isla – Page 5 – Snapshots & My Thoughts by Ailee Petrovic

Announcement July 31, 2014

Isla’s Rifle Paper Co. Inspired Birth Announcements

At long last, Isla’s birth announcements have been sent! I am so relieved to have completed this major project – one which started well before she was born! I did the calligraphy on all 100 envelopes prior to her birth (thank goodness!), cut the envelope liners using this Rifle Paper Co. wrapping paper, stamped our return address using a custom stamp from Angelique Ink, and created the design for the announcement (which was printed by Czar Press). When Isla arrived, all I had left to do was update the design with the appropriate information, get it printed, have Isla’s photos taken by Taylor Lord and printed locally, add the photos to the glassine bags, punch holes, tie bows, and voila – done. Whew. Yes, I am exhausted, but so happy to have finished my second big project (first being Sasha’s graduation announcements). Baby number two will likely have an e-card (ha!).

Duplex announcement card printing by Czar Press

Ribbon and kraft envelopes from Paper Source

Wildflower Liner from Rifle Paper Co.

Isla photo by Taylor Lord

Custom return stamp from Angelique Ink

Dr. Martin’s Pen White calligraphy ink from Paper and Ink Arts

Glassine bags from JenStampz

Calligraphy and photos by me

Personal July 25, 2014

Highlights of Week One in Durango

We’ve been in Durango for just over a week now, and we are loving it. Sasha said to me yesterday, “You realize the most important and stressful decision we make all day is what we’re going to eat for dinner.” I laughed – but it’s true. We go on about four to five walks a day, as my parents live within 5 minutes of the grocery store, Main Street where all of the restaurants and shops are, Animas River, and mountain trails. My Nike Fuel Band is back in action! I wrote a Durango Travel Guide post last year, but I definitely have to update it after trying many new restaurants, juice bars and ice cream shops. I’ve put together an assortment of photos from our first week – as you can tell, I’ve been very trigger happy as of late.

What are your summer plans?

PS Happy birthday, Mum and Karine!

Isla flew from Houston to Denver to Durango and slept through every second of it (thank you, Lord!)

Walking to Durango Joe’s for morning coffee with the whole Petrovic family

Hiking and biking (while the grandparents were here to babysit!)

I finally found a bow that is semi-appropriately sized for a newborn – and a tutu dress from my sweet co-workers!

Celebrating our one year anniversary — with dinner and on a raft!

My favorite bow romper from Paola (I love Janie and Jack!) and our romantic rooftop anniversary dinner

Staring at that face all day and praying she always wants to hold my hand

Geared up for a day on the water (another Paola gift!) and a wet pup from lots of Animas River swimming

Isla’s new nap place – the BabyBjorn – and a tired tanner in her Baby Gap swimsuit from Erin

Navajo State Park adventures with the whole family (Isla slept through the entire experience)

A sneak peak of Isla’s newborn photos from Taylor Lord and I’ve finally sent all of the birth announcements!

Father-daughter bonding moments that make me heart melt

Hamming it up – and wearing her UT apparel! Girl’s gonna be a Longhorn fan, for sure

Baby July 21, 2014

Nikkor 50mm f/1.8g Lens

I recently signed up for the Photo 101 class with Nicole’s Classes, and my first homework assignment was due yesterday. I absolutely love taking pictures and I have a nice camera (Nikon D5000) that I’ve used on Auto for far too long (i.e. 7 years), and recently decided that I need to learn about all of the features. My friend, Danielle, pointed me to these 4-week online courses and I’m already obsessed. I start my next set of classes in one week – Illustrator 101 – and then will begin Floral Arranging 101 two weeks after that. I can’t wait!

As of last Monday, I only had two lenses, but quickly after starting the courses, I decided that I needed a 50mm lens with a low f-stop number. I did online research, and ended up ordering the Nikkor AF-S 50mm f/1.8g lens on Amazon. I am obsessed. Seriously – I don’t know how I’ve been taking pictures without this portrait lens!

I’ve included some of the photos from my homework – which included changing ISO, f stop numbers and doing a ‘day in the life.’ I chose to make Isla my model (no arguments from her) – the day included three outfit changes. She’s a puker!

Baby July 1, 2014

Carter’s Footed Onesies

Isla has mixed feelings about bath time. We bathe her around 5:45pm, then feed her from 6-6:45 every night. She’s typically pretty fussy leading up to the bath, but when that diaper comes off, it’s wail time. Once she’s physically in the warm water, she’s happy as can be, but when she leaves the heat and is back in the air conditioned bathroom, she loses her marbles. I’ve learned that the fastest way to soothe her is to put her immediately in a warm, footed onesie – something we didn’t have many of when she was born. Her entire newborn-sized wardrobe went from about 4 onesies to nearly 14 outfits, and is expanding this week by a number of Carter’s “pjs,” as we’ll need them when we head to Durango in a few weeks (still cool at night!). She is growing quickly, and I imagine she won’t be in the newborn clothing for many more weeks, so I ordered some 0-3 month sizes too. I love Carter’s clothing – almost as much as Baby Gap! Her new outfits are below – my favorite is the floral footed onesie on the bottom left. Which do you like the most?

Top Row: 1 // 2 // 3

Middle Row: 1 // 2 // 3

Bottom Row: 1 // 2 // 3

Baby June 18, 2014

Isla’s Two Week Anniversary

I know all parents say, “They grow up too fast!” But wait – they really do. Isla is two weeks old today, and I was looking at all of the pictures in the hospital of her, and she looks so much older already. Cue me panicking! I don’t want her to grow up!! I frantically began my newborn baby photo booking process – ‘we must capture every moment!’, I’m thinking to myself. I know that every phase will be “the cutest!”, but I really do want to remember these special early days. Below are some pictures I’ve taken in the last week to try to remember how teensy tiny she is!

And because it’s not all rainbows and butterflies… an out-take! (ha)