In my daughter's eyes...

I've had a vision of this shot for months now. I've attempted several times, but never quite got it right. I finally did it today. Seeing it now stirs so many emotions - gratitude, relief, joy. My eyes were the one thing that I wanted to pass on to my beautiful baby girl. I want so much for her. I want her to be better, stronger & more patient than I am. But I also wanted her to always carry this small part of me with her. I love you, Hollie. You'll never understand how much until you hold your own little angel in your arms, someday.

You blink & they're grown.

I took Hollie in for her 9 month check up today. They took her measurements & she's still on opposite ends of the scale. She weighs 16 lbs 2 oz, which puts her between the 5th & 10th percentile. However, she's in the 75th percentile for height, measuring 28 inches long. I think she's going to be a ballerina - little miss tall & skinny (although, she does have a couple cute rolls on her legs).

Since Hollie's our first, sometimes it's hard to know exactly where she's at in her development. Dr. Goodwin said that she is a couple months ahead in everything, though. It just amazes me the things she's learned, even in the past two months. She can crawl, climb stairs, pull herself up on anyone & anything, stand up on her own (but only for a few seconds), walk along couches & walls, and say mama & dada. My favorite thing to watch her do, though, is eat! She is so dainty!! When she eats her peas, she picks them up one at a time with her thumb & pointer finger. It is so dang cute to watch! You definitely know you're a mom when you get a kick out of stuff like that.

I also decided to take Hollie's 9 month shots today. I got this idea from the wonderfully talented Kimmie & have been dying to try it out on the Hollister. I put the best ones on my June blog, but wanted to post some more of them here, too. When I saw this first shot, my breath caught in my chest. She looks so much like a little girl & so little like my baby. It seems like all of the little moments just slip right by.


She was pulling the funniest faces. What a goofy kid!

Click.

I have to say, that this was one of my absolute favorite sessions ever. It wasn't just that Annie was a perfect angel (which she was), but everything just seemed to click. The shots came more naturally than ever before. It was also the first time that I've metered an entire session. So, thanks, Aubrey, for giving me the opportunity to capture your beautiful little girl. It was my pleasure.

Rub-a-dub...

Hollie was so cute the other day in the tub and since Sam was there to help with bath time, I took advantage of the photo op. She kept climbing out of the sink because she wanted to play with the mirror. Little toad! But a cute toad.



As you can tell, Hollie HATES the rinsing. It's MY favorite part of bath time, though, because she pulls the funniest faces! I hadn't captured it yet, and since Sam was there to hold Hollie while I released the shutter, I thought I should. Too funny for words! She'll probably kill me someday for taking these, but oh well!


I also had to tell this story. The other morning, I was awakened by "ma-ma-ma-ma-ma-ma" blaring on the baby monitor. What a wonderful way to start the day! I still can't quite tell if she knows what she's saying with her "mama"s & "dada"s, but she seems to say it most often when she comes up to me & wants me to pick her up. Who knows.

Sleeping pills in her peas

So, I had Hollie in her high chair eating peas today while I was at my computer working. After a while, she got really quiet (which is SO not like her!). When I peeked into the kitchen, this is what I found. She must have been tired! If you look really closely at the 2nd shot, you can see a pea that's still on her tongue!

Love that toast!

These little zweiback toast are Hollie's new favorite thing! As you can see, she is thoroughly enjoying herself. I was just cracking up watching her scarf it down!

Go Silverwolves!

Sam & I went to see Daniel play Pleasant Grove Friday night. He's a Junior, but playing on the Varsity team. Danno scored his first touchdown of the season. Unfortunately, we missed it! I was working & we didn't get there until half time. Boo! Way to go, though, Danno! We love you & are so proud of you!


He's # 22, right in the middle.

Josh, Tammy & CJ

This was one of my favorite sessions ever. Obviously, because I love these 3 so much, but also because the editing was so much fun! CJ's skin tone is amazing! You can do so much with it!


I absolutely love this shot of my big brother! It is just sooo him. I love you, bro!