Christmas Photos 2015

For Burke's first Christmas, we had professional pictures made, and following that I've always played photographer...

Sometimes it went well, and then others, not so much (i.e.- last year). :)

I didn't want to take any chances this year, especially since it was Hylan Marie's first Christmas! 

So luckily we found a photographer in the area that was available!

We went to Old Baker Farm for the mini session with Codie Davis of White Cotton Photography. The kids were so happy and cooperative! I couldn't have asked for better! (Especially since I'm constantly haunted by the memory of Burke vomiting (because he couldn't handle a puff mind you) all over a coffee shop and his clothes. lol) But really... that session by Amy Lauda Photography are some of my most favorite photos EVER that I have of Burke and the three of us. She's amazing... if you're in the Atlanta area!

Codie did a great job too! (Find her at White Cotton Photography on FB)

My husband was particularly happen with a 20 minute session. lol

Burke's stinker face is everything. :)

All the heart eyes!!!

 This was the winner for the front of the card!

This makes me really excited to head to Hylan Marie's one year photos this weekend!

Can't wait to share!

Newborn photo shoot

With Hylan Marie, I knew I wanted to have a newborn photos taken (something that I attempted to tackle on my own with Burke). While his went fairly well, I knew that I wanted to have professional shots with our second, especially since I didn't see how in the world I would be able to tame a two year old while trying to get that perfect shot... well... I would go as far to say Meredith Rowlen Photography got more than one perfect shot.

I adore them ALL. So this post is a picture overload ... to say the least.

Here are some of my favorites!

Check out the sibling love. xoxo

I can't pick one to be my favorite of all these... I love Burke's expression in each one!

This one is my favorite! ^^^

Those were my first ballet slippers. If I had thought I would have brought my batons...I know she would have come up with something adorable with that prop too!

I was so pleased with the pictures! Especially since Hylan was really fussy this particular day. :/

Thanks Meredith for these priceless pictures!

TWO

Dear Burke,

Everybody says it... "I can't believe you're two!"

Me either.

My, my...just look at how you have changed!

Your birthday!

One

Two

 We have watched you grow from that 5.6lbs of sweetness, to the happy little boy in the picture above. You are SO many things. 

You are funny, energetic, cuddly, and happy.

You love the outdoors, Auburn, trains, music class, dancing, your stuffed animals (NeNe, Aubie, and George), and playing hide and seek.

You have a sweet tooth, and 17 other teeth, a freckle on your belly that you think is a boo-boo. :) 

Your famous sayings include "Burke's turn." "Where did mommy/daddy (insert any name) go?" "What is daddy doing?" "Oh-no!" "What is this?" "Ah-da. (love you)" "Come on!" "Awe-man." "Stop, Ryan!" and many other sentence fragments that we somehow put together to figure out what you are saying.

Your stats at two are 2ft. 10in. tall and 24 lbs. You still wear size 3 diapers. You're a peanut... what can I say?

Your favorite T.V. shows are Curious George and Mickey Mouse Club House.

Your favorite foods are ice cream, chicken with ketchup, and all fruits (with a love for pineapple and peaches).

You've come a long way from one... where you were drinking only formula and basically throwing up solid foods :) and still crawling. Now you are on your feet, and MUCH faster. And I feel comfortable letting you eat anything we eat at the dinner table. 

You have been to every Auburn home football game since you have been born, even the SEC and national championship game all the way in California! Adding to this year... you went to Las Vegas (you weren't the only one year old there... whew.), the beach last summer, the mountains in the fall, the circus, the zoo, your first Auburn basketball game, and you've been in the arms of Cam Newton. Life's not too rough, now is it?

Some of my favorite memories from this past year come from the floor of our living room, or saying prayers with you before bed, or watching you play with your cousin Cade. I love that when I ask you who made the rainbow, you say "God." and that I can always count on sweet hugs and cuddle time in the morning and after your nap.  I am so thankful for the time I get to stay home with you, and I know there is no price tag on that.

I love anything and everything that makes you giggle, scream with excitement, or give us your famous crazy laugh. Tickling does it every time, but so does giving you a sweet treat, scaring you, or playing hide-and-seek. :)

You are an enormous blessing to us. There are no words to describe how thankful we are for you. We look forward to all the wonderful things TWO has in store for us, but will never forget how AMAZINGLY WONDERFUL getting to this point has been. 

Happy 2nd birthday sweet boy!

Love,

Your Momma

"... and she loved a little boy very very much - even more than she loved herself." ~ "The Giving Tree" by Shel Silverstein

Counting down

I really can't believe we are approaching Burke's first birthday! Time has flown by... but at the same time, it feels like he's always been here. Everybody says it, but I'll be the 1,678,390,218th person... "I can't imagine life without him." There is definitely a 1st birthday post in the making, and one to share his 1st birthday celebration with everyone... until then, here is the latest happenings in the Coleman household.

Walking!... No, not really, but this is a start! :) Until this past weekend, he could care less about moving anywhere on his feet. Then all of a sudden, one night he wanted down, and held onto my fingers to walk stumble from the kitchen to the living room. We were elated... because we were starting to wonder if he knew he even had feet.

By the end of the weekend, we were fully entertained with his attempts at getting somewhere on his feet! You can also see other things we get a kick out of in this video... the squishy face... hilarious. Any time he is not happy with you, bet on seeing it. :) Also, the head shaking... sometimes he falls over from doing this move.

Oh, and Happy late Valentine's Day! 

Since I'm Burke's leading lady, we celebrated with his favorite finger foods (cheese and grapes) at dinner. :) He did receive Valentine's from both sets of grandparents, and got to spend the day with Ree because Daddy had to get his broken nose set... yeah, on Valentine's Day. Thankfully, Billy and Shireen were able to come over to take Ryan to the doctor... I have limited sick days left at work, and I doubt I could get a substitute to take a 5th grade class with a 10 ft. pole on a holiday. Surprisingly, my 5th graders were AWESOME. Maybe it's because we scheduled a Social Studies test and a mock writing test (1.5 hour of silence). Muahhhaaa... 

However, we had our fun V-day festivities too ... complete with our geometric Valentine box project,  conversation math activities, and Valentine exchanging. As a teacher, you always feel extra loved on this day. Maybe it's because you bring home 15 lbs. of chocolate, a dozen roses (Ryan, 11 yr old Alfredo is trying to show you up), two balloons, and the sweetest homemade heart shaped cards in the world....

And as a mom... well... 

nothing compares to this love.

* onesie from The African Llama via Etsy.