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Next to God’s Word, this has to be the most perfect book for any woman who longs to be a mommy! Marla has outdone herself with this beautiful book and journal combination–almost enough to have me wanting another baby! I only wish this book had been around when my children were in the womb. Perfect for those who are longing for a baby, just found out about expecting, or for the momma who’s well on her way toward motherhood, “Expecting” is the best gift book for hopeful moms I’ve seen yet. – Deena Peterson – A Peek at My Bookshelf Blog

(Columbus, Ohio) – Numerous parenting books line the shelves of local bookstores and online sites, but rarely do expectant mothers come across a book that is entirely devoted to the prenatal body and soul development of their child. Author, Marla Taviano’s new book, Expecting: Praying for Your Child’s Development – Body and Soul, provides words of comfort, encouragement and inspiration for soon-to-be mommies. Whether a first pregnancy or a fifth, whether planned for or surprised by this new life, Marla’s sensitive writing and loving observations of unborn life will pacify anxious feelings and help moms focus on the One who can bring calm assurance. Amazing fetal developments, coupled with reflective journaling ideas make for a beautiful heirloom to pass down to future generations.

Marla knows the pressures of motherhood. Perhaps that’s why this book so aptly captures the nine months leading to the physical welcoming of a child into the world. Those quiet moments will be quickly replaced with dirty diapers, wet slobbery kisses and spit up. She inspires mommies to relish the physical changes and the tranquil pre-motherhood moments with the Creator of all things.

Marla Taviano is the author of From Blushing Bride to Wedded Wife (Harvest House, 2006), Is That All He Thinks About? (Harvest House, 2007), and Changing Your World, One Diaper at a Time (Harvest House, 2008). She also writes educational books for McGraw–Hill’s reading curriculum. She is a gifted communicator with a passion for reaching young women with God’s truth. Marla’s dynamic teaching style and genuine love for her students have made her a favorite among her pupils over the years. Audiences are entertained and encouraged by her engaging enthusiasm. Since composing her first poem at age four, Marla knew she wanted to be a writer. She left her teaching career in 2000 to stay home with her newborn daughter and devotes more time to writing.

Marla and her husband, Gabe, live in Ohio and have three daughters—eight-year-old Olivia Joy, six-year-old Ava Marie, and three-year-old Nina Gabriel.

I see how quickly time flies watching my own kids, but it always seem so much faster when its the little ones I photograph.

Little Miss S is ONE YEARS OLD and still as beautiful as the first time I saw her – and still as sweet. Her parents are AMAZING as well!!

Here is a sneak peak of her session…..

Yesterday was a pretty exciting day and night and of course I just HAVE to share it! It started with our doc appointment for the ultrasound. We all know that they don’t give us an ultrasound just to give us the sex of the baby but its more for the medical reasons. And we are happy to report we have a very healthy baby – from what they can see on screen. That is great news! So we were hanging in there waiting to hear what we were going to have – Tomato or a Potato? Everyone swore we were having a girl. My mom was convinced it was a girl because my “looks changed”. So basically in a nice way that was saying I was not very pretty because the baby was taking it. LOL- Nice mom, thanks. What I wanna know is, what is the excuse NOW??!!
So if you are confused, we are having a boy. Another penis! No pink but its a healthy baby and that is much more important. For a split second after she said its a boy, I thought well we can try again for a girl. Then I quickly came back to reality and had to smack me. HELLO have I completely LOST my mind?!!

We had planned a special adult night with my SIL and BF to tell them what we were having over a nice dinner. We selected to go to the Hydra because red meat/ Steak sounded SO GOOD. Before we left for dinner, I washed the best looking potato I had in my pantry and wrapped a cute blue bow around it just for my SIL. I must say it was a very cute looking potato
Charley came home and got all sexy looking for me which is always a nice (and yummy) surprise. He put the kids in the car to take to my parents house and then came back and knocked on our door. Silly me thought he just had his hands full and couldn’t open the door. So I openedd it and to my SURPRISE there he stood looking all hot with a red rose and the world best fitting card for me and then asked me if I would go on a date with him. AAWWWW OF COURSE!! It was so sweet.

When we got to the restaurant we asked the waiter if he could do us a HUGE favor and take our little wrapped up potato and bring it to his sister after dinner. This waiter was AWESOME. I am bad with names but I believe it was Rich. He was really awesome and took such great care of us that night. Finally Angel and Ryan ( my SIL and her BF) showed up baring a pink gift and a blue gift and tried really hard to get us to crack but we did not at all. We kept her in great suspense that night for a while.

Meanwhile, between some bubbly apple juice, Charley had asked the waiter if he had anything as beautiful as us he could bring us. We both looked at each other with shocked and could only mutter, ” WHHHHAAAAAAtt”. Moments later, 2 HUGE bouquets of flowers came for us. One for me from Charley and the other for angel from Ryan. They were absolutely beautiful. And it came with chocolate. How perfect was that??!!!!

Dinner came shortly after that and so did our announcement to them. The waiter brought our sweet little potato in a small bowl. It really did look cute laying there LOL. It took just a second for it to click for her but the pure excitement from her was amazing. The night was full of surprises, laughter and even a few good tears (from me of course). It really was a perfect night. Great food, great company, awesome quality/ romantic time with my hubby and a kid free meal with NO DISHES!

Boy or girl? The count down is ON. By 11:00 am tomorrow – Lord willing- we will find out if we are gonig to have a boy or a girl. Now I am guessing you are asking yourself, “what up with the “tomato/ potato title”? welllll…. When my sister in law was younger and her mom was pregnant with my hubby, she asked her what they should name the baby she was going to have. She replied, “if its a girl name her Tomato, and if its a boy, name him Potato!”

SO the plan for tomorrow is we are going to see if we have the ability to let the technician write our little blessing inside an envelop and during dinner with my sister in law, we will reviel the gender! And the way we will tell her is by giving her either a tomato or a potato Now, knowing us we wont be able to wait all day to find out. Its just too easy to NOT to. So I am sure we will fold and have to know at that moment. Which is ok. then i can start my plotting on new decorations and baby stuff

So, take a guess.. Tomato or Potato?

Any questions, just drop me a line or call me between 10-4.

Oh this lil cutie made me smile ALL DAY!! From the moment I met him till I finished the last photo in editing. He has the sweetest facial expressions and is such a happy baby. Check him out!!!