It's a Boy!

***Don't get too excited.  Jacob has not arrived early.  And if he has listened at all to me, he knows that he is not allowed to make an appearance until his daddy gets home from China next Saturday!***
Okay, back to the precious baby boy this blog IS about! (and hang on to your hats, this is a long post...not a lot of reading, but A LOT of pictures!)

After having 3 beautiful daughters, Scott and Bene welcomed a handsome little boy to their family on October 3.  Sawyer did not wait long once he decided what his birthday should be.  At the point Bene told Scott she thought they should go to the hospital, it was a mere 45 minutes later and they were holding their newest bundle of joy!  Thank goodness they live close to the hospital!!!

Thursday, Jen and I drove to Bene's house so Jen could visit with Bene, and I could take newborn photos of little Sawyer. 

By the way, you might remember my post last February with newborn photos of Sawyer's big sister, Thais.  Thais was my very first newborn to photograph.  She is the reason I fell in love with newborn photography, and the reason I am going to give this whole photography business a go when we move home at the end of next year.  (so Dad, you can blame Thais for me throwing away my 4-year college education in elementary education to become a photographer.  Ok?) :)

It seems like forever ago that I took pictures of Thais.  And I have learned SO much since then!  I also have better equipment (thanks Dad!), which does help a lot when shooting with natural light.  So, before showing you some of my favorites of Sawyer.  Let's take a quick trip down memory lane....

 

Thais was about 3 weeks old when we did her session.  Typically, newborn photography is best when done in the first two weeks.  The sooner, the better, because the babies sleep a lot and are still all curled up and bendy.  Sawyer was 12 days old when these pictures were taken, and he did NOT want to go to sleep!  He fought it for as long as he could.  And, just as I thought he was finally asleep and I could start positioning him, one eye would shoot open.  He also told me exactly what he thought of the whole process as he peed on one of my blankets, and pooped on me!  (forget photography, this was probably a great training exercise to get me ready for Jacob!)  In the end, he finally succumbed to sleep and I was able to do a few different positions with him.  He definitely did not like being naked either, so my cocoons and stork pouches came in handy (they were also handy in covering up the diaper because I didn't want to risk any more accidents!).

I think I was a little obsessed with his perfect little feet.

The cocoon in this photo was knitted for me by Matthew's grandmother last Christmas.  This was the first time I have had an opportunity to use it.  Sawyer seemed to like it!
 

Bene's house is so beautiful with tons of huge wooden windows and doors, so Sawyer and I took a little field trip around the house finding spots to take pictures. I could have stayed another few hours rearranging Bene's house to take pictures.  She has all kinds of 'flea market finds' that she has re-painted and made really beautiful.  But by the end, Sawyer was tired, and so was I! 

I know this has been a long post, but here is a side-by-side of Thais and Sawyer.

Thanks again Bene and Scott, for trusting a complete rookie a year and a half ago with Thais.  AND, letting me come back for round two with Sawyer.  Congratulations on this newest, perfect addition to your family!

Baby Shower for Baby Jacob

Two Saturdays ago, Jacob and I were showered with gifts by our wonderful friends in France.  Jen, Clarrette, and Robin have been planning this shower for months!  It seemed anytime I talked to any of them, they were headed to a planning meeting, meeting with the caterer, or going shopping for decorations, favors, etc.  They were planning a very traditional American baby shower, which was especially great for the guests that had never been to one before.  Baby showers do not exist in France, and Sabina, my friend from Poland, had never been to one either.  AND, to make everything that much better, Matthew's cousin, Jen, decided to come for a visit, which meant that I would have friends and family at my baby shower! 

 

The Amazing Baby Shower Planning Committee

 
I had such such a great time, and am so thankful for all of my friends here in France.  Everyone here has been so great, continuously offering to help out with anything, anytime- day or night.  Even with all this support, it has been hard, at times, being pregnant so far from my family.  Saturday, I was absolutely overwhelmed with all of the love and support from people who haven't even known me that long.

Robin ordered this amazing chocolate torte cake from a local patisserie.  She ordered it for vingt-cinq (25) people.  This is what she got- a 5 layer cake!  We still aren't sure if the lady misunderstood and heard quatre vingt-cinq (85), OR she heard Robin's American accent and, keeping with the stereotype, decided this is how much we would need for 25 American women.  I am not complaining, because I got to take the top tier home! 

Matthew's cousin, Jen.

All the pregnant ladies (plus Corinne).  Pilar (in white) is due 5 days before me, and Bene (in black) had her handsome little Sawyer THAT night!  So glad she was able to make it to the shower, and SO glad Sawyer didn't decide to come just a few hours earlier.  That would have made for a very memorable baby shower!

Present Time!

A HUGE thank you again to Clarrette, Robin, and Jen for planning and hosting this shower.  It was really special, and meant so much to Matthew and me!  Love you all!

Bertrand and Claire's Wedding Party

Bertrand and Claire got married in June, but planned to have their wedding reception/party in September.  It was definitely a first for Freddie, Jen, Matthew, and I.  Our first cross-dressing/costume wedding reception, that is.

Originally, the invitation instructed all the male guests to dress as women, and the women were to dress as men (complete with a mustache or beard).  This summer, Claire sent out a mass text saying a lot of people were complaining that they didn't want to cross dress, so wearing any costume would be acceptable, BUT the really brave people would stick with the original 'dress code'.  Let me just go ahead and say, we were not among the brave.

While both Matthew and Freddie were out of the country on business trips, Jen and I went to a costume store and picked out our outfits. 

It was quite entertaining to see the brave souls.

The Blushing Bride

Claire and her brothers, I mean sisters???  (this is very confusing)

All the "Ladies"

Mark and Silke (Mark was chosen as best dressed woman!)

 The party was a lot of fun, and all the guests also participated in a lip-sync video of The Black Eyed Peas song, "I Gotta Feeling".  Originally, we were told the video would be put on YouTube.  However, some of the more career minded guys in attendance seem to be a little reluctant to have themselves put on the internet dressed as women (which makes me feel a little guilty posting pictures, but all of these are also on Claire's Facebook page AND I am not tagging anyone). 

Freddie even got a kiss from the 'bride'!

Claire and Bertrand rented a gite for the party weekend.  This pregnant guest definitely appreciated being able to just walk upstairs and go to bed.  I think Matthew also appreciated it, since he didn't have to take his tired pregnant wife home, and could keep enjoying the party!


Claire and Bertrand definitely win the prize for the most original/unique wedding reception! (oh, and for the best cake- since they had about 10 different kinds from a French Patisserie, and the chocolate mousse cake that I had was insanely delicious).