And the hits keep coming...

My sister went home today, Leyton turned a month old and I made my first trip to the Emergency room with my three year old...YIKES! Adriah accidentally lost her balance and went face first into one of our kitchen chairs. There was blood everywhere! We rushed to the hospital where she bravely received 3 stitches on the gash between her eyes. It is one of the hardest things for a mom and dad to hold down their child while she's screaming for them to help her. I was so proud of her...needless to say we did a lot of cuddling afterwards. The great thing about kids is how quickly they move on and forget about their injury! It's a small cut (not that you would know that from the amount of blood) and the doctor said it should heal without a scar...that's a comfort...it is on her face! I'm looking forward to a peaceful day at home with Matt and the kids tomorrow. Hopefully we'll go for a walk...nothing eventful would be just fine.

www.noemiphotography.com

Today was gorgeous!

We went for a walk with the kids and it was beautiful! We just got a new stroller and took it for a test drive this morning...if you're considering the Joovy brand sit-n-stand I would highly recommend it! It handles great and is so much smaller then the competing brands! (Wow. That was a random endorsement!) So far we've watched Bride and Prejudice" and it was totally over the top and completely entertaining! It's the kind of movie you laugh at the first time you watch it then, the second time you're up dancing with the music and the third time you addicted! We also watched "Raising Helen" which is a great flick too! You gotta watch a pulling together family film with sisters :)

Then, we bonded over making Cindi's favorite meal for dinner. We made our very own lasagna for dinner...it was extremely time consuming and yes, I did follow the recipe (sort of!)

Time is flying by. We need to do more shopping. We'll hit the MAC counter tomorrow!

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Hangin' with my sister!

The one great thing about having a baby...family coming to see me and the new addition! My younger sister Cindi flew in from Canada this morning and we are already relaxing and watching the latest addition of Jane Austin movies. Have you seen any of them? I got "Persuasion" for my birthday, tivo-ed "Mansfield Park" and "Bride and Prejudice"...she's only here for 5 days! My family has always had a long love for movies over television. Having a second has certainly slowed me down...but there's always time for a good movie!

What's your suggestion? Anything we should rent while my sister is in town?

www.noemiphotography.com

A Family in Need

One of my blog readers send me this email and I wanted to pass it on to you...keep this family in your prayers. Noemi -

You don't know me from Adam, but I was directed to your blog while following the Morrison's and just got wrapped up in your beautiful story telling ability, so now I check your blog almost daily.  First off, congratulations on the new baby, he is just precious.  My little one is just about 5 months old and I can't believe how fast they change.  Enjoy every moment with him.

The reason I am writing this email is that the people that follow your blog seem to be very faithful and kind.  I came across a blog through the crib sheet blog on the Star Trib site and have been riveted to it ever since.  I didn't want to just post this prayer request in your comment section as I didn't feel that was appropriate, but wanted you to make your own judgement call on whether or not you wanted this information out there.  The gentleman writing this blog is taking care of his 4 week old preemie daughter as his beautiful wife died 27 hours after the baby was born.  Matt is looking for advice and words of encouragement on his blog to keep him going.  I couldn't think of a kinder circle of folks to present this request to than you and your bloggers.  He is a Minnesotan transplanted out in California.

Here is the link - http://www.mattlogelin.com/

Again, I don't mean to intrude or overstep any boundaries, especially since you are busy with the new baby.  Also didn't want to bring bad news during such a happy time in your life.  If I did overstep, I truly apologize.

Take care and thank you for listening, Chris Tuttle

I love the network of mom's and photographers that read this blog. Let's shower this new dad with love and encouragement!

www.noemiphotography.com

New mom!

Wow! I'm amazed at how much I forget about having a newborn. You'd think it would all be there and I could just step back into it but it's not quite like that. It was 3 years ago that I did all this and I've lost those memories along the way. For instance, changing diapers, I'm starting to remember that you need to roll down the top of the diaper to avoid the cord, point the tabs down to make it tighter around the legs and use the expense brands because newborns pee right through the cheap ones...all of this is very important! It could save a lot of unnecessary laundry! I forgot what it was like to get up 3 times in the night to nurse, change diapers (to wake him up again), nurse and go back to sleep. Leyton is a wonderful baby and is already on a 2-3 hour routine :) But having said that, I know every night is it's own and sometimes there's no reason or rhyme for babies crying and needing to be held. He's so little and needs his mama...I don't mind holding him! I forgot how precious those quiet night time feedings are. Just me and my baby when everyone else is asleep.

I forgot that babies smile as a reflex. I keep thinking he's so advanced.

He's a week old today and I'm feeling great! The weather has been perfect. I've had several friends tell me what a perfect time of year it is to have a baby cause everyone is coming out of their homes and going outside...summer is coming and for us Minnesotans who have hibernated for the winter...it's a great time to be alive.

My mom and step-day come tomorrow and I can't wait to show him off. He's so beautiful. I have been taking pictures! (how could I not?) and I will get them up soon.

www.noemiphotography.com

My "Tax Day" Baby! He's finally here...

YES...if you're wondering why I haven't posted a blog in the last couple of days...we have had our second baby! His name is Leyton O'Neal Hedrick! Leyton is pronounced Lay-ton and means: garden or of the field and O'Neal is his dad's middle name, his grandfather's middle name and his great-grandfather's middle name...all these men were/are radical men who loved Jesus! That is a legacy we wanted Leyton to know and be a part of. After asking for all of your opinion, I hope you like our choice for his name! So, here's the short version of the story...I had a regular doctor's appointment on Tuesday and was admitted into the hospital at 3:15pm and Leyton was born at 7:28pm! It felt longer but it wasn't! He is absolutely gorgeous and has captured our hearts forever. He weighed 6lbs and 14onces and was 19 1/2 inches long...this is great for being born 16 days early :)

We came home on yesterday and he continues to do wonderful. Adriah can't get enough of him! It's so beautiful watching her "take care" of him. We're in transition and I'm wishing I could have more sleep but I wouldn't trade this for anything. I'm so happy! I can't stop kissing him. He's so tiny and precious...it's so weird to think that a couple of days ago I was pregnant and now we're a family of 4!

I'm working on all the pictures we're taken over the past few days and I'll put together a slide show soon but until then here's a couple for you to enjoy!

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Here we are getting ready to leave the hospital...Leyton and "the girls!"

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Isn't he beautiful?

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Nesting?

I always hear people talk about "nesting" near the end of a pregnancy...it's an interesting phenomenon. For me, I had a string of good days and I did a ton of cleaning and It just feels so good! Then I've had a couple of harder contraction centered days and I feel like I can't do much more of this. Today I'm doing laundry, cleaning the 3rd bedroom - getting ready for family to come stay with us after the baby, making extra meals, and taking a nap! I guess I'm nesting. I can see why some women are attracted to C-sections. It would be nice to know the date this baby is coming. I keep cleaning "for the last time" and it's not "the last time" yet. The good news is I like cleaning and I love it when my house shines.

I will pack my hospital bag and Adriah's "just in-case" bag today. Everything is coming together. The good news is...I will have a baby soon.

www.noemiphotography.com

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Spring Photo Contest!

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I've already received a few entries for the Spring Photo Contest but I wanted to send out a remind for those of you still thinking about sending one in. DO IT! If you've entered all the previous contests or never before...this is your time! It's so much fun to see the different views and perspectives! Spring to me is all about new life! Especially this year cause we're expecting any day! AND the weather is supposed to be beautiful this week and I hope that means this baby is ready to come! Birth is beautiful and really messy! I'll be taking tons of pictures of course, but, don't worry I'll be censoring them before posting images on my blog...no worries!

Be encouraged...get out your camera and start shooting!

www.noemiphotography.com

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It's really cold...and more snow...seriously?

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Every year I find myself saying the same thing. I just can't believe that it keeps snowing into the middle of April...NOTE: we're way past the first day of Spring! I know it happens every year and I should be used to it by now but, alas, I am not! Once I've tasted the feeling of sun on my face, warm breeze on my skin, wearing open toed shoes, painting my nails, leaving my jacket at home...there's no turning back! ARE YOU WITH ME? Not that it matters but, it nice to know I'm not alone. Don't get me wrong the snow is beautiful and I love all the seasons but, I'm ready to move on! OH WELL...the bottom line is that SPRING IS CLOSER THENIT WAS YESTERDAY! And no one appreciates the nice weather more then people who have been anticipating it all winter!

We are Minnesotans and proud of it!

www.noemiphotography.com

Pregnancy is so unpredictable!

Last week I felt like I was absolutely done with carrying this baby! I'm sure everyone who's been pregnant has been there once or twice during a pregnancy. The weird thing is, at the end, you think it's going to get worse every day. I was having contractions all the time and really uncomfortable...but, these last few days, something has changed and I feel great! I'm still contracting and probably have the same level of pain but my outlook on life is totally different! I don't understand how or why this happens but...I'll take it. This week I feel like I could going for a while and I have tons of energy! I know that it's fairly normal to get this surge of energy right before you go into labor so, I'm waiting. I can't wait to meet this little guy! I have an overwhelming amount of love for him already...amazing how that happens!

It's an awesome thing waiting for your baby to be born. You are trying to relish every moment with older children, time with your spouse, time for yourself and of course getting your house ready ("nesting"). At the same time I'm knowing that at any moment my whole life has to be put on hold and everything will be focused on this baby. So, I'm moving forward completely planning every day life knowing it could all be for nothing. I'm not very good at releasing control...this is something I have to trust that the timing of the Lord is perfect.

I'm curious to know from all the mom's that read my blog...what should I be doing my last couple of days/weeks before I have this baby! Give me an occupation/tasks to do...

I'm now 37 weeks and "full-term" so any day would be a good day! I'll keep you posted!

www.noemiphotography.com

American Idol

I'm a huge fan! Seriously...I look forward to watching every week! It's been funny these last couple of weeks Matt and I watch Idol Tuesday and Wednesday then, we switch gears to watch College basketball on the weekends. We are very well rounded! Even though I'm a faithful "watcher...I never vote! Being a singer, I love the contest and I love the edge of needing to sing your best every week! I think my favorite part as a spectator is being the judge on my couch and then hearing the judges answers afterwards...seeing if they get it right! But, If I was on the show I know my favorite part would be hair and make-up! How fun would it be to get all dolled-up every week?

It's amazing how attached I get to the contestants...my favorites this year are Carly Smithson (the Irish girl) and the cute little 17 year old David Archuleta (the one who's always saying "thank you, thank you!") But, I agree that's it's one of the strongest seasons!

Anyone else watching? Who's your favorite?

www.noemiphotography.com

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More from Vegas!

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Even though this was a business trip I had plenty of fun! Wanted to share some those memories with you. This is so funny...my brother is taking pictures of me and my belly...and everywhere we moved this guy followed on his cell phone. I love the contrast and the weird window between us!

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My brother was making me laugh so hard, flick my hair, look all sexy and I just lost it!

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This one is my favorite...

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Introducing my sister-in-law Tiffany and my "little" brother Alex! If you haven't yet, you have to check out their new website...I'm so proud of my brother! Gotta love my dimple!

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This is my old room-mate and bridesmaid Nikki Charlton. She's an incredible photographer but, her life and character inspire me beyond anything! Check out her website and be inspired! I must apologize for the HUGE smile! I have issues with laughing too hard..it's not flattering but it makes me laugh every time I look at it!

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Packing for Vegas!

I rarely travel alone...I'm gitty about the time I'll have in the airport and on the plane to do whatever I want! You don't know how precious this is until you travel with a toddler :) I've got magazines, a fiction novel, IPOD with movies and music...I can't wait! The weather is supposed to be beautiful next week! I can't wait to be outside in 70 degree weather...all my freckles will come out again! I've packed and just have to add the last minute stuff.

I had a great appointment with the midwives yesterday and everything looks perfect! I know it'll be harder to manage the diabetic diet while I'm away but, I'll do my best and it'll be okay! Thankfully, I've been doing the diet for a month now and pretty much know what I can and can't have! Remembering to test every two hours will be my hardest challenge.

I don't know how much computer time I'll have but I'll blog as soon as I get a chance!

www.noemiphotography.com

Bathroom Remodel

I had a friend over the other day and she was commenting on how much she loves remodeling her home...not me. I love it when it's done but not the process. We're redoing our upstairs bathroom and it's the one attached to me room. The timing couldn't be worse to only have one functioning toilet in the basement. I have a potty trained toddler who goes to the bathroom every hour-ish and I go 2-3 times a night. I find myself searching for things to be thankful during my countless trips to the bathroom...last week, in the middle of the night, I said out loud, "At least we have indoor plumbing!" I know it's going to be beautiful in the end and hopefully my husband will be able to get tons done while I'm away in Vegas next week. Well, maybe that's asking a bit much, he will be a single parent while I'm gone! But, one can hope right?

We're redoing everything! New tile, new tub, new vanity, new mirror...you name it - we're changing it! It was so needed cause the floor tile was the original!

We'll definitely have it done before the baby comes so, in that sense, the timing is perfect! See, there is always something to be thankful for!

www.noemiphotography.com

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Getting Ready for Vegas!

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Last year was my first year at WPPI and I was completely overwhelmed and awe struck! This year I'm going with expectations and an agenda. I know who I want to hear and what topics I need to learn about. I'm rooming with 3 other photographers from the Twin Cities and I'll be meeting up with my brother, sister-in-law and one of my bridemaids  (who are all photographers in Toronto, Canada) I love the meeting/networking with photographers and getting to ask questions, get real answers and talk non-stop about photography without feeling like a weirdo!

I'll be there from Saturday - Wednesday (March 15-19th) and my wonderful husband will be holding down the fort until return! I also have to mention my amazing friends who have offered to help out with Adriah during the week days! I feel so released to go and supported by those who love me.

I bought tons of snacks that fit the diabetic lifestyle! AND A new notebook to take down all the important information I'll be learning and don't worry...I'll be posting it on the blog over the next month so you can learn too!

www.noemiphotography.com