34
"So, when are you guys having kids?"
If I had a dollar for every time I've been asked this question since Ben and I got married in July of '07, I wouldn't be writing this blog right now - I'd be in Barbados or Australia, vacationing in one of my 5 homes across the world. ;)
It's true, right? Those kinds of questions come with the territory, I guess. Your fiance of 2.5 seconds has just brushed off his knee from popping the question, and someone is already asking when the wedding date is. You barely get through your first dance at the reception before someone is tapping an imaginary watch and teasing you about the "clock ticking" for reproduction.
I always have every intention of concocting some awkward response ("We were actually planning on adopting a 32-year-old - we figured there would be less responsibility"), but in the moment, I simply smile and repeat for the 107th time, "Not yet!"
Even though Ben and I aren't quite ready to have any of our own, I do love babies. So fortunately, some of my friends have reached that stage in the game. It's nice practice to be able to hang out with your friend's kids (and give them back when they start screaming ;)). One of those friends is Cami, and her precious, full-of-life daughter, Callie.
You may remember this adorable little face from a recent Sneak Peek. While visiting Cami and Clinton (her husband) at their house in South Carolina, I had an ongoing impromptu shoot with Callie. It was nice to have the flexibility to be able to grab shots of her throughout the weekend, documenting different days, and different things that she did while I was there.
I'm excited to be able to provide a timeline for Callie's life (as I'm sure there will be many more photo ops in the future), but I've made Cami promise me that I won't be labeled as the crazy-camera-lady-who-always-has-a-lens-pointed-in-Callie's-face. Because really - who wants to be that person?! ;)
I also hope that Callie doesn't grow up to resent me for a couple of these shots below (namely, the bare butt moment). I've already decided that once she reaches the age of embarrassment, I will blame the entire set-up on her mother. ;)
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baby callie : just because
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33
The finish line is in sight.
Cami:
Hooray! Congrats on figuring it all out Ames!
(05.20.09)
Callie:
Yaaaay! Sooo exciting!
(05.20.09)
Nana:
Congratulations -- I can't wait to see it!
Love you
mom/tina:
Woohoo! Can't wait! :) Love you both.
(05.21.09)
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official.
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32
Our desk chair has acquired a noticeable "dip" in the center over the last couple of weeks from my body being parked in it for oh, say, 467 hours. There's also this spot - round and red - right between my eyes, a little above my brows. It's the mark of frustration from banging my head against our desk (and possibly nodding off a few times by accident).
I'm dramatic, yes. But the launch of our new website has become my Everest.
I'd consider myself to be fairly tech-savvy. I'm no member of the Geek Squad, but I did teach myself how to use Photoshop, learned the ins and outs of the blog-world, and (this is the biggie) made the hurdle from PC to Mac.
But I have met my match in our website.
While learning something new can certainly be daunting, I'm usually down for a good challenge. Well, this is me waving my white flag Mr. Site - you win. I'm officially grabbing what's left of my dignity and humbly surrendering.
Throughout this process, my biggest struggles have come from the details; the decision making about each aspect, the aesthetics, the time management. Right when I feel like I'm gaining speed, I trip on my shoelace and end up a few feet behind again.
I'm going to be so excited to get this thing off the ground. My excitement is twofold - a new website means another launch party (with prizes! Yay for prizes!), and it also means that I can function normally again. Mr. Site will no longer be breathing down my neck, making my days stuffy and anxiety-filled.
Yes, it has taken some time, and yes, I am resenting the delay, but truly, the new site is going to be fabulous. The launch will be grand, exciting, spectacular (again, prizes!) - and really, I can't wait for you all to see it. :) But for now, I am going to peel myself away from my leather chair of responsibility and spend time with the lovable ball of fur who keeps bumping himself into my leg, hoping to get some attention:
Bri:
We look forward to seeing it...and make sure you go snuggle that cute love and take some time for yourself :)
(05.18.09)
Mom:
I.....love.....this.... pup! Look how kissable his little face is! (Yes, I do kiss puppies - and I'm proud of it. :)
(05.19.09)
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red spot.
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31
I have heard the phrase "he/she will go far in life" used many, many times to describe someone who is motivated, driven, or passionate.
When I was little, I used to take that saying pretty literally - Where is that person going? How do you know how far they'll go? Now, are we talking across the state, or across the world??
I also got confused about the phrase "we're in it for the long haul," but that's another story for another day...
Carolann will go far in life. Maybe not in my 6-year-old reasoning of physical distance, but in her goals, her accomplishments, and her successes, she will go far. As her older (but obviously not necessarily wiser ;)) cousin, I'm extremely proud of her. Ben and I had a blast photographing her senior session, and we can wait to see how her future will pan out. :)
And a little extra from the day....
I played paparazzi while Ben was in his zone. :)
tina:
Beautiful pics! Carolann is so photogenic - and her sweetness shows in the pictures. :)
(05.17.09)
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30
I like a challenge.
Ben has become a fairly serious runner over the last year or so, and recently, he's been trying to persuade me to join him. It needs to be noted that I have despised running for as long as I can remember. My lungs burn, my breathing freaks out, and I sweat - profusely. How can this be described as enjoyable? I think I'd rather pour sand in my eyes.
So needless to say, I've been trying to avoid Ben's proposition at all costs. However, since we share a bedroom, it's a little difficult.
After he hassled me long enough, I agreed to give the 10-week plan a go under these conditions - if I liked it, I'd continue to do it (without him saying "I told you so"). If I hated it, he'd never ask me again. That seems fair.
Well, it's week 3 and I'm feeling a little sheepish. Turns out, running is actually a great challenge. Pushing myself on the pavement, feeling my body improve day-by-day, accomplishing goals - yeah, ok. It's pretty sweet. But don't tell Ben I said that. :)
In a similar way, photography is challenging - it challenges my creativity, my nerves, and my confidence.
Rebecca and Chris' engagement shoot took place in downtown Orlando. This particular spot was specifically requested by our couple, so we happily obliged. Ben and I are extremely familiar with Church Street Station, and the layout of downtown as we've done many shoots in the area.
So much like my running plan, we had to push ourselves. We were forced to not rest in our comfort zone, but to find freshness amid a well-known atmosphere.
Rebecca and Chris helped make our job easy. :) They are laid back, engaging, and undeniably crazy about each other. Gaining inspiration from our clients is extremely motivating, so we were thrilled to discover that Rebecca and Chris were down for anything we asked of them.
We've already posted their sneak peek, but here's a more detailed look into their shoot:
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Thanks for the love Auntie Amy! & don't worry about posting my bare bum on the internet, I think my Daddy won't mind for at least a few more years! I love you!
(05.21.09)you did awesome!! i love the last one on the left, she seems to be done with pics and having people in her face!!
(05.21.09)I LOVE THEM!!! BTW... this was so weird... I see your blog date is 05-21-2009, that is our baby Kaylee's birthday and then her name is Callie??? WOW!! :) can't wait to see Kaylee's pics!!
(06.04.09)