gigiblog

Wee Toes.

You'll have to fogive me if I don't write too much in this post - wow, what a rough night! All three girls decided to wake up and have a cry fest at different and various times of the night ... I don't know if it was the windy weather or just the fact that they were unsettled - but wowie ... it made for a long night for us! Ahhh, thank God for coffee and wrinkle cream!

Lucia is now three and half weeks old and just as charming and sweet as ever ... she is awake more now, but this afternoon, I took the opportunity to photograph her darling little toes while she slept.

"I can only imagine where these tiny feet will go in their lifetime. My only hope is that they never forget the way home."

and how could I resist a few more photos? :)

Close and Personal.

If there is magic on this planet, it is contained in water.

LORAN EISELY

Abby (hubby) gave me a macro lens for Christmas this year. I haven't really had the chance to try it out yet - it's been a busy January! - but today, I was able to break it in ... please let me know what you think ... I would love to hear some comments!

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Oh, and some cool news regarding Gigi Photography! This spring, you will find one of my photos featured on the front of The Town of Orangeville's brochures, promoting the Orangeville Sustainability Action Team's tree project! I will post pictures of it once it goes to print! Trees, you say? Well, yes, but it involves babies - stay tuned!

Also, I've been asked if some of my work that I have done for Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep (www.nilmdts.com) could be featured on the Hospital for Sick Children's website. Wow, what an honour. I hope it promotes the work that Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep does and allows other families to be blessed with our services.

Perhaps I love it.

My oldest daughter, Lacey, turns four today.

This morning, I asked her how she felt about that and she said, "Perhaps I love it ..." Where did that come from?

I know we all hear this but ... *sigh* Where DOES the time go? When you think of how fast four years can go, it makes one realize how every day really is important - even down to the little things you do in life. Every day counts! Don't waste the time that God has given you!

I had this great idea of taking Lacey, my now-four-year-old, outside for some cool (literally!) winter pictures for her birthday. Umm, well, let's just say that didn't work out that well. She could barely see (you know how bright snow can be?!) and although she didn't complain about the cold chill against her skin, she couldn't keep her eyes from watering from the bitter wind and bright snow so we moved it inside.

Here's just a few of my little princess.

I told her she could wear any dress she wanted for the photos. I KNEW she would pick her Cinderella dress. She would wear that thing 24/7 if I let her. And she had to get her basket of flowers for the photos, as well ...

*yawn*

Oh la la.

Why do kids think 6 a.m. is godly hour to wake up for the day?! Eeek. I *SHOULD* force myself to go to sleep now instead of staying up and working on the computer, but ... well, what can I say? I love my free time at night. Maybe they will sleep in a bit later tomorrow?
... I snapped this photo of Lucia (still, oh, so cuddly and sweet and precious!) this afternoon ..... she's saying EXACTLY what I'm thinking!

and one of big sis' Lacey...

and some ice ... I thought was kinda interesting ...

Jake.

Isn't this litle cutie patootie the sweetest? I am just uploading his pictures for his mommy and daddy to view - his session/proofing was interupted by Lucia's early arrival ... so this is the last session I have to proof for a while yet.
I told his mom to give me a call in 16 years and I'll set her gorgeous son up with Lucia! LOL! Oh wait, Abby and I agreed no dating for the girls until they are 25! ;)

... but look at those baby blues!

Two weeks.

Happy two weeks to you, my sweet baby...
I cannot imagine our lives without you- even though you have only been in our arms for 14 days, you have been in our hearts forever.

To hold you, to kiss your perfect lips, to stroke your velvet hair is to feel happiness beyond measure. I am so overwhelmed with the love, the bond, I feel towards you, my sweet, sweet child. You are a miracle and you are a joy.
Thank you for making our lives so much more beautiful.

Meet me in the Middle.

Lyla is officially 18 months old now. She was nine months old when I found out I was pregnant with Lucia - and I was immediately concerned that the two babies would be too close together ... that Lyla would miss out on her baby years - those big moments that we all ohh and awww over.

I have watched Lyla, my sweet middle child, for the past few days since Lucia joined our family and have studied her little character, spirit and attitude to see how this big change - going from baby of the family to middle sister - has affected her.

Well, I am happy to report that so far, Lyla is taking it all in stride. She's a JOY to have around the house - she keeps everyone hopping - from putting ALL of our shoes in the kitchen garbage the other day to sitting on top of Daisy and squishing her while bouncing up and down and giggling - and her little antics are quite humorous at times! I already have a LOT of stories to tell at her wedding - and she's not even two yet!

"Nothing you do for children is ever wasted. They seem not to notice us, hovering, averting our eyes, and they seldom offer thanks, but what we do for them is never wasted."
Garrison Keillor

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Also, I'm having a lovely house guest here at the Gauthier home right now- my grandma Gerr. :) All the way from British Columbia. She has been here for each of my births and I think that's pretty awesome. I have told my girls they are LUCKY to have such a wonderful GREAT gramma who can still play make believe with them, do crafts and read stories to them - much less fly across the country twice a year to say hi.

The first thing Grandma decided to do was crochet Baby Lucia a hat ...

Whisper

"You're so fresh from Heaven,
there's still angel dust on you -
I am so amazed God sent you ...

Every time I hold you I am thanking Him for you
So baby let me whisper in your ear

Don't forget where you came from
Don't lose sight of whose you are
Take after your Heavenly Father
He will take you far
Wherever you go, whatever may come,
Little one
Don't forget where you came from"

Just a few snuggle shots with me and baby Lucia this afternoon ... she is just so wonderful and precious ... are you sick of hearing me ohh and ahh about my little one? Sorry! I can't help it!

Ohhhhh! And I think we finally have a blue eyed baby! I know it's too early to REALLY tell, but both Lacey and Lyla had murky colour in their eyes by now - Lucia's are still crystal blue!

Oh, and by the way, for those of you who asked - no, it's not as hard as I thought with three little ones in the house (3 year old, 18 month old and a newborn, not to mention Daisy, the pup!). Maybe the first week is a honeymoon week, so to speak, with three kids, but so far, so good! PHEW!

One week old.

"Loving a baby is a circular business, a kind of feedback loop. The more you give the more you get and the more you get the more you feel like giving."
-- Penelope Leach

I really should go get some sleep ... but wanted to do a quick photo update ...

Surrounded.

As I sit and type this, little Lucia is snuggled in my lap, bundled in a pink blanket, squeaking and making tiny wee newborn noises. She's so content and just loves to be held closely. I keep thinking about how she could still be in the womb right now ... what an amazing thought! ...

And yet here she lays. Perfect in every way. Right down to her beautiful rose lips I kiss a gazillion times a day.

Here's a shot from today ... and I'm so in love with this shot. I feel like it captures everything I feel: I am surrounded by love, joy, complete serenity and peace.

I'm entering this in the Mother's Day contest at Five Minutes for Mom

Of all the rights of women, the greatest is to be a mother.
- Lin Yutang

I also adore this image, as well ... big sister kisses for little Lucia ...