Wednesday, November 10, 2010

Thankful

With this being the month of Thanksgiving, we are so thankful for our new healthy baby boy, among other things... He is now 1 month old & I was able to do another quick little mini session with him today to document the progress he's making (I don't have the double chin documented in any of these, but he's got one!).

I hope you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving 2010. Take some time to say a prayer for and give an extra hug to those you love...

His cheeks have definitely filled out since the previous photo session (see the previous post).

This is a tricky shot for one person to pull off on their own. I had never done it before, so I tried it anyway...

I am becoming a fan of square photos. I think I could have cropped 90% of the shots I took into a square.

...like this one. Probably should have gone ahead and cropped it for you, but didn't...sorry. : )

I'm going to have to stop putting on these mini sessions at some point. Otherwise, I will be placing a photo order every 2 weeks or so! ha ha

Another note - I've recently acquired a Moby wrap & LOVE it! If you are in the market for a baby carrier/sling, please give this one a try. The fabric is so soft & your baby is snuggled right up to you.

Thanks for stopping by!

Thursday, October 21, 2010

It's a Boy!

Today is my due date, but the little man has been with us for almost 2 weeks now... It's so wonderful to have that "I can't imagine what our lives would be without him(her)" feeling. Even though it's only been a short time since his arrival, it feels like he's been a part of our family forever already.

And, while I had envisioned all sorts of photo shoots with him to capture his growth & experiment with different poses/techniques, etc., honestly I've just been too tired. Or, have just been enjoying cuddling with him. This weekend, I would like to try to get some shots with he & I, as well as he & his dad and sister, since they are not here during the day. We shall see, though. I have been able to get a few micro-mini sessions in with him, so here are a few of my favorites so far...plus a few snapshots from the hospital.

The classic...

Not the best pose, necessarily, but I think he looks so sweet & peaceful.

I think he looks like a totally different baby in each of those 3 poses...

Proud big sister, who has been loving on him since his arrival. : )

A sweet little shot taken by my mom right after he was born.

And, our first Family of Four photo...

Thursday, September 30, 2010

Wow.

If you feel like experiencing some emotional tears (for the good!), head on over to this photography blog. Now, maybe it's because I'm about to head into this situation myself (well, drug-assisted hopefully), but it was so moving to see such emotion, love, beauty, elation, etc, etc, play out in the slideshow. It is just simply breathtaking photography, and being able to capture such an intense situation, but make it so tender...Wow. Wow. Wow. Bobbi + Mike are a photographer couple out of Indy. Ok, gotta get a tissue now...go watch it for yourself. You will not be disappointed.

Wednesday, September 15, 2010

Last Maternity Post...

I had not had the time to take some bare-belly maternity shots, yet, and time is running out...So, tonight, I got out my Gorillapod, rounded up Lil' Miss & found some nice lighting in the house. Here are a couple of timer shots we got. Not the most artistic photos, but some documenting self-portraits, nonetheless.




If anyone would like to contribute some baby names to the cause, they would be most appreciated. Boy and Girl names needed! Thanks!

Tuesday, August 31, 2010

Happy #3!

We just celebrated our daughter's 3rd birthday...it's so amazing how time flies (when you're having fun, right?!). She is full of personality, which just keeps growing each day. We are blessed to have her in our lives & can't wait to see her be a Big Sister in just a short while...Here are some pictures we took at the zoo recently. She wouldn't give up too many smiles for me, but I caught a couple.

Also, a couple of shots of her birthday cake...all she requested was "Pink" for her party, so we did "pink." The cake was inspired by this rainbow cake. I wish I would've used more icing in between the layers like they did, but did not want any of our parents/grandparents to go into sugar shock! This was my first made-from-scratch cake & it took for.ever! I cannot imagine cooking this way all of the time. Kudos to the generations before us!

Um, yes, and it really tasted delicious - I know you're jealous! : )

Saturday, August 28, 2010

Mr. I (3 yrs) & Miss L (3 mos)

For those of you that know me, I refer to a lot of people how I know them...for example, "My Friend, Megan" is getting married today!!! So happy for her & Matt, and their families. Then, there are 2 girls that I refer to as "The Childbirth Class Girls", since that's how we met. These two beautiful, blue-eyed babes belong to one of them. Mr. I, Miss M & Aryn are all 2 weeks apart, so the 3 families that met in that class have been getting together for playdates (kids only & moms only) for the past 3 years. This couple is wonderfully laid-back & I was delighted to spend even more time with them at their home last weekend. I had a few minutes this morning, so I wanted to get a couple of sneak peeks posted for them.

Have a great 3rd Birthday Party, Mr. I!!

Such a happy baby girl. Can't believe how quickly 3 months have gone...

I loved his energy, but am content that Aryn is not always on the move like that. : ) He was so sweet - wanting me to sit by him when I'd ask him to do a pose during the sessions...guess he didn't realize someone had to take the pictures!

Tuesday, August 3, 2010

Hello!

Hello blog followers (if there are any of you out there!)! It's been awhile since I've had time to post, and really, I don't have anything super substantial to say. But, I thought I'd check in to say Hi! and let you know to keep checking back in every once in awhile...

Mainly, I've been super busy at work, nesting at home & figuring out what I can try to get Aryn to do by herself before the baby comes (Strapping herself into the carseat? check!, Showering by herself? check!, Getting dressed & brushing her own hair? 1/2 a check for each, but we still have time). She's also learned how to spell her first & last name. There is a slight advantage that 3 of the letters in her last name are the same, though. ha ha Next week, she'll be moving into the 3 year old room at daycare, which just floors me. Where have the past 3 years gone?!

Other news on the home front - Volleyball games start next week for "Coach Ryan" & he is studying for some wine exam thing through work. I'm going to be meeting with Sara, of Sprinkles of Light, for a photography mentoring session this month. So, I'm very excited about that! I'm not sure what the rest of the year holds for me, photography-wise. However, I'm already thinking about things I would like to implement in 2011...if you have any suggestions, I'm definitely open to ideas.

To close, here are a few pics from our trip to Toledo (courtesy of Ashley - mine are still on the camera) and the last swim lesson.

Those fireworks were just too loud.

A great big toss from Daddy!

Our proud little "Perch" & her swim teacher.

Turning 3 in about 30 days...crazy!

Sunday, July 11, 2010

Mr. A & Miss R

Despite a busy 4th of July weekend visit, we made some time to grab some shots of Mr. A & Miss R at the Toledo Botanical Garden last weekend. This session made me realize I'm in the market for a new zoom lens, as I chose not to use my rusty, trusty 50mm for a couple of reasons...1. I was not sure how it would go with this 2 yr old & 2. At 6 mos pregnant, I'm not quite as quick and nimble as I was just a month or so ago (especially in the heat). And, 3. I still have some work to do in the toddler department...they are tricky! Mr. A was a great model, though...such a great kid & super big brother.

Thank you so much for hosting us, Blessinger Family...until next time!!

A sitting still moment...kind of!

What a good lookin' kid!

Toes - love 'em!
Lil' Sis & Big Bro'

Tuesday, June 29, 2010

Chrissy + Jason

This past weekend, I did another engagement session for one of my friends, whom I've known since kindergarten. I'm so happy for her & Jason to be tying the knot this fall...they are a busy, busy, busy & amazing couple, who's busy. Did I mention they're busy people? : ) When they're not being involved in the community, they do find some time to hang out at her family's cabin & lake. That was the location for our photo session, as well as their upcoming nuptials. It's a very near & dear place to their hearts. And, I don't think could've chosen a more perfect place to start their lives as "man & wife."

Even though, we waited until 7:45 p.m. or so to take these, it was still sweltering hot. Thank you guys for taking the heat & being troopers.

Here's a small sneak peek:

We're getting married!

A little smooch at sunset...


Aren't Chrissy's eyes are just amazing - yowza!

Love you guys & I wish you all the best!!

Thursday, June 24, 2010

Arts On The Ohio

Well, I gave the art show thing another whirl. This one was outdoors, along the Jeffersonville Riverfront. Wow! What a great view I had...the Belle of Louisville motored by a few times both Friday & Saturday, all the while jazz music and the smell of BBQ filled the air. The participating artists were all so talented & very nice (those of them that I let myself meet). The thing I learned from the last show - don't visit too many other booths or you will spend all of your money! ha ha

It was a blistering weekend, but I stayed hydrated and in the shade (the free ice creams definitely helped, as well!). My mom came over Saturday morning & helped promote my work better than I ever could. She's allowed to do that & did so spectacularly! : ) Then, of course, she had to head back to our house to spend some time with Aryn, and Ryan came down to relieve her of her duties. I don't think he thought it was as miserable as he anticipated, but who knows.

So, overall, I would deem it a success - I made a little bit of money, passed out tons of cards, met some great artists, learned quite a bit about the art of art shows, my tent did not blow into the river during the thunderstorm Saturday morning (!), and did it all within 8 minutes of my house.

Here are a few pictures from the weekend:

My first customer (and neighboring vendor)...he even let me display it the rest of the day. Perfect Father's Day gift!! : )

Another customer's purchase...I meant to get pictures of all of them, but failed to do so...

Friday evening's set up...

Saturday's set up...much better! Also, aren't these tablecloths the bomb?! A very gracious friend let me borrow them for the weekend.

The Belle of Louisville making one of her cruises upriver...

In action...

A posing shot for the record...just in case I never do this again. : )

The Gateway to AOTO & a 22 wks pregnant lady! ha ha

Cute little pig sculpture contest they had going...

Thanks to everyone who came out to say "hi" or who made purchases - you truly made it worth sitting there for how many hours? : )

Saturday, June 12, 2010

Krites Family

Meet the Krites Family! They were the second 'victims' of my Memorial Day weekend photo sesssions... Their daughter is only 3 months older than Miss A, so they always have such a blast together. It's fun to see what she's doing & then see Aryn working on that same skill shortly thereafter. But, I digress - after a hectic morning, and with a very busy day ahead of them, we squeezed in some time together to capture a family photo (or two). As always, here are a few of my favorites...

A beautiful family!

The way to a 3 year old's heart...bubbles!


Or, using dad as a jungle gym, of course. Aryn loves doing this, too...

How sweet is she?

Thanks you guys - it was great to get to spend so much time with you that weekend!

Wednesday, June 2, 2010

Family of Five

This past weekend was fun-filled & busy. We got to spend lots of time with friends and family, and that is always welcomed! I also got to spend some time with two families for photo sessions Saturday & Sunday mornings.

First up: meet the Meyer's. I've known Dad since, gosh, who knows when? Before kindergarten...this is one of his younger twin brothers. They are so laid-back & have 3 beautiful children. It was really nice to catch up with them & be able to take some pictures along the way...here is a tiny sneak peak from our time together at Holland Park (have I mentioned what a nice park it is?!).

The girls...

She looks like she's had enough of these doting big brothers! : )

I'm sure there is never a dull moment at their house!

What a happy girl!

Brothers

Thanks again for having me do this, Mom - you guys were wonderful!

Stay tuned for the next family...