{Glowing!} - Sarasota Maternity Photographer

I am so excited to show these images of the beautiful and talented Jennifer from Jennifer Mauren Photography. Jen and I both started on our photography journey around two years ago after meeting through a small educational photography forum. It's really great to be able to have someone locally with whom I can get inspiration and honest feedback about images, business plans, and product ideas.I am truly blessed to have such a great friend. Jennifer is due with her second boy the end of March. I can't wait to meet the yet to be named little guy.

{Sneak Peek - Sydney} - Sarasota Newborn Photographer

I love being able to follow a family from "Belly to Baby". I had the pleasure of photographing Sarah and her family when she was pregnant and now sweet little Sydney as a newborn. Sydney's newborn photo session was scheduled before she was even born, to be completed when she was 12 days old. But my little one was in the hospital and we had to reschedule. I typicallly prefer to have newborn sessions complete within the first two weeks of life, it's the best time to capture those sleepy, bendy moments. I lucked out though, Sydney was a superstar for her modeling debut at just 20 days young. Thank you again Sarah and Steve for welcoming me into your home and the pleasure of documenting these first moments celebrating your new family of four. I hope you enjoy these images of your brand new baby girl. She's beautiful!

{Sneak Peek C-Family} - Sarasota Family & Beach Photographer

I posted one tiny sneak peek from this Family beach session at Siesta Beach. several weeks ago here. Since then, everyone in my family was hit with a bad case of the sickies. Thank you to the "C-family" for your patience. Here's the rest of your sneak peek. Your complete gallery should be posted by tomorrow.

Mine on Monday - Sarasota Baby Photographer

Six Months! Caroline turned six months old on Valentine's Day. She is finally feeling better. We went for her six-month well baby visit (making the total number of pediatrician visits in the past month up to 8 (not counting the hospital stay). She is doing fantastic though. She weighed in at 14 lbs, 10.5 ounces, placing her at the 25th percentile for weight. She was 26 1/2 inches long, placing her at the 75th percentile for length. She's following in the footsteps of Madelyn and Thomas, long and lean. She is sitting tall for fairly long periods of time before toppling over, drooling like there's no tomorrow, laughing, squealing and has started to babble. We just started solids, although she isn't much of a fan just yet. And, finally, as you can see, she is also in the famous toe-eating stage.





I have lots of other good stuff to share, but have been busy catching up with proofing. I got behind with all the illness, but I'm almost caught up. If you are waiting on a gallery that was due, I should have it to you in the next couple days. Thanks for your patience.

Be on the look out for some new and exciting things over the next couple weeks!

Mine on Mondays - Sarasota Child Photographer

First, I'm sorry to those that are waiting on your galleries. I'm working on it, I promise. Please bear with me just a little bit longer.

Oh what a week it has been! Started last Monday with all three kids at the pediatrician for ear infections and bronchitis and ended with Caroline being admitted to the hospital for 3 days (2 nights). I actually had one foot out the door, on my way to the hospital with Madelyn on Monday night when her fever was at 105 degrees, even with Motrin and Tylenol and she wasn't able to keep her medications in. Caroline and Madelyn spent Monday night taking turns coughing, moaning, and crying all night. It was so scary. But, once they got a full day's of antibiotics and nebulizers treatments, Madelyn and Thomas were behaving more like themselves, their eyes weren't as glassy, they were eating a little, and even had the strength to fight with each other.

But, Caroline was still not herself. She was coughing a nasty cough and was doing it a lot. She still sounded really junky and was wheezing, despite the breathing treatments. I tried to be patient, but Wednesday night Caroline was up, agitated, and having difficulty breathing. In fact, she was so junky and so wheezy, you could hear her from the other room. I took her back to the doctor who decided to admit her directly to the hospital. She was pale, dusky looking at times. She was taking fairly quick and shallow breaths, her chest was retracting with each breath. The good thing, if there is one, about a direct admission is that we had no waiting in the ER, we just went straight to the pediatric floor. Anyway, after several tests, Caroline was diagnosed with RSV. She needed oxygen on the first day and night. Thankfully, she was feeding well enough to avoid dehydration and the need for IVs. Honestly, she was an amazing trooper through the entire stay. The Drs. think that her first illness 3 weeks ago with Croup and Bronchiolitis weakened the immune system and that she likely got RSV a week or so after that. They also the "contagious" period is about seven days from onset of symptoms, so she should no longer be infectious. The cough and junkiness will last a couple weeks they said, but should be improving each day.

Madelyn and Thomas were quite brave through the whole ordeal as well. Madelyn was with me when I took Caroline to the Doctor and went with the flow quite well with very little panic. It was a little scary to be honest and she was very brave. Thomas was at preschool and also handled it very well. We are having a little trouble keeping them away from Caroline, out of her face in particular, but, they were sweet as can be with Caroline. They are amazing, compassionate little beings.

The first picture is of Caroline in the hospital. Sorry about the quality, it was taken with my antique mobile phone. For some reason, Bjorn thought my request to bring my camera to the hospital fell into the "unreasonable" category.


I didn't hear any noise from the family room, typically, not a good sign. So, I tip-toed in there and saw Thomas all decked out in his scrubs, checking Caroline. I ran quickly and grabbed my camera and snapped a couple shots before he caught me.

Mine on Monday - Sarasota Baby Photographer

OK - so I am already behind on the "Mine on Monday" goal. I have a good excuse though, I promise. Caroline had her first sickness starting two weeks ago. She didn't take the easy road either, we're talking Croup, Bronchiolitis, Viral syndrome and exacerbation of her reflux. She was prescribed steroids and nebulizers. The steroids made her C.R.A.Z.Y! About a week into it, she was almost acting like herself, still coughing, but not pitiful.

We instill the value of sharing in our house, and this was no exception. Thomas started with a nasty, junky cough last week-end and it continued through the week. He missed Preschool on both Tuesday and Thursday. By Friday, he was doing a lot better. Still coughing, but not pitiful (are you sensing a theme?).

On Friday, I went to pick Madelyn up from Preschool and her eyes were glassy. Uh Oh. But, she said she was OK. I also noticed Caroline was sleepier than usual and she also had glassy eyes again. Double Uh Oh. We woke up on Saturday morning to all three kids coughing in harmony. Madelyn's temperature hasn't gone below 102 degrees since then (even with Motrin). Caroline has a fever. Both are wheezing, coughing, sneezing fools. Both get in coughing fits so badly, that they end up "losing their lunch" so to speak. NOT FUN - for anyone. Madelyn has taken up residence in our room on the floor at night, Caroline has never been out of our room so she's in there too. Molly (our elderly, smelly Beagle) is in our bed and either snoring or howling in her sleep. Bjorn has started talking in his sleep. I never thought I'd be so thankful for 90 minutes of sleep, but that's what I'm working on the past two nights.

Thankfully, the weather has allowed us to open the windows and doors in an attempt to get some fresh air in the house. You can smell the scent of Lysol, bleach, and hand sanitizer from the driveway. Here's hoping to a healthier Monday next week.

In the mean time, here are Mine on Monday - in their pitiful, sick, but still adorable states.

The first series are Caroline getting her breathing treatments. She doesn't seem to mind it. Madelyn and Thomas would throw huge fits when they had to get them. I think she likes the motor sound from the nebulizer.





Thomas fell asleep on the couch while eating his lunch. Notice the piece of ham sitting on his napkin. Madelyn also fell asleep on the couch. For anyone that knows my kids, you know that they both surely must be sick because sleeping is just never on the agenda.