Day 169

169/365

Our Mom's Club was sampling a local dance class. Will just stood there for the first 10 minutes or so, occasionally turning around and grinning from ear to ear. Then he got warmed up. He created his own jumping dance move before it was all over. Unfortunately they don't have any classes for boys younger than 7. Maybe in a few years...

Day 168

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These are the 1 year old photos I took of a little girl at Ashland. I enjoyed taking some of them with a new lens!

It won't be long until Gemma is one. I can't wait and don't want it to come all at the same time.

Day 167

167/365

This little toy is cute as a button...an aquarium you don't have to clean! :) Gemma turns it on and off by herself when she's in the mood for a little music. She often likes to do it with her feet, but tonight I captured her little hand in action.

I like to look at her in the soft blue glow of the light for a minute after I lay her down. So many little things I don't want to forget...

Day 166

166/365

My sweet husband. There wasn't a special reason for this photo. I didn't even plan it well. It's taken late at night in our bathroom!

I just don't take John's picture nearly as often as I did pre-kids. Although I am sure he doesn't mind, I sort of do. We have so many goofy pics of us enjoying life our first few carefree years of marriage. Date night must become a priority! And as much as I hate it...photos of the 2 of us!

Day 165

165/365

First Strawberry/First Whole Food!

We love the summer concerts around town. This week was the first time we were able to go to Ecton Park. Gemma grabbed a strawberry and went to town. After the initial tart shock, she seemed to enjoy it. Dressed like a strawberry herself, I guess she would have to!

Day 164

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China One

That's John's name for this sleeping position. It was the first position Will fell asleep in in China. After a long day of crying, I might ad. We weren't expecting him to sleep that way, but it was so adorable.

Enter Gemma. "Back is best" is what everyone says for sleeping babies. But Gemma rolls straight into this position every time. I hate it. Especially because she usually faces the wall, which makes it harder to check and see if she is breathing. John calls me paranoid. I call myself a loving mother. Regardless, cute as it may be, I hate this position.

Day 163

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Snuggling to Sleep with Daddy

It's becoming a nightly ritual, at least when G's not up fighting it!

Day 162

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John bought this adorable little duckie robe as a Christmas present for our first baby while we were in the adoption process. Will ended up being way too big for it, so here it is on Gemma. I'm thinking this will look good in our duckie bathroom.

Day 161

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This was the last day of Will's first bible school this summer. They had a competition to see who could bring in the most coins...boys or girls. Will really got into it. Unfortunately the competition ended in a tie. But it all went for missions for children, so not all was lost!

Day 160

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I love Aps. Particularly free ones. This is my new Instagram ap for photo processing.

I opted for a picture of the clock to show how late it is. We are definitely night owls around here. I wish it weren't so and we are trying to change that, but to no avail. Sometimes I think we have the only party girl baby who tries to stay up until midnight.

Day 159

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John knew a man growing up who's middle initial was "G." When people asked him what the G stood for, he would say,"Gorgeous!" We hope Gemma has enough spunk to pull that off. Modeling for pictures like this, I think she has an awfully good chance.

Day 158

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Will has a million quilts that my mom has made him, which I am very thankful for. But tonight was the first night I have found Will snuggling under one that I made him. It felt great. Now to make time to craft some more...

Day 157

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Gemma and Auntie Noelle

Noelle is one of those friends that everyone needs. I can't even count how much stuff she has given us for Gemma. Any time she's around, she entertains Gemma and gives me a little break. She's always encouraging and has helped us in a million other ways as well. Thanks Noelle!

Day 156

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A Day Out with Thomas!

I don't know how much longer Will will be interested in trains, so this year we had to make it a point to take a ride on Thomas before it was too late. Here he is pictured with the conductor. His smile could light up a room. I love the wonder of a little boy, but I also know it won't last much longer. (I heard that the Chick Fil A cow wasn't real just the other day. I have also been questioned about how Santa can fit down the chimney.) For now, I am going to enjoy the moment.

Day 155

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Gemma's "official" 7 month photos. See how she's learning to strike a pose?

Day 154

154/365

Every year the Saint Elizabeth Ann Seaton Catholic Church holds a fair just minutes from our house. It's a fantastic place to people-watch and Will loves the kiddie rides. I love the colors!

Day 153

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I love these tender moments between brother and sister. I can't get enough!

Day 152

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Occasionally when we have a photo shoot with friends, Will and Gemma will come along for the ride. I always try to dress them cute because, since we are always somewhere pretty, you never know when a photo op for them will come along as well after the official shoot. Here Will and Gemma are playing at Waveland. I love these shots of brother and sister love. They have a bond like I never imagined.

Day 151

151/365

The camera is an essential piece of luggage when you visit Mimi and Pawpaw's because they live in the country. It's such a change of pace from the things we have around here and there is always a uniquely different opportunity for photos. This particular morning, the hay had been baled down the street and all the farming equipment was there for our photographic pleasure. Will had to know what each piece of machinery was. He asked so many questions that I eventually had to admit that I really had no idea about the specifics!

Day 150

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We are actually spending a couple nights with Mimi and Pawpaw. This is only Gemma's 4th trip to visit their house. You can see she's quite comfy here!

Day 149

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Here is Gemma in Mimi and Pawpaw's backyard. I did have a picture with a regular smile, but I love this one with her tongue hanging out. She seems to have it out most of the time now. I think she's rubbing her teeth coming in...the top 2 middle ones are emerging and making her only somewhat cranky at this point.

Day 148

148/365

Hundreds of Books in the Palm of Your Hand

Here is the Kindle I got for Mother's Day. LOVE it! I spend more time uploading free books than I do reading! If I don't Know what to read next, I browse the best sellers at any time of night. It helps fulfill my shopping addiction on a budget.

I use to be one of those people who thought they would miss the feel of the page in my hands, but the perks win out. The productive side of me adores keeping track of what percentage of a particular book I have read. The only problem is when John and I want to read at the same time. He will have to have his own eventually.

Now I am on the lookout for a cute cover, preferable before I drop it and break it. I've been luck with my iPhone so far. Hopefully the luck will carry over!

Day 147

147/365

Will celebrated the completion of his first year of preschool tonight. He's mugging here with Ms. Hurd (the head teacher) and Mrs. Schaefer (her assistant) after the graduation at Porter Memorial. We are so appreciative to them for making Will's first school experience an enjoyable one!

Day 146

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Gemma has fallen in love with the mirror lately. Who could blame her?