What Einin might be thinking...

Really, this demeans us both. Actually, no, it demeans you more. After all, I'm a baby and can't stop you.

Hilarious Mommy and Daddy, why don't you go get ANOTHER glass of wine.

Play now while you can because, once I can use these arms and hands, this whole house is toast.


What I was thinking...

Thank you Einin for making me laugh. I had a really, really hard day. I needed a good laugh tonight and it's times like this that make all the hard stuff melt away. The simplest things like your brothers playing in the tub, talking and cleaning their plastic crabs with toothbrushes and shampoo and you with this hairdo make life so sweet.

Danny and I have a new pet project called The Bird's Nest. It's an art space that we are sharing over at Winter Street Studios. The new space is all about art for art's sake. It's not about clients, expectations or selling. No, it's a place where we can work on art, get messy and experiment with new projects. There's isn't an internet hook up or a phone. There is, however, an awesome record player and a burgeoning collection of rad vinyl.

I'll be working on my quilting and sewing projects, collage and my fine art photography. Danny will be screen printing, painting and working on fine art photography. Together, we'll be mixing it all together and coming up with cool ways to collaborate.

We want to share our new space with you too! Check your calendars and save the date because we'll be having an open house at the new space on Saturday, February 11th. Winter Street Studios and Spring Street (where my photo studio is) have open houses every second Saturday. On those Saturdays, the artists open up their doors, show and sell their art work. Walking from space to space is a fun way to spend a few hours and a great way to support local Houston artists. We're in space B-12 at Winter Street. Come visit us and check out what we're doing. Look for the cool sliding iron door and, of course, listen for the high fidelity sounds from our new record player.

See you there!

(picture is of me at about 4 years old, taken by my Dad)

About 2 weeks before Einin was born, I started having elevated blood pressure readings. This was a shock because I have always had great blood pressure.  I had been working-out throughout my pregnancy and hadn't gained too much weight. I didn't have high BP with my previous pregnancies either. The only criteria I met for pregnancy induced hypertension was that I was 40 years old. After a few days on bed rest, a reprieve from bed rest and a subsequent trip to the hospital, the doctor urged us to induce labor to be on the safe side. So, on October 25th, we checked into the hospital bright and early to have our baby girl.


(1 day old)

The labor was forced and painful.  Seeing as it was my last pregnancy, I had hoped for a slow, steady and natural birth. Instead, it was induced and intense but, in the end, she was there in my arms. She was healthy and my blood pressure was immediately back to normal.

Then came the blur of sleepless nights, constant nursing and life in pajamas. I don't think I have ever watched so much HGTV in my life. Little things like a long, hot shower became luxuries.

(3 days old)

(6 days old)

Then she smiled at me. After so many weeks of pouring all of my energy into her, some of it came back. It was a miracle moment.

(2 months old, not her first smile but one of my favorites)

Just before Christmas, around 9 pm on a Sunday night, she woke up with a fever. Thankful to call our pediatrician a friend as well, I texted him asking what we should do. After a little bit of back and forth and a few more temperature checks, she and I were sent to TX Children's Hospital's emergency room. They did a few preliminary tests and then came back for more testing. They did a spinal tap on her. They left us to wait for results dropping scary potential scenarios, like spinal meningitis. The image of her laying on the table after that procedure is one that will be burned into my brain forever. We waited for almost 2 hours for the test result. That was one of the longest nights of my life. I just sat there holding her thinking to myself that I could lose her. By the wee hours of the morning, we got the prognosis. She did not have meningitis (so grateful!) but did have a urinary tract infection and we were being admitted. They put an IV in her tiny little hand and sent us to the NICU. Thanks to the amazing doctors and nurses at TCH and to my amazing friends and family, we went home 4 days later with antibiotics.

A few days later our house was filled with family celebrating Christmas together. A week after that, it was Christmas day, our first Christmas with three kids.

And now, it's 2012 and Einin is a little over 2 months old. She is this amazing, snuggly, bright eyed little wonder. She is a gift and I am so incredibly grateful.

Today, while stopped at a red light, I looked in my rear view mirror at my car full of kids and just smiled. The boys were deep in discussion about how to get me or their Dad to touch the trick pen Sayer had that shocks you and Einin was crying (she hates her car seat). It was everything that the last few months have been, perfect chaos.

Thank you universe.

Joyful! I just love this little boy. I get to see him only for short periods of time but he is always happy! He laughs easily and takes joy in the simplest of things. We should all take a cue from him. The simplest little thing, like bubbles, made him so excited. His sweet little smiles were so infectious that I was all smiles myself.

What about you guys? Any shots that made you smile this week? I'd love to see them...post links to your images, blogs, Flickr, etc. in the comments section below or add them to my FSF Flickr pool.

Happy weekend everyone!

Sweet, sweet, brothers! I had so much fun photographing these little boys the other day. They are such charmers. This first shot is definitely my favorite but here are a few runner-ups too.


While these little guys were pretty darn close to perfect, I have to include this last one just so you know that it wasn't ALL hugs and cuddles. Sometimes big brothers cuddle a little too hard.

What about you guys? Any favorite shots this Friday? Leave links to your images, blogs, Flickrstreams, etc. in the comments section below or add them to my FSF Flickr pool.  Happy weekend my friends!

How Favorite Shot Friday works...you post your favorite pics on your blog (Flickr or wherever) and then comment here with a link. People who come here go and visit your blog. They then put pictures on their blog and link back here too. It creates a big, awesome circle of fun images. Don't be shy, join in!

Sometimes, the shot that I love the most is not the one that the client picks. Maybe it's because it's not a big smile, they're not looking right at the camera, they're off center or one of a myriad of other reasons. Sometimes that shot is my very favorite of the entire session and I, sadly, let them say no to it. In this case, both Mom and I agreed that this sweet little face was one of the very best of the session.

What about you, pros and regular folks alike, do you have any shots like this?  Those favorites that don't quite fit the mold but melt your heart anyway? I'd love to see them! Share your links in the comments section below.

Happy wednesday!

Last week Steven and I got to see our little girl in all of her 3 dimensional glory. It was amazing! I made the appt. on a whim not realizing just how incredible it would be to see her like that. She looked like she could be born that day. At first she was a little shy as you can see. She hid her face behind her arms and hands. All it took was a few sweet words from Steven and she opened up.

We were both blown away. There she was...even more real than she already was for us. It was magical to see her move and feel her move at the same time.

She looks so much like Finnian in this picture. We are both more anxious than ever to meet her and see this sweet face in person. Right now 7 weeks seems so far away but I'm sure it will fly by. For now, we'll just have to be patient and enjoy this sweet little smile.

well, of course, I had to bring my camera! Isn't he just the cutest? He cuddled mom, nursing and cooing while we talked about birth and babies. She gave birth naturally without meds, which is also my plan.

It's seems a little crazy to me but I'm actually excited about my upcoming labor. Maybe it's because it's my 3rd. The first time I was pregnant, I was terrified of labor and delivery. I had no idea what to expect and was completely indoctrinated by the current American propaganda that birth is this insane, ultra painful process that should be mitigated and medicated. Never mind that we, meaning women, delivered our babies at home for most of history until a radical shift on the late 1930's.  For baby#2, I had an epidural but it didn't work. That day I thought to myself, if I ever do this again (meaning have a baby), I'll just do it without drugs. The thought was/is, if my epidural isn't going to work and I'm going to have pain anyway, I want to have the freedom to move and help myself through it. I want to own it. So, that is where I am today. We're 7 weeks away from baby #3 and I'm looking forward to it. I think my husband thinks I'm crazy but he's supportive nonetheless. Its feels a little bit like when I was training for triathlons last year. I know it will be challenging and even a bit scary at times but I also know that I absolutely can do it.

More sweetness...

Watching my friend and her new little man made me even more excited for our baby to be here. I can't wait for that first moment when they place her on my chest and I get to see her face. I feel so grateful to have this experience one more time. I know that she needs to stay in there for a little bit longer but I sure am anxious to have her here, in my arms.

Today we had a 3-D ultrasound done. I'm not sure what I loved more, seeing her sweet face or seeing Steven's face as he watched her. He's smitten already and she's not even out yet.

What about you friends? Any favorite shots this Friday? Post links to your images, blogs, Flickr, etc. in the comments section below or add them to my FSF Flickr pool.  Happy weekend everyone!

Something amazing is happening here in Houston today, it's raining! I'm enjoying watching it fall and listening to the sound of it outside the window. It's the perfect atmosphere for a little image processing. This sweet little boy is just too cute not to share.

He was all smiles. He giggled too, which is just about the cutest thing ever. According to him, I was hilarious and having his picture taken was super fun. I'll take that any day.

Hope the raindrops and these sweet baby blues brighten up your Sunday!

Thinking a lot about mothers and daughters these days...

I guess it's obvious why. I've spent the last 8 years experiencing the magic of mothers and sons. Now in 8-9 short weeks, I'll have an entirely new dynamic in my life. To be honest, it's a little scary. I know, rationally, that I just need to be myself and approach it like I did my relationship with the boys, meaning just do what comes naturally to me. It is going to be different though and I'm as excited as I am terrified by it.

I would love to see how you guys "picture" moms and daughters. Do you have any favorite images to share with us? Images from your childhood maybe or images that you've taken? Post links to your images, blogs, flickrstreams, etc. in the comments below or submit them to my FSF Flickr pool.

Happy weekend friends!

I also added created single enlargements from my Insta-set and am going to make some card sets too. That will be posted later next week when they are ready. I also added this image to my Etsy shop because it so perfectly illustrates how I'm feeling at the moment.

I've been thinking about Santa Barbara a lot too. I really need to remove SB from my iPhone weather app because seeing that it is 59 degrees there right now while it's 93 here is just plain depressing. I did go through my images from our trip again and found a few little gems that never got posted.

This next one of Sayer is just pure joy. He was waiting for the jet of water to spray out. It would spray and he and Finn would run away screaming only to come back and wait for it again. Simple pleasures...

This is the trail leading from Knapp's Castle. I think I blogged about Knapp's a few summers ago...I'm going to need to check on that because it's a very cool place. I just love how this trail bends around and send you through this little cave of trees and out into the great wide open on the other side.

We are at the beach almost every day. It's not a hot, sticky, sweaty beach either. It's the beach where sometimes need to wear a sweater. I love the beaches here at sunset. Everything gets this silvery blue glow with accents of pink and brilliant orange. The pelicans fly by in groups close to the water, almost skimming the surface.

We collect rocks, feathers, driftwood and shells. The boys collect sand crabs, throw sand, jump waves and build castles. You can see seals and dolphins just past the waves.

No matter how cold I think the water is, the boys don't seem to mind. They run right in only complaining of the cold when we have to drag them back to car against their will to go home. Pretty much the only way to get them off the beach is to entice them with promises of ice cream or the hot tub back at the house.

In the morning, on most days, the beach is foggy. I can see it from my window in the morning. It makes me happy to wake up in the morning with the door open and a chill in the air.

The picture on the left was taken tonight at Hendry's beach. Tonight as we loaded up the car I looked at the floorboards and wondered if I'll ever get all the sand out of my car. To be honest, I'm not sure I want to.