How to take professional photos at home!

Happy Friday, folks.  

Well, this is a post I never thought I'd do. First and foremost, I am most definitely NO expert on photography.  I took a class one time, right after getting my DSLR and let's just say I don't remember a damn thing.  

However, I have practiced for the past few years and I think I've gotten fairly decent at snapping a some great shots of my kiddos.  

Lately I've gotten lots of questions about how I take my photographs and applications used to edit.  I started to answer people individually and then thought it'd be quicker and easier to write up a quick post sharing my favorite photography items.  

First and foremost, the BEST AND MOST IMPORTANT advice I can give  you all is to invest in a DSLR.  It's one of the things I'd grab if my house ever caught on fire, along with my children of course.

  

That time our pet chicken went to Hawaii

So, one of our pet chickens died a few mornings ago.  

And I cried, sitting on our flight of stairs, naked.  

Why was I naked, you ask?  

Well, I was just about to jump in the shower when my husband began hollering for me from the living room.  But that's not the point.  The point is that I was naked, on the stairs, crying over a dead chicken. Who am I?

A hormonal new mom who likes her pet chickens way too much.  

But listen, the point of this post is not to discuss me crying, naked, over a dead chicken.  

It's about figuring out the right time to teach your children about death.

I know, big leap.  

Lara is only 2, and therefore we felt she wasn't able to comprehend her chicken dying quite yet.

So, I hatched a plan. If she noticed the chicken missing, she would learn the chicken took a one way flight to Hawaii (Thanks Kait).  However, this conversation would only happen in the event we couldn't get another chicken into the coop in time. 

But don't worry, my friends. Earlier this afternoon, I threw on my black Uggs, jumped into my heated black leather seat, and drove down to my neighbors house to pick one up. I always pictured chicken people wearing worn out plaid shirts, tucked into their Levi's, driving a beat up 'ol Ford Truck.  

Not wearing furry black boots and yoga pants.  But there I was, with my cardboard box and leather gloves, ready to capture a chicken.  All for my two year old daughter.  

The things we do for our children...I mean, seriously.  The girl had ponies in her front yard for her first birthday, and looking back, I'm actually kind of embarrassed at the spectacle I created. But, I digress..   

 The point is that we intended to go to great lengths to ensure we would NOT have to have the death conversation with our two year old.  

But I can't help but wonder, by sheltering our young children from deeper conversations, are we protecting them, or delaying their ability to grow emotionally?

I would love your thoughts, so please weigh in on my Facebook or Instagram.

SJ || One Month

I hope you all dig the new vibe around here!  I have to give a massive shout out to Chelsea at GetPolished, for her amazing design and even more amazing tutorials that walk non-techie's like me, thru the process of coding.  I've been working on the install all week and here we are...our big debut. I feel like I just scoured my entire house from top to bottom, and everything's fresh and shiny.  

Except for I'm referring to my blog and my laundry still sits in piles on my dirty floor.  

Hashtag housewife fail.  

The only thing cute enough to be featured as the first post with the new design, is my very own Sadie June!  Why, as moms, are we always so shocked when our baby grows?  I mean, even though you know it's coming....it's still so bittersweet when it actually arrives.  

Needless to say, Miss June Bug is officially one month old!

Sadie June: By The Month

Sadie is.....One Month!
(as of January 1st)

Sadie Weighs .....Probably around 8.5-9 lbs

Sadie's Height.....Probably around 20-21 inches

Sadie is Wearing.....NEWBORN clothes and a few 0-3 month onesies, simply because I'm so bored with all the newborn attire.  We just transitioned her to size 1 diapers, but she could've stayed in newborn if we had a few more boxes.  She's a nugget!

Sadie is Sleeping....not very well, my friends.  However, last night she only woke up ONCE.  The past week or so, we've been up every 2-2.5 hours.  Needless to say, I felt like a whole new woman this morning, thanks to my amazing husband who took the one feeding last night.  That means I officially got a full nights rest!

Sadie is Eating.....3-4 oz

Sadie Loves.....CUDDLING!  She is such a little sweetheart and I'm just crazy about her.  She also loves cheesy lullabies, just like her big sis.  I bought the Graco Sweet Slumber portable sound machine because I couldn't keep using my phone to play music for hours at a time.  So far, I love it.  Thank you, Amazon Prime.

Also, Sadie loves to pee and poop all over whatever she can as soon as her diaper is removed.  She's a professional that.  Have you ever seen projectile poop?  I now have.

Sadie Hates.....getting her nose sucked out.  HATES it.  

But I can't say I blame her.  Who would like someone sticking a rubber tube up their nostril? 

Not me.  

I'm trying to think of anything else she dislikes, but honestly, she's a super easy going baby so far.  There isn't alot that ruffles her feathers and I totally love that about her!

The one thing that the jury's still out on....bathtime.  Sometimes she digs it, sometimes not so much.  I just bought her a new tub so she can bathe with big sis and I can't WAIT to use it.

Again, thank you, Amazon Prime. 

That's all for now! 

 I'm heading out to take Sadie to her first happy hour.  

Don't judge me.