Eisley's First Birthday Party!

My daughter turned one last week, and we celebrated that milestone this past weekend.  It was a little bit surreal to sing happy birthday to her and light that first birthday candle.  She had a great time though, and a bunch of our friends came out (despite our foot of snowfall a few days earlier and the fact that they'd still only plowed one lane on our street).  I had a lot of fun making decorations for Eisley's party, and I think everything looked super cute!  I just had to share a couple of photos from her party.  I think it was almost pinterest-worthy!  ;)

As always all photos are copyrighted and cannot be used without permission.  

A First Birthday & A Cake Smash

Eisley is one!!!!

I think I'm still in denial, but it's true.  In fact, Eisley is one year and one week old now!  I have enjoyed this last year so much.  She is such a joy and a light in our lives, and we are lucky lucky parents.  Today I am going to share with you a few of her cake-smash photos!  She wasn't too impressed with the cake (which I'm totally ok with- hopefully that means she doesn't have quite the sweet tooth that I have!) but she had a lot of fun making a total mess!  =)

As always, all images are copyrighted and may not be used without permission.

My Creative Love- Photography!

So you all know that I love to photograph my daughter, but did you know that I used to shoot weddings and portraits when we lived in Chicago?

Well, I did!  When we moved to Kansas City I really did intend to start back up, but between setting up our house, working full time, then having a baby, photography kind of fell to the back-burner.  BUT- Eisley is one now (!!I'll be writing a post about that- complete with cake smash photos soon) and it's time to get it started again.  I just have to share a shoot I did of my friends and their beautiful daughter, because I love the way they turned out!  I'll let you guys know when I get my website up and running, but here are a few for now.

If you are in the Kansas City area and need photos, let me know!

As always when I post photos or other content, all photos are Copyrighted and cannot be reproduced or used without permission.

Sopora Perfect Crib Mattress Giveaway Event

Babies spend such a huge part of their day sleeping, shouldn't the surface they sleep on be safe for them? Unfortunately most conventional mattresses are loaded with toxic fire retardants and other chemicals, especially those that are imported, according to this test by Chicago Tribune. Thankfully there are many safer options, including the line of U.S. made non-toxic crib mattresses from Sopora. 

Normally the caveat with Eco-friendly mattresses is that they are expensive, especially those that are made in the USA. Now, a safe sleeping surface is affordable with Sopora, the prices start at just $167 for a Classic Crib Mattress! Why buy a conventional, imported mattress when you can get one for a comparable price that's made right in the U.S. and will let you sleep easy knowing your baby is safe?

Our Favorite Features of the Sopora Perfect Crib Mattress: 

Greenguard: Children & Schools certified for emissions and off-gassing 

Vinyl, PVC, lead, and phthaltes free

Eco-friendly ultra firm high density foam is 100% renewable

Fireproof Chemical Additive FREE

Features new Celliant biologically responsive cover for optimum health, clinically proven to increase oxygen levels in the body

Advanced CoolGel foam regulates body temperature

Dust mite and bed bug proof

Stain and Odor Resistant 

Medical Grade Nylon Fabric Cover, Waterproof

Purchase: You can purchase the Sopora Perfect Crib Mattress directly from the brand. They have many other options available, including changing pads and bassinet/cradle mattresses. A few Sopora crib mattresses are also available on Amazon.

Win It! Sopora is blessing one of you with the Perfect Crib Mattress.

Special thanks to AnaB Social for hosting this giveaway. Huge thanks to all participating bloggers as well! Giveaway ends March 6th at 12:01 am, open to US residents, ages 18+. To enter please use the Rafflecopter form below (see directions on how to enter here). Thank you!

a Rafflecopter giveaway






Disclaimer: AnaB Social, Eco-Babyz, and all participating event bloggers are not responsible for sponsor prize shipment. 

Dear Eisley, on the week before your birthday

Dear Eisley,

This is you, only two days old!

You will be one year old in 6 days.  I think I am denial.  I look at you, and I am having a harder and harder time time seeing the little newborn that I waited on so anxiously.  Before my eyes you have turned into a spirited, hilarious, beautiful, cranky little girl who's cheeks don't touch her shoulders anymore.  I feel so much.  I know that sounds like a weird statement, but I don't know how else to say it.  I feel so proud to be your mom.  I feel so sad that you are no longer teeny tiny.  I feel so blessed that you are growing and healthy and making such huge strides every day.  I feel so honored that God chose me to be your mommy.  I just feel so much more than I ever did before you came into my life, wide eyed and feisty.

This is you now!  So big!

I can't wait to see what kind of little girl you will become this next year.  I try to imagine you sometimes, but I feel like it's a wasted effort because I know you will be a million times more amazing than anything I could ever imagine.  It's like looking at a beautiful painting, a masterpiece, without glasses on.  You can catch some of the color and a bit of the form, but you miss the essence of the painting.  I do know this, you will be amazing.


Sweet, wonderful Eisley- you have been the biggest blessing in our lives, and your daddy and I adore you more than you will ever know.  Especially now that you have started sleeping through the night!  *wink*  But seriously now, I have so many hopes and dreams for you.  I hope that you will know God so much more deeply than your father and I do.  I hope that you will be confident, happy, and humble.  I hope that you know so much joy in your life, and feel incredibly loved all the time.  I hope your daddy and I do a good enough job of letting you know every day how much we love and adore you.  How special you are, how beautiful inside and out.  I dream that you will have so many good friends that you will have to schedule play-dates two weeks in advance.  I dream that you will find a passion at a young age, and cultivate it throughout your life.

You have so much ahead of you, and I am so excited to cheer you on, kiss your boo boos, and teach you how to ride a bike.  I can't wait to watch you get excited over the swimming polar bear the first time we go to the zoo.  Seriously kiddo, you make this life a million times more beautiful.  Even though you can be a big old crab sometimes, watching you change from a squishy little newborn into an adventuresome little toddler has been one of the most incredible experiences of my life.

Mommy loves you, so so much.  I can't wait to watch you dig into your very own, very first birthday cake.  It will be amazing and exciting.  Just don't be surprised if I shed a tear or two.  After all, you are my baby, and you are growing up.

Love Forever,


Mommy

Wordless Wednesday- Messy Eater

Copyright Copper Siegel, all rights reserved

Mama Baby Love Giveaway Event!

There is something really special about that moment a mother first puts her newborn baby to her breast. A priceless moment filled with love. Though that moment really doesn't need anything extra, we're hosting a Mama Baby Love giveaway to make it even more special! We will outfit two mamas and their babies for their breastfeeding journey. 

Thanks to our generous sponsors, you can win some gift certificates from Annee Matthew ($100 ea) and A Mother's Boutique ($50 ea) to use toward nursing apparel as well as a nursing hat from Moboleez and breastfeeding baby apparel for your little one from One Creative Mama. 

Our Favorite Things About the Prizes: 

• Huge selection of bras and nursing apparel at A Mother's Boutique
• Annee Matthew nursing apparel has some of the most stylish nursing clothing on this planet!
• One Creative Mama breastfeeding advocacy baby shirts speak for themselves and break the ice
• Moboleez nursing hats make nursing in public so much easier and more convenient, especially helpful when you're new to breastfeeding and a nursing cover just makes things harder

Purchase: You can shop Annee Matthew and A Mother's Boutique for a great selection of nursing bras and nursing apparel. They carry some of our favorite brands like Cake Lingerie, Bamboobies, and Bella Materna. You may also acquire a Moboleez hat and check out the adorable baby apparel from One Creative Mama (pictured below).

Win The Package! Our sponsors are blessing two of you with the entire package as outlined above.

Special thanks to AnaB Social for hosting this giveaway. Huge thanks to all participating bloggers as well! Giveaway ends February 27th at 12:01 am, open to US residents, ages 18+. To enter please use the Rafflecopter form below. Thank you!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclaimer: AnaB Social, Eco-Babyz, and all participating event bloggers are not responsible for sponsor prize shipment.