everett’s birthday party.

Everett's Birthday-3Everett's Birthday-1Everett's Birthday-9Everett's Birthday-5Everett's Birthday-7Everett's Birthday-12Everett's Birthday-8Everett's Birthday-151-e's birthdayEverett's Birthday-17Everett's Birthday-18Everett's Birthday-19Everett's Birthday-20Everett's Birthday-21On Saturday we threw a birthday bash for Ev in my parent’s backyard. It wasn’t overly simple or overly complicated, but just right for a first birthday, I think. We threw decorations together at the last minute, mostly relying on cute pictures of Ev to make everything a little more festive. We served Chipotle and margaritas and lemonade and cake. 50 people showed up, including nine of Everett’s friends under the age of 3. We put out bubbles and chalk and paper airplanes and basketball, and all the kiddos took a turn on Everett’s new Batmobile. My dearest friend Lauren happened to be in town from LA and was able to come, which made the day extra special since we don’t get to see each other that often.

The birthday boy had a blast, and spent almost 30 whole minutes eating his cake. He was so tired by the end of the party and just sat there in a total daze shoving handfuls of frosting into his mouth while I took a dozen pictures. I’m pretty sure there’s still a few sprinkles up his nose, but they’ll come out eventually, right? ;)

That Everett is one loved kid. And really, how could you not love that sweet cake-covered face?

p.s. Everett’s first year, in video / Ev’s one year photo book
p.s.s. This post concludes the celebration of Ev’s birthday. You won’t have to hear me talk about it until next year, I promise.
Posted in love | Tagged , , , | 13 Comments

happy mother’s day!

Ev's Birthday3518

“There is no way to be a perfect mother, but a million ways to be a good one.”Jill Churchill

Last Mother’s Day I was home with a week-old baby, soaking up his every coo and sigh. It feels like so much has changed since then, and yet, nothing has really changed at all. I’m still here, still soaking it up. Every laugh, every smile, every peekaboo.

Happy mother’s day, mommas. I hope your day is filled with sunshine and flowers and breakfast in bed and maybe, just maybe, a nap.

p.s. In case you missed it, an appropriate post for today: What I learned in my first year of motherhood.

Posted in be | Tagged , | 6 Comments

on the move.

On the move-61-on the moveOn the move-1I can’t be too sure, but I think our days of crawling might be numbered. Ev is cruising all over the house pushing his little walker, happy as a clam with his new found talent. The lady at our local grocery store told us that she taught her son how to walk with a balloon! She gave him a balloon on a string, and he took his first steps because he was holding onto something and felt safe. Isn’t that funny? I kind of want to try it. I wasn’t in a rush for Everett to crawl, but now that he’s mobile (and fast!), I’m ready for him to start walking!

Mommas, if you’re in the market for a walker, we love this one. It’s tiny and compact (prerequisite for all of our baby items), and has fun buttons/music on the front that Everett loves to sit and play with. We’ve been using it for months and have definitely gotten our money’s worth—you can’t beat $26 with free shipping! ;)

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , | 7 Comments

ashley, adam, madison, & baby.

maternity | ashlee gadd photography3maternity | ashlee gadd photography 4Ashley’s having a……BOY!

This shoot was so much fun, and I love that little Madison got to be a part of it. I can tell she is going to be an amazing big sister. We also took pictures of the baby’s name spelled out in blocks, and NOBODY KNOWS THE NAME. Except for them, and now me. I feel so…..powerful. One of the added benefits of being a photographer, I suppose.

P.s. Is it just me, or is EVERYONE pregnant? I’m serious.

Posted in be | Tagged , , | 9 Comments

happy first birthday, everett!

Here it is: a whole year of Everett in 3.5 minutes. I hope it makes you smile.

Happy first birthday, Ev! You make every day brighter, every smile bigger, every laugh louder. We love you more than words can say.

-Mommy & Daddy

Song credit: You Make It Real by James Morrison
Posted in love | Tagged , , | 32 Comments