Our Little Mini Model!

Professional Christmas pictures are always a dicey gamble with children, but luck seemed to be on our side yesterday evening. Last year we went to Sears and were not overly impressed with the photographer that took the pictures so this year I decided to try out JCPenney and their portrait studio. The photographer was very enthusiastic and bubbly right off the bat, which I believe contributed to our success.

On Monday, Noelle and I went to buy her dress. I gave her the choice between three dresses and after careful consideration she proudly proclaimed "this one SO petty" as she went for the red one of the bunch. I continued on Tuesday to talk up the pictures and kept telling her how much fun it would be. Wednesday, I had a bit of a schedule for myself to keep so that a good nap was insured along with a bath and some possible hair curling if allowed. Noelle was very cooperative and took a very good nap. After a refreshing bath she wanted to get dressed right away her pretty dress. I gave in and hoped a mysterious stain would not appear. She was so thrilled to put on her tights alone, then the dress came and a smile to rival all others appeared on her little face. She proudly spun around and said "Noelle Rose Roehrig so petty, beautiful!". I asked if she wanted me to put a few curls in her hair and much to my surprise she agreed. She sat still and I was very excited about the outcome with hair curled for the first time. She is a girly girl through and through! (The picture on the left is just a quick snap shot that I took right before we left to show off her cuteness!)

At the studio Tom met me to help make the possible disaster go more smoothly. Much to our surprise she posed in the exact spots that the photographer asked for. Although we had a few faces that were scrunched and one picture with the eye crossed, most of the pictures turned out very well. She even stayed in positions with her arms folded and legs crossed! She was truly a little mini model.

After ordering the pictures Tom took Noelle home and I went to meet a friend for some quality Mom time. Karen and her three little children were also getting their pictures taken and trying to wrangle three opposed to one is a lot more challenging! Next year with Noelle being almost three and then Max almost a year I don't' think it will be a walk in the park. Anyways, Karen and I had a wonderful dinner filled with much laughing and relaxation. We headed to the fabric store, after indulging in some shared dessert, where I was able to pick out some blue fabric that Karen will so magically turn into a wonderful baby blanket for my new little boy. We wandered around the store, talking and enjoying each other's company. I had a great time and really needed to get out, I guess that is why God gave us friends! It's amazing how just a simple dinner and some fabric shopping with another Mom can really rejuvenate a person!

Today Noelle and I going to put up some decorations and have a very low key day.