Valentine’s Day and the unorganized mom
February 14, 2012
So I’ll admit…I haven’t exactly gotten this whole mom of three thing down yet. When the baby was six weeks old, my son started Kindergarten and my daughter started preschool a couple days a week. Between his homework, her little projects she needs to bring in, and the baby attached to my hip I haven’t quite been the most organized person for the last seven months!
I found some really cute Valentine’s ideas on Pinterest for the kids to take to their classmates, but of course being unorganized I didn’t plan enough in advance to get any of those cute ideas done. This past weekend was super busy and we didn’t have time to go to the store in search of store-bought Valentines. Then comes Monday morning, and it’s pouring down rain and freezing cold. Of course my procrastination led to me being forced to go out in that yucky weather the day before Valentine’s Day to get my kids something for their parties.
Thankfully Pinterest and my random stash of crafting supplies ended up coming through for me. Although I didn’t have time to do the more involved ideas I had saved, I was able to help the kids do these simple Valentines.
It’s just a toilet paper tube bent into the shape of a heart and used like a stamp. Everyone has one of those laying around! I didn’t even have to let my three year old unroll one all over the house, there was an empty one waiting on the holder for me….because you know no one replaces those things. Ha! I tried to get her to stamp hearts all over in pink and red, but her idea was apparently to meticulously stamp three pink hearts across each card.
Here is the info on how to make a heart stamp out of toilet paper tube – heart stamps from Rust & Sunshine
Maybe the stores do have it right when they start putting the Valentine’s stuff out before Christmas! Next year I’ll aim to plan ahead a little better, but the kids had a lot of fun making these, signing their names, and taping a lollipop to it. Happy Valentine’s Day everyone!
personal favorites of 2011
January 6, 2012
Even though we are 6 days in, I was kind of shocked today when I realized I needed to add a Photography 2012 folder to my computer. The last year went by so quickly…but I guess that’s what happens when you’re pregnant, have a baby, your oldest starts Kindergarten, and your middle starts preschool. 2011 was a wonderful year full of memories I’ll treasure forever. I didn’t take a lot of clients because of being pregnant and having a newborn, but in 2012 I’ll be easing back into things.
Here are a few of my favorite personal images from 2011. I’m wishing everyone a beautiful and blessed 2012!
3 months
September 26, 2011
Twelve weeks tomorrow, three months to the day next week….however you like to figure it at this point, my baby girl is three months old already. How is it possible that time can pass so quickly? It seems like with each child it moves faster, and knowing Abigail is my last baby makes watching her grow so very bittersweet. I love that she’s starting to grab things and pull them to her, that she’s smiling constantly and starting to laugh. At the same time I enjoy seeing another one of my children go through all these milestones I know it’s the last time I will get to experience the magic of watching a baby learn to do something new.
As a mom, we don’t often like to be in pictures…our hair isn’t perfect, no time for makeup most days, and whatever shirt we’re wearing probably isn’t a favorite just in case we get spit up on or touched with mac and cheese covered hands. As a mom and a photographer, it’s very rare that I am in a picture! Not only am I usually not feeling picture-worthy, but I’m always behind the camera and not in front of it.
I’ve made a promise to myself that I WILL be in more pictures. I want to remember what I looked like when I held my baby…what it looked like when she smiled at me because I was the thing she needed and loved most in the world at that moment. These times are so precious, and they pass so quickly. I’m thankful for photography and the ability to capture the smallest of moments. If you’re like me and you don’t often get in front of the camera with your kiddos, take a minute to do it soon! Years from now you won’t see the things you see now…you’ll just see you, your babies (no matter how old they are!) and a lot of love.
2 Comments
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seriously, you’re only saying this because you look so stinkin good in your picture!! i admit, i always talk about taking more pictures with me in them but it takes 100 pictures to get 1 that i’m ok with. i need to get past that and start taking more.. plus our kids are going to want these when they’re older. i hardly have any photographs of me and my parents
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Rachael
Ha, thanks Carolyn! You are right though, this was one shot out of like 50…it’s a pain sometimes to get yourself in the picture!
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Baby Abby
August 3, 2011
My stubborn little girl decided to be late. 11 days late to be exact! She was a big baby, too…8 pounds 14 ounces. I think her being late combined with her being big made those typical squishy sleepy newborn pictures impossible. I have a lot of awake shots of Miss Abby’s sweet face, and that’s not a bad thing! We’re enjoying these first precious weeks with our blessing. I didn’t know if we would have a third baby, but she’s here now and I feel like we are complete.
I will be forever grateful that I was able to have my friend and backup birth photographer Nicki of Nicole Noelle Photography there to capture Abby’s birth. She is an amazing photographer, and I can’t even begin to describe how happy I am that I finally got to have one of my births photographed. The fact that I was able to have my friend Nicki there made it even more special! Please go to her blog to see her post featuring Abby’s birth.
houstonbirthphotographer.com – Photographing the Photographer
any day now…
June 23, 2011
I mentioned before that I have a favorite thing to do with maternity sessions…I love using ultrasound pictures in maternity photos. I enlisted the help of my son to get one of my own, and it only took a TINY bit of bribery! So here is my favorite maternity pose on myself, courtesy of my 5 year old. He says he’s now a photographer, too.
Baby Abigail will be here any day now, and we’re so excited to meet her! Stay tuned for lots of newborn pictures!
The Birth of Baby Isaac
May 1, 2011
About a month after the last birth, I got to be present for another amazing water birth at Nativiti Birth Center. Baby Isaac’s mama was strong and beautiful as she brought her baby boy into the world. I’m grateful for each time I get to capture the birth of a baby…many thanks to Baby Isaac’s family for asking me to be there!
3 Comments
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Monica Hartman
Awesome work! Good job as usual!!
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Wow, just beautiful! You captured his birth perfectly. What a great way to remember.
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Amy
What an amazing job you have, Rachel, and you do it so AWESOMELY! Thanks for sharing!
it's that time of year again
April 6, 2011
When the Bluebonnets start blooming, Texas families go out in search of a good patch to plop their kiddos down in and try to get a picture to share with everyone. As a photographer you’d think I’d have a ton of great Bluebonnet pictures of my own kids. I finally got around to taking some last year, and only my son was willing to cooperate….I got none of my daughter. This year we got a late start (again) and I could only find a very small patch so my hopes of getting one of them together didn’t work out. I did get one of Scarlett. One, and only one. Here it is, and at least now I can say I have pictures of both my kids in the Bluebonnets. Next year I will have three…maybe by then Scarlett will cooperate and I just might get a picture of all of them together.
sound asleep
March 17, 2011
In complete contrast to my last newborn, baby Isaac slept through his entire newborn photo session. Well, except for the few moments where we disturbed him by taking off his diaper and clothes which made him quite unhappy. He was super sweet and cooperative at only four days old. Thank you to Isaac’s family for allowing me to capture his birth and his early days at home!
sneak peek – baby Isaac
March 10, 2011
Baby Isaac was born this week a few days past his due date. His parents were more than ready to meet him, and there was a waiting room full of people at the birth center ready to meet him as well! Welcome, baby Isaac!
4 Comments
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Soooo adorable. And so happy for the little family!
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oh wow!! these are beautiful. and that baby is gorgeous…
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Really like the look of your blog!
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These are amazing captures. I LOVE birth stories and you have done a great job. I have only shot one birth but have done multiple sessions at the hospital shortly after. This is my favorite kind of photography.
The Birth of Baby Quinn
March 9, 2011
Baby Quinn’s birth was a new experience for me. It was my first time photographing a birth center birth, and my first time photographing a water birth. It was beautiful, peaceful, and such an awesome way to bring a baby into the world. Quinn’s mama labored all day, and finally just before midnight he was born. I loved that his parents had a birthday cake waiting for him. Everyone was ready to meet this little guy!
3 Comments
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dayna runge
oh my goodness they are so beautiful! I love the shot of mom and dad making the same crying face after delivery-that’s usually only a mom face! that was the point where I started crying. lol
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Absolutely beautiful! Beautiful baby, and such an amazing opportunity for you to be able to photograph the birth. Great job Rach!
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breath-taking! Lovely job!
6 Comments
Beautiful Rachael!
Wow Rach, those are amazing!
Love these! You take the most gorgeous pics! Wish we lived closer, so you could take pics of my kiddos!
adorable photos!
Such crispness to your work! Loveley
So many beautiful shots. Here’s to 2012!!!