Baby Book Completed!

I have thousands of pictures from the past year. Now that the triplets are over a year old, I've been feeling overwhelmed about making a baby book for them. I knew the more time that passed, the less likely I would be to actually make a baby book. (I never made one for Jackson. His first three months are documented, but then I went back to work.) I couldn't find a traditional book that I loved, which led to my decision to make a digital photo book. I researched various photo book companies and watched reviews. I decided to go with Mixbook. (Shameless plug, if any of you decide to make a photobook using Mixbook, let me "refer" you first so I can get $20 off my next purchase.)

I debated about making three individual books or one book to print three times. Since I knew I would be repeating so much of the information in individual books, I decided to make one that included details about each baby. I couldn't find a template that would work so I started with a blank book and custom made everything. I pulled all of my information from blog posts throughout the past year. It took me about 12 hours over the course of three days, but it is finished!

If you have an interest and spare time on your hands, you're more than welcome to browse through it here. And if you actually want to read it, you can adjust the size display underneath the book on the right side.

Next project: Jackson's baby book.

Giant ONE Photo Display

I have taken over a thousand pictures of the triplets during their first year of life. I wanted to come up with a creative way to display them. We plan to have a slideshow of about 350 pictures continuously playing on the TV during their party tomorrow. I still wanted a display that people could see at any time. 

Here's a quick "how-to" for making the giant photo display that fills our downstairs hallway.

1. Use painter's tape to create two lines. Measure at various points to make sure they are straight and level.

2. Use painter's tape to spell the word "one".

3. Remove the sections of tape that are not part of the letters.

4. Tape photographs directly onto the painter's tape. (I had to go back and remove the diagonal of the "N" so the tape would not show.

This collage costs $15 to make (roll of painter's tape + printing pictures). I used 74 photos from James, Amelia, and Madeline's first year. I love how big it is and that I am able to showcase my favorite pictures.

Cake Smash Photos

When I get an idea in my head, I make it my mission to make every detail come to life exactly how I picture it. I am so thankful that I was able to create most of my vision with the cake smash photo shoot. I'm posting the same pictures I posted on Facebook, but here are a few behind-the-scenes facts involved in this photo shoot:

• I moved my couch and opened the blinds in the living room so I could get as much natural light as possible. I took pictures every few hours yesterday to determine what time of day filled the room with the best light. Noon was the perfect time.
• I borrowed my father-in-law's camera (Cannon EOS Rebel from a decade ago) so I could actually focus and take multiple photos in quick succession. I love it!
• I made the pennant banner using scrapbook paper. The twine I bought to string the paper together cost three times as much as the paper did.
• Even though James' cake is essentially missing, it's because he finger painted the floor with it. He may have eaten two bites at best the entire time.
• It took sweeping, vacuuming, mopping twice, and scrubbing on my hands and knees with OxiClean to clean the Crisco covered floor. We still had an ant invasion within an hour.
• While I love the pictures, I unsuccessfully tried to remove the shadows on the wall for a good hour. I have not mastered Photoshop.
• James crawled away after five minutes. Maddie lasted a few minutes longer. Amelia was left alone daintily eating. All three were in the bath within fifteen minutes.
• James' tie was the source of hours of stress. I taught myself how to make a bowtie, then hated it once it was on him. I went to a dozen different stores to try and find ties but they all said the same thing, "We only carry them seasonally." I bought a $12 baby suit from Burlington Coat Factory. After all of that, we ended up using a clip-on tie that we've had packed away in the attic for three years. (I clipped it on to a ribbon with velcro.)
• I originally scoffed at the idea of having a cake smash photo shoot. I changed my mind when I realized the babies birthday party would be a different day than their actual birthday. Sunday's cake smash will be outside (weather permitting) in their high chairs so we don't have to clean up or worry about people cramming into our kitchen. 
• I bought the pink necklace that the girls are wearing for $5 from Claires. When I got home I was upset to discover that it was one long strand that was wrapped together to look like two necklaces in the package. The color matched the tutus perfectly so I just cut the necklace in half and twisted it to make two necklaces. You can tell in the closeup of Maddie. It drives me crazy.
• Maddie refused to keep her necklace on. For once, Amelia did not take off her bow.
• While writing this blog post, I am reminiscing about VH1's Pop-Up videos.

BIRTHDAY WEEK!!!

The trio turn one in two days, which means every post this week will be celebrating their first year of life. Prepare yourself for a lot of pictures this week!

Father's Day Photo Fun

For Jesse's first Father's Day, I did the classic D-A-D photo. We've had it hanging in our living room for three years now. While Jesse loved it, it felt antiquated. I wanted to recreate it with all four kids this year. 

The kids and I headed to A.C. Moore to pick out letters and paint. Jackson "helped" paint the letters red. 

My sister and her children helped entertain the babies so we could capture a decent individual shot of each kid. Maddie wasn't a fan of sitting in the grass. She required bubbles to occupy her. Not surprisingly, she was happier to eat the letter. 

Amelia was in good spirits and easy to photograph.

James, who is constantly smiling, was very somber during his photo shoot. We tried blowing bubbles, bouncing balls, feeding him ham and cheese, and dancing. This kid would not lighten up. At least he sat still, which is unusual for him.

Jackson was pretty straight forward. He wouldn't cross his legs so his underwear still showed. I'm thankful he didn't pick those three minutes to refuse to cooperate.

Thanks to the help of family, I was able to capture decent photographs of all four kids in fifteen minutes. Editing is where the real fun begins. I chose to do a red color splash with the classic black and white photos. The entire project (letters, paint, printed photos, and frame) cost under $15. Here's the finished piece:

I'm pleased with the way it turned out and I hope that every time Jesse looks at it he is reminded of the reciprocal love between father and children. I don't know if it is Jesse of the children who are more blessed to have the other.

Photojournal of Jackson, Age Two

Exactly three years ago today, our life changed when we welcomed this face into the world at 4:28 AM.

8 lb, 15 oz burrito baby

Three years later Jackson Lee is still challenging and blessing us each day. I am so proud of what a reflective, considerate, determined young boy Jack has become. To celebrate Jackson turning three, here are some of the most memorable moments and photos from his third year of life (age two).



No more cribs or pacifiers, big boy room makeover (April 2013)

First trip to the zoo (April 2013)

How my boys spent every Saturday morning in spring/summer

What happens when you let a 2 year old eat a PB&J in the car

Pre-triplets, when bedtime routines consisted of an hour of rocking, singing, and stories with Daddy

Watching planes take off at Airport Overlook (June 2013)

First train ride (June 2013)

Fun with Sparklers on Fourth of July

Final photo as a family of three (July 14, 2013)

Meeting his siblings for the first time (July 15, 2013)



Favorite hobby, feeding the ducks (August 2013)

Alligator cookies (September 2013)

One of many picnics in the park (September 2013)

Catching football after church potluck (October 2013)

Pumpkin patch (October 2013)

Batboy (October 2013)

First day of preschool (October 2013)

"Can we return them?"

Fall Festival/Halloween Costumes (October 2013)

Mr. Resourceful determined to get his candy bucket (Nov. 2013)

Fun at Freedom Park, Panthers Obstacle Course (Nov. 2013)

Annual beach trip (Nov. 2013)

First circus (Nov. 2013)

Final month in diapers

Pinterest Fail=Crazy Christmas Cards

Decorating the Christmas Tree (Dec. 2013)

Finding Jackson the Elf each morning (Dec. 2013)

Starring as Joseph in the school Nativity

First bicycle, Merry Christmas 2013



3-Day Potty Training (Dec. 2013)

Testing out his new ride (Jan. 2013)

Dr. Jack enjoys Discovery Place Kids membership (Jan. 2014)

Clifford Cuddles (Jan. 2014)

Superhero Birthday Party for Cousin Levi (Feb. 2014)

Snowstorm (Feb. 2014)

Building First Snowman

Sous-chef

Visiting the local fire station (Feb. 2014)

Fearless on the Slide (March 2014)

One of hundreds of meltdowns throughout the year (Mar. 2014)

First mini-golf, confused at the 18th hole (April 2014)

Happy birthday, Jackson Lee!