At 21 years old, I created this blog. In a small 2 bedroom apartment, in Northern Ohio. As a new mother... a new wife to a Pastor, serving in a new ministry... 12 hours from anyone we ever knew. It has been a journey.
With many bumps... pot holes... pits... but also lots of joys.... Tossed in with many moves... and constant change.
As imperfect as I am... I really are just trying to trust the Father with our story...
Note: I am only featuring a ‘few‘ of our models. Boba will release the rest in time. All of our models were AMAZING and did such a great job! I can’t wait for all their beautiful faces to be slathered all over the web ;-) – on boxes and out there internationally. Its going to be so awesome, especially since many of these women are friends of mine and have become friends since…. So in short ;-) – this is just a teaser.
Melissa Payne Baker is a client of mine but also a dear friend. Shes also Atlanta’s Top Artist! She’s amazing.
Some of you may recognize the model above, she was in last year’s photos too!
Here is a flash back ;-)
& yes, its the same baby, only much bigger now.
This next model is actually a former MODE model! She made the cover of Mode magazine years ago.
She also had an australian accent. We could have listen to her speak all day!
Heather Lindey’s lil one made me want more babes. His baby newborn chub was to much cuteness for me.
Jessica’s husband Seth Condrey even modeled for us. He is a very talented musician and also a great dad and sport, for allowing us to use him two years in a row now as well. The other cute mama to the right is a friend of mine Amelia, whos baby girl Olivia was born on Reed’s due date :) – we are in the same Sunday School together.
& here is one Coleen Verner got of Reed and I together. Love that he got to model too!
I had a session friday, saturday and a mini today (sunday). I typically do not take that many in a week, but I was running out of time/slots for them, so I crammed a lot in on one week… which was fine, just makes for a busy weekend.
I found humor in this photo today though…. it was during the mini I did.
(No haters, its ok for a baby to cry… really. – especially since it was only for about 15 seconds)
Because it was right after church, Travis was off picking up the other 3 kids, while I had Reed with me. I obviously couldnt hold him while I did the pictures, so I just laid him on the floor :) – another family member who was with this family was there, but not in the pictures… so he watched him. Towards the last few moments Reed realized I was not there. I just had to snap his picture from way up high where I was to remember the moment.
Note: It is not typical for me to do sessions with my children around. I think its important to find child care for when I am working… but this was a special circumstance :) – I know the family understood since it was Easter Sunday. I got the job done though and it hopefully will bless them.
Alright readers… I posted this on facebook… but now, it is time to bring it to the blog :)
I am in search for a very specific mama…. a Japanese mom with a baby ranging from newborn- 18 months (give or take – this is flexible).
We are searching for a 100% Japanese mom. I know, super specific :) – but this is the last spot we are needing to fill.
So if you fit this mold or know someone who does, please let me know by commenting or emailing me at drea[at]dreawood.com. If you are interested please email me a head shot and photo of your lil’ one as well.
Also if I don’t respond to your email, please do not take offense. I got a lot on my plate and am having a hard time keeping up with everything… so replying to emails is a bit on the back burner. I will just be forwarding the entries onto the company :).
Thanks, I look forward to working with all the models already selected :) and this one specific mama as well, wherever you are. :-D
The last few weeks I feel as if I am multi-tasking to the extreme. I have realized its an art or possibly a slight obsession that I am good at? None the less, I can tell a huge difference in my ability to “keep up” when I leave my husband home with the children haha… Don’t get me wrong, Travis is an amazing husband and father… and does more than most men would ever think to do! I think as a woman though I am just wired differently and because of this, I am able to do things a lot different…. and in short, a little bit more affectively? :) I guess that is the only way I can put it, if I am being frank.
Life as a mother of 4 boys, is go go go and while I do have mornings, a lot lately honestly… where I sleep in til 9am… (yes, it does happen!), I find once I am up, I am always doing something, from cooking a meal, tidying a kitchen, wiping a kids butt, catch up on emails (never ending, its kinda like laundry?), disciplining a kid, prepping my calendar for upcoming shoots, organizing school work, checking school work… getting ready to relaunch She {hearts} It and preparing my new business Lace Lane Wedding’s. It makes me tired to think about :)
One thing though that I am so thankful for, is the ability to do any of it…. and while there are many days I would rather sit on my couch and play the Wii with my children without any other care… and possibly a butler or maid to serve me food and clean my house… I know, in the end, I am one blessed lady!!
& the Wii days do happen some times… minus the butler or maid ;-) – unless you count my children? Its called “teaching them to serve?” ;D
I will admit I am struggling with something though, and that is sleep. For some reason I cant sleep very sound…. I think it is a combination of my anticipating Reed waking up between 2-5am… or possibly the long to-do list constantly going through my mind. The two combined make for some long nights lately.
Any how. Thats life as of right now :)
Busy…
But good.
With the busy, comes my lack of camera use :) – I miss my camera! It has only been used on Sunday’s lately, capturing our Church baptisms…. something Ive tried to help with lately when I can. I do have a fun Boba session this sunday though and am excited about that… especially since its with one of my favorite clients. ;-)
So, since the camera is hard to find time for lately… here is a wrap up with some instagram’s ;-) – what would we do without instagram!? seriously.
Below is Taite’s Cursive. Taite just turned five late Dec. He impresses me daily!
The Pink Bumbo isn’t mine ;-) – belongs to Candra from Curious Georgi.
We’ve gone to her house a few times the last few weeks. Her baby Heaven is only a day older than Reed.
She also has 3 other children, ALL BOYS. So our crew meshes well.
Have I mentioned Owen is a slight addict of Temple Run?
To prove it, check out this video I snagged of him playing it the other night…
Please disregard the screaming 6 year old in the background…. Im not sure what his deal was.
I did manage this photo, BEFORE church Sunday. I had the cam then for baptism ;-)
Lil’ Reed-er (reeder has become his nick name as of late), is still precious as always.
Hilariously ugly – but cute in a way ;-) and my boys, loved them.
I also pampered myself recently and got some peek-a-boo color in my hair. Its fun, yet not to much.
I also had 3 inches cut off… 3 inches of major split ends! Thats what a year 1/2 with no cut will do.
& for those who think my house is always clean ;-) here is some evidence it is not.
This week my sweet friend Coleen photographed Reed and I wearing some new Boba Carriers! Two of them have been out for a few months now but theres actually one carrier I can’t post about yet ;-) – for now ill share a few of my favorites of the current fabulousness available via Bobafamily.com
While photographing them I couldn’t help but feel one, weird not being behind the camera but also felt a bit of “wow… im wearing my 4th baby… and wow… this wont last!” – it really goes way to fast.
Love that I am able to soak up little Reed right now and hold him close like this. This season is one of the shortest…
Thankful for carriers like the Boba. They are just awesome. Can’t imagine having a baby without one :) – yet more evidence they are well worth “learning” to use. Don’t give up the 1st time mamas!
Thank you Coleen for these sweet photos.
I will cherish them!
Reed btw wasn’t unhappy :) – he was just due for a feeding.
I did notice after viewing these photos though… that I miss my bangs and I think personally, they flatter me way more than NO bangs. SO! I decided to chop them this AM and am so glad I did :) – I really missed having them. So heres to bangs… and realizing that I may not be the type to go without them. Which I am totally cool with ;-)
For those curious about the outfit. Not that im a style icon (hah! so not), the top is from RUE 21, was $3.00! The pants are also from Rue and were $5.00 on sale, they are buttery soft… not sure the material but I love them. The Boots were from last year’s RUE line, I haven’t seen them again this year :( – if you can find them tho, snag them up, they are so comfortable. The Leg Warmers are also RUE (can you tell I love shopping there? Its the type of store that requires digging but its worth the dig). The bracelet is from This Family Tree and the hand bag is actually Coleen’s ;-) – I forgot a “cute bag” and she just so happen to have one. I am loving the pop of color it brings to the picture!
