Every week since I found out I was pregnant, I have received an email from BabyCenter updating me on the progress of my little guy. For the first nine months, of course, they were pregnancy updates; since giving birth, the subject line of the emails have included the word “baby.” I felt more than a little emotional this month when my usual weekly note from BabyCenter appeared in my inbox and included the words, “Your Toddler This Week.”
My baby is a toddler? Really? He is in fact doing some toddling, and at times when I look at him from across the room, quietly spinning the wheels on his favorite car, I realize that my chubby little boy is maturing into a… kid.
Evan’s thirst for knowledge at this age is just fascinating to me. He is interested in learning more about everything in his environment, and makes a great effort to say new words every day. Some of the more adorable words he has picked up lately include tattoo, wheel, tractor, and shoes. He can pick out Daddy’s tattoos, and I’ve had to explain the difference between a tattoo and a freckle, because when he finds a freckle on my arm he immediately says, “tattoo!”, which I think is just the sweetest thing ever.
It’s funny that as your child grows, each phase seems to bring with it new and wonderful milestones and experiences. I really feel like Evan and I are starting to become pals, which is so fun. Right now he thinks the funniest thing in the world is someone smelling his feet and proclaiming that they are, “PEW, SO STINKY!”
He is also really starting to enjoy books, and as a mom with a degree in English, I can’t tell you how happy this makes me. I have been reading to him in the evenings before bed, and he listens quietly.
I think I’ll keep calling my toddler a baby, for a while longer, but he’s definitely growing up and I just love who he is becoming.
As most of you know, when I’m not changing diapers or making lunch for my kiddo, I work as a professional portrait and wedding photographer. I love my job, and I am always looking for new and innovative products to make the physical aspect of shooting more comfortable. The one and only thing that I dislike these days about shooting, is the fact that I typically come home from long portrait sessions or weddings with an aching neck and back due to an uncomfortable camera strap.
Well, I’ve kissed those problems goodbye since receiving the RS-W1 Camera Strap from BlackRapid! The RS-W1 was designed with a woman’s body in mind, and I’ve got to say, I have found not only increased comfort but also improved speed and efficiency since using the RS-W1! Whether you are a professional, or just like to take great photos of your kids, you will love this strap! Keep reading to find out how you can win one of your own!
Honestly, just watch the video below and tell me you don’t want this sucker! I dare you!
One of the things I love most about the Black Rapid RS-W1 Camera Strap is the way the strap fits across my chest. Women photographers, you know what I’m saying. The strap seems to fall perfectly in place, and was obviously designed to fit the feminine form. I also love that my camera hangs right at my hip, which makes it so quick and easy to grab it when I need to, and to feel confident that I can safely release it back into place when I need to use my hands.
Are you ready to win one of these amazing camera straps?
WHAT YOU WILL WIN:
An awesome Black Rapid RS-W1 Camera Strap worth $59.00
HOW TO ENTER & RULES:
You can enter multiple times for many chances to win! Please take the following steps to enter the contest, and make a separate comment below for each entry (ie., if you are a fan of Dear Crissy on Facebook, comment and say so). You have lots of chances to win! 18+, USA
MANDATORY ENTRY (worth 1):
Simply comment and tell me who you want to win the BlackRapid RS-W1 camera strap for (you, or someone you know) and why!
EXTRA ENTRIES IF YOU (worth 1 each):
Follow via Google Friend Connect (see my sidebar!)
Subscribe to DearCrissy.com via Email or RSS
Vote For Us on Top Baby Blogs (vote every day for extra entries!)
Like Dear Crissy on Facebook
Like BlackRapidStrap on Facebook (say hi from me if you’re inclined!)
Follow @Crissy on Twitter
Follow @BlackRapid on Twitter
Tweet Daily:I entered to win an incredible RS-W1 Camera Strap from @BlackRapid, @Crissy, & DearCrissy.com! #photography http://retwt.me/1OnXh
Contest ends Sept. 2nd, 2010, 11pm EST. Winner will be drawn randomly. Best of luck! :)
Disclosure: I received a RS-W1 from BlackRapid for this review. No other compensation was received, and opinions are completely my own.
I’m a little behind in posting these, but, following are Evan’s 1-year-photos. I swear, it’s so much harder as a photographer to capture good photos of your own kid. I also shot these on an extremely hot day, with no one else there to help me make him smile! I can’t get over how sweet this kid is.
When I do a quick scan around my kitchen, the only items that shine as half-way decent are the coffee maker that my parents bought us for Christmas, and a few barely-used potholders, again purchased by my parents. Needless to say, my kitchen items need an upgrade, along with my cooking and baking skills!
Starting in September, and going throughout the entire month, I will be posting product reviews, giveaways, and articles about my transformation (hopefully) into a cooking-mama! I’m excited about many of the brands and retailers that I’ll be featuring, among them the always-awesome CSN Stores, particularly CookWare.com. If you haven’t checked out CookWare.com before, they feature quality products from many of the brands you are familiar with, and maybe a few that are new to you!
Anyway, we’re still a few weeks off, but I just wanted to give you all the heads up because I am super excited about this project, and hope to include lots of fun ways to involve my readers as well!
