• Welcome to our Blog!!

    Hello! We are so excited that you stopped by! We are a husband and wife photography team based out of Mooresville, Indiana. Kaila shoots every session and together Jon and Kaila shoot weddings. We specialize in capturing life in a beautiful way. We are crazy about each other and our photographs! Feel free to take a look around; you will soon find that we love capturing beautiful moments. We are blessed to take a part in people's lives in this way. Be sure to browse and please leave us a comment! 

    Please keep in mind that we are expecting our first baby in August and we will be taking time off to fully enjoy our time with him. We will be taking off mid-July of 2011 to the end of March of 2012. When you are ready to book your session just e-mail us- kaila {at} cornercafephotography {dot} com

    Blessings!

    ...life Captured

favorite baby items {our life.}

When I was expecting I loved when people shared their favorite baby products with me. I read so many reviews, did so much research, but having someone who actually uses a product tell you how great it is really helped me. I thought I would do the same and share some of our favorite baby things as well for anyone who may be interested…

1. A bassinet- I absolutely loved having a bassinet. I know many people use a pack and play with the bassinet attachment instead of a small bassinet, but I just loved having that small bassinet in our room. For one reason it didn’t take up as much space in our bedroom, but the main reason I loved it was because I could wheel it right next to my side of the bed and have Ezra right next to me. When he would wake in the middle of the night I loved not having to actually get up to get him, but I would just lean over pick him up, feed him, and lay him back down. I felt more rested in my mind just because I wasn’t getting up. I also loved that I could wheel it into the office while I checked e-mail. For us the bassinet was wonderful!

2. The Baby Bjorn- For me baby-wearing was/is a must! In the beginning days Ezra was fussy if he wasn’t close by and I needed to get things done, so I wore him all the time! This carrier was great when he was crying and I needed to get him in fast. I also felt like he was very secure and safe. Now that he is getting bigger it hurts my back (but my back hurts easily.) I also love the Moby because it is very comfortable and Ezra loves to be in it. In the early days it was hard to use though because it took me a little while to get it wrapped and when Ezra screamed I didn’t feel like I had extra time to wrap.

3. Aden and Anais Blankets- We absolutely love these blankets! I took them to the hospital and swaddled Ezra in them from the moment he was here. I love how large they are. The material is great because it is thin and not too hot for the baby. I had Ezra swaddled in one of these daily for the first few weeks and swaddled him in one at night for the first few months. I also used them as a nursing cover because they are light and airy so I know Ezra isn’t too hot and they are large so I know I am covered. We also use them spread out on the floor for Ezra to play on. For me this is a must have item.

4. Pampers Swaddlers Diapers- Before I had Ezra I asked everyone what diapers they used and loved and 90% of people said swaddlers and I agree. These are so soft and have great coverage (rarely did Ezra have a blow out.)

5. Wipe Warmer- It is not necessary, but I know that Ezra doesn’t flench when I use a warm wipe, but would flench or cry when I used a cold one. Ezra votes yes on this :)

6. Bouncer- This bouncer was a lifesaver the first 6 weeks. I would lay Ezra in it while I took a shower and he would happily sleep or watch the mobile. I could easily carry it from room to room. He would lay in it while I folded laundry, ate dinner, got ready, etc. He was often in this bouncer when he couldn’t be in my arms or the baby carrier. For us this was another must have item. I always suggest borrowing these from a friend or finding one gently used if you do not receive it as a gift because in the whole scheme of things you really don’t use it that long, but the time you do it’s a life saver!

7. Swing- This was another one of those lifesavers. I know some people don’t love swings, but for us it was perfect! It was always able to calm Ezra down. He didn’t really begin to use it until he was about 3-4 weeks old and we used it multiple times a day until he was about 4 months. We still use it some now, but Ezra would much prefer to be on the ground rolling and moving. Before we started our napping routine in the crib Ezra would sleep in this swing. I love the side to side swinging capability. I also love the mirror and mobile. I would catch Ezra smiling at himself all the time! This is another thing that that is perfect to borrow from a friend or share because it is huge and not something fun to store, but wonderful to have when it’s needed. I already have a friend in mind to share this with once her baby gets here.

8. Monitor- If I could get nothing else I think this is the one item I would choose! I am so thankful for this monitor! I was one of those crazy first time moms checking on their babies all the time to make sure they were still breathing when they were sleeping. I often preferred to hold Ezra while he slept just so I knew he was okay, but this monitor changed all that for me. This monitor senses movement (movement as small as just breathing) and if there is no movement an alarm will sound. I love the peace of mind!

9. Play Mat- This is Ezra’s favorite thing! Up until recently when he began rolling from his back to his belly he would lay on here and play for at least 30 minutes. I would lay him on the mat in our bathroom while I took a shower and he would play and play. I took the mat to our kitchen and he would play while I cooked and as we ate. I loved watching him learn and explore on both is tummy and his back. He still loves to play with the owls, but he rolls off quickly now (he is a boy on the move!)

10. Tub- This is another one of my very favorite baby items. This tub is large, but perfect for the infancy to toddler stage. Ezra loves bath time and enjoys kicking and moving and I can stay close and enjoy him, but allow him to play. This tub holds him securely under his arms and keeps him in place. When he gets older he can safely sit on the other side of the tub. Bath time is one of our favorite times of the day. (I did add a small bath sponge for the first few weeks for a bit of padding.)

11. Stroller- This stroller was my most researched baby product and the most expensive. I knew we would use a stroller often and hopefully have more kids in the future so finding something of good quality with the option to use as a double stroller was what I searched for and made the most sense for us. I wanted a bassinet option, a seat that would hold Ezra for years, the option to face me or face out, and an option for a car seat. I found everything I wanted with this stroller. We love it and so does Ezra!

12. Mirror- I love this mirror when I am driving.It is so nice to check on Ezra in the rearview mirror. It’s just a little thing that gives me peace of mind.

We are just getting into the more mobile stage of life and I am finding some new fun things. Once I know more about this stage I will add some of our new favorite things. Feel free to add your favorite things in the comment section for moms reading this.

And just because he’s so cute- here’s a picture :)

*** just a disclaimer- these are just our favorite things and I’m not getting paid to say I love them ;)

Saylor {new life.}

I had such a great afternoon meeting precious Saylor and photographing her and her cute family! It is always amazing to see all the love spilling over when it comes to a new baby. There is something so special about new life! I loved getting to cuddle Saylor for a million reasons, but one of those reasons was because she was exactly the same size as Ezra at birth. Part of me still feels like he is that small and another part of me doesn’t ever remember him being so tiny. Saylor was a breeze to photograph. As much as I love super cute posed baby shots I also love capturing the life of a family when they add a new addition; it was so fun to do both! I actually never saw her eyes! Here are a few of my favorites…

precious little girl!

such a dainty little yawn

I love chubby cheeks on newborns :)

Her momma made her this cute tu-tu and we had to include the time of her birth.

A favorite of mine

daddy’s hands

new love.

Now a family of  4!

Favorite! I think I am partial to photos of mom’s with their new babies, but this photo oozes love to me!

Crew with his new sister- so sweet!

:)

dear ezra {our life.}

My dear sweet boy,

I cannot believe you are nearly 5 months old! Your daddy and I were just saying how we really cannot remember life without you- you have turned our world upside down and inside out in every good way. I have found that I am writing down so many things from when you were first born and our first few weeks because I notice I am already forgetting. I almost forgot that you blinked and squinted your eyes the morning you were born as the sun came in the room for the first time. You had never seen the sun before and it must have taken your eyes a bit of time to adjust. When you were teeny tiny you would end every cry with an awww, it was so sweet! These little moments are treasured in my heart. I must admit that I never pictured myself as a mom to a 4 month old. I only imagined having a new baby, my mind never went further. What a blessing you are to me now at 4 months! The difference between 3 and 4 months is incredible. You now have quite the personality and you are just too much fun! I know the days will only get better! You smile with your entire face and I just wish I could video and capture all of these moments, but instead they are forever sealed in my mind. You and I spend our days reading books. (You love when we read and often “talk” the entire time.) We spend a lot of time playing in your bedroom on the floor; you have mastered rolling from your back to your belly so now you will roll and roll and roll. If I leave the room for even a moment you are always in a completely different spot. You love to fly in your daddy and my arms- we play airplane often. You are still loving your bath, you always make us laugh with all your energy in there.

Oh Ezra Cruz how I love you so! I am blown away by a Mother’s love! I still look at you daily and I am blown away that you are a part of daddy and me. God created you from us! I often sneak in your room while you are napping just to watch you sleep and pray over you. I cry sometimes when I watch you because I am so overwhelmed with emotion that you are finally here, that you are so perfect to us, and because I am so thankful that God has picked us to be your parents. You have changed our lives! Since the days when you were growing in my tummy we prayed that you would be filled with joy, a blessing to all you come into contact with, and that you could fill a room with happiness- I am amazed to watch those prayers come true. You, my dear, are our greatest joy!

I love you so,

Momma

my boys {our life.}

Happy 2012! 2011 flew by and now here we are getting ready to see what 2012 has in store for us, so exciting! I look forward to posting some Christmas photos and 2012 goals soon.

For now, here are my two boys! From Christmas to New Years we spent every day together and it was such a fun blessing! Ezra is becoming more and more fun as the days go on and watching Jon as a dad fills my heart! As we drove the 8ish hour drive back from Pennsylvania and I hear Jon singing silly songs to Ezra and I listen to Ezra cooing along I kept thinking- I love that this is my life! I love that I have a husband who is willing to be crazy to get our son to giggle, I love stopping along the way just so we can change a diaper or fill Ezra’s belly. I know this time is so fleeting. Never again will I be a mom to only one child at this age, if we are blessed with more babies I will also have Ezra and the others, never again will this special time be, so I am relishing it! So in 2012 I am hoping for more silly singing in the car, more goofy stories being told, and lots more laughter! I hope the same for you!

this boy {our life.}

This boy has been keeping our life so full of joy and such a great reminder of so many blessings surrounding us now. A little over a year ago we found out he was growing in my belly and now we have him in our arms! We are so blessed! I have so many blogs I would love to share but I haven’t had time to sit and type them because I really cannot stand to be away from Ezra when he is awake- we love reading and playing too much for me to spend time away. Nap time is full of editing, baking, and cleaning house. Soon I will have time to blog again :) During these winter months what would YOU like me to blog about? I would love to have some posts that you would be interested in!