Woohoo! New Blog!

I am so excited to announce the launch of my brand new, beautiful blog! It has BIG pictures and an awesome flash header! Check it out and be sure to update your blog readers!

http://blog.drewbphotography.com

I've also updated my website with my new logo and branding!



This blog will stay alive, but will no longer be updated so don't forget to update your blog readers!

J'adore Details!

I am so excited to announce a new website that is almost a year in the making! J'adore Details is a labor of love created by myself and 3 of my fabulous photographer friends, Trista Lerit, Amelia Lyon, and Jasmine*. The three things we all have in common is that we are all wedding photographers, we have all planned our own weddings, and we love wedding details! We seriously love weddings and we wanted a website that would showcase the best wedding vendors and the little details that can help make your wedding unique and different. So, check it out and spend some time looking through all the pictures to get ideas for your wedding! We'll update it when we find new vendors that we know will make your day fun and perfect!



A special thank you to Jamie from So Divine Designs for creating our logo! It's absolutely perfect! And thank you to my friends Trista, Amelia, and Jas. It has been so great getting to know you all over all those pizookies we've consumed over the past year getting this website going. You all rock and I'm so lucky to have you all in my life!

Happy One Week Birthday!

We're home! Finally! It feels so great to be home. The nurses and doctors wanted us to stay another day, but I said no way! I hate being in the hospital and it's impossible to rest. I got such better sleep at home last night!

We're all doing really well. I know I'm totally biased, but Brayden is the cutest baby I've ever seen. I just can't believe he was the little guy in my stomach kicking me a week ago. It's pretty unreal. I love snuggling with him on my chest and even though I know it's just gas I've seen a couple of smiles that just melt my heart. Chuck is the best dad. He really took care of both of us in the hospital and he's doing a great job at home. The two of them look exactly alike. It's hilarious!

I have a few more pictures that my great friend Michelle took.

Brayden with Papa G



My favorite picture! Brayden with his Daddy.

I'm so glad she was there to capture these moments because I don't remember most of them. I don't know what I did to deserve such a great friend like her. She's taken such awesome care of us bringing us a care package with everything we needed for the hospital. Then she went out and found everything we needed for Brayden and me at home. We're so lucky to have Michelle and her family in our lives. Her kids Emma and Owen got to meet Brayden aka "French Fry" this weekend. It was too cute! Michelle, you are the best. Thank you for everything!

And here's one more from this morning. Brayden was supposed to be doing tummy time, but he fell asleep. Lazy! I wish I could sleep as much as he does :)

I'm a mommy!

Hi friends!
Sorry there haven't been any updates but we've had a rough couple of days. Brayden was born by c section at 3:30 PM on 2\12. He's 8 pounds 3 ounces and 20 inches long. Were both doing fine but ran fevers after and it was a long road getting him out. He looks just like his daddy but has a combo of our hair. It might be red someday but its a strawberry blonde for now. I'm going to be in the hospital until Friday or Saturday but my BFF Michelle was here taking pics so we should be able to get a pic up soon. Thanks so much for all your well wishes. I can't tell you how much it means to me!

Xo,
The new mommy

woohoo!

Don't know if this is going to work because I'm trying to post from my blackberry but I'm being induced! Woohoo! Should have a baby sometime tomorrow! Ill post pictures as soon as I can. Wish us luck!

40 Week Update

Thank you so much to everyone for all the comments and emails I received about Cindy. I didn't realize so many people read my blog, but I'm glad you were all so touched by her story. I got an email from Jeff who second shot Cindy and Jared's wedding with me and he said, "It's so strange because I only knew her for that one day, and I felt like I've known her forever. I guess that's just the kind of person she was, right?". That pretty much sums Cindy up. She was that girl with the contagious laugh and smile who made everyone feel like their best friend. If you knew her even just for a day you were a much better person for it.

I believe the school where she is a teacher will be accepting books for their library in her name. When I get more information on that I will post it here.

I know many of you are eagerly awaiting baby news, but there is none. Today is my due date. The day I have been looking forward to for nine long months. And there's no baby. I'm pretty sure there is going to be no baby today. My doctor won't induce me until the 17th. That's a week from Sunday. I really don't want to be pregnant for another nine days so maybe if everyone thinks really good thoughts for me I will go into labor! In honor of making it to my due date I have treated myself to a gourmet breakfast.

Mmmmm, just looking at the picture makes my mouth water and want another. Good thing I have a couple more donut holes left! Happy Friday everyone!

In Memory of Cindy

I am crying as I sit at my computer trying to think of a way to start this blog. Something that will do her justice. Something that will help explain what an amazing person she was and how she touched so many lives. But, I can't think of anything so I will just write from my heart.

I met Cindy nearly two years ago when I was photographing the baptism of the youngest son of the Kim family. She and her boyfriend, at the time, were the God parents of little Ryan. She had such a warm and inviting smile and kept asking if there was anything she could do for me. As I was taking pictures later at the Kim's home, I overheard her talking about her wedding and asked when she was getting married and she said she wasn't engaged yet, but would be soon! Sure enough a couple of months later she was engaged and called me asking if I would shoot her wedding.

3 months before her wedding Cindy was diagnosed with colon cancer. Her prognosis wasn't good, but she kept smiling the whole time. At first they weren't sure if they were going to go on with the wedding, but they did and on May 5 Cindy and Jared were married. It was such a gorgeous and perfect day. All of their friends and family were there to celebrate with them. When Cindy and Jared said their vows it was so much more than just words to them and you could tell.

Cindy fought hard. She went to New York for experimental treatments. She underwent various types of chemo that had horrible side effects. She had to give up teaching, which she loved. And all the while, her emails to me were always optimistic making sure to ask how I was doing and that everything was okay with me.

She was the type of person who would drop everything to help a friend. When I told her how much I loved her dress she wore at her engagement session I received a package in the mail a couple of weeks later with the same dress. When she found out I was pregnant she sent me a beautiful card and gift. She always thought of others first.

I told Cindy several times that she was my hero and she really is. For someone who I knew for such a short time, she had an incredible impact on me. I don't think I would be able to conduct myself with as much grace and composure as Cindy did over the past year. She will always be a role model to me. If I am faced with a challenge as difficult as hers I would hope that I could face it with as much courage and strength as Cindy.

Last night Cindy lost her battle with colon cancer that she fought so bravely for the past year. Life isn't fair for taking someone so beautiful, both inside and out. Someone so generous and compassionate. Someone who gave so selflessly. Someone who was so young and had a lot more life to live.

In one of the last emails I received from Cindy she called me an angel for helping finish her wedding album when she was too sick to do it herself. No Cindy, you are my angel. I know you will watch down on us all and take care of us. There are so many people who wake up this morning with a void in their heart because you are no longer here with us, but we can take comfort in the fact that your legacy will live on through the countless people whose lives you have touched.

This is how I will always remember Cindy. With a big smile on her face.







To Jared and all of Cindy's family and friends, I am so sorry for your loss. You are all in my thoughts.

Rock the Vote!

Remember to get out there and vote today if you live in one of the Super Tuesday states! How awesome is it that we have a woman and an African American running for President? I wasn't sure that I would ever see that in my lifetime. I'm torn between the two, but I think I will vote for Hillary. I just can't pass up voting for a woman. However, I would be happy with either Clinton or Obama in office. Anyone would be better than the president we have now. I would even venture to say McCain would be better if he wasn't so adamant about staying in Iraq. Whatever he has to do to look "conservative".

Anyways, no matter who you are voting for remember to vote. I like to go and vote with my Dad because I cancel his vote. Plus the place we go usually has good food!

I took a trip to Urban Outfitters to stock up on new political shirts. Here are a couple that I got.





I think I will wear the "I Only Date Democrats" shirt today. I wore it last week and got a lot of people giving me funny looks. It's a pretty funny shirt to wear when you are 39 plus weeks pregnant. Although, I'm so large and in charge that I did rip a hole in the side seam. I wish I knew how to sew!

And here's an oldie, but a goodie from way back in 2004.

I miss John Kerry...

My in-laws got us a great shirt for the baby, but it's in Chuck's car. I'll post a picture of it later.

Sneak Peek!

I know I'm probably showing too much and I wanted to wait until my new blog is done for the big reveal, but I'm so excited about all my new paper goods designed by So Divine Designs, that I just had to show you a little preview! I have new business cards, stationary, and labels! It's like the first day of school! I'm so excited to start using them! Here's a little sneak peek. I can't wait for you to see the rest!!!



As for a baby update, there is no update. I'm exactly one week from my due date but no progress has been made. The little guy is still very comfortable inside my stomach. I spend my days sleeping (because why would I be able to sleep at night?) and eating (a lot). I'm able to work a little, but sitting for long periods of time is uncomfortable. But so is laying and standing. I guess I'm just uncomfortable in any position. Thanks for everybody's well wishes! I'll do my best to post a blog before I leave for the hospital if he ever decides to make an appearance :)