The past 8 weeks I’ve been struggling with what the doctors diagnosed as Hyperemesis Gravidarum (HG). Imagine the worst case of food poisoning that you’ve ever had…now imagine that it lasts for 20 weeks straight, or possibly 40. I can’t say that this is a pleasant pregnancy, I hoped to avoid HG this time, but the outcome is worth all of the struggles. Randy (I should start calling him “The Saint” instead of TGR) has taken over control of our house, including care of our kids and care of me as well. My work has come to a complete standstill because I’ve only left the house a handful of times since July. This is a huge struggle for me because I love my job, clients and the socialization that comes with it. Thankfully, I’ve basically missed out on the hottest summer EVER and pray to be feeling more like myself come October. Fall is my favorite time of year, especially in Tennessee, and I’m so excited to enjoy it with *hopefully* a clear mind and a healthy body. With as sick and dehydrated as I am right now, THAT is what I’m looking forward to.
FALL!
I didn’t miss it!
Little blessings are everywhere.


I hope everyone has a fantastic holiday weekend! Much love from the couch at the Crafton house!

This weekend, I was trying to schnooker the bride’s sister into taking a picture with her husband. She hesitated and asked how many pictures I actually had with my husband. To which I giggled and said: “Ummmmm….a lot”
That poor man has been putting up with my, “wait wait wait, let’s take a picture” for years now. Originally, it started as a way to document our life for the kids to see when they were older. Now it’s evolved into trying to capture our love, our connection, our ridiculous personalities…regardless of what the kids think. We’ve had multiple professional sessions together but most of the time it’s just us and our trusty self portraits (or whenever we can schmooze a stranger or friend into snapping one for us). I don’t think you can ever really have too many pictures with your love.











Images from two different weddings coming soon! Look for them this week!

Diving in head first for this announcement and making the Family Friday a Family Thursday post!
We’ve been wanting another child for years now but have been met with challenges, sadness and eventually hope. A few months ago, we decided to take a break from the RE’s office and to try a more natural approach. Through a roundabout way, we found Rachel Davis (at the Green Hills Natural Health Clinic) and signed up for fertility massages and acupuncture. I felt more positive about this journey than I had with years of doctors and fertility clinics. Much to my surprise, two months later, there it was. The all illusive positive test. Staring at me. Anyone that has been through a loss or fertility problems knows how scary it can be to actually see a positive pregnancy test.
I didn’t believe it and took another one. Yep, still positive.
I had just dropped Randy at the airport (heading to NY for an overnight business trip) and it KILLED me not to call him the second I found out. I knew this would be our last child, rounding out the 3 kids that we wanted, so I wanted to surprise him with the news in a special way. I called our dear friends Chris & Adrienne and asked if one of them could meet me at the airport when R’s flight came in the next day. I wanted to catch his reaction as he stepped off the plane to the kids’ “welcome home” signs and my “Welcome home…and surprise!” sign with a picture of the test. Poor, sweet man just thought Chris was there to catch the moment of him coming back to Nashville.



Then I told R that I made a sign for him too…and flipped it over:

Finally understanding what was going on…



*swoon*

This past week we had a scare and thought that we would lose the baby. We were overwhelmed with sadness and nervous energy until we saw the beautiful heartbeat this morning on the ultrasound. Pure joy!!! It’s still early in this journey, so we appreciate your prayers for a healthy (and hopefully, from now on, uneventful) pregnancy!
(And, Chris, thank you again love. You have no idea how much these images mean to us.)

I’ve been slacking on the blog lately so I belatedly bring you the Family Friday Saturday post. This week has been wild for our family. One of those weeks where you drink in how blessed you are and look at your children with new, bright eyes. My husband came home from New York last night and seeing my babes fly at him, as he descended the escalator, was overwhelming. I am so lucky and I hope I never get used to that fact. And all this schmoopy babbling after I had my identity stolen and our account wiped out by some idiot buying electronics in California. Those things are so minor when there is so much out there left to discover, and stand in awe of. *blissfulsigh*

Honestly, I struggled when my son turned five. Not sure what it is about that age that screams “no more baby” but that’s the marker in my mind. Next week my baby girl will turn 5 and we’re throwing her big birthday bash tomorrow. Princesses, princesses everywhere. Think happy thoughts for me, so that I may avoid an emotional meltdown.

Happy birthday my sweet, vivacious, hilarious, ornery, wild little Gemini. You are such a joy and I will always be thankful for your place in my life. I’m so sad the baby days are behind you but I can’t wait to see the beautiful things that lie in your future. I love you to the moon and back.
“Tisses” and PINK SHOES to you!
Love Mom

Another Friday… Saturday Family post (next Friday I’ll be back home, without limited upload speed)! This time just a simple quote that one of my dear friends sent to me, about wonder, and a few images from the Kids Rock The Block Party at Rosemary Beach.

“Do you allow yourself to feel wonder about the amazing things the universe has to offer? Children do it with no problem. A cloud becomes a giraffe; a bug is diligently followed with incredible intensity; an ice cream cone is an exercise in sheer delight. Don’t allow life to take away those magical feelings because you’re too busy or stressed out. It’s what makes life worthwhile!” ~ Loretta LaRoche

Friday Family post! It’s no secret that my husband and I wrestling with the “where should we live?” idea. With both of us working from home, we could really be anywhere in the country…or even overseas. Currently we’re searching all over Tennessee, as well as places like Florida (the beach, my love!), Montana and Wisconsin. Chattanooga or Sewanee are quite high up on the ranking because both of us love the outdoors and living in an art community, and I’m still accepting weddings in that area. Below are a few images from a Sewanee engagement session…I love their campus!
Any other suggestions of areas around the country that you all love?

I know a lot of moms/dads that get caught up on getting the “perfect” picture of their children. It’s interesting to see them at the parks yelling, “Look over HERE! LOOK!” , while the child scowls angrily at having to stop their playtime for the camera. My father was (and is) a photographer but was never intrusive outside of the occasional picture on the holidays, so I learned to love the camera when it was around. With that in mind, I cut our beach pictures short (which KILLED me since it was their first time there) and only made the kids hang out with me shooting for 5 minutes. I could tell they were already annoyed with me when I wanted them to smile blissfully at the camera. They looked everywhere other than at me.

Scratch that, let’s try something else. “Hey big man, think you can pick up and carry your sister?”

They giggled their way through the five minute session with no “put the camera way, mom!” in sight. Hey, if they’re enjoying themselves then THAT is the perfect picture in my mind.

Have a beautiful weekend everyone!

Yes, I’m that mom blogger that often loves to do the “my kids say the darndest things” posts. It’s Family Friday here on the blog, deal with it. Here are just a few of my recent favorites:

Baby Girl: This one time…when mama was on speed…
Randy: You mean when mom was speeding?
Baby Girl: No, when mama was on speed and the cops weren’t around…
(we had to gently remind her that they’re called police officers and if you tell those police officers that mommy is “on speed”, instead of speeding, they might repo the kids)

BG: I made friends with a boy at school mom.
Me: Oh?
BG: But don’t worry…we didn’t make friends like dogs and sniff each other’s bootys.

Little Man: Why are you coloring on your eyes?
Me: It’s called eyeliner buddy. Make up.
LM: Oh, I thought you were dressing up like those mimes but…you know…skin colored.
(Natural make up FAIL)

BG: Will you photo-mo-graph MY wedding?
Me: If both of you want me to.
BG: Mom you HAVE to! I’ll tell the boy he’s dumb if he says no.

Have a beautiful weekend everyone!

Dear kiddos,
It’s been a rough day here at the house. I’ve been meaning to get so much work done and you’ve been just like this, attached to my leg….

So today I’ll shut down Photoshop, turn the computer completely off, put the phone on vibrate and play. REALLY play. I know these moments of you wanting me to be around are fleeting and eventually you’ll be going off on your own. I love you kiddos. Watch out, I’m coming after you….green silly string in hand.
Love, Mom

Have a beautiful weekend everyone!