Maternity Session with Torrie

I think if I had to do it all over again, I'd definitely opt for some professional maternity photos. Something to look back on to see myself beautiful, with this tiny miracle in my body.

There's only one picture of me pregnant with my first daughter.

One.

It was Christmas of 1997 and I was (what felt like) 100 months pregnant, but in reality I was 8 months and 3 weeks. My husband (at the time) and I were spending Christmas Eve with my grandparents and my Grandpa INSISTED that all the grandkids get a picture taken together.

And if you knew my Grandpa, when he spoke you knew to listen.

Every Christmas you could practically count on the same picture being taken. It was as traditional as pumpkin pie and cranberry sauce. So, all 6 grandkids stood up in our prearranged line.

Except this year I had to move from the center, to the end. My enormous frontside was wreaking havoc on the symmetry of the picture.

There wasn't much to choose from for maternity clothes back then. Most of the shirts looked more like Grandma's Chintz pillow cases with sleeves. All the pants had elastic waist bands that, I'm pretty certain, cut off the circulation to your lower appendages. And my attire was no exception that day. I wore a white ribbed, knit top and a pair of hideous black, knit pants. My hair was dark and long -- to the middle of my back -- and completely out of style. And it was well before I knew what make-up was or how to use it. I reeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeally could've benefited from some foundation, blush and mascara. To say the least.

I stood there, on the end cap of the traditional picture, with a big smile on my face ready for Grandpa to snap away. He put the camera up to his face, and then lowered it again. And as he peered over his camera, he said,

"Ericka, you look like a big Oreo."

Probablynot the thing to say to an overly-hormonal pregnant lady. And it definitely wasn't the most flattering compliment I've ever received, but I have to admit it's pretty funny now. And, it was actually pretty accurate. I DID look like an Oreo. A double-stuffed one, to boot.

But, that's not the case nowadays. Pregnant women are gorgeous and without all the knit. Torrie was no exception. She was glowing, she was super-sweet, and absolutely adorable.

I shot this entire session in the nursery with one single window. The light just poured in and was just as beautiful as Torrie.

Catching up....again

I feel pretty ashamed that I haven't blogged since November 16th. I'm usually pretty faithful about blogging -- even if it's about absolutely nothing.

No, seriously, I am.

Chris can tell you.....every time I pick up my camera to take a picture of just about everything he'll turn to me and say "you're gonna blog that later, huh?". It's like second nature to me -- well, it WAS until I got hit with the holiday rush.

So, rest assured that it has nothing to do with me not having anything to say. I can guarantee you that. Quite the contrary, really.....TOO much to say.

So, let's back up a second here....

November gave me a mad rush of holiday photo sessions and card designs. One of the coolest parts of my job is opening a card from a client and seeing my images on the front of it. It's truly rewarding.





Back in October, me and one of my best friends (and fellow photographer, I might add) did a creative swap. I took her family photos and she took ours. Which meant I had to design our own Christmas card this year, too. (I say "had to" like it's a big chore or something! I love it -- who am I kidding!??)

It's alot different editing your own family session than when you do it for a client. I bet I arranged these pictures on this card a hundred times -- and I still don't know if I'm satisfied with it. (But, man, I have some cute kids!!!)

I have been truly blessed this year and the success of my business. Thanks to a supportive fiance and my amazing clients for that. It still seems a bit surreal to me to think that I'm the owner of a successful business. Since walking away from my Corporate America job in July, I have been living my dream.

Anyway, back to the chaos....

So, along with my mad rush of photo sessions, I also had the mad rush of Thanksgiving. This is a holiday that is normally hosted by Granny. But this year was a little different. Granny is 84 years old and last year it took her 3 days to recover from the event. So, this Thanksgiving, I did it. All by my big girl self. I had a house full of all of our closest family and friends with (what seemed like) 100 kids.

I fixed my first turkey ever (two of them actually) which was the most delicious, meat-falling-right-off-the-bone-turkey I have ever eaten IN MY LIFE. (Not to stroke my own ego or anything, but it was pretty darn good!!!) Sweet potato casserole, green beans, cranberry sauce, mashed potatoes, corn, and rolls....warm and golden brown.

About a half hour before dinner started, and before anyone showed up that day, in walks my Grandma and my Uncle Mark, one of the most influential men of my entire life. Just in time to carve the turkeys, too.

So, Granny got a break, I got a surprise and everyone got to eat some good grub! Everything went off without a hitch and it was an absolutely perfect day.

Until the day after when Taylor got the flu. Green bean casserole looks a whole lot different floating in the toilet than it does in the dish, that's for sure.

Then, to add to our massive holiday craziness. Chris and I went on a cruise -- a 4 day cruise to the Bahamas -- in the beginning of December with some of his co-workers for his company. And, I have to say, it's pretty nice being on a beach in a bikini knowing everyone at home was freezing.

It was my first ever cruise and we had an amazing time. The first day at sea we spent on a privately owned island called Cocoa Cay. Which we wisely spent basking in the sun on the beach sipping Pina Coladas. That night was the formal dinner and the last day we spent in the Bahamas. Most of that day was spent snorkeling (so amazing!!!) and hanging out on the yaht with some amazing people. Absolutely amazing.






Ever since we got back from that cruise it's been a mad rush for Christmas. It's hard to believe that Christmas is even here already. Where did the year go?!