Mommy Finds

For me, finding a photographer to chronicle Tessa’s first year was more difficult than finding a pediatrician (and that wasn’t any easy task). I wanted someone who was talented (obvie), creative (but not creepy creative like Anne Geddes); someone who wasn’t flaky (sometimes hard to find with creative peeps) and who wouldn’t charge $3,000 a session (also amazingly hard to find). For this, I contacted, interviewed and reviewed portfolios of over a dozen photographers in the Scottsdale/Phoenix area. I asked for referrals: both from other mommies as well as professional photographers I contract with at work. I thought about a student photographer at ASU. Maybe they could fit the bill? I spent months working on this. I wanted to find someone before Tessa was born, someone who I could add to the e-mail distribution list with Tessa’s birth announcement and who would be waiting – and not flake out! The amount of time I spent on this was bordering asinine. But I really wanted to find the perfect photographer.

And I did. I love love love our photographer, Vanessa. Maybe three loves isn’t enough.

Besides being all of the above: talented, creative, responsive, and reasonably priced. Vanessa is an awesome person. She is super passionate about her work . . . well, she’s passionate about everything. You can feel her energy enter the room. And she’s a mommy of two and adores the babies. More love.

And though I don’t see Vanessa as often as the pediatrician (unfortunately), I feel a similar bond with her because she has been there through our first six months. She was there when Tessa was five days old and I was an insecure mom not knowing how to hold my baby without breaking her. She held Tessa so naturally, it warmed my heart. And she not only was there – but she caught it on film – when Tessa projectile pooped all over our bed. She and I laughed hysterically while Rob ran for the heavens. It’s a moment I won’t forget. She was also there when Tessa was suffering from a double ear infection the day before her baptism. She was there when Tessa wore her first tu-tu and Vanessa brought headbands specifically for Tessa’s small little head.

I know I could be taking my own photos (which I am – at an obscene rate) but, for me, I really wanted some professional photos of Tessa’s first year. Babies grow so fast and I wanted to capture her progression through the stages. I guess what I didn’t expect was that in capturing these memories, we’d be making them at the same time.

Here are the links to our three photo shoots in Tessa’s first six months:

At five days old – poop happens.

At three months – with all my heart.

At six months – daughters.

And here’s a link to Vanessa’s Web site – Bliss Boutique Photography

We Arizonans love our cacti – but this might be going too far. I mean . . .ouch!

Though this state is all about our wild West roots, the cactus pacifier is actually an invention by a German company and not recommended for babies (duh).

In all seriousness, I recommend another German pacifier which Tessa loves loves loves – check it out here. Tessa chews on every part of it so it’s been doubling as a paci and teething toy. I’ve purchased a bunch so hopefully she’ll continue to like them until she’s paci-free . . . that seems so long from now!

I have become a convert. After envying other’s photos taken with the Hipstamatic iPhone app – but not wanting to pay the $1.99 – I finally gave into the temptation and purchased it. It rocks. Check out some of the photos taken today.

I’ll be traveling soon with Tessa into brrrrrrrrr-cold Wisconsin and I’ll just admit it – it’s stressing me out. Mostly I’ve been stressed because she’s recovering from a double ear infection and I really didn’t want her to be sick while traveling and in more pain because of the air pressure in the plane. However, I think she’ll be fully recovered before we leave.

That being said, I have still sought advice from my mommy friends and pediatrician (who had some great suggestions). But this is my solicitation to all of you. What are your most helpful hints with traveling with an infant, particularly into cold weather?

Thank you!

BTW – This is Tessa in my baby bunting from when I lived in Wisconsin . . .a long time ago. Precious!