The One with Jane's Newborn Photoshoot

Once again we hired the talented Megan Papworth to take photos of our sweet baby Jane. She came over to our apartment a few weeks ago where I had literally rearranged most of our furniture to get just the right lighting and set up - gotta do whatcha gotta do to get the perfect shot! - and we had fun dressing up Jane and playing with baby girl props. I am completely, totally, utterly, 100% in LOVE with these photos and will cherish them forever!

I can't wait to scrapbook these :)

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The One with Fox's Ties

Fox had two ties that he wore every Sunday up until a few months ago when he simply outgrew them. So then I started searching for new ties at all the usual places: babyGAP, The Children's Place, Gymboree, Janie & Jack, etc. Zip. Zilch. Nada. Why do they not make ties for toddler boys except 'round the holidays? They're oh so cute! So then I looked on etsy - $20 a pop. Hmmm. Not quite in my budget right now. So then I got crafty and googled "toddler boy tie pattern" and found one so I can make my own gosh dern ties! My mother-in-law flew in Friday morning and Friday night we hit up Jo-Ann and I picked out my own fabric for Foxy ties. We've been spending spare minutes here and there whipping them up and here they are!

He wore that last one to church yesterday and looked so handsome :) Now I just need to learn how to actually tie them on his neck!

And I may or may not start listing some in my etsy shop. We'll see. 2013 calendars coming soon though, that's for sure!

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The One with Jane's Baby Blessing

Today was Jane's baby blessing. She got to sleep in a bit - she had to be well-rested for her big day! I love her little grin in this pic; she knew it was her special day.

Right before church (I didn't want to risk her having a blowout or spit up episode so literally right before church) I got her all gussied up in her beautiful, one-of-a-kind dress made by my mother-in-law. I quickly sewed her a headband and then snapped on a pacifier clip. She looked like an angel :)

Everyone else walked to church but we drove A) because it's so gosh dern hot and B) driving is the best option for getting two kiddos to church quickly. 

Jane was blessed after the invocation. I was holding Fox and pointed out Daddy up at the front so of course Fox tried to wiggle out of my arms to go be with Chris and when I wouldn't let him go he had a tantrum and started screaming in the middle (or rather, the beginning, middle, and end) of the short'n'sweet prayer. Luckily my mom and aunt came to the rescue and hurried him out. Unluckily I only got to hear "in the name of Jesus Christ, amen." Luckily my MIL took notes of the blessing and Chris remembers it so I'll be able to hear it one way or another. Silly Fox.

After Sacrament we went outside to take pics, once again, thank you Erica :) Hopefully we won't be needing your services again while living here!

I'm a big fan of comparing photos, so here is the one from Fox's baby blessing: 

Nick, Jay, Margi, Chris, Paige, Tom #1, Fox, Carolyn, Tom #2, Allie, Natalie, Cat, John Jr., and Daniel.

Jane's baby blessing:

Cat, Natalie, Daniel, John Jr., Tom #1, Carolyn, Paige, Jane, Chris, Fox, Margi, Tom #2, Jay, and Haylie.
Replace Nick and Allie with Haylie and Jane and other than that everyone else is the same!

My sweet little Jane.

Me 'n my girly girl.

Families are forever.

Thank you soooo much to my parents, Chris's parents, Jay and Haylie, and the John Jr. family for making the long trek down here to be present for Jane's special day! Layout commemorating the day coming soon :)

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The One with Even More Instagrams

Sorry I'm not more original with my posts lately - still trying to balance everything out! So it's Instagrams or nothing at all :)

I got my American Crafts Design Team box last week! HOORAY!  I've been going to town making projects left and right which I'll share as soon as I can :)

A little somethin' somethin' for the upcoming Signature Series: Amy Tan book!

Using the new Dear Lizzy 5th & Frolic line for my upcoming spotlight on the American Crafts blog!

Using the new Amy Tangerine Ready Set Go line for my upcoming spotlight on the American Crafts blog!

I took time to stop and smell the roses. Actually, I was forced to smell them - they were so immensely potent! In a good way. I love the smell of roses.

 Jeggings: Old Navy - $6

Shirt: baby GAP - $16

Headband: Etsy - $8

Sleeping baby: Priceless 

 This little piggie went to market! 

 Fox's Buzz collection. I don't think he has enough Buzz paraphernalia... I even forgot to take a pic of his Buzz car! Hmmmm... what should Fox be for Halloween??? Haha. There's no question about it: BUZZ! I just ordered him a Buzz costume tonight (maybe in the future I'll get crafty and make him one, but not this year!). Thanks Nicole for the link!

 Poor Mr. Fox. He got a fever on Wednesday and then his mouth filled with sores last night so we took him to the doc today and he has Hand/Mouth/Foot. That should also include Butt. I remember it passed through Utah and Washington over the summer so it was only a matter of time before it got to us in California. He is soooo miserable :( Right in time for all of our family to get here for Jane's baby blessing on Sunday. Sigh. "Just keep swimming. Just keep swimming." I swear he is ALWAYS sick. Should we stop taking him to Nursery? I'm sure that's where he's getting all these runny noses and weird random viruses.

 I can't find toddler boy ties ANYWHERE! I do all my shopping online at baby GAP/Old Navy/Gymboree/The Children's Place, etc., and either I'm blind or they really don't make baby boy ties! So, Mother-In-Law to the rescue, we've been making our own ties all night gosh dang it! In your face retail stores!

With that, I bid you adieu. 

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