They say that the first baby comes anytime, it’s the second one that takes nine months. And I couldn’t agree more. This sweet babe and I are already 24 weeks along (today actually!), and we’re feeling GREAT! Everyone asks me how I’m feeling – probably because that’s an easy segway into baby talk. Since about 14 weeks, I’ve always responded that I feel wonderful. And that’s the honest to God’s truth. Most days I forget I’m pregnant. Aside from the terrible morning sickness that had me telling my Mother we were adopting the next two; this pregnancy has been an absolute breeze!
Somehow I managed to have my busiest wedding season to date, shooting 11 weddings in six weeks. That was two double header weekends in a row, followed by one weekend off, then closing out June with a single, a double, and starting July with a triple header wedding weekend! I survived, and while I could certainly do it again, with this new season of our life, I think my double header weekends are going to be limited for a while.
The bump on May 27th (first wedding of the crazy 11 straight) to the bump on July 29th. Clearly my wide hips are giving Baby enough room to grow INSIDE instead of having to push their way OUTSIDE. I look more like I need to go to the gym then I do pregnant!
On July 12th, two of my dear friends (Courtney from the Cannons Photography and Mycha from SM Events and Design) threw me the most beautiful and elegant dog themed baby shower ever! It was absolutely gorgeous, and I certainly left that evening feeling so loved.
My favorite florist designed the floral centerpieces – yes, there were floral centerpieces, and yes, they were just as breathtaking as any of Amy’s other work! One of my Bride’s works for her mom who owns Kerdunk Kookies, Kupcakes, and Kandies and they designed these beautiful cookies that were shaped like dogs. I’m not a girl who enjoys baby shower games, and thankfully Courtney listened to my baby shower game rants! So instead of playing cheesy games that I’m sure everyone but me loves, we made blocks for the baby instead. They’re so adorable and I can’t wait to watch our baby play with them!
I’m not a girl who enjoys baby shower games, and thankfully Courtney listened to my baby shower game rants! So instead of playing cheesy games that I’m sure everyone but me loves, we made blocks for the baby instead. They’re so adorable and I can’t wait to watch our baby play with them!
As far as my business is concerned this pregnancy, some things have changed. Mostly behind the scenes things that others aren’t likely to notice. Like I’m taking less weddings for next year. This momma loves photographing weddings, but I know if I’m away 30 days shooting weddings, plus engagement sessions, plus all the computer time that entails with 30 couples, I’m going to miss my sweet babe and my heart won’t be in it. Thankfully, Joshua has a wonderful job that allows me to cut my weddings literally in half and be a more present momma. I’m beyond grateful for Josh’s job and the hard worker he is that allows me this opportunity to be at home with our kiddos instead of working five days a week.
I’ve also been paying more attention to self-care. I haven’t worried too much about the lack of blogging since April. Weddings and engagement sessions are still being blogged like before, it’s the educational content that has taken a little bit of nose dive. However, one thing I have learned in all my education, in order to avoid burnout, self-care is so so important. It’s also important to say yes to only the very best things in life. Napping for two hours a couple days a week in the middle of the day, allowing my body to do what my body is supposed to do, was/is more important than getting a blog post up before midnight most days. The good news is though, my life has some normalcy back in it thanks to a new work schedule for Josh, so I’m hoping to get back to blogging at least once a week!
We’re well over the hump, even if our sweet babe decides to cook longer than 40 weeks, and we’re getting so very excited! Baby was measuring ahead of all the measurements when we had our anatomy scan at 20 weeks. Their legs were measuring nearly two weeks ahead! At least there’s a tiny bit of hope they’ll be tall like their daddy!! So even though I’ve heard countless times “You don’t look pregnant” (no…I just look like I need to lay off the sweets and run a marathon), this baby is exceeding all the average measurements by at least one week.
Josh and I not only feel kicks at this stage of pregnancy, but we’re also seeing the jabs and kicks now. It’s such an awesome feeling to feel life move inside of you! Babe responds to certain foods – like steak and sweet potatoes, and I think he/she is ease dropping on our conversations. We had a discussion last week at dinner about what sports they’ll be involved in and what we hope they’re not involved in. It didn’t take long to feel some strong movements on their end! 🙂
This past weekend, my momma helped me paint the baby’s room. Aside from ordering our glider and hanging some knick-knacks on the wall, the nursery is completed. My dear sister-in-law made the baby a blanket, the rail covers, the mattress covered, and sewed almost 30 burp clothes and a dozen or so swaddlers already. I’m stocking up on wipes and detergent since we’re hoping to rock the cloth diaper route! 🙂
I have spent the last five months buying a ton of clothes, so he/she is all set in that department until next fall. Names are picked out and decided on, the doula is hired, birthing books have been read. Now I need to convince Josh on a birthing class and hiring a birth photographer. Our family and close friends have received their baby shower invite for next month, and our babymoon to Disney is paid off. I’m so excited to visit Mickey at the most magical place on earth!!
Loren, Pap & I read your blog and looked at the pictures. This is really exciting. Josh, accompany Loren to YOUR birthing classes. You may even learn to change those cloth diapers. The birthing experience is awesome. What is the doula? We love you both and are anxious to who “Mickey” is.