I’m playing catchup from last fall! I shot my friends the Erdmans last October and am now invoking the better-late-than-never clause. I enjoy this sweet family so very much; my time with them is always great and editing their images is a joy for me. I hope you enjoy a few pictures from warmer days!
Clara Mei Morehead arrived, safe and sound, into the world yesterday morning! This baby is a dream. I am absolutely mesmerized by her chubby cheeks that softly roll against her little shoulders. I could trace her sweet round arms and legs all day—or at least until she cries and I hand her back to Jason or Renae. Before she was born I guessed she’d weigh around 7lb. Her brothers, who were born six and four weeks prematurely, were quite small, which makes sense. But boy oh boy was my guess off! Clara, full-term, was determined to skip the newborn clothing all together at 9lb, 5oz.
Congratulations, Renae and Jason, on your amazing and beautiful baby girl! You done good, friends.
Though I didn’t cuddle this little guy last night (Jeremy and Livia were sick on Christmas Day), I did get to see him. And that was satisfaction enough.
Joel is absolutely adorable. And big! What a gorgeous 9lb baby! He was getting plenty of love from his grandma, aunts, cousins and Renae, so I know he wasn’t neglected whatsoever. Renae snuggled him right on top of her own very pregnant tummy, and I can’t help but wonder what it will be like to see Joel and little Clara (ETA: Friday morning!) running around the pews at Redeemer together.
In the face of Joel I see evidence of God’s goodness and graciousness and incredible joy. Thank you, God, for blessings like him that strengthen my faith and keep me turning to you in amazement.
The story I have to tell is greater than three images and a few words in a blog post. But for now, these small markers will suffice for representing the larger story. At 1:00am Saturday I received a phone call where Brian Bradley’s voice said something like, “Let’s go, Tredway.” After that, my camera captured snapshots while one Maralee Bradley did the work of a lifetime. Seen above, she’s walking the hallways, smiling before all smiles vanished, and breathing deeply through a contraction.
This post lacks an ending. That beautiful reward a mama literally labors towards happened in a surgical room and, alas, only one person was allowed in. I was kind of hoping Brian would pass out at the last minute so I could dress in scrubs, but no such luck. ;)
The Facebook announcement reads, “For unto us a son is given! Joel Richard Bradley was delivered via C-Section on 12/24/11 at 5:11 pm after 14 hrs of hard labor. He is 9 lbs and 21 1/2 in long.”
I praise God for so much today! And when I finally hold that darling baby in my arms, you can bet I’ll photograph him.
An elf came over and wrapped presents with me today. It was a beautiful elf with a beautiful name. Thanks a million, Rebecca! My elbows and I thank you from the bottom of my heart.
(Yes, that is a pig in a teacup for Livia. No, you may not show her this pic before Christmas.)
At the end of a long day, one where going out to eat seemed the only option, I wasn’t sure what I was going to capture for my DPP shot. Lo and behold, we saw two families we knew at HF Crave tonight. I recalled needing a portrait and they were cool enough to sit still for a moment. Thanks, friends! I hope a good burger and fries cheered up your little one. (I know that Black and Bleu burger made my tummy happy.)
My church is full of quite possibly the cutest children on the planet. Tonight many of them sang in a Christmas choir and they did a wonderful job due to the efforts of their fearless leader Vikki Power (thank you, Vikki!). Here is a shot of my buddy Josh who recited a giant portion of Luke 2. If you are like the rest of us lazy hacks and haven’t actually memorized the passage, here it is:
1 In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. 2 (This was the first census that took place while[a] Quirinius was governor of Syria.) 3 And everyone went to their own town to register.
4 So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. 5 He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. 6 While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, 7 and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.8 And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. 11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. 12 This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”
13 Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,
14 “Glory to God in the highest heaven,
and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”15 When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”
16 So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. 17 When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, 18 and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. 19 But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. 20 The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.
The Redeemer Christmas Party was tonight. Such a great time of hanging out with fun folks. The top shot is my friend Tara, who is also a DPP participant. The bottom shot is the lovely Ashley modeling her white elephant gift.
The first rule of the DPP is don’t talk about the DPP.
Wait, scratch that.
The first rule of the DPP is… don’t leave your camera at home.
Seriously.
DON’T LEAVE YOUR CAMERA AT HOME. It is no good to you there.
Until it really kinda is.
Today I left my camera at home. I was all prepared to photograph my dentist, but somehow the notion of camera got shoved back behind 1) the desire to actually shower before going out in public and 2) my typical dentist office anxiety. However, I’d say things worked out well because, in the end, I snapped this image which I really love. On my way back into the house I saw the Morehead family coming home from lunch. After running in to grab my camera, I quickly snapped a few shots in the snow. Whew, I got my portrait for the day.
