1. Bodie is rolling.  Please note:  this is not with great enthusiasm.  I quite enjoy the time when he’s not mobile.  I even considered fashioning some sort of concrete block contraption to extend the non-mobile period a bit longer.  However, my dear friends brought it to my attention that that’s considered cruelty, so I guess I’ll let him continue with his development.  ::sigh::  The immobility was nice while it lasted.  (please note that I’m kidding and would never harm my child).

2.  I have such big things planned for this fall!  I’m working on Christmas card templates right now!  I plan on making them a password protected gallery for viewing (similar to last year, but even better).  I am GIDDY with excitement over this years templates.  Some are great ones from last year with a lot of new ones too!

3.  Is 4 months too late to send out birth announcements?  Because that’s what we’re doing.  Yup, I never got Bodies announcement sent out.  My kids are like the cobbler’s kid that have no shoes.  They have plenty of snapshots but I always put client editing ahead of theirs, so they sit on a folder on my computer collecting proverbial dust.

4.  Mother’s helpers.  MY LORD what did I do before them?  Oh that’s right?  I got very little done that wasn’t super late at night.  I’ve been so blessed this summer to have quite a few days with help from mother’s helpers.  I’m going to have to figure something out during the school year, because I can’t go back now!  The ability to sit down and work for any length of time is a luxury for a work from home mom.  But, with the helpers, I can be here to feed Bodie, run in the kitchen to make my lunch, or whatever.  It’s been glorious!  I plan on packing them in as best as I can before school starts back and all of my helpers go back to school!!!

5.  What I’m working on right now.  This is a long overdue session for a friend.   She is so sweet!

You may remember this engagement session from the fall.

It’s my beautiful cousin Margaret and her now husband Jason.  They were married in June and contacted me about doing a bridal/”back in the dress” session.  I had the BEST time.  I get to be fun and creative, they follow directions (unlike trying to shoot a session with my 2 yr old), and there’s just something about a newly married couple because love just pours out of them.  Crazy fun.   My secret wish is that they have babies soon so I can do their maternity and newborn too   I have a funny feeling that is the same wish that my Aunt Ellen has… no pressure guys.  None at all.  Hehehe…

Normally, I like to keep my editing “clean” with as little trendy stuff as possible.  I want my images to look timeless and still hold strong 50 years from now.  Every now and again, I get the hankering to try something fun and do something trendy.  Here’s my fill from this session.   Little funky, little fun, LOVE it.

I didn’t talk a lot about it here, but I shot my first wedding last week.  Previous to now, I was unsure if I wanted to shoot weddings.  I love shooting children and families, and am very happy with that.  But, when a great friend told me her brother was getting married and they asked me to shoot it, well, the stars seemed to align.  I will say, I was amazed at the amount of love in the day.  It just oozes out of the images!  We had BEAUTIFUL golden light.  And, what’s more, it didn’t rain!  In July!  In FL!  Afternoon/evening thundershowers are a virtual certainty this time of year.  Here’s your sneak peek Troy and Sheryal!!

1)  I’m baaaa-ack!  We had a nice little vacation, and I am finally caught up on the post – vacation laundry and such!  Phew!!!  I gotta be honest, I still have at least one load of towels to fold an put away though.  Just keepin’ it real.

2)  With all of the challenge of 2 small children, teaching ballet, and running a successful business, the back burner has been Boden’s newborn photos.  I have just been putting them off for too long.  Here’s one I just finished.  I left his “angel kisses” in tact on this edit.

I know I’m a bit partial, but I just love that squishy face!!

3) I am running my a/c full time, house full of fans on high, and the external temp is in the 90s and I’m already planning for the holidays.  Holiday sessions and holiday cards that is!  I have some BEAUTIFUL plans for holiday cards this year!!  I can’t wait to share!  You’re gonna love them!

4) Don’t forget about summer mini sessions!

5)  A little plug and information for a great service.  Carter is a successful graduate of the Infant Swimming Resource program.  His instructor, Megan Zoller is a wonderful instructor.  This program is not simply about learning to swim, but for survival lessons should a child fall in the water.  Carter starts his refresher lessons next week.  His float is a little rusty.  I am so thankful for Megan and her services!  She is worth her weight in gold!!   Be prepared for some pics of him in lessons next week!

1)  I am so far behind editing personal photos!  I am STILL working on Boden’s newborn photos.  Don’t worry there will be a BIG post when they are done!  Here’s one from this morning that just made me melt…  Say it with me, “awwwwww”!

2) I am enjoying a weekend away with my family right now.  So, I may be slow to respond to emails and such.  I have internet access, but it’s via a wireless card, so it’s a bit slow.  I’d like to say “I deserve a weekend off”, but it’s just nearly impossible for me to make a clean break from technology.

3) I am booking Mini sessions right now, and have had quite the response to them!  They are only good on sessions that take place by September 15th, so book now before I’m all booked up!

4)  Christmas in July!!!  No, seriously!!  I am getting my holiday cards for 2010 picked out and organized!  Remember to ensure delivery for the holidays I am instating the following deadlines.   Nov. 15th:  Last day a session can take place and ensure product delivery by Christmas.  Dec. 1st:  Last day of orders to ensure Christmas delivery for standard prints and holiday cards.  If you want an album, the latest you can order that is Nov. 1st, so you’d need to have your session in the beginning of October to allow time for editing and design!

5) On a personal note:  I am finding motherhood just flat out hilarious.  I find myself saying things DAILY that I never dreamed would come out of my mouth.  This week?  Carter is obsessed with my armpits.  You know, the crease that is made when your arms are down by your side?  And the little bit of “fluff” (I’m telling myself it’s the fluff that is from my relaxed muscles against each other and not a fat pocket… hey, whatever gets me through the day, right?) that is there?  Carter likes to poke at it… and KISS it.  He’s been told REPEATEDLY “Do not touch people’s armpits, it’s yucky”.  So he tries to circumvent getting in trouble by asking “Is that Mama’s armpit?”  Why yes, Carter.  It is.  It is Mama’s armpit.  Then he’ll lean in and kiss it.  Blech.  Crazy kid.

And because I shared about Carter, I’ll share on Boden… he’s rolling over so well from belly to back!  I’m so proud of him!  He’s getting so big.  This week I had to put away the 3-6 months clothes and get down the next 3 sizes from the attic.  He’s asleep in a 9-12 month outfit right now.  It’s so cliche, but so true… They grow up so fast!!

Congrats Dave and Jenny!!  They get to have a FREE session with me that is all about love for them!   They also get a 16×20 gallery wrapped canvas of their favorite image from the session!!   2nd place went to Joe and Roberta, 3rd place was Andy and Becky, and 4th was Jared and Bri!  2nd place wins a $100 print credit, and 3rd and 4th place win a $50 print credit on any booked full session (does not apply to mini sessions).

And because I can’t post without a pic… here’s one of my Bodie from yesterday.  I was testing out a blanket and a lens… but, he’s darn cute isn’t he?!