Susie at Target may be single-handedly responsible for the mounting landfill problem caused by plastic grocery bags. The hubs came home from the grocery the other day with about 20+ bags packed just like this. (He forgot to take in our cloth bags, grrrrr). Really??? Three small items in one big bag??? So yes, it’s wonderful that the hubs does our grocery shopping (thanks, bee bee), but please, next time if you see Susie, it wouldn’t hurt to give her a few pointers on bagging effectively.
Catching my breath from last month. Thought I’d share a few of the developments. My sister finally made the move to Austin!!! Yay!!! We haven’t lived in the same city in more than a decade, so it’s wonderful to have her here. Most of May was spent helping her find a place to live and job search. Check. Check. We got her all moved in (snaps above). Note the conundrum that happens when you move to your very first place on your own: she bought knives and then scissors to open the knife packaging only to find she needed knives to open the scissors package ;-). She’s already completed her first week at her new job. I’m so impressed with her!
In the middle of all that, we did have Tristan’s graduation…right when he got up to the front of the room, he turned and signed, “I love you,” to us. Wow. That kid. ;-)
There was the also the surprise party I was planning for Virgil to celebrate this. It was so stressful trying to plan that in secret, prepare for the upcoming birth, keep up with the crazy shooting schedule, *and* help my sis with her move. But amazingly, it all worked out and the party was a blast! And, he was indeed surprised.
I had mentioned his birth was timely. Here’s the story…
I was sure mama would go early. She was sure she would be late. Almost two weeks after her due date had come and gone, she was finally scheduled for an induction. I was determined to make it to this birth no matter what. Mama was determined to have a natural and intervention-free childbirth no matter what. I have never seen someone with such a strong vision and ability to make a birth go exactly as she wanted it to go. In fact, the day of the “induction,” she had evidently already gone into labor all on her own and there turned out to be no induction necessary.
So that morning, I was running around getting ready for a surprise party I was hosting but certain I wouldn’t be able to attend. I stayed in contact with mom and dad on the phone, checking on progress, anxiously awaiting the final call. While I was out running errands for the party, I got to make a short visit (North Austin Medical Center–great facility, btw!!) and snapped a few pics before things kicked into high gear. It was lovely to be able to chat and share a little bit of that anticipation, joy, and excitement before the real hard work of labor had set in. Amazingly enough, I even got to attend the party I’d been working on.
Early that evening, I called dad again. This time I could tell by the sounds in the background that it was indeed time to witness a miracle. His mommy and daddy told me I could let you witness it, too ;-)
A few things to note before you watch:
1. It was dark. Very, very, very dark. In fact, it was darkest birth I’ve ever photographed. I wouldn’t dream of using a flash around a laboring mother or a tender newborn, so I was dependent upon a single light in the room..the light on the baby warmer several feet away from the laboring couple. To be honest, I can’t believe I was able to capture what I did (thank goodness for the Mark II and my 50 1.2). But you know what? I love it! The birth itself was so very intimate…I was merely peeking in…and the dim, raw nature of the images reflects the mood in the room that day perfectly.
2. The song is “Knocked Up” from Kings of Leon. I first heard it here(btw, I absolutely ADORE Alicia’s work!) a while back and was humming it all the way into town the day of his birth. It seemed only fitting to use it in this video.
3. Her doctor was phenomenal. I’ve never seen a doctor so patient an so in tune with a laboring woman. Really remarkable.
4. There are three distinct times when mama sees her baby. Watch for the difference when mom simply sees her baby and when she truly sees him. It makes me tear up every time.
Thank you, thank you, thank you again to August’s mommy and daddy for inviting me to be a part of this incredible day. Your family is simply beautiful!
[If you are expecting and would like to have your birth professionally photographed, please visit this page for more information. I only have a few birth session openings left for this year. Photographers seeking information on birth photography are welcome to join in the open discussion on the PT4P members' only message board.]
Pun intended. This session was awesome! I love every single image, mostly because little man was moving so fast, I’m shocked I got any images of him at all ;-). And then because little miss was SO adorable and obviously very camera shy.
Taking a short break from proofing to share more 6 mos pics of the “prince-stess” as the boys call her.
(I’d say she’s changed just a little bit in 6 months)
I happened upon this little story session tonight and my heart melted. Mostly because I’m so happy that Amry has such a wonderful dad who loves her. Partly because I wish I did.
I haven’t blogged about my Logi bear in a while. We’re still going through some adjustments. He’s still caught between being a baby/toddler and growing into a kid. It’s hard on him. It’s hard on me. Virge has been hanging with the boys a lot since he’s out of school and I’m working and taking care of the girl. And so we spend most of our days in the same house, but still apart. Today, Logs told me that he only wanted to be with me…that he missed me. It broke my heart. I’ve missed him, too.
And I would totally–totally–let him get a real tat like this when he turns 18.
