Where does time go?

This last year has been the best year of my life. Ella Beth has been such a wonderful addition to our tiny family, and I love her more than I ever thought possible. I love watching Scott be her daddy. I love watching Ella Beth learn and do new things. I love hearing her say, "Up please"; it's honestly the cutest thing in the whole wide world! I love every little thing about Ella Beth, and watching her grow this past year has been the most amazing experience of my life.

Ella Beth's first birthday went off tremendously well. She had such a good time!

This picture shows how much Ella Beth liked her cake. Ummm...she wasn't too sure about it. In fact, this picture shows the extent of how messy she got. She didn't like the icing on her hands at all. I tried giving her a bite of cake, but she just spat it right back out. That's my girl! All of the healthy eating habits we've tried to encourage are paying off! She did like her daddy's homemade strawberry ice cream though. :)

Well, now that I've survived the birthday bash, my website should be "live" tomorrow. (It should have actually been live on Wednesday, but my hosting site is a little behind. That's okay...) Anyway, make sure you check out www.ambercastleberryphotography.com when you get a chance. Any business you can send my way will be appreciated! Oh, and make sure you check out my "ABOUT" page for some fun information. Don't worry...you won't have to read far to find out. :)

It's been a while...

While I don't have any pictures to share, I'll just catch up. Goodness, life has been busy lately. My photography website is almost complete and will be "live" within the week - I hope! I have talked to a few people already who are interested in setting up some sessions, so hopefully my business will take off soon. Other than that, what's been going on? Well, Ella Beth is walking EVERYWHERE. There is just no keeping her in one place (or one room, for that matter) for more than about 3.6 seconds. She's always been active, but now that she's completely mobile, she is gone like the wind! That's one of the reasons I haven't been able to post lately. Used to, I could occupy her with some toys for a few minutes while I posted. Not any more! Now I have to post during naps or at night...however, I have so many things to do during those times that it's just whatever's first on the list.

Ella Beth also had her first stomach bug last week. It only lasted 24 hours, but it was not fun. The poor thing ruined two outfits within 3 hours by throwing up carrots and blueberries all over herself. There is no amount of Spray-n-wash or Shout that could remove the damage! After she threw up all of her lunch, she had 6 saltine crackers and went to bed. We just knew that she would wake up around 11 or 12 starving, but she slept well. She was a bit fussy the next day, but she didn't get sick.

I have also been planning Ella Beth's 1st birthday party. I ordered her cake from Publix. We are having about 35 people attend, so I needed a cake big enough to serve everyone. Not to mention, Publix's cakes are delicious! Hopefully I described the design of the cake well enough to the bakery lady. I'm a little nervous about that, but it will just be cut up and eaten anyway - so I know it doesn't really matter. I am getting more excited about her birthday. About a week ago I was just upset and not excited at all. But I really do see that I am enjoying each stage more and more (as everyone said that I would), so I am learning to just appreciate that she's getting older and more fun to play with. I do miss the cuddling stage, but she's so cute walking all over the place that it makes up for it. Each night before bath we have a "naked baby alert" where we let her walk around the house completely naked. It's my favorite part of each day. She has the skinniest legs you've ever seen, so she looks absolutely precious walking around! She loves it, too, because we make such a big deal about it. Just some more video footage that we'll have to embarrass her with later on - like on prom night!

Well, other than that nothing's been going on. Ha! As if I have time for "nothing" to go on. Life is busy, but it's nice. I'd much rather be doing things than bored. That's why I am thankful that my photography business is about to be up and running - and hopefully successful! Anyway, that's the long and short of it.

Oh, I guess I can share a couple of pics from a volunteer session. I didn't think of that before! Here is Noah Walter's debut:

Where oh where has it all gone???

Well, it's official...I have pumped the last milk that I can pump. After 11 months, 1 week, and 6 days - my milk supply is very limited so Ella Beth will be getting what's left directly from the source. Should make things interesting when my mother-in-law keeps Ella Beth and needs to give her a cup of milk before she goes to bed. She refuses all formula, even the "next step" that is half formula half powdered milk. It's not quite time to start whole milk. Does anyone have any suggestions?

I took this picture as a momento of the last year feeding my daughter. These are the last 7 precious ounces of milk that I will pump for Ella Beth. I am going to print this photo and keep it somewhere with Phillipians 4:13, "I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength." When I think that I can't do something, I will have proof that OH, YES I CAN!!!

It has been the most amazing experience. I have loved every second of nursing Ella Beth. Sure, it would have been nice if she would have taken a bottle when needed, but I wouldn't trade the last year for anything. I feel so amazed that I provided nurishment for my little girl; the best nurishment that she could have ever had. God made women incredible beings! Even women who are only able or only choose to nurse 1 day or 1 week - they are still incredible that they could even do that. Girls rule!!!

Busy, busy, busy

Who knew starting a personal business could be so time-consuming?! :) I am having a good time learning lots of new things related to photography, creating websites, becoming familiar with my new iMAC computer, and getting a business license. Can I say that I think I may actually be feeling like an adult?! It's so nice that I have a cute subject to photograph on my own time, but I am hoping to capture a few more cuties in pictures next week in order to build my portfolio. Wish me luck!

Ella Beth is growing and growing. She is now only 3 1/2 weeks shy from her first birthday. I can hardly stand it! I have her invitations, party plates/napkins/banner/goody bags, etc. Who knew throwing a birthday bash for a one year old would be so involved! We are having a big party - but most people are from Scott's family, so we're used to that!

There's something about The 4th

I don't really know what it is exactly, but I love The 4th of July.  I love fireworks.  I love having cookouts.  I love going into the mad crowd in Cumming on the 3rd.  I just love it all!  And it was so fun to share the day with Ella Beth.  She is too young to enjoy fireworks (i.e. the loud bang of fireworks), but she enjoyed everything else.  She looked so cute yesterday in her 4th of July "dress" - it's actually a 9-12 month shirt. :)  Can't wait to do it again next year!

A small sampling

Here are a few pictures that I've played around with for my first go 'round with my new camera. 

A new beginning

So, I've been thinking/praying/searching for a part time job for a while now.  I didn't want to settle for just anything; I wanted it to be worth my while if I am going to leave Ella Beth a couple of days a week.  Well, I've found it.

Amber Castleberry Photography will be in full-swing September 1, 2007 (I hope!).  I have purchased my camera, lens, website already.  I am in the process of creating my portfolio to get started with so that when my site is lauched, clients will have a scope of what to expect from their own personal sessions.  Thank goodness I have a lovely subject to capture on my own now!

Say a prayer of success for me if you think of it.  I am asking God to bless me and my new business more than I could even imagine!  Can't wait to share some of the pictures that I have captured already!  Come back soon for more!