gigiblog

Think {pink}.

A babe in the house is a well-spring of pleasure, 

a messenger of peace and love, a resting place for innocence on earth, 

a link between angels and men. 

Martin Fraquhar Tupper

My dear sweet friend, Heidi, gave birth two days ago. I was honoured with the invitation to document her baby's firth moments of life - something that is just SO amazing and incredibley wonderful. 

Already a mom of two young boys, this was Heidi's third baby and for the past nine months - despite everyone's attempts to find out the gender of her baby - she kept such news a surprise, not only for her friends and family but from herself! I'm not sure how she did it - I would've been SO curious to find out! Heidi and her husband, Roger,  I think, were secretly hoping for a girl, but we were happy to simply have a healthy baby, no matter if the baby was a boy or girl. 

(The fact that Heidi wore PINK socks during delivery makes me think she was REALLY hoping for a wee girl ... hee hee!)

Well, as soon as I rushed into the hospital room, I looked at Heidi and said "WHAT IS IT!!!!?!??!?!?!!??" "A girl .....!" A girl! Ohhhhh, just saying that gives me shivers! I'm soooo excited for Heidi and Roger - I know they are OVER THE MOON ecstatic to bring some pink into their lives and family. 

And I know little Jordan is just the perfect fit for their family. 

Welcome to the world, beautiful Jordan.

I love Heidi's expression here - pure JOY!

Is that a little smile I see already? :)

 Congratulations, Heidi and Roger! What a beautiful, blessed addition to your sweet family! Welcome to the world of PINK!

Baby Piper ...

Part of the benefit of having so many newborns come through my studio recently is the joys of showing them off on the blog! Everyone loves a baby ... so let me show up a recent sweet baby girl that stole the Gigi spotlight in her first week of life. 

Welcome, Baby Piper. (Seriously. Isn't that the cutest name?)

with the proud-cute-as-a-button-big-sister ...

Oh, so tired!

Mom with her girls ...

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Tomorrow is going to be another fantastic day! Not only is it the 5th birthday of my sweet daughter, Lacey, a dear and very sweet friend is giving birth and has asked ME to be there for document the birth. What an amazing honour ... I can't wait!!!

Cup of cake for your soul.

"This cupcake is moist, 

tinged with spice and makes a far tastier breakfast than say, a bowl of oatmeal. 

Of course, it's also a good lunch and dinner substitute. 

But the generous layer of frosting is really where it's at here..."

I've been on a cupcake kick lately. 

I made two batches with the girls over the past few days (I love baking with them!) - along with two heart shaped moist chocolate cakes ... and while my cupcakes didn't look as good as the photos of the ones I am posting, well, they still tasted pretty darn yummy. 

I came across these photos while un-archiving some images- I shot them a few years ago for a local business. Can you say Mmmmmmmm?!

I have a secret passion for photographing food ... it's so enjoyable.

and what is a cupcake without a strong cup of coffee ... 

PERFECTION. 

Lovin' it.

How did I get so lucky? 

My job consists of cuddling newborns, meeting great new families and helping celebrate special times in their lives ...

It couldn't get any better than this!

Isn't this family the cutest?

Love this one! :) 

 

I can't wait to meet their newborn ...  ahhh, did I mention I have the best job ever?!

Baby boom!

I have had so many calls and e-mails for newborn and maternity sessions lately ... I think there's a baby boom happening locally! 

Of course, I *puffy heart* newborns and always get such joy from photographing such wee little angels ... makes my heart ache for another one .... but for now (my hubby is shaking his head and giving me an evil eye right now), I shall be overjoyed to hold and snuggle with such beautiful new babies that visit the studio ... ;) 

I had the prettiest little baby girl visit me recently. I think when you see her photos, you too will agree that she is such a gorgeous newborn ... the perfect little model.

Isn't she scrumptious?

I wore her out ... being a model is tough work, people.

I have another newborn tomorrow morning ... what bliss! 

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

And now for the results of our fantastic Leg Huggers giveaway! Did you see how cute these darling leggings are?

And you know what I really love about this company? They are from Canada. Yeah! Go, Canada, go!

Using random.org, the winner is:

#12 - Michelle

Wahooooo! Michelle, please e-mail me and I'll direct you as to have to get your Leg Huggers for your little bambino! 

Thank you, again, to Leg Huggers for doing such a hip and trendy giveaway!

Beautiful.

"The time is right I'm gonna pack my bags 

And take that journey down the road 

Cause over the mountain I see the bright sun shinning 

And I want to live inside the glow 

Yeah I wanna go to a place where I am nothing and everything 

That exists between here and nowhere I wanna got to a place where time has no consequences oh yeah The sky opens to my prayers

 I wanna go to beautiful, beautiful, beautiful ..."

~India Arie

This seems to be the season so newborns and maternity sessions - some of my favourite types of shoots (who am I kidding? I love them all!). This particular young lady is due any day now .. I'm so excited to meet her new little one. I think she is having a boy - what do you think?

Love, love, looooooove this one ... did I mention I love it? I think she looks like a goddess divine!

Miriam, your online gallery is now live! I hope you enjoy your slideshow! ;)

Annnnd ... be sure to check back tomorrow to find out who won the ADORABLE, cute, awesomely-cool Leg Huggers .... see you tomorrow! I also have another REALLY cool giveaway to do this week, so make sure to check back. :)

Refresh.

I'm baaccck! 

And WOW! What a week! Let me just say these two words: COMPLETELY AMAZING. We had a FABUUUUULOUS time in Holguin, Cuba! I was a little anxious to go to Cuba, as I have never been there before and was unsure what to expect, but quite honestly, I think that was our best vacation ever (not including Disney World, but that's a different kind of vacation). I would DEFINITELY recommend this resort to anyone who needs a getaway.

Wow! We were so pampered and so spoiled ... it was absolutely fantastic.

 Here are some images ... just try to image the sound of the rolling ocean waves, the exotic birds singing sweetly, the cool breeze and the hot sun, the feeling of complete peace and relaxation ...

The resort lobby - we were greeted with champagne and ushered to comfortable chairs to sit and relax while they checked us into the resort ...

Fresh, Cuban coffee was amazing!

We've never been to an adults only resort before - it was so peaceful.

My BFF and I did this 99% of the time ... ahhhhh .. this was the life!

Hubby and I ...

 .... the spa  - wowee! - was INCREDIBLE!

inside the spa - can you imagine?!

the stairs down into the private beach ...

the morning dew ...

As you can see, the getaway was gorgeous and absolutely amazing!

However, the one thing that really struck me was the despair & poverty of the native Cubans. I cried every time we left the resort ... and I know their situation is nothing new but I couldn't ignore the filth, the little children with nothing, the mothers struggling to make enough money to buy shoes for their children... oh, my heart just broke for them! We made sure to bless as many people as we could but you wonder and wish you could do MORE for them. One of the Cubans we were able to bless and get to know was Alina, a mother of two young boys, David & Daniel. She was a hard worker, she always had a smile on her face but you could see how tired she was.

Before we left,  I told Alina we were leaving to go back to Canada."Wait," she said, holding up her hand and motioning for us to stay there for a few more minutes. She went into the resort kitchen and returned quickly.

 "My friend, a gift for you ..." she said, as she handed me a small package, wrapped up in a worn, white napkin. She squeezed my hand as she gave it to me. "No open here," she said, smiling. I gave Alina a hug and told her I would never forget her. I took down her address and said I would send her packages and toys for her children - but deep in my heart, I wasn't sure if the packages would ever get to her. I have heard it takes up to six months for one letter to reach a Cuban. Would my care package be torn apart and never delivered?

As we left the resort, I unwrapped the present Alina had so generously given me. I cried, of course, when I look at her little gift - two plastic spoons and garlic cloves, with ribbons glued to them, a magnet glued to the back of the spoons - a decoration for my fridge. And a note, written in English.

"My friend, I will never forget you. Here are some decorations for your fridge. 

Thank you for your kindness. You are so special.

Love, Alina."

Wow. My heart was so touched! Here, Alina was giving ME a present when I need nothing and she needs nearly everything! What an eye opener!

I am going to be sending her parcels - unsure if they will reach her but praying they will - and little gifts for her sons. I don't know if she'll ever see them, but I pray she will. 

It's amazing how small our world is and how big the needs are. 

I will hang the spoons on my fridge and pray for every time I see them - a gentle reminder that the world is so much bigger than what we know. 

Relax.

"The time to relax is when you don't have time for it." 

Sydney J. Harris

Six years of marriage. 30 months of pregnancy. Three children. Two seasons of potty training and toddlerhood. Three seasons of newborns. One puppy. One move. And two tired adults.

Yup, it's time for a break!

Oh my gosh. I am so excited! My hubby and I are leaving for a week vacation at an all-inclusive resort in Cuba tonight ....! Hurrrrraahhh! But wait. 

We are leaving the children. 

Abby came home and surprised me with the trip just before Christmas. I jumped up and down with excitement and then said "But what about the kids? Are they coming?!" And he looked at me with giant puppy dog eyes - the eyes of a worn-out man who has run a rate race for seven years and is just so sick and tired of being sick and tired - and said "Nooooo ....I just need to relax ....." with a woeful look on his face. 

So .... we're going to take this week to recharge ourselves and our marriage. Sans kidlets. 

Annnnnd I'm not sure how I feel about that. Quite honestly, I get a big lump in my throat when I think of leaving the girls, especially Lucia, our youngest. I wish we could bring them ... they would enjoy the beach so much - and yet, it's going to be absolutely, positively amazing to relax for a whole week without the parental duties.

And now the next thing on my mind is ..... do I take the laptop? Hmmmmmm. I am soooo tempted. I could download pics during the vacation, edit photos (yes, I think I am a workaholic) on the airplane or check my e-mail at the airport. What should I do? You tell me ... take it or leave it?  I can't believe I'm even THINKING of taking my laptop ..... and yet I am!!!

Anyway - I won't be back until Saturday, Jan. 17th and most likely won't be checking my e-mail while I'm gone (unless I DO take the laptop!). I will return phone calls and e-mails when I get back - alllll sun tanned and rested and rejuvenated. Ahhhhhhhhhhhh. 

I can picture it already - sand, sun, water .... and barracudas?! Oh, Lord. Help me. Apparently, THESE are in Cuban waters.....

I will not be wearing any flashy jewelry while I'm swimming, let me tell ya!

Okay, but seriously ... here's a photo to leave you with  ... I certainly don't want to leave that fish photo as the last one on the blog! Hahaha!

I shot this session this week and as soon as I captured this moment, I knew it would be one of my top fave's from their session. This family is moving to South Africa next week so they have big changes coming their way. I will miss seeing them as this is their 4th or 5th session with me, but I know we'll see each other again (maybe in the summer!).

I love this photo because I could immediately sense the connection between a mom and her sweet baby boy.

See you all soon!!

Don't forget to enter the blog contest below for a pair of Leg Huggers!!! :D

The Real Deal. {And an awesome} giveaway!

Okay, here is the real deal - the proper sneak peak of Baby Joseph ... he visited my studio just before Christmas and with the holidays and such, I am just catching up. 

Let me tell you - it was a PLEASURE proofing these images. He was such a sweet little guy ... and seeing as his parents are my friends, the whole session was completely enjoyable.

Mmmm. Isn't he scrumptious?

Another one of my favorites!! Such sweetness!

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And it's now time to get back to the fun, fantastical giveaways here on the blog!!

This week's giveaway is hosted by Leg Huggers (yippeee - another Canadian company!)...

   

I personally think these are pretty awesome ... cuddly and soft for your scooting-around-the-house-baby. Not only will they protect your little ones legs, they are also incredibly cute and trendy!

 And guess what these Leg Huggers are made from?

Bamboo.

Yup, pretty awesome!

Bamboo is the NEW cotton, is more anitibacterical than other fabrics, is very absorbent, helps circulation, prevents over-heating ... and to boot,  it's also the world's best sustainable resources.

To win a pair of Leg Huggers for your own Sweetie Pie, just leave a comment here on the blog. The winner will be announced next week. 

Also, the generous folks at Leg Huggers are offering Gigi blog readers a discount on their products - isn't that great?!

When ordering your Leg Huggers, enter the code (momleg10) and you will receive a 10% discount. Check it! 

Thanks again to Leg Huggers for hosting such a great giveaway!

365 days of {love}.

“No day can be so sacred but that the laugh of a little child

 will make it holier still”

 - Robert Green

I can remember the exact moment I found out I was expecting my third baby ... I can remember the exact moment she was born into this world ... I can remember the exact moment she was gently placed in my arms ... I can remember cradling her against my chest and relishing in our quiet evenings together ... I remember her first coo ... her first smile ...  her first full night of sleep ...

Today, my Sweet Pea turns one. I can BARELY believe it - and yet, it does feel like she has been in my life and heart forever. I cannot imagine life without her. I'm sure all you mothers out there know that feeling and can relate. Lucia has been such a blessing to our lives!

It's funny because she is so different than the other two girls - and with the girls, you'd think they would be somewhat alike. Lucia is quiet, serious and some short-tempered. She loves to snuggle with mommy and be held and cuddled. She is not walking yet - which is odd to me because both my other girls were walking LONG before they turned one! And she has four teeth - which is also odd because the other two girls had NO teeth on their first birthday.

She's just different. And I love her for that. It's been amazing to see her change and grow over this past year ... and I most certainly have ADORED having a baby in the house again. 

And she's definitely a momma's girl (whereas the other two are daddy's girls)... :)

(One thing she does have that her sister's have - a wicked appetite! Seriously. If these girls keep at this, they will eat us out of house and home!)

Today, I am documenting her birthday in images ... it's been fun so far ...

{sleeping sweetly } 

{waking} ... My shutter was too loud!

sharing some Cheerios (her fave - she leaves a trail of them throughout the house wherever she goes!) with Lyla this morning ...

Lacey made a scrumptious cake for our sweet pea ... the calorie free kind!

Mmmmm ...

Mmmm - birthday goodies. :) 

We bought Lucia (probably the LAST one within driving distance! I called about six or seven different stores to find it!) a Rose Petal Cottage for her birthday ... it's adorable (I think I am secretly living out all the dreams I had as a little girl!). It's a mini version of the REAL Rose Cottage. 

The girls have not stopped played in it yet - hurrah! Success!

Just one last image from yesterday ... I thought I would blow up 72 balloons and fill the studio with them to celebrate Lucia's big day ... well, I got as far as 29 and I had to stop! So much harder than I thought!

Happy Birthday, Lucia! I love you more than you'll ever know!

xxx