Well there really is never a dull moment around here and our little drama baby is definitely living up to her name! After a stressful few days, we ended up on the antenatal ward at the hospital yesterday after our normally super active baby decided […]
In just a few weeks, this tiny little wriggler living in my tummy will join us in the outside world. I will have a daughter who relies on me and her Daddy for everything. For food, drink, a home. For love, guidance and protection. From […]
Today marks the beginning of two weeks annual leave from work that lead to the official start of my maternity leave. It also means that we are only one month away from our due date! I feel like it has taken both a life time and next to no time at all to get to this point and I can’t help but feel a whole mix of emotions as we approach the final weeks of our pregnancy journey.
I think the most prominent feeling at the moment is one of utter relief. I’ve found this last month both physically and mentally exhausting and the very thought that, at least until the baby arrives, I won’t be forced to get up when that alarm goes off in the morning is something I am so happy about. Even if I don’t sleep in, the chance to just ‘be’ at home without having anywhere I desperately need to be is such a lovely feeling and as I walked out of those doors at 2pm today I felt like a weight had been lifted off of my shoulders.
Along with relief, the commencement of the final countdown brings a whole array of emotions. I go from feeling so so nervous, to unbelievably excited, from wondering how the bloody hell we will cope to just wanting her here right now. It’s going to be a funny old month!
We pretty much have everything we need for the baby now, the hospital bags are packed, the clothes are washed and put away and I’m looking forward to making the most of our final days of being Parents to be. Over the next four weeks I have some lovely chilled out days planned, as well as a trip to London to see Alladin for Sean’s birthday. I also have a bit of a to – do list of things I need / want to do in the lead up to her arrival. I’ve a feeling some serious nesting is about to go down!
So here we are little girly, we made it to the final stretch. There were moments back there when I wondered if we’d even get past the first trimester, let alone reach this point. In just one weeks time we will be considered ‘full term’ and two of your future friends will already be here- that really brings it home that you could come at any time. Something tells me you’re probably going to keep us waiting right ’til the very last minute though… I wonder if you’ll even be a June Baby!
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So, here we are then. Today I am 35 + 2 weeks pregnant and while the weeks really are flying by the days feel like they last forever! The extra energy I mentioned in my last update seems to be long gone. I am super […]
When I booked my pregnancy photo shoot, I knew straight away the kind of looks & feel I wanted to achieve. I’d chosen three different settings for each different look – our home for intimate bare bump shots, my baby shower to capture the family celebrations […]
One of the things I knew I always wanted to do during my pregnancy was to have a professional maternity photo shoot. I have swooned over beautiful bump photos of friends and fellow bloggers over the years and have spent many an hour flicking through pinterest looking for inspiration. Before my Red Shoe photo shoot last year, I had always been a bit hesitant about getting in front of the camera, but those two days have left me with the bug and confidence to just do it & I now love having my photo taken.
There was a moment when I thought I wouldn’t get a chance to have a bump shoot – travelling solo to Red Shoe Studios in Chester at 7 months pregnant was not going to be an option, but I searched and searched and with a little help from Twitter I discovered the ever so talented Alison. I was so pleased when she agreed to come and photograph me and my bump and she even agreed to stay on and join us for my Baby Shower!
When she arrived, Alison immediately felt more like a friend I’d known for years than a photographer there to just get the job done. She was friendly & relaxed and full of ideas and tips for getting the most out of the time and achieving exactly what I’d envisioned. We had emailed back and forth with ideas and used pinterest to share our visions for the day, so when it came to getting the right poses and looks we were already on the same page.
We started at home for some intimate exposed bump shots which we took mostly in our newly decorated bedroom. I really wanted these images to look and feel as natural and clean as possible and Alison captured exactly what I was after.
We then headed out to some of mine & Sean’s favourite local beauty spots that we often visit on dog walks. We are very lucky to live a stones throw away from some beautiful countryside which provided the perfect backdrop for our photoshoot. I was sent this stunning maternity dress from Yummy Mummy Maternity to wear.
She even convinced Sean to join in, which I tell you, is no mean feat. Though getting Alfie to cooperate was more of a challenge!
Once we’d exhausted Sean’s list of locations, it was time to head back to get changed and make our way to the day’s main event – my baby shower!
Everybody I’ve spoken to since has said how lovely and friendly Alison was and how it felt like she was more of a guest than someone just there to do a job – exactly what I’d hoped for. We have a huge family with some rather big characters, none of which seemed to phase her. She was incredibly obliging to anyone who wanted a photograph and even ended up giving a quick personal photo session to a miniature camera loving littly!
With close to thirty guests, there was plenty of opportunity to capture special moments throughout the day and there is no question that she certainly achieved that. You can read about my Baby Shower and see more of Alison’s beautiful images here.
If you are based in Kent and in the market for a photographer for your event, special occasion or private photo shoot, I thoroughly recommend Alison. She is friendly yet professional and her relaxed approach immediately puts you at ease. I cold write forever about how talented this lovely lady is, but honestly these images say it all. She has managed to capture my elation at the prospect of becoming a Mother, our excitement as a family to welcome our little one and the love shared with our friends and extended family as we approach her arrival. I cannot thank her enough for these beautiful images that we will treasure forever. Those included in this post are just a sample of the 300+ images we were sent and I hope to book in with Alison again when baby arrives to capture some newborn loveliness.
Make up – Nicole Burton MUA
Hair – Libby Holt
Nails – Sarah Wheat
Acrylic Extensions painted in
Wardrobe
Denim Shirt – New Look
Black T-Shirt Bra – Primark
Black Cotton knickers – Tesco
Floral Underwear Set – Primark
White Cover Up – Primark
Annette Dress – Mamalicious at Yummy Mummy Maternity
Pink Ribbed Midi Dress – Primark
Georgette Kimono – Peacocks
Kick Counter Bracelet – Kicks Count
Gold Necklace – NewLook circa summer 2016
*Alison Lewis Photography offered her services in return for this review. All views are entirely my own unless otherwise stated.
*Nicole Burton MUA provided her make up services in return for a mention in this post.
*Yummy Mummy Maternity sent me the Anette Maternity Maxi Dress in return for a full review {coming tomorrow} and a feature in my photo shoot.
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It hardly seems possible that 2 weeks have passed since my friends and family threw me the Baby Shower of all Baby Showers! Family and friends, old and new, from near and far all came to celebrate our little girl’s impending arrival and it was […]
Despite my lack of birth plan, the time to pack my hospital bags has come. I have made list after list of things I need to pack over the last few weeks, but I’ve finally gotten around to getting everything ready. I’ve packed in three […]
