Picture Perfect

Notice I haven't blogged in a while? Yes, I have a newborn. Adam Jerome was welcomed August 27th and has captured my heart, my time and my brain cells.

My six week maternity leave has come and gone and today was my last day home. I wanted to conquer the world today - well at least get some of my to-do list done before I go back to work.  (I must insert here that Adam is colicky and most events like going out to eat or a trip to Target include him in tears and us doing everything to not be stared at by everyone in the joint)

So, in a usual moment of insanity I decide today would be the best day for his 6 week pictures. While he screams, I pack his diaper bag and rush out the door. This would be my first experience with Expressions by Ashton photography and my anxiety level is increasing as I realize I am in fact doing this - and without the help of my hubby. Ugh...

I arrive barely on time but Adam is handsome as can be and ready to go in our favorite outfit. Of course he is hungry so I feed him a little while I wait for our photographer.  As Adam is eating, he poops. Poops big. Poops through his outfit. (the only one I have)

So, it's time for our session and Adam has poop up and down his back. Thankfully, our photographer is an old Apple-buddy (co-worker from my days at Applebee's) and I start to feel a little better as she leads me to our private room where I can change Adam and get started with the no-outfit-needed photos.

I clean up Adam and as he is sitting on my lap waiting for his first lights and camera action -  he pees. All over himself, all over me and some spilled onto the studio floor. I am ready to run out screaming but I am here - determined and stubborn -  and he isn't crying so I better take what I can get.

The patient, amazing and beautiful Carmen, (my apple-buddy now photographer) takes Adam from me and BEAUTIFULLY positions him. I can't believe my eyes. He is sitting pretty as a picture, with his tiny hands tucked under his head and his legs perfectly curled. But before Carmen can say cheese - he is crying. Crying to the point we have to start over and now to make matters worse his sensitive skin is breaking out into a rash. Ugh...

The next hour looks like a beautiful dance you would see on Dancing with the Stars with Carmen and I handing off Adam, the pacifier, the props and organizing different positions. The song Carmen sings to go along with our dance is a perfect combination of soothing and distracting and entertaining notes. All designed to capture the heart of a 6 week old.

Even though some of these poses we only had time to snap 2 or 3 shots, I couldn't be happier with the end results. Picture perfect you might say.

I laugh when I look at these, because you would never guess what we went through to get here. It makes me wonder what the "true" story is behind every smile.

(check out the pics - http://www.expressionsbyashton.com/ and click on find photos and enter Heather Ostrowski)