Literally literary.

Staying home with my precious baby girl has allowed a lot of my old self to come back- 

the one who spends time with girls and has the time and opportunity to truly invest in them,

the one who anxiously awaits Brian to get home from work... or from the many many trips he continues to have to go on,

the one who develops new hobbies and enjoys the ones she already enjoys,

the one who gets to read... not because she has to for graduate school but because she wants to.

Besides taking pictures, the past few weeks have been full of loving on my sweet girl, having lunch with friends, sewing delicious new skirts for EA and some of her friends, and reading.. lots and lots of reading.  

The first series I enjoyed Smart Chick Series by Mindy Starns Clark.

These Christian fiction books had a little bit of love, a little bit of mystery, interesting characters, and fun story lines. I checked the first book out at our church's library a few weeks ago and went back a week later to get the other two. 

But the REAL quencher came last week when I heard from the hundredth person how good the Hunger Games Series was and how they just couldn't put it down, etc, etc. 

I went home, bought it on my Kindle, and never looked back.

As a friend of mine said, this is no Harry Potter or Disney movie but the plot keeps the reader holding on until the very end. You fall in love with the characters, hurt for them, hate for them and desperately want to know what happens to them. Brian started reading the book this week and is almost finished.. a sign in itself of how great the books are. We hope to see the movie this weekend! If you haven't read the books, seriously, you must.

What are some of your favorite books or series? I am itching for something new and would love suggestions!

Happy Hump Day!

The bump.

The past few weeks, Brian and I have had the opportunity to put some of our new photography knowledge to use and take maternity pictures for a few friends. It was an awesome opportunity to practice what I learned in my course and spend some quality time with the couples. We in no way believe that we are of the professional level, but really enjoyed taking the pictures and were pretty pleased with how they turned out. Each couple got between 30 and 50 pictures to do with what they wanted but here were a few of our favorites...

Jase and Elizabeth

Rick and Tiffany

Curt and Lisa

The timing of all of these pictures was fabulous because two of the sweet babies were born last week! It was such a blessing to be able to love on the parents a bit before the little ones got here.

Have a fabulous evening my friends!

Powerful.

I came across the passage during my time in the Word this afternoon.

Our God is incredibly huge. His magnificence is so well described in these brief words. He is above all earthly power and He is able to do incredibly more than we can hope for or deserve.

What an awesome God we serve.

Emily Ann- 6 months

Emily Ann- 6 months

Emily Ann, you bring us so much joy. You are such a precious asset to our family- your sweet smile and great personality continually thrills me and makes us both so many new friends! I can't remember life without you, nor do I want to. I can not believe it has been 6 months since you made your debut into our lives. We adore you sweet girl!

Firsts: Eating fruits and veggies, sitting up for extended amounts of time

Milestones: Eating fruits and veggies, rolling continually (though still very rare).

Measurements: 16 lbs. 13 oz (66th percentile), 27.75 inches long (over 97th percentile), size 3 diapers, 6-9 month clothes

Like Mommy: You love attention and tend to put on a show when people are watching you.

Like Daddy: You have very similar expressions when you are "concentrating."

Food: You are eating 8 oz. of formula every 4+ hours. You eat about 4 oz. of veggies or fruits during your "dinner" meal, then finish the meal with about 4 oz. of formula. So far you have tried green beans (still need to work on these!), green peas, sweet potatoes, carrots with and without cinnamon, zucchini, squash, and pears. Mommy has started making your baby food and can't wait for you to try peaches!

Sleep:  You sleep from 8:30PM to 7:30 or 8:00 AM every night. You take a short nap in the morning as we run errands and a 2.5 to 3 hour nap in the afternoon.

Challenges: You officially have your 3rd cold in a month. It does not change your disposition, but you HATE the nose bulb!

Our Days: You wake up at 8:00 each morning and have breakfast. After you eat, we usually run errands or cuddle on the couch.  You eat again at 12:00 then we play from the end of that feeding until 1:30 when you usually get sleepy. You sleep from 1:30 to 4:15. At 4:15 you eat baby food, then spend some time with Daddy. You play with your toys after "dinner" and usually take a short nap before your last meal.You take a bath with Mommy every other evening right before your 8:00 meal. We feed you at 8:00 and you go to bed at 8:30. 

Favorite Moments

Mommy's Favorite: Watching you giggle! You crack yourself up all the time!

Daddy's Favorite: When you can pick him out of a crowd- love that smile!

Nicknames: EA, Doodlebug


Photo ops:

Pears. These were your first fruits! 

First time in a grocery cart.

How precious is that ruffle bottom!?

You and Granny.

Mommy's attempt at 6 month pictures.

Shoulder ride.

I Heart Faces: Beautiful B&W

As I mentioned several weeks ago, sweet Brian gave me a photography course for Christmas this year. I chose Ashley Ann Photography's Snap Shop course, and I have to be honest in saying it has changed my life. Pretty dramatic, I know, but I love photography and my camera now- even on manual! And since I believe I have the best subject ever, our computer is quickly filling up with pictures of my precious baby girl.

This month, I am stepping out on a limb and submitting a photo in the I Heart Faces photo challenge. There is a possibility to win cash and prizes, which is awesome, but I am also excited to continue improving my shots!

This month's theme is Beautiful B&W.

EA was sick this day and spent that morning napping on Daddy's chest. Makes me fall in love with both of them just a little bit more.

Check out more gorgeous black and white photos at I Heart Faces.

Fail.

Recently I have failed as a blogger.

I apologize.

She turned 6 months on Thursday, so we will be back for an update soon.

Hope you had a great weekend!