maternity portraits

Posted on August 25, 2015 by mhayes24

As a photographer and soon-to-be mom, it was important to me to have maternity portraits taken. I felt like this was something I’d want to have to look back on years from now, as well as for Leighton to see how very loved she was before she even got here. We had them done in nursery so that big (fur) sister Coco could be included, and then we headed out to my favorite nearby photo session spot, Whittier Mill Park, for some more just before the sun set. The lighting was gorgeous, and we had the park all to ourselves! The photos were taken by the lovely Hayley Jo Photography, and we couldn’t be happier with the finished product… enjoy!

Also, if anyone needs embroidering done in the Atlanta area, Savvi Stitches (run by my neighbor, Savannah) is super easy to work with and has a very quick turnaround time when she’s not busy working as a flight attendant!

bump watch:: 37 weeks

Posted on August 19, 2015 by mhayes24

# weeks: 37 — baby is the size of a winter melon!
Measuring approx 19-22″ long and weighing up to 6.5 lbs.

Best moment this week: A few things! We received the images from our maternity portrait session, done by the lovely Hayley Jo Photography. I especially love the photos including our first baby, Coco — she did a good job tricking the camera into thinking she was a perfect angel. 🙂

My parents are officially moved into their home in Marietta! Craig, my dad, and my brother have been working like crazy the past 2 months to get the house updated for my mom to be living here before my due date, and the transformation is amazing. We’re excited to have them join us in Georgia after all these years of talking about it!

And my incredibly thoughtful coworkers threw me an early going away party last night, complete with all of my favorite desserts, a piñata, Phil Collins tunes (my fave!), and the most wonderful Puppet Yearbook, which chronicles my 9 years at the Center. Leaving is bittersweet, but little lady and I will be back to visit often!!

Miss anything: Same ol, same ol — uninterrupted sleep, as well as being able to sleep on my back!

Cravings: Not really!

Feeling good/bad: I’ve started having some pretty bad lower back pain if I sit for too long. The only thing that seems to help is walking around or at least standing up. No fun.

Baby purchases/gifts: My coworkers gifted me with a spa gift certificate to use before or after baby, which I’m thrilled about! And to go with the “Tiki Baby Shower” theme, they got us the cutest outfit with gold pineapples all over it. I can’t wait to see her in it soon!
Our glider finally came in — a few weeks early, too! We picked it up over the weekend, and it completes the nursery perfectly.
My Lily Jade diaper bag also arrived, and I am in love! Sounds funny to say that about a diaper bag, but this guy is leather, smells amazing, and looks just like a bag that I’d normally carry. It has a huge pouch with about 75 pockets for baby stuff, and I love that I can take it out to use as my own bag when baby’s not with me.

Looking forward to: My 37 week appointment this morning — hopefully all is well! She’s been moving around like a wild banshee lately, which is always reassuring, but I think she’s starting to run out of room in there. 🙂 I’m also really excited for tomorrow night’s dinner with several girlfriends in celebration of my bday and Leighton’s impending arrival. We’re going to Community Smith in Midtown, which is a newer restaurant that I’ve not yet been to. The 3-week countdown is on!

bump watch:: 36 weeks

Posted on August 12, 2015 by mhayes24

# weeks: 36 — baby is the size of a large cantaloupe!
Measuring approx 19-22″ long and weighing up to 6 lbs.

Best moment this week: Having a relatively low-key weekend and getting in some pool time for the first time in over a month! I also had my 36-week doctor’s appointment, and everything is looking good! The doctor said that she was really going to town with a high heartbeat, which is always nice to hear.

Miss anything: An ice cold beer by the pool would have been nice. Can’t wait to pour a pumpkin-flavored one for the start of football season in about a month! My very limited closet is also getting really old, but again, I can see the finish line!

Cravings: Hm… nothing that I absolutely have to have. Still fully enjoying sweets while I have the excuse, because I’ve got to cut that out after she arrives!

Feeling good/bad: A little more tired, but otherwise pretty good. I’ve been waking up a lot more in the middle of the night, but it’s not like that’s going to change for the foreseeable future. I’m also kind of in disbelief that we only have 4 weeks left… the past 9 months have surprisingly flown by!

Baby purchases/gifts: We’ve been picking up some of the last little things we need to finish off her nursery, like the diaper pail and video monitor. We’ve put together the stroller and car seat so that we’ll be comfortable using them once she’s here. Coco, however, is TERRIFIED of both of these things, so we’re working on that…

I’m also thrilled with the name hoop I had made for her nursery door. I sent photos of the bedding and room to Miss Tweedle Crafts (on etsy), and she did a wonderful job! I love supporting fellow small businesses while adding a dash of whimsy and uniqueness to our home.

Looking forward to: Tomorrow, several of my wonderful coworkers and I are doing a baby Happy Hour at our old favorite, Trader Vic’s! Six years ago, we celebrated my upcoming wedding there with work friends, so it only seemed appropriate that we’d go there for this big life event, too.

It’s hard to believe that I’m quickly winding down my time at the Center for Puppetry Arts. I’ve worked there for 9 years, which seems like a lifetime, yet it has flown by at the same time. I started there as a graphic design intern right after college and was soon hired as a full-time employee doing graphic design work and coordinating the birthday party program. I later took on facility rentals as well and became the Facility Rentals Manager. It’s been a wonderful 9 years filled with laughter, learning, great coworkers, and so many puppets. I am leaving my position at the end of this month to prepare for baby girl’s arrival. I will be staying home with her permanently, while also building my photography business (and of course selling Stella & Dot on the side!). It will be quite the change, but I’m thrilled and so very thankful that we’re fortunate enough for this dream to become a reality!

bump watch:: 35 weeks

Posted on August 5, 2015 by mhayes24

# weeks: 35 — baby is the size of a canary melon! (What in the world is that?)
Measuring approx 19-22″ long and weighing up to 5.5 lbs.

Best moment this week: Celebrating baby girl at my shower on Saturday! We feel so loved, and I can’t wait for everyone to meet Leighton when she arrives!!

Miss anything: I would have loved to have a mimosa at my shower, just saying… 😉

Cravings: Does craving cooler weather count?

Feeling good/bad: I’ve started experiencing some lower back pain when I sit for too long, which is incredibly uncomfortable, but it thankfully hasn’t happened very regularly — yet. Other than that, feeling good!

Baby purchases/gifts: We received so many wonderful, creative, and generous gifts at my shower! One of my very favorites is the custom painting that Lauren’s dad made for us. We have hung it above the dresser, and it finishes the nursery perfectly. We are now working on completing the “need” list from our various registries so that we’ll be all set before the big day. Also, how cute are these embroidered bloomers?!

Looking forward to: I have a doctor’s appointment this morning, so hopefully we’ll have another good report! Otherwise, I think we’re both just looking forward to a quiet week with home-cooked dinners and a low-key weekend. Hopefully some pool time, too!

bump watch:: 34 weeks

Posted on July 29, 2015 by mhayes24

# weeks: 34 — baby is the size of a pineapple!
Measuring approx 19-22″ long and weighing as much as 4.9 lbs.

Best moment this week: My mom is in town to see the progress of their home renovation and for my baby shower this weekend, so we have some fun things planned while she’s here!

Miss anything: Undisturbed sleep, but I know that’s never going to be the same from here on out… 🙂

Cravings: Not really!

Feeling good/bad: Still thankfully feeling pretty good and I have a decent amount of energy. Baby girl is moving around a ton lately, which is always reassuring and so neat to feel (and watch my belly moving around!), but it’s also starting to get a little more uncomfortable as she’s growing!

Baby purchases/gifts: We received a fun gift from my friend’s mom, which was filled with really helpful items, as well as some adorable Aden + Anais burpy bibs. I can’t get enough of their super soft products!

Looking forward to: My garden party baby shower this coming weekend!! I’m so excited to celebrate baby girl with all of my favorite girlfriends and mine and Craig’s moms and sisters. This shower seemed like it was so far away when my sweet sister-in-law Lauren started planning it…. it’s hard to believe it’s already here, because that means we’re getting really close to baby time!

bump watch:: 30 weeks

Posted on July 1, 2015 by mhayes24

# weeks: 30 — baby is the size of a large cabbage!
Measuring approx 17″ long and weighing about 3.1 lbs.

Photo location: Center for Puppetry Arts in Midtown Atlanta
I’ve been working at the Center for the past 9 (!!) years, so it’s only fitting that I’d take a bump photo here. The giant Pinocchio legs crashing through the ceiling outside of the now closed Museum exhibit are an iconic photo spot at the Center, and I’m glad I got this before our expansion and new Museum open this fall!

Best moment this week: Celebrating baby H at our couples shower in Nashville last weekend! We felt so loved and are now even more excited for her arrival in just a couple short months!

Miss anything: It’s getting almost impossible to tie my own shoes now… hope Craig’s up for the job!

Cravings: With the amount of chicken salad sandwiches I’ve consumed over the past 7.5 months, there’s a chance she might actually turn out to be a chicken!

Feeling good/bad: Feeling good, but definitely getting more tired walking longer distances and up the stairs. Also, I am pretty sure baby decided to run a marathon and take a kickboxing class while I was trying to go to sleep the other night… I was slightly worried she might actually kick her way out of my belly!

Baby purchases/gifts: Our friends and family were so generous at our couples shower, and we received everything from clothes, animal wubbanubs, and a bike made of diapers, to a humidifier, boppy pillow, baby carrier, and activity gym. We loved receiving the book “Good Dog Carl,” which is about a “responsible” Rottweiler who babysits his tiny human while mom is away. I can’t help but laugh to think of Coco doing the same thing!

Looking forward to: A weekend at home celebrating the 4th of July! We have plans to try out a new restaurant and see Jurassic World, spend a lot of time in the pool, hang out with friends, and shoot off some fireworks. I’m really looking forward to a relaxing weekend at home after the whirlwind month we had in June. It’s crazy to think that for this holiday weekend next year, we’ll have an almost 1 year old on our hands!

bump watch:: 29 weeks

Posted on June 24, 2015 by mhayes24

# weeks: 29 — baby is the size of a butternut squash!

Measuring approx 17″ long and weighing 2.9 lbs.

Best moment this week: My parents closed on their home in Marietta, which was pretty exciting! They’ll be living about 20 minutes from us, which I know will be incredibly helpful and fun to have them nearby as baby H grows up. 🙂 Yay for grandparents!

Miss anything: Some red wine at dinner with my family last weekend would have been nice, but I’ll live!

Cravings: No real cravings to speak of.

Feeling good/bad: Other than a minor foot injury while shopping on Saturday (it’s a dangerous sport!), I’m feeling great and trying to make the most of this energy before I start to lose it in the coming weeks!

Baby purchases/gifts: My mom finished the cross-stitch she made for the nursery, and it’s so cute! We took it to be matted and framed, and I can’t wait to see the finished product and add it to one of the gold bookcases next to the crib. I’ve also been organizing the dresser and closet in the nursery, which has been really helpful in determining what gaps we need to fill in clothing-wise. I got these drawer boxes to help organize her tiny clothes by size in the dresser drawers, and I’m really happy with them. Baby girl already has a pretty fabulous wardrobe to get started with!

Looking forward to: Heading back to Nashville this weekend for the couples shower that our sweet friends are hosting for us! I’m excited that Craig gets to be included in something, as it’s just as much of a special time for him as it is for me. We’re looking forward to spending time with Craig’s family and lots of his high school friends, as well as some of my favorite girls.

bump watch:: 28 weeks

Posted on June 17, 2015 by mhayes24

# weeks: 28 — baby is the size of a head of cauliflower!
Measuring approx 16″ long and weighing 2.5 lbs.

Photo location: The Franklin Theatre in downtown Franklin, TN.
I adore this historic part of the city and love wandering their streets whenever we’re in town visiting Craig’s family.

Best moment this week: Getting a healthy report at my doctor’s appointment and hearing that I passed the glucose test! Long live sweets! 🙂

Miss anything: Same as last week — not getting to wear the majority of what’s in my closet, but at least it’s forcing me to be creative with what I can wear for now. Also rolling over in bed easily — that’s getting harder by the week!

Cravings: Not really craving anything this week, as I’m sure we’ll get our fill of delicious meals and desserts while my parents are in town.

Feeling good/bad: Feeling great, as long as I’m not outside in the heat for too long (but I’d venture to say that’s the same for everyone in the South, right?).

Baby purchases/gifts: Craig’s brother and his girlfriend gifted us with bags of the cutest, sweetest little outfits, ranging from newborn to 18 months, which is so great! I’m especially in love with the leggings with the heart on the bottom. Can’t wait to see her crawling around in those!

Looking forward to: My parents will be here for several days this week to close on their new house and celebrate Father’s Day, which is sure to be a fun weekend of eating out, seeing their new digs, and celebrating our dad/grandpa-to-be!

bump watch:: 27 weeks

Posted on June 10, 2015 by mhayes24

# weeks: 27 — baby is the size of a cucumber!
Measuring approx 15″ long and weighing 2.2 lbs.

Best moment this week: Getting Craig back home after a long weekend away. Coco and I missed him a bunch — BUT it was a nice excuse to spend time with some girlfriends and enjoy a little “me” time, too!

Miss anything: Missing the majority of my summer wardrobe right about now… and I have a feeling that I’ll be adding “putting on my own shoes” to the list soon. 😉

Cravings: Same ol’, same ol’…. dessert for life.

Feeling good/bad: Those outdoor photo sessions in 85-90 degree heat are getting harder, but other than that, I can’t complain!

Baby purchases/gifts: The infant car seat we registered for arrived on our doorstep a few days ago, as a gift from some longtime family friends — what a nice surprise! And my college friend gave me the BIGGEST box of baby clothes that her 3 girls have outgrown… it was so fun going through everything! It is incredibly heartwarming and humbling to receive gifts from friends and family near and far — baby Hayes is already very loved! Her nursery curtains also arrived, so I got those ironed and hung to add a little dash of whimsy to the windows.

Looking forward to: Heading to Nashville this weekend for one of Craig’s high school friend’s weddings and spending some time in historic downtown Franklin while we’re there! Also, I get to do the dreaded glucose test tomorrow at my doctor’s appt, but I hear it’s really not all that bad. Fingers crossed that I pass the test so I don’t have to give up my beloved sweets for the next few months!

bump watch:: 26 weeks

Posted on June 3, 2015 by mhayes24

# weeks: 26 — baby is the size of an eggplant!
Measuring approx 9.2″ long and weighing 2lbs!

Photo location: Jeni’s Ice Cream on the Westside of Atlanta
Only fitting for the sweet tooth I’ve had the past 6 months (or maybe forever?). We have loved their ice cream since they opened up shop in Atlanta. After a recent Listeria scare that resulted in them closing all their scoop shops nationwide while they addressed the problem, we’re happy to hear that all has been fixed, they’re doing everything they can to provide the safest, yummiest products, and they’re back in business! Ice cream for all!

Best moment this week: Spending the weekend in town with Craig and some friends before a very busy June gets going later this week.

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Miss anything: Not really! Just making the best of it without the few things I can’t have.

Cravings: Well, as I write this, I’m really wanting a chocolate-dipped ice cream cone…

Feeling good/bad: I have to walk a little more slowly up the stairs and walking a lot makes me more tired than usual, but otherwise, I’m feeling great.

Baby purchases/gifts: The dresser was delivered this week — yippee! The nursery is really coming together. And my mom generously sent us the stroller we’d registered for, so we’re excited to have that big item marked off the list!

Looking forward to: Craig will be out of town this weekend on a bachelor party, but Saturday, 6/6 marks our 6 year wedding anniversary! (Don’t worry, we celebrated early on our Puerto Rican babymoon.) It’s hard to believe we said our vows that long ago down in St. Augustine, but what an incredible 6 years it’s been! I’m also looking forward to spending some time with a few different girlfriends this weekend!

hayes everyday

Tag Archives: baby bump photos