39 weeks pregnant photo

39 weeks pregnant. Photo ©2009 John Running

I am lucky to count Running as one of my friends and he really wanted to make some photos of me pregnant. I elected to do it LATE in the pregnancy so I'd be REALLY big. There are some other great artistic photos but they reveal more than I'm comfortable with for the internet and this blog (I love them, though).

7 months pregnant

photo taken July 11, 2009

Somehow I'm seven months pregnant next week. ?????

If this pregnancy is any indicator, I won't be paying any attention to this new child.

People ask me, "how are you feeling?"
me: why are they asking me how I'm feeling?, oh oh yeah, I'm huge and pregnant

To answer that for all you blog-readers (ah hem, my devoted mother-in-law), I feel great, and haven't thought twice about being pregnant so far, except for my lovely swollen feet. I haven't been riding my bike as much as I'd like or hiking because mostly I just can't carry Owen in a pack so we have to do the stroller walk thing, which is fine, it's just not hiking in the woods like last pregnancy. Strangely enough I am not putting on the kind of pounds that I was the first go round, and I'm on day 5 of a Dairy-Queen-a-day-for-a-week-kick. Yes, I know what's in the DQ and I still love it. Fact is, I'm just smaller this time. Let's not speak too soon, though, after all, I've got 13 weeks to go.

13 weeks until the newborn. REALLY? FINAL TRIMESTER HERE I COME!! I am ready to get my body back FOR GOOD.

Oh, oh, there will be no THIRD baby, I can assure you, permanent measures will take place, promptly.

I haven't had any ultrasounds since the first one at 11 weeks to determine the maturity of the pregnancy. I just didn't want to do them this time since they are not really necessary. This baby moves a lot and at this point there is not any earth shattering news I'm going to find out in an ultrasound that I can't wait for. Needless to say, we are not finding out the sex. I still believe that there are very few REAL surprises in life and this is one of those moments I look forward to, "It's a BOY." Plus I hate planning and decisions so I'll procrastinate on the naming and purchasing baby stuff until I HAVE to do it.

Come back soon, I'm posting some new photos of Owen at 17 months and discussing his AMAZING trip to the east coast in July. We almost made it back without incident. ALMOST... stay tuned.

37 Weeks... still working

My friend Katrina Wallace shot this of me at an 80th birthday party we shot in Sedona on Saturday Feb. 16th at the Enchantment Resort. I also went on a PINK JEEP tour the next day with the same folks. Don't worry, all was fine, despite a tad uncomfortable. I toured with the 80 and 85 year old couple (Soooo cute... photos will post on my business blog). This whole family came together from all over the US to share a birthday party on the red rocks for their beloved "Omi" -- ('grandma' in German).

I love that I'm willing to post the most unflattering images of myself on this blog. YUK. Should have some more great whale shots from the last wedding I shot on Feb. 22nd.

37 WEEKS Photos

Somehow I don't look HUGE to myself in these photos, but I assure you, I am approaching beached whale status with this belly. I still feel great but sleeping is now starting to be "an issue" (sadly, since I'm trying to cram in as much sleep as one can get before the sleeping doesn't exist anymore). Kristen Iwai from KDI photography took these images for me because she was trying to get a "big belly" stock shot, so I get some more yummy photos. Next week, I am going into the studio for a artistic shot by John Running. I can't wait, actually I can't believe I waiting until my thighs were this big, but alas, one needs some fat for breastfeeding, right?

Bigger at Trader Joe's

Candid shot by my friend Dawn as I search for wholesome foods....at Trader Joe's in Phoenix (ha! I'm looking for chocolate covered goodness). I promise to post soon about my new findings on painting the baby room and toxic chemicals, microwaves, baby friendly cleaning products, my rage at the episiotomy rate in the US, and my humorous home birth supply list.

Personal update: I'm 31 weeks -- PHEW... but still feeling great. Started cross-country skiing and have been having a blast with that. THINK SNOW! Had a 28 week ultra sound and everything checked out great. We ended up doing another one despite my slight concerns over the lack of research on ultrasounds. We did it because I came up at 20 weeks with low amniotic fluid (apparently a very objective measurement at 20 weeks) and at 28 weeks, I "felt" find to the midwives and measured perfectly with great weight gain. They felt confident I was fine, but it's always nice to have a medical reassurance. The baby weighs in at about 3 pounds 9 oz (educated guess by radiologist) and s/he is really beginning to look like a baby. It was my last ultrasound. The little bean is moving more now but seems to like one position best-- head down (thank goodness). I made it through all the holiday parties without a drop of alcohol but I am already looking forward to parties next year. I didn't however make it through the holidays without gaining some weight 6 pounds in two weeks. YIKES!! I gained 6 pounds in a month last time. OUCH! So I'm cutting the sugar, increasing the healthy stuff and even went swimming with Matt this week. I look hilarious in a swim suit-- I'll take a photo.

Recommendation of the week: support hose. I kid you not. If you stand a lot (or sit at the computer) and are pregnant, hose worn to the knee can really REALLY help with circulation and keeping the edema down. I love my Dansko clogs as a complimentary helper.

Less than 10 weeks to go.

Matt & Cameron Belly Photos

A great local photographer, Kristen Iwai took our photo on Monday December 10th. We love the images and hope you do too! Family, if you are interested in ordering any, let me know and I'll send you the price list from Kristen.

click here to see the contact sheet of images Kristen shot.

1st pregnancy photos

Okay so I started a baby blog... just for baby Clark and family photos and my rants about the healthcare for pregnancy, babies, labor/delivery,etc. I smell a documentary photo story coming my way. At some point, I will announce on my "real" blog that I'm pregnant but probably not until after booking season is over. I find vendors and clients think your world will end when you deliver a child. I think my world will just be beginning. I was in the studio shooting on Friday so I had my friend John Running snap off 20 or so frames with my camera so that I could at least get an informal shot of this growing belly. I have scheduled a "real" photo shoot for December with Matt and will continue to get into the studio with frequency now that I have a belly to photograph. I obviously didn't do my hair or makeup for this photo... a la natural...