9 months. So much happens in 9 months.

You can find out about a tiny life growing inside you and have it burst out with that first breath – in 9 months.

You start school in the fall as a senior and graduate in the summer – suddenly an adult – in 9 months.

You can watch that tiny life that burst out of you grow into a climbing – crawling – babbling – smiling – not so tiny (but still pretty small) baby – in 9 months.

You can fall head over heels in love.

You can watch your entire life change.

You can discover that a hug from your child is the best gift in the world.

You can marvel at God’s love – through the eyes of this little baby.

In 9 months.

*C* was such a sweet little girl to photograph – I couldn’t get over how petite she is!

SHE IS SUCH A SWEETIE!!

Louise – thanks so much for inviting me into your home! I loved spending time with your little one!

Today Fitzy is 39 weeks old – on Saturday he will be 9 months! CRAZINESS!!

LOOK AT THAT FACE! He is such a happy guy! Still not sleeping through the night – nor the greatest – but we are working on it and gaining slowly!

He says dada and whispers kitty cat – which is strange since we don’t have a cat. He loves his “toes – ears – nose” learning book – we probably read it 20 times a day!

Yesterday marked 7 weeks pregnant with our newest little baby! I am still in shock and waiting for more symptoms to show up – but each pregnancy is different (so they say) – and I do feel pretty awful in the evenings this time around.

We’ve been off facebook since Saturday morning – and I will admit I do miss it. BUT – I was/am seriously addicted and needed to get my face out of the computer and spend time with this little growing guy and my hubby and my house and my laundry. We plan on a two week hiatus but I am hoping to stay off (dare I say it) forever! I will always keep blogging about our life and my clients and their beautiful faces! I will always email a sneak peek to my clients that they can upload to facebook – but I am so sick of the drama.

I’m sick of other photographers messaging be and blaming me for their problems. I’m sick of asking for forgiveness and people using facebook as a means of throwing it back in my face. I’m sick of writing a status and people being offended thinking it’s about them. I’m sick of seeing a status update and assuming it’s about me. I’m sick of liking a video or comment and getting crap from people who think it’s offensive. I’m sick of people assuming the worst about where I spend my time. I’m sick of family members who can’t grow up and tell me what their problem is. So – I’m done! If I can convince Jared to stay off too – then we won’t be back.

PS – don’t forget about that . babies . babies . babies . special! And don’t forget to keep up with my hubbie!

Sheri has two of the cutest little kids!

Her little girl is betrothed to Fitzy!

OH MY WORD!

*L* told me that he reads the paper EVERY SINGLE DAY! So we had to get a picture of that!

I love love LOVE that top picture!

She was such a little model for me!

Look at those two little teeth!

LOOK AT HER! She is such a doll!

I LOVE LOVE LOVE that dresser! And those shots!

Sheri – thank you SO much for having me into your home! I cannot WAIT to capture your family this summer!

Baby *E* made his debut on Fitzy’s 8 month birthday! He is one of the five certain miracles we had been praying for – the third one to show his beautiful face!

He is tiny and sweet – such a little miracle!

OH MY HEART!

I can’t even remember Fitzy being that tiny! They are just so perfect!

Melanie – he is BEAUTIFUL! I am so happy for you!

On Thursday – January 19th – Fitzy turned 38 weeks old!

38 weeks is the last picture I have since we had Fitzy before our week 39 picture could happen!

Here is a comparison at 38 weeks in and 38 weeks out!

He is such a happy – lovey – joyous – smart baby!

He can crawl – pull himself up to standing – wave – scowl – and loves to give hugs!

I cannot believe that as I sit here and type this – we have another little one on the way! Absolutely crazy!

I cannot wait to have a belly and to feel Fitzy’s little brother or sister move around! I LOVE LOVE LOVE being pregnant!

Some – if not all of you – may have noticed that we aren’t friends on FACEBOOK anymore. I deactivated my account – Jared and I both! We plan on a two week hiatus (if not longer)! It’s been a day and Jared and I have talked more – spent more time together – gone to sleep earlier – it’s AMAZING! I know that my barden photography page is also gone – which totally sucks – but it was we needed to do.

I will be updating my blog a little more with some personal stuff – and client photos as usual!

Don’t forget about the . babies . babies . babies . special!

I met Megan over facebook – I think (I can hardly remember anymore)!

Last year I was sick for my New Year’s Eve wedding and called her as a back-up if I needed one. Thankfully I pushed through the wedding and she was able to spend her New Year’s with her hubby! I was so thankful that she was on call for me though!

We have since become good friends – which I truly appreciate – with her being a local photographer! She is an encouragement to me in my work and my life! She is sweet and kind and loves Jesus!

When she came to take some newborn pictures of Fitzy – I remember her cradling him and saying how she and Seth ached for a baby and were waiting as patiently as they could. Little did she know that she was JUST pregnant when she was kissing that sweet boy of mine!

Little *J* should be here next month – he is one of the 5 certain miracles we had been praying for!

She had a vision for their maternity pictures – to make a prayer book for *J*! Such a great idea!

They prayed for this health – for him to always have a home – to never be hungry – to love books – to play make believe – to know Jesus’ love!

The book she made is BEAUTIFUL!

Praying that he will ALWAYS know their love!

HOW GORGEOUS IS SHE!

It was CRAZY windy and FRIGID the day we decided to shoot – but they were troopers!

They pray that *J* will love learning!

They pray that he will always enjoy laughter!

It’s funny that my favorite shots are usually the last ones!

Megan & Seth – I am so thankful that our paths crossed! I cannot WAIT to see little *J* and watch you experience him!

We are overwhelmed! With love and joy and fear and excitement!

I have always been regular with my cycle – within about two days – and since I am crazy organized and scheduled I always keep track.

I was a few days late and again – was on the way to my parents for the weekend and needed to know what to pack. I drove to dollar general – picked up a test – took it and within 30 seconds there was a positive result – CRAZY!

Jared laughed – only to keep from crying!

I texted my sister a picture – called Ronda (if you are friends with me on facebook – you ALL know Ronda) who was VERY excited! Called my mom – who I woke up and she yelled at me – I’M TIRED DANIELLE! And then in the morning she thought it was a dream until she checked her phone! Called my bff Johna who was equally excited – called my brother – whose first response was – WHY ARE YOU CALLING ME SO LATE! Jared called his mom – who was also in bed and a little drowsy. We always say – we won’t tell many people – then we tell OODLES! I just can’t help it! My sister called me back saying – IT’S A GIRL – IT’S A GIRL – IT’S A GIRL – IT’S A GIRL – IT’S A GIRL – IT’S A GIRL – IT’S A GIRL – IT’S A GIRL – IT’S A GIRL – IT’S A GIRL – IT’S A GIRL – AND HER NAME IS SAMANTHA – IT’S A GIRL – IT’S A GIRL – IT’S A GIRL!!!

You guys have been with us since losing Enoch and struggling to get pregnant and watching Fitzy be born – I can’t NOT share it with you. If something were to go wrong I would blog about it anyway – so why not get all the prayers we can! And it’s just such a joyful (and SCARY) time! We have to share!

I had to email my September and October brides first before announcing – and everyone that has responded so far has been so kind and understanding! I HATE HATE HATE to cancel on people – and the reality is – I could probably suck it up and do a few of the weddings a week or two out from my due date – BUT – I was early with Fitzy – can you imagine me calling you on the eve of your wedding and telling you I am in labor – good luck finding a photog? So I like to cover my bases and provide my clients with the BEST they can get for their day! And after having Fitzy and doing too much too early (I know – I know – you can say I told you so) I’ve decided to really cut back and focus on my Jesus and my babies and my hubby and my family – I really mean it this time.

I am still planning on taking the month of July off and now the end of August and all of September thru January! Which means that sessions are pretty much booked for the year. If you have an appointment in those months – don’t worry – I will be emailing you soon to figure out the details (most of which will just be keeping the session since so little are scheduled) – and for 2013 I will be limiting my schedule to 1 to 2 weddings a month – depending – and maybe 4 to 5 sessions a month – again depending.

I love love love love LOVE photography and I love love love love LOVE capturing moments for you! But the bottom line is – I love love love love LOVE my family more.

I am so humbled right now. Jesus loves me. I have an amazing husband – a beautiful precious baby boy – a fantastic family – and another sweet little life growing. People have been asking lately if we were gonna have more – I told them that I want more children – but I also want to be happy with just having Fitzy if that is what God plans. I truly did not imagine having more – having the trouble we did with getting pregnant!

Our first appointment – which is just a confirmation is on Friday and then we will go from there! I will keep you all updated! My sister is calling for a girl to be born on September 3rd (her birthday – since a girl will be named Samantha) so we will see if she gets her little fat girl this time around!

That being said – PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE pray for the people that I know – and that you know – that are reading this and hurting. the people who want to be parents so badly that it seems to consume every moment of every day. I’ve been there – and so have some of you – and you know exactly how painful it is. I have more than 25 names on my list right now – please please pray for them.

Erin and I scheduled this session almost a year ago – we had to reschedule when she found out they were expecting!

LOVE THAT SHOT!

Sisters – I love sisters!

SO SWEET!

Erin – thank you SO much for having me over to capture your sweet little girls!