Alissa and Jason {we did!}

When I met with Santa Barbara locals, Jason and Alissa, I knew right away they were going to have a beautiful wedding day.  Alissa, an art buyer, and Jason, a designer for an architectural firm, told me all about their romantic Tuscan themed afternoon at the Santa Barbara Historical Museum and I was in heaven listening to all the details they were crafting for their day. I loved Alissa's ideas for using potted herbs as her centerpieces on dark wooden tables and hearing how Jason's dad would be putting the ceremony flower pots together, so sweet!  As I was photographing the night, I felt like I was witnessing an intimate family dinner.  The guests were so excited to celebrate Alissa and Jason's wedding and the entire night flowed seamlessly, thanks to Donna Romani and her team, plus the food was so good!  I even took my soon to be hubby to Via Maestro 42 the following weekend to get another taste of the pumpkin filled ravioli, yum!! From the two of them whisking away in their VW van to the multiple cakes table, I was in camera candy land the whole night!  Jason and Alissa, thank you again for inviting my associate, Shannon Miller, and I into your lives on such a wonderful day and I hope to see you around town soon! xo


Alissa and Jason ©KGP

006alissajasonkgp-xl 008alissajasonkgp-xl 030alissajasonkgp-l 036alissajasonkgp-xl 061alissajasonkgp-l 065alissajasonkgp-xl 044alissajasonkgp-l 073alissajasonkgp-xl
077alissajasonkgp-xl 087alissajasonkgp-xl 136alissajasonkgp-l 154alissajasonkgp-xl 152alissajasonkgp-l 156alissajasonkgp-ti 099alissajasonkgp-xl 595alissajasonkgp-xl
182alissajasonkgp-l 184alissajasonkgp-l 190alissajasonkgp-l 195alissajasonkgp-xl 202alissajasonkgp-xl 216alissajasonkgp-xl 231alissajasonkgp-l 253alissajasonkgp-l
265alissajasonkgp-xl 271alissajasonkgp-xl 289alissajasonkgp-xl 284alissajasonkgp-xl 277alissajasonkgp-xl 351alissajasonkgp-xl 399alissajasonkgp-l 125alissajasonkgp-l
469alissajasonkgp-xl 562alissajasonkgp-xl 543alissajasonkgp-xl 560alissajasonkgp-xl 767alissajasonkgp-xl 769alissajasonkgp-xl 817alissajasonkgp-xl 839alissajasonkgp-xl

Time moves too fast {personal}

Time is moving too fast!!  It's as if we've been put into a machine that moves extra fast and everything around us requires us to move that much faster ... but my mind is stationary.  Is this what they call Mommy Brain? I think yes ... well wait, I can't really think at all! Eoin tends to think for me ... a LOT!

I've decided to relax and not let things stress me out, like how much Curtis is growing and I've hardly taken enough photos of him (according to me). Or how much work I have to do. Or that I have to write these daily milestones is his baby book ... I know it may seem like little things, but that's what being a first time parent does to you.

But seriously, all we have to do is look at Curtis and our world melts.  We laugh and he laughs now.  We smile, then he does. It's pure magic. 

We're attempting a routine ... walk at dusk, bath time, story and nurse, then bed. And miraculously he sleeps through the night at 10 weeks!! It's so fun being a mom! And Eoin LOVES being a dad.  It's a blessing beyond belief.  I love every single thing about it!  I love knowing my baby.  I love knowing his different cries and I love how to make him laugh.  I love that I get to drop everything and pay attention to him. I love his cheeks and his chin quiver. I love seeing him grow every day, literally over night.  I love watching him discover new things and find certain spots in our house to focus his attention on.  I love his toes and his wrinkly hands and fingers.  I love how fast his nails grow!  I love his ears. He has my ears.  I kiss them often.  I love that he closes his eyes every time I kiss him on the mouth or on the nose.  I love under his chin and the folds that are forming at the base of his neck.  I love that he likes to sleep with his arms up by his head. I love how he cradles against me when he is hungry or how he reaches out to find me when he is scared.  I love watching him and his daddy play together, and seeing how differently he reacts to Eoin than how he reacts to me.  He is more excited when Eoin is playing with him, probably because I make him do tummy time. I love how much he kicks when I give him a bath and that he straightens his legs for me when I need to wash his backside.  I love how he sucks on his bottom lip. I love that he laughs in his sleep. I love that he gets ravenous when he eats. I love when he looks me in the eyes. I love his eyelashes. I love his coos and ahhs and grunts.  I love that he loves me.  He completes me and I love that he brings out the best in me.

In the midst of it all, I am trying to find balance. It makes me think, is there such a thing when you have kids? Does balance even exist or are we just trying to hang on to the lightening-speed-machine called time? I like what I am finding on the net about this ever present question in the mind of a mother.  Here's a little excerpt I found ... as well as a few photos of my Curtis.  Ahhh yes! Check one thing off my list of things to do. :)

From MommyTracked.com ...

"Working motherhood continues to be an evolving and fraught journey. We each have plenty of experiential evidence that balance is elusive and difficult to maintain, regardless of our choices.  So we continue to balance and re-balance, altering our fit as needed, as we become the moms we want and need to be." 

We're at his 10 week mark and I still can't believe how big he is already. It's truly amazing watching your baby grow!

 

Rachel and Tor {we did!}

Rachel and Tor_KGP

Rachel and TOR_KGP

Rachel and Tor_KGP

hard to believe {personal}

Birth Story {personal}

June 4 - Saturday
After working our plant sale all day and then shooting a senior portrait that afternoon (
Yes, I was working up until the day I went into labor), I started having mild contractions just after dinner, around 7pm and they lasted through the night. Although I could pretty much sleep through them, I knew they were present and my labor was beginning.  I could feel Curtis kicking around and I was so excited. So excited that I called my mom first thing in the morning, around 5:30 am!  She was already all packed and ready to drive out from Arizona, but I wasn't for sure about my labor actually progressing into the real birth.  But she was so excited she decided to drive out anyway! :)

June 5 - Sunday
Oddly enough, I had no contractions, well maybe two or three randomly throughout the day.  We waited for my mom to arrive and just stuck around the house, cleaning and getting things ready.  I was so antsy that we went on a walk down to the beach and I walked up and down the beach access stairs twice to try to get things going again.  Mom arrived around 5pm and we made an awesome dinner and then off to bed. 

June 6 - Monday
The day began with early morning contractions, but only the same in intensity as Saturday night. So Eoin goes to work and Mom and I decided to go to Costco in the afternoon and walk around. My contractions started again after lunch, but mom and I decided to go to Costco anyway around 3pm.  Mom and I covered the entire store and I could feel the contractions getting stronger the more we shopped.  We call the midwives to let them know what was happening and they advised us to call again when they get closer together and more intense. Around 9pm I get into bed, but this time I could not sleep through the contractions. They were definitely in motion.  This baby was coming and soon! So I had hoped …

June 7 -Tuesday - Notes of the day taken by my mom …
Cold morning in Carp

3:30am Eoin woke me up and said that Kristen was in labor big time. She was in the bathtub trying to get comfy...I think she needed another two feet of tub and a babe in her arms to make that happen.

5:45am - After a couple of calls to the midwife, we left for the birth center in Ventura.  We verified that K had been in 4-1-1 labor (every 4 minutes, contractions 1 minute long, and for at least an hour). I'm sure she had already been in labor the entire night every 5 minutes.  Waved good-bye to neighbor Mike (Uncle Oreo) as we drove off.

Met Dawn (midwife) at VBC (Ventura Birth Center) at 6am.  K is already 5cm dilated. Bag of waters is bulging 2" out of her cervix.  Curtis is hiccupping and doing fine.

Grandma Christy and Skip here to check on things. Christy feeling awful and they decided to go back home rather than spread germs.  Good thing too - cuz K really doesn't want an audience or the feeling that people are waiting on her. They brought over breakfast and we all had some, even K.

9am - still at it...stronger and stronger contractions. K is breathing thru the contractions and Curtis ' heartbeat is super strong.

Dawn checked on her at 9am. She like sitting up on the edge of the bed - none of the laying down work for her - 6cm with big bag of water pushing down - baby's head is above the bag. Dawn is going to break her water to relieve some of the pressure.

9:10am - water broken....really gushed out....and really alllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllloooooooooooooooooooooooooootttttttttttttttttttt of it!

More contractions.....Kristen threw up at 9:45am - so much for breakfast

Then she had, in her words,  'the best chocolate milk ever'.  Thanks Eoin for packing that.

Best position is sitting on the edge of the bed.

Tub time at 10am

1:30pm Propped up in the corner of the bed surrounded by pillows.  Eoin - tired tired tired....both of them try to get a nap but the contractions keep coming. Naptime???? what's that????

3pm - Up and walking around outside. Mom went and got some Peanut Butter Smoothies 

 


4pm - More tub time. Using the breast pump to bring on more contractions.  Pushing pushing  pushing with legs pulled up - then on her knees and elbows, then on her one side, then on another side.....good grief how many positions are there????

Pushing pushing pushing

Tub time 5:05pm Fully dilated

He's a BIG boy!!!

Kristen - envisioning the front cervix melting away......(comment from Mom: melting away my ass....this isn't working maybe K should think about that epidural)

More heavy pushing… contractions steady one on top of the other … sitting in the birthing stool …. Curtis will not budge

6pm - Sue (midwife) come to birth center for a prenatal with another couple, while K grunts through her contractions.

7pm - Davie (midwife) shows up to help K.  Dawn, Sue and Davie keep a close eye on Curtis. K keeps asking, he should have been here by now??  What is going on?  Why doesn’t he move? 

More heavy pushing… K is exhausted, up now for 48 hours, no real food … I had to take a break and rest, my first born is going through so much, I have to pray.

9pm - K is pushing so hard she bursts blood vessels in her eyes … midwives gather to discuss next move … Sue tries to motivate K into pushing 4 big pushes with each contraction… PAIN!! Eoin sitting behind her holding her hair for her … K says she can’t do it anymore (only 5 hours of pushing!) … he’s not moving … midwives concur to let K know they’ve tried EVERYTHING and baby Curtis will not fit through her pelvis and that going to the hospital would be the safest thing for the baby and her.  Sue calls ahead to the hospital to alert them K is coming … Eoin looks worried, but strong. 

10pm - Going to hospital. Baby Curtis' head is just not coming down the birth canal - it isn't molding and is just staying up too high. 

Kristen is exhausted - Eoin drives her over to the hospital (just across the street - hey wasn't that a selling point of the VBC?) and parked the car as Mom and K walked up a FLIGHT OF CONCRETE STAIRS IN FULL LABOR -----Helllllllllllllllllllllllllllloooooooooooooooooo this woman is in PUSHING labor ----------- what's wrong with this picture?  She had to register and sign about 10 forms - god only knows what she wrote for her name. Dawn was with her as they took her in to see the Dr. and he immediately ordered a C-section - and they took her in to prep her.

As they wheeled her past the waiting room, I hugged and kissed her - she had gotten a spinal block and couldn't feel anything....what a relief.  Eoin was with her and Skip, Monica and I waited in the waiting room.  About an hour later, as Monica was showing Skip where the restroom was, Eoin came out so thrilled and excited.  He showed us Baby Curtis in the Transitional Nursery while Kristen went to Recovery.  All is well - Praise God!  

Curtis Randall Hammonds
11:12pm June 7, 2011
10 lbs 2.5 oz   22inches long
9.9 Apgar score

Watched as they foot-printed him, measured, weighed him....put the goop in his eyes...and watched him cry cry cry - he wanted mommy. Eoin was in and out of the nursery telling us about everything.  Amazing.....



Skip and Monica left around midnight. Eoin and I stayed watching baby curtis. Around 1:30pm they brought Curtis out to go to Kristen's room. She's still in recovery but will be returning soon. The nurse checked Curtis in and we settled in to wait for K.  I picked up Curtis and snuggled him and then handed him off to Eoin who just sat there staring at his new little boy.  "Gosh, will you look at those eyelashes" was just one of the many comments Eoin said as he sat there mesmerized by this little miracle.  

K came back to her room around 2am - talk about a high....she was so excited and didn't feel much pain at all from the surgery. She just wanted to hold Curtis.  I left the hospital around 2:30am and Eoin stayed with his new family. Thank you Jesus for such a miracle of love.  

My perspective:

As the day began at 6am I was so excited that Curtis was finally going to be here soon.  I was 3 days past my due date, so we were ready.  Everything progressed as expected, and I was looking forward to my natural birth with my midwives.  When it got to around 12pm, I started to worry.  I wasn’t sure what I was doing wrong, and I felt so confused as to why Curtis would not descend.  The contractions that I had been experiencing throughout the night and early in the morning were nothing compared to what was to come.  Little did I know our birth plan was already out the window.

Around 4pm, Dawn told me if I wanted to push I could. However, I did not feel that sensation or urge to push. I did feel like my behind was on fire though, so Dawn encouraged me that that was what it was and that baby was coming soon, I was fully dilated.  So with every contraction, which were every 2 minutes or so, I pushed, with every part of me.  Eoin held me, rubbed my back, told me things like ‘you’re so beautiful’ and ‘you’re doing great’ and he never left my side. At least I never saw him leave.  He never took a break, he told me later that if I was going through it, he had to too.*my love*

An hour later … Curtis was still at negative 1 station, just above my pelvis. He was moving around and trying to fit through, I could feel him doing it.  Dawn said she could see his head coming through my cervix, but only a tiny bit. She was trying to move his head so that his chin was tucked down and try to figure out how he was positioned.  But, still he would not descend.

Two hours later … no change.

Three, Four, Five hours later … nothing. At this point, I was feeling REALLY worried about why it was taking so long.  Eoin and I had been up for over 48 hours and my belly burned with white-hot pain. I could barely keep my eyes open, but when I did, I saw Sue, Dawn and Davie standing over me, and I heard Sue’s words of hard-core encouragement. She told me to REALLY push hard, and I was thinking … what have I been doing all this time??  So I did, even harder, reaching down into the depths of my gut, my soul, my primal woman, and I pushed as hard as I could.  Nothing.  It was then that Dawn told me I had tried everything and it was time to go to the hospital.

I was really scared when I was examined by the hospital Dr and when he told me surgery was THE safest choice to deliver our baby. The other option, if I still wanted a vaginal delivery, would be to get out the vacuum and risk breaking his shoulders or worse, him getting stuck somewhere.  Throughout my pregnancy, I was so against anything hospital that my heart sank when I learned the news, but I was too focused on Curtis to be concerned with my original birth plan. "Go for it" I said. And with that, the drugs came and everything changed ... honestly I was relieved to not feel another contraction. Now I had 10 people around me that I did not know, who weren’t our midwives in a very cold, very bright, sterile environment, lying on a hard table with my arms strapped down and Eoin in the waiting area. They had to begin the operation before they could let him in, so I was alone with Curtis - it was just us among all these strangers that I put my faith into. I do have to say the Doctor was awesome.  He introduced me to everyone in the surgery room, and my anesthesiologist was really sweet adn talked to me the whole time they prepped me. It was a whirlwind! I remember just talking to Curtis, letting him know that it would be ok, that this is the way God wants him to come out and that mommy and daddy are waiting for him. The anesthesiologist went to get Eoina nd we were finally together. Eoin's eyes were so wide and alert, focussing on me, he kept kissing me and telling me I was doing great, that we'd have Curtis soon. Getting him out took all of 20 minutes and Curtis was here, pink and crying and perfect.  It was funny, the staff was taking bets as to how much he would weigh, and when we heard the news, we were shocked! I was thinking 9 pounds, maybe 9 and a half.  But 10 lbs 2.5 oz!!! I laughed with Eoin as we said, no wonder! Considering Eoin was 7 lbs 9oz and I was 8 lbs 14 oz, and that I did not have gestational diabetes, who knows how this baby got so big! He was so beautiful the second he came out. He was brought over to the warmer and Eoin was asked to cut the umbilical cord, which was a moment he says he’ll never forget.  Curtis was crying so hard, I told Eoin to touch him, talk to him, touch him, touch him, touch him!   Then the nurse let Eoin bring him over to me, and when he did Curtis and I touched cheeks, I kissed his forehead and he instantly stopped crying. I told him I was here and that I’ll be with him soon, then they took him to the nursery with Eoin and I had to wait another 2 hours to see my baby. I had to go to recovery until I could move my legs and lift up my torso, so I willed my legs to move and for the drugs to exit my body. I talked very heartily with the recovery nurses, laughing and showing them that my spirits were good and kept asking to be released sooner.  Finally, the nurse understood how frantic I was to see Curtis, and I could move my legs, so she called up to let them know I was coming up.  They wheeled me into our room and I saw Eoin standing there holding our son and I saw relief on my mom’s face and when I finally got to hold my baby in my arms, I kissed him so much, he smelled so good, he never cried once and found my breast right away.  


Final thoughts:

After everything, I’m just so thankful that Curtis is here now and that he is healthy and strong and I am ok too.  The whole experience was really traumatic and the more I think back on it the more I am truly thankful for modern technology.  I have found a new respect for the medical industry, even though I still think the procedure end of it could use a little warm up. I only wish I cold have held Curtis longer after he was born and that they let me be with me and begin breastfeeding right away while in recovery.  I am still healing from the Cesarean. I had heavy, painful cramping the weeks after and my whole abdomen hurt so much that Eoin had to pull me up out of bed to feed Curtis for the first week after we got home from the hospital. During the next 2 weeks, it literally took me about 3 minutes to get up from a sitting position, but I only stayed on pain meds for one week.  Not only was I healing from the Cesarean, my abdomen had basically done 1001 sit-ups and I was recovering from serious muscle damage as well.  I’m trying to get back to work editing, but it’s going to take a lot longer until I’m 100%, which is hard for me to accept, but I have no choice.

I never in my farthest imagination did I think that I would have to go through something like that. Here I am planning my natural birth with no drugs, no hospital intervention and the exact opposite ended up happening.  I like to think that Curtis has two birth stories, completely opposite of each other, much like his Gemini birth sign, but that’s the hippie in me coming out. :) Eoin and I look at Curtis every day and are in amazement. We’re constantly saying to each other, ‘Wow! We’re parents!’ and things like ‘He’s so perfect! He’s so beautiful! He’s King of our castle!’   Thank you God, seriously thank you.



Baby Curtis is here! {personal}

After a grueling 41 hour natural labor, which resulted in an emergency Cesarean section (because he would not fit through my pelvis), Curtis came out pink and perfect at 11:12 pm on June 7th, 3 days after his due date, weighing 10 pounds 2.5 ounces!  Oh and he was only 22 inches long! :)

We are recovering gently and every day we thank God for our miracle.  I'll be posting his birth story and more pictures soon! Much love and thanks for all your love, prayers and support!

Baby Curtis is Here!

Countdown to Curtis {Personal}

Well, I am now at 38 weeks and all is ready! The birth bags are packed, the car seat is installed, the birth plan is written, the nursery is complete ... it seems all we need now is the baby.  With all the changes that have gone on over the past 9 months, it seems weird to me to just sit back and relax and wait, but that's exactly what I've been advised to do.  However, I just can't sit still, it's not in my nature.  So, I've been doing housework and finishing up some last minute editing and designing some very late Wedding Books for my very patient clients. :) 

Below is some of what's been going on around here over the past 3 months ...

Our Maternity Portrait:  My dear friend Barbara gifted us with these amazing photos! I mean, I knew she is talented, but holy moley, I was blown away!  I have to be honest, it was so strange being on the other side of the camera, but it was SO fun at the same time!  I now know exactly what my clients feel when I'm photographing their life moments. It was so incredible and special to have Barbara make these photos of me and Eoin with Curtis.  We will treasure them forever! Barbara~we love you!

KG MATERNITY ©BAP

KG MATERNITY ©BAP

KG MATERNITY ©BAP

KG MATERNITY ©BAP

KG Maternity ©BAP

A Baby Shower for Curtis: My sisters and my mom drove out from Arizona to help put together my baby shower for Curtis and it was such a blast!  Hosted at my good friend, Viana Cuellar's,  Summerland home and incredibly decorated by the ever talented Natasha Organista, the afternoon of fun and love was something I will never forget.  My friend from back-in-the-days-of-Brooks, Cyndi Hardy, actually came out from Arizona too and shot these super cute photos below.  I just love how she captured my every emotion going on for those 3 hours. Eoin even came down to surprise me, again with the waterworks! Thank you sooooooo much to everyone who came out and shared in the fun. It is truly a blessing to have you in my life and both Eoin and I are eternally grateful for your gifts of love and support of our journey into parenthood and all the goodies for our son. :)

Shower for Curtis

Shower for Curtis

Below~Me and the girls later that day in our backyard. :)

me and the girls

Curtis' Room:  So in sticking with the ocean theme, we have been decorating and designing Curtis' room for the past three months.  Eoin did all the painting and major hanging projects while I spent WAY too much money on Amazon.com collecting all the decor.  I have to say though, I LOVE the fish stickers on the wall above his crib.  I read somewhere that the infant mind is stimulated by contrasting colors, so I hope the school of blue fish keep him happy.  We really had a fun time putting everything together. It's something different to experience with the love of your life, preparing for your child together and going through the emotions.  I love how well Eoin and I work as a team and can truly appreciate our job well done.  We've already added another shelf above the changing table for easy access to diapers, wipes, etc.  Often times, I will find him in there, sitting in the chair or standing in the middle of the room, quietly just taking it all in.  He is going to be an amazing Dad. :)

Curtis Room 1

Curtis Room 2

So, that's it for now .... until Curtis arrives (around June 4th), we will be basking in the before birth stillness of our milestone into parenthood.  Eoin and I will both be taking a six week leave of work once Curtis arrives so we can truly give everything to him during those precious first few weeks.  So to reach us, please call our cell phones ... and if we don't answer please leave us a message and we'll call you back when we've all taken a nap. :)

9 months and still workin! {personal}

Last weekend Eoin and I traveled down to San Diego to shoot a wedding ... and yes, I am nine months pregnant!  I lasted a whole 12 hours and Curtis did great!  He slept practically the whole time and allowed me to stay on my feet for the entire day.  :)  I was actually shocked at how much energy I had, given my energy level is pretty low at home.  But, I am always uplifted at weddings, energy comes out of nowhere and I am bouncing around pretty much the entire time anyway.  Eoin was on R&R duty, constantly bringing me food and water {Thank you Jennie for having falafels on your menu!}.  I'll be posting Jennie and Tom's magical wedding at the Orfila Winery in the next week or so, as well as my beautiful maternity photos shot by Barbara Alessandra and our baby shower photos shot by Cyndi Hardy ... oh and pics of Curtis' room too! (shot by me) :) Meanwhile, here is a pic of me and Eoin taken by Stephanie, Jennie's sister and my good friend, getting ready to capture the day. You can't really tell how big I am, but just wait, you'll soon get the drift in the upcoming posts!

Alissa and Jason {we will!}

I know sometimes I get too sappy on my couples when I'm capturing their engagement session,  but really, isn't it fun to be cheesy! Take for instance Alissa and Jason!  When we met for a walk through at their ceremony and reception venue, Santa Barbara Historical Museum, it was just too easy for me to get amazing photos of the two of them hamming it up for me, well Jason hamming and Alissa giggling. :) They are seriously so cute together and their laughter was beyond contagious.  Just click on the photos below to check out how cute they really are, just being them. {A&J ~ Thanks again for the fun afternoon and I can't WAIT for your wedding next month!}

A&J ©KGP

0006 0014 0017 0025 0033 0037 0044 0045