from 4 to 5

I thought I'd try something fun this pregnancy and take pictures along the way. I didn't take as many as I meant to, and I have no idea how many weeks along I was in each one, but I like the way it turned out anyway. Here is our family growing from 4 to 5....

newborn pics and some rambling

I knew that after I had Hays I would be too tired and sore and hormonal to get my act together to do my own newborn shoot. Emily graciously offered to come over and do the shoot for me. She is an amazingly talented lady and got some great shots of my little guy. Here are a few of my favorites...

Love, love, love them. Thank you Emily.

And now for a little mind dump about the last month and a half being a mom of three...

I'm so tired. I thought I was busy before but now...yowza. At the same time, tasks that seemed utterly impossible 3 weeks ago are every day normal now so I guess that means I am slowly getting a hang of this thing.

Hays is a really calm and happy baby. Praise the Lord for that! He is starting to coo and smile a little bit. His cheeks are getting rounder. He is pretty darn cute.

You'd think that the third time around I would have this job down...not so. I find myself pulling out the same old parenting books and asking the same questions I asked the last time around.

Having a baby in the winter is rough. We've all been battling colds and Marlie had the stomach flu over the weekend. I wish I could put Hays in a bubble and keep him safe from all the germs. But alas, I have no bubble and there are a lot of boogers around here. Its going to be a long winter.

Tate is so sweet with Hays. I kind of thought he'd be trying to sit on him and poking him in the eyes. Sure, that might come later, but so far he is adorably sweet and gentle with Hays. He gives him kisses on the feet and cheeks without being prompted, he gets worried when he cries. The whole thing is just too cute.

Marlie is wonderful with Hays. Its amazing what a difference 18 months makes. She is much more helpful this time around. She loves her little brothers and is such a little mother hen with them.

And finally, I'm so thankful for my family and friends. Without Shane picking me up pulling me along I would not be able to do this motherhood gig. Without my mom and mother in law helping me with the kids I would have lost my mind by now. Without the countless friends that have made us dinners over the last few weeks I would have had many more evening melt downs.

And now I must feed Hays one more time and get to bed. This last feeding before bed is wearing me out. I'm trying to relish these newborn days, but lets be honest, I look forward to sleeping through the night sometime in the future!

Hays Morgan

Hays Morgan Duggin made his entrance a month ago tomorrow and I've been trying ever since to find the time to write this post :). The weeks leading up to his birth were some of the hardest in my life so far due to kidney stones. We were so ready for this little guy to come! Without going in to too much detail, it turns out that those kidney stones probably saved Hays' and my life. They kept me off of my feet, kept me from picking up Tate, kept me from going about my normal life. At the time that seemed horrible, but the Lord knew I needed that rest to keep Hays and me safe. I never thought I would say this, but I'm so thankful for those kidney stones. My friend Emily came to the hospital shortly after Hays was born to snap a few priceless photos for us.

Hays has lots of dark hair, dark eyes and looks a lot like Marlie did when she was a newborn with a dash of what Tate looked like.

Marlie and Tate are adjusting pretty well to having this new little guy around. Its busy around here, and loud, and messy, but wonderful. We love you Hays.

family of 4

Baby #3 will be here soon. We are waiting. I'm waddling around. The last few weeks have been interesting. I was surprised by a kidney stone attack and haven't been feeling well ever since. Three kids, three kidney stones. I'm nothing if not consistent. They can't do anything more about the stone until the baby is born so until then we are taking it one day at a time. I'm relying on friends and family to help with Marlie and Tate and people have been amazing. I'm learning to accept all the help and let go of my pride. It hasn't been easy. Shane has proven once again that I have the best husband in the world. He's doing everything I used to do and more to keep things running around here and taking care of me too.

I set up the old tripod and got these shots just before everything got really complicated and I'm so glad that I did. They are part of a longer series that I'll share later. My sweet little family of 4 before we become 5. I sure do love these people and I can't wait to meet the newest addition.

Marlie, my big kindergartner

Last week my Marlie started kindergarten. Unbelievable. What happened? It's so true what they say about mothering small children, the days are long but the years are short.

She loves school. She is still getting used to the fact that it is every day this year. Each morning she comes bouncing in to my bedroom asking "What are we doing today?" Too cute.

Mr. Weston started pre-k 4 at Marlie's school this year. This is the first picture I have of these two together...

and just look at them now....

Ah! I can't believe it!

baby Auggie

Last week my sweet friends Matt and Katie brought over their latest family addition, Auggie, for his first photo shoot. Big sister Sophie came along too and she could not have been cuter. I love these sibling shots...

Little Auggie took a short nap and then he just wanted to look around at everyone. We didn't mind because I mean look at that little face. Those eyes! What a handsome guy.

Congratulations guys! Such a cute family!

Noelle & Rick

While I'm not officially shooting weddings anymore, every once in a while I get the opportunity to be the wedding photographer for close friends. A few weekends ago Shane and I headed to Iowa for Rick and Noelle's wedding. It was an amazing wedding to photograph with so many beautiful details and it was wonderful to see these two sweet friends tie the knot. Click here to see a slideshow of their big day.

blue cookies

Last week we got some blue cookies to tell Marlie that she is going to be big sister to another little brother! Two little boys! I kind of can't believe it. Life is an adventure :).

more of little Elliot

At just 6 days old little Elliot was a perfect angel for her newborn shoot. I just love seeing parents with their new little people.

A special thanks to Emily for helping me with miss Elliot's newborn shoot. Sometimes its nice having another set of hands and another photographer's input. Plus, I just really like her company :).

And thanks to you Elliot for being so sweet and sleepy. You are pretty darn adorable.

Welcome to the world Elliot

Lately when I see people I haven't talked to in a while they are surprised to hear that I am still shooting. I guess that only makes sense since I haven't been blogging my sessions. Yes, I am shooting. Less than I have in past years, but I am still shooting. I am working with sweet families, capturing important moments and loving it. Last week I had the honor of capturing little Elliot's birthday. Welcome to the world little Elliot and congratulations Evan and Lindsey!

Marlie - 5 years old

Marlie, it absolutely cannot be true that you are 5 years old. Its just too big. For five years you've been making me laugh and keeping me on my toes.



You are full of energy all of the time. Like bouncing off the walls energy that makes me smile and also makes me long for a nap :).



You LOVE school. I'm sure that you will be ready for kindergarten in the fall. You love to dance. You love anything pink and sparkly. You love to be outside. You love your little brother. You love people. Half of the time you are the one introducing me to a new friend at the park.



This was a big year for you. You went from being our one and only, to one of two and its been a little rough. Pretty soon there will be a third and I worry a little bit about how you will do, but we'll work out the kinks together. You will always be my first kiddo. I love you to pieces.

Marlie and Tate share the big news

Yep, kiddo #3 is coming sometime in mid-October. Yes, it was on purpose. Yes, are excited! And slightly terrified. Its going to be a little crazy around here,
but life is crazy.

I'm almost through my first trimester already. That was quick! With Marlie and Tate it felt like it lasted forever. I felt so sick that I just wanted to crawl under the covers and never come out. This time around I've felt pretty darn good. Tired, but I can't complain. What a huge blessing!

Welp, that's it. Just wanted to pop in and share the news!

Tate Boy, 1 year old

Oh sweet Tate. I have no idea how a year can have gone by already. I tried not to take the moments for granted and I knew it would go fast, but somehow time still got away from me.



You have a little bit more hair. You have rolls for ankles. You have the softest skin and the squishiest cheeks.



You are talking a lot. You love saying "hi" to everyone we see and "bye" to anyone we leave. You say "no" more than any other word. Sometimes if we tell you we love you, then you will even say it back.



You are walking quite a bit, taking up to 10 steps at a time now. You get so tickled when you walk and giggle the whole way.



You have made this year fun for all of us. You've kept us smiling and laughing. Happy Birthday tiny man. We love you.

little miss Lucy

When I first met Alyssa about a year ago through a mutual friend, she told me a little bit about herself. I was (extremely) pregnant with Tate which got us talking about kids. She shared with me a little bit about her and her husband's journey toward parenthood and their desire to have children. So, when I got an email from her several months later I was elated to hear that they were expecting their first baby.

Little miss Lucy arrived on St. Patrick's Day. She is a tiny little sweet thing and has been spending her days working her way up to 5 pounds. Mom and Dad are smitten.



She was so sleepy. Perfect for her first photo shoot.



Then she even opened her eyes a little bit for us.



fav...



Alyssa's mom was there and we talked her in to getting in a few shots. I'm so glad she agreed because I love this three generations photo...



Congratulations guys! She really is adorable!

Tate Boy 10 mos 1 day

Hi Tatey. Can I take a few pictures of you?

Sure, Cheeeeeeeeeese.....



Oh that's great buddy. How about a close up?

Cheeeeeeeese ....



Great! OK, you can relax now.

Oh, phew.



So, what have you been up to lately? Still trying to eat everything and anything?

Ha! That's the most ridiculous thing I've ever heard.



Well, it sure seems like you put a lot of things in your mouth.

Who me?



Yes you.

That lens you've got there looks really tasty...



No Tatey!

Oh mama, just hold me. Pwease?