16 weeks.

Jovie is 16 weeks old. Here she is at the shoot I did on Friday.  (I'll be posting those pictures on another blog).  This was after we finished up and I'll admit she did great.  No fussing until the very end because she was a bit tired.

This week, Jovie has started to roll over and FINALLY stay on tummy time for at least 5 minutes without fussing.

She still likes to nap about six times a day...at least.  Isn't that a lot?  I thought she'd be more awake now.

She's also been chewing on a lot more stuff - her hands and her Sophie giraffe.

Something I dread - her shots are coming up again soon :(

I hate to see my little one cry in pain.

I'll try not to think about it until it comes.

10 more work days until I get to be home with this little bug for good! <3 p="p">

Pixie Beanie

Hey everyone!  As you may have heard by now, I'm quitting my job at the station - so I'll be doing my best to work from home.  That means I'll be setting up my own etsy shop and doing photography.

Photography is my passion - so if you want to set up a session let me know.  That's what I eventually want to do full-time.

In the meantime, I'm making beanies for the etsy shop.  Before the etsy shop is open though, you can message me about the type of beanie and size that you want.

Here's one of the items I'm currently selling - the pixie beanie.  They can be used to keep your little one warm or for photo props!

Price is $10 for a regular pixie beanie, $12 with a flower.

They come in newborn, 0-3mo, 3-6mo, 6-12mo, 12-24mo, 2T-4T, 5T-Preteen, and even Teen/Adult!

5T and up is $12, $14 with a flower.

Colors are totally customizable.  Just let me know what you want!

P.S. Boys can wear them too, you know!  They look super cute in newborn sessions!

Jovie is wearing a 0-3 months, and she's about 3 1/2 months old.

Email me at nataleeallen@hotmail.com if you're interested!

15 weeks.

I had a couple's shoot that got cancelled/rescheduled today.  Truly, the sky was gross anyway.  But, since my little family was already on its way, we decided to pay the $5 to go to the Botanical Gardens because it was right near where the shoot was going to be.

It was so much fun to get out and do something...even if it was just for a half hour.  We didn't see everything.  But, that's what happens when you have a baby.  Jovie fell asleep after 15 minutes, then was drooling all over dad.

We'll certainly be going back for Christmas when all the lights are up.  

Anyways, here are pictures from our adventure during week 15!  They're in order of when we first got there, to Jovie gradually falling asleep.

Enjoy!

14 weeks

Oh, my sweet Jovie.  You probably won't appreciate the way we dress you when you get older, but how I love your bonnet.  I purchased it due to my etsy obsession and the seller, justjosie, actually lives in the Treasure Valley.  So, naturally, momma had to get her hands on a bonnet.  You also got a little headband which we'll use for another shoot.  It's also super cute.

I know for a fact that this bonnet will be in plenty of pictures to come, so you're not done wearing it.

On another note, we've come to the conclusion that you have your mother's eyebrows.  Sorry, dear.

We love you!

Heading into mommyhood

Hello, all.  As some of you may have heard, I'm headed into the scary world of full-time mommy hood.  Scary, but well worth it.  I mean, look at that face!?  I'll get to make beanies, leg-warmers, booties, and mittens for her all day!

Yeah, right.  I wish.

I'll miss my job in TV, but I really think it's more about pride.  Realizing I've been this person on TV for about 4 years now comes with a lot of pride.  So, it's more of a blow to my ego than anything.  But I think that's what I need to be a better Christian and a better mom.

I know some of you might be thinking, WHAT are you doing!?!?  But sometimes the popular choice is not always right...and the right choice is not always popular.  That came from a poster in third grade, by the way.

In the meantime, I'll possibly be working part-time at a nursery where I can take Jovie and be with her all day.  Sure, it's not glamorous.  But, who needs glamorous when you have a beautiful daughter to come home to?

I'm doing this for Jovie and my family.

No, not all moms need to be stay at home moms.  But they should make family their priority.  And with working overnights, it's been really hard to do that for me.

I'll also be (with your help) working on photography to keep my little family afloat.  So, if anyone would like to book a session (especially in time for Christmas cards) let me know.

I might even start up an etsy shop or just sell crocheted items through the blog.  If you want anything, let me know.

But if not, enjoy the photos of my darling daughter who is growing up so fast!

God Bless.

beanies!

You may remember this picture from Facebook.

It was taken a couple days ago, when I told Rhett we needed to get the baby some beanies before it gets hold.  He said we had plenty (which we don't).  So he brought down this hand-me-down and said, "See!"

While it's cute in it's own way, Jovie won't be wearing it everyday.

So I purchased some super cute patterns on etsy from Yarn Blossom Boutique.

This is just one of the beanies I made Jovie - I've already made 3 others and one for my niece!

This is the "Briar Rose" pattern

The right picture is blurry, but I love her face!

If you get a chance, check out Yarn Blossom!

I also got another pattern so I can make booties to match her beanies!

Stay tuned.

3 months.

Jovie is 3 months old already. ::sigh::

She enjoys kicking her feet a lot, but still doesn't enjoy tummy time too much.

What's most fun for me and dad, is her constant babbling every time we talk to her.  Another thing we love...she's sleeping so much better.

And, she's definitely bigger.  We're guessing 15 pounds, but we still have a whole month before our doctors appointment!

But it can wait.  I don't want time to go by too fast.

Enjoy.

13 weeks.

I apologize for the multiple posts, but I'm still practicing with my newest lens.  I'm getting better at it, but still need more practice - especially because I have pictures of OTHER people to take coming up soon.  But it really is fun practicing on Jovie, whether she likes it or not!

Mommy, I'm tired now.  I have lots to do before I turn three months old tomorrow.  Goodnight.

What's in a name?

So, we always get a lot of questions concerning Jovie's name.  Is it short for anything?  Is it made up?  Jovie, as in Bon Jovi?

No, no, and no.

To answer all the questions...Jovie is an actual name - albeit one that came around later.  Plus, I'm too young to be into Bon Jovi.  Also, Rhett is really into the meaning of names, so he wanted a name that meant something special.

To be honest, I liked the name Pippa (before Pippa Middleton!).  But the name actually means "lover of horses".  So, that was a no-go.  

Jovie means joyful.  And, simply, we want our daughter to be joyful in the Lord.  

And if you're looking for someone of the same name, the girl in the movie Elf (Zooey Deschanel) is named Jovie.  But, that's not why we chose it and we think our Jovie is much more special!

In other news...Jovie will be 3 months in a couple of days.  And here's just a few from the end of week 12.

Healthy baby

Okay, so for the next few weeks I'll be going picture crazy (if I wasn't already).  I've got a few shoots coming up and I need to practice everyday.  On top of that, Rhett got me a new lens for our 2 year anniversary, a 50mm/1.8f.  I love it!  But I'm still getting used to it - so I need to practice, practice, practice!

On another note, Jovie always gets the wow, "what a healthy baby" comment.  And while I know she's a little chubster, I'm proud when I hear that comment.  My little one was big when she was born, 8 pounds 15 oz, but she quickly lost weight - more than a pound in the first week.  My milk supply took about two weeks to come in, but we didn't give up!  And now look at her!  So, yes, she's chubby.  But she's a baby.  And we worked hard for it!  Plus, I think they're great softball legs.

By the way, I know plenty of moms simply cannot breastfeed for medical and personal reasons and that's totally okay.  I'm not a crazy breastfeeding mom.  But this was quite an accomplishment for us.  Now, if I can only get her to take a bottle without fussing for 30 minutes prior.

Chubby baby, we love you! 

P.S.  I hope Rhett doesn't get mad that I posted pictures without his shirt.
Sorry, love!  I did it for the chunky little legs!