Two years ago I was lucky enough to have a ton of time on my hands, a passion for photography and countless fun times. So when I participated in Ashley’s Memories, Dreams, Reflections, there was a lot to reminisce about. The next year that followed was all about my pregnancy and, honestly, I couldn’t even think about anything but the upcoming birth, so I skipped MDR.

This year, however, is perfect! It was simple, different, somewhat uneventful, but at the same time HUGE when it comes to our roles as parents and our baby girl. So here is a look back at what 2012 had in store for us, based on the prompts provided by MDR 2012.

Part II of the November Instagrams.

It is mind blowing to me how much Lexi has grown in just one month! Can’t wait to share the December stuff {first world problem: too little time too many photos}

1. Typical Meals. I don’t get a chance to cook a lot, because Lexi usually wants mommy, so daddy ends up being the chef. But when I do cook, it’s 5-6 meals at the same time {multitasker and overachiever anyone?}

This picture shows an evening worth of food made: raddish and cucumber dill salad, vegan pizza with vegan pepperoni and vegan cheese, sauteed cabbage and carrots, roasted fingerling potatoes with portobella caps, vegetable soup.

Today I will start a series of posts that are probably the most requested ones of all time.

Photography for Mommies

(it’s like “photography for dummies” books, but it’s mommies. Get it? Get it?)

It’s not a series for people who are well versed in photography. This will be written for beginners, new mommies and veteran mommies, who are looking to get better pictures of their kids and themselves, and their families, and their dog, you get it!

I wanted to start this series with a post about photography gear for two reasons:

Another photo dump! Skip it, if you’re not interested. This is mostly here for posterity.

Some 9-10 months photos

Seen in the photos:

I am enjoying my time off with my family and trying to get some stuff done ( the reason why I’ve been a bit absent despite the cutest photos that are burning a hole in my LR or the awesome posts I really want to write). But since I’ve had my November Instagram photos all ready to go in the drafts, I figured I might as well post them.

COUNTRY GIRLS!

These outfits make me want to find a pasture and sit back in the sun with a straw in my mouth and a dandelion in my hair while the cows are loudly chewing on grass around me.

We wore this to a La Leche group meeting a friend invited us to a few months back.

This has got to be my favorite onesie that I bought for Lexi. It’s by Sophie Catalou, bought through MyHabit. I barely even shop for myself there anymore, but some of the children’s brands they feature are so amazing.

This was the 2nd time she wore shoes and was kind of still freaked by having something on her feet. Luckily, that passed and now she is a proud wearer of 6 pairs of PediPeds. And you should see her running around with her one arm trusted out and holding onto our hands with the other arms. It’s the cutest thing ever. (video in due time)

It’s only month 10 and I am already starting to run out of words for you.

There is so much that you do, so much that changes on daily basis, and so much love that grows with you.

This whole “having you as a daughter” gig keeps getting better. There isn’t a day that goes by that I don’t wish I could bottle up every single ounce of your cuteness for posterity.

Sometimes, I just stare at you trying desperately to commit every roll, every hair, every finger and toe, every single expression and sound you make, to memory, because I am so afraid that soon I won’t remember what you were like. A part of the reason for why I take so many photos of you ( and photos in general) is because, while I have excellent short term memory, my long term memory has always sucked. I don’t want to not remember every single thing about 10 months old you in 10 years. I want to have it right there on video and photo. So you and I are stuck with tons and tons of memories keeped in a digital file.

Let’s start with our swim classes. Like most of you pointed out on facebook to calm my fears of having to dunk Alexis, first swim classes are introduction to water. That means: getting comfortable in the water, learning to reach the ledge, singing songs and just in general having fun. Sounded great to me!

We arrived to our first class ( that was back in September I think) and were the third mom/baby pair at the class, the other two with a 1 year old and a 2 year old. What I didn’t realize was how basic the class would be. It makes sense now: introduction to water!

This is my favorite picture post of ALL TIME!

While at Disney we booked a reservation at a Garden Tea Room at Grand Floridian resort, the fanciest resort at Disney World.

It was our one chance to do something special and princess like with Alexis that wasn’t too extensive since she was only 7.5 months.

Like I described in the recap post, we didn’t want to put her into an uncomfortable and hot princess outfit until she was old enough to want it, but did want something special for her to wear. The dress she wore c/o of Baby Beau & Belle was utter perfection! It’s kind of funny but it turns out a friend of mine had bought their dress for her little girl’s christening  a few years ago. What a small world! Really their dressesare meant for events like weddings, birthdays, christenings, but I can’t think of a more fitting place at Disney to wear such a fancy silk dress than the Garden Tea Room at Grand Floridian. Feel free to check out their website and Facebook and Twitter for frequent contests and giveaways.

When little Lexi is old enough, we will do Garden Tea Party at the same place with Princesses and Disney characters and tiaras and many special girly things, but for now we had our own PARTY.  If anyone is planning on visiting Disney, I would say it is almost a must that you visit the tea room. If you have older (loud) kids, then probably the tea party is best, but if your babies/kids can stay quiet or you’re coming on a adult only trip, there is no better place to relax and feel all “pretentious” and pampered than in a fancy room overlooking (you guessed it!) a garden, sipping the tastiest teas you’ll ever drink in the smallest cups with your pinky out, while savoring mini deserts and mini-sandwiches which are a part of 4(?) courses. Actually, I loved their tea so much, I asked if we could buy it and sure enough, at $12 per box Princess Tea was ours!