She's a SUPERSTAR!

I can't believe Avi is already 9 months old! I haven't kept up to date on this blog, but am hoping I get a bit better now.

This evening, Avi had a photo shoot for a boutique clothing company - her first photo shoot ever (we haven't even gotten professional photo's done prior to this point, so we definitely went into this GREEN as can be). A friend of friend works at the PR company representing the clothing company, and suggested we submit Avi to the casting call. We did, and within a week, I got an email telling us that she was picked as one of the baby models!

I prepped the nanny about the shoot, and asked her to put Avi down for a nap prior to us leaving for the shoot - so she wouldn't be cranky....of course Avi didn't comply with the request and ended up only taking a short 20 minute nap on the way instead.

When we got there, I was promptly given an outfit and asked to change Avi. In the "changing area", there was a baby boy there who had been photographed for the better part of the afternoon. He was waiting for Avi to get to the location so they could take a few shots of the two babes together. The images we were taking was for the company's christmas catalog, so they put Avi in a thick furry jacket (with a hood), leggings, and boots (see above images) and the baby boy in a coordinating furry jacket, pants, and socks. For the first shots, Avi was quietly taking in all the surrounding hoopla. Our attempts to get her to smile went completely unnoticed by her; she stared at the group of three/four individuals jumping up and down, playing peek-a-boo, and singing like we were basically insane. However, baby boy was thrilled at the antics going on around him, and he smiled away!

The next shots were of Avi by herself in various super cute (probably overpriced) outfits. Each time we repeated our attempts to make her smile - unfortunately, Avi just wasn't in a smiley mood. One of the assistants kept asking me "what makes her smile?" - I told her usually everything I was currently doing made her smile (singing "if you're happy and you know it" "wheels on the bus", making animal sounds, jumping up and down, etc). Who knew my kid was camera shy!

We progressed through the assigned wardrobe as best we could, and by the last shot, I was ready to scoop my baby up and take her home!

My biggest take away from this experience was 1) evening photo shoots for infants are probably never a good idea 2) I probably would make a HORRIBLE stage mom and 3) if we EVER do this again, daddy is coming along - he makes MUCH better animal noises than mommy!

Some secondary take aways (of the more tangible kind) included:

• A small stipend for our time which we'll put towards Avi's college fund
• Hopefully some jpegs of the shots taken today so I can post/print some for myself
• Getting the catalog so we can share and have as a keepsake for Avi (we'll get it in the mail once it's complete)

After I strapped Avi in her carseat to come home, she promptly fell asleep. She was so exhausted she slept a good 1 1/2 hours.

For those of you out there who have known of my "get famous" dreams, don't worry, Avi will be spared from those silly ideas :)!!

Introducing: Aviana Rajan Owings

She's already 1 month old, but this is the first time I have been able to formally post her introduction to the web world :). Aviana Rajan Owings arrived on on August 10th, 2009, 3 days after her planned birthday. Although the birth didn't go exactly as planned, I can't complain too much b/c she arrived healthy! (The birth story will be posted at a later time).

So far Aviana has been a great baby girl. Not colicky and sleeps well most of the time! She has had her fussy days/nights, but overall, we feel very fortunate to have a sweet baby to share our lives with.

I do have to admit though - being a mommy is one of the hardest things I have ever done! Spending almost every moment caring for a child is a test of one's patience, strength, and mind! I have heard it gets easier as they get a bit older, but I'm not convinced that is true ;).

I will be adding a link to photo's of her shortly!

Love -

S

She's late for her own birthday!

Baby AminOwings has apparently decided that August 7th won't be her birthday! She's already rebelling against her mommy and daddy. I guess she's just giving us a glimpse of what to expect the rest of our lives!!

I am completely anxious at this point. At every contraction, I get excited thinking that maybe this is it! I'm not exactly looking forward to labor, but I am definitely excited to finally meet this new member of my family. I think that all my friends and family are a bit anxious at this point as well!!

I can't wait to post our first picture of our daughter. Hopefully it won't be too long now.

love,

S

Nursery

My friend Robin has been asking me to post a few photo's of Baby AminOwings' nursery - and I'm finally getting around to it!! Below is a short video of the room. It is still a work in progress - we are still awaiting our glider, we are still putting together the bedding on the reading pallet you see in the nursery, and Justin is painting a piece to put between the sconces....so even though baby is due any day now, her nursery will probably take a few more weeks to complete!! :).

Let me know what you think!!

Aminowings Nursery from j o-wings on Vimeo.

Love

S

Natural Birthing Experience via Hypnobirthing

Since I've gotten pregnant, I have been seriously thinking about what I want my "birthing experience" to be like. Early on, I decided I wanted to attempt a natural birth - without any medications. The two methods that I started considering were the "Bradley Method" and "Hypnobirthing." After speaking with my midwife, my husband I made the decision to try Hypnobirthing. We wanted to make sure that our practioners were supportive of our birthing decision, and every midwife we spoke to at our practice recommended Hypnobirthing over the Bradley Method. I think the general consensus with the Bradley Method was that, in their experience, the mothers who chose this method were more anti-intervention and/or recommendations made by the midwife AND the success rate for completing a natural birth was higher for Hypnobirthing in this particular practice.

I have read up on both methods and I believe either is a great method to prepare for childbirth. But I do recommend that your practioner supports whichever you decide upon.

Anyhow, Justin and I have been attending hypnobirthing classes for the past three weeks or so, and have found that the relaxation and breathing techniques are definitely beneficial in "destressing." We have a few more classes, and a lot more practicing to do, but I'm crossing my fingers that my birthing experience will be as relaxed as possible.

For references here's a link to a Dateline special on Hypnobirthing that came out about 10 years ago:

PART 1:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=llT30oHxz6g&feature=related

PART 2:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f05YQbnsUGA&feature=related

And a great resource website: http://www.hypnobirthing.com/

T-36 days to go!

So I had my 35 week appointment today and there wasn't much new that they told me. The baby is about 5 1/2 weeks from being due, and all else seems normal.

Now let's define "normal" - swelling, fatigue, round ligament pain...all normal :). Anxiety, mixed in with anticipation is also "normal".

The house set up is coming along - as is the nursery. Even though we've made a lot of progress, I still feel like we're a gazillion miles away from having the house ready for baby. I know that sounds a bit ridiculous - I know baby doesn't need much anyhow. She'll have milk, clothes, diapers, and two loving parents. I'm sure that is really all she needs.

BUT, I know that all the stuff that needs to get done around the house won't really get done after she arrives. Moving at 30 weeks pregnant is really not something I suggest anyone to do. I'm trying to take a "laid back" attitude, and not let small things get to me...but I'm definitely not programmed that way it seems. Reprogramming oneself is not an easy task, but I'm trying!

I've been reading up on nursing and calming unhappy babies. I've gone to LLL meetings and watched DVD's on how calming techniques. We'll see how useful any of these things are once baby arrives :).

Husband and I are super excited to meet this little munchkin who's kicking around inside.

Baby Registry, et. al

Folks have been asking me about where I'm registered lately, so I thought I'd go ahead an add that information on this site as well. I'm registered at Babies R Us - this is the only place I actually have a "registry". However, I also have found a few items online and at various places that I like, and decided that rather create a "registry" there, I'd just post the items that I like on this site. For example, BabyLegs is a site where you can get these nifty leggings for children. They are one size fits all, and are also sold at various retail stores. Rather than searching them out, I thought I'd just put the link and give folks the option of getting it online, or at a local retailer near them. I know this throws the whole "return" policy thing out the window, but if you give me a gift receipt, I'm hoping wherever they are bought from will honor the receipt in the rare chance I receive 15 of the same item!!

OK - hopefully this helps those of you who have asked :)!

Love
S