My “baby” went off to Kindergarten today.  I was totally over dramatic about it, but he looked so big in his uniform, and he was so grumpy about getting up so early.  Definitely brought me back to my school days!  However, he is only going half day, so by the time I wake up, shower, feed the baby & the toddler, get them dressed, make coffee, and change diapers 2 seconds before we have to walk out the door, I realized he really isn’t gone for very long.  How am I going to survive next year?

He was nervous & quiet this morning, and whispered to his dad, “I don’t think I am ready for Kindergarten…” What 5 year old says that?!   But I think they jam-packed the day with new rules and fun stuff (he brought home a book from the library, so he was pumped!) so his nerves vanished quickly, and he was SO HAPPY when I picked him up.  We talked on the way home, meaning that I asked very directed questions, because at 5, he already has the “nothing” answer down pat.  My last question was, “Are you excited to go back tomorrow?”  He immediately said yes.  Now I just have to work on the very sad 2 year old who woke up crying because he couldn’t find his big brother this morning…

In honor of his first day of school, I have started 2 new traditions!  First, is the chalkboard.  I put the year, the grade, the school, the mascot, and the teacher’s name on it – and took a picture at our house before he left.

And the second tradition is a photo with all his current favorite things on it.  I quizzed him when he got home, and this is what we came up with!

Hope you had as much fun on the first day of school as we did!  Have a great school year!

So little did I know that I lived down the street from the coolest mom on the block, Melissa from Stockpiling Moms!  Ironically, we met over Facebook, and Melissa asked me if I would be interested in shooting some mugshots for a super secret future endeavor of theirs!

Now, in true Stockpiling Moms fashion, we are having a sale and a GIVEAWAY!  But you have to do a little work first

First, the GIVEAWAY!

The 8×10 Carey Grant frame in Yellow Apple.  Isn’t it purty?

LOVE the frame you see above?  There are more just like it!

First, to enter this giveaway:

1. Go to Facebook and “LIKE” My Bluegrass Baby Photo & Stockpiling Moms

THEN,

2. Comment on THIS Stockpiling Moms blog post. I want to know – If you could have ANY Organic Bloom Frame from the collection I sell, which shape would you choose and in what color?

1 participant will win.  Want more entries?  Read on!

Anyone who places a frame order before August 13th will get 3 extra entries PLUS 10% off their frame order!

All the info you need to order can be found here: Organic Bloom Frame INFO! (PDF) & check out more color combos at The Organic Bloom!

We will choose a winner on Saturday, August 13th!

NOW, the photography SALE!!!

30% off your sitting fee + a $30 print credit for NEW CLIENTS** if you book & sign an agreement in the month of August!  Just contact me for available dates (currently booking for September & October).  All sessions take place in the Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky area.  Travel is available beyond 30 miles of zipcode 45202, but travel fees will apply

mybluegrassbaby@gmail.com

Whew.  August has already worn me out and it has barely even started yet!

**the sale is for newborn/child, senior, &  family portrait sessions only, and is not available for engagement, events, package deals and weddings.

I saw this idea and KNEW my boys would fall head over heels in a “mom you are the queen of the world” kinda way.  Sponge bombs.  Like water balloons.  But a *million* times BETTER.  And they are so easy to make.

Step 1: Buy lots and lots and lots of packages of plain ole’ kitchen sponges.  Seriously.  LOTS.  Because they will want a ton of these.

Step 2: Ignore my ugly countertops.

Step 3: Pair up your sponges, I used 2 per “bomb” – and spent way too much time making the perfect color combos, because I am a crazy, insane Type A.  My hubby makes fun of me.

Step 4: Cut each of your sponges in 4 strips, and pair them up.

Step 5: Get some string, or yarn, or fishing wire, or dental floss and tie them together REALLY tight.  Cut off the excess.

Step 6: Admire their beauty. Pick out your favorite color combo.  Because I am a crazy, insane Type A.

Step 7: Add water. Sneak attack the kiddos. Make memories.

Thank you Pinterest. (Have you not heard of Pinterest yet??? You are missing out.  Sign up. NOW. GO! – if you need an invite, send me a message!)

Happy Summer!

I had so much fun meeting this adorable family for an early morning session at one of my favorite spots.  There are very few sessions where I love EVERY single frame I took, but this was one of them!  I am so blessed with AWESOME and adorable clients!

Happy Father’s Day to all the awesome dad’s out there! Especially my hubby – the dad who will do anything with and for his boys, I couldn’t have asked for a better father to my kiddos.  Thank you for going above and beyond and being THAT Dad

Introducing “Baby” Micah, as he is loving referred to in our house by his two adoring big brothers

He is perfect.  He arrived 2 weeks past his due date, on April 4th weighing 8lbs 2oz (the smallest of all 3!) and 21 inches long.  His delivery was the quickest – I went into labor (On a Sunday night, AGAIN!) and 8 hours later he was in my arms!  Labor was quite intense, at 6 cm my waters broke and I delivered him 15 minutes later!  Dr. Wall missed the delivery by a few minutes, but oh well, he arrived and he was perfect.

He has been a busy little man!  He has already visited the zoo 3 times, celebrated Easter, celebrated at his brother’s 5th birthday party, been to a couple baseball games, and attended a festival.  His brothers adore him.  I can’t leave the house for more than an hour because I miss him.  Daddy rushes home everyday to see him.  He is one lucky little guy.

And I am so blessed to be their mom.

As most of you know, Wolff bambino #3 is due sometime this month!  Our family couldn’t be more excited, and along with the new baby is going to come big changes for our family.  The biggest being I am going to attempt to be a work at home mom with the photography business!  At least for the next year, I am going to forgo the corporate full time career.  While I LOVE what I do, my boys need me more.

With all of that being said, since I am committing more time to my photography business, I have decided to invest a significant amount of money into the business as well.  I have purchased new photo equipment and newborn studio props in order to give my customers the best possible product I can.

My Bluegrass Baby Photo will be closed from March 1st through April 30th, so I can spend time with my boys, and bond with the new baby upon his arrival.  All the new equipment will be ready to go when my sessions begin again on May 1st, and I couldn’t be more excited!  (Of course, everyone will see previews of the new stuff with the baby!)

Book now for current prices!  All photo agreements I receive for a 2011 session before March 1st will be subject to ALL of 2010 prices.  Once I re-open, new pricing will take effect.

Thank you for your continued support of me and My Bluegrass Baby Photo.  I am so blessed that I can use this talent to provide you with family portraits to last a lifetime, while having a blast and supporting my family at the same time!

The boys and I had a little fun in our basement studio yesterday!  I don’t think this will be able to be a permanent fixture in our home, unfortunately, but hopefully one day I will have a space where I can do this all the time!

Happy Valentines Day from my home to yours!

As I promised on my facebook page, 2011 is going to bring MANY new and exciting things to My Bluegrass Baby Photo!  For starters, I promise to blog more   Yes, I promise.  Any HOW am I going to do this, may you ask?  Well, the plan is for me NOT to return to my “career” for at least the rest of the year.  I can’t promise I am going to have THAT much more time, but hopefully enough!  With the arrival of baby boy #3 at the end of March, this mama is going to have her hands full!

Which brings me to announcement #1!  Book your sessions NOW!  I am shooting in January and February, and then I am taking March and April off to be with the new baby.  May and June are already booking up, so e-mail me ASAP!!!

I have also been doing some research, and have found some wonderful and unique new products to offer my clients!  I am just started offering these amazing wall frames.

They are available in virtually any size, and prices start around $45.  Contact me if you want to order any of these beauties!  I am in the middle of placing my studio order, and I can’t wait to share with you!  Contact me if you want to order or if you have any questions!

I have also been looking into a really cute photo jewelry company, so if you have an interest in photo jewelry (necklaces, charm bracelets, rings, keychains, ect) let me know!

Thank you to everyone for making 2010 such a great year for me, and I am really looking forward to devoting more time in 2011!

New pictures to come soon, I am working on my “favorites of 2010″ blog entry!  New pics of my boys too!

I was honored when Heather, the boys ISR instructor, asked me to take her daughter’s senior pictures.  Honored, elated, and so excited!!!  Luckily, I had taken Mckenzie’s pictures with her brother and sister last summer, so I knew we would have fun.  I am thrilled with how these turned out, and hope they don’t look like everyone else’s

Look for big things from this one ladies and gentlemen, I can’t wait to run into Dr. Fee one day.  My one piece of advice to you Miss Mckenzie: Don’t ever give up on your dream.  No matter the time, blood, sweat, tears, and money it takes to get there, it will be worth it.  You are going to be awesome.

2011 Seniors!  If you like what you see, give me a call!  Here are the details:

We went to the Outer Banks (NC) for the 1st time with Nate’s family in June.  It was awesome.  Go there.

I wanted to hire a photographer to take our photos, but couldn’t find one suitable (to my standards) that was available when we were visiting.  So, these were all taken by me, self timer, or my wonderful brother & sister in law (if I happen to make an appearance!)

I am pretty sure I have a better chance of getting struck by lightening than having the boys cooperate for 1 family picture…

Attitude at its finest

Stay tuned – lots of fun stuff happening in August.  And my next blog challenge:  Since I obviously can’t keep up, I am forcing myself to pick my 1 favorite shot from every shoot since the last time I blogged clients!  YIKES!

I think we can agree on a couple things during this post.

#1 – It’s H.O.T. Outside

#2 – We all love SALES!

Soooo…I am announcing a Summer Sale at My Bluegrass Baby Photo!

It will work in a couple ways.  But first you have to look at some pics of my family from Vacation

Nate’s parents take the family on vacation every year.  Whether it is the beach or the lake, we always have an good time (although I have to admit, vacations with your kids shouldn’t be called vacation – I think I was more tired when I got back than before I left).  The trip was so much more special this year because the WHOLE family was there, and it was Nolan and Leigh’s first vacation with their aunts and uncles!

We went to the OBX (for those of you without a license to chill, that is the Outer Banks, North Carolina)  The history there is amazing.  I would not hesitate to go back.

More from this later…

Ok, Ok – on to sale details!

CURRENT CUSTOMERS:

If you have had a session since January 1st, I am giving you a 15% coupon on all prints and products!**  Go to your gallery and use coupon code SUMMER15 – Feel free to forward to your friends and family.

YOU SAY YOU WANT A BIGGER COUPON?

Refer the My Bluegrass Baby Photo Facebook page to your friends!  Have them reply to my post that says “Who Referred You?”.  The current customer who gets the most fans to the page by Sunday, July 11th at 11:00pm EST will get a 50% coupon for prints!

Go to the Facebook fan page at http://www.facebook.com/MyBluegrassBabyPhoto – and suggest to your friends!

NEW CUSTOMERS!

E-mail me at mybluegrassbaby@gmail.com and book a session for September or October 2010.  If you book before July 15th, 2010, your session fee will be reduced to $50**** and you will receive a $25 print credit!  You must book by July 15th, 2010.

Alright.

READY.

SET.

GO!

**Sessions must have taken place between January 1st, 2010 and July 8th, 2010.  Not valid with any other offers or coupon codes.  If your session took place before April 1st, 2010, you will receive an e-mail from me with a link to your new gallery by this weekend.

****Session includes: Travel up to 30 miles from zip code 41017 at an outdoor location of your choice :: Up to a 60 minute session :: Up to 4 persons per session with no outfit changes :: Private Online Gallery for viewing and ordering :: Professionally retouched images. You MUST be a NEW customer of My Bluegrass Baby Photo in order to qualify for this discount.

Just a quick update to let everyone know I am on vacation and will not be answering any e-mails until Monday, June 28th!  Have a great week

FYI, these were taken with my new Panasonic P&S and not edited!  Not too shabby, but I do wish I would have gotten the waterproof P&S instead.

Well, well, well, look who won’t be crawling to college after all!!!

Please excuse my lack of wittiness in this blog post.  A crazier weekend with an even busier week ahead has resulted in an extreme need for some ibuprofen.

Once again, life has gotten away from me.  Swim lessons 5 nights a week, demanding times at work, soccer, personal stresses, lots of photo sessions!, and an insurance legal battle have left me running on fumes (not to mention in pain – insurance has stopped paying for my neck/back therapy).

So I am going to stop promising that I won’t do this, and once again, crush everyone’s hopes and dreams of a blog post all to themselves  I promise that I will make an attempt to try harder!  But until something gives, I must get my beauty sleep or I am pretty sure I will grow horns.  Red ones.  With glitter…

Here are a few of my favorites from the past few sessions

Does this cutie look familiar?  She should

I got both of the dogs to look at the camera at the same time.  I gave myself a pat on the back.

It is hard to believe that Grey is 6 months old!

And Tate is already 3 months!  These babies are growing way too fast

It is hard for me to look at him and not call him Cooper!  He is his big brother’s mini-me!

And a few maternity pictures for good measure!  Little Amos Jr. is now 1 month old, they live in Louisville, but I can’t wait to meet him.

Goodnight friends!

We are getting our first canvas print for the house from http://www.zazagallery.com – Stay tuned!  I am  SOOOO excited!

An angel was born on Wednesday, April 14th.  Her name is Aniston, and she is 7lbs 3 oz of perfection.

Congratulations to Erin & Brian, I am so so happy for you, and I can’t wait to watch her grow!

is getting MARRIED!  You heard me right, little Mud found himself an amazing partner in crime (And I mean really amazing.  Seriously.  We are still trying to figure out what is wrong with you Katie…) Just kidding!

They live in this amazing little house in upper Michigan, and they are so happy.  I hate that they are so far away.  But they love it up there.  But a 3 hours trip to even get to a Target?  Count me out.  City girl at heart here, no matter how much I hate to admit it!  Visits.  Lots of visits are hopefully in our future once our kids are all old enough to handle the long car ride.

The wedding will be up there on the lake.  It is going to be so beautiful and I can’t wait!

Scott wanted to wear his camo ballcap.  I gave him 1 photo.  For the rest, I always pulled it off his head once they were posed  Embrace your baldness brother!  LOVE YOU!

I think this one is my favorite

No, no.  This one is my favorite – My future nieces and nephews are going to have AMAZING eyes, don’t you think?

Have to add Mom’s favorite

And this picture is what he gets for complaining and calling his sister a goober.

I love you both, and I am SO HAPPY for you.  Wishing you a year full of amazing wedding planning and a life full of wonderful.

-Disclaimer- This happened months ago.  I am a total slacker.

Well, Nj got his first haircut.  He was looking a little shaggy, so it was time!  He wasn’t sure about the whole process at first – he couldn’t find his hands through the cape, he wasn’t sure why Ashley was coming at him with sharp objects…But he was fine once she gave him a new toy to play with

Before

During

After

And BECAUSE I am such a procrastinator, it is already time for haircut #2!  I promise, I am going to start blogging more often.  I am serious!

And a big shout out to our amazing stylist, Ashley Strotman, Owner of Perfectly Posh Salon and Boutique!  Check out their awesome stylists and NEW nail salon!

It is spring!  Soccer season is now underway, and boy, what a difference 6 months can make!  But, I don’t claim him….

And meet the hottest HEAD soccer coach in Independence

Welcome Spring!  Oh how I have missed seeing green and wearing capris and fun shoes!!!