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Welcome 2012.. Here’s to a year of great things to come!

Wanna do something fun and kinda crazy?? ok- maybe its not CRAZY but it’s fun

On this FRIDAY the 13th I will be opening my studio for FREE sessions for newborns and babies that are sitting between the cute ages of 5-9 months!!!

There is no catch… I just want to see some cute adorable baby smiles

leave me an email or give me a call

lets play

…ok TOTALLY noticed I used a lot of and italics lol- does that make me a dork fish??

Looking at her makes me make funny baby noises.. I LOVE this stage of babyhood- they are so stinken cute and playful and who doesn’t love it when babies eat their toes?!!!!

I love her!

Meet my wonderful hair dresser!!! Isn’t she beautiful!??! And my new do- when I actually take it out of the pony tail holder- looks great!

We had a urban family session downtown Sandpoint just before WINTER came brrrrr

If you could see how AMAZING this momma was pregnant, you would instantly be envious. You would find her picture in the dictionary under “PERFECTION”. No Joke!

So it was only natural that I was giddy with excitement to meet their new little one when she made her big entrance. Of course, momma had the best birth story ever and proved it by the most adorable perfect little baby girl.  I really could have just eaten her up

Check out the sneak peek into our session of baby K.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I was invited back again to shoot at the Talus Rock Retreat and I must say… I wish I could make it my own It truly was a photographers candy store! They have the MOST amazing “props” and colors in the retreat. Ahhhh.. it was breathtaking!

OK… so I was able to meet this sweet lil boy and his super sweet momma. He was the most PERFECT lil baby EVER. My goodness- I have never done a newborn session in record time before, but he was super nice to me and slept the whole time. It was P E R F E C T I O N.

Check out our sneak peek into our session

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Isn’t this just the cutest?! His little swirl of hair. I found out that its a personal trait from his daddy

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

** J- thank you so much for coming to see me. It was a great pleasure to meet you and your sweet one- and capture these fun images. I look forward to seeing you again soon!! **

It wasn’t very long ago… I was surfing facebook- my nemesis – and happened to check out a gal that friend-ed me. It was her profile picture that really caught my attention. She was beautiful, pregnant and had colorful balloons in her pic. After a short hello, we began chatting about our pregnancy, babies, photography and our other kids.. and within a few short days/ weeks- a great friendship seemed to blossom.

It was and still is nice to sit and chat about photography and our kids- knowing that the other person totally understands what they are going through.

We decided one day that we would meet up and play shop as we baby swapped to do photos. We both were having a hard time doing photos of our own baby- even with the help of others. We just figured if it went south during our meeting then at least we could sit and enjoy each others company as we stared at our lil ones

We set up a day for baby fun day and tried to see what we could do. Sadly, Jack, once again, didn’t give me much to work with… and he gave NOTHING to my friend. What a little stinker. Her little one, was almost as picky as mine- although we finally were able to get her to sleep for a few shots.

Here is our creations that we were able to capture. A huge thanks to Meshelle Photography for being such an amazing person!! I can’t wait to do this again.

A friend of mine, who has for the last 2 babies of mine, been super close in delivery dates… which I think is a lot of fun It is fun watching our kids grow together.

Her little man was born a week after my Jack. I kept hoping she would go into labor while I was in the hospital but no such luck.

But I was lucky enough to have a visit them and snap a few pics of little Isaac. Ok, well he wasn’t exactly tiny. This little one was a 9 pounder- and if you knew this momma you would ask her where the heck he was hiding!

J & G- thank you for letting me capture your little one. I am  so happy for you all

If you have been following my desperate attempt to do photos of my little guy, you probably have heard not only the cries of my kids but also from me lol.

You would think that with a newborn totally at my mercy 24-7 I would be able to get so many cute photos of him. Well, I learned when my now 2yr old was a newbie that it is nearly impossible- especially after trying to heal from a c-section- that it just doesnt happen the way you would think it would.

Since walking up stairs is basically a way to torture myself I have had to enlist my kids to bring down the only thing that would keep things simple. My bean bag and blankets. Now, since we are in our new house, I have this beautiful natural light coming in the living room so I was going to take advantage of that for sure. But let me tickle your imagintion for a moment while i try to explain what happens when THIS momma tries to take photos of her own baby.

So I sit here at the computer with a naked baby all wrapped up cozy… waiting for him to fall asleep. Meanwhile, I have the bean bag all set up and draped like I want it to be and the heater all set up so when baby falls asleep all I have to do is lay him down. Well, just before little Jack drifts off to sleep, here he comes… running in as loud as he can… the trouble maker… the rowdy 2 year old- cute but descrutive. What he sees is a perfect place to jump and roll on… yup, the bean bag set up. So now, everything that I had set up- with my one arm that is free from NOT holding baby.. is all over the floor- crumbled up in a ball. By this time, 3 other kids have made their way into the mock “studio”.. all wanting a turn to jump on the bean bag. So now, baby is no longer sleepy and my blood pressure has climbed a little up more than I want it too. I call daddy for some desperate reinforcement for just a few minutes. Finally, things are quiet again and I try laying the little man down for a few photo ops. I get him positioned.. get his hands just right… grab the camera.. and here comes trouble again.. baby awake- UGH. I get him back to sleep, but its a light sleep. I try to get his hands and arms just right but he is a Charlebois so a little stubborn he is. I can’t get too picky at this point. All I want is to capture his newborn sweetness. Capture those tiny details that seriously grow way too fast! He has that soft fine hair on his face and on his shoulders that will be gone the next time I get to really stare at all his beauty.

The best part of using my living room instead of studio is I am keeping it so simple. No huge expectations for myself to create some breath- taking “newborn photographer image”. Instead, I get to just capture my little man. Simply.

Now, yes, of course, if I had the time, the patience, the help and the energy to be able to pull off a traditional “newborn session” I would but I am keeping it simple

So through the blood, sweat, tears, poo, pee, spit up, screaming and melt downs.. here is my lil’ Jack

This adorable hat is from Ali Bali Green. Go check out her page!!

Bet you thought I dropped off the planet?? Nope…. my site has been down due to some glitch but even MORE exciting is we FINALLY welcomed our little potato!!

Monday, September 5th- Labor Day, After I had a good visit from a friend and her adorable kiddos, I started having contractions. Thinking nothing of it I went on with my day. Later that evening, I was still getting those pesky contractions and decided I should keep track of them- just to see what kind of pattern- if any- I was having.

Another friend of mine gave me some advice about taking a shower- either the contractions would stop or keep going. So I hopped my chunky butt in the shower and relaxed in that warm water. For an hour, the contractions actually stopped but then they came harder. I decided that I should let hubby know of the situation. This is the point where I was just lost on what to do. You would think that after having 4 kids already, you would know just about everything, but I was at the point of worrying about crying wolf. Hubby came in early that night to watch and monitor me (such a sweet guy) and those contractions kept coming and kept getting worse. Finally he raised his voice at me to call the doc and let him know what was going on. The last thing I wanted to happen was to brush it off and then have this delivery be an EMERGENCY delivery. So I called and we went in. We left the house with nothing but my camera. I didn’t want to get my hopes up by packing that delivery bag- just to have to bring it back home. We get settled in the room, hooked up to the monitors and waited for doc.

When he first came in, I was only dilated to a 1-2 – ugh. In otherwords- a long way from delivery. He then said he wanted to wait it out and see what the contractions would do. Then he said he wanted to me stay over night to watch the progress. I have to admit at this point I was so confused at this decision. If I am having contractions- set up for a c-section- wouldn’t it be best to deliver BEFORE things got so hectic???

Well not 10 min later doc came back in and said that it was delivery day! Even though I was excited- I was concrened. Tomorrow was the kids first day of school and I wasn’t going to be there. The next thing I know they have Charley dressed in scrubs and rushing us down the hall. I barely had time to sign my name to the living will. I honestly didn’t think we would be in such a hurry, but I sure was glad- those contractions had me in tears!

As we waited down the hall for the OR, the anesthesiologist came by to read me the things that could happen. After he was done reading- I had to ask him if he was in the military. He had no bed side manners. Just to the point- like I was almost an inconvenience to his night- which I probably was, but hey- God had plans!

I kissed hubby bye and I rolled in that cold ER. Sat up for my spinal- which by the way was RIGHT during a contraction. And do you think that the military anesthesiologist WAITED for it to pass?? OH no… he just jammed that needle in my back. By this time I could no longer be “strong” and I just broke down. I waited for this moment for 9 months, I was scared, cold, in pain and not going to be there for my kids in the morning. By the time they layed me down on the table, my water had broke. I just kept thinking to myself, Thank GOODNESS I came in when I did. I mean we were already rushed but can you imagine if my water had broke how much MORE rushed we would have been?!

For some reason I was completely scared out of my mind. I was so afraid that something bad was going to happen. My iron level was SO low that they had things on standby for me in case there was a lot of blood loss. My body was still having contractions and not that I could feel the incision, but I could feel SOMETHING and it was NOT pleasant. I was so uncomfortable. Something just didn’t seem right. The last c-section was no where NEAR this uncomfortable and painful.

When baby came out- he was still a he ( I had secret hopes that we would be surprised with a girl)- took a moment for him to start crying but then he let out a big cry. I couldn’t believe how chunky he was. Even my doc was surprised on how large he was. I was so happy to see this little boy- this miracle I have carried and worried and complained about for 9 months- in person… it was breathtaking to finally kiss his forehead and say “i love you”.

Things were so painful for me that hubby, the baby and Dr Deland, left the room and requested that I get a little bit more meds to help with the discomfort. I guess I had them all worried with how much pain I was actually in. When I made it to recovery, they tried a few times to get my pain level down. I never seen someone pump so much meds in my IV before. They even let hubby come back to check on me- which I was really grateful for. I really needed him next to me- although I HATED him to see me so weak. I couldn’t believe how emotional and NOT strong I was.

The rest of that night was a little blurry but I do remember coming back to my room and seeing my parents and Charley and my sweet little baby.

The next morning was amazing… well besides the fact that my pain was still at a 9-10 and my catheter fell out. They even thought they had a chance of putting that thing back in me… well I had news for them! No way in THIS world was that going to happen. I picked up my little man and snuggled him into my chest and let that special mommy love. There is something so wonderful- that you can not explain- of holding a baby and feeling him (or her) fall asleep on your chest. I love the way he curls up on me and snuggles his head just under my chin. That sweet baby smell is something I will never forget.

As soon as I had a moment to myself I undressed my little man to kiss his tiny toes and just run my hand across his full little body of his. I couldn’t believe that I was growing this little person inside of me. For some reason it still didn’t hit me that he was finally here.

I have the most adorable baby… I think perfect skin, cute nose, sweet toes…. just perfect- in my eyes

I thank everyone for all the love, well wishes, prayers and gifts- it all means so much to me.

Its so funny now that the pregnancy is over. There is a part of me that misses being pregnant. Don’t call me crazy yet lol. But I miss the feeling of those kicks and jabs in my tummy and how people think and act towards pregnant mommas. I am so grateful that the pregnancy is over- for sure- much rather hold him in my arms than in my tummy… and maybe I only miss the “pregnancy” because this is my last and final baby. There is something almost bitter sweet about that. Freedom, yet sadness.

All I know, is I am going to try to fully enjoy this baby every minute that I can.

Here is my miracle… my gift from God…

Jackson Theodore Charlebois ~ Our new baby

A good friend of mine- who also did my beautiful maternity photos, came at the last minute to capture my little man and me while we were still at the hospital. This image says so much to me and fills my heart with some much love and joy. I am so in love.

I seriously thought this week wouldn’t end… ok and I feel like these next 2 weeks are never going to come and end either.. I guess that is what happens when you are watching the calendar and clock for D DAY! As of today I have 11 days left of carrying this baby in belly. I can not express enough to you how excited I am to just hold this little miracle. Time really can not come fast enough.

Friday was my last Sun Kissed Summer Mini Session… and I have to say, it was a lot of fun seeing everyone and capturing those cute images. I hope you are not bored with seeing more, because I have this one more session to share!!

I first met this little guy when he was just a newbie.. and NOW look at him- such a big- happy- boy. And his beautiful momma is expecting another one.. YAH!! I can’t wait to meet this little one she is growing. I am hoping it will be a girl!

Here is a sneak peek into our session~

Check out this watermelon. Talk about playing with your senses. Or at least it did mine. Completely opposite on the outside and the inside YELLOW. Every time I looked at it, my mouth watered thinking it tasted like something tropical like pineapple but no joke, it tasted JUST like a normal pink watermelon! I still can’t get over it

* J & R- thank you so much again for coming to see me. I truly enjoy you all and hope to be able to see you again once baby is born I hope the rest of the summer is nice to you!! And lil man C- Thank you so much for all the smiles you gave me. *

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