Sunday, April 8, 2012

Happy Easter from the Boy's Section ~ Chicago Lake County Children's Photographer

Any mom of boys knows what I'm talking about. You walk into your favorite children's retailer and are immediately confronted with a store full of precious little dresses, tights, skirts, and ruffles. Oh and then there's the boy's section back there in the corner. For some reason little boys always get left out when it comes to fashion. No thank you, I do not want another t-shirt with a cartoon dragon on it, and please don't get me started on skulls. (Seriously, why should a three year old be wearing pants covered in skulls?)

At Easter, though, a creative mama can stretch her legs a little. If you're willing to look beyond the traditional argyle sweater vest, some really cute stuff awaits! I had a blast putting together the boys' Easter outfits this year, and I got lucky that Max was ready and willing to let me take his picture. Cooper not so much, but he's still in training. (Store info at the bottom!)

And to all those who celebrate, I hope you had a wonderful Easter filled with the glory of the resurrection!

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On Max
Pants: Old Navy
Shirt: Old Navy
Shoes: Gap Kids

On Cooper
Shirt: Baby Gap
Pants: Hand Me Downs :-)

Tuesday, April 3, 2012

Tuesday's Top Five (instagram style) ~ Grayslake Family Photographer

I know, I know. It has officially been forever since I posted a Tuesday's Top 5. But that doesn't mean I can't ever post one again, right? And the fact that I'm posting one again does not necessarily mean that I'll be posting one every week (so much pressure!) but every once in awhile is better than nothing, so here goes:

The Top 5 Things I've Learned From Having A Second Child

5. Sleep is for the weak. And sometimes I'm weak.
There was a time when I first went back to work that I fiercely counted the hours of sleep I was getting each night. If only I could get five whole hours of sleep (not straight through, we're talking cumulative), I could make it through the day. Okay, maybe four and a half. That time has long passed. Not because I'm getting a good eight hours (not even seven. six on a good night), but because I have evolved. I am no longer a creature in need of eight hours. I am a super human mommy type, able to sustain herself on as little as five hours a night. That's a lie, of course. On the odd Saturday morning when Adam senses that if I don't get some more sleep I will probably eat my own young before lunch time, I surrender to the sleep monster just like any mere mortal and revel in my own weakness.


4. Balance. 
No, I don't mean I've learned to balance the whole working girl + mom + wife + business owner + super hero thing. If you figure that one out, let me know. I'm talking more like balancing a bottle under your chin so you have a hand free to brush your four year old's teeth (left handed). Or balancing a baby on one hip, the phone under your ear, a pair of mickey mouse underwear in your hand, and a bottle of apple juice under your arm while you pour into a cup being held "steady" by the four year old, trying to avoid the spit up dripping down from your shoulder. You thought your balance was good after one kid? Have a second. You'll be ready for the tight rope.


3. Sometimes there's just no substitute for a mommy with two free arms and time to cuddle.
Four year olds and four month olds alike are not impressed by my amazing balancing act (no matter how proud I am that I finally got to wash my hair and shave my legs during the same shower). Sometimes there is just nothing like some uninterrupted, undivided mommy time. The blow dryer will have to wait, I guess.


2. I am irrationally bothered by comparisons between Max and Cooper.
This is me being crazy but when the fifth person in a day tells me how much Cooper looks like Max it takes every last ounce of sleep-deprived will power I have not to freak. Look alike?!?! But Cooper has hair! And it's kind of red! And his eyes are lighter. And his face is squarer. And his eyes aren't almond shape like Max's (and mine). And one of his ears is kind of pointy like an elf ear. Don't you see these things? But, of course, I don't say these things. Because 1) they do look alike and 2) it's generally frowned upon to let people know how irrationally crazy you are. Unless it's in a blog post, where no one believes you anyway. (And if you're one of those people who has said how much they look alike, please don't feel bad. I know it's true. That's just me being crazy).


1. There is room for both.
You know. In here. ♥


Saturday, March 17, 2012

Tyler ~ Chicago North Suburban Baby Photographer

Remember Tyler and his funny faces at three months old? Well look at him now! How precious is he?!?! His big, reflective eyes are just the greatest. Can't wait to see Mr. Tyler again in a few months when he turns one year old! Love these baby plan babies!

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Saturday, March 3, 2012

Thursday, March 1, 2012

What to Wear

Spring is right around the corner, and that means spring photo sessions will soon be here! What better time of year to have your family photographed than when the whole world is in bloom?

To get us all ready for spring and to inspire your inner fashionista, I put together a little spring "what to wear" board. Be sure to check out more what to wear ideas on my Pinterest What to Wear board.

Spring What to Wear

p.s. These styles can be found at J. Crew, Anthropologie, MiniBoden, and Target. 

Wednesday, February 22, 2012

A Perfect Princess Party ~ Deerfield Birthday Party Photographer

You only turn three once, so when it comes to your party, you better go big or go home, right? Little Ms. Madi chose to go princess! Madi's perfect princess party was this weekend at Wonder in Deerfield. Now before we go any farther, if you're a parent in the Chicagoland area and you haven't been to Wonder, stop what you're doing, bookmark this page so you can come back to it later, get in your car and go check out Wonder right now. No really. Go. I'll wait.
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Back? Totally awesome right? So you can just imagine what an amazing setting that would make for a pink and purple princess party! Madi's mom thought of everything from princess pretzels to princess dress up to a real princess! Admit it, you want to turn three again and have a princess party like Madi, don't you?

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HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MADI!!!!

Update: I couldn't figure out why the link to the Wonder website wasn't working. A little googling just revealed that a mere three days after Madi's party Wonder closed its doors. Boo! So if you really got in your car and drove to Wonder on my advice, a hearty apology from me!

Monday, February 20, 2012

Baseball Birthday Bash ~ North Shore Birthday Photography

My little big guy turned four this weekend. I've yet to figure out how that happened. Last time I checked he was still a baby. But we celebrated his 4-year-oldness with a big boy baseball party. Max loves to play baseball and has been anxiously waiting for his fourth birthday so that he'll be old enough to play t-ball, so we thought a baseball birthday was the best way to celebrate his newly earned t-ball eligibility!

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Earlier that morning I photographed the most adorable princess party for the most adorable three-year-old girl. I'll be back soon with a preview from that party! 



Resources & Links for Max's Baseball Party:
Printables were made by me using elements from a digital scrapbooking kit I bought a few years ago. Unfortunately, I can't find where I got it from, but here's something similar.
Red Buckets for centerpieces came from Hobby Lobby
Baseball balloons came from Balloon Warehouse and we used fat red permanent markers to decorate them.
Baseball Cookies from Lovin' Oven in Libertyville. We packaged them ourselves.