Hello You Books

Sunday, November 8, 2009

Mmmmm... Halloween Candy!

Pinch me. Heck, slap me. I need to be reminded not to take this all for granted. Sean's second Halloween season proved to be a memory-maker. First, he was sick. Runny nose and the works. It goes with the territory, so we went with the flow. He napped well, and then dressed in his lion costume. We decided to do trick-or-treating lite, only four neighbor houses. He doesn't "get it" so this was a good introduction. He LOVED it, and hated to leave each house... crying until he got to the next. He didn't quite understand why we weren't going in and playing with the kids.

But the most memorable part of the season was his instant affection for all things candy. Every morning after breakfast he would seek out his halloween bag, and say "candy? peas?" (please for all you non-toddler speaking humans). Then he'd spend a good 3-5 minutes investigating all the candy he had, and handing it to me to open. Lollipops and M&Ms were about all he can handle right now. Mommy ate everything else. A tough job, but someone's gotta do it.

A successful childhood tradition accomplished. Runny nose and all.

Friday, October 30, 2009

First Jack-O'-Lantern

This goofy ole' grin is Sean's very first Jack-O'-Lantern. You might be thinking, "hey, isn't this kid going to be 2 soon?"... yep! Not only didn't we carve a pumpkin last year, I don't think we even bought one. Hence, no visit to the pumpkin patch either. We kept talking about it, and the next thing you know it was Halloween. Oops. This year we didn't make that mistake, and interrupted the nap schedule (oh my!) to head over to a local pumpkin patch for a few hours. The day was gorgeous, and perfect for walking through corn mazes, climbing huge haystacks, checking out pigs & chickens, and picking out pumpkins. OK, it wasn't exactly 'oh my God' perfect since there was a ton. of. mud. everywhere from the gazillion inches of rain we've had (I'm still banging the dirt off Sean's shoes out the back door). But eh, beggars can't be choosers.

This lucky pumpkin was picked to come to our house. And Sean and I had at it! I was anticipating a much messier affair, but I've come to appreciate my son's dislike of all things slimy and messy on his hands. He much preferred banging a spoon around inside and whipping out pumpkin guts on the fresh, clean floor. After about 5 minutes of that fun, he quickly bored with the whole activity and climbed down to go play with his cars and trucks. I LOVED doing it all by myself. A rush of childhood memories came back to me, carving pumpkins with my siblings and dad (mom couldn't stand the mess!). I'm blessed. And it looks like Sean likes the family tradition already.

Tuesday, October 27, 2009

Personalized Photo Board Books { Hello You Books }

Now you can create a personalized picture book durable enough for your baby or toddler! Hello You personalized photo board books engage little ones with familiar faces. Each story line gives you many opportunities to feature photographs of family, friends and his/her favorite things and places. Your child will turn to these books over and over again! All stories are simple, original and feature imaginative designs. And the books themselves are durable, waterproof and professionally printed. Each story is available in multiple sizes for a perfect fit!

Browse the story lines below, and check back often for new stories & designs. We're just getting started on this new product line! Feel free to email me if you have a story idea not featured and I'll be happy to create it for you. We can even print up your own original designs, contact me for the specifications.

Prices:
– 5x5" Size = $24.99 + S/H
– 8x8" Size = $34.99 + S/H
– 6 x 8.375” Size = $29.99 + S/H
– 8 x 11” Size = $39.99 + S/H

My Very Own Alphabet Book

hello, baby - The story of your birth

~ Boy version also available ~

11 reasons to smile - The story of your birth

Sunday, October 25, 2009

Love Captured. Newborn Book (Twins) .... { Hello You Books }

My niece and nephew were born 8 weeks early, and stayed in the NICU for about one month. I created this book as a birthday gift for my sister-in-law. They are truly little miracles, and we are blessed by their arrival in this world.

Some of the pictures were their hospital pics taken by bella baby photography (they use freelance photographers). A far cry from the "slap your baby on a table and we'll take a picture with a camera that looks like an xray machine"!! I'm hoping my hospital contracts them when/if I have another baby!!

The design of this book was inspired by Paislee Press (http://www.paisleepress.com/). It's simple, clean and captures the moments perfectly with just words and photos. Email me if you're interested in creating a book like this for your newborn or twins!!

Front Cover

Title Page

Pages 2 & 3

Pages 4 & 5

Pages 6 & 7

Pages 8 & 9

Pages 10 & 11

Page 12 & 13

Pages 14 & 15

Pages 16 & 17

Pages 18 & 19

Page 20

Saturday, October 24, 2009

11 Reasons to Smile - Newborn Board Book .... { Hello You Books }

When Sean was born back in 2008 he took us by surprise by deciding to arrive five weeks early. He was perfect and the doctor released him to our room within a few hours of delivery. A few days later he had to undergo a car seat test because he was a preemie, and he failed -- in other words, stopped breathing. They found he had premature apnea and was admitted to the NICU until he outgrew it ten days later. It was one of the hardest things we've had to endure, leaving our newborn son (our first born) in the hospital while we went home. But it was a blessing in disguise because we got to spend one-on-one time with the best, most caring nurses ever! And when we left at night these angels watched over our little guy. We slept soundly (although admittedly we called a few times in the middle of the night just to see how he was doing!).

Today the hospital held a reunion for the NICU, and we were so excited to attend! We quickly recognized the faces of all the angels (nurses) who took care of Sean. And they were equally excited to see us and how Sean has grown and changed. There were lots of families there, and loads of kids!! Face painting, bozo buckets, music time, coloring, and cake/snacks -- you couldn't ask for a better time. And best of all we were able to reconnect with the little boy who was next to Sean in the NICU. He was a teeny-tiny baby born 8 weeks early, and now he's a walking talking toddler that gave Sean a big hug. It was a precious moment captured.

I developed a board book for the occasion. A way to say "thank you" to the nurses and doctors who took care of Sean in his first fragile days of life. The book tells the story of his birth, his stay in the NICU, and his homecoming. It is written in my voice to Sean. For sure there was a second one printed for him!

Are you interested in creating a board book like this for your baby or toddler? Email me today and we'll get started.

Front Cover

Pages 2 & 3 - Hello Sweet Baby

Page 4 & 5 - Our first moments with you

Pages 6 & 7 - NICU, Angels Watching Through the Night

Pages 8 & 9 -- Eating, Burping, Lullabies and Coming Home

Pages 10 & 11 -- Homecoming & First Night at Home

Back Cover

Ready to order? Select the size below, and click "Buy Now". Provide me with your email address when checking out, and I will contact you ASAP to get started.

Tuesday, October 20, 2009

Custom Digital Scrapbooks

Hello You Books portfolio of existing designs for custom digital scrapbooks. Browse each by clicking on the thumbnail. I would be happy to customize any of these designs to document your story. Or I can create an original design for you from scratch! Email me today and we can start capturing your moments forever.

Hello Sweet Baby - Pregnancy & Birth Story

Faith+Hope Pregnancy & Birth Story

Newborn Book

One Weekend in Our Life

Maternity Book { Hello You Books }

Months ago I wrote about how I was having hard time getting Sean's first year book started. Part of my problem was I wasn't sure where to start -- the day he was born? or the day we found out we were pregnant? Finally I decided to create a maternity book all of its own, and here it is.

Literally a labor of love. Pun intended :-)

Have you documented your pregnancy? Are your ultrasounds tucked away in a drawer somewhere? Or are you pregnant right now? Then start snapping the pics and jotting down those little moments you want to cherish. Let's document it all!

Email me to get started.