For me, there is something so energizing about a snowstorm... candles lit, firing burning, sipping warm tea and hot cocoa watching mother nature gently sprinkle her icy fairy dust upon us...
The next morning, the sun rose slowly as it filled the bright blue sky, making the snow sparkle.
Still calm, still quiet...
... as we walk across the powdery champaign sparkle, kicking and throwing it up with delight, I think to myself, what a magical moment!
This past week we New Englanders got to enjoy the calm, fresh + relaxing winter treat called "snow days". All cozied up at home together with a fire burning and hot cocoa in hand. I have always been a long time fan of snowstorms... to me they're so romantic.
It's always so much fun to take Sienna out into the snow to build a snowman... since she's a huge fan of Olaf and Frosty... she always talks to the snowman after we put the hat on him, she truly believes he's going to come to life... it's priceless.
Yup, you read that right! Baby Obey #2 is on his way. I honestly can't even believe it... I'm still in shock, I thought for sure it was a girl. I always imagined myself with all girls or should I say, I never thought of myself as a boy's mom! Although pretty normal for most, it's just mind blowing for me, hahaha.
I guess I shouldn't be so shocked that it's a boy, this pregnancy has been so different from my first. With Sienna I think I had morning sickness once and felt great most of the time. With my second pregnancy it's been a whole new world. I suffered from severe nausea the first trimester as well as an extra dose of extreme drowsiness (probably due in part to having a toddler to care for).
Time has been flying by... I remember with Sienna I was just watching the clock, counting the days down, every minute seemed like an hour... now i'm naturally more busy and haven't had much time to think of names or nursery ideas, {more on nesting later}.
The due date of baby boy is just one day different than Sienna's (Feb 11 - his due date, Feb 10 - her due date). Hopefully he comes a little earlier than expected though :)
We have been eating EXTREMELY healthy over here too... Justin bought a Vitamix so he's been going to town on fruit and veggie smoothies. Sienna loves them and I suck them down as if they're milkshakes (which has surprisingly cut down on my ice cream intake). But don't worry... I'm still supplementing my pregnancy cravings with appropriate sweets like waffles, cookies and peanut butter cups... omg I can't get enough waffles in my belly!
Stay tuned for more!
the purpose of this project was to play with the harsh shadows created by the early afternoon sunshine. It was hard manipulating the blown out effect this time of day creates (plus the house next to us is white which reflects even brighter light) and balancing it with the dark appliances in my home. I also am working on my post processing of black and white conversions... they're so much more intricate than color.
Sienna at 18 months:
she is so curious and smart... she has been doing great at talking, it's almost like a parrot next to me some days. She is also going through her "little ripper" stage... the time when temper tantrums are perfected and climbing {and falling} off things is in... It's a challenging time but it's keeping me on my toes {and in shape!}
the girl loves water... we don't have room or do I care to spend money on a "water table"... we revert to the "good ole days" for this one and put a pot of cold soapy water in the sink with a few utensils...
she is starting to help mama around the house a lot and I've been training her to throw her dirty diapers in the garbage. We are also discovering what going to the bathroom on the potty means {she even gets to flush}. She hates wearing clothes when it's hot out {as you can see} and her mullet is finally starting to grow out!
she's teething which means there have been A LOT of long long nights (in long long stretches)... we don't get much sleep those nights so we nap hard when we can! Only a few more teeth to go!
Yup, you read that right, baby Obey #2 is on its way!
We're now 15 weeks along this wonderful journey and I thought it was high time that I shared the news with my people!
Watch me as I document this {ever growing} process in the most beautiful way I know how... through my own lens. I'll be sharing how much different this pregnancy has been since the last (note: nausea, cravings galore, managing a 1.5 yr old etc), what I've been eating (because sometimes it's really hard not to indulge in sugar 24/7), how I'm managing my weight and how I still run a business amongst all this beautiful chaos!
Have you ever just sat and thought to yourself... wow, this is my life. Actually, I just stopped to reflect what is happening {"stop and smell the roses", as my mom always tells me}... I've been doing that a lot lately, probably because I just celebrated my 31st birthday. I feel like the past 5 years have served to give me everything I'd ever hoped for in my life... and I kinda can't believe it.
My advice {to you... and myself} after turning 31:
LIFE: ...this is a time in life where I'm starting to really appreciate the little things and realizing they are what make up this big picture we call "life". It all started with getting a dream job with one of my besties which has lead me on this crazy journey the past 5 years has given me. From moving to Boston and meeting my one true love, to the tight tight hugs from a tiny body that only a mother knows {who knew?!} my life has been flipped turned upside down {as the fresh prince would say} and moving so quickly... I've grown to understand that life is actually comprised 80% with 'the little things'... and then there are a few (20%) game changers sprinkled in... and that is what has really shaped my life thus far. Take the time... to listen, to talk, to help others... slow down and take time to stop and smell the roses.
LOVE: everyone asks as soon as you get married "has anything changed?"... well not immediately, but with every revolution comes the slow adjustment period... where you adjust into an even stronger bond than you had before. You grow into each other and with each other... mostly because that's the person you love to be around the most. If you decide to become a parent, well, god bless ya & know that this will (seemingly) strengthen any healthy relationship... You will have a new found respect for one another that you never knew could exist...
TIME: time is more valuable than money... something I always sorta knew but is constantly being reinforced. Time with family and friends, time alone to reflect, time spent doing what you love or time spent growing (which is sometimes painful)... With the addition of a child in my life, I've learned that my time is more valuable now than ever before!
MOTHERHOOD: Listen. Nobodies the "perfect" mother... what does that mean anyway? Just do the best you can and listen to your own heart and not what people tell you. You know more than you think you do! Babies don't need all the toys in the store and every marketed product for "learning". What they need is love (& guidance) from mom and dad.
PHOTOGRAPHY: I started calling it "a job" and I am now refraining myself to have that mindset. I do photography because it's what I'm passionate about. I've realized that too much equipment will weigh you down, keep it manageable and be resourceful. Most importantly, in the age of digital don't get carried away with too many images or photoshop! Get it right 'in camera' above all else and GET IT PRINTED!
SOCIAL LIFE: It kinda dies down after you have a little one... lets face it. That's ok though because it makes "going out" that much sweeter and you appreciate going out to eat so much more! It's important to stay off your phone when you're with your friends and family... just put it away, spend the time with the people who are in front of your face! catch up with people online/ social media when you're just sitting around "bored"... If you don't have time for it, so be it. Throw parties with your friends, actually book the plane ticket to fly & see a friend, that 20% of game changer gets juiced from doing something for yourself once in a while. My point is, take the time to strengthen relationships OUTSIDE of social media. And last but not least, IT IS OK TO TALK TO STRANGERS... at this point in your life I think you know people are (for the most part) nice to you when you're nice to them.
So hide your phone away right now and go call a friend or snuggle up with your love!
xo,
April
