1 Year Photo Inspiration

Happy Tuesday mamas....it's time for another edition of BABY TALK!

Here's the rules:
{1} Write a post on ANYTHING baby related...pregnancy, parenting, products, stories, advice, you name it!
{2} Grab this button and put it somewhere, anywhere in your post!

<div class="BUSY-BEE-button" style="width: 250px; margin: 0 auto;"> <a href="http://fawver.blogspot.com"> <img src="http://i1170.photobucket.com/albums/r529/knfawver/baby-talk-button_zps829f6bd6.jpg" alt="BUSY BEE" width="250" height="250" /> </a> </div>

{3} Publish your post on Tuesday!
{4} Come back and enter your post in the super neat link-up tool found at the bottom of every Baby Talk post.
{5} Check back and read the other blogs who have linked up!

Easy as pie!

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My head is spinning! These next 19 days are going to be sheer craziness! I have something on the calendar almost every day - halloween, 2 year anniversary, gopher games, coffee & dinner dates with friends, a baby shower, some fun new changes to this blog AND of course the BIG 1 year birthday celebration! Although everything coming up is fun and exciting, per usual everything is happening at once causing me to get dizzy and rely on Twisted Tea a little more than usual. I spent some time last night putting together a super huge 19 day checklist and from here on out plan on taking things one-at-time like my mom always tells me to do. 

One of the things I'm most excited for, is Kenley's ONE YEAR PHOTO SHOOT! This weekend we're hanging out with our close friend and super star photographer Sara of Sara Jayne Photography to take Kenley's one year pics and some family photos as well. Sara always has amazing ideas and tons of tricks up her sleeve, but I couldn't help scouring Pinterest for ideas of my own - or of other people's. Nonetheless, I've saved some cute stuff to show Sara as inspiration and CANNOT wait to get my little Kenny Pops in front of that lens! 

Here are some of my favorites: 

 

 

 To pin these and more follow me & my photography boards on Pinterest!

Mom Envy

Is this the truth or what?! 

Being a mom is a tough business. Whether you have one kid or five. Whether you work full time or stay at home. Whether you're a single mom or have a huge support system. No matter the situation being a mom is maybe the most gloriously difficult thing in the world. 

I think what really makes motherhood hard is that it's not set in stone. Yes, we all know your baby shouldn't use a knife as a teething toy but for the most part there isn't a right or wrong. There is so much second guessing! This would all be so much easier if it were black and white. Right? Give me a strict set of rules so I don't mess this up. You hear your friend brag about how great their baby sleeps and wonder - what am I doing wrong? Or someone celebrates 12 months of breastfeeding and you're still mourning the fact you only made it 6 months. Maybe you see a 5 month old with four teeth and your 8 month old still has grandpa gums.  And don't even get me started on the moms who are below their pre-pregnancy weight a week after giving birth and are already sipping on a decaf latte while nursing with one arm and pushing a stroller with a two-year-old in it with the other, all while wearing head-to-toe Lululemon, glistening with a perfect tan, in full makeup and with soft romantic curls in her luscious hair. 

As moms I think it's really hard for us to NOT compare ourselves to other moms. Her birth was so much easier than mine. Her baby is so much calmer than mine. Her nursery is cuter. Her maternity clothes are cuter. She only gained 10 pounds. Her husband is so perfect. As more and more of my friends are joining me on this crazy journey called Motherhood the more I find myself second guessing myself. How weird is that? Shouldn't I be surrounded by even more support now that my friends can relate to all the mom-stuff I'm going through? 

But guess what people? I don't care who you are. How skinny you are. How much money you have. How well adjusted your baby is...you've got something. You may not share it. You may put up a front. But there is something. There's no way you can tell me there is a single mom in the world that doesn't have a battle scar of some kind - maybe not a physical scar but an emotional scar. A mental scar. And that's not to say it isn't worth it. It is worth every stretch mark or sleepless night. I have no doubt that most mamas would do it all over again for their little loves. I think it's safe to assume that we all have good days and we all have bad days as a mom. And when you're having a bad day you should be able to talk to your mom friends about it without feeling like a failure or like they are better than you. 

I try really hard to be open and honest both on this blog and when talking to my friends, because what's the point in sugar coating it? It doesn't help me and it doesn't help my friends asking for help or advice. I am more than happy to tell anyone and everyone about the incredible blessing my daughter is. And I love to brag about what a great sleeper she is and how cute she is and how she is without a doubt the smartest 11 month old to ever crawl the planet. BUT, I am also happy to share the struggles. How I have a hard time finding balance. How I had a miserable time the first month. How bells palsy sucks. How mastitis sucks. I could go on and on and on for days. 

I guess the only real point to this super random post is that us moms need to stick together - the good, the bad, the ugly. We've all been there. We all have our moments. Our days. We all have the ups and we all have the downs. So let's be honest with ourselves and each other and ask for help when we need. Vent when we need. And feel OK about bragging every once and a while too {it's the small victories people!}

OK mamas. Have a great day! 

My Lil Punkin

It's crazy to think that just one year ago my belly was the size of a very, very large pumpkin

and this year we have a real life legit KID to bring to the pumpkin patch!

This weekend Jason and I brought Kenley to Minnetonka Orchards in Minnetrista for a day of festive fall fun. 

 this friendly little bee landed on my coffee cup! how amazing is that?! 

Can I just say THIS, this right here is what I looked forward to the most when I was growing my pumpkin? Not necessarily going to the pumpkin patch {even though halloween is my favorite holiday}, but just doing these fun family activities again. I had the best childhood and have so many fun memories with my family and it makes my heart swell thinking I get to do all this fun stuff over again with my own little nugget princess baby. 

Hey kid! Keep your paws off! 

Kenley :: 11 months.

Happy Tuesday mamas....it's time for another edition of BABY TALK!

Here's the rules:
{1} Write a post on ANYTHING baby related...pregnancy, parenting, products, stories, advice, you name it!
{2} Grab this button and put it somewhere, anywhere in your post!

<div class="BUSY-BEE-button" style="width: 250px; margin: 0 auto;"> <a href="http://fawver.blogspot.com"> <img src="http://i1170.photobucket.com/albums/r529/knfawver/baby-talk-button_zps829f6bd6.jpg" alt="BUSY BEE" width="250" height="250" /> </a> </div>

{3} Publish your post on Tuesday!
{4} Come back and enter your post in the super neat link-up tool found at the bottom of every Baby Talk post.
{5} Check back and read the other blogs who have linked up!

Easy as pie!

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Can someone please explain to me how we are ONE MONTH away from my daughter's first birthday? Everyone always says to enjoy every minute with your baby because it goes so fast, but fast is truly an understatement. 

Baby Stats: 

Weight: 22 pounds

Sleep: Bedtime is between 7:30 and 8:30pm, wakes up between 6:30 and 7:30am and takes 2-3 naps during the day {a long one in the morning and two shorter ones in the afternoon}

Feeding: still getting six 5oz "ba ba's" a day with three solid food meals {breakfast, lunch, dinner and a snack}

Diaper Size: as of today, size 3

Clothes Size: Still wearing some of her 9 month clothes but moving in to the 12month, and a size 3 shoe.

Hair Color:  Blondie

Eye Color: Hazel in the middles and blue/gray on the outsides.

Milestones: Our little copy cat - you mimmick everything we do

Nicknames: Kenny, Mou, KenKen, Kenny Pops, Kenners, Kennels, Scoop, Boogie

My Kenley, 

What can I even say that I haven't already? You are my whole life. You make me and your daddy so very proud and our entire world revolves around you. This past month you have gotten so affectionate. I can't describe how full my heart feels when I see you smile when I walk in the room, or when you crawl over to me to give me a hug, or when you put your arms up for me to hold you or when you lay a big old slobbery kiss on my face. Even Bailey gets kisses!

You are so sweet and are as happy as a little clam, I don't think I've ever seen a kid who is so happy, all the time. You are also an incredible eater! You have decided that eating from a spoon is for babies and you now insist on feeding yourself. Purees are a thing of the past and finger food is now the only way you'll eat.

You are also becoming quite the copy cat. You love to watch mom and dad and then copy what we are doing, and we get the biggest kick out of it. You really are becoming less and less of our baby and more more our little girl. We have so much fun with you and can't wait for these crazy toddler years.

But for now, I'm going to soak up every last second of your first year.

I love you the most.

Mama

Baby Talk

Happy Tuesday mamas....it's time for another edition of BABY TALK!

Here's the rules:
{1} Write a post on ANYTHING baby related...pregnancy, parenting, products, stories, advice, you name it!
{2} Grab this button and put it somewhere, anywhere in your post!

<div class="BUSY-BEE-button" style="width: 250px; margin: 0 auto;"> <a href="http://fawver.blogspot.com"> <img src="http://i1170.photobucket.com/albums/r529/knfawver/baby-talk-button_zps829f6bd6.jpg" alt="BUSY BEE" width="250" height="250" /> </a> </div>

{3} Publish your post on Tuesday!
{4} Come back and enter your post in the super neat link-up tool found at the bottom of every Baby Talk post.
{5} Check back and read the other blogs who have linked up!

Easy as pie!

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Good morning friends! I'm here today to apologize for being the world's worst blogger. I am so behind on reading your posts and am clearly doing just a terrible job at writing my own. I promise it's for good reason -NO, I am not pregnant. I am in the process of making some changes to this little old blog that I am SUPER DUPER excited about and CANNOT wait to share.

Until I can, please keep linking up! I LOVE reading all of your mama posts!

Kenley :: 10 months!

Happy Tuesday mamas....it's time for another edition of BABY TALK!

Here's the rules:
{1} Write a post on ANYTHING baby related...pregnancy, parenting, products, stories, advice, you name it!
{2} Grab this button and put it somewhere, anywhere in your post!

<div class="BUSY-BEE-button" style="width: 250px; margin: 0 auto;"> <a href="http://fawver.blogspot.com"> <img src="http://i1170.photobucket.com/albums/r529/knfawver/baby-talk-button_zps829f6bd6.jpg" alt="BUSY BEE" width="250" height="250" /> </a> </div>

{3} Publish your post on Tuesday!
{4} Come back and enter your post in the super neat link-up tool found at the bottom of every Baby Talk post.
{5} Check back and read the other blogs who have linked up!

Easy as pie!

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I am like 2.5 weeks late on this {as usual} but nonetheless here's what Kenley was up to month 10.

Baby Stats: 

Weight: 21 pounds

Sleep: Bedtime is between 7:30 and 8:30, wakes up around 6:30am and takes 2-3 naps during the day {a long one in the morning and two shorter ones in the afternoon}

Feeding: still getting six 5oz "ba ba's" a day with three solid food meals {breakfast, lunch and dinner}

Diaper Size: 2

Clothes Size: Wearing 9 month clothes right now and FINALLY fitting into her size 3 shoes.

Hair Color:  Blondie

Eye Color: Hazel in the middles and blue/gray on the outsides.

Milestones: Standing without holding anything, sticking out tounge, first plane ride, first hair cut!

Nicknames: Kenny, Mou, KenKen, Kenny Pops, Kenners, Kennels, Scoop

she's so dang cute when she cries. 

My Kenley, 

Just when I think you couldn't possibly be any more fun, you are. You are the happiest little kid and we all have so much fun watching you discover all the new things around you. You still love to watch Mickey's Clubhouse and you scream {literally scream} with delight when you see him come on the screen. Your favorite thing to do is to chase Bailey, you think chasing after her is the funniest thing of all time. You are fascinated by lights - you love to find them, point to them and listen to mom count them. You also love to be outside. When the wind blows you squeal and you think touching leaves and pulling grass is pretty darn cool. 

You rode on your first airplane this month and did a great job! You are such an easy baby and I love that I can take you absolutely anywhere. 

You also got your first hair cut this month. You didn't really need it but we got to see your hair stylist Great Aunt Tina and since she gave me my first haircut I wanted her to give you yours as well. 

You are a smart little thing and I love that you are really starting to understand what we are saying. You know the word "no" and will even shake your head when we say it. You have learned to "give to mama" and will hand over whatever you are holding on to. You know the names of some of your favorite toys and will go get them when we ask you to. You will point to the lights when we say "where's the light" as well as point to daddy, mama, and Bailey. You also learned how to give kisses on demand but are pretty choosy about who and when you give them out. And even though your mom and dad don't have a musical bone in their bodies you LOVE to play the piano at Grandpa Tom & Grandma D's house. 

You really are just the best little thing ever and your mama and daddy love everything about you. We are so proud to be your parents and have so much fun watching your personality blossom. 

Love you the most, 

Mama