Congrats to Jenna for being the first winner of the SWAG challenge. Melissa has booked a wedding with me 5.30.2009.

Jenna has referred many clients to me – so many that she prolly should have free photography for life – but this is the first one since the SWAG CHALLENGE has been in place.

Thanks Jenna – for referrals and for your friendship – I look forward to the next photo shoot with you guys.

Stuff We All Get – in honor of The Office starting back up tonight –

SWAG is usually free – so for those of you who refer a wedding client to me and they book a wedding in 2009 – you get some SWAG – a free photo session (within limits). This starts October 1, 2008.

I changed our gallery around at home on my afternoon off work from the clinic. I was going to use the time to get a massage – but I was inspired to move around my work – and get out the harvest decorations.

I couldn’t bring myself to use flash and wake her back up.

I think he’s getting more comfortable – what do you think?

I wanted to let everyone know what months I am booking up for weddings –

May 2nd

May 3rd – potentially

May 30th – potentially

June 6th

June 12th

June 13th

July 11th

July 25th – potentially

August 8th

I would love any weddings from January to April – I have no dates booked those months.

And for those inquiring minds – here is my upcoming schedule –

Fri Sept 26 – NCA soccer and 1890’s

Sat Sept 27 – James wedding

Mon Sept 29 – NCA soccer

Sat Oct 4 – Pete and Sara’s wedding

Sat Oct 11 – Nathan bday party in Athens

Sun Oct 12 – dinner with Indica

Tues Oct 14 – dentist

Thurs Oct 16 – chiro

Fri Oct 17 – Carpenter engagement

Sat Oct 18 – Pelton one year

Sun Oct 19 – Frank family

Tues Oct 21 – dentist

Last night we went to visit our dear friends *J* and *M*. Yesterday was their wedding anniversary and they were going out to dinner – Jared and I watched the sweet little *M* for them while they were out. *M* had just finished eating and if you ask her mom if she has any “cranky” time during the day – it’s at about 7 PM – when we got there. She is only 3 1/2 months old but I think she knew that she doesn’t know me THAT well yet – and she was just so gassy and uncomfortable like babies get sometimes. I put her in her bouncer and that worked for a bit – I called *J* and she said – try a bottle.

*remember that I think when you give birth you suddenly have a wealth of knowledge you didn’t before*

So I tried the bottle and she struggled through it in between little sobs. Then I changed her diaper and put her comfy PJ’s on and sang to her – which helped a little. Jared had been saying to me all along – let me take her – let me help – and me being stubborn and thinking that I should be able to comfort her told him no – it’s ok. But eventually I thought it might work. So he took her and wouldn’t you know – she calmed down and fell into a teeny little sleep – but much more content than she was.

*M* is a sweet sweet thing and I would watch again any given night – I think she needed to get to know us a little more and was just gassy. I told *J* the thing that bothers me about a crying baby isn’t the crying itself. It’s the fact that I can’t get them to stop crying. I’m not thinking – why won’t you just be quiet – I’m thinking – why can’t I figure this out.

Jared and *M* have a connection anyway – given that he fainted the first time he laid eyes on her. I think it prepared Jared a little more for a baby – the fact that he wanted to take her while she was wailing – says it all. Once *J* and *M* got home she woke up a little and then ate some more and then was all smiles and happy little sweet *M* that she is.

Thanks *J* and *M* for trusting us with your sweet little one. It is amazing to me that God trusts us to watch over His children the time they are on this earth – what an honor.

I am so blessed with a best friend who I can call when I am pregnant and say – what is going on with me – and I can call when I have a newborn and say – what is going on with me. Thanks for that friendship *J*.

Speaking of babies – My cousins – *R* and *M* had their sweet little baby boy this morning. He is healthy and happy and everyone is doing well. They live in Rochester so I don’t know when I’ll get up to see him but I am sure that you’ll know when I do by the pictures.

My cousin Connie took some shots of Jared and I this past weekend.

Connie and I both share a love of photography – an obsession at times.

Thanks Connie – I LOVE this shot.

I hope to get some blogging in soon – I have been so busy lately with lots of picture taking but no time to sit down and write about it or post anything.  In the meantime – I just wanted to say how much I HATE having to be up at 6 AM. HATE is a pretty strong word – but yeah – it describes this feeling pretty good.

I need your help – I had my sweet Aunt L take some photos of me on Sunday to post on my website under “about me”.

I have 4 images to choose from –

I need you to comment and let me know which image you like best.

Thanks – and thanks Aunt L for taking some GREAT shots.