Friday Fractured Thought | Milwaukee Wedding Photographer

-This week I did my FIRST (and...let's face it, probably last) bridal show. Now, don't get me wrong...it was okay. I met a lot of couples and vendors as well. But, I don't think it's my thing. For one, putting together a workable booth is a LOT harder than it looks. I am no interior designer. I was just hoping I could come away with something that did not resemble a 6th grade science fair display. For another, because by the time I did the show I was nearly booked for 2011, I found I had to turn a lot of people away for dates....which sucked. Also, I had the booth right next to Simma's bakery....and they were giving away cake. Which was just mean.

I put together a little "Anatomy of My Booth" tutorial here.....enjoy.

- This week was also punctuated by illness. I was sick all last week and through the bridal show (I tried not to shake anyone's hand or sneeze on anyone...and if I sounded a bit looped, blame DayQuil). Then, Betty got sick.....and we got to experience our first "big girl" throw-up episode. TMI, perhaps...but there is a large, marked difference between baby puke and big girl puke. Large.

- We also had the Grammy's this week, which I watched in its entirety for, I think, the first time since high school. Gaga.....gotta love her. Music needs a little ridiculousness. However, I do not think music need Bieber.....I mean, I'm sure he's a nice kid and all...but I guess I'm old. I don't get it.

- Valentine's Day came and went (and while I'm on the subject, can we please stop calling it VD?). Typically the husband and I don't really celebrate this Hallmarky-ist of holidays. But this year I got candy...and flowers...and a pack of pacifiers. The husband sure does know how to woo a lady.

- How great was Ken Jennings back on Jeopardy....even if he DID get his butt kicked by a computer (I call shenenigans).

-The bridal world was all a-twitter (and a-Facebook) about Anthropologie's new bridal line. Where the hell was this when I was getting married? I could have escaped the lameness of David's Bridal!

- Did my taxes this week.....and that's all I'm gonna say about that. Let's just put it this way. I LOVE being self-employed. LOVE it. I wouldn't trade it for the world. But I miss getting tax refunds. Self-Employment tax is no joke.

- I have some major web-based changes in the works for Type A....which should be completed in the next month or so....a new look, a new space....and some birds.

- And speaking of Type A....I'm running a Smugmug sale now through the 1st day of Spring (March 20th)...so some of you folks can get a deal on art for your home! Just enter the code: SPRINGCLEAN during your Smugmug checkout.

- 2011 is fast becoming full for weddings. My goal was to only take 25 this year....but I will probably surpass that....especially if something super-awesome comes along : ). But getting your inquiry in NOW is heavily advised.

- Also, I'm opening up bookings for Spring portrait sessions. Booking those now assures that you will get today's pricing.....pricing will be going up this spring.

- Now, I would be pretty flippant if I didn't at least mention the historic protests happening in Madison this week. I will not, however, get all political on my blog.....it's not the time nor the place. I will say it is fascinating seeing it all unfold, and I have some friends who have taken some AMAZING images. I think, no matter what side of the political spectrum you fall on...when things like this happen it really is an interesting time to be a photographer. Especially if, like me, you're really into documentary photography. I wish I could have made it up to Madison to watch it unfold in front of my lens. Alas, sick kids and hubby's on business trips have kept me home...but I love that my friends have made the time to go out and document this historic event. Because, that is what is at the root of our jobs: documentation. No matter what our belief system, we can take that perspective and apply it to the art of photojournalism. How cool is that?

- I said I wasn't going to whine about it anymore...but I lied. A large portion of my pals are hopping on planes this weekend and heading off to Vegas for the WPPI Convention. I missed it last year.....I missed it this year....Next year I really don't care if my husband has to take 4 days off of work and sit with the kids...I am GOING. TO. WPPI.

- This weekend. I have a newborn session in Chicago, and I'm REGISTERING. BETTY. FOR. 4K. No way.

This week I also got a new seamless paper color. A little odd, because when I ordered it the color looked mint green.....when I got it....it's pretty grass green. But what-evs. Got a few shots of the kiddo.....enjoy : )

Friday Fractured Thought | Milwaukee Wedding Photographer

Welp, I capped off this week with a cruddy cold....FAIL. However, the little screamy one (read: Molly) actually SLEPT through the NIGHT. This, I'm sure, is a complete fluke. I think the only reason she did it was because she knew, in her little baby subconscious, that my husband had volunteered to get up with her all night so I could Nyquil-up. Well played, Baby. Well played.

- The diet, for anyone bored enough to be keeping track, has been one big fat failure this week. I was sick, run a bit ragged, and just didn't give a crap to be honest. So I ate quite a few naughty things. Like Cinnabun Cereal Bars. And mini- Kit Kats left over from Halloween. Next week? Back on the wagon. Hold me to it.

- Thankfully, because lack of appetite has seemed to come along with this cold...I've maintained my weight loss.

- The husband and I are all set to rock for the bridal show this weekend. Well, set as I'll ever be for someone who has NEVER done a bridal show before. We've gone with a kind of "Grandma's House/Kitchen" theme with the booth. We'll see if it flows or is a major disaster. Either way, I'll be at the Wedding Show & Tell on Sunday (THIS Sunday) from 11 to 3:30. It's at the Schlitz Audubon Center in Milwaukee. Be there. Get fun swag.

- I haven't bought Photoshop actions in a REALLY long time, but on a whim picked up Jesh de Rox's action set. I LURVE this set....very much up my alley.

- Although I am far from a football fan (and quite glad the season is over), it would be pretty crappy of me not to at least acknowledge the epic Packer win this week. I actually watched the whole game (so did Betty....Molly cried). Not only is it kind of cool that our team won, the end of the football season signals to me that Baseball (and with it....summer!!!) is right around the corner!!

- Speaking of Super Bowl, how terrible was the talent? Holy cow. First Christina botches the anthem (too much concentration on her various vocal runs...not enough on the actual words, methinks).....Lea Michele gives a very "BAR-BARA" performance....not terrible, but not exactly fodder for football fans, and then Fergie. Oh good lord, Fergie. I mean...really? Sweet Child O' Mine. She should be booted from the music industry for life for defiling such a great, classic song. It would have been AWESOME to see Axl (even though he's all bloated and braided now) up there with Slash. AWESOME.

- In closing, I really learned this week the value of our local community, how beneficial it is to have like-minded folks you trust to bounce ideas off of, and how great it is to have friends who have a shared passion for shutter clicks and common sense business approaches. It's such a UNIQUE community, and that is why I love it. Computer hugs to all of you, you know who you are.

Molly, Betty, black blanket.....simplicity. (Betty has also mastered the art of the fake smile):

Friday Fractured Thought | Milwaukee Wedding Photographer

- First off, in super-exciting news, I've lost SEVEN (well hello there collarbone....long time no see!) POUNDS on a combination of the 30 Day Shred, the Last Chance Workout, and a low calorie diet. BOO YAH!

- The really big news this week? Snowmageddon of course....which wasn't really that big of a deal. We hunkered down in the house. Betty and Daddy played cards. I guess it's not THAT exciting if I don't get to miss work because of the weather. Just another day for me.

- The husband and I went and saw Ben Folds last Friday. GREAT show....very much subdued (and he did The Luckiest, very cool). However, BOO to The Riverside in Milwaukee for making the concert goers stand outside in sub-zero temps. You couldn't have let them wait inside? Really?

- We're currently on the hunt for a part-time nanny in the Beloit/Janesville area. So, if anyone knows any reliable nanny-type folks, hit me up on email. It would only be until May or so.

- In keeping with my New Year's Resolution (so far, I'm keeping ALL of them...which is nuts)...I signed up for the Flashbus Tour Workshop that is coming to Madison. Very excited.

- I had some major business related nuggets floating around in my head this week. A storefront space in Beloit that would be PERFECT for Type A opened up. I really really seriously considered it. A storefront is my main goal for the business....and I know it's all about pulling the trigger at the right time. After a talk with the hubby, we decided now is not really that time. Kids are too young and there will always be perfect spaces.

- This weekend I have a family session coming up, a few meetings, and next week I get to do my taxes.....fun for all! : ) I also heard a rumor that there is some sort of football game thingie going on this weekend, but don't know what that's all about.

A moment with Betty and Molly:

Molly looks super-duper thrilled here. Kind of looks like Betty is talking her ear off and Molly is thinking "I...DON'T...CAAARREEEE"

Ben Folds from the HTC Evo. I'm all techy now.

Friday Fractured Thought | Milwaukee Wedding Photographer

- Shot my first wedding of 2011 this week and I am really excited to get back into the swing of things work-wise. As I remarked to one of the wedding guests, I was just super excited to be having a conversation with someone that didn't involve talking about baby poop or sippies or "No, you CANNOT watch WALL-E for a 10th time today"

- With a lot of my friends gearing up to attend WPPI soon, I realize I have to concentrate on that as one of my goals: attend WPPI 2012...because lord knows by that time I'll need a vacation.

- I ordered some new stickers as a handout to visitors to my booth at the Wedding Show & Tell on February 13th ....they are SUPER cute...at least I think so. You'll have to come visit the Schlitz Audubon Center on the 13th to check them out.

- I am NOT a Football fan, by any means (I'm more of a baseball gal)...but that game on Sunday was pretty great.

- The wedding photography world (yes, we have a "world") is all "abuzz" with news that CPI, the company that runs the Walmart Portrait Studio and Sears Portrait Studio, has purchased the well-known and somewhat loathed wedding photography mill Bella. So, it's official...Bella is now truly the Walmart of wedding photography. So much for that high end feel of the Denis Reggie experience. Honestly, I'm not sure why any bride/groom/client would ever want to play Russian Roulette with the memories of their big day by hiring on Bella and taking a chance on who their shooter will be. Get to know your photographer, believe me...they'll be with you all day long. Last thing you want is to be stuck with some poor schmuck who is more concerned about how badly his parent company is treating him than capturing your day artfully and completely.

CPI isn't exactly known for treating their photographers well. And in the end, do you really want to book your wedding photographer in the same place you can pick up Preparation H and leggings designed by Miley Cyrus? I don't think so.

- I've lost a total of 4 lbs. of baby weight on the "Shred" so far....was kind of hoping for more as January comes to a close...we'll see how February goes. My husband...who has NOT been working out as much as I have...has apparently lost 6 lbs. He also gets more calories per day than I do. Shenanigans...seriously.

- I've watched two full seasons of The Biggest Loser in the last two weeks....serves as a bit of motivation in case I don't feel like moving my lazy behind off the couch.

- Tonight the husband and I are heading out on the town in Milwaukee to see Ben Folds. Really excited...not only to see Ben again, but to have a night out without the kids! Much needed!

- This week is shaping up to be busy, with a Kindred Spirits hospice sitting on Sunday, Molly's 2 month doctor visit (where hopefully we can try to get to the bottom of her screaming obsession), and a few bridal meetings to top it off.

Don't forget, photographers book up quickly...sometimes up to a year and a 1/2 in advance...2011 is nearly booked full so if you're getting married and haven't secured your shooter yet, email me and let's set something up! It's high booking season!

It's official...I have two Ginger Kids.....

Molly looks downright snooty in this picture!

Friday Fractured Thought | Milwaukee Wedding Photographer

Funny how things change.....and how something the size of a large meatloaf (that would be Miss Molly) can shift your schedule in an instant. It's 3:27 AM right now....and I'm taking the moment of relative silence I have while Molly fights sleep to quick write my blog (she's sitting here staring at me....as if to say "I DARE you to put me to bed.....go ahead....try it....."). I used to really pour over my Fractured Thoughts blogs and try really hard to at least make them flow well...and entertain people. Now, I'm lucky if everything is simply spelled correctly and relatively coherent.

- As you can see from my "intro"....yes...I'm still complaining about the lack of sleep. You can count on this to be a regular theme until this kid decides to get herself a pattern. If this becomes too tiresome for you, dear readers, I am glad to recommend some other blogs to read in the meantime.

- The diet is going relatively well...(as I sit here stuffing my face with a 3AM pretzel snack). I've lost 4 lbs so far on a combination of the 30 Day Shred/Last Chance Workout and a 1200 calorie diet. My vice? Sodium. I'm a salt JUNKIE. So....I've been trying to counteract that by drinking a ton of water....so we'll see.

- Wedding Season 2011 officially kicks off tomorrow with a Madison shindig. It's supposed to be bitterly cold this weekend so that'll make things interesting.

- I added a new member to my Type A equipment family....a D700. I've wanted to upgrade for quite some time but was holding out for Nikon's much anticipated D800...which has yet to materialize. So, I bit the bullet and decided on the D700. Haven't had a chance to shoot with it just yet but I'm pretty excited to give it a whirl.

- How great were the Golden Globes? Oh Ricky....so very funny. And I'm very glad the Social Network took home so many honors...much deserved. I've heard some folks were unimpressed by Jesse Eisenberg's performance but I thought he was fabulous. My one complaint about the Globes was the lack of award for Michael C Hall. Even though Dexter was a bit lackluster this season, he still deserved it.

- Just got the heads up that the next Jeopardy test is coming up....I try to audition online each time. Once I got all the way to the 2nd round of tryouts in Chicago before losing terribly to an incredibly smart man who knew a lot about Opera. If I had a bucket list....which I really don't....being on Jeopardy would be on it.

- I just found out that I will be registering Betty for 4K next month. This BLOWS. MY. MIND. My kid cannot be ready for school. No way.

- I finally got out of the house and had some adult interaction time with my fellow photographers in Madison last night. MUCH. NEEDED. let me tell you. We discussed goals for the coming year and it was great to hear what everyone wanted for their businesses. I think I'm well on my way to tackling my various business related endeavors for 2011. A lot of the women in the group spoke about balance and I wish I would have thought to write that down as well. I know right now balancing kids, home, and a full-time self-employment isn't TOO difficult because I'm not busy....but I'm anticipating some real soul searching come June when I'm starting the busy season. Juggling everything is going to be a challenge. One I welcome, but I realize I may need to start really prioritizing....better than I do anyway.

- And speaking of business related items, hubby and I will be at the Wedding Show & Tell show being held at the Audubon Center in Milwaukee on February 13th. I welcome y'all to come out and see us! Putting together my first bridal show booth has been a trip....mainly because I admittedly have no CLUE what I'm doing. It may end up being a design disaster.

- Coming up this week? Back to work! (THANK GAWD). Wedding on Saturday followed by a corporate shoot for a dental office next week. I am SO looking forward to getting back into the swing of things, even for a little bit.

And to top it off...here's the gals.....

Molly....chillin' in her crib

Friday Fractured Thought | Milwaukee Wedding Photographer

So, I'm a bit bleary eyed and not so bushy-tailed this week. In fact, I'm writing this blog at 2:16 AM while I listen to my kid grunt and spit and fight sleep next to me. Yes, I'm becoming one of those parents who can really think of nothing more than how little sleep I'm getting and the various issues with my kids. This will change, I'm sure (hopefully soon!) but it's all-consuming currently.

- Kidlet #2 has a nasty case of the colic. This has lead to blood-curdling screaming nightly from about 6pm until she konks out around 10pm....and then is up pretty much every 2 hours or so with more of the same. We're running the gamut of "cures" currently, from Zantac to wraps to new food to ColicCalm. Hoping against hope that one or some combination is the magic cure. It really makes you reevaluate your choices as a parent. For one, I used to be pretty anti-pacifier. I'm just not a fan, especially in older kids. But, if it helps the kid fall asleep peacefully...at this point I'm willing to buy stock in Binkies if it works.

- One thing I learned NOT to watch while up in the wee hours of the night? The show "Infested!". It's on some science-y channel (or animal-y channel, not sure). It's all about various infestations people have dealt with: mice, rats, bugs, snakes. You name it. It is straight up GROSS. But I was hooked. It was fascinating...especially the amount people will just deal with before packing up and moving.

- On a similar note, a mouse (which I consider to be the grossest creatures alive) took up residence in our garage for the winter....and scared the life out of the me the other night when I opened the door to our garage to throw out some recycling. He leapt (leaped?....ah, whatever) from our recycling bin after I startled him and I screamed like a little girl. I. Hate. Mice. So , I promptly went and got some mice-killing stuff. Goodbye mouse.

- The "Lose the Baby Fat by Wedding Season Kick-Off" Diet (yeah, that needs a shorter name) is in full swing. I've worked out 8 days in a row (alternating the 30 Day Shred with another workout from some lady whose name I'm spacing on right now). I've lost 3 lbs. since I started. I'm also on a low-calorie diet, which means no more stacks of syrupy waffles in the morning...and no more soda, which is a gigantic feat for the this girl. I never needed to diet before having kids. I also never worked out. I was one of those people who walked the Mile Run in grade school...out of shear laziness. So, the fact that I've been sticking to this workout routine is a miracle. Here's hoping it continues.

- I got all my studio light stuff in the mail this week. I haven't had much of a chance to play with it, but I did some test shots of Betty. I'm hoping to get more time with the stuff once we figure out the Molly-Never-Stops-Screaming situation.

- I took Miss Betty on a "Girls Day" to see Tangled....what a CUTE movie. Probably up there with a favorite Disney flick.

- Teen Mom 2!! Yes please!

- I took the girls out for our first "outing" yesterday. It was relatively successful in that Molly only cried on the way TO our destination and Betty didn't throw any massive tantrums. I even threw in a trip to Target to further test my abilities as a "Mom of two". Not bad....except I learned that fitting a 3 year old and a baby carrier into a cart and expecting to have room for purchases is...well..expecting too much. I had to squeeze everything I bought into the seat next to Betty....which led to her poking a hole in my goat cheese package. Fun.

- I'm still on maternity leave, for the most part, but I am itching to get back to work. I have a wedidng coming up on the 22nd which cannot come soon enough. Back to the land of the living!

- So, that being said, I'm taking bookings for portrait sessions...give me a jingle and lets set something up because if I don't photograph something soon I'm liable to freak out and start, oh I dunno, selectively coloring artistically tilted pictures of my kids.

- Wedding season 2011 is fast becoming completely booked.....which is early for me. I'm twice as booked as I was this time last year, which is surprising...so if you're looking to get Type A for your 2011 event I would contact me sooner rather than later. I'm looking to only take about 5 more weddings for the year.

- That being said, if you're a 2012 bride, hit me up! Plenty of space!

- Don't forget to vote! http://wibride.com/best-of

Up this week? Not a whole heck of a lot. Finding sleep where I can get it. I got 10 hours of housekeeping for Christmas and that starts next week and not a moment too soon. This whole housewife/mom thing is a lot harder than I thought....and I can't imagine how much I'll have to complain and whine about once work starts back up! Oh lucky readers!

Here's your moment-o-Betty and Molly.....enjoy!

My life at the moment. Good times!

The kiddo testing out the new studio lights.

Friday Fractured Thought | Milwaukee Wedding Photographer

-Another week and no more sleep was to be had. We took Molly to the doctor last week and he confirmed acid reflux, changed her diet and we also added in this product called ColicCalm. Nothing really seems to be working for long-term, really. The ColicCalm was a lifesaver on Night 1, but last night the kid just wanted to scream....and scream....and scream some more. It'll all catch up to me soon, I'm sure.

- The hubby and I actually WENT OUT for New Years. This never happens. For one, I typically work on NYE. For two, we rarely go out as it is. Symptom of having 2 kids, a job where I work mostly weekends and...well...laziness. We were still home by 10:30. Party on, Wayne.

- I sent out a shameless vote grub post on Facebook earlier this week, but no harm doing it again. Wisconsin Bride is holding their annual "Best Of" voting right now. It runs until March (I believe) and they finally got with the program and added a Best Photographer category (which wasn't there when they launched the contest earlier...I swear!). You can vote here: http://wibride.com/best-of

- This week I attempted to put together an album for my husband and I using our own wedding pictures. Epic. Fail. I guess I never really LOOKED at my wedding pictures with a good eye before because I am willing to bet about 75% of them are out of focus and I noticed that about 90% of them (including outdoor shots) were shot at ISO 1600. Very disappointing, because I had to do some major fixin' to the files to make them even usable. Oh well, live and learn!

- I had a dream about shooting a wedding last night. I am DYING to get back to work and some semblance of normalcy!

- I started the 30 Day Shred this week....and whoa Nellie am I out of shape...but I'm sticking with it. So far anyway. Yeah, me and every other New Years Resolution-er. I had to laugh at how PACKED the gym by our house was. I can't do the gym. I have to work out alone, in the dark depths of my basement, where no one can see me looking insane and struggling to breathe after 10 jumping jacks.

- Along with the "Shred" I dumped Mountain Dew (going on over a month, so far). I know, I know...nuts, right? Mountain Dew was my life-water....the only thing I drank....my go-to beverage. But, with the high blood pressure and wanting to dump the weight, it was sayonara friend.

- The Monkey turned 1 month old this week. She's still puny. Very stumpy, like her sister.

- The inquiries for 2011 and 2012 weddings have been NUTS this week...I know, EVERYONE says that (look how popular I am!!) but seriously, I think everyone and their brother got engaged this month. It's awesome.

- I'm working on finalizing all the plans for my booth for the upcoming Wedding Show & Tell being held at the Audubon Center in Milwaukee on February 13th. It's a nice, intimate show and I'd love to see some of you out and about!

This week? RELAX. I have very little going on outside of sales taxes, income tax paperwork gathering and trying the eek out some sleep wherever I can get it.

And now, your moment-o-my kids:

Finally got Betty a haircut. Much needed.

This is pretty much how Monkey looks all. the. time. Cranky and crabby and screaming.

I got my new studio lights and backdrop stuff in this week....so I pulled Betty aside for a bit of practice with the softbox.

Friday Fractured Thought | Milwaukee Wedding Photographer

You'll have to excuse any typo's or lazy grammar in this post. I. AM. POOPED. I'm working on about 2 hours of sleep right now (insert world's tiniest violin playing the saddest saddest song right here). The baby? She has the acid reflux....and it makes her none-too-happy.

We're getting massive payback for gloating about how wonderful Betty was in the sleep department. Ok....point taken, Karma Bus. You can stop now.

- First off, Christmas! This year was rather subdued. We went to my inlaw's church on Christmas Eve. I had never been to a non-Catholic Christmas service before, so I was a bit out of my element. This church gives the kiddos toys to play with during the service and this caused Betty to be rather....loud and obnoxious during the service (at one point she yelled out "THESE TOYS ARE MUPPETS!!" mid-service). Add onto that the LONGEST. SERMON. EVER. (and that's saying a lot coming from a Catholic). By 8:30 I was ready to hit the hay.

Christmas morning was a study in consumerism run amok. I didn't really realize how MUCH we bought for our kid (I mean...Santa bought...). Our living room has been strewn with cars, trucks, Barbies and dinosaurs ever since.

- As I mentioned above, Kid 2 has come down with a case of acid reflux...which leads to bloody-murder screaming and spit-ups galore. Not. fun. It's a good thing she's cute.

- I got myself a new phone for Christmas! This is BIG BIG news folks. I am not a phone person. I don't really text (though I'm learning) and prior to last week I was rockin' a pay-as-you-go flip phone that served my purposes....well, not so well...but it made phone calls. Now I got myself a fancy-shmancy HTC Evo 4. And once I learn to use it I'm sure it will make my life easier. So, take note 2011 clients...you can now text me and I may actually text back instead of calling you back to let you know that I don't really know how to text!

- I am officially in "must lose this baby weight" thought-mode. I didn't gain nearly as much with Molly as I did with Betty, but I feel all out of sorts being quite a bit larger than I normally am. So, I went and got myself Jillian Michael's 30 Day Shred DVD...and the hubster set me up in the basement with a TV and a workout mat. It's ON.

- I've been dragging my feet with doing my taxes for the end of the year this week. I don't use any kind of bookkeeping software, I do it all on my own with my handy-dandy color-coded spreadsheets. It's daunting come December though. And I'm still amazed at how many work-miles I put on the poor Saturn this year. Methinks a new car is in my future come wedding season 2011.

- I've purchased all the stuff for my home studio this week. I intend on holing away for the remainder of the winter and mastering some lighting if it kills me. Hopefully by spring I can start having some non-Betty models in to test it all out.

- Following along with my resolution to educate myself, I signed up for Dave Jackson's portrait workshop for this March. Totally jazzed about that, and hopefully I can fit in another workshop with someone this summer (I'm eyeing the Zack Arias Chicago shop in June)

- This February 13th I'm going to be doing my 1st bridal show in Milwaukee (the Wedding Show and Tell)...and I have 2 tickets for the show if anyone is interested.

- In Type A booking news, I have about 8 2011 openings remaining before I close it out for the year. I did 32 weddings last year and I'm wanting to maybe scale that back a bit for this year as I adjust to the whole "two kids...one who screams all the time" thing. I say maybe because I said that last year too and had a bit of a hard time saying "no".

And I usually think people are kind of full of it when they post non-stop, everyday about how many inquiries are coming in....but it's that time of year, folks. People are getting engaged like mad and, well, those inquiries ARE going to start pouring in....so time is of the essence if you're getting hitched in 2011.

And with that, I leave with your moment of Betty & Molly....

Finding out how dinosaurs say goodnight.....a rare moment where Molly isn't screaming like Ronnie James Dio.

Don't we look as tired and worn out as your would expect us to? Christmas morning scrubbiness!

Yes...I'm hip now.

Friday Fractured Thought | Milwaukee Wedding Photographer

Happy Christmas Eve!!

I'm really looking forward to Christmas this year. It's our first in our new home, first for Molly, and first year that Betty really "gets" the whole Santa thing...which makes it lots of fun. We're going to have a great holiday! We figured out how to use our fireplace and with the stockings hung and fake holly adorning every square inch of our living room, we're ready for the festivities! One of the best things about Christmas is it gives you permission to be straight-up tacky without shame.

- Molly is settling in nicely...but is a bit "fussier" than Betty was...or at least from what I remember. We seem to be experiencing a bit of parental amnesia. It's funny how easily you forget the effects of sleeplessness. Having two is a whole new level of tired.

- I'm finally off of bed rest, after about 2 weeks of spiking blood pressure and lots of napping. I am NOT good at doing nothing all day. After all the trouble I had this go-around, I've decided that 2 kids is enough....

- Decided this week to pull a "What Not to Wear" style clothing dump on my closet. Got rid of a LOT. Then I realized I now have no pants left that actually fit me. Probably not the best idea to clean out my closet only 2 weeks post-partum.

- I broke my maternity leave this week for one infant sitting, and realized how different my leave is this time around. With Betty, I couldn't even THINK about returning to work before my 12 given weeks. I dreaded it and when the day did come I was a mess. So much different now that I actually love my job. I felt lost without photographing something besides my kids. I can't believe I still have another month before my next wedding....

- Haven't gotten my own copy yet, but the new Wedding Planner & Guide has been released! Check out the Madison copy for Type A Images' new print ad!

- Got an email this week that Type A Images has been named one of The Knot's "Best Of" Weddings for 2011. How this came about? I have no idea. I don't advertise with The Knot, so it kind of surprised me I was even on the radar...but pretty cool!

- One of the cool things about being forced to get up in the middle of the night with my new kid....Tivo'd geekery. I've been "taping" all sorts of fun, geeky shows to watch as I'm up late at night. It's currently 5:16 AM and I'm indulging in a History channel show about John Wilkes Booth. Good times.

- The 2010 Best Of contest is still running until the first of the year. See below and make sure to vote for your favorite shot!!

- Twilight: Eclipse Riff Trax? Oh. My. Goodness. HILARITY. Seriously, I know I mention Riff Trax quite a bit, but if you haven't heard of or seen Riff Trax, DO IT. It's the only way to watch Twilight....or any other horrible movie.

- Speaking of horrible movies, Betty and I attempted to watch Santa Paws the other day. I made it about 5 minutes in and just couldn't do it. It was too stupid even for a 3 year old. I hate to say it, but I prefer Santa Buddies. If I have to choose. Of course....in a perfect world, neither would exist.

- My thoughts this week have turned to New Years Resolutions....working on an actual list (because I'm Type A like that and actually write my resolutions down).

- On kind of a bummer note, I found out recently that my elementary/middle school is closing at the end of this school year. I went there for 10 years (it was a private Catholic school, pre-K through 8th grade). I also have aunts and uncles that went there. My dad went there as well. They just didn't have enough kids (there were only 9 kids in my 8th grade class, and that was years ago....so I can imagine how bad it got). Sad to see that end....

- On the booking/work front, I've got 16 weddings booked thus far for 2011....which is 6 more than I had booked at this time last year, so it looks like I'm booking faster and earlier than 2010. I do have some prime summer dates still open so give me a ring if you're still looking for a photographer for your upcoming nuptials. I will be stopping at 25 this year just to give myself some room to...you know...breathe and sleep and stuff.

I hope everyone has an amazing holiday and wonderful New Year. The last two New Years I was shooting weddings, so I may actually make it a date night with the hubby this year. After the stressful last month we kind of deserve it!

Betty and I did an quick "sitting" in our kitchen the other day, and I love the results. My kid is so fun to photograph....completely effortless, I'm lucky she loves the camera. I hope Molly follows suit, but so far everytime I put the camera in her face she gives me "poop face"...which is all scrunchy and purple...not exactly photo-worthy. I did manage to get a FEW decent shots off however.

Have a VERY Merry Christmas!!!

No "poop-face" here.....and check out the awesome "do".

I take a lot of pictures of Betty. Like....a lot a lot. But this has to be, hands down, one of my favorites. Think I may actually get this one printed. Just goes to show that sometimes all you need is a big window, good light, and a blank kitchen wall.

Friday Fractured Thought | Milwaukee Wedding Photographer

So, I'm slowly but surely easing back into my regular, yet slightly modified, routine. Thank goodness....I am a creature of habit, and I hate unexpected wrenches in long-held plans. Like bed rest. Totally not in my schedule!

I'm so "off my game" this week that I had nearly forgotten it was Friday! How tragic would THAT have been? : )

So, without further delay......

- Let's first talk about Dexter. The finale? I was a bit...underwhelmed. After last year's gigantic cliffhanged (hello....dead Rita in a bathtub!)....this year's was a bit....yawn-fest. But, I am not abandoning my show. Still fabulous.

- On the same note, I was a bit surprised to hear Michael C Hall and Jennifer Carpenter of Dexter are divorcing. Sad....but, hey....that makes TWO guys on my "5 Guys It's Okay to Crush On" list that left their women this week (the other being Zac Efron).

- I got off bed rest on Wednesday. I tell you, I never want to be on bed rest for anything ever again. I am SO not the "bed rest" type. It drove me nuts to just SIT. Couldn't stand it. I also watched more Law & Order: SVU than any person ever should.

- My kid learned to write her name!! How? I have no idea. She just busted it out this week. This is the best picture I have of the results. My Mother in Law took this picture with her point and shoot....and it's prompted me to offer her use of one of my spare DSLR's : ) She also made an attempt to write "Molly". I know, it's the Proud Mama in me, but pretty good for a 3 year old!
- It was quite the feat, but I compiled 20 of my favorite wedding images from 2010 for my "Best of 2010" contest. I will be posting the picks soon and open voting through the end of the year. The winners will win some awesome prizes!

- I got to give my Grandfather his early Christmas present this week: his 1941 High school yearbook. His response? "I don't think you know how much this means to me".....Awwww...it's what I love about this season. Finding that once-in-a-lifetime kind of gift. It was pretty neat. He went through the book and told me stories about some of the folks. Amazing how sharp the memory can be when presented with a 70 year old reminder of your past.

- I've been working on compiling an Amazon Wish List of clothes for next season....again, part of my New Years resolution to dress a bit better. Why didn't anyone ever clue me in to Modcloth.com before? LOVE that site! Very cute stuff!

Coming up this week: Final preparations for the holiday with a MUCH overdue hair appointment (my roots are abysmal....seriously. Trashtastic). A few bridal meetings that were postponed several times due to the arrival of Molly, and I'm actually squeezing in an infant shoot next week for a former bride (because I can't stand going so long without photographing something, apparently!)

Then, I'm getting my relaxed, stress-free Christmas on. Can't wait!

Miss Molly.....who I've taken to calling "Monkey"...because...well...as much as it may scar her for life, the kid does look like a little baby monkey with all that spiky hair. A cute monkey, of course. Not a weird, red-butt monkey or something.

Betty has been pretty cooped up lately, so we busted out the messiness and made Christmas cookies the other day. She enjoyed herself....obviously.

Molly meets her Great Great (yes, TWO greats) Aunt Rose this week.

Monkey. In a rare awake moment.

Friday Fractured Thought - Bed Rest Edition | Milwaukee Wedding Photographer

To a busy mom, there are few things that sound more calming than "bed rest". I used to think so anyway. All day...in bed...nothing but bad TV and snacks and sleep.

I was wrong.

It's not calming, really. It's boring. Really, really boring. I wasn't even supposed to touch the computer all week....I don't think the doctor quite understood what he was asking.

- So for those not aware of my current condition, I developed pre-eclampsia and was induced last week. We welcomed little Molly....and then the pre-eclampsia decided to hang around...and get worse. Instead of re-admitting me to the hospital I was put on strict bed rest. I had a visit with the doc today and was hoping things would have improved...but no dice. So more laying and thinking of how bored I am. *sigh*

- So, not much going on this week, obviously, unless you want the run-down on all the TV I've watched (What's Love Got to Do With It? was on TV this morning. WIN)

- The husband has been invaluable helping this week...and my in-laws have jumped in to help watch the girls (doesn't that sound cool? THE GIRLS! ) It's great to have family available for times like this.

- I had been planning a small get-together for the photographers in the area for this week, which obviously had to be cancelled...totally bummed me out. I had been really looking forward to getting everyone together. Hopefully I can reschedule.

- Molly is adjusting well and her sleep schedule has been as wonky as can be expected for a newborn. She sleeps ALL day. Like a cat. Very nocturnal.

- Still not quite done with my Christmas shopping, so hopefully I can get some online shopping done while laying here useless in bed.

- BTW, Beloit Hospital? Their food is pretty good. But they forgot my ice cream three times.

- I have a new show I just love: Raising Hope....HILARIOUS. It does, however, strike me as the type of show that probably won't last very long.

- I'll be keeping people posted on when I'm back to working order, I feel terrible as I have several couples that have been waiting patiently as I've had to reschedule our meetings. All I can say is thank you so much for you patience! All of this mess is certainly inconvenient.

And to leave you on an adorable note, here is Miss Molly....all fuzzy hair and cuteness. I'll be on and off the internets (I'm supposed to be keeping a calm, no stimuli-type enviroment...but really, no internet? Who are we kidding? As long as its quiet, I suppose).

Friday Fractured Thought - Baby Edition! | Milwaukee Wedding Photographer

Molly Anne Reseburg

6 lbs 0 oz 18 "

Born December 2, 2010 4:14 AM

Well, what had been shaping up to be a relatively quiet week took an unexpected turn. So, I give you the Friday Fractured Thoughts.....Baby edition!

Tuesday morning I woke up with an OB appt. on my schedule...and a raging sinus infection. I felt absolutely terrible as I trudged my way to the doctor's office. The nurse gave me a sympathetic look as she got my weight (181!! Eeeek!) and sat me down to take my blood pressure. My only thought was "let's get this done so I can go home and collapse into bed".

Well, not so fast there....my BP was up. And my limbs were all swollen. I had been seeing sparkly spots. I had a massive headache. All that added up to one thing: pre-eclampsia.

Wonderful.

They admitted me to the hospital for observation. I wasn't worried. I figured they get everything stablized and send me home to finish up all the stuff I still needed to do before baby's due date.

Hours passed....my BP fluctuated....and after 24 hours my doc came in with a look of "So...you thought you were going home, eh?"

Not so fast!

He recommended inducing. Oy. Vey. My first thought was "I don't even have CURTAINS for the baby's room yet!"

My 2nd thought? Jon...who was away on business.

After some tense calls and sending my father in law down to Chicago to pick up Jon, we prepared to go ahead. They started the Pitocin drip. Nothing really happened. After a few hours I got an epidural (ouch) and then...more waiting. And sleeping...and waiting. Finally, I sent Jon off to sleep in my other room and I tried to sleep as well. I had gotten next to no sleep in the last 24 hours...and I certainly hadn't planned on having to labor on top of it all.

I was getting impatient after 6 hours and wondered when things would start to get going. I decided to try and shift my position in bed and WHAM!!!!! The baby dropped and I was ready to go. Evidently the epidural worked so well I had no idea the baby was RIGHT. THERE.

Everyone sprung into action...they went and woke up Jon and literally about 5 mins later Molly Anne Reseburg entered the world. Easy as pie.

She was teeny weenie and had a full head of fuzzy dark brown hair.

So, the week didn't exactly unfold as I had planned. I have TWO KIDS. Wow. It's going to take some adjustments to get used to it all, but it's kind of like riding a bike. A very demanding bike that deprives you of sleep.

I am so so happy that she's here and healthy and safe. And I am so so happy to not be pregnant anymore, I have to be honest. I'm looking forward to getting home, getting into a routine (do you expect anything less from a Type A gal?) and getting Miss Betty acclimated to Big Sisterhood. So far, so good. She's very into "can I take care of the baby?" and being a "big helper". Hopefully she doesn't tire of that too quickly. I think once she realizes the squeaky thing isn't going anywhere she may put up a bit of a fuss. I mean...it's not like Betty is the center of attention or anything....really!

I promise lots of pictures to follow (of course!) and thank you everyone for the well-wishes and support! I can't think of a better early Christmas present!

Time of Arrival

She has super duper tiny feet. Obviously not taking after me.

The HAIR. Cracks me up. It almost looks highlighted.

A family of four.

Friday Fractured Thought | Milwaukee Wedding Photographer

Can you believe Thanksgiving is over and we're on our way to Christmas already? Seriously, since wedding season ending it's as if time is moving at warp speed. Doesn't seem to be enough days in a month to get everything done.....

- I actually mixed things up as far as the holiday went this year. In 30 years, I've never deviated from my Turkey Day plans (except for the 1 year I lived in California). Yesterday, I went out of town for Thanksgiving and spent it with my in laws, kiddo, and husband in Chicago. It was REALLY relaxed, fun, and the food @ Fulton's on the River was EXCELLENT. Whoever thought to put roasted marshmallows on top of sweet potatoes is a GENIUS....talk about the ultimate pregnancy food.

This holiday season is going to be a study in new traditions, I think....and I'm excited about that. I can only hope that come December 25th I have a new baby to cuddle.

- I am running a Black Friday sale (me and everyone else, apparently). To save 25% on any Type A Images SMUGMUG order enter the coupon code "BLACKFRIDAY". It's only good until the end of the day today, so jump on it! Go to your pictures here: www.typeaimages.smugmug.com

- If you're not a Facebook "fan" of Type A Images yet, hop on over to www.facebook.com/typeaimages and add yourself. It's the best way to get a heads up on specials, new sitting sneak peeks, and tons of cool info.

- I watched a very small snippet of the American Music Awards. The Bieber Snippet. Maybe it's a sign of my age. I just. don't. get. it. The appeal of Bieber does not resonate with me. Plus I'm LOL'ing that they sat the kid in front of a piano to make him look all serious and artsy.....and once he stood up to do his "thang" the piano kept playing. FAIL.

- I'm going to spoil a bit of Dexter for you folks....I think 5 days is sufficient buffer. How AWESOME was Dexter beating up the stepdad of Astor's friend!?! I wanted to yell at the TV "GO DEXTER GO!"......so cool. I love it when he loses his mind and goes all crazy. It's good TV.

- Took Betty to the mall a bit early this week to get her Santa shot ($25 for a bad pop-up flash snap of the kiddo.....really?). She told Mall Santa she wanted a puppy and the new baby wanted diapers.

- Speaking of holiday shopping, I'm trying to get it all done before I get too huge to want to move. And I'm getting there, believe me!

I did get my grandparent's high school yearbook in the mail the other day, which thrills me to no end because I searched for it for a number of years. I'm excited to give it to Gramps.

- I have one session left before maternity leave...and its tomorrow morning. I am taking a few more client consult meetings, but that's the extent of it. I'm pooped, and I cannot wait for this pregnancy to be over. Hopefully then I will be able to fit into my shoes and not have to keep hiking up my pregnancy jeans.

- Just watched a special on PBS the other night about the White House official photographer. What a COOL. JOB. It was really interesting to watch him work. They said at one point the amount of pictures the guy takes in a month (I don't recall the exact number, but it was over 10,000). Made me feel better about the amount I typically bring home from a wedding shoot!

What was even MORE interesting is the "official White House photo editor" (yes, this job exists) is NOT allowed to delete any of the shots. This I find fascinating. What if it's just terrible? What if Obama is making a funky face or he blinked? It all goes in the archive!

- I did NOT attend any Black Friday sales in person. I shopped from the comfort of my couch with the dulcet tones of Spongebob Squarepants wafting through the background. The only way to do it, if you ask me. Once the hubby returns from the road we'll hit up Toys R Us and finish off shopping for the Peanut and then we're done!

- Things are grinding to a halt on the work-front. I'm finishing off the last of the editing and album orders...getting everything out in the mail. Tomorrow is my last sitting until January (the famously camera-shy Lauren! We're planning a sneak attack at the library)...I have 3 prospective client meetings and then it's nothing but relax and enjoy.

And here's your moment-o-Betty Turkey Day Style:

We woke up SUPER early on T-giving day...and I actually got to watch the parade which has never happened before. Betty was quite taken with the Rockette's. And the outfit? Well, that's what happens when Mama is just far too tired to care if her kid's pajamas match.

We finally got to spend Turkey Day with Jon. Every year he is away in Chicago for the holiday for work, and he's missed 5 Thanksgivings. We ate at Fulton's on the River in Chicago and it was really really good.

I'd like to title this picture "Fatty and the Cheeser". I think pregnancy has caught up with me. Holy puffy-ness!

Betty playing @ Fulton's. I picked up that stellar outfit the night before @ Target. Betty's take? "It's weird and it doesn't match". She didn't seem to mind once it was on.

Friday Fractured Thought | Milwaukee Wedding Photographer

It's Friday.....you ain't got no job........

Ok, totally not true. November is shaping up to be JUST as busy as October was, surprisingly...with holiday and album orders up the wazoo and the last few sittings before our family of 3 becomes a family of 4 (scary!).

So, on with the Fractured Thoughts...and then its time to get some work done!

- Last night I had the supreme pleasure of networking with some Milwaukee Collages CLASS members. The Collages CLASS meetings are a chance for professional photographers to get together, talk shop, trade stories and ideas, etc. I've been attending the Madison area meetings since June and it's just a fabulous way to have your finger on the pulse of the photography community in Wisconsin.

- I bought Second Shooter her first vintage dress on Etsy this week....a little pink frock with a matching jacket. Can't wait to see it on her.

- My kid came down with her first illness since she was 1 year old this week. No joke, the kid is NEVER sick...ever...and its a good thing, because I told her this week that she was so crabby and out-of-sorts that I was going to sell her to Gypsies. I meant it too. She would be born in the wagon of a travelin' show if she kept it up. Man oh man. Good thing the cold is going away.....

- The hubster and I hit up Menards and got some holiday decor last weekend. It's a new experience for us living in a neighborhood where people actually go all out and decorate, not fearing that all of their decorations will be stolen overnight. I have a feeling competition in the 'hood is going to be fierce.

- Has anyone had a chance to check out the show Downsized on WE? I was actually kind of jazzed for this show, having a penchant for shows about budgeting and saving money (yes, I'm a dork...we've established that). But holy moly...these people are MORONS. Yes, I said it. They're MORONS. This chick waltzed up into a meeting with a financial advisor about their abysmal finances sportin' Chanel earrings. I wanted to throw something at the TV (or shoot it...because apparently in Wisconsin that is how we roll when something on TV doesn't thrill us).

Here's a thought, Downsized family. SELL THE CHANEL EARRINGS. It would be a start.

- I did my first "Trash the Dress" session (Encore session, Fearless Bride Session....etc. People have different names for these) on Sunday. It was COOOOLLLD, but it was a BLAST and I really really want to do more of these, so after January 22nd hit me up and let's plan to get some dresses dir-tay.

- Since 2008 I have been periodically looking online for my grandparent's high school yearbook. They both graduated in 1941 from Austin High School in Chicago, which doesn't really "exist" anymore (well, it does...but it's apparently a completely different type of school). I had no luck, at all, but have...in the process...amassed a small collection of old yearbooks.

Well, this week I found 1 on Ebay that could be promising (its 1942, but they did 1/2 years back then...so some 1941 students could be in it) and THEN I get an email this morning from a woman in Chicago who HAS the 1941 book. I am SOOOO excited! It's kismet, seriously. Right before the holidays. Now, crossing my fingers they are in the book.

- I bit the bullet a tiny bit and added a D700 and grip to my Adorama cart this week. Not lets see how long it takes for me to hit "buy".

- I got a MASSIVE amount of album deliveries this week and I have to give major props to Miller's once again for their fine service and turn-around. Love my lab.

- I started weekly doctor visits this week! EEEEEEKKKKKKKK.

- The other day I had an entire day of sitting on my bootay watching TV and eating. I haven't done that in a really really really long time and although it felt really naughty and not overly productive, I needed it.

- Ok, a little PSA before I get to your weekly moment o' Betty. This week I got a nice email from the photo manager of a store letting me know that someone had grabbed pictures off this here blog and was attempting to have them printed.

First off, I am SUPER impressed by this photo manager. Because the pictures had my watermark on them, she knew they were copyrighted and found my email address to alert me. This was very cool on her part.

Second, don't try this at home, folks. For one, it's stealing. This is why I give personal reprint rights to my clients who buy the DVD (or all wedding clients) because I do think it is important to have access to your pictures. You can also legally buy or download the pictures you'd like from Smugmug.

For two, the pictures on my blog are teeny weeny resolution. Very small. They are resized to fit here and they have my watermark on them. If you were to print these, they would not look good.

So, as a heads up, if you're wanting a copy of a picture from an event or sitting and you are not the subject of the picture, hit me up on email and I can let you know the best way to go about getting quality prints and products.

- This week? Things are not really slowing down too much. I have a family sitting tomorrow (a do-over from last week's rain-out), a Hospice event on Sunday to photograph (with carriage rides, how fun!), and a family sitting next week before I head to Chicago to celebrate Thanksgiving with my hubby for the first time in SIX YEARS. Yup, we're mixing it up a bit this holiday. Every Thanksgiving my husband is gone working the biggest trade show of the year for his company, and he misses all the fun. So, this year we're joining him. Can't wait!

And here is your moment o' Betty...I took her Christmas card pic this week, despite her stuffy, red nose. We decided to throw in my vintage Anne book and make it kind of a "theme-y". Enjoy!

Friday Fractured Thought | Milwaukee Wedding Photographer

Could it possibly be?! Is the end of the year in sight? Yes! And with wedding season "officially" over, I'm feeling a bit out of sorts. I don't quite know what to do with myself. Luckily, album orders have been the name of the game this week, so I've been busy regardless of having no weddings in the next month or so.

Which leads me to.....

- Albums! I need to put together a full album blog post showing all the great features of the new album selections, I think. I've been blown away by the album orders this past week...super-excited! Albums are the BEST way to show off your pictures, and its my humble opinion that everyone should have one.

- SmugMug Sale: STILL going on, but ends on Monday...so if you want to order prints, canvas wraps, thin wraps, or any print product from your event or sitting, waiting will do you no good! Save 25% with the coupon code SEASONEND10 and let me know if you need your sitting/event loaded onto Smugmug to take advantage.

- On one more "business" related note, I'm about 1/2 booked for 2011 and already moving into 2012 bookings, so if you have a wedding coming up for 2011 or 2012, again...waiting is not the way to go!

- The Peanut has been struck down with her first cold since she was 1 year old. Poor thing...she's taking it like a champ though.

- This Thursday the Collages CLASS groups from Madison and Milwaukee are coming together to meet. It's going to be epic. That's a lot of fun and talent in one area. The restaurant may explode from the awesome-ness contained inside.

- I don't even want to think about Christmas shopping right now. It just seems like a massive undertaking at this point. So, TV can knock it off with the pre-Thanksgiving Christmas shopping commercials any time now.

- I did order Betty's new Etsy frock for her Christmas pictures though, so hopefully I'll get those done soon.

- I had one of those parenting moments the other day....Betty was asking about the baby coming at Christmas and I said "Yes, the baby will be here at Christmas" and she asks "So how are they gonna get it out of there?"

I'm guessing "Magic" probably wasn't the best response.

- Can I complain a TINY bit about companies/websites/whatever making changes for the sake of changes that benefit NO ONE. For one, Facebook. First, they take away the "View Comments" button for fan pages, which is just pointless and stupid. THEN, they make the type on the walls teeny weeny tiny. Why? Just because they can.

And Smugmug....with the new uploading options. Are you serious? I've never seen anything more inefficient. And I really don't like going to load a wedding and having it die 1/2 way through. Just sayin'. Sometimes, leaving well-enough alone is preferred.

- I had to do my first "1 date, 2 clients" turn-away this week. It always sucks. I know most photographers have a "first who pays gets the date" policy, as do I...but I really hate to disappoint anyone. There are just not enough dates in some prime months....and I am a people-pleaser. I want to take all of their weddings. It's kind of a bummer part of this job. Thankgoodness for a great referral list....so I can pass those along to people I know will rock it out. Another plug for creating community among photog-friends!

- This week is shaping up to be another one full of holiday order fulfillment, album building, and the like. I have a family sitting tomorrow, one Sunday, and a fun "Trash the Dress" on Sunday as well. But, I am knocking out the holiday orders in between shooting, so get those album gift orders in ASAP, folks!

And now, your moment-o-Betty. We decided to play Betty's version of "hopscotch" in the foyer yesterday. All went well until she had a meltdown when she believed I had stolen her "rock" (which was invisible....so...yeah, she had no proof!)

And I'll leave you this week with evidence of how very very cool my husband an I are. Working the last wedding of the season and deciding to hop into the photobooth for a little fun.

Friday Fractured Thought | Milwaukee Wedding Photographer

It's Friday...you know what THAT means.....(besides, oh...I dunno....Four Weddings is on tonight, which is, like, the greatest wedding show ever.....)

Other noteworthy new nuggets:

- Our first Halloween in the new 'hood went off without a hitch....well, except for that whole "your neighborhood is the place to be!" hitch, which forced us to make a last-minute candy replenishment run to Shopko. Who knew? We couldn't PAY kids to hit up our house in Milwaukee!

- The Peanut's first Trick or Treating experience was fabulous. She LOVED it....she was all about getting right in there with the big kids and demanding her candy. She only wanted to stop at houses that had decorations, which was kind of a funny. The best part? Betty isn't much for candy, so I've been able to raid her bucket guilt-free all week.

- On the subject of Halloween, maybe it's just the mom in me...or maybe I'm just a gigantic out-of-touch prude...but there were some costumes the neighborhood gals were sporting that my daughter would not be caught DEAD in at their age. Seriously...your 12 year old does not need to be a "sexy cat" for Halloween. She's 12. Also, all the kids over the age of, say, 8 were Trick or Treating WITH cellphones...and seemed to do more texting than Trick or Treating. Sad state of affairs.

And yes, I sound old and crabby. I know this.

- This has been a challenging week, for a number of reasons for sure. I'm a lot busier than I had anticipated for a November (good thing!) but I'm starting to get sluggish...and tired...and I'm looking at a fairly un-ready baby room and feeling a tad overwhelmed.

So, when I made a visit to my "local" camera store (local being Rockford) I was vulnerable....I think the sales guy knew I needed to acquire SOME sort of equipment to ease my somewhat irksome week.

I went in for an umbrella and light stand

I came out with a new lens.

Ugh...dangerous stuff, those camera stores.

- I'll be taking my new lens buddy out for a run this Saturday at the season's LAST WEDDING. Insert big-eyed "I can't believe it" stare here, because whew!! What a season! 32 weddings...countless awesome families...and having to hear the Black Eyed Peas "I Gotta Feelin'" more times then I can really recall or ever count. I've eaten my weight in awesome cake and can probably do the Cupid Shuffle in my sleep by this time.

I'll be back at it in January but I am looking forward to some slow, laid-back Saturdays coming up.

- Just a reminder, I'm still running a sale on SmugMug purchases (any purchase off the SmugMug site). 25% off with the coupon code SEASONEND10. This sale ends November 15th, so get those Christmas orders in quickly to take advantage of it!

- Speaking of the holidays and orders, if you are going to be wanting your album by Christmas, it is very important that you get your picture selections in by November 15th at the absolute LATEST. I beg of you! I'm working diligently to get all albums designed and off to the printers in time for holiday delivery!

- On another holiday note....Gift Certificates make AWESOME stocking stuffers, so contact me about ordering a Gift Certificate for your family or friends. They can be purchased in any amount.

- I was getting a bit concerned about Dexter. I adore this shore...LOVE it....but it had not been really holding my interest much thus far this season. However, last Sunday's episode RAWKED. Very cool. Keep it up, Dexter!

- I just did a sitting last night doing portraits for Beloit's Finest (the BPD). I tried to get them to agree to write off the two speeding tickets I got in August. No dice. : )

- The Mini-Sessions went great and we got some awesome shots out of the day (even though it was cold....and a football game was going on). I may reconsider the late fall date if I decide to bring out the Mini next year.

- 16 and Pregnant is BACK! Awesome-sauce, seriously. Could this show be any more entertaining? Babies named Genesis.....16 year olds getting married in racing uniforms....it's just good watchin'.

- I'm going to be unloading some camera equipment this week that I just don't use (a few lenses....etc) so stay tuned. If anyone is REALLY into the color pink and needs a fashion camera bag for 1 camera, boy do I have the bag for you........keep tabs on Facebook for sales : )

- Up this week: Shopping for the baby room with my mother-in-law tomorrow.....the last wedding on Saturday in Chicago...fun filled family session on Sunday in Milwaukee, two bridal consults this week....whew-wee!!! Who said it was slow season?

And now, your moment-of-Betty....

Trick or Treat!!! For the first time! She was quite into it.

Patiently waiting.

Shooting huge. Last week's wedding. Sad the only time I have to take "belly pics" is when I'm working and find a good mirror! LOL

This, my friends, is BIG NEWS. Betty.....eating FRUIT. Now, if you don't know my kid let me fill you it. She eats one thing: macaroni and cheese. That's about it. The kid is pickier than all get-out. So, my dear mother-in-law actually got this kid to EAT. AN. APPLE. As you can see, she documented the moment for proof. I was STUNNED. Stunned, I tell ya!! (Picture courtesy of Mother-in-Law)