Justi Heath Photography

A couple of months ago, I was in the market for the perfect photographer for Gage's 1 year pictures. I had used several photographers in the past, but this time I had some different criteria. I needed someone with a studio. I needed someone who was reasonably priced. And, I needed someone who would sell me a disk with a copy of all the proofs.

Well...I found her! I booked our appointment for a couple of weeks in advance and unpatiently waited for our time to come. I always get so excited to have family pictures taken, but I really love having Gage's taken as much as anything! If you ask me, it is just a "have to" kind of thing when you have a sweet little angel, like I do...but, maybe I'm biased ;) If you ask my husband, it's ridiculous! Anyway, I always win that battle and we have our pictures made a few times a year!

When I met Justi, I knew I had made the right decision. She was very sweet, very professional, and by the looks of the pictures she had all over her house, she was a great photographer!

Before we left, I asked her if it would be possible for her to e-mail me a couple images to put on Gage's birthday invites that I was working on. Apparently that struck a nerve with her and she started asking me questions about "designing" my own invites and possibly designing some for her. We talked for a while about it and in the midst of our conversation, I mentioned putting some of her work on my website as well. She agreed that she would send me the proofs and I agreed to give her credit for her work. At this point, I had no idea that I would be talking to her almost everyday from then on.

The next day, I got the proofs and finished "little mans" invites. I also put the proofs on my blog and emailed her to see where I credited her for her GREAT work! When she saw my blog, she asked me to help her with one of her own. Now...all this being said, I designed a blog for her, and I would like for you to check it out. Go to http://www.justiheathphotography.com/ and let us know what you think!

Valentine's Day...

For the most part, I'm not extremely crazy about the holiday. To be honest, I would much rather Michael do something sweet for me "just because" than to do something for me becasue it is some special day. Usually, we get eachother some little something and call it good. This year was a little different. On Saturday, Michael and I booked a hotel room in Hot Springs. It is only about 30-45 mintues away from our house, but we knew if we stayed at home, we wouldn't do anything different than we ever do. Mom kept Gage for us and we spent the weekend away. We did some shopping, lots of eating, went to bed early and had good intentions on sleeping in on Sunday. Well, as it turns out, when you get up early every morning, it is hard to sleep in. I would have never guessed it, but that's how it works I guess! We got up, went downstairs for the lovely contenintal breakfast, and spent the rest of the day at the horse races. I'm not a huge gambler, not at all actually, but I LOVE to go watch the horses run!

We had a lot of fun with just the 2 of us, but Valentine's Day wouldn't have been complete without a date with our SWEETHEART. We left the races, picked Gage up, and took him out to eat for a special Valentine dinner...Applebee's! Although it really wasn't anything special, it was special to us because we were back at home with our little man!

When we got home, we gave him his little gift we found for him on our "trip". We got him a new football and a chair to take to the ballpark when Daddy plays softball. He loves balls, so we knew he'd love it, but we figured the chair would be a while. Surprise...he loved it too!

Happy Valentine's Day to our special VALENTINE!! Mommy and Daddy love you!!!

MeMe, thanks again for taking such great care of Gage for us! We love you too!

What a week!

This has been a pretty fun (for the most part), but crazy week around our house.

The not so fun part...On Wednesay, we got a call from Michael's Mom telling us that his Granny had passed away. She hadn't been sick at all, and there weren't any signs...just very sudden. We spent most of the weeknight with the family. I always love getting together with family, and I wish it hadn't been for such an occasion, but it was nice to be able to visit with everyone and watch all the kids play! WE WILL MISS YOU GRANNY AND WE LOVE YOU, ALWAYS!! This is a picture of Granny and Gage the day after he was born. SO SWEET!!

Friday, when I picked Gage up from daycare. Bridget pointed this out to me...can anyone guess what it is? It is right between his eyes...

You got it...it's another bite mark! For the second week in a row, my little man has been bitten, by the same little girl, at daycare. Either she really loves him, or she really hates him. I'm not sure which, but I guess it's a good thing he's tough ;) Although I get so upset when someone hurts him, I just keep telling myself, "don't say too much or you may be eating your words one day". I try to be a pretty understanding parent. I realize that kids do things that they shoudn't do, and it is part of growing up and learning. Now, if I could just convince my heart, I'd be in good shape ;) Thankfully, we have been blessed with a wonderful babysitter and I know she will do her best to take care of the situation so that I don't have to worry about it!

When MeMe heard of this, she couldn't help but to come over and check on her "Angel Boy". Who would have thought she would come with a huge bag of goodies in hand? She says it was for Valentine's Day, but I'm pretty sure she thought he needed a "get well soon" gift. Either way, he loved it!

They sat in the floor and opened all the goodies, while I took advantage of trying out my new camera (more about that later)!

Thank you, MEME, for the goodies! I LOVE YOU!!

Happy Valentine's Day to all of you from Gage!!!

Visiting Colson...

Tonight, we went to Tammy & Jayson's (SIL & BIL) for dinner and so that the boys could play.

 I'm sure you can remember me talking about my nephew, Colson. Tammy found out she was pregnant with him on our wedding night and I can remember being SO excited that I would soon be an aunt! Gage and Colson are 6 weeks apart in age and COMPLETELY opposite. It is so funny to see them together because when I say opposite, I MEAN OPPOSITE! Colson is very quiet, very bashful, he goes to bed early, he's a picky eater, and he doesn't know what to think of Gage. Every time we are around them, he looks at him like "Dude, why are you so dang loud?". Despite the definite differences, they played really well together tonight! They were chasing a ball here...looks like they were racing!  

At home, Gage has several walking toys, but he won't ever walk behind them. I saw this toy sitting there and decided I'd stand him up behind it. I was shocked when he started walking around the living room! YAY little man! It won't be long now!!!

Colson has the same 4-wheeler that Gage has. We sat both of them on it together and they were a hoot! Colson grabbed Gage's hand and pulled it around his waist, as if he was helping him hold on. What little dolls!

Aren't they just too sweet?

Right before we left, we found them both behind the chair "talking". I'm sure Gage was probably doing most of it! He's the "mouth of the south"!

I'm so glad we were able to get the boys together tonight! Thanks to Aunt Tam and Uncle Jay for having us over!

We made it...

Yesterday when Gage woke up from his afternoon nap, he was acting a little strange. Normally, he only takes about a 30 minute nap (if that) and he's ready to go! When he woke up yesterday, he crawled straight over to his Daddy to be picked up. When Michael sat him on his lap, he immediately laid his head down on his Daddy's chest. Although I thought it was really sweet, I knew there had to be something wrong. Michael felt his head and sure enough...something was wrong. We checked his temp-102.5. Seriously, a fever again! We just got finished with a round of antibiotics for these demon ear infections he's been getting and now it is something else.

At around 3am, his fever finally broke. To be honest, I blamed it on his teeth. He's bound to be cutting some since he's almost one year old and only has 2 teeth ;) Anyway, I sent him on daycare. He was acting fine, no fever, chasing his Daddy all over the house. Nothing seemed to be wrong.

Think again...after lunch Bridget called and said he was pulling at his ears and wouldn't stop crying. He hadn't had a nap all day, and wouldn't eat or drink. So off I went to pick him up. When I got there, he looked horrible. His eyes were red and puffy and he has 2, yes TWO blisters on his lip. I had no idea babies got fever blisters, but with this child anything is possible, right?

Michael took him in the doctor today and to our surprise, his ears looked great! THANK GOODNESS!! Bad news...he has "viral stomatitis". It is an infection that causes fever and sores on the inner surface of the lips, gums, and throat. No wonder the poor child won't eat or drink!

Another bad thing about all of this is the fact that he had his first Valentine's Day party at daycare today and it was going to break my heart for him to miss it. Good news is...it is only contagious when fever is present. He had no fever! So, against Daddy's better judgement, off we went! I was so happy he wasn't going to have to miss it!

We had so much fun at the party! Thank you, Bridget, for taking such great care of my baby boy! We love you!! Hopefully this will clear up soon and we can get back to normal. Until then, keep my little man in your prayers! And Mommy may need a few too ;)

Meet Peepaw...

I'd like to introduce a really good friend of mine! He's a really sweet fellow that I met about 11 1/2 months ago. From the second I met him, I loved him. The only thing is-he apears to be a little old for his age.

He only has 2 teeth.

He has to hold onto things in order to walk. Often times, he falls and hurts himself. He says the same things over, and over, and over. He has to have his food torn in small pieces so that he doesn't choke.
He drinks milk like it's going out of style.

Peepaw is sometimes known as Gage, but I think Peepaw fits him a little better ;)

One Year Pictures...

A few months ago when I started getting Gage's birthday party together, I decided I needed to have some one year pictures made to put on the invites. I know several photographers around here that have done a great job for us in the past, but none of them have studios. I HAD to find someone with a studio! A friend of mine suggested someone to me, so I decided to give her a try. You know how it goes though, you never know about a photographer until you use them.

Well, it turns out that I "loved" her the very second I met her! Her name is Justi Heath and she owns Heath Photography in Sheridan, AR. She was very profession, but fun too. She was great with Gage. Her prices are very reasonable, AND I already have 4 proofs to use on his invites!! If you live around here, you should give her a call!

We had Gage a little smash cake made for his pictures! As you can see, he had no problem "digging in"!

I think he has a little sweet tooth like his Daddy and MeMe! He cried when we took the cake away :(Thank You so much, Justi, for the amazing pictures of our little man! You did a great job and we will be back to see you soon...no matter what Daddy said ;)