MEAN BABY™

Reflection on Parenting

2013-05-07T14:37:00.002-05:00

Well, damn.

Heavy Lifting

2013-04-14T23:53:00.000-05:00

Among the many moments of parenthood, I've had few of these. A moment where I'm selecting art that speaks to me, hanging it up with my man and standing back and making a decision that does not rely on babies. There-I-Said-It. Every now and then, I like to make a decision that focuses on me, or us, or our home.

And sometimes I can't even make that decision. The man wants it hung, I want it leaning. We shall see who wins since he's the one doing the heavy lifting.

Did I mention I snagged the art here right after we did our taxes. HA!

I Love Lamp (Shade)

2013-04-08T12:15:00.001-05:00

Last week, I wrote about my first world problem of not being able to find a lamp shade that would go with my lovely glitter-friendly lamp.

With a trip back to Lowe's to return the smurf lamp and scoring this beauty, this is where we ended up. Now back to solving world hunger...

P.S. The baby daddy picked it out.

Don't Feed The Toddlers

2013-04-05T00:51:00.001-05:00

You passed.

Not that I was testing you, but maybe I was? I'm not sure. But I hoped for the best and prepped for the worse. I prepped for that comment that just takes the parenting knife, stabs you and then turns to the right. I prepped for the moment when I would read "that's not safe" or "that's not funny" or "GREAT parenting #eyeroll."

Now that we have reached the ripe old age of 19.5 months, I am beating myself up trying to get this little gal to laugh.

She can't...she won't...it's not going to happen...OH, I think i see a smirk...and there goes the tantrum on the floor.

In the car, in the bathroom, in the grocery store, on the way to school, on the way home for school, when her glass isn't full enough, when we can't understand each other, as she's putting on her shoes, as I'm changing her diaper, after she closes herself off from the room I'm in; the list goes on.

My little bundle of pure joy, excitement and discovery has transformed into a girl who has the words on the tip of her tongue and can't seem to make up her mind.

She's a toddler. I'm aware.

But every now and then, among the cries, tantrums and confusion, we meet in the most glorious moment. A moment made for movies. It's a pretty rad time when I can play with her without getting hit or smacked or accidentally knocked in the mouth by her head-of-steel.

This is that brief moment. After working from home, the empty hamper that I used for my make-shift desk was sitting in the very spot I left it in the living room. She goes up and gives it a tap. I can see her curiosity growing. She's never seen the hamper from this angle. I lift it and she crawls under. I'm suddenly transported back to jumping from couch to couch with my brother to avoid the lava and running inside the cardboard homes my dad would sparingly bring home from work displays. IT WAS GLORIOUS. Imagination land here we come. Population you and me, bay-beh.

It could have gone the other way. You could have not understood my humor, not wanted to, assumed the worse - but you didn't. Yes, even I'm weary of what I post on the Internet sometimes. Thanks for proving my judgement-expecting self wrong.

P.S. There's plenty more where that came from. See outtakes below.

P.S.S. I snagged this "hamper" from here.

One Of These Things Is Not Like The Other

2013-04-04T12:53:00.002-05:00

One of these things is not like the other, one of these things just doesn't belong. Thanks to years of training via Sesame Street I KNOW THE ANSWER.

Cue the children screaming "The lamp shade!"

It doesn't fit. But I can't fix it. I don't know what to do. If there's one thing I cannot master, it's interior decor. Listen to the backstory before you weigh in. I've had this lamp shade for a while. I picked it up at Target for about $10 on a sale shelf and imagined it in a room with TONS of light and tons of white furniture - maybe an insane asylum?

Fast forward three years, now complete with a baby daddy and toddler, and I found this lovely lamp structure thing. It's gold, looks glittery - I'm all over that. While under the bright lights of Lowe's, we (baby daddy and I) tried on a few shades - white, cream, black, color blocking - and we selected white. Then, we're heading out and we find a dark aqua blue shade. Well the second we hooked it all up, we had smurf walls. So the shade from my bachelorette days will have to do until we can find a new fit. I want light. I want a clean look. I want to have a little piece of me in the home as I stumble over toys on toys.

You think you know the perfect fit? Leave it in a comment below.

Falling In Love with Folding

2013-03-25T09:32:00.002-05:00

What is the one household chore you hate? The one your partner hates even more? The one that you will casually walk by each day, pretending it does not exist or you don't have time to handle. Laundry is my friend. There is nothing really too taxing to me from emptying the pre-sorted clothes into the washer, throwing in a soap mixture and starting it. Then, like a pro, when that wash is completed and sat for the perfect amount - let's say half a day - I throw it into the dryer nearby. But wait. The dryer is full and I have a toddler. She's grasping to my leg begging me for a yogurt that does not exist beyond her imagination (psst. she ate the last one yesterday).

Not that my new laundry basket will in any way shape or form save the day and actually motivate me to remove items from the dryer in a decent time frame (and not on the floor) but it sure does gives me hope. Maybe this is the trick. Maybe this laundry basket is my ticket to organization. To a bright future with no clean clothes on the floor.

Just maybe. But if it isn't, it sure is pretty to look at atop my washer-exposed-to-the-kitchen-area-so-guests-get-a-full-view-of-our-dirty-laundry.

Cheers to Monday, falling in love with laundry baskets and the potential of unloading the dryer when the clothes are still warm!

Disclaimer: The Container Store doesn't know who I am. They probably don't even know I wrote this post.

Party At My Crib

2013-03-14T10:56:00.003-05:00

I'm happy to co-host a little giveaway now and then on the blog. Today, our giveaway just happens to be a little R&R for some babies who love to sleep. Know of any?

New local baby shop, Crib and Kids, has donated a crib for me and my blogger friends to give to you! You will have the choice between a Baby's Dream Booklyn Crib or the Baby's Dream Chelsea Crib. If you're a co-sleeper, no worries, you can use it as storage for all those stuffed animals or elect to receive a $200 credit towards any other furniture in the shop!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Come Out, Come Out Sitter Wherever You Are

2013-03-08T15:59:00.002-06:00

It's a Friday and my baby daddy is headed home early. Do I dare text the sitter? Do I dare put myself that much out there? What if she says no? What if she's busy? WHAT IF SHE'S ON SPRING BREAK?

Gulp.

Type, type, type, emoticon. Send.

Whew.

Now we wait.

You feel me?

A Haiku for IBCLC Day

2013-03-06T11:05:00.001-06:00

Nourishing my beeb

Make those ta-tas work sweet beeb

Her eyes on the latch.

Little Passports Giveaway!

2013-03-05T17:24:00.002-06:00

Hey Mean Baby readers - a little giveaway teaming up with some local mama bloggers! Check it out.

Welcome to the Little Passports giveaway hosted by Christina Coker of Champagne Taste on a Beer Budget

and endless thanks to co-hosts: Erica, Lilliana, Tori and Megan

I recently told you about my top picks for kid friendly monthly subscriptions, and now I'm thrilled that I get to offer you a chance to win one of them to try for yourself!

I'm so excited to be partnering with Little Passports to bring you this wonderful giveaway!
Enter for a chance to win your child a 3 month subscription to join characters Sam and Sophia as they tour around the U.S. and the world.

Each month a new box will arrive in the mail filled with postcards, stickers, access to online games and so much more fun that teachers your child about a new U.S. state or world country. This makes learning fun and interactive. Your child will be waiting by the mailbox each month waiting for a new package addressed to them to arrive!

Check out how it all works here and start getting your little one excited about exploring the world!
Enter via the Rafflecopter link below for your chance to win this amazing prize!

A RAFFLECOPTER GIVEAWAY

One lucky reader will receive a free 3 month subscription to Little Passports in their choice of either the U.S. or world edition. Champagne Taste on a Beer Budget, along with all of the participating blogs, is not responsible for fulfillment or shipment of prize. Prize will ship directly from Little Passports. Contest will open 3/4/13 and will close 3/11/13. One winner will be randomly chosen, published on the rafflecopter form and notified by email. If the winner does not confirm their win within 48 hours, a new winner will be chosen.

This is Not An Excuse to Stop By the Firehouse

2013-02-04T23:30:00.003-06:00

Car effing seats. Man oh man.

How many days, weeks, hours did I spend staring at these things? Oh, let me not forget the highly limited selection in the area I was in. And then there was Grandma Ethel. She didn't exactly have the baby store mecca nearby (nor the ability to buy online) so I was asked to recreate my beloved registry at the nearest Walmart. Yikes.

I'm here to share a few things - the first being, 2013 will be the year of gear. Let's start with car seats. What's your favorite? What questions do you have? How many do you want to fit across? What kind of car do you have? What's you budget?

Oy, we better handle that over email, coffee or a drink ;)

Next up, once the car seat is purchased, we have a little thing called INSTALLATION.

I love an excuse to stop by the firehouse just as much as the next person, but ladies (and gents), fire houses and police stations are not the place to accurately gauge if you installed it correctly or not.

For the locals, I've compiled a cute little, sharable (wink wink) graphic below. Don't see your location? Oh man, I guess you're not going to be able to get your seat checked.

just kidding. just kidding. just kidding. just kidding. just kidding. just kidding. just kidding.

You can find a local resource just about anywhere. But if you don't see it on that list, let's talk. In fact, even if you do see it on that list and you just want to say hello - that's cool too. Happy car seat installing!

Help Me, Help Them

2013-01-23T16:19:00.000-06:00

Follow my blog with Bloglovin

Hello guys, it's me, Megan. Before I started this whole Mean Baby/motherhood journey, I was a pretty serious cyclist. I was cycling every day and didn't have a care in the world when signing up to do 75/100 mile rides.

Daylight savings meant nothing to me. I would ride in daylight or night. Swerving between the downtown lights of Austin and hoping on Mopac to get in a good mileage combined with hills.

Time was mine.

Since then, time has made me it's b*tch. I have none of it. I indulge in the daily coffee and fast food cravings because, well, it's easier. Working until 5:30, picking up baby, making dinner and prepping for the next day is rough. Throw in daily chores that my mother no longer takes care of and I'm ready to call it a night at 10PM.

But I think, mentally, I'm finally ready to make time for myself.

Team In Training is a wonderful organization that has happily agreed to get me in shape. Remember when I rode 79.4 miles in the Hill Country Ride for AIDS like it was nothing? AH, 2010.

Now, I plan to do that again - just swim prior, bike less and run after. You see, I'll need some work on these things but don't worry, I have that covered.

What I could use your help with is fundraising for a great cause. I’m participating in my first ever triathlon as a member of The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society’s (LLS) Team In Training. Like the other members of TNT, I will be raising funds to help find cures and better treatments for leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin’s disease and myeloma. I’m improving the quality of my life by participating and with your support, I can help improve the quality of life for patients and their families as well.

Please consider making a donation in support of my efforts with Team In Training and help advance the research for cures. If you shared with a friend or two, that would not hurt either.

And by all means, if you or a loved one has been affected by these diseases, please reach out. I will be happy to ride in their honor.

thank you. thank you. thank you.

Her Lips Are Blue! What The $%#!

2013-01-11T09:08:00.001-06:00

My stomach turns as I try to begin this. I distract myself a bit more with what I can find on Amazon Instant Video. With a fidget, I wake up from a daze which began with thinking about how to tell you this.

My 17 month old had a seizure in my arms on Sunday afternoon.

Awake a minute or two from her nap, I pulled her from the couch to the floor with me. We were spending the day watching Netflix, ordering delivery and sleeping between snuggles. Trying to snuggle off the fever really.

I called my fiance to check in. "She just woke up from a nap and it's 104.3 rectal. I'm taking her to the ER now." He was packing up to come home since he works about 2 hours away. "Well, hopefully we know what's up by the time you get here. I'll meet you at Methodist."

I was stealing a few more hugs and top-of-hair kisses from my tot who really never stops moving when she's feeling 100%. Sitting on the floor with her, I was thinking about how I was going to pack her diaper bag. She was so lethargic and her tiny body was taking a beating.

She started to shake - her legs and arms simultaneously. For about two seconds I thought it was a chill. But the persistence of the shake sent a feeling through me that I've never felt before.

You see, we have it "easy." Our kid sleeps 13 hours a night if you let her, hardly cries, plays well on her own, loves to dance and just might be a poor excuse for what's it's like living with a "toddler".

I watch over her carefully, picked a daycare close to work after 50+ daycare interviews, try to teach her healthy eating habits, exclusively pumped for 13 months so I could still give her breastmilk despite the hospital pacifier/mom-away-from-baby slip up.

I guess this was my first moment of really losing control.

I could feel the reality of what was happening piece itself together in my distraught mind as her head rolled back and her eyes went with it. I reach for my phone and dial 9-1-1. Swear words fly by the plenty between answering with "I NEED AN AMBULANCE!" and the 30 seconds it took to actually speak to someone.

Yes, I was listening to a hold recording. Crying to God. Crying to Jesus. Crying to someone named "$*%&" apparently. Whomever would listen. For a moment I thought about scooping her up and running out into the street.

I didn't know what to do.

"WHAT THE %&$!" I screamed. "JESUS CHRIST SOMEONE ANSWER THE $*%#ING PHONE!" I could hear the original operator tune in, "Ma'am, they will be on in a moment. Ma'am they can't help you if you're screaming."

In a moment? I thought. "HER LIPS ARE BLUE. WHAT THE $&%*!" We were alone and I was inconsolable. I was helpless despite what the CPR certified card tried to prove in my wallet.

When the operator finally came on, I could still see the waves running through her tired body.

"Ma'am, calm down. You're doing great." he said. "I'm losing her!" screaming back at him. "I don't know what to do!" He asked if she was breathing and I couldn't look down.

I thought she was dead. I thought she was dead. I thought she was dead.

My eyes peer over her sandy blond head, hoping to find her well. "Her eyes are blinking," I said. She was waking up. She would be just fine..

Febrile seizures can happen to your little. In fact, among your 25 closest offspring toting friends, one will experience a febrile seizure in their home. Yes, it's THAT common. So why have I - mommy blogger, playdate haver, baby planner, Miss constantly-surrounded-by-new-families - not heard of it before? Have you?

Keep in mind that while the seizure is common, the feelings - the pain - the helplessness - the shock - the panic - the idea that your child is dying in your arms - is not.

Your parent friends need to know. Please share this post.

Conversation Heart Valentine's Day Banner

2013-01-09T10:09:00.000-06:00

Today, Mean Baby is part of a blog circle celebrating one of my favorite holidays. Single or attached, I've always been a fan. I know you might be thinking it's a little early for Valentine's Day crafts but the end of this week marks mid-January. YIKES. Why not start off the year with some good 'ol fashion preparedness and crank this super simple, easy peasy, pleasing to the eye, looks great in sunlight craft.

Here, we have a conversation heart garland. Or is it a banner? I did a little research on the sayings, included some of my own and even confirmed the red font on the hearts. Enjoy!

Now check out Ashley's DIY Valentine's Day craft at Living in the (Mom)ent.

Get Inspired, MomCom is Here

2013-01-04T08:43:00.000-06:00

MomCom is here.

A moment for you. A day to focus on the dream you want to live, the career you want to create. Maybe you're not aware of your skill set or not so confident in your BIG idea. Come and get inspired. This is your moment. Grab a sitter. You're worth it. You have big ideas and littles running around the house. How can they chase after the light without you leading the way?

Did I mention I'm the official photographer? See you there.

Kraft Paper for Holidays Gifts and Our Christmas Card

2012-12-23T14:12:00.002-06:00

A few more details about Christmas 2012 over at our home:

i WISH we had a home. We're still living apartment life.
My kid lost a shoe while Christmas shopping.
I politely thanked the fancy wrapping paper for showing up to our home this year, but I already had another plan in mind.

Re: wrapping paper

You see, I love making bows. I even have a whole album (OK, more than one) dedicated to this venture on my Facebook page. But when it comes to gifting, who is really paying attention to the bow? When the paper files, so does the bow. For the OCD parent, this is immediately into a trash bag holding the morning Christmas shred. For non-OCD, it's on the floor and just might get stuck to the bottom of your foot.

So this year, I tried something different. Kraft paper wrapping for all gifts, with personalized messages via sharpies. What do you think?

Oh! And check out our Christmas card below. Merry Christmas and Happy Holiday!

Teacher Appreciation DIY

2012-12-20T09:01:00.001-06:00

Every day, I send my beeb off to daycare. Some days she kicks and screams - other day she's happy to reach out to her teacher.

Her teacher is one of the first of many who will follow after. Teaching her to count to 10, the difference between "your" and "you're" and how to spell I-L-O-V-E-M-O-M-M-Y atop her valentines decor.

Why wouldn't we want to celebrate these people?

When money is tight and your heart is big, here's a simple craft to put together and share with the teachers you love most. And it cost less than $10. Shhhh!

Now take a peek at another cool teacher craft from my friend over at Bloom Maternity.

The Good Girls Gift Guide for Everyone Else

2012-12-19T14:06:00.000-06:00

Here's what I'm getting the beeb - what about YOU?

Rocking Horse

Old school style with new school moves all while giving your little a taste of independence.

Play Food

We already have a little kitchen and we're tired of her stealing our fresh produce to put in her fake fridge.

Big Rig Set

Yes, we supply our daughter with "boy toys" gladly.

First Baby Doll

We're getting the baby, a baby! She's been carrying this dog around for a while now and pats it on the back to go to sleep. TOO CUTE. Must continue this.

Rubber Duckies

When I see a different one, we buy it...so I guess we collect them?

And then we have the practical things, like...

Faucet Cover

Too many close calls.

Pajamas

Because we need them OK! We even bought her a special set for Christmas Eve so she could wake up in them and open gifts! At least that's the plan.

Diapers

My favorite diaper ever. More on this later (I promise!).

More ideas over at Colleen's blog! And then keep clicking through the circle for even more ideas!

Shine Bright Like A Diamond

2012-12-12T14:03:00.000-06:00

So I'm a part of this neat blogger circle and today we're focusing on GLITTER. Bad@$$ because I love Love LOve LOVe LOVE glitter.

Behold, 28 ways to make your life better with GLITTER. Shine bright like a diamond.

Please insert the word GLITTER before each item. Some of these I loved SO much, I even integrated in my beeb's first birthday party.

Image Source

1. Nails 2. Wall Decor 3. Ornaments 4. Ring 5. Cake Icing 6. Frames 7. Eggs 8. Tshirt 9. Vases 10. Eyeshadow 11. Drink sticks 12. Hairpieces 13. Princess Mud Tea Party 14. Garland 15. Engagement (I actually went to college with this gal!) 16. Pasta Garland 17. Food Toppers 18. Fourth of July Decor 19. Bridal Shoes 20. Fancy Clothespins 21. First Birthday Photos Prop 22. Labels 23. Magic Santa Key 24. Darts 25. Candle Holder 26. Cake Pops 27. Party Decor 28. Table Runner

See something I missed? Maybe you'll find it over at the next blogger stop with Colleen at San Antonio Mom Blogs.

I Simply Remember My Favorite Things

2012-12-10T08:12:00.003-06:00

Cue Julie Andrews singing on a hill. She's happy - you know why? Because she's in the process of remembering her favorite things. So in an effort to keep San Antonio blogger morale up, 10 of us got together (yes, on the Internet) and created our own list of our seven favorite things.

So let's dive into the seven favorite things I have to offer, that could also double as gift ideas no less!

And yes, this list is not focused on the beebs. This year, instead of asking for something that can be used for the beeb, ask for something that you can use for you. Mamas need happiness too.

1. Austin

Newly iconic spot in ATX. This is right after my little finished creating it.

Austin is the city for lovers, musicians and startups. What more could you ask for? The well-known ATX culture there is growing, growing, gone. So why not schedule (or gift) a small trip to go visit my favorite city and yes, one of my favorite things.

2. Cowboy Boots

Once upon a time, I lived in boots. Now that I have to take my shoes off when I drop off the little, I've made other arrangements. No, wearing cowboys boots does not make you country. It makes you a hot mama. Especially paired with a sun dress.

3. Photography

Duh! It's what I do. I love it. And I started shooting in the very beginning with a Nikon point-and-shoot. Maybe you could find your love of photography there?

4. External Harddrive

OK - OK not the sexiest gift, but one you can use and use again no less!

5. North Face Flip Flops

When I lived in London, I used public transportation every day. One day when my flip flop snapped in the middle of the city, I looked up and saw a lovely North Face store. Went in and purchased the same flip flops I wear almost every day. You can tell I'm a fan of shoe comfort.

Also, please don't hold any of those current items against me. I can't find the flip flops I purchased. But they look nothing like those.

6. Starbucks

I know, I know. I want to support local coffee too. But when the beeb in the car and you're in a rush and you just need someone who knows your order and offers that drink - well, you end up here. I mean, I wouldn't be offended by a giftcard to the 'bucks. Would you?

7. Wrapping Paper

It's a weird attraction but I love it. I love splurging on my gift wrap. During college, I even tried to get a seasonal job at Macy's for this sole purpose. But they turned me down. It doesn't necessarily have to be wrapping paper though. Be weird.

Don't quit just yet! There are many more blogs to come in our little blog circle of favorite things. Next up is, Gin and Juiceboxes.

O Fake Cheap Reusable Christmas Tree

2012-12-04T10:32:00.001-06:00

You see, when I bought the tree for $35 at Walmart, I was not thinking about a family. I was thinking about my first Christmas in my big girl apartment - post college - my brother as my roommate - saving money - creating a new tradition outside of my childhood home.

Fast forward a year and the (new) man and I were browsing the real ones at Christmas time. Too expensive. Just window shopping. Nothing to take it home in even if we could afford it. We didn't even buy each other a gift that year. But we wanted that real Christmas tree smell and snapped a little twig off - I'm guessing - the nearest Douglas Fir.

Just as we're putting the tree up last night, I peeked through the wire branches to find that lovely "real" tree piece. A true surprise since I forgot all about it. It was waiting for us. Reminding me of the love, the first Christmas together, our pregnancy, spending time hanging out at local free events, searching the Internet for buy 1 get 1s and the excitement that came with just simply having each other.

Oh, fake cheap reusable Christmas tree, how symbolic are your branches.

Santa Baby

2012-12-03T01:12:00.000-06:00

Dear Santa,

I took this photo about a year ago, uploaded it to my computer (who knows where), edited it in iPhoto (yikes) and now I cannot find the original file.

If you could route that original file to me, I would say we are even on that sable I originally requested.

Love,
Mean Baby

Calling All Mama Models {And Teething Beebs Too!}

2012-11-30T20:14:00.001-06:00

If you haven't heard already, Mean Baby has teamed up with one of the coolest baby companies out there. Over the next few weeks I'll be snapping shots of their product on the mama next door - the baby in your play group - at a local park near you.

I'm shooting real life mamas with their favorite beeb wearing their favorite teether - Chewbeads.

From beginning to end, these beads are a must for babies and tots. They are made out of the same material used with pacis, are dishwasher safe and give mama something to wear that they will {A} easily find and {B} can style up the outfit they already have on.

SHOOT DETAILS:

(Yes, you must be available!)

AUSTIN, TEXAS | SUNDAY, DECEMBER 9th | 4PM

LOCATION WILL BE SENT DIRECTLY TO THE MAMA MODELS!

Psst. There WILL be other shoot locations. Don't live in ATX? Let Mean Baby know where you are on our Facebook wall!

To enter, just scroll a bit more - don't be intimidated by all the options. You can win by just submitting the first two or all! Make sure you swing back by the Mean Baby Facebook page to claim your spot - Facebook guidelines prevent me from announcing winners on my page AND I just like rewarding those who actually visit the blog!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

The Shot Before the Shot

2012-11-29T09:29:00.000-06:00

I've been taking photos for a while, but it was not until my little came along that I found JOY in portrait photography.

Before, it was so blah, so stiff, so formal. I thought there was something wrong with me. Why am I attracted to the unposed image? Why does the posed one bore me more?

I enjoyed capturing the little when she wasn't posing. There was something about the frown she gave or the way her toppling back onto the bed looked so REAL.

Now that I do this for a living, I suppose you could refer to it as my style but can't we just skip all labels? I like capturing the shot before the shot. It's what I do.

Some have called this "mid thriller" but it's so much more to me. During a shoot for a family member, the fiance shows up. He's posing our little and as the others are finishing getting theirs ready for the group shot and I'm snapping away. Not wasting a moment. And here he is. In all his "work clothes" glory. I love it.

This little gem was shot during a session last weekend. A momma, mid-shoot, changing her beeb's diaper and having a little one-and-one time among all the camera action. So sweet and such a special moment when no one was looking!

I captured the next photo during a family reunion weekend on the fiance's side. Just as church was finished, we all gathered for a family photo. I ran out to the car to get my "big camera"(as we call it in the house). The preacher was all ready with his point-and-shoot and I ran up to him with mine. I was taking a few test shots to show him how to focus the camera. And with that, I captured my favorite photo from the entire weekend and a shot that has popped up on a few family walls since then. I love that I could provide this real moment for the family.

You see, it's not always about a smile or a posed shot. It's about capturing LIFE, as it happens. A dad helping baby - a mom changing her little one during the shoot - a family interacting in real time before the first family photo in a long time. I love it.

If this fits your style and you like my work, let's chat about setting up your next real life shoot. No more poses.

Small Business Saturday

2012-11-24T11:41:00.002-06:00

Today is Small Business Saturday. The day we are asked to venture out and support only the local, small-kind for the day.

A year ago, I was in Austin doing just that. I would have told you were wrong if you mentioned that by the next Small Business Saturday I would have a shop of my own.

Thank you for your support and friendship! I so love sharing details of what I love here and I'm happy you enjoy being a fan.

There's a little deal that will be up on the good 'ol Facebook today, but my readers...now YOU get something much more. 50% off everything.

Photo Shoot - Bow Order - Baby Planning Prep - Printables - Whatever

Let's work together. I so appreciate YOU being here and supporting Mean Baby as it grows.

Shoot me an email with the title "Mean Baby Fan for Life!" by Sunday at 11:59PM and we'll see what we can dream up together.

Thank you again!