It is funny how once you have children that your own birthday is not as significant anymore. Maybe it is because you don't like seeing your age inch up to the big "40, 50, ...", along with seeing more and more grey hairs sprouting up on the top of head, or that you simply don't have time to really celebrate like you once did before. Last weekend was my birthday, and while I did stop to enjoy a slice of cake, birthday songs from my girls and family time together, it seemed like just another day. Years ago, I would countdown to my birthday like it was Christmas and would even designate a whole week to celebrating my day. But, now the tides have changed, and I am doing this with my girls. And, this upcoming Monday, we will be celebrating our youngest daughter, Bella's, 3rd birthday. Boy, where did the time go! I no longer have a baby - but, instead a toddler, soon to be preschooler. * Inserts tears of joy and sadness all in one. *
As we get ready to celebrate her birthday on Monday, we have been celebrating this past week leading up to it, with a gift a day, practice "Happy Birthday" singing, and having Bella help us pick out the ice cream, cake and supplies for her party. In addition, I have found myself looking back at all the photos I have taken of Bella since her birth up until now, and can't help but smile as I reminisce about our miracle baby, who I delivered still inside the amniotic sac before the doctor arrived and before the epidural medicine was pushed into the needle they finally placed in my back. She made her grand entrance back on Nov. 10, 2011 at 6:30 AM, and continues to make her grand entrance each and every time she walks into a room. And, when I look back at her photos, I see a fun loving, strong willed and at times testy girl, who with a bat of her long lashes and glance your way with her big brown eyes that she can put a smile on your face.
I have had so many family and friends, along with strangers we pass by when out and about stop and comment on how beautiful my girls are, and how they should be models -- if they weren't already. I just smile and say, "Thank you." But, the more I hear this, I wonder if I should submit their photos in searches, similar to the popular Gerber "Be Our Baby" Photo Search, which is accepting photo entries now through November 12th. For now, I am enjoying watching my little beauties grow, while snapping up as many photos as I can to look back on, and to share with them when they get older. :-)
More about the Gerber "Be Our Baby" Photo Search (additional information can be found at Gerber.com/Photosearch) --
Like I said, this photo search is now accepting photos until November 12th. The Photo Search is open to children up to 48 months of age (Only recent photos will be accepted -- must have been taken within the past 30 days of the submission, in order to qualify.
After all the photo entries have been received, then the fun begins! From November 17th through Dec. 14th, voting will take place. Anyone can cast their votes for the photos submitted to the six Milestone categories (Birth+, Supported Sitter, Sitter, Crawler, Toddler, Toddler 2+). That means you can vote for your own baby, as well as have family and friends vote, too! So, be sure to tell everyone you know that you have submitted your baby's photo into the Gerber "Be Our Baby" Photo Search, and would love their support and vote.
At the end of the voting period, a grand prize winner will chosen by the Gerber panel of judges, from all eligible photo entries in January 2015.
"Pictures will be judged on (1) visual appeal of the child in the photo; (2) expressiveness of the child in the photo; and (3) consistency with Gerber’s heritage and mission. "
The grand prize winner will receive $50,000, one year of Gerber food and the chance to star in a future Gerber advertisement as their 2014 spokesbaby. In addition to choosing the grand prize winner, six addition winners will be chosen by Gerber in each Milestone category, and they will be awarded with $5,000. Winners will be chosen based on the highest number of votes received in each categories.
So, what are you waiting for? You only have until November 12th to snap a photo of your baby and enter it in the Gerber "Be Our Baby" Photo Search. Visit Gerber.com/Photosearch to learn more about this photo search and to enter your baby, for a chance to win the grand prize or one of the 6 runner up $5000 cash prizes.
While you are going through recent photos you have taken of your baby (remember they need to be taken within the past 30 days to qualify) or enjoy time outdoors this weekend snapping photos, capturing firsts or just a cheeky smile, I will be getting ready to celebrate our daughter's upcoming birthday, with more photos. While she is no longer considered a baby based on her age, she will always be my baby, and I have the pictures to look back and reminisce, while also snapping more memorable ones to enjoy for years to come.
Need inspiration for photos? Here are some of my favorites of Bella I found file going through photos on my computer lately. Enjoy!
Arabella Sofia
I can't wait to see the photos of your babies that you enter in the Gerber "Be Our Baby" Photo search, so be sure to leave a comment below with your link, so that I can vote when the voting period begins. :-)
Don't forget to follow Gerber on their social media pages to stay up-to-date on new products, special offers and coupons and announcements about promotions and their annual "Be Our Baby" photo search...
- Gerber Faccebook: https://www.facebook.com/Gerber
- Gerber Instagram: http://instagram.com/gerber
Disclosure: I participated in an Influencer Activation on behalf of Influence Central for Gerber Baby. I received a promotional item to thank me for my participation.
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