What day is it??? Time for a Hump Day Bump Date! :)

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If you read my last Bump Date, you know all about my family photo shoot.  Well, at least you know about all the sickness and my worries.  I was pretty nervous about this session because my expectations may have been through the roof.

 

I photograph families, maternity sessions, babies, weddings, engagements and while I am a bit nervous going into photographing I know in my heart that their session will be everything they hoped it would be.  Not that I am really that cocky but I know that because I pray for it. . .for every single client!

But being on the other side of the camera isn't my specialty.  There I am standing in front of someone's camera feeling like I don't have any control, quite exposed and not knowing what I should do with my hands.  lol  So, I needed someone that could handle that!  I found Katey Penton and fell in love with her gorgeous, airy photography.  My family and I met with her in downtown Rutledge for our family/maternity session two Wednesdays ago.

 

Trey had just been diagnosed with an eye infection, RyAnne was recovering from one and I was sick with a cold and cough (again!).  Thankfully my nephew, Taylor, was healthy and all smiles.  :)  How we managed to pull off such a great looking family photo. . .I don't know!  lol But I think we look awesome.

33 weeks pregnant and counting!

Newest craving:  Still ice.  But guess what?  I found ice that trumps Chick-Fil-A ice!!!  Sonic is even better!!!  :)

Decisions!
A few weeks ago we went to our check up.  I met with my Dr. and wanted to talk with her about natural childbirth.  While RyAnne's actual birth went just fine, getting the epidural was pure hell.  I was in pain when receiving it (like I'm pretty sure they hit a nerve and my arm curled up all exorcist style) and was in pain for about a year after it.  Not something I want to do all over again.

After doing a little reading about natural childbirth and the recovery process being quicker, I felt like that was the way I wanted to go this time around.  But I needed more info.  I began asking my Dr. her opinions and advise.  She seemed less than excited that I was wanting to go this direction.  Almost as if, why in the world would you want to have a baby without an epidural?!  This confused me to no end!  I left my appointment feeling like I wasn't being supported, like I was crazy for wanting to birth my baby the way God intended me to.  I cried.  A lot.

My next visit was about a week and a half ago.  This time I met with one of the mid-wives.  She looked at my chart and said excitedly, "Oh! You are having a natural childbirth!"  I was like, "Oh the Dr. wrote that down? And you support that?"  She said, "Of coarse I do!  Why wouldn't I?"  I explained to her that the Dr. she works for didn't seem supportive of my decision at all.  And then I began to cry. . .again!  At that moment I felt so confused.  I knew what I wanted but didn't feel like I had anyone's support.  And how could I go to a hospital with a childbirth plan in place that no one would support?!

My mid-wife, JJ, explained why she loved natural childbirth and told me to watch the movie The Business of Being Born by Ricki Lake.  Trey and I watched it together.  Ladies if you are unsure of how you want your childbirth to go PLEASE watch this movie!!!  It opened our eyes and has allowed me the confidence in my own body's ability to have Olivia naturally.

 

Watching these awesome women birth their babies was very empowering and exciting!  I can't wait for this experience and I really, really can't wait to hold my sweet girl!  Oh jeeze, and now I'm crying. . .again!

Happy tears!
Love.
H.

Lydia Ann | Welcome!

I was very excited to photograph this little girl's mommy & daddy's maternity session several weeks ago. Β And even more excited to get to photograph Lydia Ann's newness!!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Photographing newborns is such a joy. Β While holding this sweet girl it made me that much more excited about meeting my baby girl this February. Β Pretty awesome way to end an amazing 2013 year.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year Everyone! Love. H.

Haley | Class of 2014

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This is my niece, Haley!  She is a senior this year at Social Circle High School.  She is an excellent student and super awesome chick!

For the longest time, much like most teenagers about to leave high school, Haley was undecided on what she wanted to do after high school.

So, she began to pray! :)  She asked God to show her His path for her life after high school.

A mission trip to Romania came up.  She knew immediately that was for her and that God was leading her straight into the ministry!

This summer she will travel to Romania on God's mission and return to attend Georgia Perimeter College for the next two years.  She plans to transfer to a university to become a teacher and continue her mission work.

It's hard to believe she is graduating high school this coming up year.  We are all so very proud of you and your faith!

We love you bunches Haley!
Happy Tuesday!
Love.
H.

Guess what day it is? Time for a Bump Date!

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ONLY TEN MORE WEEKS!  I am finally at the 30 week mark!

I thought it would be a cute idea to do Bump Dates every other (maybe every) Wednesday until the big day arrives.  Here is 1 of 5-ish.  :)

Recently I revealed our baby girl's name. . .I love it so much!  :)  It took us longer to decide this little girl's name than it did with RyAnne.  And I really hated the feeling of not having a name ready for her. We had several contenders but Olivia Reagan kept standing out to me.  While Trey and I were on vacation I asked him if we could just try it out for a week and see if it was a fit.  It stuck!  :)

Everyone keeps asking me if we have her nursery finished.  Nope!  We haven't even started.  I'm slightly ashamed.  I have so many cute ideas and goodies for her room but not a single photo on the wall, no paint, no trim, no curtains, no props ready for her newborn session. . .If I keep going I might have a panic attack!

Trey overheard my girlfriend and I talking about her 3 week early delivery.  He freaked out!  RyAnne was right on her due date and I think we are both assuming Olivia Reagan will be the same.  However, it's amazing how different this pregnancy is compared to RyAnne.  With that said, I am so done being pregnant!  I can barely roll over in bed.  I grunt when I put my shoes on.  When I get out of bed I feel like my feet are going to explode as they fit the ground.  My pubic bone can't handle much more.  It feels like it's got the weight of the world resting on it.  Walking up stairs, sitting, standing. . .anything it just too much.  And the truth is I just feel huge and I can't breath.  Blah.

AND if I hear another one of the following comments I might get all pregnant girl postal on someone!

rude person, "Wow, you look like you're gonna pop!"
me, "I still have over two months!"

rude person, "You look about the same size as when you delivered RyAnne."
me, "I am and I still have over two months."

rude person, "Are you pregnant?"
me, "YES!"

Makes me a little depressed that folks make these comments.  At a time in my life when I'm not feeling the most confident, why in the world would one think these comments would help or encourage me?

On to cravings!!!  lol  I want ice!  To be more specific I want Chick-Fil-A ice.  Those airy little ice cubes are ah-mazing!  No other strange cravings at this point.

Today we have our maternity/family session with Katey Penton!!!  I'm so excited!  We haven't had family photos in forever!  Which is pretty horrible!  lol  You're photographer doesn't have updated photographs of her OWN family.  Yeah, working on that!  Last time I set up an appointment for our family photographs it rained.  Then I set up another one and it rained.  And then I set up another appointment. . .Yep you guessed it!  It rained again!!!  Photographs never happened last year.

And wouldn't you know, RyAnne is just getting over pink eye and Trey came home yesterday with pink eye and on Monday I got sick with some crazy 24 hour yucky.  But you better believe we will still get dressed up and get in front of Katey's camera today!  I'm so not canceling this year.  So, just pray we can hold it together long enough for some great shots, Trey's eye doesn't look too gross, it doesn't rain, RyAnne is in the best mood, my clothes fit and we get a gorge sunset!  That's all!

Happy Bump Date!
Love.
H.

Southern Shinz | The 32 Degree Shoot!

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Last week I met at my friend's, Elanita Barfield's, new boutique, Southern Shinz for a photo shoot.  It was seriously 32 degrees that morning but our model's handled it like pros!

Her grand opening was on Black Friday and was a huge success.  She offers fabulous goodies! 
- customizable jewelry - scarves - watches - boots - designer jeans - handbags - shirts - candles -
and so much more!

There is even a room of gently used, designer brand clothing.

Elanita has done a fabulous job designing her boutique.  Southern Shinz is located just off the famous Covington Square in Morgan Plaza at 2169 Pace Street.  Her hours are Monday through Friday 9:00am to 6:00pm and Saturday 10:00am until 4:00pm.

Being a small business owner myself, I understand the importance of buying local and supporting local.  Go like Southern Shinz Facebook fan page to keep up to date on new products and gift ideas this Christmas!
Happy Saturday!
Love.

H.