29 YEARS + 20 WEEKS

I turned 29 today, and I know it’s already going to be a year unlike any other before it. We found out in April that we were expecting our first baby, and it has just started to feel more real about five months in. The baby gave me the best birthday gift this week. I can finally feel him/her kicking! It’s the strangest, most wonderful sensation.

How did we find out?

Brendan and I went out to dinner for our regular date night. We had been trying to conceive, but that week I strongly felt I was NOT pregnant. I decided to actually order a drink at dinner because I was that certain. Brendan asked if we could take a test when we returned home, since he was about to leave for two weeks for work. I told him that I didn’t want to waste a $20 test because I was sure we were not pregnant. But, I took it anyway.

After two minutes, I pulled the stick off the ground to show him it said “no -” but instead, it said “yes+.” I turned around to look at him with my mouth agape. It says yes?!

Brendan just smiled at me, and I started to panic. Oh my gosh we’re pregnant. What?! This can’t be accurate. My life flashed before my eyes and I knew everything was about to change. Brendan looked so happy, and I was like WHY AREN’T YOU FREAKING OUT?! I’M FREAKING OUT!

Let’s just say it took me a few hours to calm down and process what was actually happening. This also involved a grocery store trip at 11:00 at night to take one more test…just to make sure. Apparently, pregnancy tests are extremely accurate, and the second test changed within a minute, confirming the pregnancy.

Boy or Girl?

We don’t know yet :) We go in for our 20 week ultrasound later this week, but we’ve decided to not reveal the gender until after the birth. Most of the wives’ tales point to girl, although my salty + sour cravings point to boy.

Due date?

We are due to have a New Year’s Day baby!

How are you feeling?

One of my biggest fears was being super sick during pregnancy, and it was a prayer that I breathed into constantly. I feel like the Lord has been incredibly faithful to us in this season. The baby is due during both of our off seasons so that we won’t have to take any work off. I was blessed with a full spring season so that I could take a lighter fall during the third trimester. I also haven’t been that sick. I was nauseous in the first trimester, but it wasn’t debilitating. I was able to shoot all of my weddings without any problem (and lots of snacks!). Emma was a Godsend and the perfect intern for this spring. She really helped me through a couple of long wedding days. I have several photo friends that are helping me out this fall, and I’m SO grateful for them.

Now that I’m in the second trimester, I’m feeling much better. I’m still getting used to waking up multiple times in the night, but I’m grateful to be past the nausea.

Are you still shooting?

Heck YES! I took a full season this year, and I’m planning to take a full season for 2017.

YES we will still travel. Domestically, internationally…anywhere.

The only change is that I won’t be starting wedding season until April to allow for some quality time for us to adjust and soak up all the newborn snuggles. I am, however, planning to take local portrait sessions starting in March.

We are SO excited to welcome this child into the world. Is it going to be difficult? Absolutely. Pregnancy hasn’t been a cakewalk, and I know it’s only the beginning of many hurdles ahead. But, I know it will all be worth it. We can’t wait to meet this sweet baby come January 1st.

Thank you to my sweet husband for taking these photos of me on the Oregon coast. He’s been the best support during this season and has put up with all of my hormones, nausea, sleep deprivation, etc. I wouldn’t want to go through this with anyone else.