Category: Hooper

Style de Hooper

by Ashley filed under Ashley, Hooper
Here’s another snazzy look Hooper rocked the other day. See that little curl over his left ear? It’s killing me with cuteness. The outfit isn’t so bad either.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

See that cut on his left hand? He had a run in with the mirror. Oh and that mark on his chin, you ask? Not even sure when or where that happened. This boy… I tell ya…

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shirt: The Children’s Place
Vintage overalls: From Etsy seller Little Reader Vintage
Shoes: Classic Vans

Confessions Of…

by Ashley filed under Ashley, Hooper

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I used to always push avocados on Hooper. He’s always been in the low percentile for weight and avocados are good for packing on the “good” fat. No matter what recipe I tried, he’d have none of it. I was about to let an avocado go to waste the other morning and thought I’d give it another go. It’s been a while since his last avocado rejection episode. Here’s what I included:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

One Avocado

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Strawberries and blueberries

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Yes, in case you are wondering I always include a big bowl of spinach for my little popeye

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hooper waiting patiently

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hooper not waiting patiently

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Steamed Carrots

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cherries and Banana (I actually used two bananas)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Butternut Squash

And, as always, the result:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Moo

by Ashley filed under Ashley, Hooper, Travel
Me: “What does the cow say?”
Hooper: “Mooooo”
Just one of many things learned over the weekend in Arizona.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Arizona, Part Three

by Ashley filed under Ashley, Hooper, Pregnancy, Travel
The first time I went with Willy to Arizona, we had been dating for a few months and all I could concentrate on was the awful smell of cow shit. I wondered how I was going to fall asleep surrounded by what smelled like a giant porta potty.
When we arrived at my in-laws this time around, Willy took a big whiff in, looked to me and asked, “Don’t you just love that smell?”. I felt my nose curl up in disgust until I smelled something lingering beneath that porta potty stench. It’s nostalgia. Which is probably why Willy craves it under his nostrils. It’s not the smell of the cows excrement, it’s the smell of home. Of farm life, of blooming flowers, of hay, of trackers combing the fields, and the endless Arizona sun shining through the glass bringing the warmth that only a familiar home can bring.
Time spent with family is so much richer as a mother. The happiness it brings me to watch Hooper interact with those we love and who had a hand in raising us is simply not tangible.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Arizona, Part One

by Ashley filed under Ashley, Hooper, Travel
We spent this past weekend in Arizona, visiting Willy’s family. It was a beautiful weekend with warm weather, great company, and even some Goodwill and consignment shop hunting. What more could a girl ask for? Oh ya, the flight wasn’t full going or coming so Hooper was able to have his own seat. Score! He also fell asleep for most of the flight home. Double score! I have loads of pics, but here’s what I captured with my iPhone.

Then & Now, A Vintage Teddy

by Ashley filed under Ashley, Hooper, Then & Now
For Christmas, I unwrapped the most special gift. I’ve been eyeing this teddy bear since I was pregnant with Hooper. It was my moms as a baby and she’s held on to it all these years. Thus, she was reluctant to hand it over. It took a special holiday for this beauty to land in my lap and I’m oh so glad it has. It will either go in Hooper’s new room or in the new nursery. I haven’t decided yet. Thanks mom, I’ll treat er’ good.

Confessions Of…

by Ashley filed under Ashley, Hooper

You guessed it, another post about my adventures with puree. Here’s what I made Hooper the other morning. This mixture lasted for four servings and he loved it. It included: 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Two kiwis

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cherries, Strawberries, Raspberries

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bowl of Spinach

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Butternut Squash

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cauliflower

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Two Bananas
And, as always, the result:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Here’s Hooper giving me an ovation

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Old Pics for the New Year

by Ashley filed under Ashley, Holiday, Hooper
Everyone tells you how fast time seems to fly when you get older. The speed seems to pick up somewhere in the mid-twenties and before you know it, you’re thirty and marveling at how fast the last ten years have gone. Childhood doesn’t seem to do us any favors in this category. Doesn’t it seem like childhood moved at snails pace? I remember summer vacations seemingly lasting forever. Now each day rolls into the next and with no distinguishable break, time just keeps on a’ truckin’.
When you have a baby, everyone tells you how fast they grow and change. These same people remind you to enjoy it. To soak it all in. But the truth is, I spent the last year enjoying our family and soaking in all the changes and excitement and well, it just isn’t enough. What they don’t tell is no matter how much you relish in the moment, the moments pass too quickly.
I imagine the sock monster that hides in the dryer and devotes his life to rearranging pairs of cotton booties must also hide behind clocks and play with those little dials when we’re not looking.
Because time moves too fast.
This past year, I’ve watched my baby grow into a boy. He started the year as a googly eyed bobble head and is closing the year out as a bull in a china shop with a mind all his own. See, it’s not only that time goes fast, it’s also that within a short amount of time a lot of change takes place. Imagine learning to roll, sit, crawl, walk, and run all in the same year. Imagine going from breastfeeding to spoon feeding yourself. A child’s development is incredible.
Anyway, here’s some of my favorite Hooper shots from 2011. I better put my running shoes on in 2012 if I have any aspirations of capturing the blur that is to be next year. And trust me, I do have aspirations.
Happy New Year!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Style de Hooper

by Ashley filed under Ashley, Hooper

I’ve been inspired by James at Bleubird Vintage who does several posts of her and her extra adorable family and what they wore. Willy and I don’t pride ourselves much on our rather mundane and boring style, so I’ve left us out of this post and am directing your attention to Hooper, who is rockin’ this snazzy vintage look today. 1970’s called and is asking that Hooper join them on the court.
Shirt: Health Tex Tennis T, purchased on Ebay
Shorts: From Etsy seller, Little Reader Vintage
Shoes: Classic Converse

 


My Son, The Stick Carrier

by Ashley filed under Ashley, Hooper
Before we even talk about this latest obsession, can we talk about all the crap on the floor. I swear I keep our house fairly clean. It feels like I am picking up stuff off the floor constantly. There is only one excuse and it’s a very valid one: A 13 month old lives here. And there he is, with part of a baseboard in one hand and a shower curtain rod in the other.
Now, onto this obsession. Note again all those toys on the floor. I see books, a xylophone, records, a tin top, a ball, a wooden car, even a plastic container of pepper by his feet. But that baseboard and shower curtain rod trump everything. And it doesn’t stop there. He’s also into the swiffer, the broom, golf clubs. You get the idea. Anything long and thin. Not sure what to make of all this. What I do know is that he got toys, lots and lots of toys, for Christmas but spent much of the afternoon roaming around with a mop and broom.

Note Sarah in the background, fearful for her safety. She’s not so dumb after all…

But apparently I’m the one in danger.
Is this a typical stage? Does your one year old choose the broom over the book? Or is my little boy a future javelin thrower?

The Highchair Series, The Jolly Edition

by Ashley filed under Ashley, Holiday, Hooper, Photography

Wishing everyone a very Merry Christmas!

Really mom? Another photo shoot in my highchair? Can I go play?




































I guess it’s kinda silly since I have this Santa hat on n’ all…

What’s Sarah doing over there?

Any chance you can crop my nipples out of this one mom?

Oh dear Lord, help me.

Fine. I submit.

Wait a second! Wait just a second!




































I have hands. I can take this thing off.

Shoots over.

Confessions of…

by Ashley filed under Ashley, Hooper

Here’s what I made Hooper for breakfast the other morning. I was able to freeze some, so I think this lasted for about 3 or 4 servings. He wasn’t as crazy about this mix as the others, but I think the missing banana is the culprit. Note to self: always include banana. Either way, so long as I add a cheerio with each bite, he’s game. Here’s what I included:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hurry up mom, I’m hungry and I’m going to grab at your legs until you feed me, dammit!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

And here’s the result:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

And the clean up, compliments of Sarah:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Highchair Series

by Ashley filed under Ashley, Hooper, Photography
I have a thing with highchairs. Okay, not really with highchairs, per say. More like against highchairs. And their bulkiness. And their gaudiness. So when we set out to decide on a highchair, we were looking for something simple and non-obstructing. I liked the Stokke Tripp Trapp chair… until I saw the price. Their whole premise revolves around the child eating at the table with you, in addition to the chair growing with the child. Then I saw this picture:

And thought: unt-aw, no soiree, not my child. Hooper will not be that over sized dorky kid still in a highchair at that age. So, I clung onto their other premise of having the child eat at the table with the parents. No bulky tray involved here. And I liked that premise. But again, the price. Ouch. So I stuck with the premise and looked instead at restaurant style highchairs and found just that, for $40. At Target.
Not only does it fit our home stylistically, but it also has become one of my favorite places to photograph Hooper. He’s contained, for one. And occupied with food, for two. And I can position it wherever I want, allowing for optimal lighting and background, for three. And by golly, those combined make for a successful photo shoot for an otherwise room wrecking, dog terrorizing, pulling-on-moms-pants one-year-old.
I present to you: The Highchair Series.

Music Madness

by Ashley filed under Ashley, Hooper
This little boy LOVES music. I recall documenting in his baby book early on, around two months, that music was the one thing that would soothe him. I didn’t think much of it then because I presumed it was something typical for his age. I didn’t realize it would stick. And evolve.
But it has.
We have a radio in the bathroom, above the toilet. Yesterday morning he prompted me to follow him in to the bathroom. I did. He proceeded to whine and point to the stereo and then he broke out into a little booty bounce, signaling that he wanted the music on to dance. I obliged. He danced.
Today he walked over to the record player and played with the knobs. Then he walked back to me and in the same fashion, pointed to the record player, whined, and broke out into a little booty bounce. On went the record, down went that booty to the floor.
I love music. I feel music. I’m touched and motivated by music. It warms my heart that me may just be the same way.
The best part? My mom saved many of the records she played for us as kids. They are now in my possession and I couldn’t be more thrilled. The graphics are great, the tunes nostalgic. Today, a dance party is in session.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Just Go With It

by Ashley filed under Ashley, Hooper
Sometimes pulling Hooper away from everything becomes too draining. Especially with this new-human-growing-fatigue. I hate saying “No” as much as I presume he hates hearing it. We baby proof as we go. The lastest thing we did was to move all the potted plants outdoors. It became too much work to be constantly vacuuming up the dirt and picking up the rocks and washing his hands and chasing after him and oh ya, lets not forget the following:
Note the guilty, “Who me?” face. Gotta love it. Is getting mad at my children always going to be this hard??
The one thing we haven’t figured out is what to do with Sarah’s food. We’ve toyed with leaving it outside, but it’s not ideal and we haven’t gotten to the end our ropes… yet. Anyway, back to going with it. I saw him eyeing Sarah’s food. I decided to let him touch it. My thinking is that if I just let him play with it, maybe he’ll get over it. Touch it he did. Here’s a play by play:
Oh yes, I love to dig my hands in this yummy food.
Maybe I should try a piece. 
Yes, I will try a piece. Yum.
Now I’m thirsty. Oh good, there’s water.
What will happen if I put the food into the water?
My my, look at this mess I’ve made!
Better clean up before mom finds me.
All clean.
Sometimes making the mess and cleaning it up is just more fun. It’s a life lesson I suppose, if we make a mess, we have to clean it up. If you never make a mess, you can’t understand the true value of cleanliness. Look at me getting all philosophical. Off to sit on my rock and rest my chin on my hand and my elbow on my knee.