Would you love images like these of your tiny, sweet newborn baby?  Read more about PhotoBella Photography Newborn Sessions here.

My absolute favorite place to get Bella’s haircut is Pigtails and Crewcuts in Baton Rouge.  It is a salon that specializes in young children, and they make the hair cutting experience a delight :)  The “chairs” that children sit in are little cars, trucks, airplanes that entice little ones to actually WANT to get their haircut.  Bella thinks it’s a ride :)  There are also TVs playing children’s movies easily viewable from the “chairs.”

And the best part according to Bella?  After the haircut is over, each child gets to pick out a sucker or animal crackers AND gets a treat from the treasure box.  It’s so fun, Bella wants to get her haircut every week!

They are open M-F 9:30am to 6pm and Sat 10am-5pm.  I’ll give you a little hint though:  Saturdays are often crowded, so my favorite time to bring Bella is during the week after work, there is usually no wait at all.  Although, even if you do have to wait on a Saturday they have a fun train table and an entire play room for kids to keep happy while waiting.

Another thing I love about Pigtails and Crewcuts is that they have a special package for your child’s first hair cut.  It includes the haircut, a picture, and a lock of hair in a keepsake.   Such a cute way to make that first hair cut extra-special.

We’ve been getting Bella’s hair cut here since her very first one when she was about 1 year old.  I must admit, that one time she needed a hair cut BADLY but I wanted it on a Sunday. So, we tried another salon that was supposed to be geared toward kids, and it was a major fail!  No fun car chairs, the stylist weren’t very nice nor patient, and a long wait with nothing to pass the time.  I told myself, never again!  The difference I found was that Pigtails and Crewcuts doesn’t just claim to be about kids with cute decor, they are about kids in every way…from the waiting experience, to the patient and kid-friendly stylist, to the treat at the end.

The car seats to sit in:

Bella never let’s me out of this place without getting a new bow!

The wonderful treasure chest…what to pick, what to pick…

Showing off her new cut and “brave” (her toddler word for braid).

Watching the TV & driving at the same time :)

Even the capes are fun.

Getting the bangs perfect.

Today she picked the taxi cab, but they also have a fire truck, airplane, and a normal chair for bigger kids (or parents).

So now that you know Bella’s favorite place for hair cuts, what is yours?  Do you have a place your child loves?  Do you love Pigtails & Crewcuts too?  Please share below in the comments :)

I didn’t know the best OB’s in town (and ended up with a complete terror my insurance stuck me with)!  I didn’t know who I should choose as a pediatrician.  I didn’t know where to go to find local nursery furniture and decor, where to find the cutest baby outfits, where the best daycares are…  There was so much to research and find!

Now that I have searched and searched to seek out the coolest, friendliest, and best places for me and Bella, I’d love to share with you my favorites!  And I’m also excited to hear of you’re faves, because I am sure there are some treasures here in BR that I just haven’t found yet :)

Redstick Mommy is a monthly feature of my most favorite Baton Rouge local businesses for mommies and babies.  These are my personal favorites, and are in no way paid advertisements.  I have no affiliation with these places, it’s just one mommy’s recommendations to another mommy :)

Mommy & Me Sessions are the perfect way to capture the love between mommy and child.  Sessions will be held May 10th & 11th (Friday & Saturday).  I only have 10 Mommy & Me Sessions spots, so get your quickly before they are gone.  The Saturdays spots will especially fill up fast!

Each Mommy & Me session will be 30 minutes long and will include lots of giggles, cuddling, and love :)  Each session will also include a photo necklace of your favorite image – perfect for wearing your love around your neck.  Session fee is $150 and is non-refundable once session time is reserved.

Mother’s day is May 13th, and I think a Mommy & Me session would be the perfect gift :)  Call 225-341-1550 or contact me to book your spot now.

For Bella’s first Birthday we used a ladybug theme.  At the time, I could hardly find ANY ladybug party supplies.  But now I’m seeing it everywhere, and every time I do I tell Bella she started a trend ;)  But there are so many cute ideas for one year birthday parties.  Here are some of my favorite ideas…

A vintage Kite Party (could be boy or girl)  [photo credit: Style Me Gorgeous]

A curious George party

The Hungry Caterpillar Party [photo credit: Pottery Barn Kids]

Winter Wonderland [Photo Credit: Emily K Paperie]

I had a client that used the Winter Wonderland theme except she called it a Winter One-derland.   How cute and smart!

So what kind of one year birthday party did you throw (or plan to throw)?  Please tell me all about it in the comments below :)

As I got older, and the apartments turned into a home, the stores I shopped at might have stepped up from Hobby Lobby and were a little more stylish and chic, but I was still never completely pleased with my walls.  I was trying to achieve the look in stylish design magazines, but it never happened… there was always something lacking.

When my daughter was 6 months old I bought my first set of canvases, and it changed my home design forever!  I have to tell you that when I started hanging my own family on my walls instead of art that had little meaning to me, it changed my home and how I feel about my home.I now have a collection of a metallic photo, various framed images of my bella and my family, and framed art created by bella in my living room.  This art collection displays everything I love.  It is special and meaningful to me.  When I look at this wall, I cannot help but smile :)

I also have square canvases in my hall of bella.  The thing I love about square canvases is that they make for an easy add on collection.  I have two canvases now, but as she grows I will add on more squares to show off every cute stage that I love.

I also have a 4 canvas collection in my office.  These are of bella when she was six months old.  She has grown so much since these photos were taken, they really show off her baby-hood.  I look at these and think, I can’t believe she didn’t have hair, look how long it is now!  Every now and then I have parents say that aren’t sure if they should buy a big canvas or photo of their baby because they don’t know what they will do with it when she grows.

I say that beautiful artwork of my baby is all the more special to me as she grows.  I’ll always have these cute, nearly bald, images hanging on my wall.  When she is 18 years old, I’ll bring her dates into my office and show them her cute face, her tiny hairs, and those big blue eyes!

Hanging photos of what I love, my family, on my walls has made my home warmer and my heart happier.  I’d love if you share your favorite artwork in your home below.

This summer, I will be offering Shore Sessions again.  Scheduled June 6th-8th, 2013 in Orange Beach/Gulf Shores, Alabama, these sessions take place on and around the beach and are a fabulous opportunity to have an extra-unique photo setting.

A Shore Session can be for your family, baby, child, or maternity – whichever you prefer.   These sessions last about an hour in the evening and include playtime in the sand, lots of laughs, and a guaranteed fun time!

Shore Sessions are limited edition!  There are only four Shore Sessions available.  Once these slots are filled, you won’t have another opportunity for a Shore Session until 2014!

The Session Fee is $150.  Please call 225-341-1550 to reserve your slot now.

View the Shore Sessions Gallery to see more images from previous years.

How things have changed in three years!  I now AM a photographer.  I have a new studio (eek!).  AND Sarah is getting married!  Yet, some things never changed…  Sarah is still one of my best cheerleaders and best friends :)  And I am thrilled that I have the honor of photographing her wedding this April!  Just like we dreamed one day :)

Here are some images from Sarah’s Shower last weekend.  It was a beautiful shabby-chic affair that was perfect in every way!

Now that you’ve seen all the yummy food at Sarah’s shower, check out a another delicious food post over at  Las Vegas, NV Family Photographer | Lisa J Photography.

Today I am excited to share a favorite image of Kendall at 1 years old.  I first meet miss Kendall last March for her newborn photo session.  And at both sessions she was the epitome of a perfect little model!

Would you like to capture your own baby’s first year of growth?  Read more about the baby’s first year plan to capture that first magical year!