super giveaway!

I love photography and this giveaway is the "mother" of ALL giveaways. I will be entering this giveaway every possible way. I'd love to win 1st, 2nd or 3rd place! As I'm starting my own photography business, I would love ANY of these amazing prizes to help kick start my dream job.

If you are interested in winning any of these prizes too, just click here and take a look.

I hope I win!!!

big girl

We are working on getting Bristol to learn to sit up all by herself. She likes to do things on her own time schedule. She rules the roost and will let you know otherwise. Lately, she has been so active and I love it! She loves her activity bouncer even though her feet are still nowhere near touching the ground. We still have to wrap a blanket around her to stabilize her, otherwise she will lean forward.

I just love my little monkey and I love getting to experience all her new tricks. I can't wait till she masters sitting up, it will be a whole new world for her. :)

The Lord is good to me....

And so I thank the Lord. For giving me the things I need. The sun, the rain and the apple seeds. Oh the Lord is good to me. Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen. Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaamen.

I love that little preschool song. So simple and oh so true. I sing this song to Bristol 56 times a day and she loves it. I love that she loves it. In fact, I sing her all the preschool songs I sang to my sweet babies last year. I love knowing that she is learning these songs and by the time she gets to CCA, she will be a pro at them :) Back to the song. It's such a sweet, simple song and I find myself singing the song many times during the day, even when I'm not singing it to Bristol. The Lord is good to me and many times I have to ask why? Why is he good to me? I am a sinner. I sin everyday and yet, he gives me things I need, want and sometimes don't need and don't want. He is a mighty giver and a big lover. He loves me, despite all my imperfections. He is good to me, despite my sinning actions. Thank you God for loving me for me. Thank you Lord for blessing me with so many things that I don't deserve but you bless me anyway.

Speaking of blessings, I'd love to share some recent blessings. I have been blessed to be part of a play group consisting of sweet new moms and sweet precious babies. I love being a part of a group like this because it's an outlet for Bristol and I. These babies will all grow up together and there is something so wonderful about that. I moved several times when I was younger and so I never had the same friends, I was always having to make new ones. Knowing that Bristol will know these friends for a long time makes my heart smile. This group is such a blessing in our lives right now. Another blessing is that Brandon and I recently joined a first family ( small group) at our church. My parents have been in the same first family since we started going to FCCC 17 plus years ago. I grew up going to first family and when Brandon and I got married, I wanted to be part of a group badly. I had prayed and prayed but nothing came our way. Recently, we were asked to be part of a new first family and boy, was that an answered prayer. We love our group and look forward to each get together we have. Another blessing that has just come our way is that we joined our churches slow pitch softball team. This might sound silly but softball and sports has always been a huge part of my life and Brandon's. We were playing on a team before we had Bristol and we quite because there was too much drama and I couldn't handle it anymore, so Brandon and I decided to not play anymore. We knew a season was coming up and we asked one of the guys in our first family about the team and he asked if we wanted to play. OF COURSE, YES! Sign me up! So now, every Friday, we will be playing 2 games and I am oh so happy about it. We are excited to get to spend this time together doing something we really enjoy.

There isn't much else going on in the Barron House. Same ole' same ole'.

Until next time...

Kellianne Barron Photography

I love photography. I always have. I took a photography class my sophomore year of high school and loved it. We had a dark room and it was the most fun I have had at school. I got to take my own photos, take them out of the old fashion 35mm roll, and develop them in the dark room. I actually won a couple contests with some photos I took in high school.

I was always the girl who had her camera with her. Remember the days of disposable cameras? I remember every summer, as camp(s) rolled around, I would bring at least 2-3 disposable cameras so I could get as many pictures I could. I loved taking them to wal-mart to get them developed to see what moments were captured. I have multiple photo albums, memory boxes and old pictures in boxes. I'll never forget when I got my first camera. It was a black minolta which took 35mm film. I thought I was so cool because I had my very own camera. After that camera, I got my first digital camera, it was a Nikon 3.5 megapixels. I thought it was the coolest thing ever. You're telling me I could take a picture and see it RIGHT after it was snapped? Holy Cow! I thought it was amazing! Since then, I have had several other cameras. When I took the photography class in high school, my parent's bought me a Canon Rebel 35mm film camera. I used this for a long time until it died. That was a sad day.

About 2-3 years ago, Brandon bought me a Canon DSLR. I had been wanting one of these for SOOOOOO long. I would get on the computer and search for cameras. I was obsessed with finding the right camera at the right price. Ever since then, that camera has never left my side. I have 3 lens' for that camera, which my 50mm is by far the best lens for the best price. I use this lens for everything. The pictures you see on my blog are taken with my 50mm lens. It creates crisp and clear shots. But it also can give those blurry background shots as well. Over time, I have learned more and more about photography, but I know there is SO much more to learn. It is my dream to upgrade my camera, but it's quite expensive. One day, one day I will get the camera of my dreams. Right now, my Canon is just fine. It takes great pictures.

Since having Bristol, my interest in photography has sky-rocketed. How could I not take pictures of my sweet Bristol? So many people have told me that I need to start my own business. You see, I have wanted to do that for a long time but I felt that I needed to improve my skills, learn more about my camera and educate myself on editing photos. Brandon's cousins wife asked me to take their family pictures for their Christmas cards. Of course I said yes. I knew it would be fun and it would give me more experience. Well, the pictures turned out great! I posted them on facebook and got an overwhelming response by friends asking me if I have my own business. Other people asked me to take their photos and I got more responses from friends asking me to take their photos. So I threw together a price for a sitting fee, cd of pictures, etc. Since Christmas, I haven't taken anymore pictures but that's ok. I haven't really gotten together a "business plan" yet or done much "advertising". I am not on facebook anymore which was a big way to advertise.

As time goes on, I keep thinking that this is something I want to do - all the time. I love it. I love capturing moments for people I know. I love seeing them smile when they see their pictures. I love knowing that these pictures are special to the families. Photography tells a story and I want to be part of that story.

Did I mention that take photos at Cornerstone Christian Academy? It's a part time gig and I love it. I set my own schedule, get to bring Bristol and most of all, I get to see the amazing people I used to work worth along with my sweet precious babies. It's really such a blessing that I was offered to do this this year.

I'm that my little biz will continue to grow, especially as I can advertise more.
I would like to say this. If you want or need pictures taken, please consider me. :) I would love to capture your special moments with your sweet family. I am very reasonable too, ha! On a serious note, I will spend as much time as I can to make sure that you get the pictures you want and how you want them.

Contact me at Kms03b@yahoo.com if you are interested!

6 months of sweetness

I have a 6 month old baby? What? How? When did this happen? Bristol turned 6 months old today, February 15th. I know I have said it every month, but time sure does fly by. It kind of makes me sad to think how fast time as gone. But on the other hand, I thank the Lord above for allowing me to stay home with my lil "brittle". I am not sure what I would of done if I had to put her in a daycare of some sort.

So yeah, Miss Bristol is 6 months old.

Here are her stats...

13.08 lbs - in the 10th percentile
25.(something) inches long - in the 33rd percentile

We still have a little bit on our hands and I love that she is soooo tiny.

I took these pictures on Monday for Valentine's Day and her 6 month photo shoot. I love photographing my sweet girl. It really is one of my favorite things to do. I took these pictures in her bedroom and in the guest bedroom upstairs. Each month it's more fun to capture sweet moments of Bristol. She changes everyday and I love getting to freeze a moment in time get it on camera.

Bristol's eyes get bluer everyday. I love it. I love her. She still has no teeth but I know ANY DAY now, they are going to pop through. She has been fussy lately and I know its because of those darn teeth. Bristol sleeps pretty good. She is sleeping in her crib sans swaddle. I find her sleeping on her right side a lot, it's precious. I've caught her many times on the monitor rolling on her side, just precious. Although sleep has gotten better, there have been some rough nights but I know that's because your mouth is hurting you. Falling asleep on your own has become a lot easier. I can put you in your crib and you will fall asleep within a few minutes. Crying is to a minimum (other than right now, you are screaming so loud). You are quick to find your paci when it has fallen out. It's so sweet to watch you figure things out like that. Self-soothing has become a breeze for you.

Bristol my dear, you absolutely love butternut squash. It's your favorite. I introduced baked apple sauce to you today and you really enjoyed it. You kept ooooing and ahhhing while you ate it. I love making your food. I find such job in knowing that you love it and that I made it. I was disapointed when I had to stop breastfeeding you so this is kind of my way of bonding again with you. We haven't taken you to the church nursery yet. You still go to "big" church with us. I am not sure when I am ready to send you to the nursery, you do so well the whole hour.

No sitting up yet. In fact, you struggle with that. Next week is a big week for you. We start physical therapy. Your torticollis isn't getting any better and momma knew that therapy is what you need, not just momma doing your exercises with you. I am excited to get you started to strengthen your neck, back, arms and tummy. This is going to help you a lot! You were such an angel baby on your VERY FIRST road trip this past weekend. Although you weren't 6 months old, I must document it. I didn't get many pictures of you on the trip because it was a VERY busy, jammed pack day and a 1/2. But needless to say, you truly proved that you are growing up. The car ride was amazing, filled with a few naps, watching mickey mouse, talking and smiling. You held up during graduation like a champ. When we went shopping at the outlet mall, you slept THE.ENTIRE.TIME. A total of 3 hours. You have never slept that long in your stroller, ever! I was so impressed, so was daddy, omi and grandaddy. We now know that you are a great traveler and we can't wait to take another trip with you.

I am looking forward to what this month has in store for you and I. You're my little sidekick and I wouldn't have it any other way. We are quite attached to each other. I can't be away from you more than a couple hours. Well, I can, but my heart hurts when I am. You are on my mind 24/7. You are the most precious gift that I could have ever received.

I love you sweet Bristol Elaine, to the heavens and back. Forever.

my little foodie

Bristol LOVES food. She loves her bottle ( always has ) and now LOVES solid food. I first started with oatmeal and she liked it. I mixed it with formula so if she didn't like it, I would have been surprised. Once she got the hang of the oatmeal, I introduced avocado. She wasn't too sure about it. She would eat it but make a sour puss face once it hit her mouth. Avocado is hard to keep fresh, so I just decided to finish the rest myself, haha. I haven't made it since then. I'm not willing to buy the lemon and make a lemon wash to keep the avocado fresh. Bad mom award goes to me.

Following avocado, I made butternut squash. The minute it hit her mouth she fell in love. She would grab the spoon out of my hand so she could feed herself. Of course, the squash got everywhere. When she would finish, she would scream and cry for more. Bristol would throw a serious fit. Obvisouly, she wanted more so I gave her more. No more tears. ( I ran to the store today to buy more squash so I could have a lot in the freezer. Butternut squash is a winter veggie, so I would hate to not have some when I needed it) I've also made carrots. She hasn't tried them yet but I'm thinking she will like them.

Today, I made more butternut squash and baked apples. I wanted to try another fruit and thought apples would be the best bet. My dr. told me to steer away from banana's because they cause constipation. This momma does not want to go down that road again with Bristol. Been there, done that. I bought 2 gala apples in hopes that Bristol would like them. I really enjoy making her food and love knowing that there are NO additives in this food. It's not from a shelf, a bag or from the freezer section of the store. It's completely fresh and sometimes organic
(depends on the price and selection). It's also very gratifying when I see Bristol really enjoy something I made.

I get all my recipes ( which right now, are SUPER basic) from this amazing website. I am so glad I came across it while researching baby food. I highly recommend going there and checking out what they say and have to offer to momma's who make their child's food. I am so happy I am going this route. It's another way for me to feel closer to Bristol. Annnnnd it's SOOO much cheaper than buying prepared food from the store. And more healthy. :)

I took pictures from today's baking session. Here is what to do…

1. Core apples and leave peel on (without the peel, the apple will turn to mush)
2. Place a wee bit of butter (8 months + if baby is ready for or has had dairy) on the inside of the cored apple (8 months+ - sprinkle a bit of cinnamon in the apple if your desire and if baby is ready for or has had cinnamon)
3. Place in a shallow baking or roasting pan with a bit of water – about an inch or 2 of water
4. Bake in a 400-degree oven for 30 minutes or until tender; be sure to check on the water level.
5. Once baked, allow to cool and then slip off the skin if needed. You may either cut apple into little bits and serve as a finger food or mash as directed above in the Apples/Applesauce recipe.

After everything was finished, I actually ate the apple peels. They are sooooooo deliciously. The peel is very good for you and I swear, I thought I was eating apple pie.

facebook

It was a couple of weeks ago that a thought popped into my head " get off facebook". No, not just log out but officially get rid of my account. I've thought this a couple times before but never took it seriously. The thought kept coming into my head randomly throughout my days. I knew that was a sign, so I got the courage ( yeah, it took some courage and strength) to deactivate my account.

I found myself on facebook wayyyyyy toooooooo much. It never took me away from taking care of Bristol but it took me away from getting things done around the house like dishes, laundry, cleaning bottles and most of all, school work. I'm going to be honest here, I was addicted. I used facebook for several different reasons. 1. to keep in touch with family 2. keep in touch with friends i don't get to see often 3. an outlet for advice from my momma friends 4. to stalk people
(in a non creepy way)

Do I miss facebook? Sometimes. I really do feel better without it but there are times when I want to see whatever everyone is up to. But really, since not being on it anymore, I have gotten a lot of stuff done and it feels good. I'm sure I will get back on, just not sure when.

I'm glad I made this decision. Brandon almost fell over when I told him about it, haha.

Also, not being on facebook has allowed me to blog more and that makes me happy.