Ten on Tuesday- Travel Edition

On Saturday we flew to Colorado to visit family and enjoy a week in our hometown. Traveling with 2 kiddos is always an adventure, but I think we have it down to a science. Here are 10 tricks we have learned along the way. (Evan took his first flight when he was 5 weeks old!)

1. Check your carseat with the luggage. This frees up your hands for coralling kiddos, and makes going through security a little easier. If your child is over two, get on of these CARES harnesses for them to use on the plane.

2. Pack lots of snacks. Food is a great way to keep your little one occupied. If there is a special treat they don't normally get- the novalty will by you some extra silence.

3. Don't hate on DVD players. Before I had kids- I thought it was crazy to let your kids watch movies on the plane- I mean, I didn't do that and my parents survived. But let me tell you- if our parents had the option- they TOTALLY would have used it. A good movie usually equals a hassle-free flight.

4. Sit near the front of the plane. Your hands are full of diaper bags and squirming kids, and the closer you are to the door- the better.

5. If your child is too big too carry- use an umbrella stroller (I like Maclaren Volo) to get around the airport. If you can carry them- use a soft carrier, like a Babyhawk.

6. Nurse your baby or give them a bottle during take-off and landing to help their ears adjust to the pressure change. A pacifier also works. For older kids, a sippy cup, gum or even just eating a snack can do the trick.

7. If you won't have access to a washing machine, pack at least 2 outfits per day for each kid.

8. If you will have a car at your destination, pack enough diapers for 1 day, and then buy more diapers when you get there. This especially helps now that you pay per checked bag.

9. If at all possible- don't schedule a flight during naptime. I know this seems counter-intuitive, but especially with older toddlers, they are too excited to sleep on the plane, and just and end up over-tired and cranky. But, if you have no options, just remember...

10. Repeat after me: "I will never see any of these people ever again." Let's face it- you can prepare all you want, have perfect timing, and do everything in your power to make it a smooth trip, and you still might end up with a crying baby and a toddler having a meltdown. Just take a deep breath, do your best to calm everyone down, but remember in the end, you will get to your destination, crying or not. And anyone who is giving you the evil eye is not worth a second thought anyway.

Introducing Miss Reese | Columbus Newborn Photographer

Is she not just the cutest little thing ever? I could eat her up she is so stinking adorable. And you should see her mom- I would not even believe she gave birth two weeks ago if I hadn't seen her pregnant with my own two eyes! Heidi- she is just perfect- I hope these shots were worth the marathon feeding!

What to Wear Wednesday | Columbus Family Photographer

Great style doesn't have to break the bank. This weeks outfit selections all come from a store that not only has great value- but an awesome selection- Target! (Links coming soon!) If you know me- you know I am sort of addicted to good old Tar-jay. But with stuff like this, can you blame me?!

Ten on Tuesday - Baby Mine Edition | Columbus Baby Photographer

It is still hard for me to believe that Wes is 8 months old already. The time has flown by. So, what should you know about my littlest man?

1. His favorite song is "Three Little Birds" by Bob Marley. It always calms him down. If you try to sing anything else- he cries.

2. He just got his first two teeth last week. I will miss his gummy smile.

3. He is just discovering the joys of being mobile and I will often catch him army-crawling as fast as he can towards any object he is not supposed to have.

4. His hair is sort of blond- especially in the sunlight. I am not sure where that came from, but I love my blond-haired blue-eyed boy.
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5. When I hold him on my hip, he pat-pat-pats his little hand on my chest. It makes me melt.



6. He has slept in my arms every night since he was born, and I wouldn't have it any other way. There is nothing better than waking up to your sweet baby in your arms.

7. Sometimes he laughs in his sleep. It makes me wonder what he is dreaming about.

8. He is not crazy about food- but he loves to drink water from a sippy-cup.

9. When he gets excited- he lifts up his arms by his head and shakes them. It is like he can't contain the glee!

10. He is such a calm, laid-back baby. It is impossible to be around him and not feel at-ease. In a family full of high-strung first borns- he is a welcome edition!

Weekend Magic | Columbus Child Photographer

There is just something special about the weekend. Even Evan knows it. On Friday as I put him down for his nap, he said "Mommy, is tomorrow when Daddy stays home with us ALL day long?". I told him it was, and he got the biggest smile on his face and said "I is so excited!" He knows what the good things in life are.

We spent Friday evening at a park and then went out for hot dogs and ice cream. On Saturday, we went to "Day Out with Thomas", and Evan got to ride on his hero- Thomas the Tank Engine. As far as weekends go- this one was pretty magical. Especially if you are almost 3.

It is wonderful to have children because they remind you of the magic of everyday. Of those little moments you don't want to forget. The sound of their laugh, the way the sun shines off their hair. The smell of fresh grass, and the feel of sand between your toes that somehow snuck it's way in there at the playground. If I could bottle it up and save it somehow- I would.

I know someday I will look back on these pictures and smile. I hope years from now, Evan will still find this much joy in his daily life. If I had one wish for him- it would be to never lose the magic in his heart.

Flashback Friday | Columbus Family Photographer

I was digging through some old files and ran accross these pictures from April 2007. Evan wasn't even a year old yet. Now my baby is almost 3. It goes so fast, and I don't have nearly enough pictures of the two of us together when he was small. I always thought I was too fat, or looked too tired, or my outfit wasn't right. Now I just wish I had the picture- because those things don't really matter. This year I have been working on a project: 52 Weeks- My Kids and Me, so I will never have another year that goes by where I am in so few pictures.

My kids mean the world to me, and they are the biggest part of my life. I want to have the pictures that show that. And you know, looking at those pictures, and the ones above- I don't see the bags under my eyes, or the baby weight I haven't lost yet. I see how happy I am, and how beautiful my children make me.

Take it from me- get in the frame. You'll never regret it.

What to Wear Wednesday | Columbus Family Photographer | Andrea Roberts

So you have your family photography session scheduled. It is a given that the kids will look adorable, but what should you wear to get maximum impact from your portraits? The mere thought of having to coordinate more that 1 outfit might have you running for the white shirts and khakis (Stop! Don't do it!), but I am here to help. Each Wednesday I will put together a fabulous ensemble for a family, child or maternity session, and even tell you where you can get them for yourself! Bonus- be the first to purchase the outfits for your family and tell me about it, and you win a free session and a free 8 x 10 print!

Without further ado, here is this weeks look. Bright, fresh and fun- perfect for a playful family session!



Mom's outfit can be found at Boden (sweater,jeans,shirt,shoes.)The adorable dress can be found at Hanna Andersson. Baby's outfit is from mini Boden. You can get Dad's rocking jeans at Gap, and his polo at Land's End.

Ten on Tuesday- Kids Say the Darndest Things Edition | Columbus Family Photographer

Some recent little gems from Evan:

1. "I just have nipples, right Mommy? Not boobies?"

2. "I think the mommy duck and the baby ducks are eating sandwiches and broccoli because those are their favorite."

3."That water really quenches my thirst, Mommy." (I kid you not.)

4. "I love you so much, Mommy. I am really proud of you for listening to Daddy's words." (Hold on son- I wear the pants around here. Don't I?)

5. "Oh no, Mommy. Daddy can just do that." (After I told him I needed to go work to earn money for the family.)

6. "Boys have penises and cars. Girls have parties." (Obviously the age appropriate birds and bees talk we gave him didn't quite translate.)

7. "I just want some peace and quiet now, Mommy." (After he turned off my Taylor Swift cd.)

8. "No mom, I don't think that would be perfect."

9. "I like making shenanigans, Daddy!"


And this one, oh, he will kill me for this someday, but it is too good not to share.

10. "Oh no! Oh no! Oh no! There is something in my pants!" *frantically strips off pants and diaper* "Oh- it was just my penis."

Playing Favorites- Columbus Family Photographer

I know I shouldn't play favorites- but I can't help it! I just love photographing Miss Maggie and her family. I did her mom's
maternity portraits, and then got to photograph Maggie as a newborn. I didn't think it was possible for Maggie to get any cuter- but she did! I just loved everything about this session- from their clothes to their smiles- it was a photographers dream! Thank you for letting me capture your beautiful family!