Monthly Archives: October 2006

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October 30, 2006 – 8:38 am

Welcome to the world, Zoe Brook Herring!

She’s here!! I was so sure that she wouldn’t come early….ha-ha! We had a scheduled c-section for October 27th, but on the 21st, which was my first Saturday off in about 2 months, she decided that she was out of room and she wanted out. We had a lot planned for that day ( of course ) …Madison had a soccer game at 11, which was to be the first one I could attend since I didn’t have a wedding, we had 3 people coming to look at the house at random times, and lots of other things to catch up on before she came. NOTHING LIKE CANCELLING AN ENTIRE DAY ON A MOMENTS NOTICE. I drove myself to the Dr. office to see if my water had broke, ( sounds funny, but I wasn’t sure ) while Madison got ready for the game and Steve met with a family. I told them I would be right back but while I was at the Dr.’s, it became really obvious, really fast, that it had broke. ( Funny story in itself but probably not appropriate to tell the general public ) He told me to go straight to the hospital so I did, which was about 10:30 am, my family came about 11, and she was born by c-section at 2:26 pm weighing 8 pounds, 15 ounces. The whole experience was a trip, numb from the waist down, totally alert, talking to the Dr. as he and 2 nurses cut, pushed, pulled and lifted her out of her former home of 37 weeks. I think I heard the word “big” about 10 times within the first 5 seconds.
It is so crazy to think that I was in Chatanooga 7 days before, shooting a wedding for 10 hours while carrying this precious child around inside my body. I just can’t get over the awe of the fact that she fit in there, and here she is, complete, perfect, color-corrected and fully processed.
My wonderful sister, who is 20 months older than me, changed her flights and arrived the day after she was born. What a huge help. She is having fun taking over things for me because everyone says we look like twins but she has brown eyes and dark brown hair so people freak out when they see her because they think it’s me, and that I am instantly skinny and I’ve dyed my hair. It’s a good laugh and she enjoys the shock of it.

We are all in a sort of baby-time-warp. Everything revolves around this little girl..we take numbers on who’s turn it is to hold her, ( my number always prevails :) and I am thanking God every minute for her. Here are a few photos.

My sister Jody took this one, we were all being goofy, Madison is my 9 year old who loves, loves, loves being a big sister. My husband was pointing to the monkey on Zoe’s shirt because everyone affectionately calls him a monkey, and he’s proud of his new little baby monkey. I told Madison that I loved her so much I could just eat her up.
Zoe sleeps about 23 hours a day, she wakes up long enough to check us all out, eat, poop, yawn 15 times, and then she goes back to sleep. Me and Zoe
Bundle of joy. Having a baby just puts you in a totally different state of mind. I look at her and instantly feel like things that were important before she came, just aren’t as important any more. And vice-versa. It’s amazing how much a newborn baby can totally snap you out of being selfish and change your priorities in such a major way.
Is there anything more beautiful? I’m so in love.

My friend Chris gave me this blanket for Zoe, it is the softest thing I have ever felt in my life. It’s like pure silk fur. I wish they had one in my size. I would probably carry it around with me all the time.
I love her feet. They are so small and I can now see what it was that occasionaly took my breath away as she stretched them up under my ribs.
Madison is reading fun facts about animals as my sister ( aka nanny, waitress, housekeeper, personal assistant ) tries to get a burp out of Zoe. She doesn’t know it, but I’m not letting her go home this weekend. I’m keeping her here with me. Shhhhhh,..

By Shawna | Posted in personal | Comments (10)

Claudia and Billy

October 20, 2006 – 10:04 pm

Congratulations Claudia and Billy!

Last weekend’s wedding took us up to Chattanooga, TN and the Tennessee River Place. Claudia and Billy tied the knot in Billy’s home Church in Wildwood, GA and then had a wonderful reception next to the river. They met in Pennsylvania while Billy was at Veterinary school and Claudia worked in the lab. They are total opposites that totally attract. Claudia is Italian, outspoken, and has a visible passion for life while Billy is a very traditional, quiet, Southern Gentleman. They compliment each other in so many ways.

They have a lot of friends that came from all over the country, Colorado, California and Pennsylvania, just to name a few and there were many Doctors in the house, the people kind and the animal kind. Billy’s sweet, sweet Grandma Thompson told me that if I went into early labor, I could count on any of them and definately her. After hearing that, I knew I was in good hands.

We had a great time, and I’m still pregnant. :)

Here’s a few photos and then click here to see their slideshow.




By Shawna | Posted in wedding | Comments (2)

October 17, 2006 – 10:09 pm

An amazing Family

One of the things that has made moving to Georgia so much easier for me is the family that I have gained and the friends that I have made. This is the second year that I have done a photo shoot for my brother and sister in law’s kids, Johnny, Emily and Samuel. Last year, Samuel was about 6 months old and this year, he is a curious little monkey running everywhere he goes. My sister Chloe is pregnant with their 4th child and she is such an inspiration to me. She is full of courage, faith and integrity. I am so blessed to have them in my life.

Sometimes there are people, that when you hang around them, you just feel like the world is a better place because of them. Paul and Chloe are those kind of people and their kids are little replicas. They are just so sweet.

When Cloey found out she was pregnant, the doctors soon told her that she also had breast cancer and it was in her lymph as well. They said that she should abort the baby and get chemo and radiation therapy right away. They don’t know Cloey. See, she has a faith in Jesus Christ that goes way beyond convienence. And abortion just isn’t an option. Believing that God is in control and that He is the same today as He was in the bible when he healed the sick and raised the dead….IS.

Not everyone has this kind of faith, not everyone can stand on the truth when it really comes down to it. Cloey can and she is. She is my hero and I believe that God is going to get glory in her life in a big way. If you believe, say a prayer for our Cloey. I’ll keep you posted.

Here is a slideshow of their beautiful children.

By Shawna | Posted in family portraits | Comments (4)

October 13, 2006 – 1:15 pm

My Big Fat Greek Wedding

Last Saturday I had the opportunity to photograph Alexa and Erik’s Wedding at The Holy Transfiguration Greek Orthodox Church. This was a beautiful venue and I totally forgot that I was in Marietta, Georgia. Alexa is Greek, and her father, who was recently in Greece, said that this is one of the most beautiful Greek churches anywhere.

Alexa and Erik are the sweetest couple. Erik’s family used to live in Shell Beach, CA which is right next to where I used to live…and am constantly homesick for, so it was nice to be around them and feel connected. They invited me to be a part of their extended family and I’m taking them up on it.

We just shot their engagements a few weeks ago, we got rained out but since they are so cute together, it took us about half as long to get great shots. Here is a sample from their e-session, and then you can click here to view the slideshow from the wedding.






By Shawna | Posted in wedding | Comments (2)

October 11, 2006 – 3:25 pm

Lane and Ryan Hammack



This was a really fun wedding. Lane has grown up skiing on her families personal tournament lake and so what better place to have the reception than on the lake? The weather was perfect, the band, Papa Soul, was so much fun and the atmosphere was like a huge celebration. Check out their slideshow here.

By Shawna | Posted in wedding | Comments (0)