I did not expect to be having a third baby. I was a little heartbroken about it actually but I was coming to terms with it. I was going to be a mom of two, two boys. All of that has changed now. Not only are we having a third baby but, it's a girl! Us, girls? I didn't think it was possible. In fact, when they did the first ultrasound to check gender and told me it was a girl, I didn't 100% believe them. I kept it a secret from most people too just not feeling sure about saying it out loud. I just kind of figured that, after 2 boys, it would probably be another boy.

I am thrilled that it's a girl! I am terrified that it's a girl! When I was pregnant with Finnian, I knew what it was going to be like having a second boy. I had the boy stuff and I knew the boy toys, characters, tv shows, etc. What is this going to be like? You know, as soon as I type that, I know the answer. She will be as different as Finnian was from Sayer. She will simply be a third person to get to know. I'll have to get some new toys too probably and we'll watch some different movies...Of course, I will also get to buy cute ruffled pajamas and ballet socks too.

Part of the "terrified" feeling is that it's been 6 years since I was pregnant and that time passage has made this all seem so new. This pregnancy feels almost as novel as my first and I love that. It feels very special and scary at the same time. Last night I found myself wishing (almost in a panic) that I was at the end already and that she was being born. I have more fear this time around. This is the last baby and I want her so badly. I just want her to be safe and healthy and it's hard waiting for her. At the same time, this is my last pregnancy and I know I need to be cherishing that and be in the moment with her now and enjoy it. I know, once she's here that she'll take time away from my boys and I'm sad about that. I'm trying to be present with them now while they are still just two of them. Basically, I'm tender, confused, scared, excited, joyful, grateful and anxious all at once.

What about you friends? What are you thinking about this Friday? Do you have images to share? Please leave links to your images, blogs, Flickr, etc. I'd love it if you added your images to our Favorite Shot Friday pool on Flickr too.

Happy weekend everyone!

When I try and describe the feeling I get when I see the Pacific, I think it makes me sound silly. It's real though and true...it really does speak to me. It stirs me. We leave for California in about two weeks and I can hardly wait.

cool morning air
windows open
fog over the water in the morning
ever changing look of the Ocean
farmers markets
sandy towels, cars, feet, flip flops...
roses in the garden, and rosemary
sunset on the beach
no constant hum of air conditioning units, just air

Favorite shot friday pool on Flickr- submit your images!
Play along: leave links in the comments section to your FSF blog entries, images, etc.

Happy Weekend friends!

I like to call them the in between shots. They are the tiny split second moments that happen a lot when photographing kids. It's that funny moment, crazy face or the amazing expression that happened just for a fleeting second and, sometimes, you happen to catch it. I love this image because it is one of those type of moments. These girls were running, playing and being silly and then, for this brief moment, they stopped. The frame before this has the older girl in the foreground making a silly face and her sister rolling around.

I love the way the little girl in the back has her feet and how she's just gazing up at my ceiling. She looks so peaceful like she could be laying in the grass on a nice day. I love the little pout on her older sister's face. It looks like she's annoyed (maybe even at her sister) or perhaps just bored. What about you, what do you see?

Any favorite shots this Friday? I'd love to see them! Leave links to them in the comments section below or add them to our Favorite Shot Friday Flickr Pool.

PS- for those of you who want to play along, here's what you do: Write your own Favorite Shot Friday blog post and add a link to it here in the comments. When you write your post, link to mine. It creates a cool circular trail that people can follow and enjoy. I hope you'll join in the fun!

Happy weekend!

Finnian is officially a first grader. He's a kindergarten graduate, complete with a grad cap and a diploma! It's bittersweet for me. I'm excited for him to be moving onward and upward but sad to see him leave the safety and security of his class. He's been in that same room since he was 3 and his teacher was Sayer's teacher as well. Sayer was in the same room from the time he was 3 until he went to elementary school. That room, that school and those teachers have been instrumental in shaping my kids into who they are today.

Not only have they been amazing guiding forces in my kid's lives, they have allowed me to go to work every day and be okay with it. I get to nurture my creative side and build something for myself while they do amazing things at school. I never worried about them being cared for, nurtured or loved. I always knew they were safe and being challenged in ways that I could not have done myself. They come home and tell me the names of the sun's layers! They can tell you about all the organs in the human body and where the biggest waterfall is in the world. They have been in the loving hands of experts and, for that, words cannot express just how grateful I am.

So, to all of the amazing teachers who have watched over the two most precious things in my life, thank you. Thank you from the very bottom of my heart. I will never forget you or what you have given us.

What about you my friends? Any favorite shots this week? Leave links to your images (blogs, etc.) in the comments section below or add them to my Favorite Shot Friday Flickr pool.

Happy weekend!

sweet, so sweet and tiny
sleepy and quiet
beautiful little boys
I don't think it has hit me that we'll have a sweet little babe like this in our house in November

Happy weekend friends!

Please share your favorite images with us! Post links to your blogs, Flickr, etc. in the comments section below or add them to our Favorite Shot Friday Flickr group.