Well - I made a quick mention on yesterdays post about Ben Rudnick & Friends. They are a great children’s band whose music is now gracing my website (don’t you just love it!). The song “A Frog Named Sam” is from their latest album and this is the new music video on You Tube! I am posting the video here, but also a link to it on You Tube. Please go there and check it out as well, vote on it, leave a comment. . .all that good stuff. Oh - of course be sure to share it with everyone you know too. Justin has now asked me for the past 15 min to “put that frong song on again!”. Yes, its that good!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ImF7z7qM3a0

Can you even stand the cuteness here! Little G. is just gorgeous and teeny tiny! I have to say she is quite the amazing sleeper too, she was OUT. She is lucky enough to join a family with an awesome Mom & Dad and adorable baby sister. She just has it made. Thanks so much for having me out to your home today, I had a great time. Can’t wait to share your full gallery soon!

PS - Check out the new music on my website! It is by the super amazing Ben Rudnick & Friends. Check them out them out here, www.benrudnick.com. You are going to love them and so will your kids! Keep your eyes open for a contest in May where you can win your choice of one of their CDs!

I am pleased to introduce everyone to the owner of Baby Bump Motherhood Center, Melinda Shaw.  BBMC is a 3d/4d sonogram facility that also offers a great range of maternity services. . .think pregnancy spa! As many of you likely already know, I will be working with Melinda providing maternity sessions at BBMC once per month and I also have a display of images hanging there as well (see images below!). She is wonderful to work with and has such a great vision for BBMC! So without further delay. . .meet Melinda and Baby Bump Motherhood Center!

So tell us a little bit about “Baby Bump Motherhood Center” for those readers not familiar with it yet.
Baby Bump Motherhood Center is a destination to celebrate your pregnancy. We believe that pregnancy is a special time in a woman’s life that should be embraced and enjoyed to its fullest. We are the ONLY elective 3D/4D Ultrasound facility in the Buffalo, NY area.

What other services are offered at Baby Bump Motherhood Center?
In addition to providing elective 3D/4D ultrasounds, we also offer Gender Determination sonograms, Prenatal Massages by Licensed Massage Therapists that are passionate about pregnancy, Prenatal Yoga Classes, and of course, Maternity Portraits by the incredibly talented Samara Hutcheson of SH Portraits!

What about your job do you like most?
I love facilitating a beautiful bonding experience between the mommies and daddies-to-be and their unborn babies, and creating amazing memories for entire families to share. I also LOVE the smiles of contentment on the mommies’ faces after their massages. It is rewarding to see that they have finally found some much needed relief!

How did you get started?
Baby Bump Motherhood Center was “born” out of my desire to see my baby in 3D/4D. When I couldn’t find the service anywhere in Western New York, I decided to do it myself!

What is the best time for Mom to have her 3d/4d ultrasound?
Between 28-34 weeks when her baby is nice and chubby but still has room to move and play.

Where can we find you (website, blog, location)?
We are open by appointment and located at 4429 Union Road in Cheektowaga, NY. Our website is www.BabyBumpMotherhoodCenter.com and phone number is (716) 444-5555.

Do you have any upcoming events that you would like to share with readers?
We are currently offering Mother’s Day Specials thru the end of May, including our Ultimate 3D/4D Ultrasound for only $149 and our 1-hour Ultimate Massage for only $65. Please mention “Mother’s Day Special” when booking your appointment. Gift certificates are also available in any denomination and can be applied toward any of our services.

What is your favorite thing to do when you aren’t at Baby Bump Motherhood Center?
Playing silly games and making up goofy songs with my two little girls.

So today is annual “Kiss Your Mate” Day. I say spread the love to your kids and give them an extra kiss or two (or three!) today.

Always kiss your children goodnight, even if they’re already asleep. ~H. Jackson Brown, Jr.

PS - Stay tuned tomorrow for my first business spotlight with The Baby Bump Motherhood Center!

It has been so long since I took my oldest out for portraits of her.  So last night was the night - with a friend in tow of course.  We are unfortunately in the “I’m a diva” facemaking time of her life, but she can be reminded to look “normal” too. lol  I just can not believe how quickly she is growing up at the end of summer she will be 8. . .going on 16.  So indulge my mommy goggles and just talk about how beautiful she is ;)  Her friend is our neighbor too and they play all. the. time.  Its a good thing we all like each other. I call her the cartwheel queen, she is always doing them. It is like they are second nature to her and honestly I have never seen anyone do such a graceful cartwheel its like she is just floating.   Enjoy everyone and as always - thanks for coming over to the blog!

PS - Check out the info tab up top for some information about the next mini session event!

I am so pleased to tell everyone that I am now an affiliated photographer with Pictures of Hope. Being affiliated with ACPCG and with NILMDTS as an Area Coordinator have shown me what a need there is for this type of service for families with children in a NICU in the Buffalo NY area.  I have many friends who have gone through the months of having a child in a NICU whom I am sure would have done anything for an organization like Pictures of Hope.  Please be sure to visit the website for more details, and information on finding a photographer if you are not in my area.  Please help spread the word with us!

What is Pictures of Hope?
Pictures of Hope is a charitable organization of professional photographers who provide complimentary, documentary-style, photography sessions to babies in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) and their families.  The Pictures of Hope Foundation is comprised of photographers (many of whom are “NICU mothers” themselves) from across the United States and Canada who are dedicated to donating their time to a cause they believe in, and sharing the gift of photography with families in need.

What is provided in a NICU session?
Families with a child in the NICU receive a complimentary photography session, using the available light in each room, and a complimentary set of 4×6 photographs from their session (approx. 25). Upon request, images can also be posted to a private online gallery to share with family and friends who are unable to visit. Sessions can take place immediately upon entering the NICU or parents may opt to wait until closer to their dismissal date. Sessions are entirely accommodated to the needs of the individual family. Sessions include individual images of the baby (including any attached wires/monitors, nothing will need to be disconnected), as well as relationship type images with mom and dad (if possible), captured with a more photo journalistic approach.

What is the cost?
There are no fees for our services. The session and set of 4×6 photographs from your session are entirely complimentary. Should you decide to place an additional order, you will receive AT LEAST 25% off your current photographer’s pricing, however you are under NO OBLIGATION to purchase any additional images.

Why Pictures of Hope?
Throughout pregnancy most parents don’t anticipate the possibility of their baby needing to stay in the NICU after birth. Whatever that reason may be, time spent in the NICU is often an unexpected journey for families, a journey full of overwhelming emotions…sadness, confusion, hope, celebration, and unfortunately, at times grief. Throughout this roller coaster of emotions, many parents do not consider the importance of documenting these precious moments in their lives nor do they think about how much they will truly cherish these images years down the road. In some cases, a little extra TLC from the NICU is needed to be sure the little one gets off to the best possible start, for these families on the road to well being, photographs are a wonderful reminder of just how far their little one has come, however, photographs also play a necessary and very important role in the healing process for other families. In the most heart breaking circumstances, photos may be the only tangible keepsakes some parents have of their precious little one. All Pictures of Hope participating photographers are dedicated to providing NICU families with invaluable images you will cherish forever, captured in a sensitive and caring manner.

Little Miss E. here has been a friend of mine for a little while now and lucky me had a visit from her at my mini session event. She is such a doll. How fabulous is her big polka dot green dress and piggy tales. Loved hanging out with her & Mom!

First, welcome to my new blog!  I am so excited to be launching it finally. It is very “me” and everything just looks so much nicer and it is much more user friendly. Check out the great comments feature and the easily accesible specials page under info. I am sure everyone will love it.

Now. . .onto this sweet little face.  I had the pleasure of photographing miss K. here a while back and she has grown so much. In fact she even told me that she is “4 and 4 quarters”.  I had a lovely time with her at her mini session this weekend.  I am looking forward to showing Mom & Dad their complete “mini” gallery soon!