As I write this, my almost 2-year-old is napping. I always take this time for blogs and emails that take more concentration. It’s hard to believe that the routine I have been building for the last two years is about to drastically change. Change in the best sort of way. After two years of trying and many hormones being pumped into my body before getting pregnant with our first son, this second baby was a bit of a surprise. We were wanting to have another baby within the year but the timing was several months before we had anticipated. My due date is exactly one week before my son’s birthday, which I think is so cool. These boys are going to be two peas in a pod – best friends and mortal enemies at the same time, like all good siblings. 😉
We had some maternity photos taken by the talented Erin Goodrich Photography when I was 30 weeks, which I absolutely loved (check out her facebook/instagram to see a preview), but I wanted to document the giant pregnant me as well. I am 38 weeks in these photos and swollen all over. As easy as this pregnancy has been for me (except the first trimester – we’ll get into that more later), I am starting to feel the aches, pains, and discomforts that come with having a full-sized baby in your belly. But as always, Heath made me feel like a supermodel (as he does every day – such a good hubby) and it’s just what I needed. Last pregnancy I wrote a blog on the importance of getting maternity photos taken and all of those words still stand true in my heart.
Having been pregnant once before, I thought I knew exactly what to expect. I thought I was a pro but I couldn’t have been more wrong. This time around has been so different in so many ways. The first time, I wasn’t sick at all but I was in for a bit of a rude awakening with baby #2. In the worst of it, I was sick every couple hours all day long. It was brutal. Emotionally I come out of this pregnancy being extra sensitive in giving grace to all pregnant women. Just because you didn’t experience it doesn’t mean it isn’t real to that person. A little empathy goes a long way – besides, we are just women trying to grow a small human the best way we know how, which ironically is no small task.
The next biggest difference between pregnancy 1 and pregnancy 2 was chasing around a toddler instead of being able to rest when I wanted to. Did this make things more complicated? Yes, but this has also been the been the best thing that happened to me (that’s not what you thought I would say, was it). He has kept me active and, as it turns out, that is exactly what I needed. I even shot a wedding at 37 weeks and besides the enormously swollen feet/legs afterwards, it really wasn’t all that bad. I have known wedding photographers who have shot even later in their pregnancy than this. Women are amazing!
Thank you to all of my brides this year. I’m sure there is always a certain amount of apprehension when the photographer of the biggest day of your life so far tells you that she’s pregnant. It’s a delicate process and while I tend to have pretty routine pregnancies, anything can happen. Every single one of the couples that I shot while pregnant were gracious, kind, and accommodating in all ways. I really don’t know how I get so lucky year after year with the best clients. I love what I do and the relationships I form along the way.
Lastly, I need to give props to my husband and second shooter. I always rely on him but it’s 3-fold when I’m pregnant. He is my biggest supporter and the best advice-giver that a business owner could ask for. He can be brutally honest, but that’s what my personality needs sometimes (even if I get mad at him first). Did I mention he does all of this and works a full time job?! He is truly my superman and the best daddy/husband in the world.
All that being said, we could be days away from baby boy (the last time I posted a maternity blog, I went into labor the next day) so stay tuned for some newborn photos soooooooon! 🙂
I had to take a couple with my nugget!
Of course we had to break every few minutes for Harrison to give momma the flowers he picked for me. Haha, love that kid.
And one last photo of Harrison playing with his favorite tractor before we went inside for bed. This will likely be the last photo (with our big cameras) of him before he’s a big brother!
