Lunchtime photo shoot with my girl!

Ryan & I are blessed to live so close to where we work.  When we were looking for our house we kept distance from the station at the top of our must-have list, mostly because Ryan has to go to and from work three times on a Sunday.  We never thought 5 minutes away was possible, but God  opened the door. Little did I know that I would benefit so much from it as well when I became a mom.  Because we live so close, I get to come home most days during my lunch break, allowing me to maximize my time with Keira during the work week.  I love it and I am thankful that God has blessed us in this way!

This past Wednesday when I got home, I found Keira to be exceptionally cute.  She also happened to be in such a good mood, smiling and laughing.  Both in combination led me to grab my camera for an impromptu lunch-time photo shoot.  

The weather this past week has been phenomenal.  It's as if fall is making up for our lack of summer.  Knowing it was going to be beautiful I had dressed her in a peach halter, my favorite top of hers, and a cute pair of soft corduroy jeans I had bought her at Wee Trade.  They were a little baggy, but I folded them.   Her Nanny Jessi had done her hair and adorned her head with a matching bow.  Perfection!

I followed her around for about 30 minutes, snapping away as she played inside and outside of the house  She started in the kitchen.  I've given her full reign of the lower right hand cabinet.  It's only filled with tupperware and she often plays in it when I'm cooking dinner,  pulling tupperware out one by one and then putting them back in again.  

We recently taught her how to flex like Super Girl. Da-dada-da!

Look at those curls!  

After she was done with the cabinet she moved onto her bench.  It also happens to be her time out bench but she forgets that when she's playing.  

We'll often catch her relaxing on it with a cup of milk or water or hanging out with Owl or one of her other friends. 

She had a little fun with Dutchie!

Suddenly she set her mind on playing on the back porch.  The day was too beautiful not to sneak outside!

She can open all the doors in our house, including the door to get out!

She hasn't mastered going down steps yet, so she still goes down backward.  

Mommy prefers this method for her as well.  It's safer for now!

She's so happy to be outside!

Daddy's been up since 3:30 in the morning so he tries to snooze on the porch bed...

but of course, Keira has different plans. And he's awake!

I love these pants, especially when their folded, giving them that 'boyfriend' look!  It's the perfect combination of both fall and summer fashion.

Pretty baby.

After some time outside, she decides it's time to go back inside again!

But you have to stay outside momma, she insists.

I'm closing the door!

Squishy nose!

Hi, mama!

Okay, you can come in now!  I'll let you.

And just in time, too.  After all that fun, the clock strikes mid-night and I have to go back to work.  I get Ryan to snap just a couple more pics to complete our session.

Including one last kiss goodbye!  

My lunch break is just an hour, but I'll take every moment I can get with her. Some days when I'm home for lunch she's taking her nap and I miss her all together or sometimes she's cranky and in desperate need of nap or I'm preoccupied with what I left behind in my office, but then there are times like these that make the perfect break from a hectic work day and I'm reminded as to why I work in the first place.  This beautiful baby girl, my muse.