D E N I S E W E A V E R P H O T O G R A P H Y

This is going to be a good year...

2012-01-26T22:35:00.000-05:00

I just celebrated my 33rd birthday yesterday! I was telling a friend that this is my "Jesus year"...lol. I don't want to sound super-spiritual or weird. And although I was joking, there is a bit of symbolism hidden in the connection I made to the fact that I am now that same age as Jesus was when he stepped out to do what he was meant to do. Okay now that I compared myself to JESUS...um, I'll come back down to earth. My twenties were all about trying new things and making mistakes. And now my thirties have been more of a concrete discovery of my true passion and purpose. My passion has always been wrapped up in the arts somehow. Just say the word "art" and my heart skips a beat. I feel so at home when I go to the Chelsea galleries in NYC. I love journaling. I love fashion. I love design. And mix that with my tendency to be emotional, I've finally found my one true love and my passion as a photographer. I could spend every spare moment shooting, editing, pinning, blogging or pouring over amazing, emotional photography. It's not the technical aspect that impresses me as much as the ability to freeze-frame a split-second in time that will never repeat itself exactly the same way. And to be able to preserve that special memory and to bring the viewer into that space to feel the emotion from that moment. To me there is no greater or more fulfilling career path that I could take in this life. My father is a photographer as well so he and I share this passion. I call him or he calls me just about every day to discuss this dream of mine. He is my biggest encourager. He believes in me. What more could a daughter ask from her father. Right before Christmas he and my brother were at my house and after we had dinner we were sitting on the couch just looking at some photography. A few months prior my dad and I went to the photo expo in NYC and my dad said I was like a moth to a light because I didn't want to leave the Canon booth. I just loved the speakers and the opportunity to play with the cameras and lenses. We talked about the Canon 5D Mark II the entire day. I told him that every single photographer that I admire uses that camera...heck, even Saturday Night Live shot their into to their show and most of their video shorts with that camera. By the end of the day my dad was finishing my sentences with ...5DMII. It was becoming our little joke. Okay, so back to that moment on the couch with my brother and my father...my brother says to me that he and dad have been discussing investing in me and my future and getting me this camera. My dad pulled out his credit card right then and there and said let's order this camera. After picking myself up off the floor and recomposing myself I logged onto the B&H website where I secretly had a "dream" shopping cart that was just sitting there for the future. Little did I know that my brother and my dad would make that dream come true a lot sooner. I had 2 lenses in the cart as well and my dad said leave those in the cart, we're getting it all. This is not typical of my dad to do this sort of thing. I've always worked hard for everything I have. Nothing has been handed to me. I never asked my dad to get me this camera. He (and my brother) wanted to invest in me because they truly believe in my success. This is going to be a very good year. I have some exciting things planned. I feel alive inside. I {spontaneously} have to stop what I'm doing at times to journal my ideas and my thoughts. I'm excited. Every day I wake up and say "Something great is going to happen today". And I find that when you walk into your days like this, guess what, truly amazing things really do happen. It's all about how we think and how we choose to perceive things. I can do anything and be anything I believe I can be. And so can you. And you have to remind yourself to ignore the negative voices. Or the accusing voices that try to push you down or keep you in a box of what they think you should or shouldn't be. I'm breaking out of the box of small thinking. I'm bursting inside with inspiration and excitement for what's to come!

The hardest thing for me is to be patient and to take things one step at a time. I sometimes want to arrive without taking the journey. But I have to walk this out one step at a time. One of the steps I've taken is to take my branding to the next level. So I decided to get a new logo for my business - new year - new logo! I'm the kind of person who changes their hair color constantly so I'll probably play with the colors of this logo and eventually will crave change again {I get bored with things} but this is the new logo:

I'll be working on my website as well so until the new website it up I haven't changed the logo on my old website or blog.

Thank you for listening to me ramble on and on. I'm kind of excited...can you tell? If you are reading this, please know that I appreciate you so much. I value my blog readers. You are a part of why I'm doing what I'm doing. xoxo (And when you leave me a comment it totally makes my day!) LOL

Personal

2012-01-16T21:26:00.000-05:00

Being a parent is magical and no one could get it through to me in language I could understand. I think that was due to the fact that I grew up never personally knowing my own mother so I didn't understand the love and the bond between a mother and child. And maybe that kept me prisoner and subconsciously I didn't want to be a mom because I didn't really know how to be one. But the minute I found out I was pregnant, all of those insecurities and walls came crashing down and I was actually excited to be a mom. My heart had a capacity for the deepest love I've ever known and it took this little guy to show me that. I never saw myself as a mom but now Oliver is 16 months old and at every stage it just gets better. Yes, there are challenges but the rewards overshadow the struggles of being a mom. I don't understand why some people who have been trying and trying to be parents can't conceive and why some (like me) couldn't even fathom becoming a parent get pregnant without even trying. But I do know that in this life God brings what we need when we need it and instead of asking "why" I think he wants us to trust him and ask him for guidance through the seasons that don't make sense. Recently I heard about a young couple who lost a baby at 3 months old and instead of asking "why", my reaction was one of faith. There are certain things that this side of heaven, we will never have the answers to and we have to be okay with that. I'm learning to go to God with everything and say "help" - sometimes that is all you can say. And that's okay.

Proverbs 3:5-6

New International Version (NIV)

⁵ Trust in the LORD with all your heart
and lean not on your own understanding;
⁶ in all your ways submit to him,
and he will make your paths straight.

Family

2012-01-15T10:44:00.001-05:00

27 degree weather wouldn't stop this group from gettin' their smile on. This is Ruth and her son James, his wife Angie and three kids - Shiann, Zion and Jayla. James is an Allentown firefighter and an all-around awesome guy. You can see how much he loves his wife, kids AND of course how much he loves his mom, Ruth. She is a pastor to many women and it is very exciting that she is starting a non-profit organization called Restoration Life Center. She just brightens your day with her warmth and loving heart. To know Ruth is to LOVE Ruth. I was so honored to do this photoshoot.

personal

2012-01-12T11:47:00.000-05:00

My baba is so cute. She is a Ukrainian immigrant with a very high-pitch voice. She is funny. I can't really understand a word she says but I love it. On Christmas day we brought her with us to my dad's house. I've been really quiet with the blogging since the holidays were upon us. I finally feel back to my normal routine. We had family stay with us from out of town for the first week of January. It's taken me too long to post a few pics but here are a few snapshots of Oliver's Christmas. He wasn't all that interested in opening his gifts but once they were opened he loved playing with his new stuff.

Oliver was sleepy when we opened presents at my dad's house. My brother got him this Fisher Price riding toy. He loves it.

I love Oliver's curly hair. I'm not going to cut it for awhile yet. : )

This picture below is at my house when we exchanged gifts with Ryan's mom and stepdad from Ohio. They stayed with us for a week after Christmas and over New Years.

Grandma got Oliver this handmade knit hat from Beanies and Booshkas

Family

2011-12-11T12:47:00.001-05:00

I had the pleasure of photographing this beautiful family yesterday morning. Lee and Jon are the most down-to-earth couple and they have a whole lotta heart. I love talking to Lee. When you talk with her you feel her passion for life and she really listens when you talk. I just love this family. Jon has the most awesome job in the world! He is an actor in a show called Treme on HBO. I enjoyed spending the morning with the Seda Family. I am not good at "posing" people so I tried to take some candid shots of them in their home with the Christmas music blasting, a fire going in the fireplace and Dunkin' Donuts!

Love

2011-12-04T20:17:00.001-05:00

Katrina and Jarrett have a special place in my (and my husband's) heart. Katrina was my doula during my labor with my son. This couple has moved beyond friend status and I consider them family. I've been friends with them since before they started dating many many moons ago. They are a beautiful couple who are still in love after all these years!

Alana + Chloe

2011-11-27T09:10:00.001-05:00

There is this "thing" that happens to new moms (besides learning to survive with little to no sleep), they get this gleam in their eye and a new depth to their being. Alana has it written all over her. Chloe is the sweetest little baby girl. Alana lives in Ontario, Canada with her husband David but her family lives in Easton, PA so when she came home for Thanksgiving we just had to squeeze a photoshoot into her visit. I'm so glad I finally got to meet precious little Chloe.

The DeLong Family

2011-11-13T20:18:00.001-05:00

I don't have words for how cute these little girls are! Renee and Dan have been very blessed, that's for sure! This photoshoot was so beyond fun and I love how stinkin' beautiful these girls are! Wow. These little girls are a dream.

Carlee

2011-11-12T09:48:00.001-05:00

Eight year old Carlee is an energetic, daring, fun-loving, silly cutie-pie. I love the blue highlights in her hair. Her favorite place to go to lunch is Olive Garden. She invited me, yes she did. Her mom calls her "Bunny". She really likes her school (and recess). She and I hit it off right off the bat. We're buds. I love photographing children. They are so uninhibited and you can have the best conversations!

The Sullivan Family

2011-11-06T17:29:00.000-05:00

Jasmine and Brady are the proud parents of Samuel, 5 mos.; Wyatt, almost 2 yrs.; and Sadie, 4 yrs old. (And that's Macy, the cute little dog!) Yesterday we did a quick little photo shoot in their backyard. They have recently adopted Samuel and he is the luckiest little guy in the world to have Jasmine and Brady as parents. It's almost impossible to explain how much this family means to me. I've known them for about 6 or 7 years now and I just adore them.

Paige (w/ mom & dad - Shelley & Clayton)

2011-10-24T23:44:00.000-04:00

I grew up with Paige's aunt, Jen. We met in middle school and have been besties ever since. Shelley (Jen's sister) and Clayton are so funny...to get Paige to smile they told her they were going to call the police. It can be difficult to keep an almost 3 year old's attention during a photo shoot. Paige calls me "Ber-niece". It's adorable. Oliver came along with me to the photo shoot and we got this photo. (Thankfully Jen and her mom and step dad were there to occupy him.) Paige doesn't have a brother or sister but she can be Oliver's big sister for pretend...heehee. So cute.

Jake, Sarah, Jonah, Sam & Naomi

2011-10-09T11:57:00.000-04:00

This photo shoot was at the Yaniak's home. They are such a lovely family and the minute you walk in their home you just feel at ease. I love how Sam, Jonah and Naomi play together. Naomi loves the camera. Sam wanted me to take pictures of all his toys. And Jonas wanted to make silly faces at me. I thought they seemed really comfortable in front of the camera. Sarah and Jake have been married as long as me and my hubby (10 years!). Fun Fact: Sarah and Jake met in high school at a punk show! (((I just get a kick out of that!))) This is one of my favorite photo shoots.

Instagram + ordinary moments

2011-10-04T22:26:00.002-04:00

Most of life is ordinary. However, it's usually the mundane and ordinary moments that I find inspiration. I could be on my way to the grocery store, getting ready in the morning or on my lunch break at work and I'll see a photograph. Thank God for the iPhone and the Instagram app. Like a Jerseylicious girl to her bronzer, I can't live without my iPhone camera and the ability to capture the everyday moments. I thought I'd share a few of my recent Instagram iPhone photos today. A lot of the images are just glimpses into my quiet, ordinary but joyful life.

Oliver...13 months old

2011-09-29T23:20:00.003-04:00

I think Oliver has a taste for books. Literally. He would rather eat them than let me read to him sometimes, but I'm glad he now points at the pictures in his books. EVERY single thing goes straight in his mouth. I swear he is part puppy. Today a molar broke through his upper gums on the right side. After his bath he likes to stand on his changing table (scaring me half to death)...Of course I'm right there trying to give him something to distract him to get him to either lay down or sit while I dress him. It's a workout. But with curls and eyes like this, I think I can handle it. This little 13 month old has my heart. Without a doubt.

Micah, Josephine, Elijah & Simeon

2011-09-17T15:23:00.005-04:00

This family is so full of LOVE. Elijah loves his little brother Simeon and it shows. Micah and Josephine are a very strong and committed couple. We met at church where Micah plays the drums and Josephine leads worship with her powerhouse voice. She is probably the most encouraging person I've ever met. It's like she always knows just what to say just when you need it. We had a great morning walking around on 3rd street in Bethlehem. It was so much fun.

Chris, Liz, Ethan, and Samantha

2011-09-11T13:50:00.003-04:00

The kids had fun throwing the football, climbing big rocks and trees, looking at the water and running free at Monocacy Park. Even though we were trudging through mud we had a great time while doing this photo shoot. I just love this family.

Oliver's 1st Birthday!

2011-08-28T02:05:00.008-04:00

One year ago today I gave birth to the most beautiful little boy. Oliver has made my life so much brighter. I can't imagine my life before he was here with us. When I look at him my heart does back flips. I get this overwhelming peace-joy-contentment-love that overtakes and settles me. There is nothing greater than being a mom - at least not to me. I never knew that being a parent would be such a gift. It's truly amazing.

Jude & Solomon

2011-08-13T13:50:00.001-04:00

Jude and Solomon were so full of excitement to run around on their new 3 acre property. Rose & Eric just bought a new home and will probably move in in about 2 weeks and so we decided to do the shoot on their new property. It is beautiful (to say the least) there in the country. Rose said, "It feels like God is giving me a big hug when I look at all these trees." It was all her idea to use the picture frame in a few of the shots to frame her boys while her and Eric held the frame. It is symbolic of their family and starting a new life in their new home. Rose is a very special person to me. I've known her since 1997. It was so much fun to do this photoshoot. I love her family.

Carolyn

2011-08-01T23:26:00.005-04:00

Yes, she really does read those books in real life...hehe. Vegetarian, world-traveler, literature loving, sweet, compassionate, witty, kind, free-spirited...are just a few words to describe this kitten. If she's not in China, Thailand, Ethiopia, or Europe, you can find her in the kitchen testing new vegan recipes or doing yoga.

Roland, Reem, Bella and baby on the way....

2011-07-24T03:39:00.005-04:00

Reem is one of those elegant women who just get prettier with age. I've known her since middle school and I am delighted to reconnect with her after so many years. They asked me do their family portrait session at Lehigh University because it's a special place for them. Roland and his wife Reem had their wedding photos taken there 7 years ago. Roland said it was so peaceful for him to walk around the campus as he reflected on his days as a student. Reem is 27 weeks pregnant and their daughter Bella is almost 4 years old. What a gorgeous family...the camera loves them!

Randall, Cassandra, Milan, Levi and Thailyn

2011-07-18T20:36:00.001-04:00

Randy and Cassandra are a special couple to me. I've known them since youth group. Randy is a talented artist/graphic designer and he has inspired me over the years. It was a privilege to photograph them. Milan, Levi and Thailyn are the cutest kids - oh my word - this adorable family - so full of love.

Meet Myles...

2011-07-11T02:02:00.003-04:00

Myles like dinosaurs. Not just a little. A whole lot. His mom, Angela and I are old friends and this photoshoot reconnected us after not seeing each other since 1996. And to be honest the gap in time didn't create a gap in our hearts. We could not stop talking. She's a gem. And her son Myles is way cute. He stole my heart. I don't think this is the last time you'll hear me talking about Angela or Myles. I have a feeling that this old friendship has blossomed into a new one. I'm pretty siked. Score!

Saturday Morning with Oliver

2011-07-09T15:45:00.001-04:00

He is growing faster than I'm comfortable with. I love his little fingers and toes. I love his little grin. When I woke up this morning at 8:00 AM he was still sound asleep. It took me by surprise because normally he wakes ME up. We came downstairs and after he had his breakfast I made blueberry pancakes with strawberries for Ryan and myself. I love Saturday mornings.

I love this little guy SO much!

2011-07-08T19:10:00.001-04:00

AND this guy too...

Happy 4th of July!

2011-07-05T00:48:00.005-04:00

This iPhone picture was taken from my car looking out the window when we were driving home from my aunt's cookout. It was a good day. Good company. Good food. Good times.

My dad stopped in at my aunt's cookout today. This morning we were on the phone for an hour and a half talking about photography...he is trying to get me to learn the zone system formulated by Ansel Adams . Sounds really complicated. But I really want to learn. He started learning about photography when I was born...said I inspired him to take up the hobby because he wanted to photograph me. I have had my camera for about 3 or 4 years and I am just now really learning more about shooting manual. My dad is a great teacher. My dad is an old school photographer - he shoots digital but he believes in making sure your exposure and everything is perfected before you take it into Photoshop. He said a real photographer doesn't have to do much editing in Photoshop. He shot weddings with film cameras back in his day and I can't imagine not being able to see your shot beforehand and having to wait until the film was developed. EEEEEk. But if you know your stuff there's no worries. I think the best photographers have mastered film photography first. I have so much to learn but looking back a few years, I know a heck of a lot more than I did. And I have to remember that I'm on my own journey and not to compare myself to others. I am enjoying the path that I'm on and making the best of what I know right now and the equipment I have right now. I have such a passion for photography. And there is so much involved and so much to learn but it's SO amazing. And it makes me SO happy. Like ridiculously happy. It's so funny because my whole life I've grown up around it with my dad and I waited until a few years ago to learn more. Late bloomer. I was always into art but never had a "real" camera until I did a website for a friend and in return she gave me her camera (with a really great lens). I was so intimidated by it at first but now I really love it and although it's challenging, it's so fun and addicting at the same time.

My aunt, Martha telling secrets to Oliver. She is the one who watches him when I go to work.

Normally on the 4th of July my dad comes to our house and we would walk to see the fireworks but we thought that we better wait until Oliver is a little older. He slept in the car on the way home even with all of the noise from the fireworks. At least we got to see them on our drive home. It was actually pretty cool to watch them in an air-conditioned car and not have to deal with the crowds. And we had such a perfect day with my family. I'm so grateful for them. I'm a lucky gal.

Curious boy

2011-07-03T21:35:00.012-04:00

I love to watch curious little Oliver inspecting nature - such a look of wonder in his eyes.

My couch potatoes...

2011-07-03T19:02:00.000-04:00

Neighborhood kids (and Oliver) Impromptu Photo shoot...

2011-06-27T22:01:00.000-04:00

Last night Ryan, Oliver and I were in the backyard and my neighbors were outside too so we had an impromptu photo shoot. Fun times. I love photographing kids. So precious.

Blueberries, Tomatoes, Green Peppers and more...

2011-06-26T17:58:00.003-04:00

Ryan and I decided to have a garden this year. We have 2 blueberry bushes, 2 tomato plants, 2 green peppers and lots of different flowers. I love our backyard.

We had a crazy thunderstorm the other day and we almost lost our tomato plants. Ryan had to prop them up extra sturdy with old broom handles.

Saturday Morning...

2011-06-25T15:33:00.000-04:00

Oliver is such a good sport and these photos are still so stinkin' cute! I think he's used to the camera now. He is a great little model. He is almost 10 months old!!!!

His eyes

2011-06-21T21:49:00.001-04:00

I'm thinking that I'm going to do a pencil drawing of Oliver using this photograph.

Oliver, Part Deux

2011-06-19T15:45:00.000-04:00

Okay, so I have trouble editing my photos...heehee.

Oliver

2011-06-19T13:35:00.002-04:00

Oliver is my favorite subject to photograph. The beauty of photography is freezing moments in time that may otherwise be forgotten. As I'm learning to balance aperture settings and shutter speeds, I'm having a ball shooting the most beautiful boy I've ever seen. Of course I'm biased. (Heehee)

I love Oliver's little laugh. And in this pic you can see his top two teeth poking through. I can't believe he is 9 months old already. Wow. Seems like only yesterday that I was just pregnant and dying to meet him!

Snapshots of my day

2011-06-12T22:58:00.002-04:00

Gave myself a pedicure.

Had a backyard BBQ with Ryan.

Steak & Onions on the grill

(served with chimichurri sauce, salad and rice)

Cold beer.

Oliver was napping while we were grilling. He woke up just in time to join us at the table. We like to have family meal times together. Of course little O isn't ready for steak yet (heehee) - he had his baby food.

I love relaxing in the backyard with my boys.

This weekend was fun. Abigail and Josh came over yesterday. I love them so much. Abigail made an amazing blueberry pie. She handpicked the blueberries and made the crust from scratch. And the best part is she left the pie with us so I got to have a piece for breakfast this morning. Yum.

Ryan and I watched Blue Valentine after they left. The movie is raw but I think it was interesting and very real. It made me think plus it has this certain awkwardness to it that I like.

And last but not least...I saved the best part for last. Heehee...Just want to share this little video of Oliver laughing histerically. I just adore his laugh. He is funny.

Almost walking...(9 months old)

2011-06-11T10:05:00.000-04:00

Handsome Oliver

2011-06-06T19:26:00.001-04:00

Every day is a miracle. Life is so fragile and I thank God EVERY single day for my little Oliver. He is such a happy, sweet, wide-eyed little boy. On my way to work in the morning, my heart aches when I drop him off at my aunt's house because I want to be a part of his day and I know that I will never get this time back. I find comfort in the fact that he has it SO good at my aunt's house. She loves him and gives him undivided attention which is not always possible at even the best daycare centers. I feel so blessed that my aunt loves him and pays such attention to detail.

Motherhood is the greatest gift that God has EVER given me. The miracle, the joy, the creativity, the love, the depth, the beauty, the discipline, the challenge, the selflessness...I could go on and on...it's so amazing. Every morning the feeling I have when I go into his room and he greets me with that loving grin, my heart melts and I take the deepest and most content sigh. It feels like something new every day. I can't explain the depth of love I have for this little guy. Thank you God for such a gift.

Psalm 127:3-5
^3-5 Don't you see that children are God's best gift?
the fruit of the womb his generous legacy?

2011-06-03T11:20:00.000-04:00

Nothing better than that first cup of coffee in the morning. So happy it's friday! I got that white dress on Memorial Day at Old Navy for $7. What. A. Steal.

Snapshots of my day...

2011-06-03T10:55:00.001-04:00

This is actually from the other day at lunch when I went to Main St for lunch and it was just such a beautiful day!

Lovely days are ordinary days...

2011-05-27T00:04:00.000-04:00

And when your dad and brother come over to your house at 6:30pm with pizza in tow...it's a special treat and a night off from worrying about dinner after a long day of work. Now don't get me wrong, I love to make dinner but by Thursday night, when I'm standing in the kitchen slicing onions my legs are aching and I just don't have the energy. It's always such a treat to see my dad and bro. I love my dad. He's so interesting. He brought over his iPad tonight and showed me lots of fun stuff. And he always brings me NYC gallery books, oh and he brought me a Bridal Photography booklet (for ideas, he says). I really appreciate my father. He is very knowledgeable about just about anything you want to talk about. He reads CONSTANTLY! We had a very ordinary visit but it certainly was lovely. Pizza. Yum. I made chocolate peanut butter cookies for dessert. I put a pot of coffee on...a new Sumatra blend that I got from ReWired Cafe on Main St. in Bethlehem and because of how hot and humid it was outside we turned our coffee into iced coffees. Mmmmm refreshing. Oliver was napping when my dad & bro got to our house and when he woke up my dad came upstairs with me to get little O from his crib. O was so confused that he started to cry when he saw my dad. I felt so terrible, but my dad works A LOT and he travels a lot so we don't get to see him that often. It only took a few minutes for little O to warm up. And from there on it was smooth sailing. In no time Oliver was climbing all over his grandpa and the two were smiling and having a good ole time. And Oliver loves my brother - he has this obsession with my brother's beard. He likes to touch his face. It's cute. I gave Oliver a bath later than usual (9pm) and shortly after starting his bath my dad and brother left and little O went to bed. Ryan and I finished the AI finale (in our dvr from last night). Even though I am not a Scotty fan, I still can appreciate that he is a better country music singer than most of the more popular country music singers out there. And OMG, are Scotty and Lauren a couple? While we are talking about music, I have been obsessed with the new FLEET FOXES album. I play it on repeat in my car and while I'm at work with headphones on. They are my absolute favorite band. Well, I love so many bands, but they rank up there pretty high!

The ordinary acts we practice every day at home are of more importance to the soul than their simplicity might suggest. Thomas Moore/Irish poet (1779 - 1852)

There are no pictures with this post. Sorry, just words. Today was a very ordinary but lovely day.

I love Sundays at home

2011-05-22T17:00:00.011-04:00

(Ryan feeding Oliver)

(Oliver's new play tent)

I just love relaxing Sundays at home. We have two Redbox movies to watch and we are having an early dinner - sausage, peppers & onions baked in arrabbiata sauce on a soft, chewy steak roll! YUM! Comfort food. Yesterday was such a busy day so today I just want to curl up on the couch and watch movies. It's much needed downtime before the busy week begins again.

"Smile, breathe, and go slowly" -Thich Nhat Hanh

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A FEW PHOTOS FROM YESTERDAY:

Yesterday when we set up Oliver's tent for the first time - He looks like he's not quite sure what to do in there.

I love how green and lush everything is in our backyard. Ryan did lots of yard work and he's so good at it...better than me, that's for sure. I like making the inside of our house look pretty and Ryan likes making the outside pretty. Perfect combo.

Oliver/Mommy look-a-likes

2011-05-16T22:49:00.000-04:00

Oliver looks a lot like his mommy when she was a baby...wow! My mother-in-law and I were just looking at pictures and couldn't believe the similarities.

Histerical Belly Laughs...

2011-05-16T22:32:00.001-04:00

My little Oliver seems to think that bubble wrap is the most amazing thing ever. And apparently it is the funniest thing he has ever and I mean EVER, seen!!! This is the funniest thing ever. My mother-in-law, Kristy is the one in the video crushing the bubblewrap! So cute. I hope this makes you smile too!

Oliver is crawling

2011-05-14T17:27:00.001-04:00

Ryan's mom is here (from Ohio) and will be with us until Tuesday. It is such a joy for her to spend some long awaited time with Oliver. She has not seen him since New Year's! Oliver is crawling so much better now. At 8 months old, he is in the 95th percentile for height and weight. He is such a big boy. He eats those little puffs that disolve in your mouth. And today I gave him little pieces of a banana. He does so good with little finger foods. He only has the two little teeth on the bottom so we have to be careful not to give him anything that he wouldn't be able to smash with his tongue to the roof of his mouth. That is our rule of thumb. He loves to eat so much. He cries when his food is gone! He is precious. It is a very relaxing weekend, just hanging out with Oliver and family today. My aunt came over today and brought some of those foam interlocking pieces for the floor so that Oliver can crawl on our hardwood floors and not hurt his little knees. I'm so sleepy today...it's probably the rainy weather. Hope you are having a wonderful weekend too!

The Nate Berkus Show

2011-05-14T10:27:00.000-04:00

One of my style icons for living beautifully is Nate Berkus. I discovered his show when I was home during the day while on maternity leave.

After talking about getting tickets for like ever, I finally went to his web site and requested free tickets. So last Thursday, Abigail and I went to THE NATE BERKUS SHOW! She's a big fan of his too! I got her hooked on his show.

I would've done this post sooner except that Blogger wasn't cooperating...not quite sure why it was down for so long.

We stopped by the studio way early before going out to a wonderful Thai lunch on 9th Ave. No line yet...too early!

Thai lunch...I had the red curry...Abigail had Pad Kee Mao. YUM!!!!! And we had mimosas...I had orange and she had a lychee mimosa.

In the audience....

For some reason they put us in the vip section. We were sat on the front row, smack dab in the middle. The studio was beautiful. (Almost) as beautiful as Nate himself...heehee. Yes, I shamefully have an itsy-bitsy crush on him. :) I was grinning from ear to ear the entire time were at the show. We were so close to Nate. One of the producers teased me and said "He smells like cookies", referring to Nate, of course. I think the producers of the show are so used to giddy, star-struck fans. It was a Thursday and they had already taped 8 shows that week! Craziness. They looked exhausted. I noticed that all of the women producers had flat, tall boots on. It's like their thing. I don't know why that stood out to me of all things. Probably because they are on their feet all day and flat boots can be so comfortable and they wear well and look better with time. (That's what Abigail and I concluded.) In between the taping of different segments there is a comedienne type producer who separated us into 3 groups and we played a trivia game. I was the leader of our group and we were in what they called "The Mosh Pit". Silly, yes but true. Probably because we were so close to the stage. We had a lot of fun. There is so much excitement and energy on the set. The bright lights, the music, the cameras everywhere...my cheeks hurt from smiling and my hands were sore from my ring smacking up against my hand when we clapped. So much clapping.

We were only permitted to take pictures before and after the show started taping, so sorry, no pictures of Nate. Boo. I'm not sure when our episode will air. They told us to keep checking the Nate Berkus web site and look for our segments to find out the date. Our show was about a mother who turned in her son for a dining room makeover, a friend who turned in her shop-a-holic best friend, and a backyard makeover. Haven't seen it yet, but I will post a link when I find it. :)

I could go on and on, gushing about how cute Nate is and what he wore...heehee. I just love my Nate.

Rainy Days won't stop us...

2011-05-04T23:23:00.002-04:00

Alison came over tonight after I got home from work and did a photoshoot in our backyard to celebrate my 10 year anniversary! It was a rainy, yucky day and I had been anxious all day about the possibility of the rain ruining our time together but thankfully the rain cleared up and it was overcast but you'd never know that from Alison's vibrant photos! I love the bicycle basket that Alison had made at Elysian Fields to put on my Vista cruiser. She has impeccable taste! They are spectacular! The shirt I'm wearing is from Anthropologie, shoes are from Charles David and the little owl necklace is from The Attic...a local consignment store. Thank you Alison! You are the BEST!!!!! love you.

Sunday at home

2011-05-01T15:03:00.005-04:00

Oliver doesn't really care about his toys or his teddy bears, he likes the tags on his toys. He seems to really like little tiny things. My aunt and I were laughing about how he likes to fall asleep playing with the tag or one tiny thread on his blanket. He is so funny. I can't get over how cute he is. He was asleep in about 5 minutes of me starting this little photoshoot.

And now here he is awake and playing in his favorite thing - his walker. :) He just loves that thing! I still can't believe he is 8 months old (as of 4.28.11 our 10 year anniversary). Before we know it he will be a 1 year old!

Day in NYC

2011-05-01T10:56:00.003-04:00

Yesterday my husband Ry and I went to NYC for the day. I feel so at home in the city. We went to Chelsea to the galleries, then we made our way up onto The Highline at 20th street on 10th Ave. We walked the highline to Little 12th street and then made our way over to 9th Ave and onto Chelsea Market. We decided to eat dinner at Pop Burger on 9th Ave. I was in the mood for a burger and I must say it was the best burger I ever ate! What a fun day. We wanted a day to ourselves to reconnect and just walk around the city. It was absolutely the most perfect day! I had so much fun taking pictures. Oh! And we were caught off guard when Julianne Moore walked by us on the Highline. I literally brushed shoulders with her. And then about 15 minutes later we passed Seth Rogan. It made us smile. I love the Highline. It is absolutely beautiful up there. Everyone has smiles on their faces and seems so relaxed. It's a floating park above the hustle and bustle of the city. It's an oasis. I love NYC. I don't mind the jungle. I would live there in a heartbeat.

I loved the DVF window display (the black and white crazy pattern photo with the mannequins) and I got some amazing EVOO at The Filling Station in Chelsea Market.

I got the garlic infused extra virgin olive oil and I made sure to get some Amy's Bread to go with it. I just love dipping fresh homemade bread in a good olive oil. Yum!

Ryan and I had a much needed day together to celebrate our 10 year wedding anniversary.

10 years

2011-04-28T10:56:00.001-04:00

10 years ago today I was at my mother-in-law’s house getting prepped with my bridesmaids for my big day. On April 28, 2001, Ryan and I got married in his hometown - Greenville, Ohio. Looking back I’d do the ceremony differently, wear a different dress, different flowers etc., BUT I wouldn’t change a THING about marrying my Ry. He has been loyal, faithful, loving and supportive through so many ups and downs. We haven’t had a lot of money, fame or fortune but we have had each other and through life’s difficulties we have weathered MANY storms together. After 10 years of marriage, when the butterflies have faded, and the infatuation fog has been lifted what remains is a deep, satisfying connection that has matured into a more meaningful and richer love. When we decided to get married at 22 years old we knew that it was for the long-haul. We knew the difference between love and lust and we knew that there may come a day when love would feel more like a choice. I think a lot of couples divorce after the butterflies fade and real life kicks in…bills have to be paid, housework has to get done, jobs come and go, and there are many temptations. We have a beautiful son now and we just can’t believe that we got to be a part of “creating” Oliver. I look at him and see ourselves in him and it makes me realize what life is really about. I’m so glad that Ryan and I have made it through the shallow part of our marriage and are now approaching the deep. Here's to many more years to come, God willing!

Happy Anniversary Ryan! I love you SO much! Thank you for being in my life and for loving me and telling me I'm beautiful even when I have no makeup on and my hair is sticking up in the morning...and when those last 10 lbs. are still hanging around after having the baby! Thank you for being YOU. I would do it all over again if I had the choice. You ARE my soulmate, if there is such a thing. You are my best friend and I appreciate everything you are and everything you do for me and Oliver.

Happy Easter!

2011-04-24T11:28:00.002-04:00

Today will be a busy day for the Weaver family. Going to my Aunt Martha's house and then taking my Grammy (the Baba!) with us to my dad's house. Lots of yummy food will be involved. Yesssss! This morning before getting ready for the hustle and bustle I took a few photos of Oliver. He is getting cuter with every single day. I'm so thankful this Resurrection Sunday for so many reasons. It makes me reflect on what Jesus did for us and helps me to remember that this life is eternal. Death is not the end.

"He takes men out of time and makes them feel eternity." ~Ralph Waldo Emerson

Earth Day!

2011-04-22T14:00:00.000-04:00

Happy Earth Day!

Origins is giving away free cleanser! All you have to do is fill out this form.

Snapshots of my day...

2011-04-22T12:13:00.000-04:00

1. Always doodling all over everything.

2. My favorite necklace (H&M) and scarf (Target)

3. Post-It holder. I write post-its to read my post-its.

4. Pretty tree in the parking lot at work. Got out of my car and just had to take a pic of it.

5. Scenery from my drive home from work yesterday. (Not very exciting but the sun was SO bright.)

Couldn't have said it any better myself...

2011-04-19T23:44:00.001-04:00

THIS POST is just one of the reasons that Joanna Goddard of A Cup of Joe blog is my favorite. It's like she read my mind or journal and articulated it better than I could have. I felt the exact same way when I was pregnant (which by the way was) at the same time as her. Very cool.

painted floors

2011-04-19T23:18:00.003-04:00

I saw these beautiful painted floors on the Nate Berkus show today. I have very old hardwood floors that I would like to refinish but this is so different {and risky}. It really makes a huge statement. I am still not sure if I'd have the guts to do something that dramatic. I think I would paint a chevron pattern in my dining room maybe in a mustard yellow or a black and white. I guess you just have to sand the paint off if you ever want them back to the bare wood. With a little one and a dog this is an easy and clean (and affordable) alternative to refinishing your floor or getting a new area rug. Here is a how-to guide from DIYer Kristin Kauffman via Nate's web site on how to paint your floors.

Hanging out with Oliver

2011-04-18T20:37:00.000-04:00

After an 8 hour day at work, it feels so good to pick up my son, come home and start dinner. Tonight he just sat in his highchair, playing with his bubble book and watched me make dinner. At this stage (almost 8 months old) everything goes right in his mouth. He has two teeth on the bottom in the front. My aunt got him Humphrey's 100% All Natural Lactose-Free Teething Relief pellets. I think it's a safer alternative to pumping him full of baby Tylenol or gross Orajel. I'm curious to try them. Oh, the joys of teething!

twilight

2011-04-17T22:28:00.001-04:00

The lights are dim. Tegan is almost asleep. Ryan and Oliver are both in bed already. My eyes are getting heavy. I think it's time to call it a night. It is always hard to say goodbye to the weekend.

“There is only one thing people like that is good for them; a good night's sleep” -Edgar Watson Howe

design

2011-04-17T19:19:00.004-04:00

Design is my passion. Whether it is interior design, graphic design, fashion/style, photography...etc. I think the thing that has been holding me back from living my passion is that I never really had a specific and clear goal. SO...to break out of this rut, I am dreaming up a 5 year goal and business plan. On his show the other day, one of my favorite style gurus and interior designers, Nate Berkus said that if you do what you love, the success {& money} will follow. I can't quit my day job yet but I think it's good to have a vision. After I watched that show I read this article and it confirmed everything I was thinking.

"Life begins at the end of your comfort zone, so get used to being uncomfortable. It won't kill you. Do you need a sign? Here it is:" -Bill Tikos

makeup

2011-04-17T15:05:00.003-04:00

{my new favorite lipstick color by MAC}

...a nude, pretty light brown color

{makeup and stuff in my purse at all times}

C-Thru lipglass by MAC

MAC lipstick in Fresh Brew and MAC lip pencil in stripdown

cocoa butter body butter by body shop for my dry hands

bare minerals mineral veil powder

hand sanitizer (for my germaphobia)

physician's formula powder palette mineral glow pearls

Tegan

2011-04-13T12:51:00.003-04:00

Tegan was not happy to be shaved with the clippers but it just had to be done. I think he is adorable with long hair or short hair. He was a great sport. He didn't like getting groomed, but he tolerated it. What a good boy.

Still holding up

2011-04-13T12:26:00.001-04:00

Day 3 and the nail polish stickers are still holding up.

Spritzer

2011-04-11T22:54:00.001-04:00

I really like *fizzy* drinks so I end up drinking soda and that's not so good for me so I came up with this little spritzer. It's so refreshing and it really hits the spot and it's super healthy!!! After all, pomegranates and blueberries are superfoods! I hope you enjoy!

Oliver's little red converse

2011-04-11T22:41:00.001-04:00

Oliver

2011-04-10T18:33:00.000-04:00

we got those little red Converse sneakers for Oliver last weekend - he's such a little model for me, always ready for his photoshoot! ;P

nail polish strips

2011-04-10T18:18:00.001-04:00

I decided to test these nail polish strips by Sally Hansen. We shall see how they hold up. They were really easy to apply.

Things I'm thinking about right now...

2011-04-10T16:36:00.002-04:00

1. I've been obsessed with Pinterest lately. Like laying in my bed pinning things on my iPhone at midnight when I should be sleeping obessed! :) I just love it. It helps me organize my inspirations for the home and decor, for makeup and hair, fashion and style, etc. I think it will really come in handy.

2. Oliver's stroller was STOLEN from our front porch!!! I'm really upset with myself for leaving it out there overnight. My neighbors next door leave their strollers outside too so I didn't really think anything of it. So bummed. I really liked my stroller. So now I need to get another stroller. And I'm looking at the Sola stroller by Mamas and Papas. I really like the functionality of this one. It's so versatile (not to mention that it is so cute). I found it for a lot less online than what the website sells it for or for what Babies R Us is asking. I love that you can turn the seat frontward or backward. And if we ever have another baby there are lots of attachments (car seat, bassinet, etc). This stroller is an affordable alternative to the Bumbleride stroller.

3. Ryan and I are going to celebrate our 10 year wedding anniversary on April 28th and we were thinking of going to NYC for the day. We are thinking of going to Chelsea to the galleries and then maybe to Limelight Marketplace and also we want to check out Eataly. My aunt, cousin and I may also go there in May or June. I'm going to scope it out first.

Oliver

2011-04-10T15:40:00.000-04:00

T-o-o CUTE for me!

He was giggling because of Tegan. They are good friends but Tegan doesn't know it yet. He is kind of nervous around Oliver unless he gets to lick him (which I highly discourage).

{kisses} & gratitude

2011-04-03T04:38:00.009-04:00

...It's impossible for me to give Oliver enough kisses. Earlier in the day Oliver fell asleep on my chest...I held him so tight and kissed his precious little head over and over. While kissing him and smelling his head, I just couldn't inhale deep enough. The love for my son is unlike anything i've ever known. And he is such a good little boy. He is so patient. So happy. So flexible. He takes my breath away. Every morning is a gift...every chance I get to see {and hold} him is a gift. Better than a new pair of shoes...and we all know how much I live for shoes! Haha just kidding. Today we went to lunch as a family and there was a couple sitting in front of us and every now and then, I caught them glancing over at me and my family. When we got up to leave they stopped us and asked, "Is your baby always that patient? Wow, he is such a good baby!" I am not sure how we got so blessed but I am so thankful each and every day!

"God gave you a gift of 86,400 seconds today. Have you used one to say "thank you?" ~William A. Ward

7 months old and he is so close...

2011-03-29T22:35:00.000-04:00

Oliver wants to crawl and he is so close! In this photo he is staring at Tegan, our Pomeranian and he wants to play with him oh so badly!

2011-03-28T11:47:00.000-04:00

picture from the weekend, Daddy & Oliver
They melt my heart when I watch them snuggle and play. There is just something about seeing your husband with your child! Ahhhh

2011-03-27T10:27:00.002-04:00

I really see Oliver in my Childhood pictures.

Almost 7 months old!!!

2011-03-26T21:20:00.002-04:00

On the 28th Oliver will be 7 months old!!!!
His hair is growing,
he is running (not walking) in his walker on our hardwood floors,
he cries when I wipe his face after he eats,
when I change his diaper he persists on rolling over or tries to grab the wipes,
(this is especially 'cute' when his diaper looks like brownie batter and is almost up his back),
he laughs histerically at Tegan our pomeranian,
he loves to eat,
and although he will deny a bottle a time or two,
he'll never deny his spoon feeding, he loves prunes,
he sounds like he's singing sometimes,
and I swear he says "hi"
he loves kicking his feet and splashing while having a bubble bath in his whale tub,
he always smiles even if mom and dad have a disagreement,
reminding mom and dad that they are being silly,
he loves to grab his feet whenever he is laying on his back (no wonder they call it the "happy baby pose" in yoga),
he sits up so good now and plays until his heart is content in his playpen,
everything goes in his mouth,
he has a fascination with necklaces or anything shiny for that matter,
he just keeps getting cuter and cuter EVERY freakin' day,
Daddy loves when he puts his hands up on his face to feel his beard and smiles,
Mommy loves his good morning smile and look of excitement to see her first thing in the morning,

I just love my life being a mom.
Oliver, my son. I love you forever.

2011-03-21T11:08:00.001-04:00

This morning I sat Oliver on the couch so I could put on my boots and my coat and this is the cute little smile he gave me. I had to stop with one boot on and my coat half buttoned to snap this picture. He always stops me in my tracks - that handsome little fella!!!

Such a big boy!

2011-03-16T22:16:00.001-04:00

Oliver holds his own bottle like a big boy! Tonight Ryan and I sat and watched Oliver try to crawl on the floor in his room. He was trying with all his might, reaching forward with his arms and wiggling his legs back and forth. It won't be long before he is crawling!

2011-03-15T13:24:00.002-04:00

This morning Oliver was exceptionally cute, stealing my heart with that great big grin.

2011-03-14T16:23:00.001-04:00

Oliver & his Dad...
This photo is from last weekend. It was a very busy day and after Oliver had his bath and a bottle, he passed out on Ryan. You can tell from the photo that Ryan didn't want to move or breathe. He looks so stiff. What a cute moment to catch!

Oliver, almost 6 months old!!!

2011-02-23T23:31:00.003-05:00

If someone would've told me that I'd enjoy motherhood this much I wouldn't have believed them. Oliver brings me more JOY than I ever thought possible. I pinch myself sometimes and thank God for letting me be this little dude's mom. I'm so thankful for my aunt Martha who so selflessly watches him while I work full-time. She amazes me with how much she loves and cares for Oliver. She pays attention to the little details. I feel so grateful for what God has done for my family. I'm so blessed. Like the bible says..."Goodness and MERCY shall follow me ALL the days of my life." Amen. Thank you Jesus. xoxo I love you.

peaceful day

2011-01-27T16:51:00.001-05:00

it's been a peaceful late afternoon...while Oliver napped I painted my nails this OPI color called "Alpine Snow" and balanced my checkbook. Then I took a little time and read a book. Very inspiring. My friend gave me a new journal for my birthday and the paper is handmade. It's a beautiful journal. The bookmark ribbon has a little sliver of a tree tied to a string - it's so perfect. And I have the perfect pen to use with it!

2011-01-27T16:42:00.001-05:00

This photograph was taken by my dear friend Alison Conklin. She has such a way of capturing the personality of her subject. In this case, it happens to be my love, Oliver. He is getting SO big. My aunt and I were talking today about how great his personality is. He is a happy baby. He wakes up from his naps very gently and sweetly. He only crys when he is hungry and I get can't the bottle made fast enough! Or if he needs his diaper changed. He is such a lovely baby. He is talking (baby talk only) so much lately. This morning he ate a whole container of sweet potatoes and after finishing he still opened his mouth for the spoon, so I had to make him some rice cereal AND then he wanted a bottle right after that! He is just a hungry little boy! He eats like his dad. He is healthy and seemingly smart and alert. I'm so thankful. Today was another snowday! Geez, I've had 3 or 4 already this January. It's crazy. But it's so nice to be home with my boy.

Oliver, 4 months old

2011-01-12T17:45:00.002-05:00

My sweet baby boy is 4 months old. Last night he devoured (Gerber stage I) sweet potatoes followed by a big bottle of his formula. That was only the second time that I fed him with a spoon. The first time it was baby rice cereal. He loves eating. He takes after his dad in that area. My favorite thing about Oliver is the way he smiles at me. It melts my heart like butter. First thing in the morning when I go to get him out of his crib he just gives me the biggest, most loving smile. There is no love like the love you have for your children. I can't imagine love greater than what I feel for Oliver. He is such a little character already. Last night Ryan took him to the doctor (I had to work so Dad took him) and when it was time to get his shots and before they did anything, Ryan said that Oliver knew that something was up and he started to cry as soon as the nurse who administers the shots came in. Ryan said he thinks he remembered from his last visit. And after he got his shots (one in each leg :( ) He gave the nurse a dirty look and then stopped crying. Ryan said as soon as they went out to the reception desk to check out Oliver was happy go lucky and flirting with the lady behind the desk. He cracks us up. He seems like he is so aware of everything that's going on. It's amazing to us how he responds to us sometimes. We are such giddy, first-time parents. Oliver, mom and dad just starting truly living the day you were born. Thank you for being our precious little boy. And we are thankful to God for giving us such an awe-inspiring gift!!!

Our 1st Christmas with Oliver (at a glance)

2010-12-27T21:24:00.001-05:00

Living Room makeover

2010-12-26T19:22:00.001-05:00

New slipcovers from IKEA...we have the Ektorp 2+2 sofa and it's great because every few years you can update or change the color and it's like you got a new sofa but it didn't break the bank. Also a new area rug from IKEA...I saw it on the Nate Berkus Show...he had it in his apartment. I love black and white stripes...surprisingly go with everything. We originally went in the store for the grey slipcovers but left with the light brown because we thought it would be too monochromatic if we got grey. I think that light brown is a great neutral to go with absolutely everything. I'm really happy. This was what we got with our Christmas gift money that we got from Ryan's family. Pictured below is the ukuele that Ryan got me for Christmas...he surprised me! I had no idea.

2010-12-22T11:15:00.001-05:00

It's almost Christmas! Yay! I'm so excited to spend time with family and eat yummie food. Ryan and I are still recovering from a nasty cold/flu. So far Oliver hasn't gotten sick. I'm really dreading the first time he gets sick. I guess it's the first mom thing. He is such a cutie pie. Everyday he giggles and smiles at me as if he knows that I'm his mommy. He will be 4 months old on Dec. 28th. I can't believe it. Time is going by so fast. He is so handsome - I can't believe how cute he is! This is the best time in my life.

Christmas Tree pics

2010-12-05T21:45:00.004-05:00

i love motherhood...

2010-12-05T16:43:00.002-05:00

I haven't been updating or posting on this blog very often. It's just so busy in the evenings and all I want to do is relax with Oliver after I get home from work and after I clean up after dinner. I don't seem to want to go online apart from checking my facebook or email on my iPhone. I will try to get better about updating this from time to time. It's so nice to document life and look back on it. I really love motherhood. I feel like the lights turned on in my life. I never thought I would love it this much. When I look at Oliver this overwhelming awe comes over me. I feel this sense of love and importance that I never experienced before. He encompasses all of my hopes and dreams that I never knew I had. I'm honored to be a part of guiding him through life and being here for him to help him achieve whatever it is that God has placed him on this earth. He's the twinkle in my eye and the skip in my step. Forgive me for the cheesy poetry. Just can't help myself. On another note, this is his first Christmas so we got him a cute little ornament that frames his cute little face. And we got a REAL tree this year, our first one ever! Tegan really seemed to love it too!

Utilitarian/Military Fashion Finds

2010-10-23T11:50:00.001-04:00

This week I cleaned out and re-organized my closet while Oliver was napping. It felt so good. I really needed to walk into my closet and feel inspired since I'm really having a hard time dressing my postpartum body. I know I have to be patient with myself to lose the extra pounds. I started doing some strength training workouts at home and I downloaded the Lose It app for my iPhone so I can count my calories. It's amazing how many calories you really eat in a day! But anyway, in the spirit of a new season and wanting to feel inspired, I wanted to do a fashion post (which I haven't done in a while). I enjoy these so much! I love these easy, comfortable, practical yet fashionable separates that you can mix and match with new and old pieces in your wardrobe. I love these pieces and I had fun putting this little ditty together.

Labor, Delivery and Beyond!!!

2010-10-11T15:01:00.002-04:00

Wow. It only took me a month and a half to write this. Yikes. It's just been such a whirlwind and even though I'm home 24/7 with my new little bundle of joy, he requires a lot (okay, ALL) of my attention and I just couldn't find a big enough chunk of time to do this. Outside of getting a shower or watching a show, there is just no more "me" time.

I never considered myself to be a wimp but childbirth has shown me that I might not be as tough as I think. Although the spectators who attended the event may tell you otherwise. Ryan, Abigail and Katrina were my birthing coaches and provided me with so much support and strength. I COULD NOT have done it without them. They endured the 37 hours of labor with me!

So, hmmmm, where do I start this story...I guess I'll start with Friday, August 27th. I woke up at the crack of dawn (5:00am) and noticed some spotting. This was a sure indication for me that my labor was starting. I also felt extremely tired and had what felt like menstrual cramps. I tried to go back to sleep but my mind was racing because I knew that this was it...after a week of being overdue, my long awaited labor is finally starting! It was kind of getting ridiculous, even at work my co-workers seemed to be getting impatient while watching me return to work each day after the due date. I was so big and uncomfortable but I worked right up until the end. I almost went into work that Friday but something told me to stay home. I felt like I just needed to rest. The contractions started to come regularly around 9:30am-10:00am about 3-5 minutes apart. They were uncomfortable but I could manage them. I was kind of afraid of what was ahead but I was so excited that Oliver was on his way. When I first realized that I was in labor for real I actually started to tremble a little bit - it was like I was shivering but I wasn't cold. I went about my morning trying to be as "normal" as possible. I made some coffee, nibbled on some food (too nervous to eat) and sat at my computer, checking facebook and emailing Katrina and Abigail to tell them that I'm officially in labor! While I was on the computer I heard a loud "THUD!" and it startled me so I ran to the window and what I saw surprised me and filled my heart with comfort. It was a white dove on my neighbor, Abby's windowsill. I felt like it was a sign. I ran outside to take a picture of it.

After Abby tried to pick it up to put it into a cage (she was going to call the aspca to come get it), it flew up to perch right above Oliver's nursery - right above his window.

And this is where he sat until just after I finished packing my bag to leave for the hospital. It was so beautiful it made me (and Katrina) cry. We stood outside looking at it just blubbering about what it meant. In the bible in the story of Noah and the ark, Noah sent a white dove out to see if it the flood was over and it returned with an OLIVE branch. An olive branch symbolizes "new life" or "new beginnings" and the white dove is a symbol of peace. So all in all I felt like God was letting me know that he was going to be with me to bring me peace and that Oliver was going to be arriving and we were all going to be OK. :) And let me tell ya, I needed this to get me through the next 30 something hours ahead of me! At critical moments I went back to that memory to give me strength and provide comfort that I WAS going to make it through because God was with me and this was part of his plan for me. I was safe.

I can't remember the exact time that we left for the hospital but I think it was around 5:00pm or 6:00pm. I waited around for the doctor to see me in triage for awhile. When she finally checked me I was only 1-2 cm so she told me to go back home. I was in so much pain that I was shocked that it was only 1-2 cm! And I couldn't imagine going all the way back home - somehow it just felt safer to be near or in the hospital. Katrina suggested that we walk around or go see a movie but I was in too much pain to sit through a movie without shrieking in pain. I was starting to feel the pain in my back almost to the point of being unbearable. My legs would actually reflex and jerk if I was laying down during a contraction. It was absolutely horrible. So after the dr sent me on my way we decided to go to Panera Bread because everyone was hungry. It was about 8:30-9:00pm at this point and they closed at 9:00pm but they let us stay there while they cleaned up. You should of seen the look on the young man's face when he was taking our order and I was writhing in pain and grasping onto the counter. The employees felt so bad for me they gave us a complimentary bag of cookies. I could barely eat half a plain bagel because I was so nauseous from the pain. We couldn't stay there forever and Katrina suggested that we see if Jasmine would mind if we go to her house because she lives right down the road AND she is amazing with childbirth - she had a home birth without any drugs or intervention. I loved the idea and so on we went. Jasmine was great. I was so comfortable in her home. The pain didn't stop but I did feel safe and comforted being there. We put on some soft praise and worship music and Jasmine let me use her birthing ball. She instructed me through contractions and let us rest for awhile there.

The contractions were so bad that I just couldn't lay down. It scared me because of the "unknown" - no one can tell you how many hours you have left. And when I left the hospital I was only 1-2 cm but I felt like the pain just couldn't possibly get any worse. It was to the point that I didn't feel like I had control over my muscles during a contraction. The best way I can describe it is with a visual. Ever seen one of those halloween black (scared-y) cats with their backs arched and their eyeballs popping out? Well that's what I felt with each contraction. Nothing would help me. Katrina would tell me "stop running from the contraction". Jasmine said "pain is your friend". So I started yelling "the pain is my friend, the pain is my friend" through each contraction. I tried to not move through the contractions and it was really hard but at one point I just rested my head on Abigail's shoulder and Ryan was singing along with the music we had playing and it seemed to help a little.

The contractions were picking up and it was after midnight now so we decided to head back to the hospital. We got there around 1am and after waiting again in triage for what felt like an eternity, the dr said I was still only 2-3 cm. She said the only way she would admit me at this point is if I would get an epidural and let them give me pitocin to get things moving. Our goal was to get through labor without any drugs so Katrina and Ryan told me that we should walk around the hospital for a little bit first before we decide to go that route. And I'm so glad that we did. I was in so much pain that the epidural was really tempting even at 2-3 cm. We walked around the hospital for almost an hour and when I went back to get checked by the dr I was now 4 cm. That surprised the dr and she was even a little impressed I think, so she admitted me. So we got settled in my labor & delivery room. Katrina suggested that I get in the shower and let the water hit my back and that provided some much needed relief but I was still in uncontrollable pain. One of the most beautiful moments during labor was in that shower. Katrina brought my ipod docking station into the bathroom and we had music playing (the Sing Over Me Lullabies and Worship Songs compilation album) and I was just praying and worshiping God. We were both sobbing. After I got out of the shower and dried off the nurse wanted me to lay back down in bed so she could hook me up to the monitor. I hated that. I called the bed the "torture slab" because my pain was 100x intensified when I laid down.

Around 8am or so on Saturday morning, my water still didn't break so the nurse had a little talk with me. She said that once my water breaks the pain is going to get worse because the contractions will come even faster and stronger than what I was experiencing. She said she was concerned because it was almost 24 hours now at this point and I still didn't eat anything or get any sleep and she was worried that I wouldn't be able to have enough strength to push. She advised that I get the epidural or at the very least get an iv so she could get some sugar water in me to prevent dehydration. She had a point and at this stage I was so exhausted in every sense of the word. The dr checked me and I was about 5cm and I thought that was far enough so I agreed to get the epidural. I just couldn't go another minute and so at 9:00am on Saturday I got the epidural and then at 10am the doctor broke my water. I felt instantly better once I got it. Whew it was such a relief. I was still uncomfortable in the horrible hospital bed because you have to lay with the bed a certain way so that the epidural works properly. It was really hard because I still felt pressure in my lower back. But the uncontrollable pain was gone and I could at least rest now. I didn't actually get to fall asleep because I just couldn't in the position I was laying in and I had so many tubes running in and out of me. I kept asking if the epidural tube was still in. I was so scared that I was going to knock it out somehow and then need a new one. And I did not want to be stuck with that huge needle again! But it was fine. It never fell out.

Ryan was so worried about me. He said it was so hard to see me in so much pain. I saw him lose it a few times. But he still managed to be an amazing coach, especially when it came time to push. I felt so bad for my team because they didn't get any sleep this whole time either. And the room was so doggone cold. Holy crap. Well, it wasn't cold for me but for everyone else it was like the arctic. At one point I looked over at Abigail and she had like 3 shirts on, a hood and a blanket and she still seemed to be cold. And meanwhile I'm sitting there eating the free snow cones that they give you. It's the only thing you can eat or drink while in labor so I took it. My favorite flavor was peach. There was a whole plethora of flavors, even margarita. Highlight of being in labor...haha. Ryan had to run and get me one on the hour every hour. :) Here is a pic of him giving me a little kiss, trying to comfort me. I just wanted this labor over and I wanted to hold Oliver. It seemed like he was never coming! This was around 5pm on Saturday night.

The pain kept sneaking back so I would have to press the call button and they would have to give me another dose. I felt the pain in my back, pelvic area and oddly enough in my chest. Time was creeping along and I just kept eating snow cones to try to silence my hunger pains.

The doctor checked me again around 9pm and finally!!!! It was time to push!!!! I watched two different doctors change shifts and three nurse shifts. I was lucky enough to get the same nurse back from the previous day. I loved my nurses. And the doctor that was on when it was time to push was actually the dr I saw in the office the most. I went to an office where you don't get to choose your dr - it's whoever is on call when you go into labor. And I was so blessed because she was amazing! So now it was time to push and the dr and nurses got into position. Pediatrics had to be there as well because there was meconium in the amniotic fluid. They had to check to make sure that Oliver didn't inhale any of that because if he did it could cause major breathing problems.

Pushing was my favorite part of labor - I felt so empowered. Ryan, Kristy (mother-in-law), Abigail and Katrina were my biggest cheerleaders while I pushed through each contraction. And the dr was great! We had Imogen Heap playing in the background on the iPod player. It really set the mood in the room. Even the dr and nurse commented on how they liked the music. Every single push was productive and the dr would have my mother-in-law show me the baby's head with a hand-held mirror. It was funny because I was laying there totally exposed to my mother-in-law and two of my closest friends (and a whole room of strangers in scrubs) but it didn't even matter. You lose all dignity when you're in labor. At least I did.

They gave me oxygen to help me because I was so tired. And it really helped. I think it helps the baby too. He endured such a long labor too!

Finally...after an hour and forty minutes of pushing (felt like 10 minutes), eyes closed, pushing as hard as I possibly could, to the sound of my husband's voice yelling and cheering me on, I screamed with that last push and Oliver came out into the world. His cord was wrapped around his neck so the dr didn't let Ryan cut the cord. And they rushed little Oliver over to the team of pediatricians to check him out.

I didn't get to hold him on my chest like you see in the movies and on television but I watched from my bed. Ryan was so moved. It was so amazing that I was numb. I didn't cry. I didn't know what to say. I think I was in shock a little bit. And I was so exhausted. Finally it was over. 10:46pm, he was born. 7 lbs 6oz and 22 inches long.

Around midnight everyone except Ryan left and the nurse helped me get cleaned up. God bless nurses. Wow. I can't believe how amazing and tender they were with me while I was in labor. "They do this every night"...I kept thinking to myself after. Wow, what a job. Pretty amazing to witness such a miracle day after day. I finally got to my room upstairs in the mother and baby unit around 1am and I thought I would get some rest but that just didn't happen because they brought the baby to me to breastfeed several times through the night. I still haven't had a full night's rest since the baby was born.

There is so much detail that I left out but I tried to edit this down as much as possible. It was such a surreal experience. I think I would do it again in a few years. But if you would've asked me then I would've told you "no way!" I told Ryan that we were going to adopt if we were going to ever have another child. That was just the pain talking. Oliver is so precious and he's my little miracle. I am amazed...a brand new life, a brand new little spirit entered the world. Birth is amazing. It's a human being that enters the world, who never existed before. It's just a miracle. And Ryan and I brought him into this world. Wow.

Labor Story coming soon...

2010-09-15T18:44:00.000-04:00

It's been a few weeks since I updated this blog. It's been very overwhelming at times being home with a newborn! Breastfeeding every 1 1/2 - 3 hours has been quite the {painful} challenge. It really hurts! I thought that after labor I'd be on my way to feeling better - WRONG! Every sensitive area on my body hurts! Sooooooooo anywhooooo...I'll be sharing my labor story very soon. So stay tuned!

39 Weeks

2010-08-20T16:34:00.004-04:00

38 Weeks

2010-08-13T15:44:00.003-04:00

37 weeks, 4 days!

2010-08-06T13:49:00.005-04:00

36 Weeks, 1 day...Only 27 more days to go!

2010-07-27T16:19:00.005-04:00

(Picture Collage from my shower - Kinsey took these pics with her iPhone)
Three friends of mine (Abby, Alison & Abigail) threw me a baby shower (was this past Sunday) and it was really special. Abby (my friend [and neighbor]) mentioned that she wanted to throw a shower for me back in the depths of winter while we were snowed in and eating dinner together. She joined forces with Abigail (my friend for years now-met while working at Rodale) and Alison (my long-long-long-time & amazing friend). Alison sent out the invitations and might I add that they were the most beautiful baby shower invitations that I have ever seen. Alison used Two Paperdolls to make them. So clever! The Two Paperdolls letterpress and design house does a phenomenal job! And of course Alison has awesome taste! Between the three of them they did this amazing barn/vintage/boy scouts themed baby shower and it was the most unique shower I have ever been to. It was right out of a magazine. Abigail's parents have this amazing barn and they so graciously let them host my shower there. Abigail was sweet enough to let them do it as well because she just got married there a month ago. I felt so "showered" with love and amazing gifts! I have everything I need to get started as a new mother now! I'm so thankful! Thank you thank you thank you to Abby, Alison & Abigail and to all the amazing friends who came to the shower!!!! xoxo

Oliver's nursery featured on weeDECOR's blog

2010-07-23T07:22:00.000-04:00

This made my heart happy this morning...awwww!

Click here for the post!

34 Weeks, 2 days

2010-07-14T20:53:00.002-04:00

32 Weeks, 6 days!

2010-07-04T14:23:00.006-04:00

31 weeks!

2010-06-23T14:27:00.003-04:00

30 weeks!!!

2010-06-14T21:50:00.004-04:00

29 wks

2010-06-08T22:49:00.002-04:00

28 Weeks, 2 days

2010-06-02T14:57:00.002-04:00

27 Weeks

2010-05-26T13:32:00.001-04:00

26 Weeks, 2 days...

2010-05-19T15:48:00.002-04:00

25 Weeks, 3 Days...

2010-05-13T23:48:00.004-04:00

(Pics taken in my backyard...thanks Abby and Ryan!)