Maternity Pictures: Why I Think They Are A Must

Last week I blogged about finding an outfit, from my own closet, for a maternity shoot. Today I'll share a few of my faves from the shoot!

Love how the sun is just peeking through the trees. The best part, we're on the side of a somewhat busy road! Someone yelled "CONGRATULATIONS!" as they passed by!

I decided to wear my skinny maternity jeans, white maternity t-shirt from Target, my Express jacket and a cute scarf. Hubby had on dark wash jeans (probably from Target, we love that place), his Johnny Cash t-shirt (definitely from Target, I remember getting it for him since Johnny Cash is a fave of his), a leather jacket and his newsboy hat that has made an appearance in our pictures before! 

Engagement pictures in Knoxville, TN by Terri Rogers!

Engagement pictures in Jax Beach, FL by AMP.

As you can see, it is a well loved hat! 

Being a photographer I can't stress enough how getting in front of the lens is a necessity! I love to be in front of the camera as much as I love being behind it! I might be a touch bit vain. Trust me, there are times I hate every picture taken of me but I power through that because it's just my brain trying to bring me down. Photos of milestones are so important. Spoken word is great, written word is better, but being able to show someone the emotion that is captured during those milestones is the best. But you know what? Candid photos, random snapshots, selfies with friends (are they still called selfies? Facies? Groupies?) are also a wonderful documentation of life! They serve as a reminder to us about how we might have felt that day or they might remind us to never cut our hair again (personal experience, I'm still heartbroken). 

Another great location, we're right by downtown/historic Ocala. I liked the look of the trees and there just so happened to be a trail off the side of the road, so I took it! You have to keep your eyes peeled for great finds!

 

I implore you, even if you're a private person or aren't a fan of photos, at least have some shots of you. Shots of you alone, with your partner, with your kids (especially with your kids!) so you have those moments to hold on to. Once those moments have passed all you'll have are your memories and, hopefully, your photographs. It's nice to leave a legacy behind, one peppered with great, and not so great, photographs!

Shot in downtown/historic Ocala, FL by the ever lovely Alison Soracchi! Pretty sure this was outside a gym. I thought the heartbeat was fitting. ;)

Football Season: How Not To Lose Interest

This post could also be titled: How To Remain Relevant To Your Husband From The Months of September to February!

I'm a Cheesehead. I'm part of The Pack. A Packer Backer. A Lambeau-Lover. I love me some Green Bay Packer Football! GO PACK GO!

OK, now that that's out of the way. I will admit that in previous football seasons I have only had interest in the Packer games. Since beginning a life with Mitch, a diehard member of the Steeler Nation (I know, how could I?!), come Sunday I'd plant myself on the couch, watch the Packer game, or what little was on because hubby would switch around to other games he was interested in, and when that was over I would switch my attention to Netflix or a book. More often than not, I'd take a nap. 

Until this year when my dear husband decided he wanted to put together a fantasy league. That's right, I'm sleeping with the commish. (commissioner for all you non-football fans out there) He needed participants and I said I'd play. I'd played in a league once before and done rather well so I figured, what the heck?! My start was rocky, losing my first two matchups. But, I got better, smarter, picked up some good players and even cashed in on a pretty sweet trade (I picked up Jamaal Charles for Martellus Bennett....I know you're jelly). One thing I didn't really factor into this endeavor was growing a little bit closer with my husband on the sports front. Previously our sports interactions were relegated to the two rivalries we have; I'm a Gator Girl and he's All Vol (but I've converted him, for the most part, at least he's no longer a Gator Hater!) and, of course, the ever present Packer/Steeler rivalry. All the rest of our interactions to do with sports is him asking if I saw that play and me, not looking up from what I was doing, mumbling "uh huh, it was cool." Now, don't get me wrong, my eyes can still get a little glazed when he talks about certain things and this does not spill over into any other sport. But I will cherish the extra bonding that we get by playing in a league together. 

And hey, look! I'm winning this week against my friend's hubby! #SorryNotSorry, Reading Rainbow!

Week 12 and I'm winning! And yes, my team name is, in fact, Clay Matthews Band. Love me some Clay Matthews! 

Large & In Charge (OR What to Wear at 38 Weeks Pregnant)

I'm pregnant, 38 weeks today. We've been exhaustingly busy since August --Hawaii, Tennessee, Baby Classes, Getting the house in order, you get the picture-- We've somehow pushed having maternity pictures taken out to the last minute. But the day has finally come and I had no idea as to what I was going to wear. Mitch is easy; jeans, t-shirt and chucks. I, on the other hand, am the size of a VW Bug and have no budget to buy something new to wear. So what did I do....I turned on my 90's Pandora Station (the one with angry white rappers and ridiculously good looking men who wear bandaids on their face for the sake of fashion) and I spent the morning trying on every imaginable outfit combination in my closet. See below!

Find the same or similar items here: Skinny Jeans (in all photos), Aztec Dolman Sweater (3rd outfit - I got mine from Zulily but try this site for a different look!), Pink Old Navy Tank Top (not maternity!), Leather Jacket (also not maternity and bought 2-ish years ago from Express), White V-neck top.

 So, which one do you think I chose, which one do you think I should choose? Guess you'll have to wait for the big reveal!

In the past, photoshoots have been a huge deal for me, as a photographer I tend to overthink things and plan extensively and put a lot of effort into getting ready. With this I've kind of let all that slide to the last minute which means I'll be doing my own makeup and hair. I did go and get my eyebrows done because it served three purposes; 1: I needed it, badly! 2. I wasn't having my picture taken with caterpillars on my forehead! 3. I wasn't bringing a new baby into this world looking like a cavewoman! (I know, he won't care!) Here's to hoping that Mitch can make it to the shoot (he's currently an hour's drive from home) and the lighting cooperates because we have a very limited time in which to get the shoot completed! YAY!

Three Questions You Might Be Asking

Three questions you might be asking right now: 

3. Who is this person?

A. I'd like to think I'm still looking for the answer to that question myself. Without getting too deep and existential I will give you the rundown! My name is Tiffany and I live (and up until recently, worked) in Central, FL. I am married to my best friend who I met in HS - but we were not high school sweethearts, so hold the Awwwwws. We met in 2001 and did not begin a romantic relationship until 2009. My husband is currently a recruiter in the United States Navy so that makes me a Navy Wife! We're both in our late, soon to be very late, 20's and are expecting our first child! It's a Boy! We also have two Boston Terrier pups (Ok, ok, they're 6 years old...they've moved on from puppy-hood) and their names are Mojo and Tipsy. 

2. What is this blog about?

A. Well, this is my third attempt at writing a blog. I don't necessarily consider myself a writer but I do feel I have important and fun things to say that others might like to read or need to hear. I hope to provide lots of laughs, important information, family updates, DIY, and a look into my photography. 

1. What's with the name?

A. HAHA, well, I take naps. I really do! I love them! Sleep. is. awesome. With that logic, naps are also awesome. Don't you think? Does this blog have anything to do with naps? Nope. Although, I can't promise I won't post about our son's napping routine or my utter need to take a nap because of our son's lack of a nap routine! I didn't want my blog's title to be too literal. I struggled immensely with picking a name for my blog and I just wanted to stop and take a nap....so that's what I did. And then named my blog after it. I hope people can see the humor and don't think it idiotic and ametuer, and if they do, then I guess I didn't want them to be readers anyway! 

So there you have it. My first post a Q&A so to speak.

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