Photography 2011

In 2010 I started playing around with photography and fell in love with it. Did a few family and maternity sessions, even a wedding. My goal for 2011 is to build portfolio and dive deeper into my new passion of capturing memories. Being that I am still learning I am offering a 1 hour photo session, complete with a disk of all images taken and 20 edited photos for $100. You would be responsible for the prints. This offer is good for the first 10 sessions booked in 2011!

Goals

I've been cleared by the doctor to start working out again, and if watching the Biggest Loser has taught me anything it is to set goals for yourself to keep you motivated. So my sister and I are signing up to run a half marathon in March. I'm not planning on racing and chances are I will be slowly jogging and probably walking, my goal is just to finish.

So I'm going to start out my workout routine slow, listen to my body and get healthy. I have been using the "I'm pregnant" or "I'm nursing" excuse to eat what I want when I want and that's going to change. I've been doing a lot of research about working out while nursing and have found multiple sources that say the milk supply isn't affected by exercise but is affected by diet. So I plan to make my calorie intake higher while eating healthier foods that way me and baby are happy and healthy.

I know it sounds funny but I feel more lethargic not working out. Exercise gives me an energy boost and a little time to myself with no kiddos:) I will eventually get this baby weight off, no pills, no crash diets, just slow and steady from eating healthy and exercise.

Hoping to loose 50lbs by next Christmas

Knotts & Pirate Adventure

Last Christmas my inlaws blessed all of the Kids and Grand kids with season passes to Knotts Berry Farm. With our passes expiring in a couple of weeks we decided to get one more trip in.


Ricky, Karissa, Gavin, Kennedy, Ava, Peyton, Jessica, Bob, Linda, Jason, Nevaeh, Trinity, Selah and myself made up the group:)

We couldn't have asked for a more perfect day. The weather was amazing, the park was empty and there were virtually no lines, all of the kids were in good moods and were incredibly well behaved ( even Selah.)


We started in Camp Snoopy giving the kiddos a chance to ride a bunch of rides, then us adults snuck in a couple big rides. We enjoyed lunch together at Jonny Rockets, hit a few more rides, did some shopping then we left.



I found an incredible deal online for the Pirate Adventure Dinner Show, which was right down the street, so we shuttled the family over.

Doors opened at 530pm, we enjoyed some appetizers, drinks, did some shopping and watched the pre-show. At 7pm the adventure was ready to begin!

You walk into a stadium of 5 different color sections, in the center of the stadium is a giant pirate ship stage surrounded by a water moat. The show was amazing, funny, exciting and they really got the audience involved. My nieces and nephews were chosen to be part of the show. My sister in law and myself were chosen to participate in one of three challenges.


The food was yummy ( we were already pretty stuffed from the appetizers) and I couldn't have asked for better company.

We had a great time, I hope it is something my girls will remember for years to come.

Birth Story for Selah

Birth Story isn't all that exciting but here it is for those interested.

I was admitted at Zion Hospital Monday November 1st at 11:30 am to have my water broken. After getting paperwork finished, monitors set and IV hooked up my doctor ( Dr. Stuckey) came in at 12:30pm and broke my water. Then the "waiting game" began. Hour after hour went by and nothing happened, no contrations, no dilating, nothing. Dr. Stuckey wanted to see labor begin within 4-6 hours and by 6pm we still had no progress in the labor department.

Dr. Stuckey went off shift and I was under the care of Dr. Mesch. Dr. Stuckey explained my wishes of a VBAC being extremely important to me and the two devised a new plan of action. I would be administered half the normal dosage of Pitocin under internal monitoring, if labor still hadn't begun before the morning then csection was our only option left.

6:30pm Pitocin was added to my IV and Jason and I prayed for labor. Lesson being- Be careful what you pray for:) 7pm my first contraction hit and it hit HARD! Threw me into the fetal position. It lasted about a minute and a half and then next one came nearly 3 minutes later. Then another, and another, I went from nothing to INTENSE labor in a matter of minutes. This lasted about an hour before Jason and I decided an epidural was needed so we called in the anetheisiologist. It took him about a half an hur to get there and another half an hour to administer the epidural. Meanwhile the contractiona are hitting harder and are closer to 2 minutes apart.

9:15pm I was a happy camper. Epidural was in full effect and I had no more pain! Contrations at this point were 1.5 to 2 minutes apart, I was a little over 3cm and 75% effaced. Around midnight I was starting to feel a lot of pain on my right side. The epirdural wasn't working up to par. My doctor came in, repositioned me in hopes that more of the medication would fall on my right, it helped a little but I still had to breathe through the contrations. She checked me again-no progress.

2am rolled around, contractions were only a minute apart and I was still super uncomfortable on my right side so I asked the nurse if I could be checked ( I wanted to give my Mom enough time to make it for the birth.) She said the Dr. was in surgery, an hour later same excuse. 4:30am rolled around so I called my nurse in again because of the pain on my right hand side and because of pressure I was feeling. She said she would go ahead and just check me.

Turns out I was 100% effaced, 10cm and Selahs head was visible! Jason, who was in a dead sleep, jumped out of the chair to see. We all started freaking out a bit. " CALL MOM!" I yelled. The nurse was quickly prepping me for delivery and instructed me to give her one big push. So I did and she said I was definately ready. The doctor came in and got right to business. ( Meanwhile my Mom & sisters were frantically on their way to the hospital) I pushed for nearly 20 minutes and Selah Desirae Winters entered the world at 5:05am.

For those of you who are familiar with my past experiences in birth I was the last person to hold either of my daughters because of the csections. That wasn't the case this time. They put Selah right on my chest, goop and all. They cleaned her off, cut the cord and administered most of the tests right there on me! It was a dream come true. My family arrived about 30 minutes later, bummed they missed the birth but excited to see Miss Selah. They had to wait to hold her though because she was still on Mommy "Skin-to-Skin" time:)

With the exception of the partial episiotomy and 3rd degree tear I recieved in the birthing process I was very happy with the overall experience. I got to be the first person to hold my baby girl and she successfully started nursing right away!

Selah Desirae Winters
Born November 2nd 2010 @ 5:05 am
9lbs 1oz 21 inches

I am Sam

This is Sam, the most recent addition to our family. He was given to us by friends of ours from church. He is 8 years old and a total cuddle bug.
Plan is to breed him with our other Golden Retriever Hope, but meanwhile he enjoys following the girls Nevaeh and Trinity around the house, cuddling with Mom and Dad, and running errands around town with Mommy. He fits right in with our family and is the house trained, cuddly dog I have always dreamed of owning!

Countdown Time!

We had a check up today and it was GREAT! I know I have mentioned this before but I have to go on record again saying, I LOVE DR. STUCKEY! Selah is measuring normal and her heart beat is great. I am 1 cm dilated and 50% effaced so the Dr. is encouraged that I am already showing signs of progress making my chances of a successful VBAC better. My blood pressure is great, on the lower side, and I am up 1 lb since my last appointment making my total weight gain so far 17lbs. (Staying withing my goal of between 15-20lbs) We have another check up Wednesday, hopefully I progress and Selah comes on her own. If not the plan is, depending on how far have dilated, to either break my water or strip the membranes on Monday the 25th to encourage labor. I don't have the option of a drug induced labor because of complications it can cause with my history of csections. So hopefully labor happens and progresses normally and doesn't result in cesection. PRAYERS APPRECIATED:)
So all in all it was a good check up, I am encouraged and excited to meet our baby girl!

Baby Linder Maternity Shoot

I had a photo session at the infamous Dos Picos Park yesterday with Andy & Melinda Linder. They are expecting a baby boy in about 8 weeks! I had a lot of fun shooting their pictures, I'm sure you'll agree I had good models:) I must admit I had to get pretty creative in order to get some of the shots I wanted. One included me laying on my side because of the big belly I have, preventing me from laying flat on my tummy. I'm sure watching a 9 month prego woman attempt to squat, bend, climb and waddle aided in making their smiles genuine. I am so excited for this growing family and can't wait to meet their little boy!

Oma's Pumpkin Patch

Today a group of family and friends took the kiddos to Oma's Pumpkin Patch in Lakeside. It was a lot of fun and was cheap! $7 per child included a bottled water, access to all activities on site and they even got to choose a pumpkin from the Jack Patch to take home.

The girls had a blast on the Cotton Seed Mountain. We also rode on a hay ride, got a tour of the dairy farm, pet farm animals, played on a playground, ran through a hay maze and took pictures galore!

It was a lot of fun, but it sure did wear me out. It's getting harder to get around these days. All in all I had fun with my little pumpkins, trying to get as much quality time in with them as possible.

Selah Update- October

Because of scheduling issues with my doctor I have 2 check ups a week from now until Selah's due date, fun times!

Appointment today was AMAZING!!!

I lost 1 lb this week making my total weight gain 16lbs so far ( not too bad.)My goal was between 15-20. Everything with Mommy and Baby is checking out normal. We went over the results of my 36 week ultrasound...

Selah is head down, hardly any cervix left ( hoping she comes soon), she is in the 50 percentile ( Won't have another 11 pounder)they are estimating 6lb 4oz so far and her head to abdomen ration is perfect! Because she is smaller they decided not to schedule a c-section until 41 weeks ( November 1st) to give me another week to go into labor on my own. For those of you who haven't followed my journey I have been fighting and searching for a doctor who will let me have a vbac and finally found one. Because I've had 2 previous csections I am considered high risk and have had a hard time finding a doctor to work with me. God blessed me with Dr. Stuckey who has monitored me very closely and is working with me to have a better birth experience:)The three stipulations being... #1 They will not induce, I have to labor on my own. #2 any signs of fetal distress and I am on the operating table no questions asked. #3 If I don't go into labor by Nov 1st they are taking her via csection.

I'd appreciate prayers. For a healthy baby, that Selah will show her pretty little face before her due date, that everything progresses normally and I have a successful vbac, and for a speedy recovery.

That's all for now, another update to come on Friday!

Adams Family

I had the pleasure of photographing my friends Rob & Brooke Adams and their two adorable children Corban and Sydney. Rob is the Camp Director for Oakbridge Camp in association with Young Life Ministries. Brooke is a full time Mommy of these two adorable children and a full time wife of a hubby in ministry ( I know the job). They are also a part of our Life Group and both serve faithfully at Mountain View Community Church. I am so blessed to have them in my life and am go grateful for the ministry they serve in.'

Selah's Shower

My Mommy threw me a wonderful Baby Shower on Sunday for Baby Selah. Our family has been incredibly blessed with gifts, love and support form our family and friends. I appreciate and love you all very much!





Selah is going to be one stylin' girl! We were blessed with LOTS of ADORABLE outfits!



This was my first attempt at making a Tospy Turvey Fondant Cake. I know what not to do next time)



There were a total of 7 Prego Mama's at my shower!!!



I have less than 5 weeks to go and definitely feel more prepared for Selah's arrival! Next item on the list is packing the hospital bag and we are ready for baby!

I'm a Big Girl Now

Today was Nevaeh's first day of preschool at Busy Bee. She is enrolled in a 2-day per week, 4-hour per day program. With Selah joining the family in less than 6 weeks I felt there was a need for Nevaeh to have something special to herself and I wanted her to get a jump start on her education. This school has a remarkable program and Nevaeh adores her teacher Miss Catheren.

I was a little nervous this morning, hoping she wouldn't SCREAM when I left, but she did GREAT!

She was so excited getting ready this morning, we made a stop by my Mom's to wish Nevaeh a fun first day then headed for the school.


I signed her in, got paperwork and calendars out of her cubby. She sat and started playing with another little girl.

Mommy: " Bye baby, Mommy loves you so much. Have a fun day at preschool ok?"
Nevaeh: Bye Mommy, have fun at work."

And that was it. I left, she was happy, I was a little sad- my baby is growing up so fast!

4 hours later I came to pick her up. The kiddos were all finishing up their lunches. Nevaeh saw me and ran to me.

"MOMMY!!!I had fun at preschool with my friends."


We said bye to Miss Catheren who said Nevaeh did GREAT then we headed home.

I am so proud of my baby girl!

Daddy's Girls

Oh the things Daddy's do for their daughters...

I've been on the hunt for a used Rainbow Play structure for over a year now, regular price is over $1500 at Costco ( YIKES!) which we cannot afford:) I finally came across a KILLER DEAL on craigslist for the EXACT structure I have wanted for nearly 1/4 of the original price. Needless to say I jumped at the opportunity and called the lady right away. With the help of the grandmas we were able to buy the play structure as a birthday gift for the girls...there was a catch...

The family selling the play structure lives in Carlsbad, since owning the play set they had built other structures around it, so we (Jason & Bob) had to break it down piece by piece to get it out of the yard.

It took a little over three hours but they got it done!

Then came the fun part...re-assembling

Luckily we had a team of guys, Jason, Bob, Jordan, Brian & _____ rebuild the play set, Bob and I took pictures during the demo process so we could remember how to put it back together.

It is a beautiful, sturdy, recently painted play structure and a blessing to our family.

Nevaeh and Trinity LOVE it!!!

Lemon Cream Pasta with Chicken

Can't take credit for this recipe, I got it from my friend Heather who got it from our friend Melissa. It is my new favorite dish ever!!!


Lemon Cream Pasta with Chicken:

3 boneless/skinless chicken breast halves (so 1.5 chicken breasts)

1 lemon, quartered

2 tsp garlic powder, divided

1 tsp black pepper, divided

2 (14.5) oz cans chicken broth

1/4 cup fresh lemon juice

1 (8oz) pkg rotelle pasta

1 cup heavy cream

1 tsp grated lemon zest


Directions:

Preheat over to 350 degrees, place chicken in a lightly greased baking dish. Squeeze lemon over both sides of the chicken breasts and season both sides using 1 1/2 tsp garlic powder and 3/4 tsp black pepper. Bake for 40 minutes or until juices run clear and chicken is no longer pink inside.

Meanwhile, in a large saucepan, season the chicken broth with the remaining 1/2 tsp garlic powder and 1/4 tsp black pepper. Bring to a boil and add lemon juice and pasta. Cook over medium heat stirring occasionally, until all liquid is absorbed, about 25 minutes.

Cut cooked chicken into bite sized and stir into the cooked pasta, along with the cream and lemon zest. Cook, stirring, over low heat for 5 minutes. Remove from heat and let stand 5 minutes. Stir thoroughly before serving.

Camping in Pinzenitta

My parents have had a family trip to Pinzenitta Campground in Julian planned for this Labor Day weekend for over a year! They, along with the Shellhammers, camped there a year ago and though bringing all of the kids and grandkids the following year would be so much fun. We had so much fun spending time with the Shellhammer and Bassham family, despite the heat and the meat bees. Here are a few pictures from our 4 day campout in Julian.

Our trailer:) Gave us a few problems when it came to packing everything up but Jason and the guys figured it out.

Nevaeh & Garrett

Daddy & Nevaeh at the campfire

Ladder Ball Tournament

Man's Best Friend

Amber & Mackenzie

The Girls

Fishing with Troy

Fishing with "Grandpa John"

Tank

Trinnie

Nevaeh

Daddy's Girls