Oh, How I've Missed You...

My camera, that is.

Since Liv has been born the only time I've picked up my camera is to take pictures of

our family.

I MISS being behind the camera.  And I go a little crazy when I finally get to take time

for myself and JUST for my photography.

Well, I decided to pick up my camera to try out a Pinterest idea {pin}.  I wanted to capture

all three of my sweet girls in my wedding gown. 

Being a photographer and the mom of three girlies, I sometimes daydream of the day

my girls will walk down the aisle.  I wonder what it will be like, feel like and sometimes

wonder, "what will they wear?" 

Honestly, I do not want them to wear my wedding gown.

I know, SHOCKED?!

Well, here are my reasons:

1.  I want my girls to wear the dress that THEY want to wear for their most special day.

I don't mind if they tear my dress to pieces to take 'a little from here or there' to put with

their own wedding gown. 

2.  I have three girls.  I do not want them worried about, 'who will wear it first, who will

get it {if God forbid something happened to me}, etc.'   I want all three of them to be able

to 'share' the dress.  IF. THEY. WANT. TO.

There is no pressure... one can take a veil, one can take a piece of the skirt, and so on and so on...

Of course, I also know that my girls might look at my wedding gown, when comparing it to, lets say,

a

"Vera Wang"

and say,

"um, mom, no offense, but your dress is U-G-L-Y... it's SO old school, mom... OMG,

I wouldn't be caught DEAD in that thing!"

And no, my feelings will not be hurt. 

I KNOW that by the time my girls get married {sniff sniff} that my dress will, more than

likely, look like an 80's prom dress.  gag.

And I'm okay with that.

If they want to take a piece for keepsake, I'm okay with that.

It will be here for all of them to share...and use... if they want.

So, looooooong story short, ha!

I saw this idea on Pinterest:  take a picture of your girls in your wedding gown.

I KNEW right away, being that I have all girls, that I was going to do this.

I have not opened my wedding gown bag since my wedding... well, maybe once or twice.

I want to have it cleaned and put away.

So... here are the images of my sweet girls in their momma's wedding gown:

{I also took a few of just the dress}

Enjoy!  xoxo

 

Introducing Livia "Liv" James

Livia James 

October 7, 2011

7 pounds 14 ounces

20.5 inches long

Head full of black hair!

Yes, she is already 5 weeks old.  

And yes, that's how long it has taken me to

find a minute to write her birth story.

Life with three children is wonderful but

very busy.   We are trying to enjoy every

"newborn" minute of Liv too because before we

know it, she will be one year old.

Being that this was our fourth child, (we lost our second

girl, Adelynn Nicole at 39 weeks, in case some of you didn't

know) we thought, this baby will come WAY BEFORE our due date!

Well, little did we know Liv had a different plan.  Liv

didn't make it to her due date... but she ALMOST did.  Baby

Liv's due date was October 10.  

We chose to not find out the sex either... so we were excited

about having a surprise at the end of long 9 months.   This

was the most difficult, sickest, tiring pregnancy that I ever

had.  Of course, I was keeping up with two young girls too.

Starting at 35 weeks, I started having contractions that were

hurting and sometimes I had to breath through them.  Um, this

went on until almost 40 weeks!  At 37 weeks, they checked my

blood pressure (as usual) and it was high.  Baby looked great

and everything else did... but my blood pressure was not

cooperating.  I was 2 cm dialated too.

Being that we wanted to have this baby with no drugs,

yes, you read that right...

NO drugs...

My wonderful and most awesome doctor ever, let

me go home and labor and come back the next week.

And the next.

And the next. 

At my 'almost 40' week appointment, 

my blood pressure was up and my reflexes were

"brisk".  Which can be a sign of preeclampsia. 

I was 3 cm dialated and SO sick.  

We were ready.

My doctor suggested breaking my water the 

next morning and keeping everything as natural as

possible.  He sent me home and I 'thought', "no problem,

I bet I go into labor naturally tonight anyway."  

Nope. 

I woke up the next morning at 5:30a.m. and

headed to the hospital. 

No makeup.

No cute outfit.

No "pretty" hair.

No cute shoes.

I looked like the biggest bum ever.  And I didn't care.

I was ready to labor naturally and get this show on the road!

My dearest and closest friend, Julie, drove up from

Baton Rouge, LA and met us at the hospital...

within minutes of us getting there.  

(Thank you Julie, you rock...)

My doula (labor coach) was waiting for the doctor

to break my water, then head to the hospital.  I had a great support

team:  My husband, Michael (my rock)

My sister, Nicole (who had to leave to go to work and come back

and missed the birth by 30 MINUTES!)

My best friend, Julie (who was my other rock).

And my doula, Carol Ann (the BEST money I've ever spent!)

And my unforgettable nurse, Karin, who supported our

natural birth decision 150%!

I honestly thought, the doctor would come in and break my water and

VOILA!

There's baby!

Nope.  

They broke my water at 9:15a.m. and I got up and started

walking the halls with Michael.  My doctor wanted to give

me 2 hours for contractions to start and if they didn't, we would

have to start Pitocin (which I've had before and God help me

I was NOT putting that horrible drug in my body again, IF I could

help it).

So, water is broken and I'm walking the halls and...

9:30a.m. - nothing

9:45a.m. - nothing

10:00a.m. - nothing

10:30a.m. - nothing

10:45a.m. - nothing

By this point, you see the picture.  My awesome nurse

gave me some more time before calling my doctor and my doula showed

up!  She started acupressure to try and get labor

going.  I swear, I think I walked 100 laps on the L&D floor.

Michael and Julie left to grab lunch before anything started happening. 

Nicole had to run into work for a bit and said she would be back asap.

I was happy and smiling when they left... 

and 30 minutes when they got back, 

everything changed.

I started getting more serious and breathing through my 

contractions.  I wanted cold rags because

I started getting hot.

At this point, I was still walking the halls...

I started squatting with my doula and trying to "slow dance" the 

baby down and out.

I could definitely feel a change.

I walked 2 more laps with my support team and started

hanging ONTO Michael because of the pain...

I started moaning.

And that's when I knew I was entering "active labor".

I wanted to go back into the privacy of my suite because

you wouldn't BELIEVE the looks you get from some of the other

women (in labor) or families (there waiting on a baby to 

be born) when you are laboring naturally... 

and walking around...

and moaning...

it's like they've never seen anyone labor naturally.

I went straight into my suite and labor started coming on

fast.

So fast, I started to get scared.

I danced with Michael some more

and then wanted a change.

I got on the birth ball for a while and that felt

wonderful!

All of the sudden I started shaking... and I 

got really nauseous.  I was covered in hands.  My doula

was doing acupressure and Michael was rubbing my back. 

My bff, Julie, was keeping cold rags on me...

it was wonderful the support I had.

Then I didn't know what to do.  I couldn't get comfortable.

I couldn't think straight.  I couldn't see straight.  

I was exhausted and wanted to run away from the contractions.

During labor, they checked me (for dialation) 2 times,

checked the baby's heart rate on the hour,

every hour, along with monitoring my blood pressure.

Karin wanted to check me  but she knew that

I did NOT want to know how far along I was dialated.

So, she didn't tell me.  I was 7 cm, I later found out.

And after that check, I thought I was going to die.  

I was holding onto the side rail for dear life.  

I knew I was getting close.

Then I got onto all fours on the bed.  I leaned onto the head of the

bed and started swaying my hips.  Everyone kept their positions of

support.  Julie brought in a bucket of ice and kept cold rags in it.

Every 2 minutes, Julie would switch out rags that were on my body.

I was SO hot the rags were getting to a "warm" temperature

while on my body.

Michael was my rock.  He kept me going through that labor. 

And it was the most painful labor I've ever had.

My doula kept telling me, "what you're feeling is normal,

you are progressing beautifully, you are getting so close, etc..."

I was moaning so loud I knew I was probably scaring every

woman on the L&D floor.  And then I thought, "who cares!  God, please
get me through this..."

The last thing I remember clearly is saying, "God... Oh my God..." and
my doula saying, "God is the only one who will get you through this."
And boy, was she right.

I don't remember much past this point.  It is like a dream to me.

I felt like I was out of my body... and what was going ON with

my body, I had NO control over.  I just let go...

And then I asked for drugs.

I remember this part clearly.

Then I think I might have cried for drugs?

I kept saying how scared I was of the pain that I was about to go
through...
My doula, Carol Ann, said, "it's not going to get more painful
than this... this is as bad as it will get..."

This made me feel better because I really thought I was
dying.

Karin checked me one more time and yet again, didn't
say a word about how far along I was... later I found out
I was at 8 cm.
During each contraction all I could feel was pain and a horrible
burning sensation going down both of my thighs.
It burned so bad I thought my legs were cramping.
And they probably were, but I thought they were on fire.
I threw one of my legs out and started doing stretches to
try and stop the burning.
I had two more really good contractions and started feeling
pushy at the end of them.
And I thought I was going to vomit at the end of each of these contractions...
so I knew I was closer.

Then out of nowhere I
stopped moaning,
stopped feeling pain,
and
stopped feeling scared.

I turned myself around on the bed VERY fast
and quietly started
bearing down.
I couldn't control it at all.
My body started pushing out of nowhere...
which was a little bit scary, but also
so incredibly awesome.

I didn't do anything.
My body did everything.
I closed my eyes and let my body take over...
and it did...
the next thing I heard was,
"there's the head!"

And then my body gave 2 more pushes
and
there was Baby Reed.
Karin put her on top of me,
skin to skin
and I felt the most incredible high of my life.

I have never felt anything so amazing...
I was crying,
laughing,
smiling,
glowing,
and
so incredibly proud of myself.

Michael said,
"it's another girl!"

Livia "Liv" James
Born at 2:35p.m. on a beautiful October afternoon.

I remember looking at him and crying,
"I did it!  I did it!"

Liv came out in just a few pushes and honestly,
the pushing felt great and didn't hurt like I had
anticipated it would.  Just LOTS of pressure.

My doctor came in later and said,
"you couldn't wait, could you?"
And he laughed.
My nurse, Karin, delivered Liv and my doctor
thought that was hilarious.

Liv stayed on me for at least 30 minutes, skin to skin,
which is what we wanted.

I had the birth that I always envisioned myself having.
I couldn't believe I did it.
No drugs.
No IV.
No Pitocin.

It was exactly what we wanted all along...
thank you God for helping me through...


Moments after having Liv... skin to skin...

The most awesome L&D nurse in the world... Karin.

She delivered Liv.

I did it!!!  Still glowing...

So excited about the girls seeing Liv for the first time... and yes, STILL glowing! :D

All of my sweet girls...

It doesn't get any sweeter than this...

My love...

The Awesome Fontaine Family {Sneak Peek} !!!

The Fontaine's are always fun to photograph!  They have the most adorable girls ever.  Avery, who just turned 4 LOVES being in front of the camera.  Actually, all of their girls love to be in front of the camera.  They are all very photogenic.  I have captured the Fontaine's this entire past year.  We started with Tristin's Newborn Session and now she is walking!  They grow up so fast.

Thank you for choosing me to capture your beautiful family!  I have truly enjoyed every minute!
love love love
Andrea

P.S.  Enjoy your {Sneak Peek} !!!

The Beautiful Emery {Sneak Peek} !!!

I first met Emery when she was only days old.  She has grown into a beautiful toddler!  And she is SO full of life!  She was so entertaining and loved being in front of the camera.  Capturing toddlers that are walking is not easy to do, but Emery made it a cinch.   She was READY for her close-up!  And she loved the pink rocker too...

I am looking forward to capturing this beautiful little girl again when she's a little bit older.  Thank you for choosing me to capture Emery!  She is such a sweetheart.

Enjoy your {Sneak Peek}
love love love
Andrea

Precious Baby Noah {Sneak Peek} !!!

I had the pleasure of photographing baby Noah this past week.  He was just days old at the time and SO precious.  He is definitely going to be a heart breaker one day!   He was such a good baby.  Hardly any crying, smiling here and there... and he loved looking at his daddy and mommy when he was awake.  He was so alert too, while he was awake.

We were going to photograph him in his crib, which was decorated SO cute with monkeys and beautiful colors... but... as any Newborn Photographer knows, you NEVER know when they might be ready to, um, use the facilities.  Either way, we captured beautiful images of Noah.  Melodie and Josh are such sweet parents.  You can see the love all over their faces... even when their changing stinky diapers.

Enjoy being parents... it's the best gift in the world.
Here's your {Sneak Peek}!!!
Love love love
Andrea

The Carson Family {Sneak Peek} !!!

I had the pleasure of photographing one of the sweetest families ever- The Carson Family.  They were so easy to photograph!  They are all photogenic, even little Ava Claire! ;D

As you can tell, this family is so in love with their new daughter and new sister, Ava Claire.  The entire time I was there, someone was loving on her, holding her or just smiling at her.  Valerie and Brad are so blessed to have such beautiful children.  And Ava Claire couldn't have come into this world to a more loving family...  You are all blessed.  Thank you for choosing me to capture your beautiful family!

Enjoy your {Sneak Peek}!
xoxo
Andrea

The Golden Family {Sneak Peek of precious Grace} !!!

Hello Everyone,
This is the Golden family... and they are more than just precious.  The parents are SO in love with their daughter, Grace.  I actually met this family through "Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep".  They wanted images of their daughter, Grace, who was diagnosed with Occipital Encephalocele (and Karen, correct me if I spelled that wrong) while she was still in the womb.  Her parents, Karen and Chad, were not sure how long she would live or IF she would live THROUGH the birth.  So, I was there when she was born.  Ready to photograph every breath she took.  It was such an honor to be with this family during this very special and uncertain time.  


Since her birth 11 weeks ago, she has undergone surgery and recovered so well!  She is 11 weeks now!  Her parents, Karen and Chad wanted a Newborn Session of her.  And of course, I was so honored that they chose me to do this special session.  


It is absolutely amazing to me the love that parents have for their child/children.  And sometimes I sit in amazement while editing, thinking,  how amazing is it that Grace has such loving parents.  How amazing is it that Grace was given to them... the best gift they could ever ask for...

Thank you for choosing me to capture the story of your sweet family.  It has truly been an honor.  Love to you all, xoxo.  Below is your {Sneak Peek} of our Newborn Session!

Enjoy,
Andrea