finding my style {in photography}

In October I had the opportunity to meet Sharon of Sharon Johnson Photography, and I got listen to her talk about her passion for photography.  It was that day my whole idea of what I wanted to capture with my own camera changed, and what also changed is how I was going to hire a photographer in the future.

Sharon was showing us (the Sassy girls) some of her work, and I specifically remember getting a little choked up looking at a birth story she had done. I could feel the emotion in each and every picture that she took of that couple experiencing the birth of their baby. Her work was powerful, and made me wish for a birth story for each one of my own children. I don't think that there was one woman around that table that night that didn't either say "I wish I could have had this done" or "I wish I was having a baby so that I could do this!" All the pictures are just that amazing.

That night Sharon took some head shots, and I didn't think much of it.  She had us just sit on the couch, and snapped a few pictures while chatting it up in between shots.  It was as casual as it sounds...and I loved the experience.

***

Now lets flash back to when little Devin was a fresh one.  My friend Kimmie (and fellow Sassy) offered to come to my house and take newborn pictures of him. Seriously...these are my favorite pictures I have ever had taken to date. I love that they are so very personal.  Devin is laying on my bed, in my bedroom, with sunlight from my window. I didn't even get ready that morning (or clean my room), and yet the pictures of me holding him I am absolutely in love with.  I look at myself and remember how exhausting those first few days are with a newborn, and the shirt I am wearing was maternity.  They have so many memories attached.

***

When Savannah was little I was all about props for the photos, dollin' her up, making sure she looked absolutely perfect, I may have even made her practice smiling. But guess what?  Savannah hates this. Savannah likes wearing cozy clothes, and can't stand having her hair done. I realized why am I making Savannah do something that she doesn't like, and guess what kind of memories she is going to have when she looks at all of our pictures?  I am sure the memories will be something along the lines of "Uh, my Mom was crazy, and always made me be someone I wasn't for those stupid things!"

So guess what I have done since October?

I don't just take pictures of my kids when they are in their Sunday best.  I don't delete those pictures where they aren't looking directly into the camera.  I don't delete those pictures where I didn't catch the moment fast enough, and Devin has a blurry hand. I have learned those are my favorite moments.  Those are the moments I want my kids to remember.

Also, when Sharon was offering little mini Valentine sessions, and offered me a spot...I jumped at the chance. I didn't spend hours picking out their outfits. Savannah's hair looked just like it does every day. Sharon let them jump on the bed, throw confetti, eat cookies, and just be kids...and she captured every moment.  I sat back and was so very thankful I finally realized what my photography style is before my kids were all grown up.

Disclosure: I was not paid by Sharon or Kimmie to write this post.  I truly just love what they have done for me. If you decide to hire them, tell 'em I sent you...because that is awesome. :)

valentine cards.

December 2011 was not my month.  I usually send out Christmas cards, but I just didn't have it in me. I had looked up New Year cards, but then we found out we were actually having a baby...and the New Year card idea quickly seemed like more than I could take on.

At Savannah's school they do not do class parties, which means no Valentine cards are exchanged at school. Since Savannah still so desperately wants to give them, our new tradition was born.

Remember those cheesy boxes of Valentine cards you buy at the grocery store?  Well, after I received an email from a photographer friend offering to her past clients adorable Valentine cards, I knew I had to step up my game! I mean, I can't be sending out cheap Sponge Bob Valentine cards if I wanted to be taken seriously.

With the stress of the holidays behind us, we really enjoyed putting together our cards. We have come up with new people to send them to every day...so everyone will be getting them in "waves". Oh, and the lines at the post office are short, making this Mommy a happy one.

Have you thought about mixing it up, and sending out Valentine cards instead of the traditional Christmas? Or maybe just being an awesome person and doing both! :)

*All images are off of Tiny Prints, and link directly back to their website.

*Before ordering your cards off of Tiny Prints check measurements on the card you are ordering.  Some of the cards are the itty bitty ones...and I don't want you to be disappointed!

*Disclosure: Tiny Prints offered me free Valentine cards for posting, but all opinions are my own...and the Valentine cards that I have sent out already are not from Tiny Prints.

i'm totally diggin'.

I am totally diggin' that Devin loves his big boy underwear, and spends hours in the bathroom sitting on the toilet. I think I need to add a basket full of books to the back of the toilet for his viewing pleasure.

I am totally diggin' berry sherbet with sprite. Think root beer float with totally different flavors, or just think baby shower...because that is what it reminds me of.

I am totally diggin' all the itty bitty baby girl clothes hanging in the closet.

I am totally diggin' our Wii, and how much fun Savannah and I have getting to new worlds and levels. A big high five to Santa Claus for giving her a gift we all enjoy.

I am totally diggin' that we have a mini vacation planned...totally spur of the moment, much needed, and should be a blast.  I am thinking no bed times, lots of junk food, and watching kids swim is in order for this vacation.

I am totally diggin' that I can still fit in my regular jeans.

I am totally diggin' conversation hearts, because when Savannah gets one that says "marry me"...she melts...like someone just really asked her.

I am totally diggin' life right now.

What are you totally diggin?

a medical update of sorts.

Today was my first prenatal visit.

I was a bit nervous...of course, I was thinking all the negative things the Dr. could tell me instead of positive.

My Dr. is lovely, and spent ample time explaining what actually happened to me.  Up to this point we had been assuming and going off of what the ultrasound tech had thought might have happened.

The idea was that I had a cyst rupture.  This was not the case.

All the hemorrhaging was coming from baby, not cyst. Right now I am still on pelvic rest (laugh it up, it's a funny term). No vacuuming, no hanky panky, and try to lift Devin up as little as possible. I am doing a pretty good job, because I have had no bleeding for almost two weeks.  Go Von!

I do have a very large cyst. It is about 13 centimeters in width...which is a little over 5 inches. I had hoped that they would be able to remove my cyst when we were in the delivery room...call it a two-fer, but no such luck.  My cyst is much too large, and will require them to put me under, incision, and an additional overnight stay in the hospital. Oh, and depending on what the cyst has done to my innocent ovary, that may be removed as well. The Dr. would like to see this surgery take place in the next 6-8 weeks, before my 3rd trimester. If I don't get it done now, I will have to go back in for surgery when baby girl is 2 weeks old.  Both are not options I want, but are reality. We will make a decision hopefully soon.

On a high note...baby girl looks good. She is shy, and doesn't like people prodding. She doesn't care for food much, because I have successfully lost 6 pounds in 2 weeks. Right now if she does want any food it is fresh fruit, Mexican food, or any and all dairy.

I could not be more excited to meet this little girl, and Savannah is excited to wear matching outfits. :)

making friends.

If you haven't stopped by Vanessa's blog this week, I think you should.  Women are sharing how to make friends as a grown woman...I have learned so much. So enlightening.

I can always come up with a million excuses as to why I don't try harder to get to know people, or why I don't find the time to connect with my already existing friends. The truth is, I have been a lame friend, and I am going to repent and try harder.  In trying harder that doesn't mean I will magically be able to have a night out with my lady friends every other day, or a play date every day...but I can make improvements. I am that girl with good intentions, and poor follow through.  It is a trait I am most desperately trying to change.

{this is Cathy, after being internet friends FOR-EVER, I finally made the time to meet her for lunch yesterday. so I introduce to you, my newest IRL friend. she is lovely on her blog, but even more so in person. I just couldn't get over how short I am compared to everyone. so, go say hi.}

Since I am mostly failing at my goal of waking up 6 AM, maybe I should make it a goal to be a better friend. I am already feeling pretty good about this one, since I met Cathy this week!

spelling bee

Savannah has been working hard on a list of words this past month, because her school is having a spelling bee. Her and I didn't know that Daddy had a secret weapon for learning the words quickly until last night...and then she cried that she was going to embarrass herself and not spell something right.

I didn't realize how important this spelling bee was to her.

Lesson learned.

We were in the car a few days ago, and she was really stressed about only having a few days left to practice. Then she went on to say...

"Mom, if I win I get to go to that place, ya know, the one where Obama lives!"

I must have said something, oh wow.

Then she said...

"I really need to win, because we need a family vacation, and that could be it!"

Tender.

Today as she hopped out of the car, I yelled "Good luck on that spelling bee Savannah...either way it will be okay!"

And she smiled.

semi wordless wednesday: when we're helping, we're happy.

I am learning to love every day of the week.

Wednesday is looking better and better. 

I love Wednesday, because it is pizza day for Savannah...I have to pack a lunch every other day, but Wednesday is my break.

Wednesday means I have made it through half of the week.

Wedneday, I think I will keep you around.