Ali ~ One Year Old

My baby Ali turns 1 tomorrow. I can't believe it. You always here people say "they grow like weeds," "it goes by so fast," etc. I used to turn up my nose and groan, ya whatever. But ITS TRUE! 

A year ago today I went to my last doctors appointment and then had my last real mean for 3 days. I chose Antone's because what real Houstonian wouldn't? The next day I would lay around for hours and wait for her arrival. I was lucky enough to have a pretty good labor. I went 4 hours on pitocin and no pain medication. I give those mothers props who can do it a la natural. Its hard! Once I got the epidural, I can remember most of the rest of the day, but not much before that except for pain. Finally my doctor decided to do a C-section because Ali's heart rate was starting to drop with every contraction. 45 minutes later there she was. She was beautiful. She was covered in goo and crying and I was the happiest I could ever remember.

Happy birthday Ali! Thank you for coming into my life. Mommy and Daddy love you!

Allison and Michael ~ A Surprise Proposal

Michael emailed me the week before he planned to propose to Allison. He said he had an elaborate plan in place and wanted me to shoot the proposal paparazzi style. He asked if I was up for it, um....hell ya! We met during the week where Mam's House of Ice (the infamous Houston snowball stand) sets up every Saturday to plan our attack. I left so excited and counting down the days until Saturday. So Saturday comes around and I am sitting on the picnic bench across the field, luckily in some shade, before anyone gets there. Mam's shows up and starts setting up quickly. I text Michael, "It's go time." Here they come strolling along like nothing new, they get their snowball and he suddenly drops to one knee. I realized later that I stopped breathing at this point for the next 5 minutes. I catch my breath and wipe away a couple of tears and I can hear her across the field, she's so excited and surprised! Then there's lots of hugging, kissing and jumping. Needless to say, she said yes. I hung around for a little longer and grabbed a couple of shots of the  soon-to-be-married couple and I was on my way to leave them to celebrate and share the news with their friends and family. I have to say I love my job and this is the best way to start your day.

Congratulations Allison and Michael! Y'all are the cutest couple ever
and I am honored to share in your memorable day.

 

USNA Men's Glee Club ~ A Show

St. Martin's Episcopal Church graciously invited me back to photograph the United States Naval Academy Men's Glee Club performance. The Club traveled around Texas earlier this year for a month performing for churches, schools and communities. We had a surprise guest join us this evening, former President George W. Bush and former First Lady Barbara Bush. They were privy to a private performance from the Club before the show. The Club also brought along a special friend of theirs, the Stay Puff Marshmallow Man. I have yet to find out the story behind that.