{smiling ~ a personality is born}

I am in love with my little girl.  She, as my son was, is growing and changing almost daily.  I try my best to live in the moment, though it’s tough for me, and enjoy every single moment.  She is amazing.  Her eyes are still blue as her brother (unlike their mother or father).  She has the “ole’ banker’s hairdo” – sparse on top.  She’s mistaken for a boy if wearing any other color but pink.

I decided to try to capture her smile today.  I think I did a fairly good job of it!

Mandy - July 30, 2010 - 10:28 am

Yes, you did! Fantastic. She is too beautiful!

Angie - July 30, 2010 - 10:57 am

Beth, She is gorgeous!!!!

Nicole Ridella - July 30, 2010 - 11:17 am

She is precious Beth and her little smile is perfect!

Jackie Bell - July 30, 2010 - 12:32 pm

Annalise is so beautiful. You work is pure art.
I wish I could get to know you and your family up close.
Love,
Jackie

{newborn photography}

More pictures of my newborn early on.  I have so many to go through and edit/process, and there is barely enough time to even do this!

Julie - July 25, 2010 - 8:01 pm

Gorgeous subject and photos, Beth!! SOOO wished we lived closer so you could take pics for me!! Maybe someday…

Ellen - July 26, 2010 - 7:10 pm

I can’t wait to meet her! You are doing an awesome job with your pictures.

{the first few days}…

Here Annalise is in the carseat, sucking on a pacifier because she was not too happy not being held.  In this aspect, I felt like I was relieving April 15, 2008 when we took our son home!  Annalise laying out on a Titan’s blanket (hey why didn’t I get a cute cream one for pictures???) soaking in the sun to help her very very mild jaundice.  The flowers my husband brought me in the hospital “You did a great job!”  Seriously, after the rush of getting there, waiting too long to go the hospital, not knowing how urgently she would arrive, etc…  (oh and how hubby missed the actual delivery but got there just seconds after)… well to tell me I did a great job?  What a sweetie.  Me goofing off with Annalise on a brown blanket.  I was totally goofing off.  BUT, I love her look here.  She looks so much bigger than my son did.  Last, but not least, peaceful sleep.

Peaceful sleep is what I miss most… but it’s just a moment in time and then it’s gone.  Cherishing EVERY SINGLE SECOND.

{labor day}

Here are a couple of pictures taken by my doula on June 15th.  Hope you enjoy!  Our daughter was born 6 minutes after arriving to the hospital, so no time for hospital gown, IV, epidural, etc…  I can’t say I would do it this way again.  If there was a third, I would definitely consider induction or a hotel room next to the hospital!

I just love the second picture – my goofy look saying hello to my daughter.  My doula took these with my D700!  I wish in hindsight I had had a point/shoot on me!  BUT, at least I have these images!

{a new baby… a new life}

I have been so busy lately with the new routine of life…  We have a new baby that was born in a rush on June 15th.  Her birth story includes laboring at home too long (only 2 hours though!) and making the drive on the two-lane curvy road at 2pm and making it to a closer hospital at the last minute.  Annalise Jane was born at 2:41pm – just 6 minutes after walking through the front door.  So far, she’s been super easy compared to my first child.  Things are well.  I’m sure it’s a combination of knowing what to expect and how quickly this phase of life will pass.  I sit in my post partum hormone state staring at Lucas’ newborn pictures quite often.  He’s a rambunctious two year old now.  It’s amazing how fast they grow.  And the worst part?  I’m not ready to mourn no more children, but I’m not sure there’ll be more as I was sure after Lucas.  So here we are.

I had a great photographer, Shannon Atchley with Atchley Photography take her photos.  I cannot thank her enough for providing me with images that I will forever cherish.  I am blessed to have met her in this new city!  She is located in Bryant, AL and I strongly recommend her.

Here are a few from Atchley Photography:

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Here’s one of the first pictures I took once we were settled in a room.  And a few more I took myself.

Jessica Chase - July 3, 2010 - 9:20 pm

She is simply precious! Congratulations!

Nancy - July 11, 2010 - 6:39 pm

She is beautiful!!!!