Woodruff Maternity.
Eva is getting TWO brothers to love.
How cute are these onesies?! OH-IO. Baby style.
Eva, you are going to be the BEST big sister!
More on this growing family…
Tell us something fun or unique about your relationship.
On our first date, my house alarm went off and I didn’t answer the phone when the alarm company called, so they called my sister and she called a few times before I heard my phone to answer it. She thought something happened to me and was on her way over with my brother. I was so freaked out because they were sending the police that I ran home because we weren’t far from my house, and I’m just glad Tom decided to stay and wait, lol.
How did you find out you were expecting?
I really felt quite pregnant (symptomatic) earlier than I would’ve thought and we were trying, so I took a test early and it was positive. When we went in at 7 weeks we were shocked to see two babies on the ultrasound. Quite unexpected.
What’s your favorite thing about being pregnant? Least favorite?
Favorite thing: feeling the babies move and seeing them grow on ultrasound because I’ve had A LOT of ultrasounds this pregnancy.
Least favorite: I’m very uncomfortable when I’m pregnant. I’m currently the size of a term pregnancy (bigger than the end with my first) and I have two months to go. Ugh.
Did you find out the gender of your babies?
Two boys; fraternal.
Is there a nursery or shower theme you’d like to share?
The theme is still a work in progress, but planning for nautical.
Babies are coming! What are you looking forward to the most?
Not being pregnant, haha. I’m really forward to seeing our boys and introducing them to Eva, their big sister, and having our family be complete (cause we’re definitely done, lol).
How did you find Crystal Jo?
I found Crystal Jo through a friend at work as she started taking pictures of her babies. We did a session last year for Eva’s 18 months and the pictures turned out amazing (which was pretty unbelievable with how Eva behaved, lol) and Eva just loves her, which doesn’t always happen so easily, lol, she can be a hard one to crack sometimes.
Adeline Jean. Newborn.
As precious as they come.
I went to elementary school with this pretty lady. And that handsome fella right there is our insurance agent. 🙂
So very blessed. A beautiful new home and a beautiful new baby girl. Picture perfect, really.
(Brooke, I hope you don’t mind, I stole this photo from your Facebook.) These guys had the COOLEST GENDER REVEAL. They blind folded their parents and had them each paint on a blank canvas. On the count of three, they all took off their blind folds to see what they had painted. PINK! Priceless reactions!
And the painting hangs in her adorable nursery.
My dear friend and trainer from That Gym on Grandview recently opened a “blow-dry salon” called “Blowdry Cafe”.
A pretty swift looking website and interactive scheduling system.
The cafe inspired theme is carried through on the menu where you can select your drink/hair choice. The local brews are $35 and they include fun names like “Smoothie” which is simple and smooth or “Macchiato” which is big hair with volume. Prefer just a style with no wash? That’s the expresso and it’s only $25. The “Cup of Joe” is for men and there is even a special “Skinny Latte” for children. Add some cream (conditioning treatment) or some sweetener (a scalp massage). SO CLEVER!
That chair right there is open for you. Call 614-273-0123 or visit blowdrycafe.com to schedule your appointment.
Meet the beautiful owners, Ashley and Jessica. I LOVE THEM!
Blowdry Cafe is a one-stop shop. Make-up application is also available.
Ana, a special shout out to you. Thank you for capturing the grand opening!
Ashley, I’m so very proud of you. Of your ambition and your drive. Of your positive outlook on life and all of your successes. I am very proud to call you my friend. Wishing you TEN BILLION miles of luck and success. XO, Crystal Jo.
Capital Style recently featured The Blowdry Cafe with an interview…
What can new clients expect when they come in?
Customers will be greeted by one of our receptionists, and she will check her in, offer her something to drink—coffee, mimosa, wine. We’ll have pastries every day. The client will be greeted by her stylist for a consultation at her station, and they’ll go from there. And so the client will be taken through every aspect of the process. When women walk into salons, you almost tense up a little bit. You’re not sure where to go, where your headed, if you’re supposed to sit up or lay back or wait. So we want our stylists to take all of that question out of it for our clients so they can feel comfortable. They don’t have to guess what they have to do next and hopefully love the style they choose. There’s a whole education process our stylists will do with the clients, so they can leave feeling like they’ve spent $35 not just on one night of hair but that they’ve learned something about the product, about the tools and how to preserve the style.
What makes The Blowdry Cafe different?
I think it’s our whole ambiance. I’ve been to several blow dry salons and none of them have had this feel. We always wanted these colors, this situation, this setup. I’ve had great experiences at all of the blow dry salons I’ve been to. The thing is… not everyone gets to interact with each other all the time, which is a big complaint with bachelorette parties and bridal parties. They go to a big salon, and they’re in separate rooms or one person’s here and the other’s at the end of the bar, so we wanted it to be everyone mingling, everyone together. We’re also stressing the training with our stylists. It’s not just about the hair. It’s about the experience with the client.
For Jess and I, this was a long process, and it was a lot of hard work because we didn’t have any money to start this business. We just knew we wanted to. We wrote a business plan, we approached investors and really in the end, besides one investor, three approached us. That made us really happy. Because they knew our work ethic and they believed in the concept and the idea. It’s not like we said, “We have some extra money. Let’s see how this goes.” We also want to be an inspiration to other small business owners, especially female small business owners.
What makes you passionate about great hair?
We call this an affordable luxury. You don’t have to spend $200 to get great hair. I’m passionate about it because I’ve been doing it forever, like when I went on vacations or for special occasions. It was just never a specific salon like it is now. So it was kind of a no-brainer for me. It’s so much more affordable and a good blowout can last two to three days. You never know. And we’re opening at 7 a.m. two times a week to try to capture the women who want to come in before work or if they have a job interview. What girl doesn’t want her hair to be fabulous? If you have a bad hair day, it can ruin your whole day.
Pixie goes to preschool!
My preschool pep talk. You can do this, biggie girl. You are going to love it. You are going to be amazing.
And off she went…
This is Ms. Amy. She’s beautiful. Inside and out. And we are lucky enough to know her pre preschool. It really makes this process and decision 1000 times easier.
(Thank you, Facebook friends, for helping/supporting/answering my preschool questions. We’ve happily chosen Amazing Kids Academy for Pixie’s schooling.)
Her face right here is priceless. This girl does NOT like messes. I’m sure she couldn’t wait to get it off of her hands but really was in all of her glory with the fun and attention.
We’re proud. Really proud.
Gramia giving kisses goodbye. (My mom came over beforehand and helped me dress her and feed her lunch and make a BIG deal out of how BIG of a deal this really is. It really meant the world to me that she was there. I just kept thinking about the day she sent me off to school. The feelings, I’m sure, were so similar to mine. Which is probably why she was so motherly today. There for me. There for Pixie. Just THERE. Thanks Mia, love you more than the world!)
I said, “Can I have a kiss?” Pixie said, “No, I’m coloring.”
I’d say she’s gonna be a-okay.
This was pick-up. SHE LOVES IT!
And she squeezed my hand extra tight on the way to the car. “We did this and we did that and we played this and we colored this and we, and we, and we…” Warms my heart so.
For the last three years, Pixie’s really been right there beside me. Always. Right there holding my hand. And today, I had to let her go. Just for a short time. I was quite emotional this morning. Soaking up all of her innocence. Watching her every move. All while repeatedly telling her she’d be going to school today. She really has no idea what’s in store for her. All of the learning. All of the possibilities. All of the friends. All of the smiles and fun. I know she’s a special one. I know this is the first BIG step to her awesome sauce. Go get it, girl. GO BIG!
Nolan Arthur. Newborn.
Big sister, Fiona, is super excited to share this bundle with the world.
The madness that occurs behind the scenes. Littles running around. Lots of outfit changes and it feels so stressful. There’s always a ton of time and thought that goes into a session and when the time comes, it feels like a chaotic whirlwind. 
But then, just like that, this happens…
And all is perfect.
More on Nolan Arthur…
Tell us about that first moment when you saw your baby.
After months of worry that he would be born premature, we were overcome with love and a sense of peace that he had arrived safe and sound. We were just as in love with him as we were when we first met our baby girl 3 years ago.
What was your baby’s birth weight and length?
Nolan weighed 4lbs 7 oz and was 17 inches long at birth. He made his entrance into the world
at 12:29pm on December 7th.
Is there a story behind your baby’s name?
The story behind his name is simple, it was chosen based on its origin and it’s meaning. Nolan is of Irish origin and means “champion” “little fighter” and also “noble” so fitting for our little boy. We knew we wanted to use Arthur for his middle name even before we had Nolan picked out. This name belongs to my dad and both of our grandfathers.
Give us the scoop. What has surprised you the most about parenthood? Are there any funny stories or firsts that you’d like to share?
It’s no surprise now, but before meeting our son, a little piece of me worried how I could love another as much as my first born. Being that I am already a mommy of a fun loving 3year old, I would have to say adding another baby to our family has proven that there is plenty of love to give to both and then some.
What did you like best about your experience with Crystal Jo?
Working with Crystal Jo Foto is always an amazing experience. I appreciate her talent and her eye for capturing life’s most precious moments. She has a good heart and she puts it into her work every time.
Morgan’s Mini. My session fave, right here….
It was FREEEEEEEZING and Morgan was such a trooper. 
But she did need extra Momma snuggles to stay warm. XO, Morgs!
Kelly. 1 Year Big.
First birthdays are the perfect time for frozen yogurt. See that little cup…seems like a fitting message. Fill me up. Never put me down.
“It’s so yummy but it’s so cold!”
Kelly had the coolest theme for her first birthday… Uno!
This is the first time we met. She was so wittle.
I just adore you so much, sweet little Kelly. Thank you for being the cutest little model in front of my camera throughout your first year. XO and lots more hugs and kisses coming your way!
More on Kelly’s first year…
What is your favorite memory during her first year of life?
Dad: That’s a hard one. I like it when she smiles at me!
Mom: Of course I have lots of favorite memories, but I’ll narrow it down to two. When Kelly was just a couple of months old she slept next to our bed because I was still nursing around the clock (or so it seemed). Early each morning, I would wake up to little “baby sounds” (cooing, etc). One of these morning when she stirred, I looked over and said “good morning sweet baby” (like I habitually said). She responded with this huge toothless grin. I melted into a puddle :}
Do you have a funny story or something that happened in her first year that you’d like to share?
Dad: One of our cats, Harry, was sitting on the ottoman. He usually runs from Kelly but one time he just laid there and she started gently petting him. Without any warning, she grabbed his tail and flung him to the ground. It was so unexpected I couldn’t do anything except laugh.
Mom: Kelly has a cousin who was born about 10 weeks after she was. We went to my sister-in-law’s house to visit him when he was a week old (so Kelly was about 11 weeks old). We had the babies on a blanket on the floor beside each other when Willie (her cousin) started to cry. Before anyone could respond to him, Kelly burst out in a gut busting giggle. Each time he would cry, she would laugh harder and harder. It was the first time I had heard her laugh, and it was at the unfortunate cost of her newest cousin. In the fall, when Kelly was probably 9-10 months old, I took her to my nephew Jacob’s indoor end of the season marching band concert. I wasn’t sure how she’d handle the volume of the indoor show, so when the drumline entered I covered her ears. As soon as they started to play, she proceeded to stand (and jump) on my lap the rest of the show. She loved the music!!
What age/month has been your favorite and why?
Dad: 10 months because she was developing a lot of new skills, learning to cruise and showing her determination.
Mom: Each month has something so memorable and special it’s hard to narrow it down to a specific age. I would have to say that I really love the age she’s currently at because she is walking, has become more able to communicate and her happy personality shines through her actions. She brings a smile to those she’s around and can light up a room with her little grin.
One word to describe your baby is…
Stacey: Happy 🙂
Kyle: Ecstatic
Favorites…
Animal: Cats “Kitty”
Food: Lasagna
Toy: a stuffed cat
Our January Beginner’s Photography class was a huge success. Thank you, all, for coming out the in the blistery cold weather to learn all about your camera and how to take better photos. I always enjoy teaching and even learning about photography. We had a wonderful group of ladies and I hope to see some beautiful photos posted in our alumni group. XO, Crystal Jo.
Learning in yucky dim lit situations.
And with fast toddlers.
Learning about the importance of capturing details to remember forever. Like Lucy’s little piggies.
Learning about motion blur and how to control it.
We’re offering another class in May. If you’d like to join in on the fun, email crystal@crystaljofoto.com to register.
The Olcott Family.
There’s plenty of space for this family of 6 and their abundance of love in their beautiful 3 Pillar home.
Love the ceiling! Great idea, Barb!
I have a feeling a lot of great memories will be made at that table. I love the benches. This space is so elegant and cozy!
There are so many unique details in this home. Check out the ceiling fan. XO, Olcott’s. Enjoy!
Drumroll, please! Best of 2013…
With 557 votes, in FIRST PLACE is Sydney! Enjoy your free session and disc of images. Sydney’s mother, Carla, sent me a wonderful message yesterday saying she was so proud of how well her contender Aubrey was doing in the contest that no matter what the outcome was, she wanted to split the prize. This really is so selfless and touches my heart.
In a VERY close second place, with 532 votes, are The Kennedy’s with a photo of their sweet little Aubrey! Thank you so much for all your efforts! And thanks to Carla’s sweet gesture to share the winning prize and all of your graceful tenacity, enjoy your free session and disc!
3rd place, Sassy Sophie with 202 likes!
4th place with 100 likes. Adorable little Bentley…
Thank you everyone for your tremendous support with voting and “liking” Crystal Jo Foto. I love to look back at these photos and remember each session and the wonderful people in them. I am forever grateful to be such a big part of making these memories possible. Thank you, ALL OF YOU, for an amazing 2013. I’m looking forward to many more happy, successful years!
Here are the other photos I’ve selected as my favorites of 2013. In no particular order…
