workin mama.

This weekend I had a workshop here in Atlanta where I got to hang with my girls Brooke & Christy. We sure had fun!! If nothing else we got to hang out and laugh a lot!

My mom and dad have been awesome. Mom had Reese after school today and yesterday my Dad had Reese all day literally (ALL DAY). He's an awesome papa. Not many grandads could do practically an entire weekend alone with a 2 year old and he LOVED it!! Reese loved it too, so much!! Thanks Daddy!

Busy, busy last week at home...GNO Wednesday and two more shoots this week...whoo hoo! We can't wait to see Daddy soon!

fun.

Friday night we headed out to meet Chelsea and (24!!) of her friends to photograph her before prom. Keep in mind how old this made me feel since I feel like it was just yesterday that I took her to Christina, Soul Decision & NSYNC concerts! She was 7! Oh geez...

Here she is all grown up & gorgeous...

Me & Chel

I liked this shot...

After hanging out with everyone, the whole Braddy bunch (minus Chel), Reese & I all headed to Taste of Henry. It's so cool. All the local restaurants give samples of their menu & you buy tickets to get the food. All the profits go to a local charity. It was really fun!! Ran into lots of people I haven't seen in a while. After a little bit I had a very tired 2 year old on my hands so we headed home and when we got there Papa surprised us and came to spend the whole weekend again! Whoo hoo! I got to sleep in today (yay me) while Papa played in the playroom with his favorite girl. We all went for Reese's favorite...Mexican tonight!
Daddy took this...my point & shoot is taking some crappy pics these days but her smile cracked me up...

I head out tomorrow for an awesome photog workshop in Atlanta with my two girlfriends! Can't wait!!

first haircut.

Yesterday we hit the beauty salon. Oh yeah, baby. Reese was beyond excited. For three days she's talked about Valerie cutting her hair. Or, her new you makeover.
She was so serious about this.
She waited patiently in the waiting room for her turn. "Have they called my name yet mommy?"
"Did you hear them say Reese?"
10 minutes later Valerie turned the corner and called for Reese.
She lit up. It was so cute.
She hopped in her chair. Picked out her favorite apron (frogs) and sat so still as we discussed the length. I was such a proud mama. She said thank you when Valerie complimented her thick hair, she was such a big girl, so calm, just taking it all in.
Here's her diva pose while we waited...

Smiling for mom before we start...

Listening to Valerie...

Chillin...

She thought her hair was so funny like this...

So serious...

After cutting and blowdrying, Valerie asked her if she wanted some curls...Reese said "Sure!" She sat so good while Valerie and I caught up and her hair was rolled...


Talking to Valerie...

I think she liked watching Valerie work in the mirror...

"Cheese!!"

Her "First Haircut" Certificate!! Also, she gave us a little baggie of her hair...sniff, sniff...

And we're done! Voila! She loved it!!

Checking out her certificate and her little bag of hair...

One more Cheese for mom! She LOVED it!! I think she's addicted to the salon treatment now...lookout Daddy!

After our haircut, we headed to meet Gigi, Joellen & Carrie Ann for lunch, then hit up the new cupcake shop in town. Reese LOVED it. Barely made it out the door before she had her first bite...

Fun day! Off to a Taste of Henry tonight with the Braddy's!

Reese.

Going home is supposed to be time to relax and enjoy a little down time but the past few weeks have been non stop. I have not been to sleep before 1 or 2am at all. I hoping I'll get some rest when we get out to California...Are you reading this Dallas?

We are so ready to see him. He is REALLY getting impatient about seeing us too. He's such a great, hands on Daddy so he is not doing well apart anymore. He actually asked me yesterday if I could put her on a plane and send her out. What's funny is aside from the plane ride that doesn't scare me at all. He's just as good with her as I am (if not better some might say) and I think they would both be in heaven.

Last weekend Dallas was running trying to score from 2nd base (something I told him NOT to do after 2 back surgeries!! hello!!) and he felt and heard a "pop." Awesome. He had an MRI and his hamstring is completely torn. Not pulled, TORN!! In true McPherson style, he's hurt. It's not his back though, so there is some positive. He'll be out 2 months. I've never ever heard of a hamstring ripped in half...learn something new everyday. If he doesn't hold some kind of homerun record he is at least giving the DL record holder a run for their money...

What else?

We hit the road again for Boo's to go shoot baby Penn's newborn session. Reese LOVES her "brutter." He's so cute too!! We got back late last night and spent today getting her first haircut and having lunch with Gigi. Tonight, Aunt Donna's coming over to play with Reese while I have a shoot and tomorrow we get to go see Chelsea before prom! Whoo hoo!!

Here's a few pics from the week:
With Daddy gone (sniff) Mom or I read Reese her 6 books every night. I have got to film it. She has been doing this for a long time and I stink. She can read books to you. It is so funny! If she hears it once she can finish it. Hilarious...

At Boo's Reese is so lucky to have her Uncle D to play with her. He literally comes home from work and takes her outside. He listens to her chatter endlessly. Yesterday I was listening to her telling him to eat her chocolate he made her and then take a nap because he was sleepy. She's really bossy & he takes it like a champ. Thanks Uncle D-you're the best!

Boo's a great mom already. He's doing so good. So awesome having a baby in the family again. It makes you sleepy hanging out with him! You can be doing fine, sit down, hold him, you are sure to be asleep!

Here's a couple from Reese's playtime with Papa: She talks him into playing outdoors as much as she can. She LOVES sidewalk chalk (our driveway is proof right now, I'm sure the HOA is loving it..)

Not sure where Reese is for this shot but Papa is showing his dedication...


I'll post haircut pics tomorrow! Oh and just for memory sake here's a few funny things Reese has said lately:
She ate 2 bowls of watermelon Tuesday and an hour later wanted grapes. I said "You just ate two bowls of watermelon don't you think it's weird that you would already be hungry for grapes? (I wish you could hear her voice with this but her response was: "Well, I do think it was a little weird that I wanted watermelon but I don't think it's weird that I want grapes..."
What I can I say back to that???
At Boo's mom told her to hurry in the den to watch Dancing with the Stars with her. Reese was SO excited. She ran to the window, looked outside and said "Gigi, where are them stars? I don't see any dancing?!?!" We fell out.
D, Boo, Papa, Gigi and I were all in the den and mom was blow drying Reese's hair. Mom told her it was a little damp. She replied, "A little what, Gigi??" Mom said, "damp." Reese heard Damp with out the "p" and with an "n." Once she said it we all laughed (well, really more just D and me) and for the next 10 minutes we heard "Dam- D!! Dam- Mama!
It was a classy moment.
She is a mess.
She can tell you where she lives, her name, anything you want to know. She's such a little joy!

last week.

My blogging is becoming (or, has been for a year now) simply me trying to remember all the things we've been up to. It's been a crazy week. We spent last week at my sisters will my adorable little nephew. Peaced outta there Sat. Spent Sat. night with the Braddy's (which Reese and I LOVE to do) Papa came to visit all day Sunday and today Reese started back at school. I'ts been a whirlwind. I have 3 shoots this week, one being my nephew's newborn shoot that we are headed back to Boo's tomorrow night to shoot and a photography conference this weekend. BUSY!! Reese and I went to the park last night and she made a new friend like she always does. The little girl was so sweet and was spanish and didnt say a word. We took her to swing with us, climb etc. the whole time Reese is chatting up a storm with her..."I'm Reesie. What's your name? I'm 2 and a half, what are you?" She even said "Como estas?" The little girl never said a word. Then, Reese spent the next 30 minutes saying, "Mama, her dont talk." Thanks Reese. She's really sociable. Today she walked into class and said "HI Abby, Hi Sadie!" Then, I said what is your name to the little girl next to her and before she could answer Reese said "Her name is Jouanna." Thanks again, Reese.

Here's a few pics from my point & shoot from last week:

This was at 10 at night when mom was heading to her house and we put Rookie in the car ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. I go out and see this...Can you see his beady eyes? He's HUGE and he had smooshed himself into the drivers seat, facing forward, Oh my gosh. My children are ridiculous...

Then, this was us all headed out of town last week: Bull Mastiff in front seat, mom driving, Reese & I in the back..hilarious. We did take Rookie to the pet hotel for the week. He LOVES it there...

At the park she made a friend with this little girl named Isabella. Okay, are you ready for this? Reese is 1 month YOUNGER than Bella. Oh, yes. When the dad asked her age and she was a June baby, we all looked at each other. All mom could say was, "Her Daddy is 6'4." Needless to say she's big for her age. Thank goodness her talking and agility skillz are up there with the 4 year old she looks like. She likes to play with older kids so I wish she had been a little nicer to Bella at the park. Check out the size difference: She was such a cute little girl!

Last week Noah and Brooke stopped by and I managed a few pics. Noah was able to connect with his feminine side with all the pink in our house. He could have card less too. As long as the toys are new (and you are too young to realize this is not the "manly" thing to do) you're good!

I love this shot of her. I think he thinks she's a little crazy...

Then, he started throwing eggs and having Reese pick them up. This entertained them both for 10 minutes or so...

How cute is he?

Have a great week!!

The new man in my life...

It was a LONG day yesterday. We all went to Boo's Tuesday night for some Mexican and park time for Reese before calling it a night and crashing late. Boo, D & Mom headed to the hospital at 5am for her induction. Hilarious story:
My brother in law was driving and topped a hill speeding and a cop was waiting on him. He turned on his lights on before David even got passed him. He immediately pulled over. The officer walked up and got his license & registration. He asked why David was speeding and David replied "We're on the way to the hospital, my wife's having a baby. I'm a little anxious." They said the cop literally handed him back everything and said "Have a nice day."

OMG. My poor bro-in-law. Hilarious.

It was a waiting game all day. They broke her water early that morning and she was still only 1 cm dilated through lunch. By 5pm she was a 4 and finally at 8:30 he was ready to see us all! She pushed for 30 minutes and then he was here!! I missed alot of the "money shots" bc as soon as he came out they had to rush him over. He had a BM already and the cord was around his neck so he didn't immediately go to Boo.

He's perfect, though! 6 lbs 9oz 20 inches long. He's long & skinny & so cute!

It was a gorgeous day yesterday! April 14, 2010...

First time in mama's arms with Daddy in awe...

suctioning him and getting him ready...

Shot this through the nursery glass while they were doing everything. They let me go into the nursery though to get some pics!

Hollywood arriving at the hospital this morning...

She was DYING to hold "bebe penn." Here he is in his Papa's arms...

Me & my little man. He loves me already...

I'll post lots, lots more. He's so loved already! We are all chillin here at the hospital all staring at him & his cuteness. What a wonderful day! We just miss Uncle Dallas!!

back to school.

Reese went back to school today (I wanted her in school as much as she can while we are home...it is SO good for her!!) and it was hilarious. On the way there she started talking about all of her friends she would see. Then, I said, What will you tell them when you see them? She replied, "I was in Arizona, but I don't know why?" Guess she wasn't paying much attention to those games we attended.

We walked in the class and all of the kids ran over to her and yelled "REESE!!" It was the cutest thing. Her teacher said "Class, where has Reese been?" They all screamed, "Arizona!!" Then she asked "Why was she there?" They all looked puzzled except one little boy in the back..."Her daddy plays baseball!"

It was so darn cute.

Glad to be back on our routine seeing all our friends at school!

32.

Thirty bothered me. Thirty two? Surprising, not that much. Maybe I'm too worn out from being a photographer to care. I totally enjoyed my day with my two best girls Amanda & Mhari. We have way too many memories from our high school to single, road trip days. Life is good with these two. Thank goodness Amanda had her camera (once again, the photographer forgot)...

Thanks girls! Enjoying our time at home. I'm still editing away. We had a great weekend with Gigi & Papa and we're still waiting on baby Penn to arrive! Can't wait to shoot his entrance into this world.

Easter.

We left Sunday morning for Aunt Boo's house for the family Easter celebration (minus Dallas...have I mentioned I miss him SO bad?) and had a nice drive with Gigi, Papa, me & Reese. Reese entertained us the whole way. Mom got her a new carseat and Reese saw it and said "I needed a new carseat Gigi! Mine was dirty. Thank you." That made mom so happy.
We had yummy food, lots of good family time and Reese had a ball playing with her (through marriage) cousins Kaitlin & Will. Reese was the main one into egg hunting. She was a bit obsessed. She calls it "laying eggs." "Gigi, will you lay eggs with me?" Sure. We were a little worried Boo would be the one laying a BIG Easter egg, but not that day (or today either).
They all got into a nice water gun fight too which left everyone wet (especially Papa & Uncle D.) It was absolutely wonderful.

I also celebrated my 32nd birthday this week (april 6) and had a great day (once again missing Dallas). I got my hair done in Atlanta with my fabulous hairdresser Brooke, then met Amanda and Mhari for dinner and shopping. Love those girls. We always have fun together.

This week I have been doing lots of editing (keep checking my work site for some awesome baseball sessions) but in between we've had our full day of Braddy's. Reese LOVES Chelsea, who spent the day with her Wednesday and Donna who came over that night. Brooke and Noah came over yesterday too, so we've had a busy week. Mom has had Reese all day everyday. They've been to jump twice already and I think are contemplating it again for tomorrow morning. I've been able to sleep in (not sure if it counts as extra rest if you stay up until 1 am working) but it's been great. I love being home. Still waiting on my patient little nephew to arrive...Mom is driving everyone crazy (in a good way). She's packed my bags, Reese's...asked me if my camera is ready 100 times....the works. She's an exciting Gigi for the second time.

Easter morning Reese woke to her Gigi & Papa playing "What did the Easter Bunny leave me?"
She found her basket and was so excited. Mom got her a pottery barn jewelry box (the ones with the dancing ballerinas) she had played them one time in Arizona. The minute she saw the jewelry box she yelled "It's from Potty Barn!!" Think we've been there a bit much???


We got to Boo's and it was so good to see my preggo sista!!

Reese loved playing in baby Penn's adorable nursery...

She played so good with Kaitlyn too (a little wild, but good)...

David's family & ours...

Having dessert...

She may not look like me but she does has the Gigi/Mommy trait of sticking her tongue out while she accomplishes any task...

Edd hunting with Gigi. Reese was the most dedicated little hunter...

more...


Boo & D...

Reese and her BFF...

The 1,000 egg hiding...Reese patiently counted and waited while Gigi "laid the eggs"...

She brought Will into her little game...

Focused...

I LOVE this little face so much...

Happy Easter everyone!!

Hope everyone's had a great week! Maybe we'll be headed to the hospital soon!