Darryl & Carrie

pure love {engagement photography, sechelt bc}

darryl and carrie are a true love story.  as good friends, they had shared so much - life stories, laughter, fun.  after months of long distance friendship between the sunshine coast and vancouver island, darryl invited carrie away for a snowboarding new year's eve.  carrie asked if she could invite a few girlfriends, a request that darryl politely dodged.  when carrie arrived, the snowboard trip included darryl and a bunch of family members.  darryl had been falling in love with this beautiful girl as their friendship grew.  they left the snowboarding weekend a couple and have been by each other's side ever since.  they have endured a lot together in their relationship, but have graced each hardship with courage and a deeper love for each other. 

carrie is truly a dream bride - not only is she beyond beautiful, but she is relaxed and so easy going.  and when you see darryl look at her, its pure love and open adoration.  i could not be more excited to be documenting their day tomorrow.  honestly, i am so blessed.

baby wesley

{ 6 month photography, sunshine coast bc }

right after wesley was born, i met marie.  instantly, this incredible girl blew me away with her sincerity and kindness.  honestly, she makes honey seem bland because she is just.so.so.sweet.  case in point, the morning of the shoot, i desperately needed a starbucks treat.  so i quickly texted her i was running out and bringing her back a frappachino (it was a gorgeous, hot spring day in davis bay!).  well, she never got the text and instead brought ME a smoothie.  our shoot was loaded with treats, laughter and baby snuggles.

wesley has an older sister, ava, but we decided for this shoot to be all about wesley.  i think that is a really great idea, especially because often second and third and fourth (ok, i'll stop there) children can get put into the family category and miss out on some solo experiences.  at the beginning of the shoot, wesley wasn't too sure about being on his tummy or smiling for my camera.  but whenever his momma was around, he just shined and smiled and cooed.  clearly, we can tell who his favorite person is! 

marie, thank you so much for the smoothie and letting me shoot your wee boy. i can't wait to spend more sunny days with your this summer and getting to watch him grow!

 {visit the offical photography website here }

 {' like ' my facebook page here }

This is Joyce.

She's our neighbour.  She lives across the cul-de-sac and slightly above us on the hill.  

She openly admits to stalking us and says its her neighbour-ly duty, like block watch but better.

Judah knows her as "Granny Joyce".

Up until a year ago, she called me 'Vanessa' and Jody was known as 'Cody'.  And, yes, we corrected her.  Multiple times.  Now its a running joke and on particularly sassy days, she still hollers 'Hey, Vanessa' over her glass balcony.

On Mondays, we usually watch Dancing with the Stars as we drink wine, I paint her nails and she tells me old stories that occasionally begin with sentences like "One time, when I was skinny dipping..."

Recently, we celebrated her 83rd birthday with her.  

Her husband has just moved into a local care facility and none of her children live on the Sunshine Coast, so we invited her over for a mini, impromptu party.  Jody made us a delicious dinner of bbq steak and sauteed prawns, garlic mashed potatoes and steamed spring veggies.  Fresh lemon tarts topped with a single candle topped of our night.

Joyce says she doesn't usually like babies.  

But, luckily for us, Judah won her over with his baby charms and we have begun sharing our lives with this funny, vivacious old lady who lives across the street who reminds us not to take life too seriously, keep a sense of humor about things, and rock the red lipstick until I'm old and grey.

And the winner drawn using RandomPicker.com is.....

Christina Boschmann

Prize ID	Winner ID	Public Info	Private Info	Random Sorting ID	Weight
1: print from Pink Dot Design	2	#2		b1cbb15e-78da-4900-8ece-6273195fa182

I loved getting a few new comments from people and hearing the suggestions for posts!  Seriously, giving out a prize was exciting for me - surprise at new comments, the anticipation of finding out who won!  

I do need to find a better way to draw the winner, though, because the text above is pretty boring... I just entered numbers #1 - #4 (to correspond to the comments made).  lame.  but free. 

stay tuned - more posts to come later in the day!

may 19th was the 6th anniversary of my father's death.  for some reason, i found this anniversary really, really hard.  i tend to stuff most of my emotional baggage and just reserve it for late nights with jody and a glass of wine.  i don't know if was because this year was a significant *ahem* birthday for me or because of judah's first birthday or because i'm getting emotional in my old age.  but this anniversary and the sadness of it came out.  on the kinnikinnick trails in sechelt.  while i was walking with jody. 

it went something like this::

j: today i took the water cooler to the dump and it cost $40.  isn't that crazy?! {note: this water cooler was in our driveway for the last 6 months.  only cool kids have coolers in the driveway.  no, we're not ghetto at all......}

m: you took the water cooler to the dump??

j: ya.  finally.

m: but, you just dumped it?!  i wanted it to go in the share shed. {the share shed is at the dump & everything costs only $1.  its a way to reduce waste.  someone's garbage is another person's treasure, or something like that, right?!}

:: i get very upset & silent.  i can't even verbalize why i'm so upset.  seriously, its a water cooler, right?!  but i can hardly breathe.  we walked through 3/4 of the pink trail, which is l.o.n.g. before i decide i should talk to jody because, well, i don't want him to leave me behind because i'm scared of bears and other wild animals and i AM married to the dude.::

m: that water cooler... {start bawling} was my dad's and i wanted it in the share shed because it still works and it wasn't garbage and my dad really liked it and i didn't want it in the dump. *gasp for breathe* and i really miss him. {lean onto jody and start sobbing uncontrollably}

j: {looking stunned} ....... you know your dad's not in the water cooler, right?! {lol. he's so articulate, my darling husband.  but, he did recover quickly and hold me as i fell apart.  the pain of death and the feeling of being an orphan never truly disappears.}

the best part was that a super cute couple went walking by a few minutes later.  i was completely disheveled with mascara running down my face and a runny, red nose.  we then ran into this same couple at a birthday party two days later.  small towns.  but they were nice and pretend not to notice my crying.

in honor of my dad, here's an excerpt of one of my favorite poems::

as freedom is a breakfastfood

or truth can live with right and wrong

or molehills are from mountains made

- long enough and just so long...

deeds cannot dream what dreams can do

- time is a tree (this life one leaf)

but love is the sky and i am for you

just so long and long enough.

~e.e. cummings

dad, i miss you more and more with each memory or moment you miss.  i can't wait to hear your laugh someday.  you would love judah so.  i hope i am making you proud. xo*m

a glimpse of our weekend in the sun.  we discovered we have a beach baby who has no qualms about walking directly into the freezing cold ocean.  fully clothed.

i love my boys.

p.s. - don't forget about the contest!  see this post :)

Kisses
:: to the long boarder cruising down highway 101 last friday.  i was stuck in traffic, slightly annoyed, until i spotted a long boarder flying down the hill, bobbing his head to an obviously awesome beat, with a tail (yes, a tail!) pinned to the back of his pants.  i burst out laughing and it made my afternoon.  thank you to you and the fuzzy tail; you made this girl's afternoon.

:: to my baby boy, who makes me laugh every time he tries to peer over his round buddha belly to find his boy bits.  they are his new favorite toy.


Kicks
:: to the fat, hairy spider that just jumped out at me from the laundry hamper.  ok, he sort of crawled out, dazzed and confused.  but i have a spider phobia and any spider movement qualifies as jumping or lunging or just plain trying to attack me.

:: to the spider again.  because after attacking me, his disappeared.  the only thing that gives me the willies more than seeing a spider is a disappearing spider.  not cool.  jody is now on laundry hamper duty.

:: to biting patients.  yes, that squishy thing in your mouth is, in fact, my finger.  please stop biting it.  even if you slowly close down on it, it still hurts.  because its my finger.  and your teeth are sharp and hard and strong.  fingers and teeth are not friends.  remember this.

:: to my blog, which won't let me format properly right now.  Uggg.

:: 200th ::

W.o.w.  I can't believe there have been 200 posts since first starting this blog while pregnant with Judah!  I realize this blog has become his baby book, my journal and our family documentary.  

Thank you for being so patient with my lack of blogging - I had a really low period for a month before returning to work (like postpartum, except pre-work-partum) and then have found multi-tasking a bit difficult since returning.  I have a whole new level of respect of single mothers and working mothers!

As my first giveaway, I have a print from the Sunshine Coast's Pink Dot Design, customized with your family name & established date!  

I'm almost positive I will be ordering one for my house too because they are just so sweet!  Carolyn at Pink Dot Design doesn't only run & manage her own, very busy company, but she is a full-time mom with four little ones at home.  Honestly, this girl is one of my momma idols; I have no idea how she does it all so well.  

I first got to know Carolyn as a client, purchasing her gorgeous custom cards for Christmas, as thank you cards for my baby shower and birth announcements for Judah.  Recently, I did a shoot for her newest baby, Gabe, and we were able to chat, laugh and share stories of motherhood, small towns, and marriage.  I plan on making her hang out with me again soon over a bottle of red wine. :)

{ How do you enter the draw, you ask.  Scroll to the bottom to find out! }

To enter the draw, please leave a comment a) letting me know what you'd like to see more of on the blog ie. Judah, recipes, decorating, photography or b) asking me a question.  Nothing is too personal.  Well, a few things maybe, but generally I'm a pretty open book.  (If you do not have an account & it is 'annoynmous', type your name at the end of the comment to enter).

A winner will be drawn on June 1st!!

our life has been so full lately.  

birthdays and births and expectancies, full of joy and celebration.  some quiet moments with our family of three, savoring each other and laughing and playing.  there have been some disappointments, unexpected and painful.  and conferences to contemplate our faith, inspire and encourage.  

love the life you live.  this is our life and we love it.

{ thank you for being patient with my lack of blogging lately and still checking back.  stay tuned for my first official blog give-away to celebrate my 200th post! }

what do i do while the baby naps, you ask?  

shoot  photos of toys to practice back lighting, f-stops, exposures.  

please don't judge me.

30 Years of Excellence!

I can't believe my wife is finally turning thirty!!!  It's about time! I thought it would be cool to marry a younger chick cause they stay hotter longer, but all they do is make fun of you for being old!  Just kidding! This write up is for my amazing wife who accomplished so much in her first 30 years!  I love her so much. She has turned into the best Mom ever! (thats right lady's! the best!) And I just love watching her take care of our little man.  She is the most caring woman and has brought so much joy to this family!  We have experienced so many things together, ups and downs, and she has handled them all so gracefully!  I cannot wait to spend the next thirty years with you babe!  I love you with all that is in me.  Happy Birthday my love!!!!!

Day 14.  Style 31.  Post an outfit pic!

Lately, my go-to outfits consist of a bright, strange colored pair of tights, flats and a comfy dress (thank you mod cloth).  I am having some issues with my clothes lately; I blame Cadbury mini eggs and a sheer lack of will power.  Jeans, one day again soon, you and I will be friends.  I'm refusing to post an actual picture of an out fit out of sheer laziness... and I'm busy watching the Canucks game.  Instead, I will post a picture of my favorite boy, just because its my blog & I can.



little j on his new bike, a birthday gift from nona & popaya.  he's so proud of himself.  
how can my baby look so grown up?

be still my heart. 

Day 15.  Write to encourage a friend.  Inspire her beauty.

dearest judy,

you inspire me with your enthusiasm and your love of life and your sense of adventure.

you are one of the most generous people i have met - with your time, with your encouragement, with your delicious dinner recipes.

you are a beautiful woman, inside and out.

you have nice abs.

i love our lunch time walks, our coffee dates and watching our babies grow together.

i'm so glad i made you be my friend after we met in the dentist office.  or, i should say, i'm so glad your parents made you be my friend after i wouldn't stop talking at the dentist office.  they must have sensed my loneliness at the time.

i cannot wait for you to be a bride & marry your love.  i'm so honored to be documenting your day.
my toes look beautiful; i loved our date today.

love {me}

p.s. ~ i will eternally supply you with the good chapstick. :)

Day 12.  Write about what wears you out as a woman.

The laundry.  And my kitchen floor.  Enough said.

Day 13.  Write about something you would like to change about yourself for the better.

On a light note, I would like to change my body hair issues.  I know I have touched briefly on this before, but seriously, have you tried to pluck out a nose hair?!  It hurts.  And makes your eyes water.  And your sneeze about 10 times afterwards.  Now imagine you have 20 nose hairs in each nostril to pluck.  Not fun.  Although Jody seems to find it strangely entertaining.

On a more serious side, I would like to be 100% confident in who I was made to be.  And to take the tiny lingering goals and dreams and grab them, with all my strength, and just do it afraid.  I'm getting there.  My photography adventures are a small start.

{ photos }

i have been incredibly blessed this past few weeks with numerous photo shoots.  i have been praying a lot about the direction of my photography (more on that later), and God answered promptly with many texts and calls about bookings.  he is good. so good.

these little darlings filled my week last week. 

baby kaitlin was such a doll!  we weren't able to take newbie shots right away because she caught a nasty cold at only a few weeks old.  but this six week old beauty was a little peach as we dressed and adored her with gigantic flower headbands.  i absolutely adore these two pictures of her.

her mama, aspen (isn't that the best name?), even made me a bunch of flower props and two gorgeous tutus as a generous thank you!  my clients are the best!

baby bibi fawn (another incredible name!) came to visit on thursday.  she too is a bit older for the typical newbie shots, but was a little angel.  and so strong, lifting her head so high!  she has such big gorgeous blue eyes.

jody and i have no plans of expanding our family for a while yet, but this two little girls definitely make you reconsider, even if only for a minute.  or two.  or ten.

outside my window.... the ocean rolls and rocks... the sky is a beautiful blue... large tree gently sway... birds fly by, bringing the newness of spring.

i am thinking..... of a friend who is in the midst of heartbreak and marital confusion but so full of grace and faith... of friends' growing bellies and the wee ones within... that I wish teething wasn't so painful (for both of us).

i am thankful.....for a husband's encouragement and faith in my business ventures... for true friends... for my new 35mm lens... for a text from a friend full of excitement as Jody and I share our dreams with those around us.

in the kitchen... a new recipe sits as an experiment for dinner... tea cups litter the sink... budget jars litter the counter top... remnants of flax oatmeal sit.

i am wearing..... my hair piled carelessly, lounging pants and a purple t-shirt.  Not exactly stylish, but definitely comfortable!

i am creating.....a cream beenie for a photo shoot this weekend... a purple cowl for my island friend, who I miss terribly these days - her advice and her laughter... a felt pillow I saw on etsy but am refusing to buy.

i am going......to savor today.  I usually work Thursdays, but have today off because my boss is at a course.  Today, JJ and are heading off for coffee at the beach with one of my favorite people and her two girls, some play time at Strong Start, and then the pool with some beautiful mommas and their babies.  *sigh*  Oooh, I'm excited for today!


i am reading...... Replenishing the Earth by Wangari Maathai (founder of the Green Belt Movement & Nobel Peach Prize recipient in 2004).  So inspirational!  And The Home Experience by Devi Titus.  Helping me get organized & become the homemaker I truly desire to be but am clueless as how to achieve!

i am hoping....to plant a vegetable garden soon... to purchase my dream camera because the Canadian dollar is so good... to go away for my impending birthday...


i am hearing.....a baby's babbles... a snoring dog... Adele on itunes...

around the house.....chores are in desperate need of doing... Judah has pulled out all his books from the shelf... fresh flowers adorn the dining room table, speaking of spring...

one of my favourite things....popcorn made on the stove.  Ooooh, its so delish.  I'm been indulging in it often lately.  Mini eggs.  And Pierre Cardin cologne.  Have you smelt it before?  I have smelled it twice in the last two days on trips on London Drugs.  The first time, it rolled under the shelf and I actually got on the floor to fish it out.  I wanted to smell it that desperately.  It smells like my dad, a combination of Pierre Cardin and chlorets gum.

These last few weeks have passed in a whirlwind.  Our life is beyond busy; the regular business of life compounded as I try to build a photography business on the side.  Being back at work has been many things - an adjustment, a sacrifice, a joy, a sorrow.  I feel good - to be using my education, to be connecting with clients I have missed, to feel like I am contributing financially to our family budget and goals.  But it has been so hard to be apart from Judah for so many hours in a day, sorrow when its bedtime, which seems to come much too early.  But, after two weeks, we have settled into a routine that - fingers crossed - will work for us.  I have figured out a few things:

:: the slow cooker is my new best friend.  To have dinner ready when we get home from work means both Jody and I have more time with Judah before bedtime.

:: the early bird gets the worm.  I have been waking up early.  As in e.a.r.l.y!  It takes a few moments for a groggy haze to dissipate, but it gives me time to read my bible, do a few chores, email and edit and get ready for work before Judah wakes.  Because then, once he's awake, its just momma & Judah time.  I feed him a leisurely breakfast and read books and tickle and feed Minnow treats and go for a walk, looking at birds and touching plants.  It lets me go to work feeling like we had a good hour and a half of quality time.  Last week, out of exhaustion and laziness, I slept in a few times and wasn't able to have this time with him.  It made for a lousy day.

:: Wednesday.  Its my new favorite day.  I'm not sure that I've had a favorite day before, but now it is definitely Wednesday.  Because Thursday is my Friday.  And Wednesday means its almost Thursday.

:: Cleanliness.  Its over-rated.  My house is a disaster, the laundry pile claiming most of the underwear and socks Jody and I own.  I have stopped obsessing over the dishes and the bathrooms and have been just letting myself slack off a bit, with no guilt.

:: 7:30.  Until 7:30 (Judah's bedtime), nothing gets done.  No phone calls are returned, texts unanswered.  Its 100% family time.  We talk about our days, we play games and walk to the park, we eat dinner and cuddle.  Its just the three of us, together.

I know many people wouldn't agree with certain decisions Jody and I are making right now.  For me to work, for Judah to be in daycare.  But it is what our family needs right now.  Yes, I would love to be home full-time.  Or have the luxury of working only a day or two a week.  But, I also feel incredibly lucky to have a job I love.  Not everyone can say that.  And I do love it.  I love the clients, my co-workers, floss and toothbrushes.

This is our life right now.  It is busy and exhausting and full.  But it is our life and we love it.

A glimpse into our daily morning routine.

Judah & his love affair with the master bedroom ceiling fan remote. 

As you can tell, he's quite pleased with himself.

:: concentration ::

:: happiness ::

:: excitement ::

:: bliss ::

:: Happy Birthday ::

my little love, there is nothing i haven't told you before.  the joy you bring, the happiness we have found in parenthood, the overwhelming love.

you are a year old now.  i feel so much right now, its hard to verbalize.  surprise that a year has passed, but also as though you have been my baby for a lifetime.  i can't remember life without you. 

i remember meeting you, taking each other in as you lay on my chest; you didn't cry at all, just looked back at me.  you looked nothing like i expected, but somehow i felt as though i knew you forever.

you have become your own person - so expressive and happy and a little 'goofer', as your dad likes to call you.  you crawl on the coffee table and love playing your drums.  you love books, especially "Corduroy goes to the doctor", much to my chagrin.  you dance and dance, bouncing up and down, at the slightest hint of music.  you sing your sweet sleepy song daily, so tired yet not wanting to miss a moment.  you are gentle, opting to hand deliver balls over throwing them.  you know when we tease you and reward us with cheesy grins.  you try so hard to talk, making sounds for birds, baths, dogs, yes and no.  you flirt with people everywhere we go.

i stared at you this morning as you slept.  taking in your full lips and long eye-lashes, every part of your angelic face.  i have a one-year-old, slowly passed through my mind.  it felt strange, but also exciting and wonderful.  i love life with you, my sweet boy.  i cannot wait to see what this next year holds.

you are our treasure, cherished and loved.

love your momma

You snore loudly.  You crop dust me with your farts.  You cover my Sunday best with dog fur.  But I still love you.



This is what our life looks like these days.

A little man motoring around with toys (or my eye shadow!) in his mouth!

This photo is totally blurry, but it captures his fast get-away-from-mom crawl so well, I just love it!

 My favorite photo.



Welcome to a new series called Kisses & Kicks, inspired by Jasmine Star.

It was a toss up between Kisses & Kicks and Beefs & Bouquets.

But I like kissing, so that won out. :)

My very first KISSES to:

1. My husband.  Who can somehow clean my house in one hour flat.  I have no idea how but I secretly suspect he has a cleaning fairy hidden somewhere in our house.

2. Modcloth.com.  Because I just bought the sweetest dress for only $15.99!

My first KICK goes to:

1. Crystal Light.  Because they attempt to make people (read: my mother) believe Crystal Light is 'real' juice, not a combination of aspartame and chemicals and other things that you can't pronounce.  Because then said people give Crystal Light to small children (read: my child).  Not cool.



:: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday ::

This week was so so full.  Monday, I watched a new life enter this world.  I was inspired and in awe and amazed.  She took my breath away with her strength and her new son with his plump cheeks and sweet double chin.  So much excitement.  Tuesday was Strong Start, running into other mommas with their lovies.  Wedding discussions and stagette planning.  Watching my boy splash and climb and play and clap to songs, becoming a big boy.  A lunch date - just the two of us, sharing.  Tender moments, quiet and alone.  Wednesday was a day at home, watching the ocean roll from our couch, white caps making their way to the sandy shores.  Wandering to the pool, warm and quiet, only one other momma and her boys.  A brave baby, under the water, frolicking and playing.  Comments about his necklace and sweet face, my little fish.  Snuggles in the hot tub, warm water poured over his back.  Wandering the mall, finding friends.  A compassionate woman, understanding my apprehension about work, her sympathy making me well up.  Homemade bread and broccoli asiago soup, because broccoli is his favorite.  Thursday and Friday, early mornings to head to the ferry, professional again.  A baby left alone, time to bond with Nona.  A unfortunate rain storm.  Lectures on periodontal disease and lasers and smoking cessation and botox.  Catching up with school mates.  Dinner made, my momma's homemade cooking; I have eaten more homemade cooking from her since having Judah than in my entire childhood.  These moments are my life.

Oooohmy, I'm so so behind on Project 31.  I love doing it, taking the time to be introspective and think about my life, what I am learning, what is important to me.

I just always forget I'm supposed to be doing these posts until around 11:30, right as my head hits the pillow.

Today may be multiple postings.

9. What virtues do you value in yourself?

Virtue: A good or admirable property; a particular moral excellence.

In myself, I most value the role and weight I feel in my role as a wife and a mother.  I believe that God gave me to Jody as his wife.  I don't know if I necessary believe in soul mates and that there is only ONE person.  But, on our wedding day, I promised myself - my life and my future - to Jody as his wife.  And, from that moment on, I have taken that vow very seriously.  And, I believe that when He entrusted me with Judah, it was because I was meant to be his mother.  I believe that God will give me the strength, the wisdom and the ability to do both as best as I can.  It is my desire to love these people with all my heart.  Every day.  More than any other role in my life, I desire to be the best wife and mother possible.  I want my husband and my baby (and future babies) to feel blessed because I am part of there lives.  I want them to know I am their biggest fan & cheerleader.

Day 10.  What is Jesus teaching you as a wife, mom, or friend? (Or just woman in general?)

Whew.  What a loaded question.  Jesus has been teaching me so, so much over these last few weeks.  As part of my goal of reading an inspirational book monthly, I have been reading an incredible book called "Extraordinary" by John Bevere.  Extraordinary is synonyms include remarkable, amazing, marvelous and unimaginable; its antonyms common, normal and usual.  This is an excerpt from the book that I love: "There's One Person above all others who desires an extraordinary life for you.  He is a Father who delights, like any good father, in the achievements and happiness of His children.  His name is God! And nothing will please Him more than seeing you reach your highest potential.  God's extraordinary plan is revealed when we live extraordinary."  How incredible is that?!  Its a refreshing message - that God's isn't a judgemental old man upstairs watching us with all condemnation, but that he wants to restore things, making heaven on earth, and for our lives to be extraordinary and wonderful!  Awesomeness. 

Day 11.  Post a recipe. 

I like to cook.  

However, it doesn't always turn out as planned.  

And, yes, I follow the recipe.  

Usually.  

But, one of my go-to recipes over these last few years has been a delish banana & chocolate chip muffin recipe that I found in a running magazine.  

And, yes, I read those... 

And, yes, I somehow found a recipe that includes chocolate in the running magazine.  

And, yes, rather than be inspired to run, I baked.  

And ate.  

But, in all seriousness, its one of my all-time favorite recipes.  And, seeing as it garniered compliments from my Martha-esque friend, Christina, a few days ago, I'm going to post it.  Plus, it gives me a good excuse to go bake. 

And eat chocolate chips.

1 2/3 cups all-purpose flour

1 tsp baking soda

1/4 tsp cinnamon

1/2 tsp salt

1 cup sugar (sometimes I use 1/2 applesauce & 1/2 sugar)

2 eggs

1/2 cup vegetable oil (can also substitute 1/2 applesauce here too)

3 1/2 bananas, mashed

2 Tbsp low-fat sour cream

1 tsp vanilla

2/3 cup walnuts (*In my humble opinion, this ruins the muffins... substitute chocolate chips)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Sift together first four ingredients. Beat eggs & sugar with a whisk until light and fluffy.  Drizzle in oil. Add bananas, sour cream and vanilla. Fold in flour mixture and nuts/chocolate chips. Pour batter into muffin tins or a buttered loaf pan.  Bake until golden (about 45 minutes for loaf...30 minutes for muffins...)

:: Baby Declan ::

On Monday, I had the incredible honor of watching the arrival of Jessica & Neil's second son, Declan.  Jessica was my maternity nurse when I gave birth to Judah, encouraging me through every minute, & it was a privilege to have a small role to play in her labor.  I don't even have words to fully describe the experience.  Witnessing another woman's courage, determination and raw strength during her labor was overwhelmingly beautiful and powerful.  Between contractions, Jess would smile and laugh, beaming as she kept saying "I get to meet my baby today!  I can't wait to meet my baby!!"  And what a beautiful baby he is!

Neil painted her toes.  What a guy! :)

Jess had a great support team throughout her labor.  

They all took turns encouraging her, getting cold clothes and fresh beverages, and putting pressure on her back to help ease the pain.  She was surrounded by so much love.  

A short moment of rest.

Declan's happy place. <3

Watching Jessica & Neil interact during the labor and in the moments after, the tenderness, the little touches and glances, it was obvious the love these two have for each other and their expanding family.  Thank you, J&N, for allowing me to witness something that I will never forget.  Congratulations on your 'juicy little dude'!  He is beautiful!  I can't wait to see him at Bellies n' Babies and to watch Aiden become a big brother!  xo*m  p.s. - I love his name!!