Visit to the Aquarium

Last week was Eric's spring break so we took advantage of our one whole day together as a family (this never happens) and took Abriella to the Newport Aquarium. We weren't sure how it was going to go since she was tired and grumpy to begin with and the only time we could really go was during her nap. She actually ended up doing really well and I think she had a really good time. Here are a few pics of the day (actually quite a lot of pics actually, sorry I couldn't narrow them down) I had fun taking pictures but the lighting was terrible so I tried to make them look the best I could.

She was in awe...



I love how she was trying to poke his nose, that's what she does to the cats too.

She didn't understand that you couldn't take the stuff in the touch and feel pool with you!?!

I think he was the creepiest thing that I saw!! I"m glad he was behind glass.

One of the highlights for her was pushing the stroller around.


This was the grossest thing we saw. Look at that neck.



Ok, no this was the creepiest thing we saw!! This is why I don't like swimming in anything besides a pool.

This turtle was absolutely huge.

He was yawning :)


She was so excited to go to the frog bog. She was skipping ;)

These are my favorite. They are so cute even if they are poisonous!



She was so cute with these big frogs. You could push a button on the back of them and they each made different sounds. She kept running back and forth between the two to press their buttons.









Sweet Pea (or Scooter, you can't tell from this pic). I feel like their eyes look so sad :(




And last but not least, the Penguins (just for Jenny :P)


We also rounded out the fun filled day with a visit to the park. It was my first time seeing her at the park so of course I had to take some pictures. I'll post them later on though, I think this post has more than enough pictures (sorry!!) Thanks for looking. I wish we could have more days like this, it was perfect!

In the Studio

not that I have one. A studio that is. But I am really starting to like the look of my faux studio setup. This is attempt number two and I think they are turning out rather well. It is nice being somewhat able to control the settings since the subject is still very uncontrollable, although during this shoot I pointed and told her to go sit down "over there" and low and behold she did it (for about 2.5 seconds but still!!)

Anyways, here are a few from the setup. I'd love to hear what you think.





I really like this one I just wish her hair would have stayed back in her clip. :(



this is what I call her "evil eye" look


it usually means that we have reached this point...


it doesn't take long!

Happy Birthday Baby Girl!! ~ Take 2

So I thought I would share Abriella's first ever birthday with you along with take two of the cake smash. I hope you enjoy! :)

She was so excited she even started the day off early!!


Being one is tough. Library storytime takes a lot out of you.


She got to open up her present.


Her own little chair to read all of her books.
Does this face mean she likes it?!?

And after all this fun, she got her favorite dinner at the OG (cheese ravioli, minestrone, and breadsticks). Then to top it all off a singing Happy Birthday and her very own cake.
Please don't mind the greasy hair from all the soup and ravioli that found it's way there.

And now, cake smash attempt two. I even got her her own little strawberry shortcake supreme and again, she could have cared less.

At least there was no screaming, and I liked my pictures better with my faux studio setup.

I got one shot of her in her hat.


and then...
yeah, it was over.



she even offered to share...

the only bite she took.

and last but not least, my favorite


now the only thing left is her big birthday bash!!

Happy Birthday Baby Girl!!

I can't believe it's been a whole year. It seem like just yesterday that she looked like this

she was so sweet and cuddly.

I miss that, but at the same time I love that she is so interactive now and her own little person. Everyday she makes me smile.

We attempted a cake smash photo session and lets just say it didn't go over very well. I have decided I hate white backdrops and will never do them again (at least until I actually know how to make them look right). And she hated the frosting and the paper. I got this...


and then it quickly went to this...


I took some more but most of them were of her screaming and trying to get away. It wasn't a very pleasant experience. Hopefully the next try will go better.

Here are just a few more.
I thought kids were supposed to like cake and sugar?!?



I don't know why she hated the feeling of the frosting.



this was the part that ended up with the most cake on it, she stepped right into in as she was trying to run away.



It was so cute that even after she calmed down and was playing she had frosting lining her top lip.


Tonight we are taking her out to dinner so she can get her favorite meal: Cheese Ravioli and veggies. Her present came today and she got to go to storytime at the library. Hopefully she has a great birthday and a great 2nd year.