The most magical season has finally begun. It was so sweet last year with Thomas here for his first Christmas, but this year is even better. Now that he has interests and so much more personality.. I cannot wait to share in his excitement. We swore we wouldn’t go crazy this year, seeing as toys last a whole 20 minutes of interest for Thomas. We wanted to do a couple bigger things, instead of a lot of little things. And I know, I know, it isn’t about the gifts! You don’t have to remind me :). I actually love Christmas for all the other reasons and can’t wait to tell the story of baby Jesus in a manger on repeat to Thomas. I want him to become accustomed to traditions like waking up in our cozy house on Christmas morning, baking with Mom, putting Christmas lights up with Dad and trimming the tree as a family. I hope to teach him why we do these special things - and what the family time and nostalgia is all about so gifts are an after-thought. As moms, I know we can all hope!
We have plans to give Thomas a playhouse this year and I am so so excited about it. We have a talented friend in town who owns his own woodworking company and he has sketched up some awesome plans for T. I wanted to do this so we can utilize our backyard more, without bogging it down with random toys. Our in-laws gifted T the play kitchen that I plan to add some customizations to and put it in playhouse too. He gets two AWESOME gifts, and mom doesn’t loose more precious space in this house haha! It’s a win-win.
At last… here are my top picks for Thomas’s age range. I personally feel like boys can be tricky to shop for so I liked the idea of something educational, something developmental, something imaginary, a clothing item, etc to break it up.

Little Boy Gift Guide | 18-24m | Victoria Austin

Wooden Tool Set by Moon Picnic, $78
Jefferson Slip-Ons by Native, $35
Balance Bike by Banwood, $189
Play Kitchen by Milton & Goose, $649
Play Kitchen by Ikea, $79
Play Kitchen by Pottery Barn Kids, $399
Classic Train Set by Melissa & Doug, $24
A-Z Flashcards by VAD:), $35

Any favorites you have for little boys? I would love to know!
Happy Shopping, mamas! xo

Well actually, 14months. But you know, #life. I am SO happy I did these! We traveled to my hometown of southern CA last month and I figured it was the perfect time to capture this age and season. Thomas has so much personality right now, a shell of his newborn self and WIDE OPEN. I’ve selfishly been wanting photos with him too :).
I am so happy I talked Sonja Hammad (and my husband ha) into a last-minute session and when she suggested sunrise, I was immediately on board! Thomas woke up at about 3am in California (I’ll save that crazy experience for another post) so sunrise was like mid-day for us!
We met Sonja at Little Corona Beach in Corona del Mar. It’s such a nostalgic beach and area for me. I went to school at nearby CdM and spent Summer mornings running those same beaches with my high school cross country team. So much has changed, but it will always remain the most beautiful city I have lived in.

One Year Baby Boy | Newport Beach Photographer, Sonja Hammad | Victoria Austin

This session came at the perfect time for Thomas and I. I have mentioned before about this motherhood journey being a bit harder on me than I imagined it would and I haven’t sugarcoated the adjustments (or growing pains) I’ve been going through. Not to get all philosophical and artsy but the fog and sun beams represent SO much more than pretty imagery to me. I am again reminded of God’s hand on my shoulder and his unfailing love for me and my family. It’s not always rainbows and butterflies (ha!) but he’s lifted me up, and the fog has receded, finally. And just as it does, I feel sun beams again. I know that other moms who have been in these shoes can understand those feelings. I hope to one day have the courage to share more about that, and some stuff that has helped me (and some stuff that hasn’t). But for now, I’ll leave you with these pretty photos of a mom and her boy. :)