Proud Mommy Moments: Autumn's Reflection

If you've been following for a while or know me personally, you know I've had my share of struggles with body image.  If you don't know the story, here's a post I wrote about my struggles with control, anxiety and purging.

As a mom to two girls, I know that I have a major role in how they see themselves and how they see themselves in light of what God created them for and to do.  Grace and I have had many talks about true beauty and how God created her perfectly (Psalm 139:13-18).  The world has already taught her about calories, health, exercise and the "fear of fat".  Autumn is just now paying attention to her reflection in the mirror.

Something I've tried to teach my girls, is to speak Truth to themselves.  One way I have done this, is to ask them to say "perfect" when they see themselves in the mirror.  Just a small way of reminding themselves that God has made them perfectly.  I do it too - not because I think I'm gorgeous, but because in God's eyes, He has made me perfect.

This week, while Autumn and I were having a super fun hang-out session reading books in my bed, she slid off the bed and went to the long mirror I have in my closet.  She looked at herself in the mirror for a few moments, smiled and pointed to her belly and said "Autumn.  Perfect".  It made my heart smile and I'm sure God's did, too.

Remember, whatever you're struggling with, however you see yourself, God has created you in His image.  He has known you from the beginning of time, and knit you together perfectly in your mother's womb!  We have a great God who loves us more than we could ever measure or imagine!

Proud Mommy Moments: Hugs

I know.  I know.  I've once again, been a very naughty blogger... I promise there will be more to come.  I thought It would be fun to come out of blogger hiding with a Proud Mommy Moment courtesy of Miss Autumn.

Let me first say that Autumn is a pure joy.  She's 2 1/2 and so far we've managed to miss the terrible-two stage.  *knock on all the wood I can find around me* She's funny, brave, smart and just a lover.

Earlier this week Autumn and I were on a search around town for peanut-free pecans.  I had a recipe I wanted to make and was searching high and low for a store and company who had pecans that wouldn't kill me with traces of peanuts.  I was frustrated, worn out and tired at being at yet another store (I really, really dislike grocery shopping and I get really tired of not being able to find peanut-free products).  After a last-ditch effort looking through a large organic section, to no avail, I was done.  Suddenly, Autumn decides she needed a hug.  A big-old, giant, squeeze-me-super tight, Autumn hug.  The thing is, she wouldn't let go.  So, I pushed her through the store for the next 30 minutes with her arms tight around my neck.  We got lots of weird looks... but I needed that big hug and I'm thankful she knew I needed it.

We never did find pecans.  But a big Autumn-size hug seemed to make up for it.

If you need an Autumn-size hug today, maybe a pic will do.  Here she is cheesing it up with my glasses...

Any proud (or not so proud) mommy moments you'd like to share.  Comment below or link up with Emmy Mom!

Proud Mommy Moments: Abs

On Thursday, I was catching up on some intellectual literature by reading the latest issue of Marie Claire.  Don't judge...

Anyway, Autumn decided to join me.  She sat on my lap and pointed to Gwen Stefani, on the cover, and said "momma".  Does that look like Momma??  Yea.

Good answer.  Especially considering Gwen's rock-hard abs are clearly visible and I haven't seen mine sine 2005.

So, on we go, reading brain-stimulating articles.  Then comes up another picture, which Autumn points to and again says "momma".

Oooo.  Burn.

It was Pamela Anderson.

And at that moment, my bubble burst.

10 Things to Smile About: April

Wow!  April is over - how in the world did that happen?  It was a crazy month around here - a good month, but a bit of a blur.  So here are 10 things that made me smile last month...

1.  Grace continuing to grow in knowledge and in her heart.  She came home with this handwriting work from school - this made my heart so happy.  God is growing her.

2.  Easter.  We had a lovely brunch with my parents, followed by an Easter egg hunt.  With all that's been going on in life, this was a truly sweet day.

3.  Lots and lots of time with new friends.  I'm amazed how quickly I've grown to love a group of people, I've only known for a short time.

4.  Autumn turned 2!

5.  Continued success with our journey to become debt free. Our grand total since September 2011 is $10,900.  Lots of hard work to do still.  But we've made a ton of progress and I can't wait to know how it feels to be able to say "we are debt free".

6.  A new workout routine that I'm incorporating with my workouts at the YMCA.  The workouts are hard, sweaty, but somehow super fun.  I'm seeing some good progress in just one month... can't wait to finally be ok with swimsuit season.

7.  Going to Harvest University in Chicagoland with my new church... wonderful teaching, inspiring ministry and God-glorifying worship.  It was truly amazing.

8.  A sleepover with 3 Kindergartners.  It was crazy.  It was loud.  It was exhausting.  It was fun.  Oh, and thanks Mom, for putting up with all my sleepovers.  I had no idea!

9.  Our first trip to the zoo this season. 

10.  With only a month of school left, we are making fun plans for the summer - a trip to the East coast, a trip to Seattle and some horse riding lessons for Miss Grace.

She's 2 & I'm Sad About It

If you follow me on Twitter or are friends with me on Facebook, then you are well aware that Autumn turned 2 today.  I'm sorry, but I'm one of those moms who is so in love with my kids that I expect you to be, too.  And you should.  Because they're pretty awesome kids and super cute, too.

Anyway, we celebrated Autumn's birthday the same way we did with Grace when she turned 2 - with a trip to Build-a-Bear and then lunch at Chuck-E-Cheese.  The trip to Build-a-Bear was hysterical - she went crazy and ran from one thing to the next... free from her stroller and with so much stimuli.  It was fun and she now has a bear named Crissy.  We were then off to a heartburn-inducing lunch at Chuck-E-Cheese.  It was fun.  And I'm pretty sure Joel and I had as much fun as Autumn did, because skee ball is awesome.

At the end the day, a dear friend came over and had dinner with us and helped to celebrate Autumn's special day.  While the kids were playing, I confessed to my friend that although we had a lot of fun today, I felt like I was mourning Autumn turning 2.  As a mom, you always want  your kids to grow.  There would be something wrong if  you never wanted your kids to grow in age, knowledge and understanding.  That is your job as a mom - to make sure they get from being a newborn to a thriving adult.

But I'm having a hard time with it.  Something about 2 says that I need to say goodbye to Autumn as a baby.  And I'm not quite ready to do that.  But she is - as evidenced with two new Autumn words today: "mall" and "pizza".  My baby isn't quite a baby anymore.

Happy birthday, my sweet, funny little girl!

Proud Mommy Moments: She Flashes Because it's Funny

When I usually link up with Emmy Mom for Proud Mommy Moments - my posts are those warm-fuzzy, I'm a proud momma, type of posts.  This one is a oh-my-gosh-are-you-really-doing-that kinda post.

I went to the Y on Monday, and after my workout, I swing by the daycare on the way out to pick-up Autumn.  As I walk into the doorway, I get a glimpse of the daycare worker with the biggest grin on her face and then I glance at my daughter.  My sweet, funny, curly-haired, crazy Autumn.

Autumn is at the furthest end of the room with little boy in front of her, pulling her dress so high up that it's nearly going over her head.  To make myself feel better, I giggle and say something like "Oh, Autumn... let's not do that..."  That's when the daycare worker starts laughing and tells me that little Miss Autumn has been doing that to everyone who has walked in since I dropped her off - 1 1/2 hours ago.

Apparently, Little Miss Autumn has been greeting all the "new" kids and their parents with a bit of a peep show.  And because she's 1 1/2, she understands that if she lifts up her dress for all to see, they think it's funny.

So, now Autumn has a new trick. 

10 Things to Smile About: February

Holy smokes - February came and went way too fast.  But I'm ready for March and spring to come!

Here's a look at 10 things that made me smile this month...

1.  Another thyroid test with great results.  I'm now going on over 9 years with half of a thyroid without any complications.  Praise God!

2.  A great tax return (thanks Uncle Sam & thanks for the tax-free combat zone pay)!  And now we're that much closer to becoming debt-free.

3.  Special Mommy/Grace time... and pampering only a girl could appreciate.

4.  God's continued leading in our lives... and peace that can only come from Him!

5.  Breaking Dawn came out on DVD... I've only watched it twice, if you can believe it.



6.  Making homemade (an amazingly delicious) pizza with your dear friend.

7.  Train rides with "Pops" at the mall so Grandma and Mommy could shop.

8.  Getting the best text possible from your sister... telling you that your sweet niece accepted Christ as her Savior.  Nothing seems more special than stories about pure child-like faith!

9.  Spending Valentine's Day in a very special way with Grace's schoolmates.

10.  Getting your camera just in time for a moment like this... and being able to capture it for ammunition 15 years from now.

I'd love to know what made you smile this month!  And please, link up with EmmyMom!



The One Where Autumn Runs Out of the Bathroom...

We went out to dinner with some friends last night.  While we were waiting for a table (at the wrong restaurant, mind you), I went to change Autumn.  There was a changing table in the handicap stall, so I changed her and decided to take care of my own "things" while I was in there.... no need to make another trip.  So I'm, um, sitting there, and Autumn is touching everything.  Because you know, she's a toddler, and to a toddler, even the sanitary napkins basket is super exciting.  I'm freaking out because all I can think of is germs.  But she gets bored of the sanitary napking basket and moves on to trying to unlock the door.  She's a smart kid, so in about 1.5 seconds, she's figured out how to open the door. 

This has all taken place in about 5 seconds. In 5 seconds, Autumn has managed to touch every disgusting spot in the stall, and has also figured out how to unlock the door.  Her 5-second adventure has already bored her.  And I guess she decided she was totally bored with the stall, so she decides to leave.  She crawls underneath the stall door and out of the bathroom while I'm sitting there.  I'm not done. 

So, I pull up my pants in about a millionth of a second, because Autumn is already long gone.  I leave all of our things in the stall and chase after her.  Once I finally get a hold of her, I grab her and drop her on Joel's lap.  He obviously knew, from my expression, that something went horribly wrong - but I don't have time to explain.  This is still an emergency and I have to get back to the bathroom.

With all that being said and shared, I do not understand why public bathrooms don't include the fold-down seat with a 5-point harness for situations such as these.  Mom's are not magicians.  Toddlers are pretty much uncontrollable.  And a seat that we can strap them in so that they don't touch every unthinkable space in a bathroom and then leave the bathroom, would be great.  As a mom, I just want 2 minutes of worry-free time in the bathroom.  2 minutes.  That's all I'm asking for.  So public restroom owners, please do all of us moms a favor and give us a seat for the kids!  It's a need, not a want.  I promise.

10 Things to Smile About: November

1.  My newest niece, Paige!

2.  Watching Gracie as The Little Red Hen in the Kindergarten musical.  She did awesome!

3.  Catching Autumn reading my US Weekly.  Yeah, we're both intellectuals.

4.  Starbuck's Carmel Brulle Lattes.

5.  Lots of great time at the gym with one of my dearest friends.

6.  Nearing completion of my Christmas shopping.

7.  Friend dates.  Karla and I had dinner out at one of our favorite restaurants and then cheered Bella and Edward

on at their wedding.  It was a perfect night.

8.  Eggnog season is here!

9.  Thanksgiving dinner.  It was awesome.

10.  Getting our first real Christmas tree.  Grace helped Joel bring it home for us & Joel's thrilled to finally have a real one this year!

Wordless Wednesday - Laundry

Autumn Lovin'

Seriously, this child is beyond cute. 

Just thought I would share her with you today!

Autumn is 1!

My baby girl is 1!  I had a hard time kissing her goodnight yesterday, because I couldn't get over the fact that Autumn would be one in the morning.  She has grown up so fast, and I can hardly believe our first year with Autumn is behind us.

She is our love-bug.  Our chubby baby who loves to giggle, explore the house and dance to the music.  She is our blessing.  The baby we waited for.  And she has given our family more love than I ever imagined.

Autumn's 1st ice cream at McDonald's (although I suspect Daddy may have shared some before) 

Tower of white cupcakes with butter cream frosting

(Head over to my friend, Karla, the Culinary Enthusiast, for the frosting recipe)

Homecoming... A Few More Pictures

I'm back with a few more pictures...  Because Joel had such a long delay in getting home and was exhausted from traveling, I just took my girls with me to pick him up from the airport.  He asked that family and friends wait to see him after he had a chance to shower, sleep and get re-acquainted with his girls.  So, my plan to have a dozen people with their cameras taking pictures of our homecoming didn't happen.  It was just me and my camera, which I pretty much forgot I had after I got two shots.  So here they are...

Grace - 4 1/2

Autumn - 9 months

For those of you who have gone through a deployment homecoming, you know that there is a lot of build up and anticipation and then it all just happens too fast.  The week before Joel came home, I was nervous, restless, had a hard time sleeping and could hardly eat.  Grace knew that he was coming home shortly, and asked me a hundred times a day how many days and hours were left until Daddy came home.  And then we had the dreaded delays.  Lots of delays.  Lots of questions.  Some major heartbreak when we knew that he wouldn't come home on the scheduled day. 

I stalked Facebook for days, hoping that one of the other wives would have some big news about the exact time the guys were coming back.  I don't know how many times I check Facebook last weekend, but I know that Grace would just sigh when she saw me back on the computer.

And then there was news that Joel's unit had seats on a couple flights and would be home that day.  My anxiety amplified and I was on-edge all day.  The hours couldn't have gone by any slower.

Finally, we were at the airport, surrounded by the excitement and anticipation of other wives and kids from the unit.  Joel was one of the first guys out of the terminal and it was surreal to see him in the flesh.  As much as I wanted to run and grab him, I really wanted to see Grace and Autumn's reaction to Daddy.  It was amazing to see him with his girls again and finally, after all these months, I felt content, knowing that our family was together.

We had a party with family and a few close friends...  the last several days have been quiet days at home as a family.  We're getting back into our groove.  There's still an adjustment ahead, but I'm optimistic right now.  So, far it's been pretty easy...  I just have to try and stop asking Joel what he's doing every 5 minutes.  If you've been where I am, you know what I mean.

For now, I'm back to cuddling with my husband while our girls are in bed....  will be back soon.





We Survived the Storm!

We survived this week.  Thank you, Jesus!

As you probably know, or maybe experienced first hand, Indiana got slammed with snow and ice this week.  I had lunch with my parents on Sunday, and my dad mentioned that 18-inches of snow was in the forecast.  We went back and forth for about 10 minutes about it, because I was sure he was joking.  We never get that much snow at a time.  Never.  In the 10 years since I moved to Indiana, we seriously only get 2-3 inches at a time.  Never 18.

So, he finally convinced me to go online and look up the forecast.  I was shocked, in awe and started to cry inside.  I love snow, don't get me wrong.  I think it's beautiful and I'm not one of the whiners from the Hoosier State, who complain year after year about the snow.  I like it.

My biggest concern was that Joel wasn't going to be home for the storm.  It's one thing to deal with 4, 5 or 6 inches of snow by myself with the girls.  But the idea of getting over a foot was too much for me to digest.  So after I picked up Grace from school on Monday, I ran around town filling up on all the necessities...  toilet paper, snacks, baby supplies, batteries, flashlights, candles, salt and prescriptions.

We came home Monday night, all supplied and ready to hang out at home for a few days.  The snow was beautiful - big, fat flakes.  But the wind was horrible and I kept praying, pleading really, that our lights would stay on.  That was my biggest fear - losing electricity and heat with my two girls at home.  Joel gave me a quick "how-to" for plugging the generator into our furnace, but, there is no way I'd be able to figure that out.  Seriously.  Changing the batteries in a flashlight is a big deal for me.  Hooking up our generator to our furnace is an impossibility.

I got up a lot during the night on Monday and Tuesday.  I needed to see if our neighbors had lights and how how bad the snow was getting....  So, I slept very little at night because of worry, but thankfully we all snuggled up in the afternoons for long, long naps.

We had a 3-day pajama party, and it was awesome.  Once I figured that our power would stay on, I was able to relax and really enjoy a few days trapped inside with my girls.  We watched movies, drank hot chocolate, played in the snow, played lions and dogs (they are natural enemies, you know) and just completely enjoyed each other. 

A neighbor shoveled my walks and an awesome guy that knows my parents came by with his dump truck and plowed out my driveway in about 3 minutes.  Grace and I cleaned off my car (well, she ran around trying to hit my car with her shovel...)  And then yesterday, my dad busted his back cleaning out some drifts.  What a huge relief to not have to go out all by my lonesome and deal with all that heavy snow!

Here's our deck from our back door....  Thank you Dad for clearing a path.  And yes, Joel, I left the deck furniture out all winter.  Sorry!

View from our front door.  Oh yes, that's a very special sign in our front yard.  The Mr. gets to see it first and then I'll share it with all of you!!!

Grace on day #2 of the storm - Minnie Mouse ears are necessary to play games on PBS Kids.

Our very sweet, and very chubby Autumn enjoying the view from the back of the house.

200 Days

We made it 200 days.  Honestly, I was hoping that Joel would somehow be home before this point, but we're here.

I know many of you have gone through many, many more days than 200.  You've done 12 and 16 month deployments.  We haven't.  Joel's longest deployment was just shy of 180 and I was done at that point.

But 200 still seems like a huge number and a giant feat.  200 days without my husband here has been hard.  I've been working hard to maintain the household and take care of our two girls at the same time.  I've tried hard to honor Joel by keeping things up here as good as if he were here with me.  The house is clean, the laundry is all done and mostly put away.  We've been on time for all our appointments and Grace hasn't been late for school.  The refrigerator is packed with good, nutritious food and I've managed to still make homemade meals... well, at least a few times a week.  The girls have been bathed, fed, tickled, cuddled, read to and have had millions of kisses. 

I've even managed to look out for me.  I've read more in the last few months than I have in years.  I've made time to keep up with my friendships and I've worked hard to grow some relationships that have been sadly neglected. I've grown spiritually...  I've learned to trust God more, to continually seek His wisdom and to rest in the peace that only He can offer.  My relationship with Him is stronger now than I can ever remember it.

But with all that said, I am tired.  Worn out.  Exhausted.  And emotionally, I'm done.

Joel's homecoming is around the corner.  It is getting so close, but even though I know we're near the end, it still feels like he'll never be home.

I have much to do before I can leave to bring him home.  I have meals to prepare and freeze.  I have a pile of paperwork and mail to organize so that he can go through it.  And I have to clean our room.  Our room has somehow become the dumping place for half-done projects.  It's my fault, I'm not going to try to pin in on one of the kids... although Grace has started "moving in" to our room.  So, that is my week's goal.  Clean our room.  Tomorrow.  It can wait one more day.

Baby's New Accessory

My baby has a new accessory... a helmet.  Yes, I am the proud momma to a "helmet baby". 

Autumn was diagnosed with plagiocephaly - basically a significant asymmetry to the shape of the skull.  A lot of babies have a flat spot, due to SIDS and having to place babies to sleep on their backs to reduce the risk.  But even with the amount of time that Autumn spends sitting up and on her belly, her "flatness" was not getting better - it was getting worse.

So, we had many doctor's visits this fall, took some xrays and saw a plastic surgeon.  Fortunately, the plates her in her head are all open so we didn't have to go the drastic route of surgery, but three physicians all advised me to have her go to an orthotic specialist to get fitted for a custom helmet.  Joel and I talked on the phone and via email a lot about this, but it was really hard to be the only parent here to make the final decision.

The night after we saw the plastic surgeon, I was doing some research on the Internet and saw an article that talked about how Tricare (the military insurance) will not pay for baby helmets.  (You can read that article here.)  I was shocked when I read that article and immediately went to Tricare's website to look up their coverage, and I was surprised to see it in black and white.  They weren't going to cover it.

The next day, we got in to see the orthotic specialist and the owner happened to be the person who saw Autumn.  We did all the measurements and the 3-D scan and I mentioned to him that I was 99% positive that Tricare was going to deny the claim, but that I would look into grant money to pay for it.  He kept telling me not to worry about the money, but to focus on Autumn.  I was stressed because I knew that Joel and I wanted to go ahead with the helmet and treatment, but everything in total cost around $3800.  The helmet itself cost $1800 and then there is about $2000 in visits, treatments and measurements.  We're a military family and $3800 is a major chunk of change for us.

As we left that first appointment with the orthotic specialist, I went to make an appointment for a follow-up visit.  As I was talking with the receptionist, she mentioned that the owner told her that he would accept $1500 for the helmet and all the treatments that are needed for Autumn's care.  I couldn't believe what she said - that's a $300 loss for the cost of the helmet alone and then he would be eating all the cost for the treatment  My mom was waiting with Grace in the car.  I told her what just happened and both of us just sat in the front seat of the car together and wept.  God was taking care of us.

I came home and emailed Joel all the details about the visit and told him I would start looking into grant money that was available through an Indiana non-profit for military families.  Over the next week, I did my research and started to gather the paperwork I would need to submit for the grant, but I was still waiting for Tricare to deny the claim.  They did and it shook me.  I was so mad.  Joel and I don't feel entitled because we're a military family, but believe me, he works hard for what we have.  I was mad because I knew by research I had done, that the baby helmet was very common, was approved by the FDA and so many insurance companies pay for them.  What made even less sense, was that Tricare didn't have any problem paying for the half-dozen doctor's visits and all the xrays that lead up to her diagnosis.  They paid almost as much in all those medical costs as the cost of the helmet.

I shot off any angry email to my congressman ... I'm pretty sure their kid wouldn't go without and they're the ones who decide what military insurance covers...  Anyway, that's a major soapbox issue that I'll just leave be.  I made a random post on Facebook about having to work on the grants, and what came next floored me.

In the four hours after I made my angry Facebook post, six people contacted me.  Each of them said that they would happily pay for Autumn's helmet in full so that we weren't burdened by it.  Six people willing to shell out $1500, without question.  I was completely humbled, and will admit that I cried.  A lot, actually.  I felt so alone in all of this - with Joel overseas.  And it meant the world to know that so many people were willing to care for our little girl in such a generous way.

So, 10 days later, Autumn's helmet came in and I was able to write a check for $1500 without a worry.  It was paid in full and my only worry is now for Autumn's treatment.

She's rocking the helmet, I must say.  Who wouldn't rock a $1500 accessory with such pride?

Cast all your anxiety on Him, for He cares for you  I Peter 5:7

A Bittersweet Season

Since Joel and I have been married, we've been separated plenty for important dates and events...(I started to list them and then got depressed seeing them glaring at me, so I deleted them)...   But with all the birthday's, anniversaries, and holiday's, Joel's always been in-country for Thanksgiving and Christmas.  Now, that's not to say that we've celebrated every Thanksgiving and Christmas together - but we've at least seen each other for a bit during those days before he had to go work at the base.  (No, civilians, military bases do not shut down on holidays...  but that's a rant for another day)  *sigh*

I knew that this Season would be hard.  I knew that I would have to be extra cheerful for the girls, so that it is special for them and so they don't feel that there's a big Daddy-sized hole missing.  The word that keeps popping in my mind as I think about what I'm feeling during this time is bittersweet.  This season, for me, is both pleasant yet painful. 

After 8 years of Thanksgivings and Christmases together, Joel and I have our routine, our traditions and our roles: 

- I make the stuffing that he loves. 

- He bakes a pumpkin pie, because I hate to bake. 

- He grumbles as he pulls all of my Christmas stuff out of the garage and asks me every year, why I need so many decorations.

-I drag him to store after store to look at more Christmas stuff

- He sets up the tree while I decorate the house

-We listen to Christmas music as we decorate (his pick is Bing Crosby while I have to fight him to let me put in Josh Groban)

- I watch him from the window as he sets up our deer outside

- I then listen to him rant as he has to fix a broken deer and replace bulbs on said deer

- After the decorating is done, we sit on the couch and cuddle with just the light from the tree

- He watches Grace so I can wrap all the presents at once

- Grace and Joel decorate a gingerbread house together

- I look forward to seeing what ornament Joel ordered from New Hampshire with all of our names inscribed on it

I love our holiday routines.  And this year is obviously different.  I got all the boxes out of the garage and got things set up as the girls napped over a 3 day period.  Then Grace helped me to decorate the small tree this year, because the big tree was too much for me to do without Joel here.  The house looks as cozy as it always does around this time of year, but it feels different. 

I promise you that I'm trying to be cheerful.  I love Christmas - it's my favorite holiday.  I love that I get to see Autumn's eyes grow big as she sees the lights on the tree and her stocking hanging from the mantle.  I love that I get the chance, once again, to tell Grace about a tiny little baby that came to earth to do great things for us.  It's still a magical time, because the meaning of this season didn't change because Joel's overseas. 

So, I'm focusing on Christ and trying not to focus on the emptiness that I feel with Joel being gone during this time.  We have much to be thankful for, and I'm thrilled to spend this time with my two girls, who help me to find joy in the simple things that Christmastime brings.

My Baby's 6 Months!

Autumn turned 6-months just a few weeks ago.  My baby's growing up!  She's now rolling over from both her belly and her back.  She's holding on to toys better and is for-sure a mommy's girl.  Autumn's such an easy-going baby and I'm so blessed by her.

Here are a few pictures I had done last week.  She's currently working on four teeth, so she wasn't thrilled to be there and she wasn't giving smiles that day.  But she's even cute while grumpy.

My friend, Stephanie, made the tutu for Autumn.  She has a fan page on Facebook called Cutie Pie Accessories.  Look her up!

Happy Halloween

Happy Halloween, everyone!  Hope you had a fun day!