You've Bewitched Me, Body and Soul

The Lovers Holiday Through the Years

2012-02-14T07:27:00.000-08:00

Matt and I will soon be celebrating 8 years together! 8 YEARS!

How is that possible? That means we have celebrated 8 Valentine's Days? Man we're old.

I thought I would post a few Valentine's day pictures from the past just for fun.

Valentines 2006- out with friends at Steak N' Shake (so romantic)

Valentines 2008- trying on a chocolate diamond at Monticello's Taste of Chocolate

Valentines 2009- a little v-day party at home

Valentines 2010 - Just a few weeks before Ru was born. READY TO POP!

Valentines 2011- spent love day on the beach (probably my favorite so far)!

I hope we have DECADES of v-days to celebrate our love together.

Happy Valentine's Day Matty!

Love you!

Sometimes

2012-02-13T06:51:00.000-08:00

Written by Shannon Leigh

Being a mother is hard.

Being a mother is the hardest thing I have ever done.

I mean I knew it was going to be hard but I just don't think I realized the extent of the madness.

And I only have ONE.

One child who brings me so much joy. One child that I love so deeply it hurts. One child who literally changed my whole world.

But

SOMETIMES

She throws a major fit at the grocery store because I won't buy her the little foam ball in the check out line

Sometimes

She whines like it's going out of style

Sometimes

She arches her back and screams bloody murder when I try and put her in her carseat. People probably think I am abusing her

Sometimes

She tells me to "Stop it mommy" which really gets under my skin

Sometimes

She licks the bottom of her shoe

Sometimes

She pulls out every single item from underneath the bathroom sink while I'm in the shower

Sometimes

she draws on the furniture

Sometimes

she throws away my small kitchen gadgets never to be seen again

Sometimes

She plays with the toilet water

Sometimes

I am insecure about the way I am raising her. Am I doing ok? Am I going to royally screw her up?

Sometimes

She WON'T eat ANYTHING but fruit and bread

Sometimes

She throws food at restaurants

Sometimes

she gets up too early

Sometimes

she won't nap like I want her to

Sometimes

She takes off her diaper

Sometimes

she stinks

Sometimes

she's sticky

Sometimes

She just won't SHUT her trap

Sometimes

I am exhausted.

But there is absolutely nothing like having a daughter. I wouldn't trade it for anything in the whole wide world. I feel blessed and honored and totally undeserving at times. Because...

Sometimes

She looks at me and says "I love you, mama"

Sometimes

She kisses my cheeks

Sometimes

I find her rocking in the chair in her room with her bible on her lap

Sometimes

She reminds me that we need to pray before we eat

Sometimes

I go in and hold her while she's asleep and love feeling her little heart beating next to mine

Sometimes

She says "Hold you mama?"

Sometimes

She is the flower girl in your brother-in-laws wedding and she does PERFECT

Sometimes

She looks so cute in pigtails it hurts

Sometimes

She sings the cutest little songs

Sometimes

she fist bumps

Sometimes

She sits on the potty

Sometimes

we bake brownies together

Sometimes

She has the BIGGEST smile on the planet

Sometimes

she has the greatest belly laugh ever

Sometimes

She makes me fall more in love with her daddy

Sometimes

she holds my hand

Sometimes

We go on donut runs

Sometimes

I just don't know what I would do without her

Honestly she is such a gift.

One that takes lots of work and lots of prayer and lots of advice and lots of help because let's be real, I have NO IDEA what I am doing.

A gift that I thank the Lord for everyday,
NOT just sometimes.

The English Adventures

2012-02-07T05:44:00.000-08:00

Written by Shannon Leigh

My poor husband.
He's married to a sap.
He's married to a sap who sucks at giving gifts (it just isn't my love language).
I blame it on the fact that I grew up with all sisters.
I have made him lots of sappy books and homemade projects over the years.

He'd rather have Cardinal tickets.
I know this now after 4 1/2 years of marriage.

After our 2nd anniversary trip to England I made him a scrapbook of our adventures.
Let's be real, while he says enjoys the book, I really made it for me.

Poor guy.

Since I am on a roll with sharing books, I thought I'd share this one too.
Please ignore the chub I was 20 weeks prego.

Ruby's 1 Year Album

2012-02-06T06:17:00.000-08:00

Written by Shannon Leigh
I can't sleep.
In fact, lately I've had trouble sleeping. I've got lots on my mind these days I guess.
Mostly about things that I cannot control. It's silly really. Who knew I was such a control freak?
I've been memorizing this verse and trusting in the Lord:
"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."
Philippians 4:6-7
I know the Lord will see me through :)

One perk of not being able to sleep is that I get a lot done.
I've been editing sessions, working on personal projects, making plans.
Blogging. :)
It's great.

I have meant to share Ruby's one year album for months and months and I keep forgetting (you know since she will be 2 NEXT MONTH).
I am a little embarrassed at how ginormous it is.
I JUST COULDN'T narrow the pictures down.
I used Blurb.
I have used Blurb for MANY a book and I have always thoroughly enjoyed the outcome.
That being said I think I'd like to try something else next time just to change things up a bit.

Here's a (not so) little sneak peek.

She's the most over-photgraphed child on the planet.
Poor thing.

Resolved to Grow

2012-01-30T08:22:00.000-08:00

Written by Shannon Leigh
I know that January is almost over and it's a little "late" to be sharing my 2012 resolutions but I really don't care.
It's my blog.
I dont blog because I feel like I have to, I blog (occasionally) because I want to.
I like to go back and reread my posts to see how much we've grown and to see how faithful the Lord has been to our little family.

I went back through my devotion journal this morning and I found where I scribbled down a very short list of new years resolutions at the beginning of January.

I thought I'd share them so that maybe, just maybe, I will be held accountable.

Last year, my theme was SIMPLIFY.

By the grace of God I actually feel like my life is a little more simple these days. I have been much more focussed and I even accomplished MOST of my goals from last years resolutions.

This years theme is:

I am hoping to grow in all areas of my life…
Spiritually
Emotionally
Professionally
As a mother
As a wife
As a friend, daughter & sister

My goals for 2012:
1. Read the whole Bible from cover to cover
Matt and I are doing this together. So far, it's been great. It's already sparked lots of bible-centered conversations and growth.
2. Do a daily devotional
My mother-in-law gave me a great book last year for Christmas of daily devotionals and I never got around to using it. I have been using it this year and I LOVE it. It's been great so far!
3. Take a photo a day with my ipad/iphone
This is just so I can document daily happenings. Life is just so fleeting :)
4. Serve more and with more joy
I tend to be oober selfish, it's icky really. I am striving this year to live out the gospel by giving/serving more. I am striving to be more intentional about everything I purchase/use too. Everything in life either points to Jesus or points away from Jesus so I am trying to keep myself in check.

It's not a long list but it'll do!

Now to go get some donuts.

Merry Christmas from our family to yours!

2011-12-20T19:17:00.000-08:00

Written by Shannon Leigh

Ain't Too Proud Monday

2011-12-05T10:42:00.000-08:00

Written by Shannon Leigh

You know you live with a little girl when…

Poor Izzy. She doesn't know what she's in for.

This is how I brush my teeth

2011-11-17T06:05:00.001-08:00

Written by Shannon Leigh
So you're telling me that you don't brush your teeth naked while standing on the counter?

{Taken October 8, 2011}

She will hate me for this someday.

Since Ru was itty bitty we have always said "naked baby" when we take her clothes off.

Now that she's talking more and more when we change her clothes she says... "NAKED BABY" and runs all over the house.

It's hilarious and she's awesome.

Men cry too

2011-11-09T18:31:00.000-08:00

Written by Shannon Leigh

My husband doesn't generally cry.

I have seen him really cry once in my life.
He cried like a baby at our wedding (like a big fat, red face, snotty, blubbering baby).
He likes to whip that out when we argue… it's beginning to lose it's luster.

I cry during gerber commercials (don't hate, things have never been the same since being prego).

Anyway, my point is that he doesn't really cry.
Sometimes he get's quiet, sometimes he get's angry but he just doesn't cry.

I have learned to accept this and appreciate it, it's nice to have a steady man in the wake of my emotional breakdowns.

He doesn't cry... unless you count getting teary eyed at the end of most sports movies.

Like the story of Roy Hobbs in The Natural.

I mean don't get me wrong when Hobbs shatters the clock and breaks the stadium light and the sparks sprinkle down as he rounds the bases it's hard to NOT get goosebumps.

This year, for this beloved of mine, Cardinal baseball did the same thing.
Like a compilation on the radio of fans calling in with "written in the stars" in the back ground.
Like the game 6 comeback.
Like the picture of Freese throwing his helmet to the ground in glory on the stretch to home.
Like winning the world series after all odds were stacked against them.
Like this article.

"And this was God’s design — in his universe, there is more beauty when victory rises out of weakness. The morning shines brighter after a tumultuous night. The glory is greater at the end of three silent days, when the Lamb has been slain, when all hope seems lost."

We were lucky enough to get to go to game 2 this year.

Something we will surely never forget (especially my teary eyed husband).
We argued on the way because he was SO WORRIED we were going to be late and I left my coat in the wrong car twice (long story).

We were there 30 minutes early.
He spilled my hot chocolate.

It was cold.

The Cardinals lost the game.
But they came back to win the series.
They rose from weakness and conquered the game of baseball.

And my husbands eyes were teary.

Someday she won't talk to the moon

2011-11-02T18:32:00.000-07:00

Written by Shannon Leigh

Life has been crazy.

Ruby is 19 months.

In the midst of the busiest season ever, my sweet baby turned into a little girl.
I mean I knew it was coming but I've just started looking through my October pictures and I am shocked at what I see.

She's a bonified kid, not a baby! EEK.

She talks constantly. When I picked her up from MMO yesterday morning the teacher said she talks and interacts like an adult (it's true).

Lately, we have had our bouts of SERIOUS whining which seems to be subsiding now, thank you Jesus. I am still convinced it was her teeth which are still coming in. By God's grace alone I didn't chuck her out the window (I kid, kind of).

Potty training is at a stand still.
After doing so well and being so excited about it at first she has reverted back to infancy by using her diaper as her only means of excreting (yes, I just used the word excreting).
She tells me when she's pooping and peeing but refuses to sit on the potty, oh the joys of motherhood.
We will be trying the 3 day bootcamp soon and plan to buy big girl undies in the next few weeks.

Her hair is in a ponytail or pigtails most of the time which is crazy. She looks so grown up.

She is OBSESSED with her new black boots. She says "boots on, boots on mommy!" I can't help but oblige. The only time she doesn't have them on is in bed and in the tub.

She has really started getting into "reading" books and brings me book after book after book to read to her throughout the day.

She has a thing for trains, airplanes and helicopters. She is convinced that the ceiling of Wal-mart has helicopters and tells everyone who passes "heyyichoptor up there!" We still have no idea why.

She says hi to the moon and goodbye to the sun.

She sings "Jesus Loves Me" but calls it "Bible so."

She loves to give kisses and fist bump. She insists that each of us "pound" even Izzy.

The whole toddler thing really took me offgauard I wasn't prepared but I feel like we are getting into a good rhythm (until next week when she changes again).

We are constantly shocked at all of the things she knows and can do.

But some days are long and tiring...

Someday she'll grow out of pigtails and snuggling.
Someday she'll think I'm lame and promise to never do the things that I do.
Someday she'll find comfort in someone else's arms.

Until then, I'll enjoy that talks to the moon.

Resemble

2011-10-06T07:23:00.000-07:00

Written by Shannon Leigh
I usually don't think that Ruby looks a lot like me but in these pictures I think that we resemble each other a bit.
I had a lot more hair and it was darker and curlier but Ruby often makes this face where she crinkles her nose. She definitely has her Daddy's mouth and her GiGi's chin.

Then & Now

2011-10-05T13:06:00.000-07:00

Written by Shannon Leigh
These make me want to go back in time.
I just want to rub my lips on her bald head and nibble her baby toes.

Winnie's Gender

2011-10-04T23:41:00.000-07:00

Written by Shannon Leigh

Recently Matt and I had the following conversation:

Scene: Matt is giving Ruby a bath and showing her a Winnie the Pooh picture book while I am in the living room

Matt: What's the little pink guys name?
Me: You mean Piglet?
Matt: oh, so that's what that is…
Me: WHAT did you think he was?
Matt: I don't know, a rat or something.
Me: Sigh….
Matt: Do you know what Winnie is?
Me: What do you mean?
Matt: You know, the Pooh.
Me: I know who you are talking about. What do you mean what is Winnie the Pooh. He's a bear.
Matt: I know he's a bear but is he a boy or a girl?
Me: Uh, he's a boy…
Matt: Hmm, has that been confirmed?

I have to admit that I find his complete and utter ignorance of Winnie the Pooh a little charming.

On a side note aren't my anniversary flowers lovely?

Ruby seems to think so.

In the Archives

2011-09-27T12:05:00.000-07:00

Written by Shannon Leigh

I just found all of these in my archives.

I fell completely and totally in love with 4 month old Ruby all over again.

What a little cutie who used to stay in one place for more than 2 seconds.

Ain't Too Proud Monday

2011-09-26T15:06:00.000-07:00

Written by Shannon Leigh

Bologna face.

It's her alter ego.

The girl loves bologna, what can I say?

Apparently she likes to BE bologna too.

There isn't a cuter bolgna facc in all of the world.

Moo-zick

2011-09-20T21:30:00.000-07:00

Written by Shannon Leigh
Ruby has always loved music. She loves to listen and dance. She just can't help moving her body when she hears it. She points to the record player all the time and says "moo-zick, moo-zick, peeese"

She also loves to make music.

We have a vintage metal tray in our bedroom and one of Ruby's favorite things to do is to play "music" on it. She basically takes anything hard and pounds on it like the dickens and smiles and dances. Then she says "moo-zick" so proudly.

This morning we were playing on the floor of our bedroom and Izzy was soaking up her last morning stretches in the sun. Ruby came up next to her and laid her hand on her head. Izzy began wagging her tail satisfactorily, thumping the ground. Thud, thud, thud, thud.

Ruby with an excited squeal pointed to Izzy's tail and said "moo-zick, moo-zick!"

I of course thought it was the most adorable thing in the world, which it was.

Dear Ruby, you are so right that Izzy's tail was making music this morning.

I hope you always hear the music things.

Attic-ing

2011-09-19T15:42:00.000-07:00

Written by Shannon Leigh
Lately (in between photo shoots, editing, creating albums, and you-know, tending this child of mine) I have been cleaning/reorganizing/attic-ing like crazy. Yes, I just verbed that noun.

When Matt and I bought our little cottage 3 1/2 years ago we thought it was HUGE.
No really, we thought it was ginormous. We thought we'd never fill it up.
When we moved in we had only been married for a few months and we had like 5 pieces of furniture to our name, all of which were hand-me-downs.
It took us 4 hours and a moving van to completely move and unpack in this humble abode.

But since then, we have had a child, I learned to reupholster, and I started an in-home(ish) business.
And NOW peeps we are BUSTING at the seams.

I have always taken a lot of pride in the fact that we are pretty good at getting rid of things, but when you have kid, it's a whole new ball game especially when we plan to have more someday.

So for the last few days I have taken on the task of cleaning out every closet/nook/cranny and we are putting things in the attic that we don't think we will use in the next year or so (like books, decorative things that I'd like to keep but don't have room for, baby things etc.). We are craigslisting a bunch of stuff too…
It's been a lengthy process (and we aren't done yet) but in the end it will be worth it.

Which us luck!

These pictures have nothing to do with this post.

I just LOVE those curls.

Taken August 19th, 2011.

A little phtoshoot

2011-09-15T13:43:00.000-07:00

Written by Shannon Leigh

Ruby in a romper and costume jewelry sitting in a suitcase in a field of wildflowers.

No big deal.

An everyday sorta thing around these parts.

Enjoy, you know that I am.

{Taken August 7, 2011}

Flower Child

2011-09-13T18:51:00.000-07:00

Written by Shannon Leigh

The only thing antique about our little tan cottage is the hydrangea that graces our front landscaping.

I find that quite pathetic (I really love all things antique).

But

I LOVE that hydrangea.

and I love that little girl of mine.

2 of my favorite things.

Ministry Opportunity!

2011-09-13T11:16:00.000-07:00

Written by Shannon Leigh

Hey everyone!

Shannon Leigh Anderson Photography has a great ministry opportunity for those of you in the C-U area!
Click here to see how you can serve a missionary AND get your family pictures taken!

-

Ain't Too Proud Monday

2011-09-12T10:38:00.000-07:00

Written by Shannon Leigh

Ruby is getting new teeth.

Ruby is kind of bear right now.

She loves to color.

We color a lot.
We colored this morning.

She colored her face and her hands.

She colored the highchair.

She wanted all he markers all at once.
I gave her one at a time.
Ruby got mad.

She screamed.
I laughed.
Because being a mom is hilarious.

The markers were washable.

You are my happy

2011-09-10T12:04:00.000-07:00

Written by Shannon Leigh

Source: etsy.com via Katherine on Pinterest

Yard Rompers

2011-09-09T06:53:00.000-07:00

Written by Shannon Leigh

Sometimes after dinner we don't know what to do with ourselves.

You know how that is…

dinner has been eaten,

the dishes have been washed and put away,

the baby has been bathed,

But it's just not time for bed yet.

The pesky summer sun is still awake too.

It can be kind of a tricky hour.

We often get ice-cream at our local ice-cream joint but realized that probably wasn't a wise decision right before bed.

So we started yard romping.

Ruby LOVES to be outside. She stands at the backdoor all day long singing "outside, outside!"

If I don't oblige her sometimes she will melt into a puddle on the floor…

ah the joys of having a toddler.

Yard romping requires 4 things:
1. A happy toddler
2. jammies
3. Mommy and Daddy
4. Wild Izzy

Burning energy before bed?

Check!

Island Time

2011-08-24T18:51:00.000-07:00

Written by Shannon Leigh

{St. Kitts, February 15, 2011}

Sometimes I wish I could be on island time.

Life seemed so much slower in St. Kitts.

Ain't Too Proud Monday

2011-08-22T19:50:00.000-07:00

Written by Shannon Leigh

Yes, this happened today.

Oh and just because they are funny and my daughter looks like E.T. with a mustache.

Ruby has been obsessed with putting things on her head lately.

Apparently she likes the arm hole of her daddy's shirt.

This girl makes us laugh 24/7.

SInce first grade folks

2011-08-19T12:05:00.001-07:00

Written by Shannon Leigh

This is my BFF at her finest.

She's been making me pee my pants since first grade.

Gosh I love her.

(I never finished posting about our vacation in February and now I am really pining after some time in the Caribbean sun so be prepared for an onslaught of cruise posts... you're welcome).

Ruby Tuby (like Tooby)

2011-08-18T08:30:00.000-07:00

Written by Shannon Leigh

When I started hanging around Matt's family many years ago I was super excited that they liked to go boating. I grew up boating and I always thoroughly enjoyed it.

However, I was informed very early on that the Anderson family (all boys mind you) doesn't go "boating" they go "skiing." My bad. They take their skiing very seriously.

They didn't even OWN a tube!

That is until now...

There's something about this little girl of ours that get's her pop to do crazy things.

And just to prove how h-o-t my lover was back in 2004...

{Matt barefooting June 19, 2004}

Back off ladies he's all mine:)

Lessons in Chalk

2011-08-17T05:58:00.000-07:00

Written by Shannon Leigh

So there was this glorious time in my life when Ruby was a baby.

She slept all day and all night. She didn't move at all. She didn't pull all of my tampons and q-tips out of the bathroom cabinet and scatter them throughout the house.

She didn't even play in the dog bowls 1700 times a day.

I didn't have to fight her when I changed her diaper and she didn't tug on my pants and scratch up my legs while I made dinner.

She would sit in her bouncy seat and coo and I would sit and rock her and nurse her because that's all she needed. Like I said, it was glorious!

I used to get lots of work down during the day. Being a photographer is serious business and I take it very seriously. I take pride in my timeliness and customer service ;)

Now Ruby is a toddler (17 months to be exact). She's really more like a woman-child (AHHH, stop growing so fast).

She requires ALOT attention.

She takes one (glorious) nap a day and gets into EVERYTHING.

She is getting her top molars (already has her bottom ones- 12 teeth in all) which hasn't been fun.

She likes to run around naked and knows how to take her diaper off if she doesn't have pants on.

She gives kisses like it's going out of style, she says a bajillion words and sentences, and dances like it's her last day on earth.

She climbs into the tub on her own. She climbs on ALL of the furniture. She leaves handprints and snot marks on everything, especially the glass doors and windows.

She stands at the back door and says "outside" all day long.

It really is glorious in a completely different way.

I don't get nearly as much done but I am thoroughly enjoying ever minute with our little girl.

Someday she will want nothing to do with me so I better soak it up while it lasts.

I am constantly trying to find fun things to do with her. The weather has FINALLY been cooperating and I don't feel suffocated the second I walk out.

So Ruby and I have been playing outside a LOT! Sidewalk chalk is one our favorites.

We practice the alphabet and our numbers (she likes to repeat 2, 3, 2, 3).

We even practice our shapes and colors. I can ask which one is the circle and she will point right to it.

Oh Ruby I hope you know how much I love you and your little tanned arms.

Here's to hoping we have lots more side walk chalk parties in our future.

Love you,

Mama

A Girl & Her Pop

2011-08-03T20:37:00.000-07:00

Written by Shannon Leigh

Our girl has 3 BFFs.

One is Bunny (or Buddy as she calls it).

Another is Izzy.

3rd is her Pop.

{On the River, July 16, 2011}

We believe that the feeling is mutual.

My Fashionista

2011-08-01T14:23:00.000-07:00

Written by Shannon Leigh

So my Project Runway buddies will get a serious kick out of this.

Yesterday an old episode of Project Runway was on tv, specifically the one where Chris made clothing out of human hair. (If you are a Project Runway buff like me you will distinctly remember the episode, but then how could you forget it?).

So Ruby and I were reading a book with the tv on in the background and I wasn't really paying attention. All the sudden I hear Ruby shout "MONKEY, MONKEY" while pointing at the tv. I looked up and saw a coat that Chris had crafted with human hair all around the collar.

HA, I laughed and laughed. It really DID look like a monkey.

Ahh, the innocence. I love that little girl.

Pure Joy

2011-07-27T16:14:00.000-07:00

Written by Shannon Leigh

Consider the Lilies

2011-07-26T21:12:00.000-07:00

Written by Shannon Leigh

“Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.

Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.

Matthew 6:25-34

Goodbye Old Friend

2011-07-20T09:02:00.000-07:00

Written by Shannon Leigh

Last week I had to buy a new Macbook Pro. Wah Wah...

We have spent quite a bit of money on the old one in the last few months and it was time to lay it to rest.

It was sad day. That sweet little computer has been good to me and my business.

We have spent a LOT of time together over the last few years. It has seen me through many dessert Thursdays, the birth of a child, and countless weddings and photo sessions.

The new one is spiffy and shiny and wonderful but I think I will always miss my first love.

It's kind of like my Pentax k-1000, my first film camera, nothing can ever replace it completely.

{The night I got the original MBP, I was clearly excited. January 10, 2009}

R.I.P. First MBP. You lived a good life.

Ain't too Proud Monday (Wednesday Addition)

2011-07-11T18:50:00.000-07:00

Written by Shannon Leigh

So I have been MIA lately.

Want to know why?

DID you SEE that?

Yep, the bottom half of my face blew up like a water balloon.

It all started 2 Thursdays ago.

My chin randomly started hurting but I didn't notice anything out of the ordinary when I checked it out. Not even a bump.

By Friday night my chin had a huge elongated bump on it and it hurt like the dickens.

We thought it was some kind of bug bite.

I would have gone to the doctor but I was shooting a wedding out of town on Saturday.

It was continually getting larger and more painful.

On Sunday I headed straight to convenient care and it was diagnosed as some kind of infection. Yikes.
She gave me an antibiotic and sent me on my way.

Then it just got WORSE.
I was in a lot of pain and the swelling was all the way down to my chest.
I couldn't sleep or get comfortable. It was actually really horrible.
I had to go back to convenient care (stupid holiday weekend).
They doubled my antibiotic and gave me a HUGE shot in the bum, which still hurts mind you. They also gave me a heaping dose of Vicodin.

By Wednesday I went to see my primary care doc because it JUST wasn't getting better and now I was throwing up because I was so nauseous from the Vicodin and antibiotic.

Well they ended up having to LANCE it.
Yes, like cut it open and drain it.
And yes it was just as horrible as it sounds.

I have been on the mend since then but still haven't caught up on all the work I fell behind on while I was down for the count.
I still have a small bump on my chin but it doesn't hurt.
I see the doctor tomorrow, hopefully he'll have some answers for me.

Praise the Lord for my parents and in-laws for helping us out.
I don't think I could have done it without them!

Oh and PS- my computer is out of commission as of tonight. The screen won't turn on(Iam currently on Matt's computer to answer emails).
AWESOME, JUST what I need!
Bleh...

Lately

2011-06-30T09:39:00.000-07:00

Written by Shannon Leigh

{June 5, 2011}

Yesterday morning I was awoken by a sweet little 15 month old screaming "hi mama" over and over again.

She was toddling along carrying a tube of disinfecting wipes (don't worry, the lid was closed tightly-I think).

She was so proud.

She handed them to me in bed as if she were handing me the crown jewels.

She then said "tank oooo (thank you)." She gets confused on when to use that.

She is changing SO FAST.

She says like a bazillion words. No really, like there are too many to list. We wrote them in her baby book and they filled up an entire page.

See?

She currently looks like she has been in a bar fight. She keeps falling down and scratching/bruising her face. It's pitiful. I guess that's just what happens when you're a toddler. This is new territory for all of us. Miss independent want to do it all herself.

She loves to get on and off of her radio flyer. I'm glad that she is finally figuring it out. Most of times she sits on it backwards.

She also LOVES the water. Like REALLY loves the water.

{June 30, 2011}

I haven't been taking a lot of pictures this month. I am smack dab in the middle of wedding season and life around here is crazy. Good but crazy.

Even though we are busy I feel like the Lord has been multiplying my time. Hallelujah.

{June 5, 2011}

I need to give a shout out to my man. Oh how I adore him.

He is so helpful and steady. He lets me sleep in in the morning and he takes Ruby duty until he leaves for work.

The other night I locked myself in the office to edit for a few hours. He even made dinner and brought it to me. It was like room service! I know he's not perfect but he sure is good to me (most of the time). ;)

{June 5, 2011}

Ruby is also obsessed with trains. We live close to 2 different tacks so when she hears a train during the day she stops what she's doing and says "CHOOO CHOOO" at the top of her lungs. It's hilarious.

{saying choo choo- June 5, 2011}

2011-06-23T13:15:00.000-07:00

Written by Shannon Leigh

I was completely unprepared when this sweet little gift came into our lives.

I mean I knew that I would love her but...

No one told me that I'd fall in love.

For real.

The more I get to know her the more I love her.

I'm head over heels I tell ya.

Especially when she wears a romper.

Amen.

Ain't Too Proud Monday

2011-06-20T13:41:00.000-07:00

Written by Shannon Leigh

Ruby had ravioli for lunch a few weeks ago.

Here's the evidence.

And just in case you were confused.

Winner Winner Chicken Dinner

2011-06-15T07:38:00.000-07:00

Written by Shannon Leigh

I never win anything by way of drawing.

My Grandma Dudley, however, has a great stroke of luck.

She won a car once.

She traded it in for an organ (like the musical instrument, not like a kidney).

That organ still sits in her great room.

I'm still amazed that an organ was the same price as a car.

She won a tree once too (like a big, nice tree).

My mom entered her into a drawing without her even knowing.

Lucky woman that one.

Anyway

My friend Kendahl started a new side business called All Things New.

They basically take old unwanted pieces of furniture (among other things) and bring them new life.

AHHH, one of my favorite things to do!

Isn't that what our gracious Lord does with us?

We are cherished and he makes us new, makes us changed.

Anyway,

I WON their give-a-way!

I won a chalk board slate made out of an old door and 3 vintage rosette hair clips that will look divine on the Ru.

You MUST follow their blog here.

And like their facebook page here.

Lilly: 36 Weeks

2011-06-14T07:53:00.000-07:00

The girl behind this belly:

One of my favorite people on the planet.

My maid of honor.

The one that I traveled half way around the world with doing missions in South Africa.

Has a servant’s heart.

Loves Jesus.

Is SNL kind of funny.

We’ve peed our pants together. A lot.

Is beautiful.

Strong.

A Physical Therapist.

My cousin.

About to experience one of the best miracles on earth, becoming a Mama.

I can’t WAIT to meet sweet baby girl T.!!

Some Kind of Wonderful

2011-06-13T20:21:00.000-07:00

Written by Shannon Leigh

That is all.

Shirtless

2011-06-09T18:53:00.000-07:00

Written by Shannon Leigh

Many years ago Matt drove to my parent's house for the first time.

It was June after my freshman year of college and Matt's first year of law school. We had only been dating since the very end of March. He had met my parents once before but he was about to meet the rest of the clan (extended family, aunts, uncles, cousins, etc). It was going to be intense.

I already knew that I was going to marry him.

That weekend was the first time he told me he loved me.

In fact he said: "I have always had a picture in my head of the girl that would walk down the isle to me. She was blonde & tan (yes, I USED to be tan). Now that girl has a face."

However sweet THAT was, that really isn't the point of this post.

Back to my story.

So it was June and Matt was driving from STL to my parents house outside of Springfield, about an hour and a half drive.

It was HOT, really hot.

Matt drove a red Ford Taurus that was all kinds of ghetto.

It didn't have air conditioning.

Did I mention that it was HOT?

So what did the love of my life do?

He drove an hour and a half in a red Ford Taurus without air conditioning... SHIRTLESS.

Yes, you read that correctly. Shirtless. As in he didn't wear a shirt, at all.

He didn't want to sweat through his shirt so his only option was to go SHIRTLESS.

Can't you just picture it?

Talk about classy.

Luckily I didn't witness this debacle since he put his shirt on before he got to our driveway.

Thank goodness.

I might have wanted out. :)

{all pictures from Matt Debackere, October 8, 2010}

All I know is that it was true love way back then and we're even more in love now.

I am one blessed girl.

{Picture of us on that fateful day. June 13, 2004}

Hey there stair climber!

2011-06-09T12:21:00.000-07:00

Written by Shannon Leigh

We spent last weekend at my parents house since I shot a wedding in Springfield.

We don't have stairs in our house.

My parents have lots.

Now that Ruby is fully walking she is off on new/bolder adventures like stair climbing.

Oh how she loved climbing those stairs.

And she looked mighty cute figuring them out.

Aint too proud Monday

2011-06-06T19:55:00.000-07:00

Written by Shannon Leigh

WARNING: If you are of the male persuasion and/or are easily offended by feminine hygiene products DO NOT proceed.

However, if you are female (which I am assuming most of you are) and/or you find the fact that my daughter LOVES playing with tampons funny, you will enjoy the following pictures.

She LOVES to play in the cabinets while I get ready in my bathroom.

I let her.

Because let's be honest, it takes at least 20 minutes to straighten my hair.

In this particular pile:

Curlers

band-aids

pepto bismol

calamine lotion

tampons

I also found this.

Remind me to throw away that hair tie.

The toddler days have begun.

Playing it Safe!

2011-06-03T12:40:00.000-07:00

Shannon Leigh Anderson Photography was asked to partner with the "Playing it Safe" program!

Head out to the Champaign County Fair Grounds for fun and safety tips tomorrow from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and a chance to win a FREE Shannon Leigh Anderson Photography session!

Babies don't keep

2011-06-01T20:28:00.000-07:00

Written by Shannon Leigh

The cleaning and scrubbing will wait till tomorrow,

for children grow up,

as I've learned to my sorrow.

So quiet down, cobwebs.

Dust go to sleep.

I'm rocking my baby.

Babies don't keep.

Ruth Hulburt Hamilton

Pigtails

2011-05-31T13:50:00.000-07:00

Written by Shannon Leigh

YEP!

We've got pigtails and I am loving it.

In other news, Ruby turned 18 over night.

Yeah.

We walked to the library today and she looked like a teenager walking around the shelves of books with her pigtails.

I think I officially have a toddler.

And how I love her so.

Featured on On to Baby

2011-05-30T17:16:00.000-07:00

Written by Shannon Leigh

Guess what!?

Tea for Ruby has been featured on On to Baby (one of my go-to sites for baby ideas).

Check out the feature here!

About the flu

2011-05-25T09:17:00.000-07:00

Written by Shannon Leigh

Yesterday I had the flu.

I wasn't convinced that it was the flu at first.

I thought it was just indigestion so I took some tums, laid in a ball, etc.

It wasn't until the 7th time I threw up that I was convinced.

I proceeded to throw up 15 times, pulling a muscle in my back and breaking a blood vessel in my neck.

I was basically tossing large intestine sludge (term coined by my sister, Brooke).

Awesome.

I even had to cancel a shoot, bleh.

I've never had to do that before.

Matt had a busy day so I was home alone with the baby.

I thought I was going to die.

Seriously, the flu is WORST.

I decided to take a nice hot bath to relieve the nausea.

I let Ruby (and Izzy for that matter) play in the water by the side of the tub because I was desperate.

They were both soaked.

I also let Ruby watch LOTS of TV.

I think her brain is mush now.

I now have lots of sympathy for those poor women who have really bad morning sickness. I don't know how they do it.

I feel much better today. Still a little woozy and weak.

I'm praising the Lord that yesterday is over.

MISSION DISINFECT is now in full swing.

I'm getting a massage tomorrow.

And because it's my blog and I don't think I ever posted these...

{Taken in the Secret Garden August 8th, 2010}

P.S. - If you follow my blog you should go LIKE my Shannon Leigh Anderson Facebook page :)

You know you want to.

Aint too proud Monday

2011-05-23T18:21:00.000-07:00

Written by Shannon Leigh

Everything on this table somehow fit into this ugly little mail organize that I got at a garage sale for 10 cents like 3 years ago.

I have meant to paint it and make it cute since I got it and never did anything with it.

So sad.

Well the project is now underway and I WILL finish it at some point...maybe.

At lest it's well organized for the time being.

simplifying digitally

2011-05-21T15:58:00.000-07:00

Written by Shannon Leigh

So as most of you know 2011 is all about simplifying in this hizous, yes I just pulled a Tom Haverford.

Not only have I tried to simplify my home and business life but I've also tried to simplify my "digital life." What is a digital life you ask? Let me explain.

We live in a digital world friends and SO much of my work is done digitally, especially concerning photography (although I'm headed back to film, hooray).

Anyway you slice it all of us have LOTS of digital files that NEED to be maintained in a proper archival way, can I get a witness?

Amen.

There are a few programs that have REALLY helped me get organized during this blissful year of simplifying. Allow me to elaborate.

1. Google Docs

If you don't use Google Docs, START.

You can store, access and edit any document that you need in any form (.doc, .pdf, etc) from ANYWHERE. It's amazing. I have used google docs for years now and I really don't know what I did before.

I even have a google docs app on my phone so I can send clients documents when I am not near my computer. This has proved to be my best friend since now I don't come home to one billion emails after I am gone for a few days. I try to knock out as many as I can from my phone. Holla.

I have uploaded all of my important work documents and can access them from ANYWHERE.

Matt and I also have a few shared documents that we can constantly update, like our budget. It's pretty sweet. Double holla.

2. Flickr

I'll assume most of you know what Flickr is. It's a website that allows users to upload, organize, store, search, and share photos. I use it as an internet back up for all of my files. I can organize each group of pictures and make them searchable based on any criteria. I LOVE IT. For me it's my back up to my back up to my back up if you know what I mean.

I find downloading files from flickr a bit cumbersome but I rarely have to download anything. I generally use it for uploading pictures to my blog or sharing them with friends.

You can make your files public or private which I also find nice. I have the desktop app that allows me to upload files while I don't have a browser open. It's super convenient and less of a hassle than any other system I have tried thus far.

For $25/year you can get a pro account and upload UNLIMITED files which I obviously need considering I currently have 41, 482 items uploaded. I have spent the last few months uploading and organizing EVERY single digital photo that I have and now I am OH so happy. I mean seriously peeps talk about SIMPLIFIED. I am now working on getting the files put in a safe deposit box at the bank. We all know how important my photos are to me. :)

To show you how quick and easy flickr is - I pulled up a picture of each newborn nephew and I in about 1 minute. Sure beats uploading each one individually.

Kellen Mitchell

Keagan Gabriel

Kade Isaac

3. Quickbooks

Halleuluah for a program that keeps my business finances easily organized. I am also super grateful that my handsome hubby is my business partner and stays on top of things financially. I wouldn't say he does ALL the finances but he certainly helps me out. :)

(Any business owners out there- If you have any tips on better programs or on how to make things even easier I am definitely open to suggestions).

On a completely unrelated note, I have been photographing lots of newborns lately and I am LOVING it.

Newborns are a LOT of work since they're completely unpredictable but they are oh so precious. I have been encouraging my clients (especially the moms) to get in at least a couple of photographs with the babies.

I refused to be in any photos when Ruby was a newborn and I totally regret it. It's such a great way to remember how itty bitty they are.

Here are a few shots from her newborn session

{taken March 15th, 2010}

And here is Ruby and I when she was about 2 months old. These are the only pictures I could find of her and I when she was still pretty little.

I was setting up for a shoot that day and did a few test shots with my Ru. I am SO glad I have these, even though I look like a hot mess without any makeup on and my hair all nasty. :)

I am in love with her skinny little legs.

{take May 10, 2010}

About today and pacifiers

2011-05-18T13:18:00.000-07:00

Written by Shannon Leigh

I was dreading today.

Today I was going to take the Rubster to my hair appointment. I am still not sure what I was thinking. I don't even know how that would have worked. It would have been miserable, ending with both of us in tears covered in hair. That's really the only way it could have gone down. It would have been a real low point in my mothering career thus far.

Matt had a hearing in Chicago this morning and then another one in the afternoon. He couldn't pick Ru up from MMO like I had planned so perfectly.

I would ordinarily reschedule but my hair lady is out of town for like 3 weeks and my poor roots couldn't wait another second. And NO, I am not risking trying someone new, can I get an amen ladies?

Anyway, at the last second Matt called me and told me he could pick her up because his second hearing was CANCELLED. And then the angels sang, no really, I heard them, I think. I haven't been so excited probably since the last time photo equipment came in the mail (which, come to think of it, happens all the time, photography is an expensive business, especially with being SUCH a perfectionist).

I was pumped and promised Matt that I'd make him a very happy man...

by cleaning the house (get your mind out of the gutter).

So I went to my hair appointment, chatted with my adorable hair girl (Megan) and thoroughly enjoyed getting my scalp scrubbed WITHOUT a paci-less toddler screaming on my lap (or eating hair on the floor).

My scalp is still tingling.

That leads me to paci-less Ruby.

Yes it's true. We are approaching the 72 hour mark being paci free.

Here's the thing folks, I don't think Ruby was nearly as addicted to the paci as I was. I LOVE the paci (note the capitalized, bold, italicized LOVE). You see it was a surefire happy/quiet maker. When things were bad, the paci would make it all better.

Ruby came home from the hospital loving the paci. Some babies never take one, some babies suck their fingers, my baby LOVED her paci. Ruby was putting herself to sleep in just a few months without fussing because of that paci. God bless you mr. paci (may you RIP).

We planned to do it at 12 months but I drug my feet. I just couldn't part with it. We were going through lots of transitions around that time, like weaning her off the bottle and then we were concentrating on crawling/walking, plus we were traveling a lot (and there is SERIOUSLY nothing worse than a screaming toddler in the backseat, it gives me a neck ache).

Then Ruby started throwing her paci and I was SO tired of retrieving it. We also aren't traveling for 2 weeks so we decided to bite the bullet and give it a try. It has actually gone rather smoothly. The first time I laid her down for a nap she cried for an hour, boy was she mad. The second time she fussed for 20 minutes, the 3rd time 10, and now it's just a few seconds. Point for team mom.

If I would have known it was this easy I might have done it sooner but then again, maybe not. I feel like all of the "baby" is gone in my little gem. I TOTALLY understand why some 3 year olds are walking around with a bottle. It's hard to let them grow up, but grow up they must.

And just because I love this picture:

{Taken March 31, 2010 on her first trip to Chicago}

Ain't Too Proud Monday

2011-05-16T20:32:00.000-07:00

Written by Shannon Leigh

Sometimes I am too lazy to fold and put away the laundry as it gets done.

It results in a big pain-in-the-butt to fold mountain of wrinkled clothes.

Curse my severe procrastination.

Can you find the Ruby?

Brusha, Brusha, Brusha

2011-05-16T06:29:00.000-07:00

Written by Shannon Leigh

We have been brushing Ruby's teeth for a few months now.

We started when she only had 2 and now she has (almost) 8.

She's been a trooper for getting so many teeth so fast.

She currently has 4 on top and 3 on bottom. She is working on the 4th on the bottom.

Her 2 front teeth are super far apart and a little crooked.

They are hilarious, definitely NOT dental perfection.

But we don't care.

It reminds me a of Jan from Grease singing the Ipana toothpaste jingle with Bucky Beaver.

I found an Ipana commercial. Check it out , you won't regret it.

She LOVES brushing. It tickles her gums and she laughs the entire time.

These were taken the first time we brushed her teeth.

She was CLEARLY enjoying herself.

{taken April 6, 2011}

Easy to love

2011-05-12T06:14:00.000-07:00

Written by Shannon Leigh

When Matt and I found out we were pregnant I was a little worried about how I was going to love this little offspring of mine.

We got pregnant a little faster than I expected and then I entered that icky morning sickness stage for the first 12 weeks.

I didn't love being pregnant so I worried that I would somehow resent this child for taking away my body and my life for 9 months.

But then she arrived.

I've never been so in love in all my life.

It was instantaneous love.

But as she grows she is making it really easy to love her.

She's laid back and easy going and beyond expressive.

Oh how I praise the Lord for this precious gift he has given me.

I am reminded of Mary's song in Luke 1:46-55

And Mary said,

“My soul magnifies the Lord,

and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,

for he has looked on the humble estate of his servant.

For behold, from now on all generations will call me blessed;

for he who is mighty has done great things for me,

and holy is his name.

And his mercy is for those who fear him

from generation to generation.

He has shown strength with his arm;

he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts;

he has brought down the mighty from their thrones

and exalted those of humble estate;

he has filled the hungry with good things,

and the rich he has sent away empty.

He has helped his servant Israel,

in remembrance of his mercy,

as he spoke to our fathers,

to Abraham and to his offspring forever.”

Don't get me wrong there are bad days, there are long days, there are days that I want to pull my hair out but for the most part, I enjoy her immensley. 

Thanks for being so wonderful miss Ruby Evangeline.

And praise the Lord for being so merciful.

Looking forward to spending the next 18 years together.

Also Ruby has added a few more words to her vocabulary.

She is adding words left and right.

Baby

outside

All done

Where are you?

backpack

She is also started to take consecutive steps! Woo hoo!

Ruby the Destroyer

2011-05-10T19:56:00.000-07:00

Written by Shannon Leigh

The picture below is probably one of my favorite pictures EVER.

It was a few days after Ruby's 1st birthday.

I was trying to photograph her birthday shoes on her chair and miss Ruby would NOT leave them alone.

She kept creeping up onto the chair with wobbly legs and snatching them.

I snapped this one and it made my heart pitter patter.

She looks like a little giant.

I love that chubby little face peering down at her prize.

ahhh, sweet victory.

Aren't her duck feathers adorable?

Look at those chubby arms... don't you just want to nibble them?

I'll take the left one slathered in mayo please.

I eventually got the shot that I was after.

But right now I am so grateful for the out-takes.

{all pictures taken March 16, 2011}

Happy Mother's Day!

2011-05-08T06:44:00.000-07:00

Written by Shannon Leigh

To ALL of the mothers in my life.

But especially to the one that raised me.

{Scanned chromes from August, 1979}

I love you Mom!

Featured on Unique Baby Gear

2011-05-06T07:08:00.000-07:00

Written by Shannon Leigh

A few weeks ago I was contacted by a woman who found some of my photos on flickr.

She loved Ruby's nursery and asked me if she could feature the nursery on her website, Unique Baby Ideas.

The site seems like a GREAT place to garner baby ideas if you're expecting or know someone expecting. Check out the site and browse around!

By leaving a comment on Ruby's nursery I get entered into the nursery pictures contest! If I get the most votes I win $500!

Comment/vote away if you'd like!

Check out Ruby's nursery feature HERE.

Words

2011-05-06T06:37:00.000-07:00

Written by Shannon Leigh

Ruby is a talker - go figure.

What she lacks in physical mobility she makes up for in her chitter chatter. She comes by it honestly. She is bound to be a bit of a late bloomer.

She says A LOT of words and it's actually quite easy to communicate with her.

She even says a few phrases.

I want to write it all down so I don't forget all she says right now. We have gotten a lot of it on video too. It's like the cutest sound of all time and I NEVER want to forget her perfect little voice.

She says:

Mama (the strike is over, Halleluiah)

DaDa

Izzy

Bye

Uh oh

Ball

Book

Bunny (she says bubby)

Eat (teat)- She also signs that

more- She signs that too

Nana - name for my mom and a banana

GiGi- name for Matt's mom

PaPa- name for both Grandpas (pa & pop)

Bubble Guppies- (she says Buppy)

No - for no and "nose"

Eyes

cow

cat

Oh no

oh my

what?

Night Night (she says ni ni)

belly button (She says beppy bup)

Bath- (she says Bap)

Where did it go?(this is seriously the cutest)

Hi DaDa

Bye DaDa

She signs milk

She says the animal noises for:

Dog

duck

monkey

elephant

pig

cow

And because no post is complete without a few pictures

{pictures taken April 27, 2011 in the dress we brought back from the Caribbean for her}

The big 2-6

2011-05-04T17:29:00.000-07:00

Written by Shannon Leigh

Last week I turned 26.

It was a lovely day.

{my little family on my birthday}

I had a shoot in the morning but then the rest of the day was ALL about me:).

I knew that as things got busy work-wise I'd probably have a lot of late nights editing but MAN, I am exhausted.

I took 2 naps and laid in bed while reading a full chapter in a book (whoa- I usually get to read about 2 paragraphs before I am needed by someone or dinner needs to made or laundry needs to be done, or pictures need edited, etc).

{The Ru and I. I love her}

I even took a nice long bubble bath before dinner, which I haven't done in YEARS.

Matt had procured a babysitter for Ru and he took me out to Ko Fusion downtown, which seriously has the best food EVER. I am still salivating over the steak. YUM.

And of COURSE we had to get some cupcakes at Cakes on Walnut too, it doesn't really feel like a birthday without one.

{Chocolate strawberry cupcake= a little slice of heaven}

Matt surprised me while I was getting ready with pearl earrings that match the neckless he got me for Christmas. I felt so spoiled. Of course I love them, they are beautiful. I think I'll wear them everyday.

Thanks for all of the birthday wishes and to my dearest Matty (and Ruby) for a great day.

Here's to hoping 26 will be the best year yet.

Love of Her Life

2011-04-26T11:55:00.000-07:00

Written by Shannon Leigh

A few nights ago Matt and I had the following conversation about Ruby.

Matt- "I think I'm the love of her life. I mean I think she loves and needs you but I think she REALLY loves me."

Me- "hmmm, you think so huh?"

Matt- "Yeah, I think she has a crush on me."

Me- "Yeah I think she does, but I think you have a crush on her too."

Matt- "Yeah, I think you're right. I hope I am the kind of Dad that she wants to marry. You know, I hope she wants to marry someone like me someday."

Me- "Yeah, I have a feeling she will."

My husband is HEAD OVER HEALS in love with his little girl, especially since she says "Hi, Dada" every 30 seconds.

I mean who would have thought a 30 inch brown-eyed blonde with rolls would steal his heart?

You know, it somehow makes me love both of them even more.

Circles

2011-04-22T11:10:00.000-07:00

Written by Shannon Leigh

I love these pictures.

I think it's because of all of the circles.

rug

head

eyes

onsie dots

paci

OH my how she has grown.

I love seeing how big the paci is compared to her face. It was so HUGE back then!

Crazy.

Ruby took a step on her own yesterday.

It was small but definitely a step!

I am sure we are still a long way from walking but it's a big milestone!

Way to go RuRu!

{Taken June 1, 2010}

Hi, DaDa!

2011-04-20T12:37:00.000-07:00

Written by Shannon Leigh

I hear that simple phrase 6 billion times a day.

She says it when I come around the corner, while she is looking at herself in the mirror, and when she plays with the upholstery tacks on the chair.

She also says it when I talk to Matt on the phone and when he comes home at night. She crawls at lightning fast speed to the mud room door repeating "hi, DaDa" over and over and over.

She picks up the receiver to her play phone at least twice a day and holds it to her shoulder (not her ear) and says "Hi, Dada!"

It really is the CUTEST thing ever.

She also says "bye, DaDa" when Matt leaves in the morning.

She says "Izzy" 900 times a day. She is getting really good at it.

Today I picked her up from MMO and I had a fuzzy white blanket in the back seat. She pointed excitedly saying "Izzy" over and over.

She is currently on a "Mama" strike. She REFUSES to say it unless she is screaming and thinks I am going to leave her. Awesome. Remember her first word was Mama.

So today I'd like to go back in time and remember my sweet 2 week old Ruby (16 days actually).

What a little ham.

Grab a Mattress, Quick!

2011-04-19T18:48:00.000-07:00

Written by Shannon Leigh

Somehow, I live in a house without a basement.

Basements are kind of hard to come by in these parts, especially in our little town.

BUT, COME ON!

We live in tornado alley. WHAT was I thinking?

As most of you know, the midwest experienced some nasty storms tonight.

I was actually really proud of my composure when the sirens went off.

I calmly gathered Ruby and went straight into the garage and had Matt remove the step to the crawl space.

We dropped Izzy in, put down a blanket and I had my computer on my lap tracking the storm. Ruby was as happy as a lark and Izzy didn't move from my side.

We only stayed in the crawl space for a few minutes but we stayed close by for awhile. Overall I stayed pretty calm.

In fact Matt told me later that he was very proud of me.

I haven't always been so calm. It must be my motherly instincts kicking in.

Which leads me to a story, which I really need to get down on paper because it's just too funny.

A little background:

I grew up in the middle of the country, outside of a town called Pleasant Plains. It was flat, REALLY flat (hence the name).

We could sit on the back deck and see the fireworks on the 4th of July at the state capital, which is about 25 miles away.

We could see storms coming for MILES. The clouds were just so ominous and terrifying as they came rolling down the plain.

If there was a funnel cloud within 3 counties we could see it coming.

After one particularly memorable funnel cloud my mom had to slap me because I was screaming so hysterically. I then proceeded to beg my sisters to ask Jesus into their hearts... I was sure we were goners.

You catch my drift... so fast forward 15 years.

Shortly after Matt and I moved into our current house we had a nasty storm. We had only been married for a few months at the time.

The sirens sounded and I completely lost it. Izzy was a puppy so I scooped her up and made a B line to the garage to get into our crawl space.

I tugged at the step and to my shear terror it wouldn't budge. I looked at Matt with desperate eyes filled with panic.

(Apparently before we took possession of the house the builder had screwed down the garage step with 1 million 50 inch screws).

Matt, sensing my desperation, promptly grabbed our Wal-Mart electric screwdriver and began unscrewing at the speed of a tortoise on a stroll.

Obviously I wasn't going to wait for THAT so I told him to forget it and rushed into the bathtub in the middle of the house while holding Izzy on my lap.

Matt followed me through the house with eyes wide, poor guy.

Hearing the wind and rain slamming against the side of the house made the panic rise up in me again. "Matt grab a mattress, quick!"

So my adorable husband grabbed the queen sized mattress off of our bed and tried to squeeze it through the bathroom door. Just to be clear, our bathroom is the size of a postage stamp, there is no way a queen mattress could fit. I meant the twin mattress in the guest room. The queen mattress couldn't even turn the corner.

Once the storm passed and I regained my somewhat normal nerves I climbed out of the tub and put our the beds back together.

Matt looked me square in the face and said "You turn into a different person when it storms." Yes, honey, yes I do.

Bless him for sticking by me.

We have since removed the nails in the step that leads to the crawlspace, which eventually led to the this.

{taken January, 2011}

Since that picture was taken we have secured the step to the wall so that I can avoid slippage.

That being said I would certainly take a bruised thigh over death and disfigurement.

I rest my case.

Oh and just because I mentioned Izzy as a puppy, feast your eyes on these. I know. I love her too.

{Taken May 11, 2008}

{taken the night we brought her home, May 10, 2008}

{taken May 19, 2008}

Ain't Too Proud Monday

2011-04-18T13:37:00.000-07:00

Written by Shannon Leigh

I just found these pictures from April, 2008.

They CRACKED me up.

Izzy loves the mud.

What can I do?

The Best Days

2011-04-15T09:48:00.000-07:00

Written by Shannon Leigh

I went to visit my sister in Evansville, IN earlier this week.

It's not what I'd call an easy trip.

It's a 3 hour drive mostly through small towns on the far east side of the state.

On my way home on Wednesday Ruby and I stopped at a Subway in one of those itty bitty towns.

I stood in line salivating over the promise of a cold cut on wheat and a bag of salt and vinegar chips.

I held Ruby on my hip, a heavy diaper bag on my shoulder, a sippy cup from my pinky finger and a wallet in my hand.

Nothing is easy with a one year old, shifting the weight every few seconds to keep my arms from getting too tired.

A little old woman came into the store while I was in line.

She was petite with glasses and she was wearing all denim. She was a little crass and raspy, and maybe even a little crazy.

Then I hear

"You know these are the best days of your life, right?"

I wasn't even sure who she was talking to. She hadn't really stopped talking since she came in. She told the lady what condiments she wanted on her sandwich before the sandwich was even made.

Then she said it again.

"You know these are the best days of your life, right?"

She was talking to me.

She went on.

"If she were mine, I would hold her just like that all the time. I'd never let her go."

She then reached out and touched Ruby's face and grabbed her toes rather roughly.

I could have done without the touching but keeping with my friend Betsy's philosophy that babies are for sharing I let it go.

You know what though? I think that crazy little lady has a point.

I am sentimental by nature and I have a small obsession (ok maybe a large obsession) with capturing life's little moments. I never want to forget them.

I don't want to forget the sweet smile on Ruby's face when I get her from her crib when she wakes from a nap.

The way her little hands feel in mine and her sweet kissable cheeks.

The way her curls feel in my fingers and her two bottom teeth.

The way I feel when she lays her head on my shoulder and puts arms around my neck.

Her adorable voice that is constantly chattering.

Sometimes I forget how precious this season of life is. It's busy, physically exhausting and confusing.

But it is also ohh so sweet.

I'd like to bottle up 13 month old Ruby and take her out when I am that little old lady's age just to love on her.

Or maybe I'll just make the most of now.

{photos taken March 6th, 2011

getting Ruby after a nap}

NOT pregnant

2011-04-14T19:59:00.000-07:00

Written by Shannon Leigh

Lots of people have been asking about when I'm going to have baby #2.

But then I remember that I would have to look like this again.

EWWW.

39 weeks prego.

I think I'll wait awhile.

Be Still my Soul.

2011-04-13T18:38:00.000-07:00

Written by Shannon Leigh

My baby blows bigger snot bubbles than yours

2011-04-06T06:26:00.000-07:00

Written by Shannon Leigh

Impressive, no?

Shannon Leigh Anderson Photography Published.

2011-04-05T12:45:00.000-07:00

Written by Shannon Leigh

I have been meaning to post these for quite awhile but time (like usual) got away from me.

Anyway, Shannon Leigh Anderson Photography has been published!

About 6 months ago I was contacted by the marketing and communications department at Carle Hospital. They wanted to use a few of my images from a newborn session in the 2011 All About Baby prenatal education booklet.

This booklet is circulated on a pretty large scale (like to every pregnant woman in the county and beyond).

I was beyond honored!

I remember receiving this booklet last year while I was pregnant and certainly took advantage of the classes and information.

My photo even made the cover!

Wowsers!

Without further adeu here are a few shots of my images in the booklet.

Ain't Too Proud Monday

2011-04-04T17:34:00.000-07:00

Written by Shannon Leigh

This is the scene after every meal, every single day.

Meh, saves me from having to wipe it down.

Go ahead Iz, it's all yours.

Conquered

2011-04-02T19:28:00.000-07:00

Written by Shannon Leigh

As you know, I have been on an organzizing spree...

and NO I'm not pregnant.

It's all about simplifying in this house peeps.

It will make my life easier- especially in the coming months when life gets really crazy.

Well only if I KEEP it this way.

Which is the plan.

Check it out.

Closet BEFORE:

Closet AFTER:

Armoire BEFORE:

Armoire AFTER:

Mission accomplished.

2011-04-01T11:57:00.000-07:00

Written by Shannon Leigh

She'll kill me for posting this picture.

But I love it.

{taken in June of 2008 in Nashville, TN}

Happy 30th birthday to my OLDest sister.

Best 7 Years

2011-03-31T11:20:00.001-07:00

Written by Shannon Leigh

Yesterday marked 7 YEARS since Matt and I's first date.

How is that possible?

We went to Steak n' Shake late at night after some sorority event and we talked into the wee hours of the morning.

I'm pretty sure my face hurt from smiling so much.

I already new I was going to marry him.

He asked me to be his girlfriend.

Actually he said:

"so are we going to do this or what?"

What a hopeless romantic.

{scanned fuji BW film from the fall of 2005}

Somehow I fell for him anyway.

Best 7 years of my life, for reals.

Ain't Too Proud Monday

2011-03-28T18:32:00.000-07:00

Written by Shannon Leigh

This is what Ruby's armoir and closet looked like last week (before they got cleaned).

WHOAH.

Some maintenance on these bad boys was long overdue.

It's funny how fast babies transition out of things.

I got them clean and organized but I haven't taken pictures of them yet.

Stay tuned for pictures at some point.

In other news our house is under seige by the snot army.

Matt gave me his nasty cold and I have been miserable since Friday night and it only seems to be getting worse.

Couple that with an extremely fussy baby (who is teething) and my days have been really long.

Maybe tomorrow will be better.

It can only go up from here right?

Featured on A Darling Day!

2011-03-25T12:26:00.000-07:00

Written by Shannon Leigh

Tea for Ruby has been featured on another great party planning site, A Darling Day!

You should check out Jessica's amazing Etsy Shop too!

Check out the feature by clicking on the picture below.

Featured on The Sweetest Occasion

2011-03-24T08:22:00.000-07:00

Written by Shannon Leigh

Guess what?

Tea for Ruby has been featured on The Sweetest Occasion!

I feel beyond honored!

Check out the feature by clicking on the picture below.

Tortola is for Lovers

2011-03-21T13:31:00.001-07:00

Written by Shannon Leigh

(back to cruise posts)

Matt and I celebrated Valentine's Day this year in the BEST way EVER.
We laid on the beach and snorkeled in Tortola, a British Virgin Island.
Ahh, a relaxing holiday for lovers indeed.

{View of the bay from the top of the mountain}

Oh and we watched lots of birds.
Pelicans mostly.
I apologize for the large amount of photos.

When we got back on the boat that day Matt and I decided to climb the rock wall.
Why not?

We look pretty stunning in our climbing gear.

Matt went first.
His athleticism and long legs working to his advantage.

I went second.
Against my better judgment I wore a dress (with shorts underneath).
I look like some kind of frumpy cave woman in a jumper.

Oh well. I made it to the top.
I wasn't trying to impress anyone.
The view from up there was amazing.
Truly a bird's eye view.

Before dinner Matt and I ventured around for good photo ops (my pastime) and Matts' by association.
We found a decent one.
Look at that handsome man! :)

Ain't Too Proud Monday

2011-03-21T07:20:00.000-07:00

Written by Shannon Leigh

It took me a week to clean up Ruby's party decor.
I just didn't have the energy.
So in order to entertain Ruby while I picked up I let her help me clean.

Here she is "dismantling" some of the decorations.
At least I got the kitchen cleaned while she was doing this.

In other news Matt cleared the yard of Izzy poop.
It is officially spring and now that we will be spending a lot of time in the yard it was a MUST.
We weighed the bag after he was done.
It was 11 pounds!
11 pounds of JUST POOP.
Gross (not sure if it's more gross that there was this much or that we actually weighed it).
We should have ground it up and used it as fertilizer.
People pay a lot of money for that stuff.
Maybe we should start a side business.
Sigh.

Why Ruby...

2011-03-20T06:55:00.000-07:00

Written by Shannon Leigh

Photo taken February 3, 2009.

Written by me on the Hilton's frosted window on Michigan Avenue.

4 Months before we were pregnant.

8 months before we knew we were having a girl.

In honor of sweet Ruby's birth month I thought I'd write the story behind her name.

Ruby Evangeline

I'll start from the beginning.

The week before Matt and I started dating he invited me (and a few other people) to his grandparents church for high attendance Sunday. I was touched that he invited me (I already had a major crush). And I was also excited that he was close to his grandparents. I have always been close with mine.

That Sunday was the first time I met Grandma Ruby.

The only thing I remember about her from that Sunday was her closed-mouth smile and her beautiful complexion.

She was sweet, quiet and reserved.

Matt always spoke very highly of Grandma Ruby so I was excited to get to know her.

Grandma Ruby

After Matt and I started dating we visited his grandparents in Marion every now and again.

We would sit and chat. I learned a lot about Grandma Ruby that way.

I learned that she went to Southern Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky in hopes of becoming a missionary. At that time unmarried Baptist women couldn't be foreign missionaries so she stayed back.

Grandma Ruby & Grandpa Gene met at the Baptist ministry on campus (just like Matt's parents and just like Matt and I).

She taught ESL classes at the BCM where Matt and I attended and sewed flags for every nation that had been represented there.

Unfortunately Ruby got sick not too long after Matt and I started dating.

I only had the pleausure of knowing her a year before she passed away.

I'll tell you this though.

You find out a lot about a person when they die.

You see into their heart. You can see their deepest desires and Ruby's ONLY desire was to meet Jesus.

She couldn't meet him soon enough.

The more my mother in law told me about her the more I admired her.

She was a woman who loved Jesus more than anything in this world and kept her mind on things above. She was creative, one heck-of-a seamstress, a servant, a hard worker, and she was funny. I like women with a good sense of humor.

Matt and I talked about using the name Ruby years before we had children.

It would be the perfect tribute to Grandma Ruby and it's cute (at least we think it's cute).

We hope our Ruby is half the person Grandma Ruby was.

Now the trick was finding a name that went with it.

In college I watched the movie Nanny McPhee with some of my roommates and fell head over heals.

I am a huge Emma Thompson fan and the videography, colors, and overall feel of the film made my heart flutter.

It was also the first time I heard the name Evangeline.

It was just so pretty.

I was in love. My bff Megan also loved the name. I think we struck a deal that whoever had children first could use it. :) I won!

Many years later as Matt and I discussed future children names (even before we started trying) Evangeline came up. Matt liked it and I couldn't believe it.

Then came Evangeline Lilly in the form of Kate from Lost.

Matt was sold.

We also loved the meaning of the name Evangeline. It means to spread the good news.

We hope with all of our heart that that is JUST what she'll do.

So Ruby Evangeline was the name we had picked out long before we were pregnant. We didn't really talk about boy names until much later, after I was pregnant. I wonder if that was God's way of telling us we would be having a girl.

There is a lot wrapped up in a name.

We hope our sweet Ruby carries a little piece of Grandma Ruby with her where ever she goes in life.

We mostly hope that she knows and loves Jesus and spreads the good news until the end of her days.

Tea for Ruby

2011-03-17T17:38:00.000-07:00

Written by Shannon Leigh

I apalogize for the overload of pictures.

BUT my first child only turns one once.

We celebrated with a tea party last Saturday.

After all Ruby's favorite book is Tea for Ruby.

I made the invitations in photoshop and printed them on card stock.

I scanned floral fabric and then fashioned it into the teacup. I also scanned burlap to give the background a little bit of texture.

The fabric on the outside of the invitation is from a vintage pillowcase from a thrift store.

The gold and white medallions were left over from a project long ago.

The party was at our house.

It was a tight squeeze but everyone managed ok in our humble abode.

We used vintage tea cups (including some from Grandma Ruby, Grandma Dudley, my mom & my mother-in-law).

I even had my Great Grandma Hagen's teapot.

We also had real lumps of sugar (I was really excited about that).

I made Paula Dean's Strawberry Cake for the center of the table.

Ruby's smash cake came from Cakes on Walnut, of course..

I made embellished party hats for EVERYONE.

and EVERYONE wore one.

It was awesome.

I wish I would have gotten a pictures of the whole group.

I also made Ruby a party hat with a matching bib to wear while she ate her smash cake.

She wasn't thrilled with the hat.

O the menu for the day:

Strawberry cake

Chocolate cupcakes with whipped cream cheese frosting

Lemon cupcakes with lemon icing

Teapot shaped sugar cookies

Strawberries & grapes with whipped cream

Cucumber sandwiches

Broccoli sunflower salad

Cheeseball & crackers

Hot tea

Ice tea

Lemonade

Coffee

The chair swags are made out of doilies.

I got the idea from Martha, of course.

I LOVE that my grandma wore here party hat and sipped on tea.

So cute.

Kellen dressed up like a cowboy because... he's awesome.

I also made the garland on the window.

It's just fabric & ribbon tied to twine!

This one took some trial and error since I didn't have any kind of tutorial but I eventually got it looking the way I wanted.

Cake time.

We stripped down Ruby's dress (more on that later) and put on her hat and bib.

She wasn't SUPER excited over her smash cake.

We stuck her hand in it a few times trying to get her to go crazy but she just kind of nibbled on the icing.

She certainly didn't dig in.

It WAS a tea party after all.

She was just being a lady.

Since Matty turned the big 3-0 last week and he didn't celebrate with anyone, other than me, I decided to make him a cake and surprise him at Ruby's party.

I made him a baked alaska (one of his favorites).

I think he enjoyed it!

Then of course it was present time!

She was so spoiled by our families.

We feel so blessed to have so many people who love Ru like we do.

A special shout out to all who came and made Ruby's first birthday special.

(Especially my mother-in-law who slaved away in the kitchen with me for hours before the guests arrived. I couldn't have done it without her).

Over all the party was a great success.

I'm already dreaming up plans for birthday #2.

Dun dun dun...

Don't tell Matt.

Ruby at Age 1

2011-03-14T21:21:00.000-07:00

Written by Shannon Leigh

I've been dreading March 9th this year.

Funny how that happens.

Last year, Ruby's birthday couldn't come quick enough.

And NOW I just want everything to SLOW DOWN.

She's growing way too fast.

But...

The inevitable happened.

My sweet Ruby Evangeline turned 1!

I'm still in denial about it.

She will always be my baby no matter what her age.

When Ruby woke up on her first birthday we decided to give her just a few of her presents.

My Gandma Dudley sent Ruby a red wagon (it's tradition).

So we put that together the night before and Matt and I gave her the bounce cow.

She instantly loved the bounce cow. Touching its face and laughing.

She pretty much knew just what to do with Trumpette the bounce cow but she isn't real stable on it quite yet.

She loves to pull up on the wagon and rock back and forth. She also likes to bang blocks on the wagon, making a lovely noise...

I kept finding her trying to feed Trumpette blocks.

Overall we had a low key day.

Our friends Janna and Carter came by to play and I worked on Ruby's party.

Here are a few things about Ruby at age 1.

Weight: 20.11 lbs (45th %)

Height: 29 1/4 (56%)

Here hands and feet are so tiny.

She is still in size 2 shoes- and even some of those are too big.

She says "Hi" all the time. Especially when we come in to get her after a nap (or when Matt comes home from work - she says "Hi Dada!"). It's adorable.

He is climbing on EVERYTHING but not brave enough to stand on her own.

She is super verbal she jabbers ALL the TIME!

She says: Mama, Dada, Izzy, uh oh, quack, ball, book, bounce, woof, yum, milk, Ruby (and probably a few more that I can't think of)

She was behind on her large motor skills (crawling/pulling up/rolling over). We had a physical therapist coming out to the house for a few months. He thinks she is completely caught up now and doesn't want to see her any more. Way to go Ruby!

She has two teeth on the bottom and is cutting all 4 on the top front (poor thing).

She is still taking 2 naps.

She just switched to whole milk.

We are weening her off of the paci (sigh) and bottle (sigh).

I am loving her curls. They make me melt a bit.

She gives me kisses (open mouthed and slobbery).

She is super attached to me right now and doesn't go to strangers very easily- especially if I'm around.

She still loves Max & Ruby & is a pretty big fan of Bubble Guppies too.

She is super happy and rarely fussy.

She loves bath time & reading books.

She annihilates popup books. I often find pieces of them in her mouth.

Her favorite book is "Tea for Ruby."

She has brown eyes.

She is the most awesome one year old I know.

I might be a bit partial.

Ain't Too Proud Monday

2011-03-14T17:41:00.000-07:00

Written by Shannon Leigh

This year is all about simplifying.

This doesn't look very simple does it?

With Ruby's first birthday preparations in full force last week organizing the spare room was the least of my worries.

Don't worry, it got cleaned up before guests arrived.

Kitchen Table Redo

2011-03-14T07:27:00.000-07:00

Written by Shannon Leigh

Two weeks ago, on a whim, I decided to repaint our kitchen table and chairs.

This particular table wasn't always ours (like ALL of our furniture).

It was my parents' table.

It was the table I ate on growing up.

It could tell many tales of homework fights and glasses of spilled milk.

My mom painted it white and black a few years ago (it was oak- I think).

When they bought a new table they gave us this one because it had leafs.

Our old one was just a small round table that wasn't expandable.

The multi colored chairs were my sister Morgan's from her first kitchen.

They were a garage sale find and she painted them white.

I painted them the lego colors (yeah, not my best move).

{before}

They were supposed to look Pottery Barn-esq.

They didn't.

However, they stayed that way for 3 1/2 years.

I painted them on the patio in our first apartment, leaving a giant colorful paint mark on the concrete.

Oops.

(Matt had an absolute fit if you can believe it).

I told Matt after the first coat of white paint went on the chairs "It's like we are painting over an era."

I'm slightly on the sentimental side.

We primed the table with oil based primer and then painted it with semi gloss latex.

We then polyurethaned the whole thing for a shine and protection.

It makes it look much more modern.

{in progress- Matt and I decided the green on the chairs looked too country}

We decided to go with a more modern looking brown fabric on the chairs and I'm so glad we did.

I am pleased with the overall result. We thought about just buying new chairs (these have been through the ringer) but we really want to save our money for more pressing projects, new chairs are expensive!

Squeezing them tight

2011-03-14T06:49:00.000-07:00

Written by Shannon Leigh

Last week was insane.

There were 2 big birthdays and lots of party prepping.

And then there was the earthquake in Japan.

My heart broke while watching it unfold.

It made me squeeze my loved ones a little tighter and also hold on to the infinite wisdom of our heavenly Father and his perfect plan for this world.

And then I prayed.

A lot.

Mostly because I didn't know what else to do.

I will continue to lift up those affected and fervently pray that more people will come to know the Lord and his vast grace in this fallen and broken world.

In other (not so important) news, Matt turned 30 last week!

WHAT?

How on EARTH did that happen?

It seems like yesterday he was a handsome 22 year old 1L that I had a serious crush on.

And NOW he's my baby daddy.

How time flies.

Matt's 30th fell last Saturday.

I let him sleep in (although he still set his alarm for 7:30- I mean who does that?).

I made him chocolate chip waffles.

{look at that bed head-adorable}

I then told him that we could go out to eat to where ever he wanted to go.

I surprised him by getting a baby sitter.

I told him I had to "run an errand" and then dropped her off at the sitter.

{Ruby and Matty before dinner}

We went to Buttita's, a local Italian place.

We hadn't been there for dinner before.

We love the atmosphere.

One of our new favorite C-U spots.

I highly recommend the artichoke hearts and the tiramasu.

YUM.

We even caught a movie (it's been a LONG time since we went to a movie).

A special thanks to our friend Charissa for watching miss Ruby.

I made him a photobook of our trip to England for our second anniversary.

Ain't Too Proud Monday

2011-03-07T17:41:00.000-08:00

Written by Shannon Leigh

This is paint on my leg.

I painted our kitchen table and chairs...

last Thursday.

Apparently I have missed that spot.

For 5 days.

Also, Izzy ate my retainer this morning.

AWESOME.

In good news

The table is done and finished and fresh.

Brooke & Daniel: Destination Wedding

2011-03-07T11:48:00.000-08:00

Written by Shannon Leigh

I have finished the wedding pictures from the cruise...

Check them out here.

Party in the back

2011-03-02T06:08:00.000-08:00

Written by Shannon Leigh

We interupt the cruise posting to bring some special news.

For some time Ruby has had a serious mullet.

Every mother's dream, you know.

But recently Ruby's mullet has turned into some pretty sweet curls and I'd like to share them with you.

Now THAT's a party in the back if I've ever seen one.

In other Ruby hair news...

We can also put her hair into a ponytail.

Oh my soul.

All Gussied Up

2011-03-01T06:04:00.000-08:00

Written by Shannon Leigh

I think one of the things I really loved about the Cruise was formal nights.

I mean lets be honest, when is the last time you had to dress up?

It's fun to get all gussied up every now and then.

Pummeled

2011-02-28T05:59:00.000-08:00

Written by Shannon Leigh

This post is dedicated to those who got shellacked by the waves in St. Maarten.

You see, being behind the camera has its advantage.

There's no proof that I ever got pummeled.

Maybe I didn't...