Archive for August, 2011

Today it was like flash back city for me. This family is sporting 3 kids three and under with the youngest a newborn. So well do I remember those days. Well, I sort of remember them. Lol! Sleep deprivation will cloud the memories. I do know that there was a lot to be laughed about, although at the time, I was far from laughing.

I was a little nervous about how the session would go since Little {E} is over 3 weeks old. I have to say that he was an absolute dream, though! He slept for a good 45 minutes at the start of the session, letting me do whatever I wanted. Then, after his snack, he was content just hanging out. This was probably one of the quickest newborn sessions I have ever done. :)

I so enjoyed getting to hang out with Little {E} and play tickle monster with Big Brother and Sister. Totally made my morning. :)

Take a peek! Check out the head of hair on him! (he’s already gotten a hair cut)

baby in an owl hat

newborn baby boy

Peace Out!

newborn in a basket

baby feet

head to head kids pose

big brother kissing baby brother

Wow, what a summer it has been. I cannot believe how many beautiful bellies and babies I have gotten to photograph this summer. The summer of babies is not quite over, though, with a 4 newborns and a birth all left to do within the next 4 weeks. :) I cannot wait to meet all of these babies!

I hope everyone has enjoyed their summer. My boys and I stayed busy in the beginning of the summer with lots of camps (golf, tennis, VBS, etc) as well as mini vacations to the beach, San Antonio and back to the beach. Things have finally settled down for us in that aspect just to turn around and get crazy again. Football season for my older boys has picked up and the PTO is gearing up. It is reminding me that I have yet to send out my end of summer newsletter, come up with my holiday packages and update my calendar.

Don’t worry, though, I have started brainstorming what this year’s packages will be and what they will include. Last year I tried really hard to close shop for the holidays by the end of the first week in December, but ended up holding around 20-25 sessions over the course of the month. This year I am going to try to make a bigger incentive for you to get your Holiday sessions done earlier in the year. HINT: the earlier your session is held, the bigger discount you get. Holiday sessions will begin in September and will run through December 11th. Once December 11th hits, I will close for the holidays (aside from my newborn, birth and Baby’s First Year clients) and will not open back up until March 2nd. This gives me a much needed break and gives me the opportunity to spend the holidays with my family. Plus, if you didn’t know already, all 5 of our birthdays are in January and February. It makes for a very busy 3 months in December, January and February.

I can’t wait to finalize this year’s holiday specials and to get my calendar up and running. I hope everyone survives going back to work (if you are in the school district) and back to school in the coming weeks.

Can I just say that I am addicted to labor and delivery? I was one of those crazy people who got an insane rush out of delivering my children and hearing their cry for the first time. So much so that I was ready to do it all over again. The anticipation that builds up during the labor at the thought of finally getting to meet your baby after waiting 9-10 months. Incredible. With a full household of boys, our family is complete, but I get to live vicariously through my clients as they go down their road of delivery and create their own birth story. My job is to capture and tell that story so that they can cherish it.

This is Elijah’s story.

For starters, mom and dad made the decision to bring this sweet boy into the world by experiencing a water birth. They chose a birthing center and midwife and took hypnobirthing classes to help prepare them for the big day. I got the call at 3 am last Thursday saying that Mom had been experiencing many surges and the midwife expected that we would have a birthday to celebrate that day. They got checked into the North Houston Birth Center at 6:30 and called me to tell me she was already at 5 cm. I arrived at about 7:45 and she was hopping into the water. An hour later she was experiencing many stronger surges. The midwife checked her and she was already complete. Little Elijah made his appearance at 9:20 am after hanging out with Mom for nearly 41 weeks.. The midwife and nurses stood back and watched as mom delivered him on her own with Dad’s help of lifting him out of the water and onto Mom’s chest. Incredible.

Side note, Mom and Dad are young. Like 21 years old young. I never would have been as prepared or as educated as them at their age. I had my oldest at 23 and even then I was very naive and just did whatever I was told without trying to figure out if it was best for him, or the both of us for that matter.

Welcome and Happy Birthday Elijah! You will never know just how much you are loved. Mom, you were amazing and strong. Dad, I have never seen such a more encouraging and loving birthing coach. You definitely made the experience easier for her.

Here is sneak of Elijah’s Birthday. Stay tuned for the slideshow!

mom in labor

water birth

labor and delivery

mom in labor in water

mom in labor in water

Enjoying an herbal tea bath with Mom after being cuddled and fed. Couldn’t be any more calm or happy here.

 

I have to say that as much as I get tired of the Houston heat and humidity, I really do adore the late summer evenings when the sun is at its best. Mom was glowing when we met up to take her Bump pictures. Despite the heat, the sweat and what seemed like the miles I made her trek during our session, she still slapped on a smile and enjoyed every minute of the session.

You have been an absolute dream of a client, patiently waiting for your sneak, so here it is!

I cannot wait to meet Tucker! Momma, you really are glowing and gorgeous. Enjoy every last minute of this special time.

mom all aglow

mom laying in the grass

baby bump