You are 18 months old.

Hello my baby girl!
You are officially 18 months old... well, you were on the 18th. BUT, I didn't make it on the date... as usual. No matter! Here we are. I now have a one and a half year old baby. NO... toddler! I mean... you aren't really a baby anymore.

I can't even count how many words you are saying. The doctor asked me at your wellness check... and I told her over a million. Because... you say and know so many words! Sometimes it surprises me when you see something and you say what it is! How do you know? You're so little! You can name most of your body parts... But, you absolutely refuse to call your toes "toes". I say "toes" you repeat "tootsies"! Ha! I blame Coral (via Kelsey) for that one! It's cute. :)

You've renamed your stuffed dog, Bernie, "Buh-bee". <3 . You love your cats! Angus is just there... you love him, but he wont let you slap him like that cats do (they're sick and they love being slapped). You've recently decided that you love to watch Dora (yay! that gives mommy some time to get stuff done! :D). I like to put hats and other accessories on you and tell you to go look in the mirror or show your daddy... you smile and walk slowly (making sure not to drop what I put on you) to look at yourself or show Mike! Ha!

Well... you're even MORE addicted to your pacifier... I'm starting to worry that you wont ever want to give it up... especially since you've been walking around patting it like a baby and "shushing" it. Oh man. You absolutely love animals of all kind... except for Chickens. You were actually shaking when you saw your cousin's chickens. You would point at them and say, "No no no no no no." That's not going to work so well since I plan on getting chickens next year! :D

I could go ON and On and ON ON ON about everything your doing... but, I wont. It's all been documented on this here blog... bwa ha ha ha! :)

I love you SO much. Happy 1.5 year! Next up: Potty training? Hmmm....

Love,
Mama

Vote for our blog for Ruari's 1.5 year birthday? :D

♡ Chelsey

Date Night.

Mike and I were lucky enough to enjoy a date night this weekend! Thanks to my mom! We wandered over to a local wine bar and hung out with a couple of friends. It was fantastic. I very much missed Ruari (and yes... she's pretty much all we talk about)... but, it's great to get some time to hang out with the guy you married.... without mentioning anything about diapers... meltdowns... poop... It was nice.

I've mentioned before that Mike does not like getting his photo taken... I did manage to sneak in a quick photo of him drinking water on my phone. Hee.... :D

"The man who says his wife can't take a joke forgets that she took him." - Unknown. :D

A vote for my blog? Click below! Thanks!

❤ Chelsey

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Sunday Challegin'

Scavenger Hunt Sunday:

Give Me Flowers

 FOR me.... FROM my hubby. Happy Mama's day to ME!

Visual Contrast

Self Portrait.

Friendship

I took this last week... but, I didn't have anything that would work for friendship this week. :D

Before and After

Dark

A last minute photo for my 365. :D

Steppin' Out Saturday:

This Saturday Mike and I had a date night while my mom watched Ruari. We went and saw Bridesmaids and later went to a local wine bar. It was nice. :)

And, if you all get a moment.... 

I'd LOVE a vote! :D

❤ Chelsey

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Oh... I love you.

I am SO happy right now... my 50mm 1.4 lens arrived today (Thursday)!!! I snapped a few quick photos with it and it is AWESOME! I'm So excited... I just want to go and walk around the neighborhood and snap away... But, it's raining. Maybe tomorrow? Hmm... I'll just have to snap photos of the baby indoors instead! :D The best birthday present EVER!

First... I took a photo of the lens... I had to document the moment!

7{52}: Chair

Then I snapped a quick photo of Ruari... Look at how creamy the background is!

48{365}: Laureli.

Then, I tried out my new lens in the dim kitchen...

Lots of practice ahead with this lens. :D

AND, thanks to everyone that responded to the Paper Mama Blog Directory! I hope to have the first 20 up soon!

Can we get a vote for our blog?

❤ Chelsey


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Photo Challenges ... I've missed you!

With that guy copying my blog posts and the virus I got on my computer last week... I've barely entered any photo challenges! I feel like I'm missing something! So, time to get my photo challenge fix!

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New photo challenge I'm excited about: SELFIE Saturdays with the very talented Elena. So, I'm late with this first self portrait.... but, I wanted to join up. Week one is all about: Our Dream Self

Well... as a mom it can be hard to actually get a shower or even wear make up. I'm freshly showered and have some mascara on today. It makes me feel good. :) The second weeks theme is "full body shot". This is where my "dream self" gets a little difficult... I want to be in shape. I'm working towards it... but, it's been hard. I'll think of this next weeks shot as my "before" photo. :D I know I'm not overweight... but, I just want to be healthy and toned.

Selfie Saturdays: Our Dream Self

Shutter Love: Eyelashes

Sky Watch Friday: Sunny/frosty day.

Macro Friday:

  

AND: Some of you have been asking... YES! My "new" camera lens is on it's way from Ebay! Yay! I had to wait to gather up all my birthday money before I purchased. I'm so ready and can't wait to get my lens! Yay!

OH, and one more thing... an award!!! From: Andie from Zimmerman Life... yay! Thank you!

The rules:  

1.) Thank and link back to the blog that gave you your award

2.) Share seven things about yourself.
3.) Award 15 great bloggers (I wont be doing 15...).

Seven tidbits:

- I'm watching American Idol right now... and I've never really watched it before this. :D

- I'm SO excited to get my new lens!

- Enjoying a glass of wine.

- I'm excited for this weekend.

- I've reached day 40 of my 365 days of photos today!

- I run another blog... with a bunch of awesome ladies: Paper Heart Camera.

- The weather has been LOVELY here!

Blogs (in no particular order):

- The Art of Making a Baby

- Secret Mom Thoughts

- Adventures in Vandyland

- Peaceful Mamma

- Our Family of Four

❤ Chelsey

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Last minute Target shopping...

Ruari and I did some quick last minute shopping at Target. I'm done shopping, but there were just a couple more things I needed. All done now! It was super windy and chilly... this meant that Ruari kept her hat on! She usually hates hats!

Some photo challenges for the photo above.

Shutter Love: Reason for the Season (Ruari is my reason for the season.) Simplicity: Love... I LOVE this girl!

She's so cute!

If you thinks she's so cute.. could we get a vote for our blog?

Would ya could ya? Vote for me?