Lessons in Chalk

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

An Adventure

Written by Shannon Leigh

I'll admit it, I'm an over-packer.

BUT I had no idea what over packing was until I travelled with a baby, especially one that I have only known for 22 days.

We pulled up to the Hotel Burnham and I'm sure the valet thought we were staying for a week. I was slightly embarrassed, but hey I left my bouncy seat at home. The bellhop should count himself lucky.

Matt had a hearing in Chicago early Thursday morning so Ruby and I tagged along. One of the many perks of being a stay at home mom...

The 30th of March marked 6 YEARS since Matt and I had our first date.

It was like yesterday that we were sitting in Steak N' Shake talking into the wee hours of the morning. (The 24 hour Steak N' Shake in Carbondale happened to close one night a week for cleaning and that fateful night happened to be it. We literally got kicked out). It feels like I blinked and now we have a baby.

We decided we'd celebrate with dinner out in Chicago. We went to the Rosebud (one of my favorites) and dined in style, as stylish as it gets with a 22 day old baby in tow. Although the waiter did compliment us on the behavior of our child. "Why thank you sir, we've trained our three weak old well."

We had a great view of the Chicago sign from our room, as well as the Joffrey Ballet. Ruby and I gazed out the window and watched the dancers prance as she drifted off to sleep.

Thankfully the baby slept like a champ and we were ready for an "adventure" in the morning.

Luckily there was an H & M attached to the hotel, so we didn't have to go far.

We even had time for a little photoshoot in the hotel.

I've recently discovered my child has no neck. She kinda looks like Humpty Dumpy with skinny little legs. Oh well, she's the cutest Humpty I've ever seen.

A Camping We Will Go

Written by Shannon Leigh

I'm going camping, yes sirree! 
I'm going camping, won't you come with me? 
First we'll pitch our tent on the ground, 
Then make a fire as we all gather round. 
I'm going camping, yes sirree! 
I'm going camping, won't you come with me?

Next we'll cook on the open fire, 
Then till stories till we all get tired. 
When the stars are twinkling bright, 
We'll sleep in our tents 'til the morning light. 
I'm going camping, yes sirree! 
I'm going camping, won't you come with me?

When we see the morning sun, 
We'll wake right up 'cause the day's begun. 
There's so much that we can do -- 
Fishing, swimming, hiking, too. 
I'm going camping, yes sirree! 
I'm going camping, won't you come with me?

4th of July Weekend

Written by Shannon Leigh

Wow I'm behind.

Since Matt and I had a 3 day weekend over the 4th of July, we decided it would be a GREAT weekend to tell our families that we were expecting.  We made my mom a little onsie that said  "I love Nana."  It took my mom a few minutes to actually get it but I think they were pretty excited once everyone figured it out.  My parents took my nephew Kellen camping  in New Salem so we headed out that way and hung there for awhile.  

Doesn't Keagan have the prettiest blue eyes??

Look at his CHUBBY legs!

After telling my parents, we headed down to O'Fallon to tell Matt's parents.  We got my mother-in-law a Willow Tree grandmother box.  We wrapped it up and gave it to her without explanation.  She got it pretty much right away.  I think they were all pretty shocked.  

Anyway, the Anderson's had a pool party on the 4th.  Unfortunately, the weather didn't cooperate but we all had a lovely time chatting and eating.  We headed to the river with whole fam to watch the fireworks that night. 

Celebrating with some of my favorite people...

Speaking of St. Louis, our friends Janna and Derek came and visited this weekend and they gave us our very first outfit for peanut.  It's a little Cardinal outfit, with a matching bib!  WAY TOO CUTE.  Can't wait till peanut can actually wear it (yes, I am aware that I actually have to gestate for 9 months first).

The weekend before last...

Written by Shannon Leigh

I got to see my sisters, and my nephews... We spent a lot of time just talking and hanging in the secret garden.  I'll let the photos speak for themselves.