Suzanne McGrath Photography

Beautiful Baylie {Overland Park newborn photographer}

I wanted to post these before I go out of town for two weeks.  

Big sister Brooklyn managed to sneak in for a couple:

Enjoy!     

Six on Monday; June Edition

1.  I didn't post last night because the three oldest girls and I went to see Little House on the Prairie the Musical.  Originally, I was only going to take #1 and #2.  However, as I was getting ready and giving #3 a bath, I explained to her that I wasn't going to be home to take her to bed.  I told her I was going to a musical with her older sisters.  She looked right at me and said, "Well then, I'm going to cry."  And she did.  I even told her she could go get ice cream with her dad!  He tried to make her feel better.  We both explained it wasn't a movie, it would be long and boring, and she wouldn't have fun.  She didn't care.  She wanted to come with us!  So, I caved.  Like totally caved.  I went and bought a ticket 15 minutes before we left!

All in all, it was a great night.  #1 has ready every single book ever written by Laura Ingalls Wilder; even the journals she wrote on her trips across the plains.  #1 loved the story and how they melded the books together.  #2 loved that she got to wear her new hat and get a funnel cake.  And #3 loved that she got to dance in her seat (just a little) and eat a pretzel and popcorn.

I loved spending time with my girls, enjoying an outdoor musical, and being able to treat them to some snack foods!

2.  My nephew turned 3 today:)  We enjoyed his birthday party Sat. evening at the pool.  It was really nice to hang out, eat subs and watermelon, and just watch the kids play.

3.  #2 had two softball games this weekend.  I'm trying to come up with something nice to say, but MAN, those games are LONG!!  

4.  I've been doing laundry like crazy to get ready to go on vacation.  As in, I think I did over 10 loads this past weekend.  And I still have a couple more loads to go.  

5.  We are going to Ft. Robinson, NE.  (I think I've mentioned it before.)  We are leaving Wed. and driving to Kearney, NE to spend the night.  Of course, we're driving through Lincoln so we can eat at our favorite pizza place from college - Yia Yia's!!  Then we'll finish the rest of our expedition Thurs.  It is ELEVEN HOURS!  So, if you have any hints for one year olds - let me know!  The oldest three will be fine, but my baby - not so much.  She's still too young for movies, so I'm not sure what we'll do.  Probably listen to some crying.  From her AND me!  

6.  I had a newborn session on Sat. afternoon.  She was an absolute angel!  Here is one sneak peek.  I hope to be able to post a few more before we leave on Wed, but I'm not making any promises:) 

 

Family Fun {Overland Park family and kid's photographer}

I posted one sneak peek on Monday.  Here's a few more...

R3 is up first.

R1 is such an awesome big brother!  

And R2...what can I say?  He is a handful; as in a 3-year-old-busy-can't-slow-down sort of way.  But oh boy, he's adorable.

 

And mom and dad?  Well, if they are like most of us, they don't have enough pictures together of just the two of them.  So I made them do this!

And, the whole fam...

  

      

Mini Accordian Album {Overland Park Baby and Kids Photographer}

I promised to show you what I made my mom for Mother's Day.  I just love how it turned out!  This is a little mini, accordian style photo album.  It's only 3" x 3" and it's magnetic, so it stays closed in your purse.  Genius.  One side has 6 3x3 "slots" and the other side has 4 "slots".  I am definitely going to begin offering this little bonus to all my clients!

Check it out.  Isn't this the cutest?  Ever!

Cover:

 

One Side:

 

Other Side:

Back Cover:

  

Ten on Tuesday

I made you wait.  After our busy weekend, I just couldn't post a Six on Sunday.  And to make up for it I'll add FOUR more!  Here's my 10 on Tuesday:

1.  I couldn't post last night because I had to watch Castle on abc.

2.  I didn't really want a mother's day gift.  I like the kids' school gifts - they're all so personal and just plain cute.  However, I thought my hubby might buy me something anyway.  So I suggested a book.  He came through - in typical Patrick form.  Friday afternoon, as we were packing the beast (suburban), he asked if I wanted my Mother's Day gift?  I was confused at first.  Then I realized he got it.  He gave me Chelsea Chelsea Bang Bang.  I read it in two days.  It is so NOT politically correct.  It is so inappropriate.  And I laughed out loud - even in the middle of a swim meet!  I think I'll get her other books for our next road trip.

3.  I wrote about trying to get accepted for the Nike Women's (half) Marathon.  I didn't make the cut.  33,000 people applied for it and they only draw 20,000 names.  Such a bummer.  BUT, I am not going to let that stop me!  I think I'm going to run the Kansas City marathon  (the half).  It's a great time of year - mid Oct. - and I hear the course is really cool.  And I want to say I've done it at least once.  Now I just need to recruit a training partner!

4.  Last weekend we went to Sioux Falls.  The weather was AWFUL!  It was 42 degrees out Friday morning.  But, we still had a fun trip.  I was able to catch up with two of my best friends.

Rachel and I met for a grown-up lunch at Spezia.  We have been friends since 2nd, well, 3rd grade!  We met in 2nd grade in Mrs. Bong's class but weren't friends until 3rd grade in Mrs. Carlson's class.  It was such a treat to have lunch Rachel.  

Then Sat. we were able to meet up with my best friend from high school, Lisa.  Had you asked Lisa and I back in high school if we would be married before 30 and have four kids by age 36, we would have laughed you out of the room.  And yet, that's us!  It was so fun to see our 8 girls together.  I managed a snapshot right before their youngest went down for a nap.  I had about 4.1 seconds to get this shot.  Hence, the white balance and light is a little "off".  But you certainly get the idea:

5.  Mother's day morning was really nice.  We went to church and out for lunch at Grill 26.  We attempted pictures.  However, given it was 40 degrees out - we had to stay inside.  

These are my parents with the girls.  We were cracking up because everyone was looking somewhere else, #4 was trying her best to escape and #3 wouldn't give up her blanket.  But that's what you get with four kids. Love it.

  

6.  #3's birthday is coming up.  She is dying to send out the invitations.  It's another sleepover.  Why do I do this to myself??!  

7.  I made my mom the cutest Mother's Day gift last Monday night.  I stayed up waaaaaayyyyyyyyy too late working on it all in the hope that it would be shipped before we left on Friday.  Alas, that was not meant to be.  So I'll post it later this week after she receives it in the mail.  Hint:  I have a copy in my purse:)

8.  #1 had her synchro meet.  Her team routine placed 2nd and her duet placed 4th.  Most importantly, she had a great time.  I was able to take this portrait of her in her team suit and headpiece.  She is so grown-up!

 

9.  I was able to get one image of my friend Lisa's youngest.  She was on her way to a nap.  She reminds me a lot of our youngest.  She's a little peanut and very easy going.  But the hair.  Oh, I love the hair!  All of their girls have these beautiful strawberry blond locks.  

 

10.  I placed a button on my blog.  It's on the right side.  If you read your blogs in a reader, such as Google Reader, click on the button to subscribe in your reader.  If you don't use a reader, you can add your email address to the box just below the RSS feed button.  That way, you won't have to check the blog, you will be emailed when I post something new!  See?  I am all about efficiency:)

Have a good one!         

Six on Sunday

1.  Remember last week?  I know.  It's hard.  It was a full seven days ago!  Well, I talked about #2 wanting either a gecko or a hamster for her birthday, right?  She really wanted the gecko and we really wanted the hamster.  We were at a standstill.  We were nose to nose.  No one was blinking.  

A solution found us:)  One of the readers of this blog - not sayin' there's thousands or anything - contacted me to see if we'd want her daughter's chinchilla.  After some research (read:  make sure it doesn't look like a rodent, ie a mouse) we decided it's a good fit.  So, we're going to adopt an adorable little fella with the Jewish name for hairy.  #2 couldn't be more excited.  After all, she really wanted a pet that no one else has.  And this little guy will be perfect!

2.  My house looks like a tornado hit.  We're in the midst of getting rid of all our baby stuff.  That means it's strewn throughout the house.  But after this, we'll be so much lighter!  I mean, it's crazy how much stuff one, teeny, tiny, little baby "needs" (or four in our case):  exersaucer, two bouncy seats, bumbo seat, bathtub, portable swing, regular swing, two activity tables, a wood activity cube, a travel system, and clothes.  Oh the clothes.  Some of them were so adorable I simply couldn't part with them.  But the rest will be gone.  Piles and piles of clothes!

3.  This is going to be a short week for the McGrath family.  We are headed to Sioux Falls, SD on Thurs. after school.  #1 has a swim meet up there and it starts at 5pm on Friday.  I love it!  I'm from SF and so we get to stay with my parents and they get to watch #1 at her competition.  Perfect.

I was going to shoot a family session on Friday morning, but it got cancelled.  So, we'll have a lazy day before we have to be anywhere on Friday.  I am just praying for good weather!

4.  #4 goes from this during the day:

 

to this at night:

It is AWFUL!  She's cutting teeth - lots of them.  And she just can't get comfortable at night.  Last night we were up from midnight - 2:45!  And I hate pumping her full of medicine, but I don't know what else to do.  It was not this hard with the first three.  Ugh. I hope it quits really soon!

5.  I just put up a couple galleries today.  I hope to get a post out this week to showcase the photos.  And you can pick your favorite headshot!  Stay tuned.

6.  Lastly, I love this time of year.  It's warm enough to wear shorts and flip flops but not so hot we're complaining.  My favorite thing to do is either to go on a family walk or hang out in our driveway. 

#1 and #2 love to play Monkey in the Middle.  Of course Yours Truly gets to be the monkey!  And I have to really ham it up for them.  #3 likes to "drive" to Old Mc-a-Donald's to buy me hamburgers and french fries.  She comes home with all sorts of goodies in the back of her Cozy Coup.  Tonight she made me lots of tea.  And #4 loves to ride in her car.  She gets so excited she tries to stand up but can't because she's buckled in.  And she waves - the entire ride around the cul-de-sac.  It's that adorable whole arm wave. Usually Patrick gets to take her for a ride or else one of the neighbor kids will oblige her.  Seriously, she doesn't get tired of it! 

Here is #2.  I think she was mad b/c we were done playing Monkey in the Middle.  At least I was done:)

And here are a couple more of #4.  She was sans clothes because I had already given her a bath.  And I knew if I put her PJs on, they'd only get filthy and I'd have to change her.  Yes, we are that family.  Babies in diapers.  I know.

Have a terrific week!   

Look Who's Walking

OK.  So I'm a photographer, not a videographer.  But check out #1's mad skilz.  Ignore the fact that the lawn chair is more in focus than she is - it was only my second time using the video camera on my 7D.  I think it's got HD capabilities.  I just need to read the directions!

The rest of #4's first birthday

It was such a great party...and the last time I get to throw a first birthday bash.  Sigh.

She wasn't really into "working" the party.  I tried to convince her that she was the guest of honor and really should chat with her guests.  She had other ideas.  

 

Yes, you read that right.  Juicy Girls.  I admit it.  I splurged.  But then again, you only turn one once, you know?  I'd like to say she only gets hand-me-downs and all that.  Unfortunately, it's not true.  She's the wrong season from two of her three sisters.  Plus, one year olds are really, really hard on their clothes.  Or else I'm just really, really bad at getting stains out.  But she sure looks cute, right?  Right?  

Rather than buy a cake, I made a cupcake cake.  (I love cupcakes!)  I think it turned out great. And, there's no hassle with having to cut the cake and serve it.  Everyone just grabs and goes.  Perfect.

Of course, #4 had her very own cake to demolish.  No children were harmed in the lighting of the candle.

She is not delicate.  She may look small, but she's mighty!  She dove right in.

This next one absolutely cracks me up.  My two year old nephew is trying so hard not to dive into the cake, but he just couldn't, quite, help himself!

And the last one.  All six cousins together.  I love it.  I love having a big family:)

        

Six on Monday

Oops!  This is a day late, isn't it?  And Six on Monday just doesn't sound right.  Oh well.  Here goes.

1.  I used to get migraine headaches.  Back in junior high and high school.  They were AWFUL.  I could feel them come on.  I remember sitting in band once in 9th grade and all of a sudden, I couldn't read the music.  It was fuzzy, somehow.  And that's how they started.  Well yesterday, the same thing happened.  As I was driving home, I started seeing weird lights and I was having a hard time focusing on the road.  Scary.  Hence, there was no Six on Sunday yesterday.  The good news?  It never materialized into a full-blown migraine.  It just stayed as an annoying, go-to-bed early, make your six year old read to your three year old, kind of headache.  

2.  I signed up to run my first half marathon.  Well, sort-of.  I won't actually find out if I made it through the lottery until the end of the month.  It's the Nike Women's Marathon (or in my case, the half) in San Francisco, CA!  WooHoo.  It's not until Oct. 17th so thankfully I'll have plenty of time to train which is good because right now 4 miles is killing me.

3.  Funny story about #3.  A couple weeks ago we were arguing over clothes.  I can't remember the specifics.  Maybe she wanted to wear something dirty?  Anyway, she got really mad at me and yelled, "I don't like you!"  I calmly looked at her and replied, "Well, I love you."  To which she repeated, "I don't like you!"  To which I repeated, "But I love you."  She had finally had enough.  She yelled at me, "I know you love me.  But I don't like you very much right now!"  And she stomped out of the room.

4.  The weather here was just delightful tonight.  We were lucky enough to be able to ride bikes to drop #1 and #2 off for piano.  Left with only two kids, we hardly knew what to do with ourselves for an ENTIRE hour.  So, we loaded up #4 in the stroller and headed out for a walk.  It was just lovely, minus the 15 minute shoulder ride I had to give to #3.  Still, it was so nice to get out and leisurely enjoy the night.

5.  I shot some senior pictures yesterday.  I am editing them this week.  Stay tuned for some sneak peeks!

6.  And finally, we had #4's birthday party this weekend.  I think all told we had over 30 people in our house.  The weather was great so we had people in the front, inside, and on the deck and swingset.  #4 had no clue but hey, she just goes with the flow!  Below you'll find a few photos.  I don't watch a lot of TV (I've said that before) but Castle is on abc and I've kind of become addicted to it!  So you'll have to wait until tomorrow night for the rest of the birthday party documentation:)    

She had her own set of groupies.  She could have cared less.  She just dove into the cake.  That's my girl!  She loves her junk food:)

 

  

Have a good one!

My baby's first birthday!

I can't believe it's been a year already...

It started a few years back.  I remember sitting in a quiet booth at a restaurant with Patrick.  We were there to celebrate my birthday.  Of course the conversation meandered around to the kids; you know, how parents will do once they're alone.  And while I knew how blessed we were with three, healthy girls, I just couldn't shake the feeling that we were still missing something.  We needed one more baby.  I didn't care if it was a boy or a girl, just one more...

I was torn because I didn't want to seem selfish, but I had such a longing.  I can remember rocking #3 to sleep at night and being so sad.  Sad because she was my last baby.  At first, I thought the feeling would go away.  But it never did.  It kept nagging and nagging.  I didn't think Patrick would understand.  I'm still not sure he did, but he was game for one more.  I was elated!

We decided that night at the restaurant that we would have one more baby if he found the perfect job.  Little did I know that job would come along a few short months later.  It was a sign.  A sign that we were supposed to have one more child.  Even after Patrick started his job, we never really discussed it again.  We were lucky enough to be blessed one more baby girl, Kennedy Isabel!

How time has flown by this last year.  Kennedy, you've been such a joy!  Your sisters are simply over the moon in love with you.  And I feel settled.  At peace.  Mind you, I could still have more kids but I don't have the longing I did before you blessed us.  You truly complete our family and for that I am more thankful than you will ever realize.  You are such a doll.

I am so eager to see what type of little person you turn into this next year.  You are such an easy-going baby.  Will you keep that same disposition?  And when you eat, you are so focused.  If you really like the food, you make long, drawn-out noises: Nummmmmm, Mmmmmm.  Will you become a little helper in the kitchen?  I can't wait to find out.  Here's to the next year.  I love you, baby girl:)