It went well. Zero screaming fits, we moved fast. I like the pictures, despite my shocking lack of color, but the shadows around and under our faces drive me crazy. I think the sun was too high and bright. We might need to try it all again on a cloudy day? I don't know, I just take a million pictures and pray. Matt is rolling his terrible eyes and gnashing his terrible teeth right now at the thought of a repeat performance.
I love them all, but this might be my favorite (except for the darn shadow) .
I had a follow-up ultrasound on Tuesday and the cord is not around our little one's neck any longer. What a relief, I hadn't realized how much I'd worried about it until she said it wasn't a problem. No extra stress tests, no more ultrasounds, just seven (or less? please?) quiet weeks and we meet our little micro brew or our little boy.
(I absolutely loved the comments and tweets trying to guess our beer-based girl's name. One was better than the next, but Michelobia, courtesy of Marinka is my favorite so far. No one has guessed it yet. It's actually a fairly common, non-exciting name, based on a Seattle micro brew.)
Our lovely midwife smiled and told me everything looked great and she'd see me in two weeks and my wasn't this a big, healthy baby.
"Big?" I asked innocently. "How do you know he's big?" (No, that's not a slip I always call babies 'he' because that's all I've birthed, meanwhile the ultrasound technician said 'she' because she has a girl. It's a tricky, two-possibility world.)
"He's measuring five pounds already."
"Well, that's just, huh, great?"
"We know you can deliver a nine pound baby," she smiled reassuringly, "so I'm not too worried about it."
Um, yes, we know I can, but that doesn't mean my vagina wouldn't prefer a six or seven pounder. Every pound counts, you know. Or, so my vagina told my brain whilst in the midst of yielding to a nine pound baby. At least that was my brain's translation. My vagina actually said "AHHHHHHHHHHRRRRRGGGGGGGGGG!!!!!!" over and over for three hours.
"You probably ought to watch your sugar intake really closely. I recommend you focus on protein and vegetables," she added.
There might have been a little sob in my voice when I said weakly, "okay." I've already reduced myself to one grande chai tea latte a week. What else is there?
I think she may want me to give up ice cream. Gulp.
************************************
Ten points in this one - anyone know the folk song from the title for five or the famous children's book I referenced?
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73 comments:
I love the picture of the three kids! The colors are just fabulous. Such a beautiful spot.
And I know the song: Where Have All the Flowers Gone, by Pete Seeger. The book? No clue, I couldn't spot the reference. Hmm, may have to go back and look! :-)
Child's book is where the wild things are?
Sorry, was so excited about knowing something, for once, I just went and blurted it all. With no thought for constructing a pleasant sounding sentence.
The pictures are beautiful, as are your babies.
Are you naming her Hale? You contests make me feel ignorant. Really, I never know anything. I'm okay with that. My first was 10 lbs 2 ounces. Go for it....they are like half grown when they are born...less fragile that way. The 2nd was 10 lbs 1 ounce. I didn't learn the first time. Then the next three were 9 something or other (like I can remember). Good luck these next few weeks. The photos are awesome. I will have to do some flower shots (once we have flowers).
I think the photos are gorgeous, squints, shadows and all! My favorite is the one with you and Que. So sweet!
I am so with you on the baby coming out thing... The fact that something that could actually be weighed in pounds was going to come out of me?
Surreal to begin with...
Tracy
Elysian?
First, I love the pictures. You and your kids are so cute! It can be so hard to not get shadows during a sunny day so your idea of going on a cloudy day is a good one. And second, I think Michelobia is a fantastic name!
You don't have much longer before the wee one is here. Try to get some naps before then.
So happy about that dang cord. Phew. Definitely calls for eating ice cream in celebration!
Elliott?
what great photos - i love all of them, but the one of your daughter laughing and clutching her hands to her chest really made me smile!
I have forgotten all knowledge of PacNW micro brews... vague memory of loving a black butte porter on bain bridge island.... yeah I don't stand a chance at this guessing game!
Beautiful pictures!
They are having a Great Dane rescue at our Petsmart this weekend if Matt wants to come by.
I love Where the Wild Things Are...too fun.
The pictures are great. You're probably right about needing cloud cover, but I think it's worth trying earlier or later in the day as well.
Great news about the cord. That's a worry you didn't need.
My biggest baby was 9 lbs. 6 oz. You can do it. Thankfully, in my case, they all got smaller from there. :-) Good luck.
Where have all the flowers gone? but isn't it Peter, Paul, and Mary?
And Where the Wild Things Are - they're in my house.
I'm never quick enough to win any of these points.
Go back to the pretty wall one hour before sunset. It's picture taking magic hour.
Where have all the flowers gone?
my midwife always shared her experience of a 12 pound baby ... no drugs.
that thought alone made me get through both births without a fret. i mean if someone else can do 12 ... i can forsure do 8 ... maybe even 9!
aw. i was sure you were having a stella. so you are telling me i should google seattle breweries. huh? oh wait. getting the children up and ready and working might be a tad bit more important. sorry.
Where The Wild Things Are
Next?
Glad to hear the cord isn't around the baby's neck anymore - and I think all the pictures are great. I wouldn't have even noticed that shadow!
Those are the most precious photos!! And the shadow didn't bother me :) You look absolutely stunning...only 7 more weeks?? That is awesome! You are so close!
Is your microbrew Elysian? Sunrae?
I love that song!
Interestingly, my midwife just told me that I'm likely having a smaller baby, which seems weird because Luke was nine pounds. I'm kind of happy about it because it'll hopefully mean a shorter delivery, but I'm not quite sure what to do with a teeny baby!
you're right, the shadows are because of the bright sun being high in the sky. best time for outside photos is late in the day, say five or so, depending on when the sunset is. if you have to go earlier in the day, a light cloud cover helps tremendously.
but you all look fantastic anyway!
Give up ICE CREAM? I can't even do that.
Love the pictures...shadows and all!
We have the same tradition here with bluebonnets. Except here they usually grown on the side of the road, so you get the added bonus of serious injury or death along with non-compliance of the children. :) But the kids are mega cute.
love the pictures. What's with the "zero screaming fits" showing off?
I can see what you mean about the shadows, but honestly, I wouldn't have noticed if you hadn't said anything. The photos are just beautiful.
It's a lovely idea to take the same shots every year. I wish I had thought of something like that. Actually, I wish I had even thought to get professional photos taken. My daughter had to take a baby photo to school for her pre-k graduation slideshow, and I am sure we will make the whole thing blow up with our pathetic little snapshot ;-)
It's Where Have All the Flowers Gone of course :-). Beautiful, but makes me cry.
Love that flower wall, and love the pics.
Forgot to mention the book, but that's Maurice Sendak's Where the Wild Things Are. We're big fans around here.
I pay decent Homeowner's Association fees and there's no refreshingly beautiful flower wall in my neighborhood! How rude!
The pics are gorgeous. So springy.
P.S.
Have you seen the movie trailer for "Where the Wild Things Are" yet?
I love the pictures. I use a MAC and a program called Aperture, they have a plug in that can help with shadows and highlights.
I think you should take a photo of ll three children around your belly. That would be so adorable!
Those are beautiful photos. But they are beautiful children so it makes sense.
A photographer friend of mine recommends taking outdoor photos around 10am for the best light and fewest shadows. But that's just her opinion!
I had a friend in high school who said she was going to name her future daughter "Gonorrheaka" and another in college who planned to name her daughter "Rosacea". I think, disease-based names aside, finding inspiration in the things around you is awesome!
I had to comment because I had almost the exact "you might want to avoid sugar and focus on lean protiens and veggies" conversation with my midwife while I was pregnant with Miles. She suggested some FF cottage cheese with cinnimon. I think I laughed in her face. And then I went home and had my mint chip ice cream and subsequently birthed a nearly nine pound baby.
Elysian?
GIVE UP ICE CREAM??? That's absolute madness! AHHHHHH!!! lol. I LOVE your family photos...absolutely beautiful! You look great for being 30 plus weeks!
Where the Wild Things Are is one of my absolute favorites.
You look adorable!
The book is a 20 times a day right now, but I still love it :) love the photos! and wouldn't have noticed the shadows had you not pointed them out!
I absolutely love the flowers pictures - excellent work.
And so glad the baby looks healthy and safe.
Love the Photos!
Re: shadows and how to get rid of them... go either early in the morn (before 1030ish) or later in afternoon (5 or 6ish).
Another option, use a flash. Sounds silly to use a flash on a sunny day but it will fill in those shadows.
But to be honest...I don't think the shadows are that bad. And I like that you are in Brown instead of something bright... works well w/ the flowers. :-)
Love the one of Saige holding her belly like she's Santa.
My cousin-in-law is delivering via scheduled c-section today. She was cooking an 11+ pounder! I can only imagine what my vagina would say about that!
The pictures are adorable.
I love the pictures!! Gorgeous. The belly kissing is adorable. Looks like Mo already got the song and Claire got the book. I'm late every time, this contest. {*SNAP*}
Can't resist guessing the micro-brew name though, since I somehow missed that before: India? Amber? Elysia? Elysian?
I love micro-breweries and Seattle had some great ones. I love the idea for using that for an inspiration!
Oh those are beautiful pictures. I love all of them. Esp. the one with just S. Beautiful shot. One suggestion and tell Matt, I'm sorry...but if you take them in the daytime on a more cloudy day, or right before sunset or something, the shadows are a bit less and no one is squinty. Squinty pics of my family bug me.
When it comes to vagina's and big headed babies, even ounces matter. They guess though. They told me N was going to be a 9 pound boy. Came out a 7.4 pound girl. My vag thanked her for that. It's a crap shoot really.
For what it's worth, ice cream is hard to give up and I never managed to do it. But maybe if you don't have as much, you could still have some? No idea how that will work, but good luck.
And I'm still voting girl. As it gets closer, can we do a poll/contest for date and time and all that jazz? Name wise, how about Unibroue? I hear it's a great microbrew.
Your family pictures are absolutely adorable! And the allusion is to Where the Wild Things Are (one of my kids' favorite books when they were younger) : )
I refuse to continue to look for beer names and just be content to be surprised.
Honestly, I've had 7 pounders and a 9 pounder and they both hurt like a bitch. I'm thinking it's more HEAD CIRCUMFERENCE we should be considering when discussing pain and labor rather than poundage...
Love the belly kiss photo! You have such an adorable trio to welcome your new beer named baby! Michalobia? That is hilarious!
Those photos are fantastic!
'60's one? "Where have all the flowers gone"? Pete Seeger
I want to say Where the Wild things are, but I can't figure out why...
I've been told (by a photographer who took our pics outside last year) that you're best off doing them in the am, like before 10. And since you're so far north, maybe earlier? Orrrr just enjoy the shadows ;) Those were some really cute pics!
And I still think it's Eliott :) I love that name for a girl, is that wrong?
I'm sorry to report that we can't be friends anymore. You look waaaay too good, and I'm finding it to be really selfish and annoying. Real friends look like shit when they're pregnant so we feel better about ourselves. Goodbye.
I will, however, be friends with your children. They are adorable and they didn't even have tantrums during the picture-taking session at the budding wall.
I'm sorry I will miss knowing Pabst.
Those are lovely pictures with great color. If you want to get rid of the shadows, you need to shoot in the hour or so before dusk. The light gets soft and lovely, the sun is low enough to avoid all shadows, and everything looks slightly golden. Of course, this is also often the witching hours of toddler hell (can I say that here?), so it may be a toss up whether better light can compensate for preschool grumblings, but it may be worth a try.
Maura is first with the song for five points. Although, I have to admit that I thought the Kingston Trio wrote it until I looked it up for this post. I listened to a lot of Kingston and Peter Paul and Mary as a kid, captive in my mom's car.
And Claire gets five points for Where the Wild Things Are.
Thanks for all your sweet words about my kids and my ginormous belly. I'm going to bed feeling so good tonight.
I'm going to try and do the photo shoot again after dinner one evening, but they are so not clean then.
Finally, LOVE the names still. Someone got really close in these comments. If your not completely sick of this pregnancy in a few weeks, I might have to do an official guess post with name and sex and weight.
Great thing about being comment number 50something means I don't look stupid for not answering the questions. My answers would've been something really clever like: Uh....um.....
You look great in the photos-- you all do. Next time you're out and the sun is not cooperating (being high above you and causing shadows), turn on your flash OR convince someone to stand by with a nice sheet to reflect the light. You have someone like that, right? ;-)
Give up ice cream? No way.
Or chocolate for that matter... it's the only thing that's getting me through my own pregnancy!
Elysian seems to be a popular guess... ;-)
Your poor, poor vagina. I pushed out two decent sized kids and it wasn't a pleasant experience.
Those pictures are gorgeous and I don't blame you one bit for dragging everyone to that spot. Can I photoshop my kid's heads in there and use it as my own?
"Oh, it's a beautiful day in my bloggerhood ..."I've got an award waiting for you!
Shadows or not, the pictures are beautiful.
The pictures are absolutely gorgeous - shadows and all!! And I too am quite taken with your favorite - soooo super sweet!! :)
So glad to hear baby is not in any danger because of the cord!
I think I'm 2 weeks ahead of you, and at my last ultrasound baby was weighing 5lbs 11oz, which is completely average (as per my Dr and the chart she showed me)... so ?? I don't know if you should expect a big baby or not, but then again I'm no expert and maybe I will have a big chunky 9lb baby boy :)
First off, you look GORGEOUS. As cliche as this sounds, you are glowing!!!
Second, your children are beautiful!!!
Third, the book is Where the Wild Things Are. I love this book! We already read it to our little babe.
And finally, the song is "Where Have All the Flowers Gone" by Pete Seeger. This is one of the first songs I learned to play on the guitar! Good song. But it's been a while since I've played that song...
Hope you have a great long weekend!
Ok, I am so jealous right now that you got all three kids to smile so adorably at the SAME TIME! I swear my two can not smile at the same time for anything.
Is the girl name Hailey or maybe Elliott?
my version of watching my sugar intake is eating a cupcake while looking at myself in the mirror.
Doesn't protein make the baby even bigger? I'm just sayin'... Sarah had lots of protein and we had a 10 pounder. Thank the heavens above, the doctors decided to let her vagina have the evening off and just cut him out.
So wait - you AREN'T naming the baby Pabst? I really thought I got that one...
Beautiful flowers. I am always amazed at how you get those kids to look so great (i.e. sit next to each other/look at the camera/smile) in pictures!
Give up sugar? That sounds unreasonably cruel to me.
Ruby is my favorite McMenniman's beer...so that is my official...unofficial...because there isn't a contest yet...guess.
Lovely, those flowers, and those kids.
Great photos.
Beautiful pictures :) So cute.
Your kids are beautiful and you seem like a great mom.
One word of advice. Be less type A and enjoy each day more. Popsicles can be eaten anywhere! And play dough and finger paints are fabulous for little children and will help them become creative geniuses. Let them be kids. Messes can be cleaned. Time cannot be recaptured. Have more fun...
From Mom of three, missing her first born child every day.
www. caringbridge.org/fl/olivia
(Please read her "Message".)
I know this is real late in coming but I just got back from our roadtrip and just read this post now and haven't gone through the comments yet so hopefully I'm not repeating.
If you want pictures without the heavy undershadow overcast days will eliminiate all shadows for an even light. For more dramatic lighting take the kids when the sun is low in the sky, early morning or late evening. shadows will be situated to the sides of the face, you can use a flash as well if you can set it up to go off manually.
Either way your pics of the kids are great as they are
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