short. but sweet!

Oh dear blog, how I've missed you!  I feel like I've been away forever.  I have so much to say, and so many wonderful (and hilarious) things to share with y'all.  But I've had the world's longest day today, I could almost swear to it.  And so for now, I will simply leave you with this darling image of a beautiful mama-to-be.  Lacy was such a trooper during her downtown Tampa maternity session..  And I simply can't wait to meet the sweet baby boy inside this perfect little round tummy:

More from this session tomorrow...  I've got lots of images to share!  :)

tweet tweet

So I've joined Twitter.  A couple of months ago actually, but I didn't want to post about it here until I felt like I could keep up with it on a frequent basis.  lol!  I have to say, I find it refreshing to just give a quick 140-character status update sometimes, rather than blog about something on my mind when I have no photos to go with!  Thus, I've joined the masses.  You can check out my Twitter status box at the very bottom of the blog (yep, keep scrolling down), or you can "follow me" by just signing up (it's free!) at www.twitter.com and clicking on my profile here.  Then click on "follow" under my photo.  And, bam, you're in the know about all things Stacey Woods Photography.  Don't you feel better now?  :)

one that makes me smile

Just one for now.  More to come soon from this little session.  :)

this is a test. this is only a test.

My website and blog might be down for a few hours here and there in the next few days. I'm finishing up some back-end upgrades to my site, blog, gallery slideshows and {brand new} ordering cart. Everything will be up and running again shortly. Thanks so much for your patience! I am excited about all the new changes to my look, my logo, and my soon-to-come ordering cart. My intention is that it will make the ordering process simplified for my clients, and that it can be done solely at your convenience as well! Hope y'all have a great evening. I've got to get back to proofing. :)

on to the big words now

A bit of our after-school conversation from yesterday afternoon: ME:  So tell me, buddy, what letter are you learning this week in preschool?

PARKER: The letter N!

ME:  Oooh that's a good one!  Can you tell me a word that starts with N? (assuming he'd say "nest", or some other smallish word)

PARKER:  (thinking for a minute, then grinning huge) "Negotiations" starts with N!

Oh. My. Stars.  What 5-year-old says words like "negotiations"??

sometimes you just have to shout, apparently.

So I've been pulling some late nights recently.  Skipping a vitamin here and there.  Running?  Who feels like exercising when I'm so tired from staying up late?  Eating healthy?  Nah, let me just grab this quick snack here. Not to mention, my children have both been sick for two-and-a-half weeks, and still are.  Yes, we're a regular germ-fest over here. My body has been warning me for weeks, in a nice, gentle, polite sort of way.  A yawn here and there....  "Stacey, come on, we're all tired in here.  Go to bed."  A migraine that lasts the entire weekend....  "Stace, seriously, you need to slow down, girl, you're pushing it."  Well, I'm pretty good at just flat-out ignoring my body when it quietly nudges me.  So apparently, it got tired of me neglecting its advice, and decided to SCREAM at me.  I woke up this morning thinking I'd been hit by a Mac truck......  "FINE.  I tried to warn you of what would happen.  But no, you wouldn't listen, would ya?  You had to stay up late, you had to do this, you had to do that.  So guess what?  Now you have no choice, because we're all SICK in here.  Your tonsils, your throat, your head, your ears, your entire body needs a stinkin' break.  Hrmph.  So there."  Okay, okay, I hear ya!  Mercy.

After a quick visit to my doctor this morning (who, might I add, was wearing a face-mask, love his heart), I am officially taking the rest of the day off.  And maybe tomorrow too.  I'm sorry my body had to shout to get my attention.  Gosh, it gets so touchy sometimes.  ;)  I'll return all calls and emails in a day or so when I'm feeling human again.  Thanks so much!

_______________

Before I go back to bed (and enjoy the sound of this much-needed rain), I want to share some images that I've been meaning to post forever and just haven't had time.  My dear friend Stephanie Beaty, of Lifeography fame, moved to VA Beach a couple of months ago.  Before she left, we got our kids together for one last playdate (and one last photoshoot - see how that all works together without the kids knowing it?!  lol).  Here are some of my favorite images of the day.  I already miss her so very much, and feel incredibly blessed to have gotten to know her for the time that she lived here.  As Anne of Green Gables used to say, she is a "kindred spirit."  :)  Good luck, sweet Steph, in growing your business as a Virginia Beach child photographer!  You are loved for your amazing work, as well as your amazing heart.  xoxo

I loved how they just seemed to blend into the tree.  Little chameleons, they were.

Notice the wet tushy?  :)

More by my favorite tree, in my favorite park.  In my favorite yummy light.  Loved these.

Stephanie posted some images of us too (and a tear-jerker of a post), if you'd like to take a peek at her blog...  :)

And yes.  We had preschoolers AND babies with us, so we got by with the help of our Beco carriers.  Isn't she cute with Finn on her back?  There's an image on Steph's blog of me photographing Liam, with Lila on my back.  Hey, ya do what ya gotta do to get the shot!  ;)

My favorite day. :)

Just wanted to stick my head in here and wish all my Mom clients, readers, family and friends a HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!  Especially to those Mamas who weren't Mamas this time last year, and are celebrating their very first Mother's Day tomorrow.  :)  A huge congrats to y'all!!  Myself, I still find it hard to believe that my sweet Lila wasn't around this time last year either.  Wow.  How much difference a year can make!!  I still remember being pregnant, HOT, uncomfortable, yet blissfully rocking my big tall boy to sleep in the chair outside.  I remember that song, the smell of jasmine (which thankfully is in full bloom again in the backyard), and the little plastic sharks.  :)  I had to laugh when I went back to that post to grab the link... Chris told me this evening that he bought steaks, shrimp, and corn on the cob to grill out tomorrow evening.  Looks like we're unconsciously starting a Mother's Day tradition around here!   Anyhow, I'll be away from the computer all day tomorrow.  I anticipate being knee-deep in bear hugs and "sugars".  And who knows, maybe I'll pull out the Trace Adkins again.  ;)

I'm wishing for... another beautifully-messy homemade card from Parker.   sweet baby kisses from Lila. a nice relaxing lunch with my little family. phone calls to/from both our Moms. warm little arms around my neck. watching a Spiderman episode on tv with my little web-crawler. hearing my littlest one calling, "Mah-MUH!" from the crib when it's wake-up time (and even when it's not!). a quiet dinner with my sweet husband, to whom I'm so grateful today for MAKING ME A MAMA.  :) and most of all?  A NAP.  Seriously... I've got a major sleep deficit creeping up on me!

I hope YOU get all the love you can squeeze out of the day. 

And hey, Mom?  Nancy?  HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY.  We all love you to bits and pieces, and wish we could be with you both today!  xoxoxoxox

Lila was two days old in the above photos.  :)  

Parker saying goodbye to my mom ("Nammie") after one of their trips here from KY.  And below laughing with Grandma (Chris's mom) in the backyard.  He always gets so sad when his grandparents leave to go back home.  Especially those snuggly Grandmas and Nammies.  :)

This last image is special to me.  Now, looking through my Photographer's Eyes, it's full of technical flaws.  It was very late at night, and the only lighting was the lamp on the nightstand in our room.  Lots of grain, it was underexposed using a high ISO... it's a technical mess, really.  But my Mommy Eyes see nothing but Heaven here.  My babies.  Snuggled up to me in bed.  Lila was 10 days old here, and Parker was just amazed by her.  So proud.  So sweet.  I remember this moment like it was yesterday... cuddled up with MY TWO CHILDREN this time.  Chris stopped in the doorway and smiled at us, and I whispered, "Pleaaaaase go get my camera!!!"  He obliged, and grabbed this shot for me at whatever settings the camera happened to be on last.  AND I LOVE HIM DEARLY FOR THIS!  

I hope y'all have a blessed Mother's Day.  Go hug your kids!!  I'm going to check on mine one last time before turning in.  And steal a kiss or two.  ;)

xoxo, Stacey

it's the little things...

... that I love so much about my family sessions.  Like a quick glance back.... and a sweet unexpected wave.  :)

Tiny feet...

And even silly faces!  (You just wait, these boys are going to be heart-breakers one day soon.  Just look at that wink!)

Honest portraiture.  That's what it's all about.  I aim to capture boys being boys (walking sticks and all)....

...babies being babies...

...Mamas and Daddies lovin' on each other.

Cause that's the heart of the family anyways, isn't it?  It's not some photographer making you sit still, turn your head this way or that.  Your family is about YOU.  Not me.  :)  I just want to photograph you the way you are.  Even if that means the baby has her fingers in her mouth!  (And seriously, how unbelievably precious is that anyhow?!)

Let me just say, this sweet family was awesome to work with.  The boys were so much fun, I think I laughed for the majority of the session.  And part of the time I held back a little ways, photographing them from afar, just watching them explore the water, the trees, the sticks, the horseshoe crabs who'd lost their way.  Mom and Dad were so laid back, which truly makes what my job so much easier.  Baby girl was snuggly and a little unsure at first, but by the end of the session, she was giggling in Daddy's arms.

And putty in Mama's.  ;)

Thank you, sweet family of six, for letting me capture who you are!  I hope you enjoy your images.  :)

the "newborn shoot" that didn't happen.

Baby Lena had a tough way to go during her first few days of life, and consequently had to spend quite a bit of time in the hospital during the "ideal" newborn shoot timeframe.  Tsk, tsk, priorities, priorities, lol!  ;)  But I'm so glad that Lena's mama contacted me a few weeks ago to inquire about a shoot for her.  After all, babies never stop growing, no matter how much you wish they would.  She'll never be this little ever again!

Mom really wanted a basket shot, and I desperately wanted to give it to her!  The basket shot typically looks best if the baby is asleep.  But guess what... Lena is actually 3 months old!  Not quite a sleepy newborn anymore!  But that's okay.  I have more patience and stamina than just about any baby around... so, we simply waited her out!  Sweet girl put up a real good fight, but in the end... guess who won.  :)

Let me tell you, once she was out... she was OUT.  We were even able to move her to the beanbag for some sleepy shots there!  After I gently eased her into the last position, she popped her pretty blue eyes open as if to say, "I don't think so, lady!"  ;)  

Love her heart!  :)  Brittany and Jack, I'm so honored to have been able to preserve this time for you.  You've been blessed with such a sweet little girl, and I'm so lucky to have met her.... and you!

xo, Stacey

Oh, and yes I'm completely aware that my logo stamp is very different in all the above images.  Call me indecisive, but I'm feeling the need for something new!  Bear with me while I experiment.  ;)

just one

I've got a little guy with a fever tonight, so I've a long night ahead.  Think I'll try and get some sleep while I can!  But I wanted to quickly share just one image from a recent baby session...  this little ladybug completely stole my heart.

I'll be back with more from their session tomorrow!  Sweet lil' girl.  :)