fun sneak peaks

I photographed 2 really fun shoots in the last 3 days.

Some pieces for Patouche's clothing for children. Ellie was lucky enough to be one of the models!

Danielle Wright's beautiful jewelry. I love her pieces so much.

Can't wait to pore through the images from these shoots!

Give me the drugs

This entire week, Eloise and I have been fighting off a really bad cold. First Eloise had it and since we are together 24/7, I caught it too. She recovered much quicker than I did while mine got worse and worse, the most sick I have been since I was a kid myself! I am usually the one who refuses to go see the doctor or take medicine but it is so bad this time, I couldn't wait to get some drugs.

I feel so much better today. :)

Eloise's Dol

We celebrated Eloise's first birthday this past weekend with a Dol ceremony and a little party! My brother graciously allowed us to hold the party at his place and I decorated it with hot pink confetti stuffed balloon garlands. The days leading up to Eloise's party, she caught a fever and it turned out that she had Roseola. We found out when she started to break out in a rash on the day of her party. If you looked at her closely, she was starting to get pink dots on her skin and I joked that she matched the balloons. The unofficial theme of the party was "Roseola", it couldn't have come at a better time (poor baby!).

I used this party as an excuse to do some serious crafting! I made two party favours for guests to choose from, one was snap on bowties for babies and adults using this fun tutorial! I was so happy to see most of the guys wore the bowtie proudly around the party! The other favour was painted wooden bead necklaces from this great tutorial. I love how they turned out!

Ellie chose her fortune well during her Dol ceremony. She picked up a coin and a badge of some sort. The coin means wealth and Jin's mom explained that the badge was for some sort of high level secret spy working for the government (there is much lost in translation here!) so Ellie will be wealthy spy!? Haha!

Nikole made a beautiful and delicious birthday cake for Ellie and Gabe expertly documented the party for us. Ellie is so lucky and so loved! The Dol props and her traditional Korean dress are rented from Party with Chloe and we had Hammersmith's cater for some afternoon tea. It was most delicious!

Ellie's party was a success!! Thank you to all who helped us put it together and for all who came to celebrate this joyous time in our lives with us! And happy first birthday my young "wealthy spy"! You alone have brought so much happiness into our lives. We are so blessed.

All photographs in this post are by Gabe Li!

one year

Just promise me one thing Ellie. Try not to grow up too fast. Stay a baby a little while longer. I want to remember all your little things, forever.

Of course we know that is an impossible request but I thought I'd just ask.

We love you to pieces.

Happy first birthday our sweet baby Eloise.

Love Mommy and Daddy.

Thank you uncle Gabe for taking these wonderful pictures for us, and for just being an amazing uncle to Eloise! (Gabe posted some more photos here)

size comparison

On the left is what we brought Eloise home in from the hospital almost a year ago. She was very small and it was the only thing that fit. On the right is what she wears today! It is so hard to believe she grew so much in a year and it is so funny how I can't recall how small she was until I look back at her old clothes.

She will turn 1 this Friday! I cannot believe it!

the swings

We just introduced Eloise to the park last week. I guess winter makes you forget the outdoors. It is still a little bit chilly but there was a few days where it started to feel like spring and we took her to the swings.

We put her in and gave her a push!

I was expecting some giggles but no reaction came of her. In some instances she even looked a little scared!

We will try again later, Eloise!

Happy Birthday Elodie!

A friendship budding at an early age! Elodie shared a bit of her birthday cake with Eloise at her birthday party. So generous, Elodie!

Happy first birthday sweet Elodie! And congratulations Juli and John!