around. It was honestly one of those moments where I'm just so thankful for where I am, where I live, and who the Lord has blessed me with. C was in a particularly good mood and my camera was in hand. So of course, with the sun as dreamy as it was, I had to snap a few of C laughing in Lolli's arms. And gosh darn it these aren't just about my favorite pictures of C to date.

In other news, C would like to say something very important.

"jk cf  xnhnm  mjnj   fnm b  g nhb  h gy  yfytrsetd df5rf ;bbfytjk mm  h nnbb g  bvbbgcv"- C

I would tell you what he was saying, but in honestly he just likes the sound of the keyboard keys popping up and down to the rhythm of his palm. And when you blog with a baby in your lap, this is the kind of post you get sometimes.

a few things I'm proud of && some photography tips. Yes, it's random.

1. my boy. He's just about the best there ever was. Besides the husband, ya know. Today, he turns 9 months. I'm waiting to do his 9 month post until we go to the doctor next week. If I tried to even write out how happy these past nine months with him have been, you probably would stop reading my blog considering it would take about 10 posts to get it all out. I'm pretty proud of all this little boy has accomplished and grown.

2. my tan. seriously. I know it seems silly but can you see it? This girl be dark. I owe it all to my CVS tanning lotion. Let's get real here... ain't nobody got time (or money) for a 50dolla bottle of tanning lotion at tan salons. Seriously... that's a week worth of groceries around my parts no joke. So CVS saved the day with an 8 buck bottle. Some ghetto brand called T2Max. That stuff don't play.

3. my sisters. Today, we ran. I've mentioned before that we are training for a half marathon. Well today we had to run for 8 minutes straight... TWICE. You may be laughing to yourself right about now thinking "8 minutes straight doesn't seem that long you wimps". To which I would reply, "go outside a run for 8 minutes straight twice and when you call me to scoop you off the pavement I'll gently remind you that it is in fact TORTURE". So, today... we all ran it. WITHOUT stopping. all three of us. I'm so proud of how motivated they are and how encouraging they are to me. I couldn't ask for better sisters. They are my best friends.

ohh, and as random as this little bit of info is about to be, I'll share anyways...I'm blogging over here today sharing beginner photography tips. Some of which I don't even follow all the time. So that's that. I know I'm not super pro, but I'm sharing what's made the biggest impact for me. Go check it out!

I know, I know, but I just had to...

Consider this my weekly "The Way I See You" post... which will hopefully resume soon!

I 100% realize that posts consumed with C's adorable little face are probably only intriguing to me, the husband, and the grandparents, but I just can't help it. ESPECIALLY  now that he has cut not one but FOUR top front teeth, I had to document that partial gummy smile one last time. If you aren't a momma your probably thinking "chill out women, it's just teeth. seriously"and then if you are a momma you're probably all like "oh em gee, I remember when my kids had gummy smiles, document the crap out of that because it fades so quickly" I hear you mommas, I hear you.

Happy Friday Darlings. Cheers to the weeeeekend!

a tale from C

sup big human babies. the name is C, or stinker butt, or sweet cheeks, or stinker, I'm not really sure which one because my mother calls me those all the time. Is she okay? She makes constant weird faces at me, does strange things with her fingers in front of my face, tries to kill me with tickles, and kisses my cheeks till they are chapped. Annnnddd she doesn't understand the need to put everything in my mouth. Until you've tried it, don't knock it people.

a few days ago that silly woman gave me homemade purred bananas. Let's talk about something. Whole bananas are the bees to my little chubby knees. For real. They good. But, she had to go and get all pureed on them.

at first I thought... bananas? I'm down with that.

then I put that junk in my mouth.

go right now and make you some pureed bananas. Go. you'll understand. that lady, I think she needs a spanking for the things she puts me through. Like diaper changes- my personal hell.

sometimes though, she redeems herself. obviously I was not about to consume that nasty banana concoction so the braud let me play in them. in my clothes. with my hands. 

#shewins. I'll keep her, I think. I mean... her tickles are pretty fun, her silly faces pretty hilarious, and she lets me play with wipes during diaper changes.... so, that counts for something.

Lesson to be learned, never puree bananas.

-C, stinker butt, sweet cheeks out.

Oh, and don't forget about the giveaway going on down on the post below! SWEET vintage earrings:)

He's going, going, gone {C video}

Ladies and Gentlemen. My son is now a crawler. My sweet little cuddling baby has morphed into a curious, wobbly, chapped knee little boy. Big parts of me are sad the newborn baby stage is gone, but even bigger parts of me LOVE this new exploration stage. So, here's to no more sitting him down and coming back to him in the same place. Commence finding ways to block him into the living room. I'm seeing massive pillow walls, chair forts, and toy blockades coming soon. Helpful tips?

I took these videos on Tuesday, May 28th on my iphone. He did his first little wobble on Monday, but I'm not sure it counted as a full out crawl. It's the cutest little wobbly thing I've ever done see. As always, excuse my over excited baby voice.


and because this video has to do with mobile babies...i guess: can't decided if it's just adorable or just the creepiest thing ever. The little black boy in the denim shirt makes my heart melt somehow. Whatdayathink?


oh, and I failed to mention that he started pulling up on things yesterday! Seems so early to me, right? I mean, I looked over yesterday, and he was pulling up on our coffee table in a crouching/squatting position... slow down kid!!!

*linking up to Just Because

A boy & his pup: photog tips: and a video:)

A couple weeks back, I shot some pics of C and finn playing around the house. I LOVE them:) C is really into trying to put everything... even Finn... into his mouth. These three images just crack me up!

Sometimes, a play blanket, a pup, and a stinkin adorable baby tush are just the recipe for some heart melting photos. I realized that I didn't have a single photo of that naked tush since he's been able to sit up, shocker, I know. I was making lunch and about to put C into the bath. Through the door crack, I could see C and Finn playing quietly. I had no idea that Finn was guarding over C and his kingdom of misfit toys. I ran for my camera, and tried my best not to disturb them. Well... that is without the occasional "FINN, STOP LICKING HIS MOUTH!"

Photog tip:
I shot this in manual and very underexposed. I was in a hurry and not paying attention to what my settings were. That's why it's crucial to invest in a great editing software other than photoshop. I love me some Lightroom. I was able to correct the exposure to my liking.

Photog tip: Get creative with your perspective. Like I said, I shot this through the door crack. I love how the white door edges caused that dreamy effect to the side of the photos.

Photog tip: Let your subject be. With my own kids, and even when shooting sessions, I try my hardest to just let them be. Catch them in their moments. The last image is my favorite. It so represents this stage C is in. He loves finn and he loves putting finn in his mouth.

And because this is just TOO cute... here is a video of C we took on our iphones the other day. This is C's favorite thing ever to do right now! chasing finn... and he's almost crawling. I thought I might be able to catch his first attempt on video... not so much. Listen carefully for his squeaks and giggles. They are contagious!


Have any questions? About today's post, my blog, or life? comment or email me! I'll answer on my FAQ page!

It's a bird... it's a plane... it's...

...Super C! His kryptonite you ask? Momma's kisses.

Today's agenda:
run a million errands
decorate guest bathroom... 1.5 years after moving in. Indecisive much? yes. yes I am.
edit photos
laundry
dinner.

I need super powers.

teaching him joy. and our weekend.

As we speak or as I type if you want to get all literal, C is fighting his nap. Little boy is teething like there's no tomorrow. Not kidding folks. Snot, buggers, drool, slight fever, messy diapers... you know, the works. Two sweet teeth have made their appearance in the last two weeks. I've heard nightmares about kids teething. How it's stressful and the worst experience ever. I'm determine for that to not be our case.

Don't get me wrong, I know it will down right suck for him and painful for that matter, but I plan to try to still do fun things with him. So far, watching Finn play outside, Puffs, bath time, frozen bananas, and walks seem to distract him from the pain. So that's what we are doing. And a lot of it. Oh and baby Tylenol, because let's get real... none of those other remedies (tablets, gel, etc) are cutting it. When the times get real hard for him... Tylenol it is. #don'ttellmetheharminiti'vedonemyresearchthankyou

We went to the park last week. It was a hard day for C teething wise, and I knew the poor kid just needed some good ole fun. He wasn't fussy a single moment we were there. This whole teething process has been a doozy (read: days spent with both of us in pjs and dinner from subway bc we are both just down right exhausted. cook dinner? ain't no body got time for that), but I'm determined that it won't still our joy. I'm determined not to get frustrated or stressed with the situation. It's a phase, a quickly fading phase. Before I know it, the kid will have a mouth full of teeth. I'm going to enjoy each little tooth that pops up and try to cope with the cries, screams, snot that come along with it. Bc I think that's what being his mom is going to be all about. Teaching him that even in the hard times, we can have joy. Yes, happiness in earthly things, too, but more importantly in the true joy that Jesus brings.

So, here's to a day of fighting teething with an absurd amount of things that make him happy. Today that includes riding shotgun in the shopping cart and spending the evening outside with friends. It's going to be perfection.

oh, and this weekend husband and I went on a date night. Hasn't happened sans C in way tooo long:) It was splendid. seriously wonderful:)

fun fact: I had to google 6 words to make sure I was spelling them right. I was not...