JC-Originals Photography

12/21/2008

Free Family Fun...

Well, that's what we were planning on, but after driving an hour to Grapevine, spending $10 on parking, $21 on Santa pictures, and $14 on drinks-yes, drinks!, it wasn't quite so free. BUT... The looks on the kids' faces will be priceless memories for the rest of our lives. It was great to take off from the grind of the preparation for the holidays!

Here's a series of our evening...

The girls.

The boy hamming it up... as usual.

Watching the trains.

Mommy and her girls.

The Daddy and his boy being silly.

Daddy and his princesses.

Beautiful tree and lights!

Mommy and her little man.

Extreme bodyless close-ups--courtesy of daddy.

The boys...

This is Jasper, he was looking for Santa!

Almost done... The kiddos on the sleigh.

Before we knew it, several hours (and dollars) had passed and it was time to go home. I bet we made it to 635 and 2 our of the 3 were out. Then by 75, the last one was gone too. So it was peace and quiet for mommy and daddy who were able to carry on adult conversation the rest of the way home.

Be sure to scroll down for another post from this morning...

Miracle Baby

Yesterday, I got the honor of photographing a true miracle baby. He's not my first to photograph, and I'm sure not the last. His story is different in that he was born when his mommy was only 24 weeks pregnant. He was born weighing 1.8 lbs and was only 12.5 inches long. He spent a long journey in the hospital and after 5.5 mos. he was able to come home. Awesome, huh?! I'm not sure what he weighs now, but about a month ago he was 11 lbs. 2 oz. and was 21 3/4 long. He is a little over 7 months, but his adjusted age is only a little over 3 months. It's just an amazing story. He still has along road ahead of him and I know his family appreciates all the prayers in the past and welcomes prayers for the future.

So here he is...

He gave me the biggest smile!

He even liked my soft blanket and basket.

He admired the Christmas tree... I'm sure he's the best present his parents have ever gotten!

Then the little guy just tuckered out... So mommy got some loving time with him.

And then we decided to let him finish his nap...

Thank you R Family... He was precious!

12/19/2008

Someone is 7!!

I can't believe it, but I have a 7 year old! It just doesn't seem right... 7 years ago from yesterday, Kevin and I were bringing our first baby into our lives. Almost a 12 hour labor, oxygen for heartrate dips, having my bed turned almost upside down for my own dips, vaccuum to get her out, resusitation-sp?, etc. Quite a ride... But she was perfect... All 6 lbs. 2 oz. and 18 inches of her! And then less than 24 hours later she was being whisked away to the NICU for extremely elevated bilirubin levels (for an infant of her age). In the NICU it was discovered that she had an enlarged liver, enlarged kidney, 2 holes in her heart, a PDA, and a blood disorder that no one could figure out. Those were probably the longest 9 days of my life while we lived in the nearest hotel to the hospital. It took 11 months to diagnose her blood disorder, but once we found the right doctor, he knew within the first couple of visits with us (after testing).

Fast forward 7 years and you'd never know what she had been through... She's happy, healthy and spunky! 7 going on 17!

We had just a little get together last night at our humble abode with family. Here's just a little bit of our fun! And yes, these pictures were taken in straight auto... Pinlights and all--maybe even a red eye or two, sometimes you've just got to take the day off from full manual!

Birthday girl blowing out her candles.