Grin and Bear It

This winter has kind of been bogging me down. If it is not below zero degrees, it's snowing. ALL DAY LONG. Neither is very inviting for a fun day out and about. I just can't seem to shake the cabin fever and winter blues.

In an effort to break the routine and try something new, I decided we needed to stage a photo shoot. I was very diligent about taking monthly pictures of Leo throughout his first year, but haven't done any since his birthday. So I invited a few friends, scrounged up some Valentine props, and made a simple backdrop. It was nice to have some new life in our house after weeks of feeling locked in by ourselves. And we even got a few cute pics out of the crazy day!

How could I not start to warm up with those beautiful blue eyes staring up at me? I had so much fun taking these photos. I feel like I learn more every time I pull my camera out. He's getting harder to photograph though. He's squirmy and curious so I can usually only snap a few shots before he crawls over to me, wanting to check out the cool camera I'm holding (and push all those tempting buttons!).

Shake, shake, shake!

She loves me, she loves me not...

My goofy valentine

A new friend came with her two adorable kids to take some pictures with me and taught me lots of new things. Ashley does photography professionally, so she is a fountain of knowledge and talent. She was patient while I pestered her with questions about white balance, flash, and histograms. I hope I haven't scared her away because I have since thought of several new questions I want to ask her next time we talk. I hesitate posting a few of my favorite shots that she took and sent me because, well, they're amazing and show how much I have to learn. But they're so cute and my desire to brag about my cutie is greater than my pride.

This last one is by far my favorite shot of the day. Leo has started showing off his silly side quite often lately. When he's feeling goofy, he'll flash this super cheesy grin at us. It cracks me up every time, but I haven't been able to get a good picture of it. Luckily, Ashley did! I think he's trying to tell me that even when winter is long and cold, you just gotta grin and bear it. And it sure is easier with this little guy by my side.