Personal – Page 61 – Snapshots & My Thoughts by Ailee Petrovic

Mom Talk May 10, 2015

Happy Mother’s Day!

Happy Mother’s Day! This holiday is extra special for me this year as a first time mom. I think one of the biggest blessings about becoming a mother is fully understanding the love that your own mother has for you. The moment that I held Isla in my arms, my heart became infinitely larger. I’d read before that the love you have for your child is like nothing you’ve ever experienced before, and I am now fortunate enough to know firsthand how true this is.

I am so incredibly grateful for my relationship with my own mom (or ‘Mum,’ as we call her). She is the most supportive person I’ve ever met. She’s calm, she’s a fixer, she’s my rock and someone who I can always call and get good advice (that is, if she has her phone with her, which is very unpredictable!). When I am sick (which fortunately doesn’t happen often), I want my mom. Does anyone else feel that way? Does this ever change? When Isla was born, my mom pretty much packed up her bags and came to stay for two weeks, even though she only lives 15 miles away. Mum is the least selfish person on the planet, and I’m now realizing this is a common trait for mothers. I hope that I am as good of a mom to Isla as she is to me.

With the holiday approaching, I’ve seen a handful of sweet quotes on Instagram and Pinterest, but the one that caught my attention the most is: “The most precious jewels you’ll ever have around your neck are the arms of your children.” It may be cheesy, but it’s true. After Isla finishes breastfeeding every morning, she sits up on my lap, and I ask for her a hug. Then she puts her arms around me and leans her head on my right shoulder, and I literally melt every single morning. It’s the little things like that I want to hold onto forever.

During this morning’s church service, our pastor, Curtis, said that while it is a day to celebrate, there are many people who find this day hard. The men and women who are mourning the loss of a mother or grandmother, or those who are struggling to conceive and become a parent, and especially those who have lost a child. Given the reality of this statement, I think it’s important for us to keep this at the forefront of our minds and give an extra big hug to those whom we know are hurting today. I’m saying lots of prayers today! xo

Here are some of my favorite photos of me and Isla, as well as my favorite of my mom (Isla’s ‘Mimi).

Décor May 6, 2015

10 Tips for a (Non-Cheesy) 1st Birthday Shoot

BirthdayShoot

We’re taking Isla’s first birthday photos next Friday, which is sort of crazy as she just celebrated her 11 month-iversary on Monday. However, I wanted to use the photos at her first birthday party, and we’re going to be gone for the two weeks leading up to her big day… so we’re doing them a little early! We’re having Paige of Awake Photography take them for us, as I love her pictures! She took our little Petrovic family Christmas photos, our Semple family photos and pictures for my stroller fitness post.

I’m also super excited, as last night, I booked a flight to Oklahoma City for a quick two day trip to visit one of my bestest friends, Kirby, and her adorable daughter Lillian (of course, Brett too)! One of my favorite photographers, Jessa Kae, is doing 50 shoots in 50 states in 50 days (how cool is that??), and Lillian is having her first birthday photos taken on June 16, so we’re going to join in for some ‘two generations of best friends’ photos. We’ve been talking about these forever now, and I’m beyond excited for them!

I love looking at first birthday photo shoots, although many of the ones on Pinterest are a bit too cheesy for my liking (see suggestion #9). Therefore, as I’ve done my research and prepped for Isla’s photos, I thought I’d share some tips for how to take beautiful and fun first birthday photos.

Do you have any other tips you could add?

1. Choose the best time of day for your baby. Although shooting during the ‘golden hour’ (around 7pm) is definitely the prettiest for lighting, Isla goes to bed at 6:30pm, so we opt for early morning shoots. After a full night of sleep, Isla is definitely most chirpy during this time. Make sure to specify what time of day you want to take the photos when you’re trying to pick a date with your photographer.

2. Pack multiple outfits. Isla will have two outfits to wear on Friday, but I’ll pack a third just in case something happens (blowouts are a real risk!). Try not to be too attached to any one outfit, and make at least one as neutral as possible. Sasha and I will only wear one outfit, so but I’ve got to coordinate those with her two different outfits. Solid colors work for men’s shirts and women’s dresses, especially if baby is in a print. The same works if your baby and husband are in solids – you can be a little more playful with what you choose to wear.

3. Bake a cake (or cupcake)! Cake smashes can be a hit or miss, but they are worth the try. I personally think a cupcake is a smart idea for this, as cakes can be pricey and likely won’t get eaten by anyone. Babies are small, so cupcakes seem more appropriate and are cute. See if you can get the icing to color-coordinate with your baby’s outfit (or diaper cover, depending on what you choose to do).

4. Get in front of the camera too. I know some parents choose not to be in their baby’s first birthday photos, but I recommend you take the opportunity to have some family pictures taken. If you don’t want to hire someone, you and your spouse can rotate who is in the picture or even use a tripod! If you’re new to the area and don’t know who to hire, I would use Style Me Pretty’s Little Black Book and narrow down to your city. I know they are technically wedding photographers, but you’ll find most take family pictures too!

5. Add a pop of color (balloons, streamers, etc.)! #9 below touches on props (and limiting them!), but I think it’s important to have a pop of color in these pictures. I am very much so a neutral person (our house is light yellows and muted grays), but I suggest incorporating some bright color into the photos to make it ‘kiddy.’ You can find fun colorful items at Shop Sweet Lulu, like balloons, garlands, and confetti. That store is seriously amazing.

Personal May 5, 2015

11 Months

Yesterday, #LittleMissIsla celebrated her eleven month-iversary, making her not so little any more (new hashtag search begins! Ha). Given that she still seemed miserable and kept tugging on her ear, I showed up at our pediatrician’s office at 8:30am when they opened and snuck our way in for an unscheduled appointment. She got drops to remove liquid that is trapped in her ear canal, and I’m hoping she feels better soon! Since they weighed her while we were there, I know how she weighs 20.5 pounds, which is a whopping 14 pounds more than she did eleven months ago. The girl loves food.

Other things that Isla loves? Isla loves her water bottles. She also loves tossing them onto the floor seven thousand times and watching us pick them up. Apparently, we are her slaves! She adores taking naps when I run. She loves her ‘bestie’ (a lovie from RH Baby & Child), her pacifiers when she naps (and chunking them out of the crib when she’s over them), changing the tunes on her Sound Sheep, dancing to Uptown Funk, clapping her hands, playing hide and seek behind her ottoman, throwing the balls from her ball pit around the playroom, and chewing on her plastic crayons. Isla loves all dogs, especially little yappy ones. She loves breastfeeding (how will we ever wean?). Isla enjoys taking her clothes off – one arm at a time. She really likes to look at herself in the mirror (not vain at all, right?) and takes delight in her nightly baths with Tata on duty.

So, what are some things that make Isla laugh? Peek-a-boo. Such a classic. But she prefers to hide and unhide herself versus us doing it. She also has the most ticklish thighs and underarms. She will lose her marbles if you give her a good squeeze! Isla laughs when you do animal noises (especially a lion’s ‘Rawr’!). She giggles when we exclaim ‘YAY!’ when she claps (and then claps more). But most of all, she loves when I do cheerleading jumps (see video here).

Things that Isla dislikes? Getting her face and nose wiped is a big #1. Taking a nap if she’s got a dirty diaper (it won’t happen, even if she’s exhausted). She also dislikes being fed (she’d prefer to do it herself, which is the messiest experience ever). There are times when Isla dislikes being held by anyone but me, but that’s normally just toward the end of the day when she’s exhausted (or more recently when she was sick). She really is not a fan of anyone taking away their cell phone once she’s got it in her tight grip (yikes).

Isla is still sleeping from 6:30pm – 7:30am (except this past week, which was difficult with her being sick), and she’s now down to one nap a day (normally 12:30-2:30pm). She is standing on her own and will take 6-7 steps, but definitely still has sea legs. She much prefers to crawl at this time, but is getting more and more confident in walking. She eats just about everything, but dislikes beets and tends to toss bananas to Belle (our dog). She is more happy in swim class every single week (first lesson was a mess!), and enjoys music and gym classes too.

I cannot believe that in less than a month, we’ll be celebrating her first birthday. It seems like this year has flown by, which makes me sad, but then I think about how much more fun she is every day, and I get excited about the future. I cannot wait until she can talk and tell us what she’s thinking! She is just a bundle of joy, and we love her to pieces.

Month by month: 10 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 6 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1

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Personal May 4, 2015

Week in Review

I made some pretty big decisions this week, which I’ll share when things are finalized later this week, so my mental and emotional condition was all over the place. Add this to the fact that Isla caught herpangina, which is a mouth virus causing ulcers and fever, and I’d say that I am actually excited that today is Monday, and we’re starting afresh (although I think she may still have an ear infection – we’re going back to the doctor today). I’m very grateful that Isla has not been sick until this point, and I am praying that it doesn’t happen again any time soon, as it breaks my heart to see her feel so miserable.

This week, I am feeling especially grateful for our wonderful friends. I got to see some friends I hadn’t seen in awhile, which his always fun. Wine, games, good food and deep belly laughs. I couldn’t ask for more.

My favorite moments this week were:

Catching up with two former coworkers-turned-friends at Ruggles Green – deep belly laughs over a Texas Goat Cheese Salad with wine is my ideal night.
Going to the Derby party at Julep (it was gorgeous), which was styled by my friend, Meredith of Cake & Confetti, and Ashley of Sugar and Cloth (who is seriously the sweetest) – both of whom I got to see on Sunday at the Social Media and Branding Workshop held by Ashley and Christian of 1924. First, I am obsessed with that studio. Second, they are amazing. I’m so motivated to up my social media game, especially with the launch of my photography business in a few weeks!
Picking up goodies at The Monogram Shop and Paper Source and finishing up a design project for Isla’s party – we leave for Paris and St. Petersburg in less than three weeks, and get back with less than a week before her party! I’ve got to finish prepping soon.
Trying a new restaurant – Buff Burger – that is near our house. We loved it! Their veggie burger is delicious!
Having two of our favorite friends over – Philip and Sydney – for dinner at the house (Whole Foods pizza, aren’t we good hosts? Ha!) and then playing Taboo afterwards. I love game night, and we had such a good time (although the girls lost – better luck next time!!).
Meeting with my fellow creative ladies at Adair Kitchen for more secretive planning – I’m bursting at the seems to share details and get everyone in Houston involved! Not too long now.
Signing up for a few new exciting photography shoots – including some for The Fancy Ashley! Pretty excited for what’s ahead.

How was your week? What were your highlights?

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Personal April 27, 2015

Week in Review

Yesterday was a beautiful sunny Sunday, so I decided to take our wading pool (currently used to house play balls) outside for a little ‘swim.’ Isla had been standing by herself for 10 second stretches of time in the last few weeks, but hadn’t really taken many purposeful steps (just a few between objects, like from her walker to the table). While we were in the pool, she got very adventurous and began taking 4-5 steps from one side of the pool into my arms. Sasha was at Home Depot getting tools for my projects (thank you, love!), and when he walked into the backyard, he was floored (and very excited!) to see her waddling across. After we dried off inside, she started doing longer walks in our playroom before expressing her exhaustion by having total Jello legs (short video here). There were lots of ‘Yay, Isla!!’ chants yesterday, but I’m equally nervous about how many breakable items we have at reaching distance. Time to get serious about baby proofing! Isla’s favorite Instagram-friend, Livi, is totally motivating her – check out this video that her sweet momma posted yesterday. She’s amazing! Go, Livi, go!

The definite low point of the week was getting my first cavity filled. I am such a baby. I opted in for the laughing gas, and I still felt like I was going to faint. And then the ache in my jaw all day long? I’m brushing five times a day now and going to start using Act. No more cavities for me!

A few highlights of the week included:

My seriously amazing husband bought me a Canon 5D Mark III camera and the 50mm f 1.2L lens to show his support of my photography business, which I’ll be sharing more details about soon and hopefully ‘launching’ in less than a month! I am still learning the ins and outs of it, but I adore it. Half of the photos below are taken with the new camera, and the others are with my iPhone and my trusted Nikon D5000.
Meeting one of my college best friends, Blake, at Sweet Paris after church on Sunday – Sasha ordered my vegan crepe, which we laughed about as it arrived covered in powdered sugar and Nutella. I joked that he was trying to get me back for the one time I ordered him a salad and it had a cream dressing. Needless to say, I picked out the fruit from the crepe. I do love Sweet Paris though – especially the restaurant’s interior design. See my friend Christie’s post about it here.
Going to Tiny Boxwood’s with one of my favorite people in the world – Brooke – on Saturday for a mid-afternoon drink. Tiny’s has the best drink in Houston (in my humble opinion) – the white wine mojito. Yummm.
At long last, my bestest friend, McKenzie, and I celebrated her birthday (ahem, which is in July! Yikes!) with a spa date at the Houstonian’s Trellis Spa. We enjoyed the sauna, our treatments (massage and facial), and a glass of bubbly in our robes afterward. It was pure heaven!
Enjoying a wine and cheese night with two girlfriends on Tuesday – I am guilty of eating the entire Brie triangle. I cannot stop myself. I love spontaneous girls nights like these!
Getting my hair cut and colored by Eric Vaughn at Estilo Salon. He is so wonderful, and although I am the world’s least patient person and almost didn’t survive a three hour appointment, I love the outcome and had The Paris Wife to read while letting the color set.
Family visits from my mother-in-law, dad, and my older sister! She came over for dinner and a game night of Bananagrams, which I’m slightly addicted to. Since we’ll be spending most evenings in during our trip (except for our night out in Paris with a babysitter!), I’d love to hear any fun two-person game suggestions!
Being treated to TCBY twice in one week. With all of the self-serve places popping up, my loyalty to TCBY that was built during college sort of dissipated, but it’s back. We are addicted!
Receiving my first Voxbox from Influenster. I will be reviewing the products this week!
Finally hanging up our new West Elm mirror in our master bedroom and selling our futon – now all that’s left is to get a bookshelf and have the room painted, and the room is complete! I’m so excited.
Carter’s Instagrammed about my Baby Hospital Bag giveaway last week, which helped spike entries! I got very excited to see all of the giveaway pins on Pinterest! Thank you for participating. The winner of the giveaway is Daphne K.! I’m so excited for her and her sweet baby girl due in May.