1st Year Professional Photos

We had two photographers take Natalie's 1 year photos. We had already paid for a photo session with Lisa at Real Life Images as part of our 3 session package for her newborn, 6 month and now 1 year photos -- newborn and 6 mo photos have been posted previously (click on the "Professional Photos" link on the right side). I like Lisa's photos but in all honesty, they are just way to expensive and we don't get a CD of the images. We couldn't justify buying her photos anymore (although I like her photos, I should have looked around more to get a better deal before going with her for the newborn photos but Natalie was 6 weeks old and I was tired!). Part of our package was to get three 5x5 for free (although I suppose they were paid for as part of our sitting session) -- one from each session. So I wanted to go through with this session so we could get those three photos. Natalie's Oma also made her a tutu which I thought would be cute for the photos since her Oma is a ballerina. The photos turned out really well although as you'll see below, I much prefer the ones we got from the next photographer.

Here are thumbnail photos from Natalie's session with Real Life Images. We decided to go with image 2720 for her 5x5 of the 1 year (for newborn, I chose one of her laying down; for 6 mo, one of her sitting, so for 1 year, I thought it would be cute seeing her squatting/trying to stand). We also decided to get a 8x10 of image 2735. Unfortunately, clicking to make them bigger is not working. I separated the thumbnail photos she sent into two sheets to make it a little better. Here's a link also that should help: http://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&ik=32d95943b7&view=att&th=1220e59a38ed67ad&attid=0.1&disp=inline&zw

We decided to try Laura Brett's photos as she's done a fabulous job on photos for a number of friends. I absolutely love how they turned out!!!! And we're able to buy a CD of the images plus a number of other prints including a storyboard of 4 cake photos for significantly less than we would have paid at Real Life Images for only the proofs (printed versions) and a number of prints. We definitely plan to continue using Laura Brett and I'm already planning to set up our Darling Child #2's newborn photos. Although she's in High Point, Laura drove out to our house to take Natalie's photos. It worked out perfectly. And the cake pictures are wonderful! We actually had Laura take Natalie's photos before Real Life Images. During Laura's session, I discovered that Natalie likes to play with and eat the cake frosting but does not like to touch the actual cake. At the Real Life session, before I got a chance to tell Lisa this, she had already put Natalie's fingers in the cake to encourage her to get into it -- that was the end of Natalie getting into the cake photos (as can be seen in the photos above). She just wanted the cake off her fingers!

Here's a Sneak Peak of the photos Laura took. Unfortunately, all the photos will not be available on-line for a long period of time so I'm only providing the link to her blog. We are extremely happy with them.

http://laurabrettphotography.com/blog/2009/06/child-photography/first-raleigh-child-and-family-photographer-laura-brett/

Enjoy!

Happy Father's Day

Today was a great day to be outside for Father's Day. Although hot (low 90s), it was too humid so we took advantage of that and went to Pullen Park in Raleigh for the first time. Emile and Natalie spent time feeding some fish crackers (which she tried to eat herself).

They also spent some time at the fairly large playground with some infant swings.

The park also has a old fashion carousel from 1911. I took Natalie on her first merry-go-round. She liked being on the pig for the first few go arounds but then preferred that I hold her while she looked around at everything. The park also had a little train and small boats for kids -- we may try those out next time.

Natalie loves to hold her shape stacker on her shoulder like a purse. She also tries to put our canvas grocery bags on her shoulder. I think I might get her a little play purse soon.

Natalie has gotten pretty good at holding a sippy cup without handles. We're still working on getting her to drink sufficient water and whole milk throughout the day. I've officially weaned her from breast milk as of Friday. She wasn't too happy with the change in routine the first two nights but is getting more used to having a sippy of milk before bed instead of nursing. We spend time reading books while she drinks her milk. I have mixed emotions about weaning. I wanted a break before baby #2 is born and the convenience of having Emile put her to bed if needed (or a babysitter if we go out) but I miss the close time with her. I hope we continue to have many more other bonding times together as she gets older.

Now that Natalie is very mobile, she wants to go from room to room exploring each room -- sometimes minutes after getting in one room. It keeps me active!

Natalie's new favorite place to hangout with her toys.

Practicing her skills

Natalie is walking like a champ now! I can't even keep up with sometimes. I wouldn't be surprised if she starts running soon - once she stops tipping over!

Natalie loves falling onto the floor and just hanging there looking around. She seems to find it fairly entertaining.

We got Natalie a shopping cart. She likes playing with it while Emile cooks.

Last weekend, Emile taught Natalie how to walk up and down the small step between our kitchen and the deck. She practices all the time now -- going in, then out, and in and out. :)

Milwaukee Zoo and 1 year appointment

The whole family went to the Milwaukee Zoo the day after Natalie's birthday. Both Natalie and Hayden enjoyed seeing all the animals; the rest of us enjoyed watching Natalie and Hayden take everything in! Natalie especially liked the goats at the petting zoo. Unfortunately, my camera battery died but we got a lot of great video and some photos from our video camera.

Here are a few photos of Natalie playing and hanging out at Nana and Grandpa's house the morning we left to fly home. She was having a good time showing everyone her birthday toys and playing with Hayden's toys.


Natalie had her 1 year appointment this past Thursday with Dr. Helms. He said she's doing great! She's up to 20 lb. 3 oz. (35%) and 28.5" (30%). Her head is in the 97th percentile! She got the MMR and prevnar vaccines but we decided to delay the chicken pox vaccine until her 15 or 18 mo. appointment. We marked her height off on her chart but she wasn't in the mood for standing there:


As many of you know, I'm pregnant with our second child! We're very excited. Now that I'm out of the first trimester, we're telling everyone. I started a second blog to track my pregnancy which you can find a link to on the right side of this blog. Natalie is going to be a great big sister!

First Birthday Slide Show

I thought those who weren't able to make it to Natalie's birthday party may enjoy checking out the slide show I put together of her (birth to 1 year old) which we played at the party. Enjoy! (please note it is 28 minutes long and may take a few minutes to load).