Lightning Bug Photography

I wanted to share a few sample pictures taken by my friend Marni. She has been Myles official photographer since before he was born. Marni is a new mommy friend of mine who has a small photography business . She was at my belly cast party and was kind enough to take some pictures.

When it was time to think about birth announcements and holiday cards we went and checked out a mall kiddie photo place. It was dirty and Myles screamed the whole time. We decided not to go that route. That's when we decided to hire Marni. She came to our house, gave us tons of great photos to choose from, and made the photo shoot a fun and relaxing experience. During the photo shoot I could nurse, eat, and do whatever else a new mother needs to do. It was the best decision we could have made. So this is both a shameless endorsement of Marni's work, but also a sharing of an idea that worked out for us. Here is a very small sample of the photos.

The Belly Cast (Myles very first photos):

Myles about 1 week before he was born!
Leonie, the hostess and my dear friend, putting her creative care into the project.
Belly casting is messy work!


Myles Photo Shoot- age 3 weeks

This picture captures a look of Myles that I will always treasure!


What I love about this photo is that it reflects the wonder of being Myles's mother. It is not posed and it isn't flattering of me in a traditional way. But I will enjoy this picture for the rest of my life.

This is Myles swaddled and lying in one of Grandpa Jerry's sculptures. Arty and fun!

Another memory caught on film. I think these boys are so beautiful!

Montana Family

We were so happy to have Rebecca and Steve visit Myles this weekend. Myles enjoyed cuddling with his Montana grandparents. It was wonderful to catch up, look at pictures, and enjoy a home cooked meal prepared by MJ. With Rebecca and Steve living up at their place for most of the winter, we can look forward to frequent visits with each other.

Great Grandparents Visit

Mason, PJ, MJ, and Myles...all smiles!

Myles loves sitting on his great-grandma's lap!

Myles's great-grandparents came for another visit today! Each week they say they can really see how the boy is growing. We see that he is growing fast, but we are tickled to hear from others all the changes they can see. The verdict is still strong that Myles takes after his daddy. MJ thinks Myles looks a lot taller. He has certainly put on the pounds to make that possible!

Myles is so lucky to have such loving and devoted great- grandparents. They have been so good to all of us!

Learning

There's a lot of learning that's involved with becoming new parents.

In the last week or so, both Myles and I have had to go to the doctor's--me for a shoulder injury, him for a stomach virus. It was a learning experience for me. First, I had to learn that I have to take a modicum of care of myself so I can take care of my son. Also, I learned that there is no worse or more terrifying feeling than when your kid is sick. Being a mom is definitely the greatest/hardest thing I have ever done. And I am not even 4 weeks into it. Thankfully, Mason is the greatest friend, husband and father. Myles is starting to feel better and I am so thankful that sleepless nights are all we have to show for it.

He is growing fast- a whopping 8lbs, 12oz. And he is learning everyday. So are we!

Date Night!

So grandma Coleen came up to help out some this week, which gave Allyson and I the opportunity for a Date Night!
So where did we go? Somewhere that both Allyson and I had missed during her diet-regulated pregnancy: Sushi!
It was tons of fun, getting all the bits and pieces we had both fantasized about so much over those 9 months. And we managed to keep it small, so we could still go home and enjoy a home-cooked meal with Coleen.

Allyson and I have been going to this place for going on 6 years now, so it was nostalgic for us to sit down with our spider roll and saki (Allyson only had half of one of their cute little cups).

It felt good to have a break and feel like things were normal--if only for an hour or so.

pics

3 WEEKS

Special shout out to the adorable Dominic Catron Gingerelli! We are so excited that he is in the world. What a looker! Births take on a whole new level of amazing now that we are parents. What a gift! Welcome Dominic! We are so happy you are here.

About that boy named Myles...

Myles is growing so fast, it is humbling. He is finally starting to sleep a couple hours straight in the night, and everyone is in a much better mood in our house. He is far more alert, physically active, and vocal than he was when we brought him home. He is growing into his "look" and is sporting some uber-cute curly sideburns.

We are getting out more, and Myles is still receiving lots of visitors. Dinners have been generously provided by several friends and family, so most of our time goes to laundry and doting over the boy. Parenting is a lot of fun.

Check out the 3 week pic of Mariko and Myles. Both so beautiful!