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:|: school days + traditions :|: Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky Baby & Family Photographer

August 22, 2011

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!

Posted in Brayden, Crafts & Fun Stuff, Family | No Comments »

:|: happy father’s day :|: Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky Baby & Family Photographer

June 19, 2011

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

zoodad copy

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Summer Sale Announcement!

July 8, 2010

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.

**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.

Posted in Events, Family, Photography | No Comments »

My Baby Bro….

April 8, 2010

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.

Posted in Family, Photography, |love| | 3 Comments »

Denial.

March 2, 2010

Today is all about denial.

I am in denial that I will be 29 this year. I am in denial that BB is so grown up lately. I am in denial that my mom might be moving away, and that my baby brother is getting married.

I am in denial that my baby is 1 today.

I find it so ironic that our boys couldn’t be more opposite. I always said this about Nate and his brothers, I just couldn’t understand how 4 boys who grew up in the SAME house with the SAME parents could be SO different! Ben is the lawyer, the analyst. Nate is the giver, the builder, the rock. Dennis is the teacher, the philanthropist. And Mike is the thinker and the quiet one. All wonderful qualities, with the same set of values.

Nolan is laid back, LOUD, and carefree. He does things on HIS time. (I should have known that would be the case from the beginning!) While Brayden is organized and structured, and always ahead of his time. The best example is the train table. They both love trains. For 2 years, our train table has set in the toy room exactly how the picture shows it. That is how Brayden likes his things, neat and organized - where it belongs. Don’t move it to the left because he will know, and he will hate it. Because he hates change. Well, his baby brother is now mobile, and the train table will never be the same. I am finding pieces of track upstairs, in his highchair, and in laundry baskets. It makes BB a nervous wreck. Big brother is just like his mama, and has a lot to learn about patience and not getting things his way all the time! I see so much of Nate in Nolan and me in Brayden that it is exciting and scary!

Exactly 1 year ago today, I did the most empowering thing a woman could ever do. I wanted to do the absolute best thing I could for my baby the second time around. The baby I prayed for every day for 2 years. Little did we know, God had a plan for Nolan. A plan for our family. And we are so blessed and grateful, no matter how difficult the road was to his arrival.

He has brought so much joy to our lives. I love you Nolan Jude, and I am SO PROUD and blessed to be your mama.

Here are a series of photo collages from your first year!

And oh yea, Happy Birthday to Nate! Without you, my precious baby would obviously not be possible And thank you for turning 29 before me! In all seriousness, he jokes that he will never have a birthday ever again, but I say it just makes every one from now on a 1,000,000,000x more special.

Happy Birthday to my boys!

Posted in Family, Nolan, Uncategorized | 1 Comment »

Hasta la vista 2009! Resolutions & our year in review.

January 1, 2010

This year has brought us MANY ups and downs. It is time to say goodbye to this decade, and look forward to the fun and exciting things that the next decade will bring for both our family and My Bluegrass Baby Photo!

What are your New Years Resolutions? I told Nate this morning that his #1 should be to work really really hard on trying his best not to do anything dumb to make me mad everyday…not quite in those words. I love him.

I have many New Years Resolutions…get better at sending birthday cards, get organized, read more, be more patient with my husband (see above), amongst others.

Now on to the fun stuff. Our 2009 year in review! My challenge: only 1 picture per month!

January: Waiting on the arrival of Nj and Leigh!

February: The death of my grandfather

March: Happy Birthday Nate & Nolan Jude!

April: Brayden turns 3!

May: I am an aunt!!! Happy Birthday Leigh Susan! And our car accident

June: Nj’s 1st trip to the beach and his baptism!

July: Summer Festival fun, and BB learns how to swim!

August: Lake Trips & Soccer Games!

September: My Bluegrass Baby Photo is officially LAUNCHED! Our 10 year High School Reunions, Nolan starts solid foods, we have to put down our precious Aly.

October: Trip to Chicago & BB’s favorite time of the year! HALLOWEEN!

November: The “Truck”

December: Tree Hunt & SANTA!

I could have done without the death of my Grandpa and Aly, and the car accident that has left me mentally and physically “altered” – but nothing can top the birth of our miracle baby and devoting time to my passion. Here is to an AMAZING 2010! Happy New Year!

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My Family

December 31, 2009

I love them so much, I only wish I got to see them more.

My amazing Aunt and Uncle, and beeeeeyooooootiful Cousin.

My absolute favorite

Isn’t she adorable? Half of me lives in Colorado. I miss her about 360 days of the year.

I couldn’t have ended the year on a better note!

HAPPY NEW YEAR! Bring on 2010!

Posted in Family, Photography | 1 Comment »

It’s the most…..

December 18, 2009

….wonderful time of the year….or so we tell ourselves. every year.

I am not going to lie. The Holidays are SOOO stressful (you know you agree with me). This year even more so. But I have to take a step back, count my blessings, and then continue forward. Despite all the crap that 2009 has dealt me, there were some GREAT moments in there. And many of them DO happen at this time of the year.

Ah, the Festival of Lights for example:

Nj’s 1st!

And the tree hunt!

This picture makes me cry There should be 6 of us in this picture…

Here was our family picture from last year – I miss my girl

back to this year…

Yes, I frequently go out in public looking like Rainbow Bright threw up on me See stress comment above? Color makes me happy!

Can you believe Leigh is almost 7 months old?

It IS a wonderful time of the year – not sure it is the MOST wonderful time of the year…but I will take it!

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What are YOU thankful for?

November 26, 2009

There is sooooo much to be thankful for this year! My beautiful new son and niece, the ability to start up my photography business, my new assignment at work, and the pregnancy of my best friend. And also the unfortunate moments – thankful my Grandfather lived a very long and fulfilled life, thankful no one was seriously injured in the car accident Nolan and I were in, thankful my Dad has a job but is still stuck in New York, and thankful that we were able to give our precious dog, Aly, a wonderful home for the short 5 1/2 years she lived.

I am thankful for my husband, and our ability to live and give our children a comfortable, happy, and safe life. But most of all, I am thankful for my boys. BB may be a rambunctious 3 year old, and Nj may be the exception to EVERY rule in the book, but they are ME, they are MY LIFE, and I will forever be eternally thankful that I am their mama.

What are YOU thankful for?

Posted in Brayden, Family, Nolan | 1 Comment »

Big Ideas

November 15, 2009

So my best friend, Katie, and I come up with big, fun ideas. Frequently.

The most recent – The Orange Truck.

I think it was our second best idea to date (Incase you were wondering, the 1st was her New Years Eve Wedding)

I think you will agree

See, I told you it was a great idea

Posted in Family, Friends, Photography | 6 Comments »

Finally took pictures of my own!

September 13, 2009

I have been taking product photos for Anne Marie of Ambernee Crochet on Etsy. (More about that on my photo blog a little later) But it was a great excuse for me to take pictures of MY KIDS!

Here are Nj’s 6 month pictures:

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And some cute ones of BB

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And let’s not forget Miss Leigh

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She is sending new hats for BB and Leigh – in the style of Nj’s above – so be on the lookout for some more pics In the meantime, shop her Etsy store for your own!

Posted in Brayden, Family, Nolan, Photography | No Comments »

Our Aly

September 4, 2009

Chesney, Brayden, Nolan, Nate, and I lost our best friend to cancer today

Aly was smart, loyal, and always there for us. She was the best dog, and she will be missed so much.We got Aly on December 22nd, 2003. How do I remember this date, you ask? See, this is not the first time I have lost one of my precious dogs before it was really their time to go Skyla was our first dog. She had a genetic kidney disorder, and we had to put her down because of kidney failure on December 21st, 2003, the 1 year anniversary of our engagement. I couldn’t stand the pain, and Nate and I went to pick out our new puppy the next day. We named her Aly, half of her predecessor’s name spelled backwards. She was our “baby”, and just like Skyla, we took her everywhere with us. We took her to the lake, camping, on vacation, and spent countless hours with her at the dog park. She was the only one in the dog park who would come immediately when she was called, and she never wandered beyond 20 feet from our side. She moved into our first house with us, welcomed Chesney with us, moved to our next house with us, and welcomed our babies home with us.

I know some of you will say that she is just a dog, but she wasn’t just a dog to us. She was part of our family. She greeted us every time we walked in the door, and slept by our side every night. She let Brayden and Nolan climb all over her, jump on her, chase her, pull on her hair, her tail, and her ears without ever a complaint.It is going to be hard coming home for a long time. We will miss you Aly cat. You were the best.

Aly’s first picture

And her last

And some of the great ones inbetween.

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My favorite

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She was Daddy’s girl

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And BB loved her so much, this picture was featured on capturecincinnati.com

http://www.capturecincinnati.com/photo/230717

And I haven’t gotten a chance to edit this picture, but I wanted to make sure Nolan had a memory of her as well. It is such a shame that he will never remember what an amazing dog she was, but I hope later in life, this picture will give him a little insight.

Aly cat, have fun running around up there with Skyla. Don’t ever forget how much we love you.

Posted in Family, Pets | No Comments »

Cumberland

August 7, 2009

We were all counting down the days to the lake trip for what seemed like months. It was the first trip that the whole Wolff family (all 4 boys, significant others, and Nick & Kathy) could attend TOGETHER. All of us, in the same place, at the same time, on VACATION! It was such a great weekend, minus the clouds. Hopefully we can do it again soon. We stayed at a new “resort” in the making, called Ft. Wahoo. They were very nice cabins, and had a huge play area for the kids.

BB hammin’ it up

Cathleen with the happy baby, can you believe he is already 5 MONTHS OLD?!?!

Nate’s Idea (the name of the boat!) - notice the clouds and the long sleeves

Liz & Cathleen decided it was a good idea to jump off a cliff – ask them if they would do it again…

Papa Nick and his baby boy

Leigh and Nolan (man, my kids have big heads!)

They are fighting already…

BB refused to show off his swimming skills Nate made him go down the slide with him, and the only thing he would touch for the rest of the weekend was the raft

I love this picture of Mike

There are many more pictures here

Posted in Brayden, Family, Nolan | No Comments »

Catchin’ Up!

July 6, 2009

I need to catch up on June here on the ole’ blog

Father’s Day:

Spent at Nick and Kathy’s pool It was also Kathy’s birthday and Curly & Dude’s 1st anniversary!!!

Ben’s 1st Father’s Day. Leigh spent it sleeping in the pool

The Dads had a splash contest. I think Nate won. Ben needs to work on his technique!

And look what Nj found!

Posted in Events, Family, Nolan | No Comments »

Sneak Peak!

June 16, 2009

We had a great time on vacation. Thanks to Nick and Kathy for making it possible! I am not quite finished going through pictures yet, so here are a few to hold you over

It started out just like this

Brayden loved the sand!

And the pool – but wouldn’t get anywhere near the ocean.

Nolan, on the other hand, didn’t mind where he was…

More to come! Including pictures from our trip to see Shamu!

Posted in Brayden, Events, Family, Nolan | No Comments »

LONG overdue :( I am an AUNT!!!

June 4, 2009

To a beautiful baby GIRL! Can you believe it, there is a GIRL in our family!

Leigh Susan Wolff was born on May 24th (the same day as our Godson, Blake) at 8:24pm, weighing 6lbs, 6oz and 21 inches long! How about those stats for a baby who was 8 days LATE! She is gorgeous and perfect. She has a beautiful birthmark above her right knee. She poops, ALOT. She may not look like a Wolff baby quite yet, but she sure has the characteristics of one already We are so overjoyed to have her in our lives, and congrats to Ben and Loren!

Don’t hit the Florence Mall looking for girly clothes for this little princess. I bought them. ALL.

Some pictures of her 1st hour:

I can’t believe Ben is a Dad!

Proud Aunt Heather and Uncle Nate

On her 1 week birthday, I went over and we had a perfect little photo session. She was an angel and slept the WHOLE time, and even let me stuff her in a basket without complaining

Her middle name comes from Loren’s mom, and Ben’s Aunt/Godmother (who passed away when Ben was a baby). This blanket was made for Ben by his Aunt Susan.

And many, many more pictures here

So THANK YOU, Ben and Loren, for giving us a perfect little girl. So glad she is yours and not ours JUST KIDDING. But seriously, in about 10 years, I won’t be!

Posted in Baby, Family, Photography | No Comments »

It just wasn’t our week…

May 16, 2009

First, I headed back to work

Then, on my second day back, I left early to take Nolan to his 2 month Doctor appointment. However, we didn’t make it there, because this happenend:

Don’t worry, we are ok. Nolan didn’t have a scratch on him, Thank You God. It was the absolute scariest moment of my life. It was raining, and a lady in a Trailblazer tried to gun it out into the road during the busiest time of the day on Thomas More Parkway. She lost control of her car, and the next thing I know, I see a truck spinning toward me and I had no where to go.

The airbag bloodied my nose and chipped my front two teeth. I have nasty burns and bruises from the seatbelt, and my legs are banged up pretty bad. My neck still hurts, and I will most likely have to start regularly going to the chiropractor. But it could have been worse, it could have been so much worse. There was an angel looking over us last Wednesday, and since it was May 6th, I am pretty sure it was Grandpa Wolff

Nate will never live down the fact that when he finally answered his phone, he told me to “hold on”. And dealing with insurance has been a nightmare. But we finally got some answers, so we went out and bought this:

Yep, I bought the same van. It has a few more options than the one I had I didn’t even look at anything else. That van took care of us, it took care of my baby, so I will not drive anything else.

So I went back to work on Monday, and acted like it was my first week back. Then I found out that a childhood friend died. Attending the funeral of someone you went to school with just isn’t fun, and doesn’t seem fair. It should not have been his time. RIP Matt Harney.

Next week will be better. I joke that I wish our life would go back to just semi-crazy!

And today is Loren’s due date! Happy Due Date! No baby yet, but it seems the contractions are getting a little bit stronger, so hopefully we will have baby news soon!!! I can’t wait to be an aunt!

Cletus is currently Nolan’s favorite perch

I don’t know why Picasa is making some of my pictures small If anyone has any idea, will you please let me know?

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Loren’s Shower (aka..I am almost an aunt!)

April 29, 2009

We had Loren’s shower a few weekends ago. It was also Nolan’s first time meeting all the women in our extended family! It was the first beautiful day we have had in a long time, and Emily was the perfect hostess

We had a onesie decorating contest…I don’t remember who made this one, but they were clearly sucking up to Loren

The one that clearly should have won

Great Aunt Lynn

The loot

The beautiful scenery – most likely from Bridget’s beautiful garden

After the shower, Loren and I went out on the town for a night to finish shopping, and Kathy helped her set up the nursery this past weekend. So everything seems to be set for Cletus to arrive! We are so excited to meet our first niece/nephew!

Posted in Events, Family | No Comments »

Happy Easter!

April 13, 2009

Easter was so much fun with Brayden this year. I felt like this was the first year that he really understood what was going on. We got out of bed, searched for his Easter basket, found Nolan’s Easter basket as well, then went on an egg hunt in his toy room. Poor B, he had 3 easter egg hunts all by himself yesterday. He looked at me at one point and said, “Mom, next year Nolan and Cletus (his nickname for Loren’s baby) will do this with me“.

B’s basket was hidden in HIS favorite hiding spot

The loot

All day long, everytime he found an egg, he had to shake it. It was so flippin’ cute

This child is addicted to puzzles. He has mastered the 24 and 48 piece puzzles – I guess we need to start on the 100 pieces!!! He put this puzzle together in 5 minutes.

His new favorite game just happens to be my favorite when I was little. Thanks Aunt Erin!

Egg hunt pictures!

And finally, Nolan and his mama

More pictures here

Posted in Events, Family | No Comments »

Brayden’s “Handy Manny” Birthday Party

April 13, 2009

We had such a fun weekend! It started on Saturday with Brayden’s 3rd birthday party! I can’t believe he is almost 3. He requested a Handy Manny Birthday party, so I made him an outfit, found him a Handy Manny toolbelt, and attempted to make a cute cake…

Birthday attire

The cake. I wanted to make a toolbox cake, but it didn’t quite transform into a toolbox. I was pretty happy with the results though, even though I put enough red food coloring in it to poisen a small animal.

Blowing out his candles

We had a great day, thank you so much to everyone who loves this little guy as much as we do. He wouldn’t be such the awesome kid he is without the love and support from every single one of you.

More pictures here

Posted in Brayden, Family, Friends, Photography | No Comments »