9 Month Milk Bath

I normally don't blog on Sunday, but I wanted this blog to be able to accompany my image today on Instagram. L, my baby, turned 9 months on Friday! With E, I did a small session with her at each milestone (3 months, 6 months, 9 months and 12 months). I've been continuing that with L because I don't need her to ask why she doesn't have pictures like E AND I enjoy capturing these moments. 

I had this idea a long time ago, to try a milk bath session. We have a large tub with some gorgeous light in our master bath. I was hesitant about when because the idea of laying a baby flat on their back made me nervous. I knew that logistics would require having another adult either in the tub or next to it to spot in an emergency. I have lots of wonderful friends, but I wasn't sure I could convince someone to get in a luke warm milk bath with my baby while I photographed. Those sorts of favors are how you end up with no calls for girls night.

I decided to just wait until L was older. Then I started worrying I waited too long as she began crawling everywhere and spends no time on her back. Diaper and clothing changes these days are like wrestling a baby octopus. She only has two arms and two legs, but when you lay her on her back for one of those things I swear she has one more of each.

Last weekend, E was off running errands with my husband so I gave it a go. I had already thought of a color palette and had collected items during the week just in case I decided to do this for her 9 month photos. I had some heirloom roses from a session that week and some eucalyptus. I thought some citrus fruit would add some great color. I sliced up my grapefruit and some limes and tossed those in there. I learned, limes don't float as well as grapefruit. I used some half & half and touch more of milk to get the white color and then added warm water. In hindsight, I wish that I had done more water, but I had a few thoughts. One-I didn't think L was going to enjoy laying on her back in the bath tub and thought it even less likely to be enjoyable if the water was getting in her ears and Two-I didn't have a spotter so I wanted just an inch or so of water to allow the flowers to float.

L loves the bath and was bouncing around as I prepared it. I climbed on the bathtub to make sure I had my camera setting where I wanted them because I knew once I laid her in there I had about one minute before she was probably going to be sitting up. I lifted L and laid her in the water and she looked at me like "What the heck, Mom? I didn't sign up for this!" I quickly handed her a rose and made some noises and clicked off a few shots. Aaaaannnnnnd as predicted...she rolled right over. I was okay with that because since I know what I'm doing with my gear, I knew I had the shots I wanted. Of course our little eater found the food in the bath tub and began chomping away happily on the grapefruit.

I can't believe she's already 9 months. I've been through this once before, so I know how precious these times are, but you still catch yourself wishing for the next milestone. 

Speaking of growth and milestones...now that I'm able to work on my business full-time, I'm make some big changes around here! I'm excited to share them with you. Hopefully they will be ready to reveal this week or next. In the meantime, scroll down to enjoy all the yummy baby rolls you can handle. Happy 9 months, L! Let's take these next three a little slower, ok?