90/365: Happy Easter!

Exactly 3 months into this project....

Happy Easter!

89/365: Protective Older Brother

Today, my mother-in-law came over to help clean up the house. We're so lucky to have such an awesome support system!

I spent the day snuggling and nursing my sweet peanut. I was feeling good enough to take some photos of her today. I'm not sharing them yet - I have to edit, but here's a sneak peek.

Hannah was getting a little restless, so big brother came in to keep an eye on her. He's such a sweet pup! I snapped the shot quickly, so I wouldn't miss the moment, so my settings are off, but glad I caught it!

88/365: Rest & Recovery

I woke up this morning wanting to take some newborn photos of sweet Hannah, but when it proved to be incredibly painful to just get out of bed, I knew it wasn't going to happen. My dear husband ordered me to the couch and to not do a thing. Sounds nice, but it's pretty hard to do! So, here we are. Hannah and me, relaxing and recovering!

I couldn't decide if I preferred color or black & white (high key). This project is proving to me that I definitely prefer black & white photos. What's your preference?

My other "kids" have been relaxing most of the day too... love those buggers.

87/365: Mommy-Daughter Day

Dustin went back to work today, so my mom came over to help me since I'm restricted to almost everything during my recovery. It was such a great visit and she helped with so many things! Dusted, did some wash, made dinner... thanks Mom!

Looking through and editing the pictures I took, I can't help but feel incredibly blessed. Not a day goes by that I don't thank God for everything He's given me, but some days I stop and my breath is taken away. The picture above isn't just my mom holding my little girl.... it's my mom holding my little girl. Wow.

Growing up, and even now, my mom has always said, "I'm so happy God chose you to be my daughter." I, too, have always said that I thank God He chose her to be my mom. And now, I can say, and completely understand where my mom's heart is when she says this. I am so thankful God chose me as Hannah's mom. If I'm half the mother my mom was, I know I will have fulfilled my role.

I love you Mom!!

86/365: Transmission Poles

As Dustin and I were driving to Hannah's doctor's visit today, we passed a big parking lot full of these "pipe thingies." The color of them was an interesting contrast against the sky, so I had Dustin pull in on our way home so I could snap some shots. 

Turns out these "pipe thingies" are transmission poles; funny how I found them so fascinating considering Dustin is an electrical lineman!

P.S. Hannah had a great first doctor's visit!

85/365: A Birth Story

Everyone has a birth story. I know my mother has my story written down in a journal somewhere, and I've heard it dozens and dozens of times. Growing up, it was always embarrassing; however, as I got older, I realized how lucky I am to have a mom who shared these details with us. Becoming a mother is nothing short of a miracle and this amazing blessing that can hardly be explained through words, written or verbal.

Hannah will know her birth story. I started a journal for her when I found out I was pregnant, and I have always been a writer, like my mom. (Side note - when our labor & delivery nurse heard Hannah's name she said, "Hannah Gray. What a great name. It sounds like a writer!"). I've started writing out her story, but certainly can't finish it in one sitting - this babe keeps me busy, and I love it!

84/365: Macro Monday

Naturally, your Macro Monday is baby feet. Heel pricked, but still the cutest feet I've ever seen. 

83/365: Palm Sunday

MeMe and Poppop stopped by the hospital to give me Eucharist and to give Hannah her first Palms! Look how excited she is...

She is just the sweetest thing.

82/365: Hello My Name Is...

Hannah Gray Miller. Born March 23, 2013 at 12:28 am, 21 1/2 in. long, 7lb. 1 oz. Our hearts are bursting.

81/365: Farm Friday

This farm is literally in our backyard. You just have to climb over the small wall of rocks (which is impossible once all the shrubbery fills in). I love that I didn't have to leave the house today to give you your Farm Friday shot!

It's edited to suit the day. Overcast and COLD. It is spring, right?!

80/365: Macro Thursday

Here's a macro for you even though it's not Monday. Any guesses?

79/365: Happy 1st Day of Spring!

Grayson chose the sun over the fire place.... it's definitely spring!

78/365: Tummy Tuesday

I was so happy the sun came out today! I've been wanting to take a Tummy Tuesday picture outside for... well, since I started taking them! Most of them have been taken after work, in a dark house... definitely a challenge!

I grabbed my tripod and my handsome husband and we headed outside. Taking self portraits is always tricky; you have to meter & focus off of something or someone who isn't really going to be at that point of metering and focus when the shot is taken. Dustin is always such a good sport at following my hard to understand directions.

Testing, 1-2-3...

Here's the winning Tummy Tuesday picture. I experimented with how I wanted the sun to play a part in the image. Having it hit my belly seemed most appropriate and fun.

Since this could possibly be our LAST Tummy Tuesday, I took a few more for safe keeping (but let's be honest, we could end up with 2 more Tummy Tuesdays.... (at the most).

77/365: Food Trip

I'm so happy the weather held out so I could get to the grocery store. My trip to Wegmans, was, by far, the  biggest, most organized and most expensive grocery trip I have ever made. You can't tell by the picture, but the cart is mostly filled with a ton of produce and meat. I made a total of 6 crock pot meals (that's really 12 for us), minus 1 meal (I forgot an onion, so I'll get that tomorrow), snacks for the hospital, regular food run, and dinners for this week. It was hugely successful!

To top it off, I got an ocular migraine as I left the store. If you haven't ever had one, or have never heard of them.... look it up. It's not fun! I made it home safely, prepped the meals, and cleaned the kitchen.

Now, it's time to make my "to-do" list for tomorrow, then put my feet up and get to bed early. I have to take advantage of this 3rd trimester burst of energy!

I snapped this shot with my phone, and it suits the picture of the day perfectly.

76/365: All Things Irish

Being Irish, I certainly can't pass up on Irish photos today...

Each year, I try to make Riley (our Irish Setter) wear something Irish, and he fights me harder and harder each year. This is about the best we could do. He's still cute though.

Look at that face! Ha! I had to jump in too...

Here are some Irish Potatoes, my favorite St. Patty's Day treat. (No, I did not eat all of these!)

Aside from our Irish fun today, we're continuing to get ready for baby girl... don't get me wrong, we're ready, but with each day she isn't here, there's more we can do. Dustin's starting to tile the basement, and I researched different frozen meal recipes and made a shopping list for tomorrow (if the weather permits running errands tomorrow!).

But, our most important accomplishment today, that took all of 5 minutes, was installing the car seat!! Dustin did it like a pro. He's ready!

 

75/365: More Snow?

The forecast was for rain and possible snow showers all day. Well, there was no rain, just snow showers, and by snow showers, I mean snow falling all day long. Though, since it's so warm, it didn't stick to the roads. 

Spring is definitely around the corner though. Grayson has been giving up his spot in front of the fire for his spot at the dining room table that offers the best view of all the birds flying around in our backyard!

74/365: Farm Friday

Haha! I couldn't help myself! Since I couldn't get a picture of a farm today, Dustin suggested this shot, and it was too funny not to do :).

I couldn't stop to take a picture of a farm today because it was my last day of work... wahoo!! My very tired and very pregnant body is ready for some rest before baby, if baby decides to give me a couple days! Even though it was my last day, I stayed a bit later to wrap up some final lose ends. On my way home, I was thinking of going a long way that passes a few more farms to see if I could find a good shot, but when I called Dustin to tell him I was on my way home, he told me he made dinner reservations and I had JUST enough time to get home to make it. So, the farm shots were sacrificed and I'm a-okay with that because I had a delicious dinner with my handsome husband!

Hooray for maternity leave!

73/365: Covered Bridge

Here is one of many covered bridges in Bucks County. I pass this one every other day; so, of course it would inevitably become a picture of the day.

72/365: Are you ready?

I have to chuckle when people ask "Are you ready? Do you have everything you need?"...

This is only ONE row of hung clothes - don't even get me started on the drawers that are full! And, yes, we have diapers, and a car seat (getting installed this weekend), and everything else you could possibly think of.

Yes.... we're ready.

71/365: Tummy Tuesday

Today is 38 weeks. I can't believe it! Two weeks until the official due date arrives: March 26th. Start placing your bets!! When do you think Baby Girl Miller will arrive?

70/365: Macro Monday

It's your Macro Monday. Know what this is?

69/365: Initials

I always find it interesting to see initials and names carved in trees. Many of the trees at Jasper Park have carvings in them. Who are they? What's their story? Are they still together? It looks like the date next to the initials is '79. Could it be? 

Riley loves going to Jasper. Even when mommy waddles and asks him to sit to take a break along the way. He's such a good sport. 

While we were waddling through the park, Dustin was at home painting the basement. It's almost done!

68/365: Happy Birthday, Alex!!

Our nephew, Alex, turns 2 on March 15th, so we celebrated today. Before we left the party, I grabbed a few shots of Alex with his mom and dad. I loved how the sun was setting and wish I had had more energy to do different shots with them, but also couldn't keep them away from their guests for too long. In hindsight, I wish I had taken some shots with a smaller aperture. I'm so excited to have a 50mm f/1.8 that I sometimes forget to set that aperture to a different setting! Regardless, I got some nice pictures. Here's one of my favorites, despite having cut off their feet!

67/365: Farm Friday

It's amazing how the grounds were snow covered and the snow was falling all day long, but when school was out for the day and I headed to my car, there was hardly any snow left and the sun was out! This was a picture I could take from the school parking lot; lucky us working in such a beautiful area!

If you shift your sight to the left a tad, this is what you see...

I feel like that "bonsai" looking tree is completely out of place!

66/365: Personification Photography

One of my favorite blogs/websites to follow is Click It Up a Notch. Recently, she posted a photography challenge of trying out personification photography - giving an inanimate object human traits.

This is my first shot at it (no pun intended). The hardest part, was trying to line the floor straight in the frame... not the easiest task with a big belly in my way making it impossible to lay flat! I did my best though. I think I'll try a few more personification photos after today. It's definitely a creative challenge.

My own critique... definitely should have closed my aperture to create a sharper picture. Live and learn.

Since Grayson was yesterday's picture of the day, I felt like I couldn't use him again, but I can't not share this picture! His newest obsession is stealing my back up shower loofa - he loves the netting.

I think G knows a baby is on its way. He won't leave my side!!