gigiblog

A simple act.

It was a simple act of kindness. It only cost a few dollars.

But it spoke volumes. And it had a priceless message. 

My dear friend, Heidi, dropped off a Starbucks coffee for me this morning. To some of you, that may sound like a nice gesture, but to me it was an AMAZING WONDERFUL act of kindness! I had been up till after 1 a.m. the night before working on some computer issues ... and when I awoke this morning, there was no cream in the fridge ... no cream?? For my coffee??? Okayyyy, so I tried milk. 

Ick. It's just NOT the same. C'mon, now. Coffee drinkers unite!!! Cream is sooooo much better than milk in your morning cup of java! Seriously. There is no comparison.

Well, Heidi caught wind that I was cream-less this morning and popped by with an amazing, hot, beautiful, delicious Starbucks coffee.

Ahhhh, BLISS. WHAT A FRIEND!

The grande cup of coffee warmed my body while her act of sweetness warmed my heart.

... but then, I read the message on the side of the paper cup. You know those messages, right? (Whoever marketed that idea to Starbucks is one smart duck!)

Read carefully.

Ahhhhhhh.

SO true.

So I kissed sweet Lacey ... one day, that kiss will reach my grandchildren. 

(Excuse the composition, true reality shot.)

Where's your son or daughter? Next to you? Getting up from nap time? Coming home from a friend's house? Sleeping on the couch? Getting ready to go out for the weekend? 

Go grab 'em and give me a HUGE kiss!

Your grandkids will thank you. 

It's all I could ask for ...

A sweet baby girl ...

An in-love-happy-mom-and-dad.

An evening of perfect light. 

And a field of flowers. 

Baby Addie - you are too cute for words!

More pics to come later! Just wanted to post a sneak peek for Addie's mom! :) 

Flowers are the sweetest things God ever made, 

and forgot to put a soul into. 

 ~Henry Beecher, Life Thoughts, 1858

Where did Monday go?!?

So .... I'm behind on blogging and I hate that! I don't like it when it gets so busy that I can't stay on top of things ... so today, I am taking a FULL day - 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. - to catch up with proofing and editing and uploading. My darling hubby has agreed to take the girls for a daddy-day (what a sweetheart!) so I can get some undivided one-on-one-time with my Mac. Yes, that means if you're waiting for proofs online, this may just be your lucky day! Or rather, you lucky-next-24-hours (because I still have to upload them!). 

Thank you allll for your patience, lately. I am working fast and furious to get caught up. 

Also, a large shipment of orders was mailed out yesterday so watch your mailboxes for your orders! :) 

In the meantime, because I cannot post without a photo, here are some babies that caught my eyes yesterday. The furry kind. 

TOO CUTE FOR WORDS!

How can you not love this face?

Two of these adorable puppies are sold, but one is still available ..... e-mail me if you're interested  (No, they are NOT my puppies - just a friend's) and I"ll pass along the information!

I may pop in later and post again as my proofing continues ... see you soon!

Drops.

“Sometimes I see myself as a child in a rain storm, 

running around trying to catch all the drops in his mouth. 

I long for your adventures to be like the raindrops the child saves 

and not those which crash to the ground.”

The Heavens opened up this morning.

And with it, came beauty.

Sneak peek of a sneak peek.

So this is just that - a sneak peek of a sneak peek!

All for Ayla. 

Remember the adorable maternity post from a few weeks ago? 

Ohhh, my goodness! She was a DOLL during her session. Just shy of two weeks old, I was a bit worried that she wouldn't to be sleepy for me, as most newborns start to stretch out and wake up easily after two weeks ... but Miss Ayla was a super star for me! She never cried. She only peed a TINNNY bit. (Most newborns, also, usually have a lot of "accidents" during the session, which really doesn't matter either way as that's what happens when a wee bum is not diapered!).

Miss Ayla continued to snooze away during her session ... she was the best!

I know her parents are itching to see some pictures so here you go! 

Isn't she precious? 

Her mommy and daddy are in looooove with her! :) 

Her mommy said Ayla has her feet - and I think they are cute!!

She had fabulous lips!

More to come later!! 

________________________________________

And now to announce this week's LUCKY winner of the wipes case giveaway from.Sew Crazy..

Using random.org, the winner is

#11 - Angie 

Congrats, Angie! Just e-mail me and we'll get you in contact with Annette of Sew Crazy. Enjoy!

 

And he wooed her.

"Woo the fair one when around Early birds are singing; When o'er all the fragrant ground Early herbs are springing: When the brookside, bank, and grove All with blossom laden, Shine with beauty, breathe of love,

 Woo the timid maiden."

 ~ William Cullen Bryant

I'm a real sucker for love. 

I love romance. I love mushy gushy stuff. I love poetry and all things fairy-like.

So when it comes to shooting weddings, ahhhh, I reaaally enjoy the one on one time with the bride and groom. I think it's the most important time of the wedding day in regards to documenting the big special day.

Here is a second sneak peek for one of my wedding clients. She has been forced to wait a little longer for her proofs because, sadly, I had a major hard drive crash that put me behind about two weeks in my proofing. All I can say is THANK GOD for one lone man named Sandy D. of Orangeville! He saved me and all my files. AMAZING! Technology can be so wonderful when it works and so cruel when it fails. 

Thankfully - all is saved and all is proceeding as planned. 

So, Amanda and Jared, thank you for your patience ........!!!! You guys are awesome!!

gotta throw in a detail shot ...

the girls ...

More romance!

Little Boy(s) Blue.

The weather has NOT been co-operating lately so we have not been able to do many outdoor sessions. It's killing me! I love the summer for photos - but can the rain PLEASE let up?!!?!? 

In the meantime, I have had some sweeeeeeeet babies visit me in the studio. 

I have the AWESOME privilege of seeing these precious ones every three months for the Watch Me Grow baby plan (baby visits my studio a newborn, three months, six months, nine months and then at a year - what a great way to document the first year of life!).

Can it get any better than two adorable, sweet, little baby boy twins?!?!? 

Maybe ...? .... it only gets sweeter when add in big brother to the mix. 

Some may say this mommy may have her hands full, but she is surrounded by such love and joy ... what a blessing! I say her heart is full instead. 

Look - smiles! I'm in love!

They were so precious and lovely to photograph ... 

Daddy knew JUST what to do to make them giggle ... :) I love it when the dads are so in tune with their babies!

I'm so blessed to watch these little guys grow over the next year. 

and with the package comes watching Big Brother grow, too! He was one of my first baby planners over three years ago. :) It's been so neat watching this particular family grown and change over the years.

PHOTOGRAPHER'S FAVE!!!!

Can't wait to see you boys in three months!

Take time.

Taking time - it was brought to my attention today how short life really is. 

A friend lost her husband last Thursday to a battle of cancer. She is preparing for his funeral this week. She is left behind with a one year old daughter and a three year old son and a future full of shattered dreams.

Every moment she spent with her husband counted. Every moment. 

While camping last week, I overheard a mom at the beach saying a little boy she knew drowned in a pond that week. He was 10 years old.

Despite his short life, every moment spent with that boy counted. 

Sometimes I feel overwhelmed with my daily duties, my household tasks, my work, my life, managing young children with a husband who works insanely long hours ...

And then I realize, all too soon, these days will be gone. Life is too short to hold grudges. Life is too uncertain to not thank the people who need thanking. Life is too short to ignore the ones you need to love.

I've preached this message before. 

And I stand by it. Make each moment count. And if you can't make EACH moment count, at least make 90% special. 

So, today, in the midst of my crazy day, I took some time to document the girls. Just silly fun shots. Nothing fancy. Just taking time. 

I'm calling Lucia Sticky-Fingers-Stanley now. 

She grabs EVERYTHING. 

She can reach things you don't think she can reach. 

Even my lens.

in her swing ... on the back deck. 

She is getting so big. *sigh* Another reason to take time.

Lyla ... hiding behind her birthday balloon. 

Lacey ... enjoying the moment. 

I think Daisy is happy we're home. 

"Just let me catch my breath

Ive heard the promises

Ive seen the mistakes

Ive had my share of tough breaks

I need a new voice, a new law, a new way

To take the time, reevaluate

Its time to pick up the peices,

Go back to square one

I think its time for a change ..."

_______________________

Also, as promised, here is this week's GIVEAWAY!

If you're a mom, you probably have a package of wipes in your purse or in your car right now. We all know you don't go anywhere without wipes. It almost doesn't matter how old your kids are - they will always need a little wiping, a little cleanup. (And face it - momma's spit doesn't always cut it!)

So ditch the plastic container stuffed full of those wonderful wipes. Why not carry your wipes around in style? 

How cute is that?

Created by Annette of Sew Crazy, a stay-at-home-mother two three beautiful children who has a passion for sewing and creating, this sweet creation will add a little "class" to your mommy travels. 

This week's winner will receive one wipes case of their choice. Check out her etsy shop for more designs!

I love this one ... 

You can also visit Annette at her blog.

To enter this contest, simply leave a comment on this post and your name will be entered. Good luck!

Big sis, little bro.

Well, I'm back from our week long adventure in the RV-world. ;) We had a GREAT time and loved our little getaway. Now, though, I'm sinking in proofing-land so please, bear with me! If you are waiting to get receive access to your online gallery, I will be sending you an e-mail soon! I will be pulling a few all-nighters to get everything done this week. So if you see me in person, don't comment on how tired I look! That won't make me feel any better! ;) Simply hand me an extra large coffee and smile in sympathy. Coffee can do wonders .... ahhh ....

In the mean time, I wanted to share these sweet hearts that visited the studio right before I left. I first photographed momma's maternity session over two years ago and then did their little girl's newborn photos. Now they are adding a baby boy to the mix! Big sister just was the cutest thing in the world with her little newborn brother. It's amazing how two little people can be bonded together in just one week's time. 

I *puffy heart* this shot! It's beautiful!!!!!! Can I hang it on my own walls?!? ;)

this one looks like she's saying "He's mine. Don't you hurt him!"

with his sweet mother ...

snuggles with his daddy ...

Ahhh ... the sweet smell of a newborn baby ... 

I love them sleepy! There's nothing better.

Snug as a bug in an organic-knit-cocoon. :)

________________________________

And some news ... I will do a giveaway on the blog this week, but it will probably be tomorrow, as I have to choose one and I just have not had a chance since I got back to nail down which wondeful giveaway to do for this week!

ALSO - if you are looking for FALL portraits .... BOOK NOW! Yes, book now. Believe it or not, things are booking up, especially weekends. If you are looking for anything in the autumn season, please e-mail me at gillian@gigiphotography.com to reserve your date- rain or shine. 

Be back soon with more sneak peeks!

Where's Gigi?

Where's Gigi, you may be wondering?!?!?

I'm RVing!

Yup, Rving. 

Me, scruffy hubby (you'd be scruffy after four days of a tiny RV shower, too!), three sunburnt-but-over-the-moon-happy-kiddos, lots of yummy snacks and camp food, a 30-foot-foot-long-house-on-wheels! Oh, and my laptop. (Can't forget my Mac!)

We're having a blast! The weather has been AMAZING - all sun except one day ... so we're all sunburnt, but loving it. We're camping at FairHavens (www.fairhavens.org)

At first, my hubby took one look around and said "RVing is NOT for us, Gillian ..." and just shook his head at the site we had booked. 

Our hot water wasn't working.

Our electricity wasn't working.

Our BBQ wouldn't start. 

Our kids wouldn't sleep at night.

The DVD player wouldn't work (I know, I know. Who needs a DVD player when you're camping, but hey, it would've been handy on the 1.5 hour drive here!)

Abby was ready to pack it in and go home ...

But it only took a few hours before he we realized how great this whole RVing thing is. 

And I'm not sure we're ready to come home yet!

The kids are having a BLAST ...

We're having a fabulous time ...

And the BBBEEEEEEESST part - get this - is we signed up for the meal plan. Yeah, a meal plan while camping?! Hey, doesn't mom need a vacation from cooking, as well? So yeah, I signed us up for the meal plan, baby. No way I was going to cook in an RV for a week. 

I made ONE meal when we got here (see below) ... 

but the campground kitchen is SOOO much better (um, that doesn't say much about MY cooking skills, does it?). 

My hero. He found the freshly-brewed coffee. Mmmmmm. Heaven on earth.

There is an amazing splash pad for the kids ...

Wait. I said - KIDS!!!!

Ahem.

Lyla found the splash pad quite - umm - amusing. 

And so did Abby.

And wee Lucia is just enjoying hanging out ...

and going for a dip in the lake to cool off her footsies. 

All in all ...

we ...

are ...

having ...

a blast!

We've even won over Abby. He wants to come back next year, too. :) I'm game - so long as we get to use the RV again! 

__________

I am checking e-mails but not phone messages ... so if you need to find me, e-mail me at gillian@gigiphotography.com.

I'll be home Monday, but will be checking back in later! Have a GREAT day!