The adorable Ms I swept her way into my studio (and my heart) recently with her devoted French mama et papa, K and G. Only five days old (and two weeks early) she had been up all night partying with her parents, in particular her mama, and so she hit the heat of my studio and was putty in my hands. Mama conked out too for part of the session, and we tiptoed around hoping against hope that she could catch up on her sleep a little. Papa G is an engineer who has worked with MSF, and he was an incredible assistant…for some of these shots, I needed his skills! Put part A here, top with part B, and move part C over there.

Here is what mama had to say about her new little girl:

Congratulations to you both on becoming parents! You weren’t quite full term when you delivered. Tell us about your labor.

A. was two weeks in advance. The first contraction started at around 6 am on Monday. G was with me the all time and a Doula came at home around 8 am. She was really amazing, helped me a lot through this amazing experience and without her I don’t think I would have coped so well. By 10 am we were in the hospital and I asked for a waterbirth. Two hours later A. was born and at 8 pm we were back at home. I don’t think I could have hoped for a better labor.

What is the thing that amazed you the most about becoming a mom?

I feel it is very natural and it is like she has always been here.

Have you been getting much sleep?

We are a little tired but so far I think we are managing well. A. is a calm baby but very hungry so she need to be breastfeed very often.

How was G’s first Father’s Day? (Congrats, G!)

It’s very nice. I am not sure I have yet fully realized all the thing it implies but I can’t wait to get hand made, imaginative gifts!

How did your family in France react to news the baby had arrived?

There are all happy for us and very excited. They live far away and can’t wait to be able to take her in their arms. The webcam is nice but it is not the same especially for grand-mothers. Both are coming during summer, not too long to wait.

What is the best thing in your life with Ms A?

We love having her in our bed in the morning and watching her little face when she sleeps.

It is a little hard to imagine that Ms A will be walking in 12 short months, isn’t it? What are your hopes for your first year as a mom?

I want to enjoy my time off with her as much as possible, as I am sure it will go very fast. We are hoping to take two months of vacation to relax
together and also watch A. enjoying her first year.

Please, everyone, do take the time to leave a comment for the parents. They just love to receive them, and I donate $1 to Vancouver’s Food Bank for every one!

I call the first photo “Calling Gramma.”

Here is my entire session with little Mr. Nathan (minus a few images because of song timing). I find it just so amazing that I get to work with babies in their first week of life, when moms have just finished (just finished!) giving birth, one of life’s most pivotal experiences. The newborns at this age are so sleepy and sweet-smelling. The bones in their heads are not fused, and you can feel their soft spots. I could have just eaten Mr N up…I mean, really, do babies get any cuter? Plus he has these awesome parents, lucky guy, Nancy and Paul, who are over their heads about him. Like most women, I just melt around dads being all gushy and loving, and I really hit it off with Paul. And since it’s almost Father’s Day, Paul, this one’s for you!

Please leave comments! If you do, I donate $1 per to Vancouver’s food bank. It’s a great (and easy) way to make a big difference.

Say hello to tiny little Ms R! Oh, what a delicious little baby…we could all have just nibbled up her tiny long toes and fingers. She was seven days old in these pix, and she slept and slept and slept as if I’d given her an elixir–which is cool, because I had cooked up a whole raft of new ideas I wanted to be able to try out. Towards the end, when we were doing photos down at the ravine, she woke right up, but she was still completely amenable, just wide-eyed and curious. What blew me away, then, was that she could keep her head up, way up, like a much older baby. She would even grow a little fatigued, lay it down, then pull herself right back up again. And I can attest to the fact that she is also rolling over on her side!

I am so, so thrilled to have had a chance to try out a major new prop, a great piece of driftwood my father-in-law gave me. How west coast/Vancouver is that? I just love the results. Just love them.

Welcome to the world, little Ms R! And Happy Father’s Day, Ms R’s doting dad!

As always, please leave blog comments. We donate $1 to Vancouver’s Food Bank for every comment in 2009.

We took two sets of outdoor pix, one in my garden (with the clematis, water feature and our glass bead waterfall we call “the folly”), and a second set by the ravine.

Yummy, yummy, yummy. Do you know how much I love getting flowers?

You have to be fairly intrepid to bring me blossoms in the springtime, because to get to the front door you have to pass through what is a pretty wonderful (and very intensive) flower garden! Just on the weekend, two women stopped by as I was plunking in some faltering aubrietas and said they’d driven across town just to have a look. It’s worth it, I’d say… It’s in the June issue of Fine Gardening magazine (last page), and it’s been there three or four other times too. It was nominated for Vancouver’s Best Front Garden.

Anyhow, the lovely Ms B who won the Giving is Awesome session brought me this pretty bouquet on behalf of her family and the nominator’s family, and I was really touched. Her note said, “Jane, we hope these flowers make you as happy as you have made us. Thank you so very much for the beautiful gift. We will cherish it forever.”

Sweet, huh? Could just about get a girl to weeping…

Here is just one pic:

And our house, from some prior year:

Baby N was 9 days old when he came in. On hitting the studio, he fell into a deep sleep from which he barely roused, as if he had been waiting all his oh so long, long, long life to finally be allowed to get some deep sleep. He was so quiet that it was unimaginable that he might at some point actually wake up and holler. But he kept the most adorable little scowl on his face, and indeed, check out when he was doing what we photogs call “the pose:” his forehead was corduroy.

I loved, loved, loved so many images from this session. The moss basket rocks my world. The hands bowl rocks my world. The tulip rocks my world (although it was short-lived as baby N did proceed to nurse it–a photo I included to show his parents just for fun). I just love the textures in the blanket wrap and its background…all the more because I made both of them.

As always, please “donate” a comment here. For every comment left in ’09, Jane Photo donates $1 to Vancouver’s Food Bank, and they can purchase $3 worth of food for hungry families. Our April total was $102!

Here are words of wisdom from N’s loving mama:

You’re a brand new mom.  Here’s that all-important question:  How was the labour?
- Labour for me was…well, let’s get real, it was painful!!  But looking back the 30 hours went by quickly.  If it wasn’t for P’s support through the ordeal in addition to the laughing gas, it would have been a lot more difficult.  

How was it having studio shots done when the redoubtable Mr N was only 9 days old? 
- We were a bit nervous at first about having our Mr N out of the house for his studio shots at only 9 days old, but he was such a little angel.  He slept through most of the session, and despite a few unexpected poops and pees at some inopportune times, he gets an A+.

Is Mr N letting you get any sleep?
- We are pretty lucky.  He sleeps on a 3-4 hour schedule around the clock with about an hour of awake time in between.  So far, we’ve been able to average about 6 hours of sleep per night…knock on wood.

What is the most surprising thing about being a new parent?
- How many differences of opinions and advice you receive from physicians, nurses, friends, family, the internet, etc.  It seems that ultimately there is no right or wrong way to go about things as long as you trust your own gut and heart and proceed with what you feel is best for your baby.

What are you most looking forward to now that you’re a parent?
- Watching with fascination as N discovers and learns new things every day.  Every time he smiles and looks up at us, we just melt.

You are so, so good with the baby.  Did you find it all came to you both pretty naturally?
- It’s amazing how when we had N, our bond started immediately.  Right away, it felt like we were meant to be.  

How long do you have off work?
- Fortunately, I have a full year off of work.  Dad had 3 weeks of vacation time to spend with us.

What is the best thing about being a mother?
- Gaining a deep, deep understanding of what true and unconditional love is.  

What is the most challenging thing about being a mother?
- The worrying that comes along with this new role.

What are your hopes for N’s future?
- That every day of his future he feels completely loved and cherished by us.  Oh yeah – and Dad hopes he’ll become a rock star  some day:)

Oh, I am getting to be a bad blogger again! So sorry to the families who don’t get any pix up on this blog… I really do try to keep up, but it is just impossible.

Last December, the nominations poured in for our holiday giveaway called Giving is Awesome. Photographers from across North America donated their services to help out needy families who couldn’t manage custom photography on their own, but who had a love for and valued the art of it. There were many, many poignant applications, many for people with serious health issues, and I had such a hard time choosing a family to help. In the end, this family won because of the generosity of these little girls in donating their long hair. B and her (amazing) family were our winners. Here’s what the friend who nominated her said in her application:

I’d like to nominate the G family. They have 4 kids age 7 or 8, age 5, age 3 and 9 months and live in a 2 bedroom house they have been renovating/extending themselves as time/money permits for the last 9 years (I believe). They have to use the tiny bathroom for storage so the whole family uses a shower cubicle in the washroom (which has no sink). The oldest child has a few ongoing health concerns, and has regular Children’s hospital appointments, which the mother has to take all 4 children to attend. The husband is a self-employed tradesman/construction. The two girls recently donated their very long hair for cancer victim wigs. This family makes do with little, but still remains happy and cheerful. I “only” have 2 children and I have no idea how xxxx copes without going insane. The kids all sleep in one bedroom smaller than our smallest bedroom. Their house is TINY. Since having the baby ( a “surprise”) xxxx has health concerns herself.

Isn’t that so sweet? I just think this mom, and other moms of other nominated families, were so generous to nominate them.

We met at Deer Lake in Burnaby. (Too bad I didn’t arrange to meet them at the beach there, as they’d just seen a bald eagle eating a fish head on a stump 10′ from them. Natch, when I went back a few days later, stinky fish head in tow, no eagles.) What luck, G family!

It was really a pleasure to be with the G family, and I’d love to photograph them again.

Remember, as always this year, if you leave a comment below, I will make a $1 donation to Vancouver’s Food Bank. And they’ve now let me know that a $1 donation buys them $3 of food. It adds up. For the first three months of the year, Jane Photo donated $297 that will purchase the Food Bank about $900 of groceries. So please, donate, donate, donate. (Not to mention that the moms and dads and their ever-delighted photographer just love to hear your comments.)

Here are some goodies from little S’s mommy:

How far along were you when you realized you were pregnant? 

I felt that something was not right when I was about 2 weeks pregnant.  However, since it wasn’t planned, I thought I just caught a bug and would eventually feel like my old self again.  A week later, the “symptoms” didn’t disappear.  So, after four pregnancy tests, we found out we had a bun in the oven, and he/she was to join us during the holiday season of 2008.  What was really neat was that we found out our baby was conceived on our second wedding anniversary, on a camping trip at the Grand Canyon. 

Did little Ms S arrive on time/early/late?  

She arrived one day early.  I was supposed to give birth on Christmas Day, and she arrived on Christmas Eve.

What surprised you about her delivery?

I thought the baby was going to be overdue because there were no signs I was going to be in labour around the due date.  People had told me that the first baby’s always late.  So, I thought, “Woo-hoo, I can eat as much as I want during the Holiday because I have an excuse…I’m still pregnant.”  It didn’t work out that way.  On the 23rd of December, everything happened in a flash.  I was in labour at 6pm, and about 23 hours later, on Christmas Eve, the baby arrived.  Poor baby.  She’ll never have a “normal” birthday. 

Do you have any tips for moms (and dads) to get through labour? 

Put it in perspective.  It really is only a day (or two) out of one’s life, and the reward is far greater than the suffering.  Now, I don’t even remember how painful it was.

What is your favourite thing about being a mom? 

I get to live vicariously through my child…hahahah!  Just kidding.  On a more serious note, I feel so much value as a human being by being a mom.  I have this child that depends on me 24/7.  I’ve never felt so important and needed in my entire life.  Especially now that she is beginning to recognise people, I love it that she automatically calms down when she’s distraught as soon as she sees mommy (or daddy). 

What is the most special moment you share with Ms S in an ordinary day?  

I love taking walks with her.  I love seeing the curiosity in her eyes when she sees and/or hears new things. 

Do you think you are stopping at one child?

One child for now.  Who knows what the future holds.  Personally, I’d like to recover from the sleepless nights first. 

Can you tell us about a sweet moment between your husband and Ms S?

From birth until she was about a few weeks old, she wouldn’t sleep anywhere else but on Daddy.   

Is she the first grandchild in your families? 

She is the first grandchild on my side of the family, and the third on daddy’s side.

What do you hope for Ms S as she grows up?

I hope that she grows up to be a compassionate, caring, and an open-minded person.  I hope that she’ll live an extraordinary life. 

This utterly adorable child came to me at 7 months…and everyone knows that photographers like me love two ages best: newborns under two weeks, and little sitters between 7-9 months before they can crawl away from us. Baby M turned me inside out, I swear, because she was toooo cute. I could have just nibbled on those plump little cheeks of hers, so delicious was she. She was a little uncertain in the studio, though, and we just may have to give it another try (twist my arm). We got a ton of awesome photographs, and having her back would surely just be an excuse to have another look at these exquisite long lashes dry instead of tear-wet.

Everybody knows that we live for your comments, so please leave one here! It’s all part of our Cans for Comments drive, too, where each comment you leave gains the Vancouver Food Bank one can!

Here are some words from mama:

How do you find being a mom?
Happy, excited and of course, anticipating the responsibiliry of motherhood. To be able to love someone this deep is the most amazing experience.

Is there something about motherhood that utterly surprised you?
I thought that motherhood is just giving love without expecting to take something back. But in fact, I have been getting more from my little M than what I have been giving to her.

What is baby M’s favourite thing in the world?
When she sees her food and milk coming, she gets so excited. She opens her mouth so widely and comes toward the food by herself.

What is your favourite thing to do together?
To sit down face to face and make each other laugh until we get stomachache. Sometimes afterwards we get tired and fall asleep holding hands together.

Can you share an anecdote about baby M?
I can’t ask her permission yet

What about baby M and her daddy? Do you have any good stories about them?
Oh,,, she loves her daddy so much that her eyes are always following him. She loves a piggyback ride and uses her daddy’s head as a drum. It makes a good sound!

What are your hopes for baby M’s future?
I like her to experience a variety of things to be able to feel for others and to grow her spirit.

I can’t wait to get back outside for sessions, but burr, nearly April and Vancouver is forecasting…wait for it…snow! Again for the eight millionth time. (Edited to add: yup, it snowed on April 1st! I don’t even think it was a joke, lol.)

This adorable girl, Ms S, came to the studio…isn’t she dear? She was such a happy kiddo, and game for almost anything we could throw at her.

Mom was sweet enough to answer some questions:

How do you find being a mom?

I find being a Mom the most meangingful, life giving experience I have ever had. I love my children more fiercly and with more passion than I knew I had within me.

Is there something about motherhood that utterly surprised you?

I think how easy it is to give up all the things that were important to me before i had kids, for example the freedom to get up and go on a whim, to a movie, on vacation, on a walk. I miss it but I would never trade it.

What is baby S’s favourite thing in the world?

Watching her big sister play, jump, run..

What is your favourite thing to do together?

Go for walks, play on a blanket on the floor, breastfeed.

Can you share an anecdote about baby S?

When S was born she screamed loudly for a long while. The doctor commented she would be a lively one. Since then she has barely cried at all. She is very quiet and calm.

What about baby S and her daddy? Do you have any good stories about them?

I will often hear them making growling noises at eachother when he is changing her or holding her. He makes a growling noise and she copies him. Then they both giggle. It is very cute.

What are your hopes for baby S’s future?

Health, Joy, Peace, Confidence…..

My little client, Sofie, just won the regional Seattle division of the Sandy Puc’ Model Search!

I don’t think I can be in Seattle on Sunday, but I wanted to give Sofie and her lil sis Penelope a great big shout-out and tell them to break a leg on the big stage…

Mom just picked up her images from their session yesterday, and when I called to tell her Sofie had won, she said she’d been loving on all the images I’d created, now that she had them home, and was just thrilled to bits. She said she had been wanting to have custom photography done for ages, but had just never gotten around to it, but then when it was a question of also helping out NILMDTS, she just had to jump. Then she said, “Jane, what’s it like having a job where you make people so happy?”

I thought that was just the neatest way to think about photography.

So what is it like? The kiddos I photograph just wiggle right into my heart, and I understand when teachers say, “Those are my kids.” ‘Cause they are, every one of them, mine in some tiny way. To paraphrase the late and missed author Jane Rule, they just “reached in and wrapped a string of lights around my heart.”

Okay, okay, I’m kid-crazy. Always have been. Always will be. It’s an honour and a deep pleasure to have this job, and to be trusted to make lasting family memories.

I get such a kick out of thinking that these images will be on people’s walls long after all the other contemporaneous stuff we spend money on is gone…the TVs, the cars, the stereos, the computers…all relegated to the dust heap while the images live on and on, cherished more each year. I mean, really. How cool is that? It is the one purchase we can make that becomes more and more precious to us the more time passes. The pain of paying for it will last a few months, but the joy that it brings…forever.

For those who aren’t familiar with the Model Search, each vote for each child costs $1 US, and every penny goes to the deserving organization for which I am a Vancouver Area Coordinator, Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep. Thanks to everyone who donated a vote or more! You can still vote at Sandy Puc’ Votes.