contribution for APPPAH

Today I found out that a couple of my images will be used in the Association for Prenatal & Perinatal Psychology & Health's newest brochure. What an honor and a blessing for me to contribute to this wonderful organization.

APPPAH's mission is to educate professionals and the public about, and advocate for, the life-changing discoveries made in the area of prenatal and perinatal psychology and health.
here are the images they chose...

yes, this is me

I am grooving on along in this pregnancy...35 weeks tomorrow! And let's face it, with baby #3, things are just different. You are taking care of your first two children, who have a tendency to grab and keep your attention, whether you want them to or not! There just isn't the same approach as it was when it was your first...or even your second. Because now, you are a seasoned pro, right? ha, ha!! Well, it seems to be harder for me to carve out time just to be present to this pregnancy, to this baby that is growing inside.

But I had a wonderful opportunity to spend the day in total focus of my baby and my pregnancy last Sunday. In the morning, I had a surprise shower...too bad I am notorious for finding out surprises and this was no exception! It was lovely, a traditional baby shower with a game, cake (from Short Street Cakes......YUM!) and presents, and most importantly, time with some very special women I have become close to.

And then in the afternoon, my dear friends honored me with a blessing way. It is ceremony to honor and bless the mother as she moves forward into the birth of her baby. It was full of emotion and some tender tears for the awe that we feel as mothers and as friends. So here are some photos compliments of my friend and fellow photographer, Lenka Hattaway, of my special day, which was truly a great blessing.

one more of baby

I couldn't resist. I l-o-v-e this shot! Baby S is 3 weeks old here so a little older than a typical newborn photography session. Is it because I'm pregnant that I am totally enamored with babies lately??? ok, so maybe not just lately, which I guess means -no- I am just a sucker for these cute faces, pudgy legs and cheeks, soft skin and precious fingers and toes. Look out for when my baby arrives...I have a feeling this blog will be full of images of the next little Stone!

baby face, you got the cutiest little...

baby face! Am I right? And LOOK at this hair...OMG, I am so jealous. Seriously, I think my babies are pretty darn cute, but they have both come out totally bald and stayed that way...for like years!



And check out Mom! She gave me this, "I'm not sure I want to be in the pictures," business, but seriously, look how beautiful she is. And now you see where the gorgeous curls come from!

coming back around

You know that you've been away a long time when it takes you longer to scroll through my blog dashboard (posts from the blogs I follow...ha, ha! apparently, not very closely!), then it does to make my own blog entry.

So I apologize for being gone so long...and honestly, I just don't know that I can promise to be any better! I apparently am over committed and overly optimistic about what I can accomplish in 24 hrs/day.

But here I am, playing some catch up. This is another family that I photographed for my Holiday Giveaway. I have the benefit of knowing this couple as the brother and sister-in-law of one of my dearest friends. They are so sweet. Noah works in a non-profit serving families in many ways and his wife put her real estate career on hold to stay home with their beautiful little girl. What a fun surprise for me to hear that they are expecting baby #2!