Maternity Photos

So I loved my maternity photo shoot. However, I had some ideas that I just flat out forgot to do while we were getting the photos done. Jeffrey is always a little reluctant to have his picture taken, which frustrates me because I am the ultimate photographer. I don't mean I actually photograph people, I mean that I love photos that commemorate memories. I like having something concrete to look back on when our memories of those special events fade. 

I originally saw an idea like this on pinterest. I just had to do it for my husband who was in the army until his medical discharge brought him back from the depths of Hades. The intention for this picture was to have one with our sweet little babe and the flag and my husband's dog tags. (you will see our version later on in a blog post)

This is one of my favorite pictures that we took. I just love the simplicity of it.

We had to work so hard to get those darn shoes to actually stay put. 

My little Vol fan!

Finally a picture with the hubby, but he still didn't want to look at the camera so we settled for these two shots.

Gotta have a barefoot and preggars photo!

I have to say these are some of my favorite pictures. I love the fedora. 

Daddy giving kisses to Korbin Bru. This was his custom every night for the entire pregnancy. Korbin Bru always got his kisses at night.

Deck the "Halls by decorating the Babe

I am a little fanatical about decorating for the Holidays. I want everything to be in its proper place. I will be hosting on Christmas Day this year, as my husband and I have both made the executive decision that for Christmas Day we want to keep that to ourselves and not be forced to run here and there. 

 This being Korbin Bru's first Christmas I am sure that people-namely my mom and dad (Ganna and Popa) will be sure to stop by. 

 Until I have been able to decorate the entire house so that it looks like I fell into the Griswald's world, I will have to settle for "decorating" my sweet babe.

A BOY AND HIS BELLA

TRYING TO BLOW MILK BUBBLES

MY FIRST CHRISTMAS

Black Friday

My little butterball turkey...good thing I don't eat turkey or I might have gobbled this one up!

Normally, Jeffrey has to work the day after Thanksgiving and I am left to do the Black Friday shopping on my own. This year; however, he has taken a late in to accompany me shopping. Listen up ladies-I have a winner. I didn't even ask him to do this-HE JUST DID IT! He wanted to be a part of shopping for Korbin's first Christmas with me. HOW SWEET! Although he will not be able to shop with me long (3-4 hours), I think that it will be enough to put a dent in our Christmas list. The other night, while we were waiting for our TV to be delivered at Target, I went to the toys section and was snapping pictures of toys I knew that I wanted to get for Korbin Bru. So after we eat Thanksgiving dinner, we will scour the Black Friday ads and map out a plan of action. 


We plan on tackling a few shops, then I will go on alone to finish while he goes to work. We are so excited to get this Black Friday on the move. We have been checking out the online previews of Black Friday ads since the stores started putting them out. 

LOVE THIS TUSH!

After a quick photo shoot with our little guy and fur baby girl!

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So after the Turkey had been carved and the last scoop of sweet potatoes had been served, we let our bellies enjoy for a while before heading home. Jeffrey decided that he wanted to attempt Black Friday on a Thursday, since my parents were coming to spend the night. They agreed to watch Korbin, (like I had to twist their arms). So we mapped out a quick plan of Target, Toy's R Us, and Walmart. (they are all within a 5 block radius so we thought it would be the easiest plan of action). Upon arrival at Target we were told the line stretched around the building and it would take those in line an hour and a half to even get in the door. So we high tailed it to Toy's R Us. We did have to wait in a short line to get in, and an even longer line to check out but we saved over 150 dollars, so it was worth it. We ended up not getting anything at Walmart or Target. 
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Now normally, I join in the Black Friday fun at 4 a.m. but this time I didn't make it out til 9:30. Hey, life is so much different with a baby. I tackled the mall and got quite a few gifts for my little guy, his sister and Jeffrey. I may or may not have sneaked a few items in for myself. :)However, after about 2 and 1/2 hours I was standing in the middle of JcPenney's. For some odd reason, I just stopped, right in the middle of shopping and was like "What in the heck am I doing?!" and proceeded to quickly as possible find the quickest path to the exit to go home to my sweet little face. I don't know if it was seeing all the women pushing strollers or seeing them carrying their little ones in the carriers that made me feel like this but it was like all of a sudden I had no clue why I was out in the mayhem, fighting over a doorbuster item (not really-I wouldn't fight over something to save a buck). Pure and simple, I wanted to be home snuggling next to my little guy. When Jeffrey called from work later on to ask what I was doing he was shocked to learn that I was home. He couldn't believe the girl who shops on Black Friday for usually a total of 12 hours was home in less than 3. 




Lesson learned for this girl. I don't want to sacrifice moments with my son to save a dollar. I will be finishing all the rest of my Christmas shopping ONLINE-so we will wait for Cyber Monday-which I have never done and may end up loving and making another tradition for me. 

IN THE CHRISTMAS BLACK FRIDAY SPIRIT!

Giving Thanks

I am always thankful for my family this time of a year. But, this year, I have an extra special reason to be thankful. His name is Korbin Bru. 

Although our house didn't really get Fall-y decorations, our house is completely underway in terms of decorating for Christmas. The mantel is almost complete. It is just waiting for a finishing touch from a Christmas Banner from Etsy and some pillar candles (maybe some faux presents for good measure-and good pictures). The Christmas tree is up but we always save decorating it for Thanksgiving Day as a tradition. 

He sort of rolled from his original position, but I still thought this was too cute.

We always go to my Aunt's house for Thanksgiving. This is really something that I have only gotten to enjoy for the past few years. In a previous life, Thanksgiving or any holiday for that matter was not spent with my family, but with the other's family. I am lucky that Jeffrey loves my family and wants to spend time with them during the holidays. (He calls them mom and dad and they call him son). 

This is Korbin's first Thanksgiving and my aunt is so excited to have a baby at the house. My husband mentioned that next year Korbin would be able to participate in Thanksgiving dinner by eating sweet potatoes. I was like sweet potatoes?! If he is anything like his daddy, he will be crying for the turkey leg!

I would like to start a tradition for breakfast, something cute and alliterative. Like Bloody Marys and Brunch or Banana Bread, or Blueberry muffins or Blueberry Pancakes or Mimosas and Muffins, or something like that. I like having things that I always do. It makes me look forward to the holidays that much more. I want to create things that my little one can enjoy in the future, including introducing the Elf on a Shelf tonight and National Lampoons Christmas Vacation.

Other cool traditions?

Family "Portrait"

This time of year is all about family. Now that we have Korbin Bru, it is that much more obvious how important family is. 

 Mommy adores her son!

 KISSES! KISSES! KISSES!

 That is my nose but everything else is daddy!