All Grown Up...Really?? & A Little Giveaway :)

With only a few weeks left until I have my 3rd little one I'm sitting here thinking, 'really? am I SERIOUSLY old enough to have THREE kids?!?!' I know that I got married young (20), but I can't get over the fact that my hubs and I have been married for just over 6 years, we have 'grown up' jobs, pay bills and manage a house.

It's not just us...all our friends seem to be all grown up too. In fact, a few of my friends from church youth group are now having their 2nd or even 3rd babies. A few of my friends from that circle are just starting their families and I'm so happy for them! One of those friends is Victoria. She's just about 32 weeks pregnant with her first - a little girl that they are going to name Charlotte.

Yesterday Victoria, her husband Kyle and I braved the cold and brisk wind to go out on the town for some maternity pictures. We had originally planned to do the pictures at a few older buildlings in downtown Newmarket and then I realized that the Santa Claus parade was going to be doing that route at the same time! I thought it was kind of funny that we had to change our plans for Santa. :) We did manage to get a few shots in at the locations that we had hoped for, but then went over to a great older church and wrapped up there.

I'm so happy to be able to give Victoria these special captured memories that she'll one day share with her beautiful little Charlotte.

GIVEAWAY DETAILS!!!
Everyone loves to have a little bit of fun, especially when you don't have to do a lot of work for it, right? So I want everyone to throw their two cents in and take a guess at some details about baby #3!

Some of you may have seen me mention this week on Facebook that I had received a pair of booties from Jady Baby's. I am SO excited to use them on my little one and on future newborn photo shoots!! I am so impressed by the quality of Jade's products and so I'm giving away a $20.00 gift certificate towards the purchase of her products! Check out her products on her website: http://www.wix.com/jadybabys/designs


Just one example of Jade's products - Booties (think Robeez, but handmade by an Ontario Mama in a variety of fabric options!)

Here is what you need to do to qualify:
1) Answer the following 2 questions (you must answer both) either by commenting on the blog (please include your e-mail address so that I can contact you if you win!) here or on my Facebook fan page: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Tara-Collyer-Photography/125613657465024?ref=ts
- When will baby arrive (just a date)?
- How much will she weigh?
2) You need to also 'like' Jady Baby's fan page: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Sarnia-ON/Jady-babys/118142738218405?v=wall&ref=ts
3) Last but not least...if you aren't already a fan of mine on Facebook, you need to 'like' my page too :) http://www.facebook.com/pages/Tara-Collyer-Photography/125613657465024?ref=ts

The person who's guess is the closest to actual details of the baby's birth wins! It's THAT easy! :) Oh and to make it even easier (maybe...), I'm providing you with the following details:
- Due date: December 13, 2010
- I was induced at 6 days overdue with my 1st and 5 days overdue with my 2nd
- 1st was 8lbs 11oz, 2nd was 8lbs 12oz
- I never had any kind of Braxton Hicks, etc with the first 2, but I've had them for SEVERAL weeks this time (although apparently that means nothing)

Can't wait to see the guesses! :)

Oh How Fast They Grow...

I'm sure many of you remember me posting pictures back at the end of June of my friends twin girls who were a month old at the time (see pic below). They were born at about 4 1/2 lbs and just over 5lbs. They were definitely the smallest little babies I had ever held, especially compared to the toddler-size children that I seem to have. lol!

I have really enjoyed watching them grow and change over the last 6 months. I'm still constantly in awe of how perfect they are considering how many things could have gone wrong. I remember praying for their Mom and them constantly that they would all be healthy and safe and be born at just the right time.

When I was asked to take Christmas pictures for them last weekend I was really excited! (I love repeat clients!) The girls were SO good about having their pictures taken. They looked where we wanted them to, they sat with their big brother and didn't scream and they didn't puke either. :)




On a similar note, I'm excited/nervous to have another little babes entering our family soon (I'm 36.5 weeks! YIKES!). My due date is December 13th, but I'm not sure what to expect with this baby as my other 2 were overdue. I've been told that because this is my 3rd and because my soon-to-be middle dude and this baby will be so close together that I should expect to go on time or early. Kinda wondering what other people think....maybe it's time for a little contest. :) Stay tuned!

Family Memories

It's at this time of year that we start to build up towards a lot of family time. I really enjoy this time of year because it means that we get to see some family members that we don't usually see often. This year with prepping for baby #3's arrival things have been quite a bit busier and I've had a hard time getting into the Christmas mood. I find it so stressful trying to find that perfect gift.

A few weeks ago while shopping with my Mom we had a discussion about Christmas. We both agreed that Christmas shouldn't be about that 'perfect' gift or trying so hard to please people. Shouldn't it be more about spending time together and enjoying each other's company?

This past weekend I had the pleasure of meeting and working with a family that is really taking that thought to heart. It was so sweet to see them interact with each other. The way they put their arms around each other, the looks they gave each other when their eyes met and their hands fit perfectly together.

Carmen puts it into words so wonderfully "spending quality time together as a family and making great memories are very important. No matter how big your struggles in life are as long as we have each other and GOD is there giving us strength, courage and hope we will be able to overcome all struggles."

It was very important for Carmen and her family to have not only memories of time together as a family, but photographic memories as well. I am so honoured to have been able to capture these memories for you, Carmen. I hope that these captured memories will bless you as much as you have blessed me by really hitting that important message home for me and my family.

Big Fam Fun!

Today I wrapped up part 2 of a photo shoot with a big family - 14 people! Katherine contacted me because she wanted to have a custom shoot put together. We did a lot of different shots with different groups of people in her family. Lots of coordination and a check list (thanks Katherine!) kept it running smoothly and made sure that we didn't miss getting what she wanted.

It was great to work with a group this size! One of my favourite parts was when Katherine jumped on her husband's back for the 'couples' picture. This got the kids attention and when it was time for a shot of the grandkids they copied the idea. Lots of laughs! :)

In order to get one of the individual shots at the end I had to get down on my belly (not to worry...no baby was harmed in the making on that pic! lol!) on the coooold bridge. But...I thought, 'hey...I can't ask my client's kid to lay down on the cold steel bridge if I'm not willing to do the same.' so...I did it. Trying to get up reminded me that I am in fact 35 weeks pregnant (tomorrow). lol!

Thanks so much for allowing me to work with you guys! Hope you enjoy your preview!