the haul

Some of you were asking what Amelia scored for Christmas this year. 

If you can remember, she received the most gifts last Christmas, which is before we even knew about her :)

Blabla friends

Rainbow Cushion

Peek-a-boo Panda (We call her Panda)

Wooden Instagram Camera

Earrings that she has already lost one of

Glitter bows now that her hair is long enough for them :)

Thief and Bandit leggings

a Bobo Choses sweater

Misha Lulu overalls

lots of toys for the bathtub since it's her favorite (including the bath crayons pictured above)

and books.

We got all of the clothing items off of Instagram.  It's like the only place I shop now for Amelia's clothes :)

She definitely made out like a bandit again this year.

She's worth it!

xo

janel

I seriously love

Fresh Art

Seriously, I couldn't be more excited to announce that I get to be a part of Fresh Art Photography this year!!

For those of you who know, Jodie, you know how great she is :)

This year, I get to dream up and create her set designs!!

My first task, was for her "Valentine Mini Shoots" next week. 

I was on inspiration overload and this is what I came up with.

(Mind you, the iPhone photo of my backdrop is not the best)

I used a ton of my antique postcards and layered them to create this effect.  I love the postcards because they are such a perfect symbol of "romance" yeah?

So, the theme is "P.S. I love you."  We are going to have a vintage typewriter, tons of envelopes with names written in calligraphy on them (valentines) and valentines for the kiddos to fill out and write on!!  Plus, much more.  

Do you want to hear the coolest part about this mini-shoot???

If you purchase a shoot, you get to also give a shoot to anyone.  One for one!!

The fact that Jodie has such a heart for giving, makes her even more amazing.

Here are the details from her blog:

"If you purchase one of those mini sessions you get to GIVE one to a friend! The friend has to have the time either immediately before or after you, they get the full 15 minutes for the session and TWO images on disc with an option for other purchases (just like ALL the minis this year!). Or they can take their two free shots and walk away! It’s a great gift to give a friend or family member!"

I can not wait!!  Seriously, if you are local, you need to check her out.

I have been a long time client of Jodies and don't think I could ever have anyone else shoot our family memories.

Here are some examples of the shoots we have done with her.

here, here, here, here, here

Not to mention, she gifted Adam and I the most amazing gift ever, and was present the night of Amelia's birth and documented everything.  She is a blessing beyond blessings I tell you.

Like her Facebook page

Follow her blog

Sign up for a "PS I love you" shoot.

xo

janel

10 months.

Little Miss Amelia turned 10 months today!

Time is flying by for sure.

I can't believe that, in two short months, Amelia will be a year old.  

These monthly photos are getting more and more fun to take.

She is definitely a mover and a shaker and it's so hard to get her to sit still.

The above photo took about 15 minutes to get :)

Here are some of my favorite outtakes.

This last one is what she looked like when her daddy walked into the room :)

She loves her daddy so much.

Alright, here is her little monthly run-down:

10 Months:

* the best 10 months of my life

*  your first tooth is making it's way out! Yay!

*  you are walking around while holding onto things

*  whenever you hear music or singing, you wave your hands like a conductor

*  you wave hello and good bye

*  you give us high-fives

*  you added "nigh nigh" to your growing little vocabulary

*  you are still the happiest, sweetest baby in the world

*  you love playing with more complex toys

*  you are eating real food now, like a big girl, that we grind up

* your hair is finally growing back out and getting so curly!

*  you are very adventurous and brave.

*  we love you so much

*  you are the best.

I need to start planning for her first birthday!!  That is super exciting :)  Our little girl is growing up.

She's amazing.

xo

janel

Christmas 2012

Christmas 2012 came and went so quickly it seems.  Life with a baby is a blur.

I can also say that, for me, Christmas is so much more amazing with a child.

The present buying is definitely WAY more fun.

Starting new traditions is more fun.

Taking a million photos and home videos is way more fun as well.

I also love that on Christmas Eve I was able to snuggle Amelia and really picture and feel a little bit of what Mary felt as she was "treasuring all of these things in her heart."

Amelia was spoiled this Christmas by our entire family.  We received a ton of amazing gifts for her to grow with and learn from.  

We spent Christmas Eve Eve with our family, at my sister, where we had two first Christmas' to celebrate.

We had two very special deliveries from our Massachusetts family.  

Christmas morning was spent, at home, with all of my favorite people (Adam, Amelia and Cat).  Here are a few photos from that.

We opened present to "She & Him's" Christmas album and ate pancakes and turkey bacon.  It was heavenly.  Adam spoiled me a bit as well.  We have been so good at saving money this past year for the adoption that he wanted to treat Amelia and I to a couple of exciting things :)

*  a new wedding band!!  I lost my wedding ring last February and absolutely hate not having one to wear everyday.  I wanted something dainty and simple and meaningful and he gifted me one of these:

I have the initial "a" on mine for Amelia.  She is a perfect symbol of our love and of love in and of itself so it was just the most perfect gift.

I also got a gift card for my Nikes and a promise to order the Seafoam PL kit, as soon as it comes in :) Plus a few other little fun things.

I'll be back, later this week with a post on Amelia's gifts.  Like I said, she was definitely the most fun to shop for.

To say the least, we were so blessed this Christmas. I hope that all of you had a wonderful holiday season as well.

I'm off to fill in my new planner now!! Yay!!!

Good Night friends.

xo

janel

Merry Christmas Eve!

Merry Christmas from our family to yours.

Have a very blessed holiday season :)

xo

janel

one little word: 2013

**

Brave is my "one little word" for 2013.

For those of you who haven't heard of "one little word" be sure to read this.  Basically,  one little word is the word that you would like to sum up your new year. 

 Last year, my word was "peace" and it was a perfect word for 2012.  I really focused on finding Peace in my life amidst all of my anxiety fueled moments.  I loved reflecting on my word throughout the year and I can truly say that I my life is so much more peaceful :)

Last year, it took me forever to come up with my word but this year, I knew my word almost immediately.  Last years word, had a million meanings behind it and this year's word is plain and simple.

This year I want to be more brave in my decisions, in my actions, in my roles as a wife, mother, and teacher.  I want to bravely encounter life every single day, step out of my comfort zone and live life bravely.

I plan on doing a spread in my Project Life album, dedicated to my one little word again, like I did last year.
I think it's a good way to introduce the rest of the year and see how everything will eventually tie in with my one little word :)
Even Adam came up with his own "one little word" this year!!  He chose Free, I love his reasoning behind it too.  He's so inspiring to me :)

Dear 2013,
Bring it on.
Signed,
Janel

What's your one little word this year?

xo
janel

Snowflakes for Sandy Hook

**

Earlier this week I read about a simple, fun way that people could help out in Newtown, CT.  I am sure everyone is feeling such incredible sadness and hurt, all over the country.  I know personally, that I felt a little helpless knowing that there is nothing I can do, myself, to help out these poor families.  When I saw the "Snowflakes for Sandy Hook" article I knew that this was definitely one way I could help out!

Here is what their PTA website says:

Welcome Students to a Winter Wonderland

When school resumes for Sandy Hook, it will be in a new building. Parent-volunteers are working to ensure that the students are welcomed back by a winter wonderland with the entire school decorated with as many unique snowflakes as possible. We encourage senders to be as creative as possible, remembering that no two snowflakes are alike. Please make and send snowflakes by January 12, 2013 to the Connecticut PTSA address at the bottom of this page.   

I have a school full of children who absolutely LOVE to spend an entire art period making snowflakes for these children across the country!  We started making snowflakes on Tuesday and already have a huge box to send :)

I encourage you all to participate in this as well!!  What a wonderful activity to do as a family or with a group of friends.

xo

janel

You can send your snowflakes to:

Connecticut PTSA

60 Connolly Parkway

Building 12

Suite 103

Hamden, CT 06514

Due Date:   January 12, 2013.

Project Life-Week 49

Week 49

We are finally catching up with postings!! This week was the first week of December which brought about our Advent calendar and lots of fun Christmas themed activities and more.

I filled a 4x6 card with a few life mantras that I have loved lately.  I did it in simple black and white because I love the contrast with all of the other colorful photos.

Amelia has started pulling up on everything.

I am in love with these amazing sparkle oxfords that we scored Amelia at Old Navy.

I made a little DIY Christmas gift with glitter :)

I am teaching my fifth grade students how to use a pottery wheel, which was hilarious since, at first, I was no good at it.

Amelia and I made cinnamon ornaments to tie onto our gifts this year and to make our house smell wonderful.
We had a nice dinner and game night at my aunt's house.
Amelia's hair is getting long enough to start using some product in it to define and condition her little baby curls.  LOVE!
Amelia had her 9 month check up with the pediatrician.
We had a snowflake making night as a family to turn our house into a little winter wonderland.
I also added a little transparent overlay into the last pocket and added a little woodcut piece to this side of it (after I took the photo of course).  I like how you can see through to the next spread with this little detail :)
Fun Fun!

xo
janel

Would you like to know more about Project Life? You can read all about it here. You can also check out more of my Project Life pages right here!

Project Life-Week 48

Week 48

Looks like I will have all of these posted in time to be caught up with posting by this weekend :)  This week was almost all photos and I love that.  I also love that I can stick little things in here like the tag off of one of our favorite baby brands.  Love it.

My Pastor preached on worry about 2 months ago, and his sermon really hit home to me.   I have been worry free ever since his sermon and I love to reflect back on it so that's where my little "worry" card comes in.  I met my reading goal on Goodreads.  Amelia met Santa Claus for the first time, and I have some blurred out info there too :)

Amelia also turned 9 months old and I loved all of these photos from her shoot so I had to incorporate them all. I also have her little 9 month stat card, a weather screen shot from my phone (crazy warm weather in December, I'll take it), and our Christmas cards came in!  Yay for week 48!  Week 49 will be up tomorrow :)

xo

janel

Would you like to know more about Project Life? You can read all about it here. You can also check out more of my Project Life pages right here!

Project Life-Week 47

Week 47

Thanksgiving week.

Pretty simple.  Photos and words. We went to my friend, Marie's wedding, put up our tree, and ordered our Christmas cards!

xo
janel

Would you like to know more about Project Life? You can read all about it here. You can also check out more of my Project Life pages right here!