Search this site:    

Today I had a good friend, Staci Bailey, come over to do some photos of me and the baby so I actually have some with me in them with this cute little man. Plus I thought it would be cool to have a nice collection that matched the maternity photos she did.

* *I am really lucky and blessed to have good photography friends and they are all so talented**

We had a pretty good day today and the kids all played together very well. Staci’s little girl I could have just put in my pocket and kept her. Both her kids have such great eyes. I am hoping to steal them one day and do some photos of them.

Ok so anywho… Like I had mentioned before I have a really hard time getting photos of my little Charlie boy. Its like he knows the sound of the camera or can smell it or SOMETHING. He did NOT want to be put down at all and forget about my special tree branch pose I have been DYING to get. He wanted nothing to do with it AGAIN. UGH I was so frustrated. Poor Staci was here all day and he just would not do it. So I have accepted the fact that he just wont do what I want him to do – which makes me really sad; I am just gonna have to find me another baby to play with. So Jen Q you are on my list for my special pose with your bambino!

~Staci thanks so much for hanging out with me today and dealing with the heat, cleaning up the spit up on me and just hanging out with me. I enjoyed having your kids here and hope we can get them all together again soon.

I am really looking forward to seeing a sneak peek of what Staci was able to capture. For right now, I am going to take my pills, pray that my hubby gets home VERY soon and try to ignore the fact that the kids are playing and not cleaning like they are suppose to. I need to get some rest. What a busy and hectic day!

I posted these on my Facebook but wanted to share with others. There was a Father & Daughter Dance for girl scouts and Charley & his cousin decided to take the girls {Lilly and her cousin}. The theme was Hawaiian so they got all decked out in floral patterns and I think they looked great!

I told my daughter that she was VERY special because I have been asking daddy to take me dancing for 4 years now and we have yet gone. But I know its hard to say no to a pair of big blue eyes and a sweet freckled face. I wouldn’t have been able to tell her no either!

The girls got together that night and sweet Auntie Angel served them sparkling cider in wine glasses, gave them pedicures and rubbed with down with body glitter. They looked so cute together. Lilly was so excited to get all dressed up and pampered. Its not often that I do her hair for her or even let her leave the house with some makeup on, but for a special occasion with her daddy, I couldn’t resist.

I only wish I could have followed them and documented the night. I heard she learned how to waltz and correctly and respectfully learn how to dance with a boy. I cant even get my head to go that far into the futrue with her dancing with another boy. UGH!

Here are some pictures of them before they left for the big night. My family members tell me that she looks like my mini twin when I was younger. I do not recall looking as beautiful as she does. But you can call me biasis if you want- I think she is beautiful!

She is growing up so fast- too fast, but growing into a beautiful girl and someday a beautiful woman. YIKES! I can tell we are going to have our hands full and I believe we are prepared.
Lilly~ I love you lillybug.

Here it is, my second attempt with daddy. We did not get much but the ones that we did get, I am happy with. I don’t even know if I should put myself on the list to try to get some pictures of him and I together.

Looking at these, my heart just melts with the love that I have with these 2 guys. Of course each in a different way. My husband, when I look at him, I am flooded with emotions and love on how he cares for me and our family. This guy is the hardest working man I have ever known. He will bend over backwards to help anyone. I am amazed on our relationship that we have and the strength that we have together. I feel so blessed to have this family and this man in my life.

When looking at this baby (and the other kids) I feel overwhelmed at moments on the love that created them. Lilly and Matty are being raised by someone that is amazing. There is no doubt in my mind that those 2 will grow and flourish in life with the love and caring from not only myself but also with this father they have in their lives. Christopher and sweet Charlie Joe, again created with much love. Looking at them reminds me of my relationship that I have with my husband and the Lord. Again, I feel so blessed. I know I keep saying that over and over again, but I am so grateful to have the blessings in our lives like we do. I have the best family!

Charley, thank you so much for loving us the way you do. I am so proud of you for doing all that you are to take care of us in this hard time. I will continue to stand beside you and love you. Thank you so much for letting me do the photos of you and Charlie boy. I love you ALL so much. It makes my heart fill with so much joy and love. I feel so blessed to have not only you, but all the kids.

Here is my first attempt at my kiddos first photo session. We did not get very far as you can see because apparently I did not discuss exactly what he was suppose to do nor NOT do LOL. You would think that the photographers own children would have the best images and the most… well I am here to confess to you all that getting photos of my own children is the hardest and usually results in the least amount of photos. I can not speak for the other mommy photographers, but good gravy! I have been plotting for the last 9 months on all the different poses and shots that I have been wanting to do and so far I feel like a failure. Of course I have to blame my patience levels on that as well as the fact that I still can not get around easy. But I am still determined to get what I want!!!

On a more happier note…. I just love this kid! I know I have said it before but I am so blessed to have him. He is such a good baby and sleeps so well for us and never cries – unless he has gas bubbles. To me he is so cute and he has the cutest facial expressions.

On Friday, he turned one week and I was actually sad. I couldnt believe that one week had already past. I know time will just fly having him in our lives.

Introducing our sweet lil Chazbo ~

I can not believe its already been one week since lil Charley has been born. It really doesn’t seem like it has been that long. Not that a week is really THAT long, unless you are waiting to actually have the baby.

Unfortunately I have not had the chance to do his newborn photos mainly due to the comfort level of the incision. It has not been fun, but we have it on the schedule for tomorrow morning to finally get some of my fave newborn shots of my own little guy. I really cant wait. I am super excited. I just hope I have a sleepy and willing lil man to mold!

Charley baby is such a good baby. We are truly blessed with him. He sleeps great, he has a softcry that he uses only when he is hungry. Not only am I really happy with an easy baby but he is so darn cute. I cant wait to do his pictures ( have I said that already?)

Here are a few pictures of him of just a few days old – these were also posted on my facebook.

And he is finally is… our little potato – Charley

We went in on Friday morning for our scheduled C-section at 7 am. The night before and that morning I was doing great. Charley ( my hubby) and I woke up and got things all together and the car packed with the misc items needed for my “vacation”. We picked up Cousin Ryan and headed to town to have a baby!! We are all excited – until we got half way there. All of a sudden, the nerves flushed over me. In just a few hours (if that) I was actually going to hold this baby that has been growing in my belly. It was all very surreal. As much as i was excited, i just couldnt shake the nerves. Everytime i looked at my hubby, his face was filled with so much love and excitement. I wanted so bad to just hang on to him and not let go till i was back in my room holding our new baby. Its amazing on how scared I was becoming.

when i arrived at the hospital and got checked into my room, they handed me one of those sexy nightgowns that will flash anyone that walks behind ya. I got into my bed to be hooked up to all the fun things waiting for me ( ie: IV, baby monitor, blood work, BP,etc) I looked over and saw all the stuff that was waiting for me to prepare me for my delivery. Again, the nerves kicked in. The next time I looked up at the clock, it read 8:35 and of course I had to ask what time they thought we would be rolling out of here and it seemed she answered me without a pause, 30 minuetes! I still couldnt believe it.

Fast Forward

We get rolled back to the OR with all of us dressed in the finest blues (kidding of course) and this was the big moment. Excitment and fear all rolled into one. So far I was doing ok and had not let any of my fears show yet. The OR had some great rock music playing and everyone was in such great spirits. So many people in there I really couldnt keep count but there was a lot. Soon the epidural was in and my legs got wonderfully warm and then like magic, the feelings in my legs were gone. I couldnt help but to giggle as I watched them move my body. I kept apologizing to them that they had to do the work. Finally my hubby came in. It was so relieving having him there next to me. He made me feel safe. As soon as they put up the curtain and gave me the oxygen, I couldnt hold in my tears any longer. I was just nervous – so nervous that I had to just cry. Thankfully Pam and my hubby just kept talking to each other which helped me to concentrate on them and not on the actual act of me getting cut open.

within a few minues and a few pulls and tugs, out came our precious baby boy. Everyones first reaction was “OH WOW, he is so big!!” I was not expecting that kind of response but it was funny. Just like all our other kiddos, he too had a full head of hair. Dark but lots of blonde throughout. And he was a very big baby – for me. Weighed in at 8 pounds 11 ounces. Now we were all wondering where he was hiding in my belly. I felt huge, but really did not look like I was carring an EIGHT pound baby!

So far he really is a great baby. I am sure i will have some surprises once we get home, but for the most part he is very easy going – likes to eat but has very readable cries for what he needs. No problems except he is still having some issues trying to get the rest of the mucus out from delievery.

Being with him all day was a great day yesterday, and I surprisingly felt wonderful!! I was so shocked on how well i felt. Besides the lack of sleep I was getting, everything was great. Dr. H came to check on me and gave me some advice that I was greatful for! Between him and the nurses, I felt like I got some great sleep last night – which was much needed. Today, on the other hand, was nothing like yesterday. More painful The nurses again helped me get some rest but when i woke up from it not only did my milk come in (hello boobs!) but also all those new hormones came in as well. there is nothing like waking up from a nap and crying for no reason! All I can say is my poor hubby will need something special after dealing with me. I just keep praying that I kept grounded. I pray that God is with me as much as possible so I dont go completly coo-coo.

Tomorrow we will be heding home to a house with 3 others kids that cant wait to see and hold lil Chazbo ( his nickname). It will be nice to be in my own bed again and I cant wait to get some pictures of this cute guy

well…. tomorrow is the BIG day. “D” day, I guess you can call it. The day we finally get to meet this growing miracle that has been with me for 9 LONG months.

As much as its very exciting, its also very nerve racking. This is the first time that I am “scheduled” to have a baby. It is like having a stork bring you a baby. There seems to be so much more planning and waiting then it is to have it in a natural way.

We have done as many preparations as we can think of- cleaning (all the time), ample supply of diapers and wipes, cute little baby clothes, a bassinet, blankets and trying not to get so freaked out about the whole process of getting cut open and the healing process. I think maybe that is the scariest part of all, is the unexpected of the healing process. From our last c-section, the healing was very long and at times very uncomfortable. I sure it will be easier because I will know what to expect but at the same time I will have a 2 year old to chase around as well

Be it as it may, we are still very excited and ready to hold this little potatoe. As for a name, I believe we have it picked out, but then again we are open to some other suggestions that suggest a STRONG NAME. As long as we come home with a baby that has a name, I am not worried. I know that God will give us the name that is perfect for this baby.

Last night we were able to have one more date night – which was great! We did our usual of Mcdonalds and walmart but ended the night at the movies to watch Night At The Museum – which we both really enjoyed. I love spending time with my husband – we always have a good time together. I know it will be tricky to do that again – at least for a while.

As far as the business…. I do plan on taking some time off of course. Really dont think anyone wants to see me wobble around more than they already have plus being sleep deprived! You are all invited of course to stop by (with some notice) to visit, if you like, but the only sessions I will be accepting for a few weeks will only be for newborn sessions. If you are due to deliver soon, please contact me to schedule a tentative date. Charley will also be around to answer any questions and to place ordered that are pending. I will have access to my email and if possible I will answer them. When I am ready to get back to “work” I will post another note and start taking sessions again

I wanted to thank everyone who has had to endure me for the last 9 months, I for one, apologize. I have learned a lot about myself during this pregnancy which mostly is the fact that I have some control issues and I can be a not so nice person LOL. I especially owe an apology for my loving husband that has not once walked away when I have gotten emotional over something silly.

I do plan on taking some pics of my own lil babe to share – which I have been waiting to do. I am so excited about that. So keep an eye out

Well, my friends, I am going to go pack my bag and check my To-Do List one more time and then celebrate with my family for a new addition!

This photo was done by Staci Bailey Photography – one of my photo friends that I am blessed with

Lil M was back again for his 9 months photos. Its amazing the changes, even the small ones, that happen in a short amount of time.

This lil’ tyke was great for his session – and check out that cute chair.

Here is Mr. M’s sneak peek Look for him again in a few short months as we celebrate his ONE YEAR cake smash!!