The Art in Me: June in Pictures!

I'm going to do my monthly picture posts a bit different b/c it took me forever last month to correctly chronologically get all my pictures in order just due to the way I file them (three separate folders.) So....first are "family" pictures and then a photo update of our sweet daughter and lastly, a photo update of our little man.

June is a bit of a blur. I had nine shoots throughout the month and was still adjusting to life with two kiddos and figuring out a schedule (ha!) and our new normal. It was a bit overwhelming due to how much work I took on, but the Lord sustained us (He always does!) and we made it and even managed to get in a few BBQ's, evenings on the patio, walks around the pond, and lots and lots of snuggle time.

All in pink! Conrad a bit unsure how he feels about this...

Encouraging baby brother during tummy time!

I often use lunch time to run around like crazy and get a few things done while Gwendolyn is strapped in (perhaps I should also be eating...) One particular afternoon I turned around from dropping something off at the computer and took in this scene. My two children - both content and peaceful and happy - and just basked in how grateful I am for them and our home and the life God has blessed us with. We may not live here forever (or we may) and I don't want to forget where it all began and what it used to look like when they were little. So I captured this moment...

Seeing them together never gets old.

(June 16th)

Oh shoot...this picture definitely speaks 1000 words. I wrote about it here, but it's worth reviewing again.

Conrad is such a happy baby and gives a whole new meaning to being full of life. He smiles with his entire face (literally) and just yesterday (July 22nd) was really wanting to cry b/c he was hungry but also really wanting to smile at me b/c...well...b/c he loves his mama. So it was a combo of smiling with lip out and then smiling again and then lip out. It was hilarious.

And then there's sissy sleeping beside our smiling boy. She hasn't been sleeping well since the beginning of June (it's better now, but still not what it was) and the girl was running.on.empty. Thankfully she functions remarkably well on little sleep for her age, but I know she needs it to be healthy. We've since figured out some tricks ("I need to go check on baby brother, ok? Mommy will be right back.") to get her to fall asleep (leaving the door open and promising a cookie if she doesn't cry have both helped as well.) This particular morning was perhaps when she was at her tiredest.

Actually, maybe it was this day...

or this day...

And this is what most mornings around 5:30 or 6:00 still look like around here...Tom bringing Gwendolyn into our bed, her taking hold of my hand, and Conrad Cross sleeping away in my arms. Another moment I love that Tom captured before he ran off for the bus. These are tiring times, but also some of the sweetest times. I know this.

(June 16th)

Together again!

(June 28th)

And again...

(June 30th)

Happy Father's Day to the perfect daddy for these kiddos!

Now it's time for Gwendolyn!

On a random morning adventure, checking out the marsh near our house.

Love this photo of her and Elmo in her coupe.

Another day, another adventure! Snakes alive at the Maplewood Nature Center. She actually touched it!

Cookin' up a storm...with a little side of "pose."

Monday morning puppet wagon near our house...

Wearing her new shades at the park b/c "it's bright, Mama."

She was falling asleep on our short little drive home from somewhere (Lord knows even a 5 minute snooze can completely mess up nap time!) so I was reaching back and tickling her and this was the face she was making. So tired, but still smiling. I just think she looks so darn sweet.

At drop-in play time. The girl loves to read. Anytime. Anywhere. First thing she asks for in the morning - "read books, Mama?"

The Schwagers so graciously hosted a little Sunday evening BBQ. The girls are getting so big and I love seeing them together. Louie and Conrad were off busy being boys I'm guessing.

BIG DEAL...daddy took Gwendolyn on their first daddy/daughter date. My oh my....how sweet it was.

First stop: McDonald's for some chicken nugs.

Second stop: movie theater where she sat in awe through the entire showing of Monster's University.

I'm hopin' and prayin' we have a dancer on our hands. A little girl in a leotard and ballet shoes? Yes, please! Gwendolyn loved her first 5-week ballet and creative movement class. There was more creative moment than ballet, but I still think she learned some valuable things that look little to adults but are good for her age...like following someone in line, taking turns and instruction, doing something she's never done before, and meeting new friends. I'm not ready to sign her up for a year long class quite yet, but this was a great first introduction.

With her teachers...so sweet and patient!

We have a busy little bee! Swimming lessons started at the end of June as well so we have those every Thursday evening. She's always enjoyed the water, but isn't a huge fan of getting her face wet, so we're working on that.

This is what Conrad thinks of swimming lessons...

And this is what Conrad thinks of ballet class...

Surprised face!

Mad face!

Conrad Cross

Conrad stays busy being cute and smiling a lot. And sleeping.

He can definitely pull off pink...

(Yes, taken ~~during~~ at church. Ahem.)

I remember finding it so crazy how quickly Gwendolyn outgrew her car seat. He already fills it out so much more than when this was taken!

(June 6th)

He looks calm and peaceful right?

(June 6th)

That's b/c he was put to sleep by the noise of the vacuum while I prepared for guests...I put him in the middle of the bed while I got everything up off the floor to vacuum. Came back and he was asleep!

Cuddles with Grammy Sinclair never get old.

He accompanied me to a Thursday morning shoot...

Gooooooo Cyclones!

Just happy to be here...love all of his expressions.

First bottle at 7 weeks old on June 19th went really well! He had no issues at all. (Which is why it's been so surprising that he's struggled with it so often since then.)