Spilling the beans

October was the busiest/craziest/most painful month I can remember.
Here's what I'm saying:
Since the "cat's out of the bag" I might as well "spill the beans" and let everyone know that we have a "bun in the oven". Come June we'll be a family of 5.

I'm a couple months along but through the course of the last couple weeks of being in and out of the hospital and needed the support of others, the news has trickled out. I might as well share what we're going through. The "in a nutshell" version: Had my gallbladder removed - baby is doing fine.

The longer version:
October - I had tons of photo sessions booked and was doing 2-4 or even 5 sessions a week. Way too much. Then I started getting horrible pains off and on for 3 weeks. In the middle of all of this, we traveled to OKC to visit my Grandma and go to a U2 concert - more "attacks" along the way. We couldn't quite figure out what was going on. Got home, made an appointment with the docter (again). Found out I was pregnany. Had our annual Bunko party the day after that, then lots more stuff to keep us busy that weekend. Two days later, even more horrible pain - went to ER. The admitted me but then the surgeon said he'd rather not operate until further along in pregnancy or even all the way through. He was hoping we could control it. Two days later - the most horrible pain in my entire life - worse than labor, worse than anything I could imagine.
Chris had just left for work. I called him before he even got out of our neighborhood and told him he better come back. Called my sister in law, Gaia, over and we rushed to the hospital but didn't make it. We got a few miles and I couldn't breathe, was in worse pain, vomitting uncontrollably. I called 9-1-1 to ask what they thought we should do and they wanted us to pull over. We stopped at a fire station that happened to be nearby and they had been listening to the radio and were already on their way out. Waited what seemed like forever for the ambulance to get there. Chris said I sounded like a drug addict because I kept begging them to give me something for the pain. I knew which drug I could have during pregnancy and kept asking for that. I even told the paramedics to stop talking to me - they kept asking me questions and stuff and I couldn't take it. What an ordeal! We made it to the hospital, got the pain relieved, consulted with the surgeon and OB and I was admitted and scheduled for surgery the next day. They took extra precautions for me since I was early in my pregnancy. I'm actually very thankful I have the OB I have and also thankful for my great surgeon. He even got teary eyed talking about how he wanted to make sure everything went well in my pregnancy. We really had no other choice but to operate. I couldn't go my whole pregnancy with this pain - and it would actually but my pregnancy and my health at a higher risk of infection, becoming septic, etc. if they didn't do the surgery.
It was horrible being in the hospital but I knew I didn't have to worry about my kids - they were in the good hands of my family. I'm so grateful for that. I had to cancel three photo sessions and felt bad about that - but soon realized it wasn't that important and everything would have to be okay.
Life is starting to get back to a new normal but I have to take things slow for obvious reasons.
I'm so thankful to be blessed with this pregnancy. I know some people wait until much later in pregnancy to let the world know but considering the circumstances I feel I might as well share what we're going through. If something were to happen, why not have support to get through it, right?
Anyway, that is the story for now.

Fall Photography

It's been a few months now since I officially "launched" LGP, aka Lori George Photography. Above is what the front of my business card looks like - printed on a cool pearl paper.

I'm offering a Fall Booking Sale since fall is such a perfect time to take pictures. I've been learning quite and bit and realize that it definitely takes a lot of work - but the payoff in terms of working with great people and families and seeing how happy they are to see their photographs is all worth it!

How am I doing so far? Check out my site if you haven't been there in a while - become a fan if you'd like and I think it will keep you posted on updates.

Labor Day & Butterflies

We spent our Labor Day relaxing (well, actually I think we cleaned the house in the morning - but whatever) and went to a local farm to check out their Butterfly Bio-Villa.
Here's a slideshow -click to make bigger.

Finished Projects & Inspiration

I've finished a few projects in the last few months that I thought I would document. Here's a shirt I made for Ava - it's been sitting almost done for a while now - finally got it completed. Here's the pattern I used: B4176 from Butterick.

The wood block projects below are ones I made recently to take to a Super Saturday or Craft Day planning meeting for church. The date of Super Saturday is going to be later than I thought (mid-Nov) so the "spooky" and "harvest" ones won't really work but the "joy" should be okay. Click on the words to see where I stole my ideas from (thanks to Kathleen for making me aware of them).

Here's a little something I made a few months ago that has already been getting some use. It's a crayon roll. I used this tutorial and made them for our preschool graduating class.

Here's a quilt I made for myself after wanting one for a long time. The backstory: My grandmother in Oklahoma has a super-soft flannel quilt at her home. On one of our trips I discovered it and used it to sleep with. I fell in love with it - so soft and comfortable. I swore I slept better just by having that quilt. I put the idea in the back of my mind to make one. The inspiration: (Ava's all snuggly and cozy after a nice bath).

A couple years later, I finally did it. I've been enjoying it for several months now and it's ALL mine. The kids want it, the dogs want it and even my husband has tried to steal it a few times. Sure, I'll share it sometimes, but really - IT'S MINE!!! ;o)

And if you read my poorly updated blog - you've seen these. Ribbon rings for my girls.
I made these - very cheap, very easy.

Here's the inspiration: rings at the Children's Museum in Denver (although I'm sure others have seen others). My girls loved playing and dancing with them so I snapped a picture and thought, "I could make that"...and I actually followed through (a year+later).

I like working on projects, sure...but I like completing them better. Sometime people like the process...I tend to enjoy the product more. (well, usually) ;)

Photography

I've finally updated my photography blog with pictures from my last few sessions - be sure to check them out and let me know what you think. Like what you see? Become a FAN by clicking on the FAN link on Lori George Photography.
Later...more of my own family updates to come.
http://lorigeorgephotography.blogspot.com/

Cute or What?

Something New

Don't you hate it when people NEVER seem to update their blog?? Here's a pic from this week - I made the girls ribbon rings - may they dance like princesses and ballerinas.

Also, my youngest brother, Eric leaves next week to go on a 2-year mission for our church. Before he leaves, we wanted to get a family photo. It'll be interesting to see how this photo will compare to the next one in two years.