And again…caught him smiling.? 🙂

I know he is mine but I don’t think I am being just a prejudicial mother by saying that our son is G O R G E O U S.? I AM a newborn photographer so that qualifies me to say it right?? :)?? Of course, I would have loved him purple polka dotted and would have said the same I am sure.

He is so precious.? Tomorrow I have big plans for his pictures but I fear he may not cooperate.?? I took a ton of pictures in this one prop because he was really sleepy and I thought I had better maximize the moment.? This particular bear hat is smaller than most of my other hats so I was able to make it work for him.?? He IS gaining to.? You can really see him filling out quick.

Mmmmmmmmmmmm I love this one.? Not sure how I will decide which shot I want of him above our tv with the other three kids pictures.

Another favorite of mine.? Love that hair.

If I keep posting a plethora of pictures of Troy every day, my name is going to be serious mud with my sister.? I still haven’t quite finished Quinn’s shoot.? Looks like you all have plenty more newborn shots comin’ even if I am on maternity leave for the rest of the summer.

(And if you were wondering, I am going to take a light load this Fall due to the baby and I already have a Fall list that may have more names on it than I will get to.? I haven’t decided how many clients I will take this Fall but I will need to limit it for obvious reasons.? I am going to start calling and scheduling those on my list in order in August.? I am adding names to it as requests come up but I am not sure how many clients I will actually end up scheduling).

I love baby feet.? Love them.

In case you have been missing Tori antics….

Tori:? Mommy!? We are having fun and being safe.

Ty:? Yeah mom.? We are being REALLY safe.

Jim:? Uh safe doing what exactly?

They were doing “atomic face plants” on our bed.?? Parents ruled “unsafe”.???? I love when children give themselves away.? Saves a lot of time.

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Aunt Karen taught her the little turtle story and she wants me to do it with her everyday.? I had to do a refresher on Youtube so that I would remember it.

“There was a little turtle who lived in a box.? He swam in the puddles and climbed on the rocks.? He snapped at a mosquito.? He snapped at a flea.? He snapped at a minnow and he snapped at ME.? He caught the mosquito.? He caught the flee.? He caught the minnow but he didn’t catch me!”

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The morning of Ty’s birth (technically the day before because he was born at 12:05 AM), I had taken the kids to see Cars 2 (wouldn’t recommend it by the way – super boring I thought).? I was in a hurry and forgot to bring Tori extra panties.? She has been fully potty trained since May but with little ones, I would rather be safe.? As I was putting her in the car we had the following conversation:

Me:? Tori you cannot have an accident today because I didn’t bring you any extra clothes.

Tori:? Well…(pause)…when I tell you that I have to go potty than you are going to have to take me.

Translation:? We need to agree up front that we share responsibility in this.? If, while at the theater, I say that I need to go potty five times during the show, you are obligated to respond in the affirmative all five times without telling me that I need to hold it.? If you fail to do your part in catering to my needs, the outcome could be unfavorable for both of us and you will have to take ownership for your contribution to the untimely dilema.

I got the message from her loud and clear.? So my girl.

(If I forgot to mention this before, in May, Tori told me one night before bed that she was going to wear panties.? I said okay (with a bit of anxiety).? She never wore another pull up.? I knew it.? I knew it was a matter of her just making the choice.? Thankfully, she FINALLY decided.? We very rarely have any accidents day or night)

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Setting:? I was preparing for a shoot, waiting for a client to come over, and had to go to the bathroom.? I looked at Tori and was trying to decide what to tell her because I didn’t want her touching any of my stuff that I set up while I was in the bathroom.? She was sitting on the couch and was right next to my brand new ice filled glass of Vanilla Coke Zero.

Tori:? I’ll keep an eye on your drink for you.

It was half gone in the span of the minute I was out of sight.? I figured her eyes would be watching my drink as she drained it dry.? She didn’t disappoint.

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Recently, I was burning my fingers removing toast from the toaster oven with my bare hands.?? Tori calmly walks over to the drawer, pulls out a pot holder, and says “Here.? Use this.”

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I have been surprised (though why would I be) with how maturely she has handled Troy.? She is very soft and gentle.? She speaks soothingly and gently pats him all the time.? She gives him his pacy (like a pro) and keeps an eye out for creepy crawling blankets that hedge up towards his face.

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Ty:? “I can’t wait to see what Troy looks like when….(and this is when I expect Ty to say “when he grows up”)….he plays Xbox.”

Why on earth did my mind finish his sentence with “when he grows up”?? LOL.? Jim and I both giggled because of course Ty would say that.

Over and out.? I am a sleepy mama of a newborn and Jim is taking shift one so I gotta get to bed.? NOW.