I am one of those people who absolutely loves to take pictures. The majority of the time, you can find my Canon in my purse, ready for any kind of photo opportunity. I have even been successful in creating a little photographer hopeful, who runs around the house with a pink Kid Tough Digital Camera, snapping half naked shots of her mother when she isn't looking. When Tea N Honey Bread decided to start Shutter Click & Chat Sundays, I was excited to participate and FINALLY, this Sunday, I did not allow myself to forget.

This Sunday's focus is My Special Book:

This is both the first baby book that I ever bought and started for Miss J. and it also marks the time that I fell in love with Scrapbooking. I still remember the day this book caught my eye. I was somewhere around 6 or 7 months pregnant, in a mom and pop neighborhood restaurant with my grandmother, who was watching the cook behind the counter carefully layer her ground beef, potatoes, salsa, sour cream and cheese into a styrofoam container. I allowed my eyes to part with the yummy food just long enough to catch the glimpse of a pink book with a teddy bear attached to it nestled between some Oakland Raiders crafts. I went over to take a closer look and discovered that the book also had a matching picture frame. Since I had already known that Miss J. was going to a girl, I couldn't leave the store without both this book and the picture frame.

This book is so special because it chronicles Miss J.'s first year of life. Everything from the single picture that was taken of my exposed belly at 6 months, through Miss J. spending a few hours hooked up to machines in the NICU after her birth, to the celebration of her first birthday and second halloween. Its all there, for me to go back and relive, and for her to enjoy. Past friends, family and memories that only pictures can hold on to.

Here is my little pumpkin at 4 months old celebrating her first halloween.

I still have this costume, btw. Every time I pull it out of the drawer I find it hard to believe that she was ever this small, but since pictures don't lie, unphotoshoped ones anyway, I have the proof right here that she was.

Here is another page from the book of Miss J. all ready for Easter. She has always been such a bright ball of personality, even at 9 months old.

She was quite the little peekaboo player too. I remember grabbing her attention from the photographer with a game of peekaboo so that we could get the perfect shot of her showing off those two pearly white bunny choppers.

It is so true that a picture is worth a thousand words, so if you'd like to participate today, whip out your camera and get a shot of your special book, then tell everyone all about it. If you'd like to participate next Sunday...

Shutter Click & Chat 9/21: The Money Shot

Show me your favorite picture of you! Show an old one, take a new one-professional photos are welcome. I want to see 'em all!