thank heaven for little boys.

April 19, 2016

We didn’t know where to find spring a few weeks ago, but this lovely mommy-to-be was in full bloom for her maternity session at the County Park. Figure hugging frocks are a big YES for maternity photo shoots in my opinion. There is no better time to show off your bod.

It was cold. But since Rocky wasn’t getting any less pregnant, we didn’t have much of a choice. And Donny was such a good sport. He was frozen. And asked to do ridiculous things like act natural, and then smile, and then smell Rocky’s hair. We definitely made the best of things and laughed A LOT.

The little boy in that belly is one lucky kid.

a birthday & a baby bump.

April 5, 2016

A very special mommy-to-be, who just happens to be one of my best friends, has a birthday today. I hustled to get her maternity photos edited in time to surprise her. We had her session last week, in between days of rain and snow, I still can’t believe we were gifted such a beautiful day. It was perfect. Beyond perfect.

I have known Emily for 8 years, and never in our friendship have I seen her look more radiant.

It honestly looks like we took these photos on two different days, and possibly two different locations. Same day. Same hour. Same location. Just a sun playing peekaboo, and two very different but equally adorable outfits. I am SO looking forward to the arrival of another honorary niece! Happy birthday to you, Emily! I love you so.

the birth of evelyn june: a love story.

March 16, 2016

Back in August, Ashley wrote to me asking if I offered birthing pictures. My first reaction was, uhhhhhh. Because let’s be honest, no. But then I thought to myself, when a stranger asks you to take pictures of the birth of her first child, you do it. So we made a plan, kept in touch throughout the months, and on March 7th, I got the call at 10AM that her water broke. I was at the grocery store, in my gym clothes, looking wild. I super market sweeped the place, went home to grab my camera equipment, and hit the road. This is exactly what I walked into when I got to their hospital room at noon. An adorable mommy-to-be and the sweetest husband in all the land.

I have never met anyone quite like Ashley. We hit it off immediately. Even though the situation could have been a little awkward, what with the contractions and the getting ready to push a baby out, it wasn’t. It was totally natural, like we had known each other forever. And her husband, oh my gosh, what a doll. He was so tender and loving throughout the whole experience. And what an experience it was let me tell you. Plus they didn’t know the sex of the baby beforehand, which made things extra exciting.

I took pictures of EVERYTHING. I had a story to tell. But I’ll leave the actual baby coming into the world via Ashley photos for her and her hubby to share, or lock away, whatever they choose. Watching that baby be born though, I cannot put into words all of the emotions. And seeing their faces when they saw that they had a healthy baby GIRL. Well, we were all crying.

Looking back, I still can’t believe I was asked to be a part of something so beautiful. I cheered Ashley on. I passed the ice chips. I heard that little girl’s first cry. I counted her toes. I fell in love.

At the end of things, we made it clear to each other that we were now forever friends. Because you can’t just walk away from something like that and not feel it for a long, long time. Miss Evelyn June, I cannot wait to see what the world has in store for you, or better yet, what you have in store for the world.

a day in the life of a mompreneur.

February 26, 2016

My monthly Boss Lady features are less about promoting products and services, and more about showing women that they really can have it all. A lucrative business and the flexibility every mom needs. Although I do feel pretty lucky that I get to try amazing products, I don’t want you to feel like I am trying to sell you anything. I’m just letting you know what’s out there in the world of work-from-home and work-for-yourself businesses so that you might feel confident enough to take your own leap, whatever that may be.

February’s Boss Lady is Katie Becker. I had never met her before she contacted me about taking some lifestyle photos of her working from home with her two daughters (it was completely my idea to feature her on the blog). I felt right at home the second I walked in the door. Katie’s positive attitude, likeability, and contagious laugh made it pretty obvious why she is so successful as a network marketing leader for Isagenix.

Katie runs her business from home with her two-year-old and four-year-old. As you can see by the photos (especially the one of her two-year-old refusing to share her protein bar with me), Isagenix products are kid approved. I always thought that Isagenix sold only protein powder, but when looking through the catalog, I was overwhelmed by all of the products they offer. Katie helped by sending me and Mary Kay Senior Sales Director, Kristen Dispenza (who did her makeup) home with “swag bags.” SO many samples that I’ve been spending the last few days testing out. My favorites? Well, the grape Replenish powder in my water bottle was pretty amazing. The IsaDelights are seriously delightful. And the IsaLean Bar kept me full from breakfast to lunch. All opinions are my own.

Learn more about Katie by visiting her website.

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xoxo.

February 14, 2016

I know that Valentine’s Day is an acquired taste. Some think it’s a Hallmark holiday and try not to pay it much attention. Me? I embrace a day that reminds me to go out of my way to let my hubby, friends, and family members know how much I love them. Because life is busy, and sometimes I forget. My hubby and I began dating long distance, so I usually spent my Valentine’s Day evenings going on dates with my single girlfriends. I would always bring a box of chocolates and a valentine for our waiter or waitress, and valentines for the bartenders (some of my favorite memories, Cathy & Anna!). But once my hubby and I got engaged and moved in together, I started expecting some romance. Well. That first year, nothing happened. NOTHING. Not a card, not a Reese’s heart, nada. So I decided to take Valentine’s Day into my own hands, and now I surprise HIM. He’s fun to surprise because he’s adorable and loves to have his picture taken.

We began the day with heart-shaped egg muffins. You can find the recipe on Pinterest. I got the pan from Target. Such a fun idea and a healthy breakfast so you can eat a pound of chocolate after.

My hubs did work in his office while he waited for me to set everything up so he could be surprised. We have some major role reversals in our relationship but it works for us. The eggs came out great!

Since he totally bombed 2014’s Valentine’s Day and can no longer be trusted, I ordered my gift from Nordstrom and used his credit card. It’s a glass water bottle so I can use my essential oils in it. I was pretty pleased with myself until I saw in his (homemade) card that he signed us up for weekly fresh flowers from our Co-Op (we get our veggies from there during the summer/fall). UM, what a cute idea! He definitely gets some major points for that one. I totally get that gifts aren’t what’s important, ever, but I appreciate a little something when the time calls for it. And he did good.

(I got him jeans that are not pictured because he just had to have them two weeks ago).

And now we are going to spend the rest of the afternoon getting chocolate drunk. I hope you all have a wonderful day filled with love and whatever makes you happy. XO!