Pictures in July

July has been a mix of chaotic traveling and peaceful nesting, and both have been enjoyable. We ventured to DC on the 4th for a wedding, and grilled veggies from our own garden on the back deck. We've had nights of entertaining full of laughter and conversation, and some walking Zoe around the yard so she can yank on the flourishing 7ft. tall sunflowers. And we'll wrap it all up with a trip to ATL for a week filled with friends at RUF training. July has been good.

6 months

Lately I feel like the one thing that gets me blogging is milestones for Zoe. I'm totally pulling out the cliche, "I can't believe she's already 6 months old!"

We've done a lot in the month of June...
- RUF orientation
- Laura and Jon's wedding
- Our new niece Laurel June was born
- Mom came for a visit
- My 25th birthday
- Date night (the first time someone besides family watched Zoe)
- Friends from STL visited
- dinners with friends

All of those events combined with planting roots here makes for some tired and happy Smiths.

This past week we went to visit Andrew, Kelly, and Laurel. My mom bought us a really nice camera two years ago for Christmas. I will say that I've used it a ton, but have always wanted to do more and learn more with it. I asked Kelly if I could try and take some pictures for her while we were there.

These were just a few that I took, but I'm happy with my first go round. I feel like there are these occasional moments in life where we get a glimpse into "good work". Moments where we see the results of work we've done and it fuels us. When Zoe smiles, recognizes her name, rolls around on the floor... or when I make dinner and Cam has to ask me if I want anymore because he plans on finishing it off. I love these moments where I feel like my work is simply put, good. I felt this after I sent these pictures off to Kelly -- I loved producing something that they treasure.

Today I took a few pictures of Zoe...

I am by no means a expert, but I hope to continue to learn. Taking pictures that I, or others treasure brings me such satisfaction. I finally feel like I'm doing some of the work I, Kaela, was created to do -- for me that's being a mom and homemaker. It's making time for playdates, meal planning, laundry, grocery shopping, cleaning, hosting, feeding, calling, writing, connecting, and the occasional hobby of photographing and crafting. 

Our life is not perfect and we continue to long for something better, but this season of life has been good to us and I hope to remember it fondly! 

5 months: Summer of travels

I'll use the excuse that we've been on the road this whole summer and therefore I have no time to blog. The reality is, when Zoe naps I'd rather do other mindless things.

Now that Zoe is about to turn 6 months and I haven't even posted her 5 month pictures, I decided a post should happen.

Oh yeah, we went to STL. It was such a refueling trip -- we watched my best friend graduate with a masters in counseling (You're amazing Cat!), we stayed with old friends and enjoyed a dinner just like old times, we stayed with the family I use to nanny for and I don't think a smile left my face the entire time. It was so fun to see all our friends again and introduce them to the babe that they spent years and months and days praying for. Our little girl of life was finally there!

This picture means more than I could ever describe

Fran loved Zoe! I hope these two become life long friends!

I got to dress her for a mini recital and I may have shed a few tears of joy -- I've missed this girl so much!

Cal became an amazing photographer that week!

Zoe has learned to sleep in the Ergo like a champ!

My girls, that belly, so much to love about this!

We officially have a two-finger sucker. I tried the bink since she's been born and she wants nothing to do with it. So I give...Ok girlfriend two fingers it is!

And finally the 5 month pictures. I'm amazed that in almost every post I talk about Zoe's personality blooming. It continues to happen. We met a new couple at church this past week and the wife said, "Oh your little girl is the one with all the great facial expressions". Yes ma'am, that's definitely my girl.

I love that you can see hints of Zoe's now green eyes. I'm hoping they're the one thing she gets from me ;)

You can regularly find her hands on her chest either like this or holding each other -- a trait she's had since she was born

She will only smile at my face, not my face behind the camera. So usually I get strangely cropped pictures like this one of her giggling. 

She's just starting to really want to sit up. I totally forced her to take this one on the couch. Mom just got us that cute little headband -- I think it makes her look like Ezma from Emperor's New Groove... it's my new favorite. 

We are traveling like crazy this summer. I'm hoping to get some pictures of all our trips up on the blog soon. In other news we have a new niece! I CANNOT wait to hold little Laurel June Smith! I asked Kelly if I could take some pictures of her -- let's start praying for my talent now haha. We should see her in the next few weeks hopefully! Zoe has come down with something nasty and if anyone had brought something sick near Zoe when she was born, I would have lost it! So we'll wait until she can enjoy her new cousin too!

A few of my favorite things

There is so much to blog about right now! We just returned from a trip to STL which was wonderful. We just moved into a new house. I've had lunch with new friends... like I said, SO much.

But for now... a few of my favorite things right now

1. This little banana/avocado eater

2. The shelving in our laundry room that allows me to stock up on crazy amounts of food

 3. This wreath made by our wonderful friend Amy in STL

 4. My two new hydrangeas

 5. Zinnias in our flower pot

6. Our new garden!!

 7. Bell peppers

8. The man keeping my dreams alive

9. This creative pot rack

10. A closet big enough for both our clothes

11. This summer shampoo recommended by Kelly Johnson

 12. Cloth diapers hanging out to dry for the first time

13. Cam's new toy

14. Our makeshift TV stand until I can decide on something (materials all found under our house)

Whale dress

We're in the midst of packing so this will be a short post.

A tiny bath tub babe 

We are leaving many good friends here in State College this week. One of whom had this made for Zoe. I tried it on her the other day -- a little big still, but so adorable. We will miss you State College and all the people we've grown to love.