Lisa Lisa Bo Bisa

I can't believe we are more than half way already.  HALF way.  When 8 months seemed forever far in the future, I now can't believe we have only around 20 weeks to go before we meet this little baby.  Yesterday we had our 20-week ultrasound, and wow.  So amazing.   We don't want to know the gender, so we had to decide if we wanted to skip watching the screen completely (the only way to guarantee we wouldn't see something we didn't want to), or watch the screen but look away when the tech advised (though the tech could not predict how the baby would move or what might come into view).  We opted for the latter, as I knew I'd regret not seeing the baby move live.  It was a great decision. We spent quite a bit of time looking away (actually, staring awkwardly at each other) as the tech did all of the necessary measurements from belly down.  But she talked through it all, which I really appreciated.  When we did get to watch, it was incredi...

I am amazed at all of the attention I'm getting these days because of my pregnancy.  It's like everyone 'and their mother' is suddenly interested in me and how I'm doing.  It's endearing and flattering, and I suppose part of the societal norm to be interested in and sucked into the excitement of one's expected baby.  I know I've certainly done the same many a time.  But, I've never really liked being the center of attention, at least not when it's outside my close family and friends, so the new attention has been quite a change for me.  I'm not complaining, because I know it's well-intentioned and again flattering, and I'm thrilled to be "the pregnant lady" with exciting news, but it's taking some getting used to. One, everyone stares at me and my belly.  Often they comment on how cute or big it's getting, occasionally they pat my belly without asking (which I haven't minded yet as it's fortunately been clo...

My sister, BIL, and nephew returned to MN for a short visit, mainly for my cousin's wedding last weekend, but also for some more family time before they head out East.  Waaaay East.  I was so glad they were able to fit in this trip.  Yeah, there were tears when they left, when aren't there?  But with any luck we will see them at Christmas or sometime soon after, which doesn't seem such a bad wait.  Plus, we always have Skype.  My nephew has changed so much since I last saw him in May, and yet he was still the same squishy, lovey, smiley, curious little boy.  We again stayed at my parents' house while they were in town to maximize our time with them, and got to enjoy some hilarious avocado and sweet potato eating, early morning smiles, and a lot of laughs and stories and advice.  I was also able to take a day off to join my sister, cousin Tiff, and all their kids at the zoo.  It was all fun, and made me all the more excit...

Only a couple of weeks away from reaching half way and seeing our baby again!  18 weeks, at Dunning Springs in Decorah, IA. Notables over the last two weeks: Around 18 weeks I started feeling the baby move!  The first time I was working from home and had just eaten lunch.  As I sat on the couch working away (because frankly, the couch is way more comfortable than at a desk), I felt a few flutters.  They were at a fairly even tempo so I questioned if I was just feeling my pulse through my belly.  I held my breath, and they continued and became more erratic, so I knew it was not just my pulse.  And I ruled out digestion too, as it was a very distinct, new feeling.  It made my day, and I'm pretty sure I spent the rest of the afternoon smiling.  I didn't notice anything the rest of the evening, but then again I was too busy with my sister and nephew who had just arrived to town to concentrate on any faint movement....

A couple of people have asked about another wedding I shot recently, so I thought I'd post a few photos here. I was fortunate to get this gig from my friend Mandy, who wasn't available to do it herself.  While I was nervous about shooting a wedding all by myself, I was advised by the bride that it was a small affair (around 30 guests total, no attendants) and they were very laid back and not that picky about the photography.  They just wanted some nice photos.  So ok, I thought...I could do this.  I shared with them a sample of my photography from a variety of occasions, and they liked what they saw and too thought I could do this. And though the day brought terrential rain and wind, the skies quieted at a perfect moment before the ceremony, and I was able to capture some great shots of them outdoors.  Thank goodness, because the lighting inside the chapel was not great, and I'm far from an expert at shooting in poor lighting.  The...