Newborn Photography

Some moments need never be forgotten. Those first few days after Audrey joined our family were sweet, peaceful, and full of snuggles and love. Every time I look at these pictures I am reminded to slow down, pick up my babes and give them the love they crave and deserve. My family, my children, are my focus right now - and will be for quite some time to come. Being a mother is not a sometimes deal; from the moment you know your baby will soon be in your arms, your responsibilities increase, and your desire to be better is cemented. I strive everyday to become more, to learn and grow emotionally, physically, spiritually so that I can imbue that wisdom on the sweet souls in my care. 
Thank you to Elizabeth Cranmer of Lizzy Anne Photography for capturing this special time for us. I love all the images - so much so that narrowing it down to the above photos was no easy task.

Mother's Day Gift Guide [for the fitness minded Mama}

Mother's Day gifts are funny. While I appreciate that there is a full day set apart to celebrate all the Mamas out there, I think that the spontaneous gifts of appreciation and love that are given through out the year are more meaningful. That being said, when it comes to Mother's Day, it would be a bummer to have no lovin' coming my way...so I guess I'm still trying to find a balance between what I find meaningful, and what society has created as expectations. To make things simple for all those Hubby's and Kiddos whom are looking to spoil their Mama's on Sunday, I've been searching for the perfect [in my eyes] gifts to receive  There are many Mother's Day gift guides out there, but when I was looking through some of them over the past week, I noticed a specific trend of focusing on chocolates [don't get me wrong, I love chocolates] and other edible gifts, and not much in the way of long lasting gifts. I'm the kinda girl that has asked for a step for Christmas [my Hottie Husband didn't believe me when I asked for it...multiple times...and got me something else. Needless to say, he made me a step for the following Christmas when I asked for it again haha!] so maybe this gift guide won't suit you perfectly; But if it does, feel free to forward it to your kiddos or Husband to get them thinking about gifts YOU would like, instead of gifts THEY would enjoy borrowing, or helping to devour.

Gifts That Take Some Mullah

Nike Fuel Band 

Food Journal

Resistance Bands

Oxygen Magazine Subscription

 Race Entry to her Favorite Race

Race Weekend Girlfriend Getaway

Family Participation in a Mother's Day Run/Walk

A Pedicure [as a fit gal, your feet take a beating!]

Personal Training Session[s]

Enjoy Freely Gifts

Time away to hike with a girlfriend 

family walk along the river or through a city park

home spa night

Last but not least, these two will always be winners in my books

Family Photo Session
my favorite photographers in the Calgary area are PMG Image, Eden Lang Pictures, and Lizzy Anne Photography. Or, you can get the amateur shutterbug in the family to snap one for you, like I did for my sister in law's family above.

Hot Mama Photoshoot
[this pic is actually of my sister who isn't a Mama, but she's just so pretty I had to share it as inspiration for others to go get dolled up and let a photographer capture your beauty!]

No matter what you give your Mama, make sure the kiddos fill out a Mother's Day questionnaire.  These things are priceless - and are a great milestone marker for Mama to save and reflect on. My Hottie Husband and I still laugh whenever we read one Darius filled out for Father's Day two years ago!

Birth Story

A while back, I entered a contest to have Lizzy Anne Photography capture the birth of my babe as the story unfolds. She made an allowance that others could enter the contest on your behalf as well, and I had an overwhelming number of friends and family enter on my behalf - thank you so very very much! While I did not win the grand prize package, I did receive two consolation packages via friends, and am excited to have beautiful pictures of my baby girls arrival. Click on over here to see birth stories that Lizzy Anne Photography has documented so far, and you'll see why I'm so excited! I highly recommend capturing all the moments of life, from little to life changing. You may think that you'll never forget the details, how your husband held your hand for hours, how you walked the still hallways in the middle of the night, or how your baby looked up at you for the first time. But memory fads, while pictures will remind and revitalise those sweet memories for a lifetime. It's worth the investment. Trust me.