Just about here, Baby

My cousin and dear friend (and hair stylist!) Hannah is due to have her baby girl in a couple of weeks. We got together for some maternity pictures a little while ago and I wanted to share a few of my favorites from her session.

These two were my sneak-peeks that I shared via Instagram, and they still make me smile. I think she is just glowing.

And here are the final images. I love that Hannah’s boy Aiden came with us…he is so excited to meet his baby sister and was very loving to his mama during pictures. We started the shoot at their home in the bedroom that has amazing light. And then we headed to the park in Wenatchee where I’ve taken Hannah’s family pictures 2 times before. I love how these images turned out. Hannah, you’re such a gorgeous mama.

It was such a treat to be behind the camera again, especially on such a beautiful day and for such a special occasion. I cannot wait to meet (and take pictures of) little Harper. Get here soon sweet thing!!

The best part of my day

Is waking up and taking care of this guy. Gibson has been with us for 2 months now, and they have been full of fun, joy, training, carpet cleaning, frustration, lots of chewing, puppy kisses and life! He’s made our life better; that much I know for sure.

I’m pretty much a really proud puppy mama. He is teaching me as much as he is learning from me, and I think that makes for a good lifelong friendship.

We Do Design

I am so excited to be included in a fabulous week of design over at The Charming. All week there will be two sessions every day with tons of design tips and tricks, giveaways, printables and lots of great designers. You’ll want to check it out. Tons of fun stuff happening over there!

My session was posted yesterday and its all about creating and using a Blog Mission Statement. You’ll be amazed at how much this one thing can help you find and develop your voice as a blogger.

Creating a Blog Mission Statement is one of the first things I have my blog design clients do. It helps us both have a clear vision of where the blog headed.

Are you thinking about a blog redesign for spring? Check out my Blog Design page for more details about working through the process with me. I’d love to hear from you!

The Hair Diaries: Gibson Edition

It was the puppy’s first time to the groomer’s this week and so I thought it would be fun (or maybe just funny) to do before and after pictures of him and share a Hair Diaries post all about Gibson. He is so good at posing for the camera…must be my dog.

The first week we had Gibson we took him with us one night to go get a movie. The lady that owns the local movie rental place has a schnauzer and she just loves the breed, so I wanted her to meet him. While we were there we also met a groomer who has a little shop in town. She said that if I brought him by she’d clip the hair that was in his eyes and trim his nails for free. So we went by the next day and he did so good. I was really drawn to her and impressed by her way with Gibson, so I knew when he needed a full groom I would take him back to her.

And that time was this week…okay, maybe before this week if you’re looking at the before pictures. Hehe. But that makes for a more dramatic before and after, right?

Here is my scruffy puppy before:

And my big handsome boy after:

The groomer even tied the cutest little blue handkerchief on him. So sweet. And she gave me some suggestions on working with him so they can get a better cut on his ears and near his face. He was a little leery of the clippers there, but he did good on other areas that puppies sometime have problems, so that’s good. And the conditioner smelled like blueberries. He was so soft and super cuddly afterwards and I enjoyed the rest of my day off with him.

Gibson has just lightened up my days and has brought so much happiness and fun to our life. I’m so glad we were able to get him.

Sleep Talking Husband

I’ve been saving up some great new quotes from Chris sleep talking to add to my collection and share with you. Man, he just makes me laugh so hard! Here are a few of the best recent ones.

“A wookie’s favorite store is Pier1 Imports. They love all the baskets.”

“They just can’t be magical if you don’t butter them!”

“They gotta stop that! The cats keep digging up all the potatoes before they’re ready. I’m sure they’re not even that hungry.” 

Too funny, right?! I think he’s a keeper.