Hiding out, eating chocolate, taking photographs, being super random.

It's rare but there are some days I want to be completely alone surrounded by chocolate.  I don't want anyone to touch me, call my name or say a word!  I get zero sleep.  Olivia is wanting to nurse at least twice at night.  This makes waking up at 6:00 am to get RyAnne ready for school pretty darn hard.  Not to mention having to function the rest of the day.  And I'm no napper. . .ain't nobody got time for that! ;)

I love being a mommy.  Like, I love it so much I really want another baby!  Not just yet but I def want to have three children before I hit the big 3-5.  ;)

Next week we will meet with our family photographer for our first family of four photographs.  I'm so excited!  I have had our outfits picked out for over a month now.  ;)

I've been so slammed this month with sessions.  Which is always a blessing!  I have really enjoyed the fall weddings and all of these sweet fall sessions.  I have just a few Santa sessions if anyone is interested. ;)

Happy Friday!
Love.
H.

Getting by. . .

Is it really Thursday?  My days are flying by.  Being a mother of two, I tell you what, it's pretty exhausting!   There are days I'm so tired I want to cry.   

As of June 18th, Olivia is now four months old.  She is still nursing perfectly and hitting all her mile stones.  She even rolled over during her four month session.  It caught me off guard!  I had her on her belly and from the view finder of my camera I could see her rolling.  But because she was on the hardwood floors I was afraid she would smack her head. . .and she did.  :(  My finger was still on the trigger while I was reaching to stop her and there is series of blurred shots.

On a daily basis I have at least one blog post idea or a story I want to share with y'all.  I really miss this outlet!  I miss my Hump Day Bump Dates.  I was just re-reading them and reminiscing.  I still plan on sharing my birth story with y'all.  It was the most incredible experience!  I just have to find the time (when I'm not exhausted beyond belief) to give it a good once over.  I even have a slideshow of images all ready for that special blog post!

Check out how much she has changed!  From one month old to four.  :)

At her last check up she weighed in at 13lbs, 12.5oz, and 24.5 inches long.

 This summer, I feel like the worst mother ever.  I'm not getting much consistent sleep.  Olivia sleeps about four to five hours straight, nurses, goes back to sleep then wakes every two hours ready for her next feeding.  This is such a tease!  It makes my days so horrible.  I feel like I can't be a good mother to RyAnne, my attention span is about as big as the tip of a needle, my eyes are glossed over and blood shot, my brain is just fried!  I'm just barely getting by.

RyAnne starts PreK at the end of July and my goal was to make this summer special for her and I.  I wanted to spend time doing fun projects I found on Pinterest, help her perfect writing out her name, read stories and just love on her before she heads off to big girl school. 

Instead of all those lovely things, I end up sitting her at her art table and giving her a project to do all by herself while I take care of her baby sister.  Mom of the year, huh???  Yeah, not even close.

My heart is breaking and longing to just love on this girl like I used to be able to.  I miss our time together.  Before I know it she will be gone from morning till afternoon until she is 18 and evenings, weekends and summer breaks will be our only time.  Just doesn't seem like enough.

I love these girls beyond measure and I pray that God will mold me into a wonderful mother for them.

Praying for some decent sleep!
Love.
H.

Alyse + Nick | Factory Shoals Engagement Session

Alyse + Nick met during their high school days. When she saw him for the first time she thought he was so cute with his spiked hair. They hung out in the same group of friends and flirted for a long time. On Valentine's Day morning before school, Nick took Alyse on a little walk. He gave her a box of Stouffer's chocolates and a little black bear and asked her to "go out" with him.

After dating for over five years, Alyse + Nick started talking about marriage. The courthouse was even brought up. They decided to wait until they could afford the wedding of her dreams.

One morning, in early May 2013, Nick told Alyse he had to help a friend work on his car.  This was nothing out of the ordinary and she didn't think twice about it.  A few hours later when Nick returned, Alyse and her best friend were sitting on the couch chatting.  He smiled at Alyse and told her he had a surprise.  She closed her eyes.  But they knew she was a peek-er so they threw a blanket over her head!

When the blanket was pulled off her head and she opened her eyes, Nick was down on one knee holding a beautiful diamond ring in a box. He was shaking all over and grinning from ear to ear. She was so shocked that she asked him, "Where did you get that?!" But he replied, "I love you, will you marry me?" Of course she said "YES!" and burst into tears.

They had to wait almost a whole week to tell their families because Alyse's mother was out of town. On Mother’s Day 2013, with all of her family at the dining room table, they announced their engagement by handing her mother a Bride’s magazine and telling her she would need it. Her mother was completely confused until Alyse told her, "It goes with this!" She held out her hand with her ring. Everyone was just ecstatic for them!

Nick and Alyse will have been together over 12 and ½ years when they marry in October.  And I can't wait to photograph their sweet day at Starrsville Plantation!!!

Congratulations Alyse + Nick!!!

Love.

H.

Brandon + Nicole | Engagement Session

Brandon + Nicole met in 2009 at the University of West Georgia.  They would run into each other on and off campus at various locations.

One night Brandon asked for Nicole's number.  And he began to text her - ALL the time!  At first Nicole just wasn't interested. . .Until he asked her to go to dinner with him on an official date.

Nicole jokes that they found "love in a bar".  While on a date at Plates in Carrollton, Brandon asked her to be his girlfriend.

After three months of dating, Nicole began to realize Brandon wasn't like all the other guys.

He was the ONE!

After dating for three years, Brandon was ready to ask her dad for permission to marry Nicole.  Well he was ready until he had to really ask.  You see Brandon is a former baseball player and now a coach for Eastside High School in Covington, Georgia.  He isn't shy!  He has been faced with the pressure of saving a game, making important calls!  But when it came to asking her dad, yikes, he was so nervous.

But Brandon had nothing to worry about.  Nicole's father happily gave him permission to marry his daughter.

The ring was picked out, Nicole's manicure was perfection and with an upcoming trip to Savannah, Georgia, he knew that would be the perfect place.

Brandon researched locations in Savannah, Georgia that would make for a perfect backdrop.  He decided on Forsyth Park near the gorgeous fountain.

After a full day of touring around the town, Brandon was ready to head to the park.  However, he couldn't find a parking spot!  His nerves began rising up while they were driving around searching for a parking spot.

After finding a parking spot, and walking over to the fountain, Brandon made eye contact with the photographer he hired to document their proposal.  Nerves!

Brandon asked Nicole to get a penny to throw into the fountain for good luck.  After tossing the penny it was Brandon's turn.  He told Nicole, "I already have mine."  And then he bent to one knee with the ring ready and asked his best friend to be his wife.

Brandon recalls the priceless expression on Nicole's face that he will never forget.

Congratulations Brandon + Nicole!

Love.

H.

Hemorrhoid Cream + Big Coffees

Love my title???  lol  I laugh every time I think about the day I posted this photo.  Mostly because it's my every day these days.  And a lot of you wanted to know if the hemorrhoid cream really works. . .It does!!!  :)  And it has become a part of my skin care regime.  :)

Do y'all remember what got me into photography?  I suffered terrible postpartum depression after I had RyAnne.  When she was eight months old Trey bought me my very first DSLR camera.  I started seeing things differently and photographing her sweet little self made me so happy!  It pulled me right out of my depression and a new business and passion were born!

Well, of course, while I was pregnant with Olivia I was concerned that I might go back down the dark path of depression.  Last week I started feeling it again.  The panic attacks were starting to well up in my chest and the pain of wanting to stay in bed all day lingered over me.  I can't do this again!

I've been a lot more open with my friends and family this time around.  I want them to know how I'm feeling so they can help me snap out of it.  :)  It has really helped me to talk with them.  Also, I've decided to turn to the passion that brought happiness and life in such a yucky time in my life - photography!

My first wedding is April 5th.  I'm excited and nervous.  I can't wait to get back behind my camera and lose myself in the joy of a wedding but I'm not wanting to leave my sweet baby girl.  If I could strap her on my back and know that she wouldn't cry during the ceremony, I totally would bring her along.  After all she has been photographing weddings and sweet families with me since she was concieved.  :)

Spring has also gotten me feeling the itch to photograph all my sweet families!!!  My friend, Arlissa Jones, and I are teaming up again this Spring to offer super gorge mini sessions with fabulous backdrops and props.  These sessions will be held at my home in Social Circle and will include a lemonade stand and much, much more.  I am only offering five, 30 minute sessions.  If you would like one please be the first to message me at info@hollylrobbins.com.  The session fee is 20.00 and is due upon booking to hold your spot.  175.00 is due at your session to purchase all of your edited images.

Can't wait to see y'all!

Happy Hump Day!

Love.

H.