Until you have a child of your own, words cannot describe to you the kind of love I feel these days for our sweet baby girl. It’s a surreal, all-encompassing, indescribable, knocks-you-on-your-back, eternal, kind of love. A love that melts your heart and your reasoning all at the same time. A love that puts EVERYTHING in perspective and shows you the meaning of depth and dedication. A love that draws you closer to God.

I am officially addicted to Mia…

One more thing I TRULY love? When fabulous friends, who also happen to be clients, refer their other fabulous friends to me to “do what I did for them”. And when the referring client gets just as excited to see the newly referred clients’ shots as we are…that’s my kind of passionate person! THAT’s the kind of peeps I love to hang out with. And that’s the adorable situation with my sweet friends, The Boutwell’s, who referred their sweet friends, The Reiss’, to me to capture the beautiful joy of their little family.

Not only did I have a blast capturing the adventurous Boutwell Family (check it out here), but the Reiss’ were obviously cut from the same cloth. They were adorable, fun, and open to whatever I had in mind. And when it came to their choice of album covers? I have three little words for you…Lime Green Leather! GORGEOUS and soooo much fun! So obviously I wanted to do a fun album design to go with it…full of color, joy and the boundless energy that is their kids.

Here’s just a snippet of their joy for you. But be warned…it’s contagious!

[moh-tuh-vey-shuhn]

noun

This week has been a continued week of challenges:  ongoing bed rest & meds to keep our sweet baby girl growing INSIDE of me instead of a NICU, cracks in our new home’s slab foundation, financial balance between our home construction and my not working, broken water pipes in our temporary condo, family health issues, not owning a large enough share of Anthropologie to allow me to walk in the door and just take anything I want…the list goes on and on.

It’s always interesting to me the rate at which obstacles can appear once the first one is brave enough to step inside my door. It’s like a Wii hurdle competition…after the initial shock wears off, I’m deftly leaping over each new hurdle like they were an ugly loafer in the shoe aisle at Nordy’s Half-Yearly sale. But after a few laps, I feel my motivation wane and I lose focus on the finish line. I start looking at my feet instead of at the prize. I trip on a few but continue to push on until I feel like I’m too weak to go on. Shuffling, hobbling, limping in between each new hurdle, it’s then that I look around and see that I’m not alone. I don’t have to continue on by myself…I’m flanked by my hubby and surrounded by amazing family & friends who are all running along side of me to make sure I clear each jump…passing me water & shouting encouragement. And when I fall flat on my back…I’m reminded to look up, to my amazing Lord, who conquered all of this before me, and so very much more.

So I had to cancel a few months of shoots!…those of my clients who can wait and who love the work I do for them, will still graciously be there when I’m back on my feet.

So my kitchen’s torn up & soaked through!…my incredible friend and landlord just showed up with a plumber and brought me a hot sandwich for lunch and took sleepy Duke out for a midday potty break.

So we’re on a tighter budget than we thought we’d be for the pre-baby house construction!…eating leftovers instead of dining out and finding a crib on CraigsList versus the window at Pottery Barn is NOT going to kill me.

Who am I to complain? Who am I to stress or worry? What do I really have to fear? Nothing! Absolutely nothing! No hurdles, no speedbumps, no pitfalls, can change the course I’m on…onward & upward!  No scabs, no bruises, no scars, are going to change the person I am inside…they make me stronger & wiser! And who can’t use more wisdom?!

And really…bed rest? All the motivation I need to get over my A.D.D. and bypass my always-on-the-go personality, is contained in this adorable little growing bundle stuck to the front of me. All I need to do is glance down at little Peanut in her cozy womb…and my body’s staying planted in this bed! We definitely need at least one more belly bump snapshot for her nursery wall pano!

The motivation to stay the course, to focus on others rather than my own minor woes, is here. And it’s not going anywhere!

Watch out hurdles…you’ve met your match!

Eyes fixed on the prize,

Betsy  xo

Matt & Christy don’t just live on boat in a marina off the coast of San Diego. They don’t just randomly use umbrellas as sails while they skateboard together. And they certainly don’t just make my heart melt with the love they share for their soon-to-be-here little baby boy. They OWN it! This couple inspires me to live simpler, say less & mean more, share more of my time with others, create more joy in every little detail, and be a better mate…they are truly some of the most special people you may ever meet. Here’s a quick glimpse into their Land of Love with the baby boy who is soon to be blessed to join their journey through this world…

Oh yes…did I mention they rule the boards? Skate, surf and I’m sure snow as well! Seeing as I ALWAYS end up on my derriere, this is one talent I covet and respect them highly for. *sigh*

Their little nautical home is the cutest thing you’ll ever see! And they even have a wash machine on-board that washes and DRIES clothes all in one little unit! Boggles my mind!

I think Matt’s offering Christy the world on a string here…

She was sooo busy in the womb during the Sonogram and had us giggling. Then she finally struck THIS (below) jack knifed pose in the end!! LOL My little yogi, already!

We’re soooooooooooo SUPER excited! Baby showers are underway as well as nursery decoration plans and yes…her NAME! Any suggestions? I want to hear them ALL so leave a trillion of them in the comments! FUN!

As for her nursery, I plan on obviously covering her walls with canvas images of her at EVERY stage of life, but here are some other ideas I like as well…any thoughts? So much to think about…so much to do!

And…I shot another wedding last week which was so indescribably, beautifully epic I’m planning to try and finally use it as my very first SUBMISSION to some fabulous wedding blogs. We’ll see if it get’s picked up! Fingers crossed… It just DESERVES that much attention for being such a splendid affair between two amazing people! But alas, in the meantime, I’ll have to refrain from blogging about it until a little later along. But stay tuned! You’ll love all the amazing details…I promise (think Fendi shoes, Kate Spade & Amale couture dresses, bundles of flowers and glowing, streaming sunlight through palm trees!)! Can’t wait to share it with you!

Random thoughts on the blog today…but I’d love your ideas, names and thoughts right back!

Hugs…B

Thank you Elizabeth, for allowing me into your & Emilio’s secret-forest-haven of a backyard to capture your adorable, ADORABLE kids for the holidays! Hope to see you all again very soon! Have a very, merry Christmas!  xo

Betsy Blue Photography, Lifestyle Portrait & Wedding Photography, Betsy Tomasello Owner/Photographer