Quote of the day.

Just ran across this one and LOVE it. Thought I'd share......

"I've come to believe that each of us has a personal calling that's as unique as a fingerprint -- and that the best way to succeed is to discover what you love and then find a way to offer it to others in the form of service, working hard, and also allowing the energy of the universe to lead you." --Oprah Winfrey

I hope my "fingerprint" is bringing others joy, each time they look at the photographs on their wall, of their children and families that I've photographed.

So... what's YOUR calling? What does YOUR fingerprint look like? I'm certain it's as unique as mine. :)

"They" lie.

"They" do, I know it. I'm convinced! All those books, those experts, those other moms, those grandmas. "They" all say, "By your second trimester you'll feel great... your morning sickness will have gone away, you won't be so tired, and you'll be sleeping better. All those early-pregnancy symptoms will have faded. You won't have to tee-tee every hour, and you will have your energy back!" Hmm, just one word fits here: LIARS!!! :) Or at least, as long as you're carrying a girl it seems, I dunno....

Mamas of little girls.... tell me the truth.... was your pregnancy flat-out TOUGH? Man oh man, this little girly is kickin' my behind! At 21 weeks, I'm still dealing with morning (+ evening) sickness. I'm exhausted... All. The. Time. And I'm up all night. I can't sleep, can't get comfortable. Even with three pillows plus a gigantic body pillow. Plus I've had a cold for a week, which is not making me any more cheerful. *sigh* So what's the deal? With my son, I was done with all this stuff by 14 weeks. I felt GREAT in my second trimester, I loooooved being pregnant, and I actually felt beautiful! This one? Umm, not so much. HA! Don't get me wrong... I love my little angel-girl to pieces already, there's no denying that! I'm excited for her to get here! And I think the bodies of expectant mothers are breathtaking just simply because of the miracle they are bringing forth. Really. I just like to complain every now and then. :)

Can any of you other Mamas relate?? Were your boy/girl pregnancies completely different? Could you tell any difference at all? If so, which was harder for YOU? Misery here would love some company. ;) Ahh, this too shall pass, right?!

Now, I recently photographed a FUN FUN FUN maternity session with a GORGEOUS mama (ahem, little boy inside that tummy!). I'll post some from her session tomorrow, since I'll be getting her gallery ready to go online. Hang tight, Amy! Almost ready!

Night, y'all. This preggo is going to bed.....

Definitely a worthy cause.

I thought this was worth blogging about!

I was recently informed about a charity fundraiser, happening at Somers Salon & Spa in Clearwater. Jill and her staff are hosting an "All you need is LOVE" Cut-a-thon from noon to 5pm on Sunday, Feb 10. They will be providing haircuts, express manicures and pedicures, chair massage, and waxing.... for ONLY $15!!! What a deal! All proceeds are going directly to benefit the Chaboudy Family, a local family who lost everything when their home burned in a recent fire. It could happen to anyone, even me... even you... Click on that link to read their story.

The Cut-a-thon is open to moms, dads, kids, you name it. There will be a raffle for Gift Baskets and Spa Packages as well! The salon itself is a wonderful place to be, and I think it's FANTASTIC that they are helping their community, and their clients, in this way!! Here's your chance to help a local family, and actually get some great services in the meantime: if you'd like to help, please call 726-8181 to book your appointment for Sunday, or you may also drop in during 12-5. (Oh, and ask for Jill, Patty, or Susan if you can!! They rock!) You may also make donations by cash or check at the Salon as well.

Thanks y'all. :)

Ding ding ding!! We have our winners!

I am thrilled to announce the winners of my first blog contest!!! And I'm so grateful to all of you who voted. I received nearly 150 votes since this contest began!! How awesome are y'all?? :) THANK YOU!!!

To those of you with whom I spoke about doing sessions out-of-state... let me know your details and dates as soon as you can. I can only fly for a few more months with this big belly of mine, ;) so if I get at least 2-4 families coordinated I will go ahead and make travel arrangements. Thanks again for all the wonderful compliments on my work. You really know how to make a girl blush. :)

OKAY! On to the winners!!

FIRST PLACE: Photograph #3 -- CONGRATULATIONS, Donna and Nathan!!!
I have to tell you, I'm so excited that Nathan won, because he really is an amazing kid. He's got a very special story too: shortly after birth, he was diagnosed with cerebral palsy, and just recently type 1 diabetes in addition to that.

You would think that with all Life has handed him, he'd have a less-than-positive attitude, or he'd be spoiled rotten, or he'd complain, even a little... But you know what? He never complains a single bit! He is probably the bravest child I know, especially what with the constraints of his walker, his insulin pump and all the finger pricks on a daily basis. He plays baseball, is a video game SHARK, rides his 4-wheeler, pesters his older sister, and acts like a normal, grounded, 8-year old kid. He's UNBELIEVABLE!! A blessing to everyone who meets him. We just love him to pieces! I think I've said it before, but I know that Nathan is going to change the lives of all who come in contact with him.

SECOND PLACE: Photograph #2 -- CONGRATULATIONS, Trish and Macy!!!

And wouldn't you know it, but this sweetie has a special story too? Funny how life works, I'm so glad these two kids won!!! xoxo

Macy was born 7 weeks early with a congenital heart defect. She's had open-heart surgery, eye surgery, an operation on her tummy, a pacemaker, chest tubes, a collapsed lung.... you name it. And she's not even TWO yet! With all these setbacks, she has overcome every single one of them and is a sweetheart to boot. Macy is now undergoing therapy so she can catch up to other babies her age. With the help of her therapists and her sweet Mommy and Daddy, she's even learned how to pull herself up and is standing on her own! She adores her doggie, is a cartoon junkie, and loves to pop bubbles in the bathtub! With all she's been through, I thought this miracle baby certainly deserved to wear wings at her photo shoot!! ;) What a blessing she is. A real angel.

So, a big congrats to both my winners!! Thanks everyone for playing! And.... this one was so much fun, I'm gonna have another one!!!! :D Keep checking back in for details!!

Me and my babies.

Okay, one more "us" image... I couldn't resist. :)

Parker helped me set this up... he saw me by the window setting up the camera and ran up to me saying, "Mah-muh, I wanna hay-elp. I'm a pher-tog-eh-fer too!!" Love him to pieces. (He is quite good with the camera phone, I must admit.) ;) Anyhow, he hugged me and said he wanted to snuggle with the baby. (Oh melt my heart, wouldja??) And THIS is the ONLY shot I got of us before he ran off to watch the Backyardigans again....

*sigh* Technically imperfect, yes, but ya know... sometimes those "rules" go out the window when you love someone so much, and the emotion of the photograph means more. And I DO, REALLY, REALLY love these two babies of mine. xoxox

~Contest results will be posted tomorrow!!! So don't go too far... ;)

"Mama, ask Jesus if it's a boy or a girl..... "

This has been our bedtime prayer routine for the past few weeks..... Parker: Mama, let's ask Jesus if our baby is a boy or a girl. Me (looking up at the ceiling): Okay... Hey, Jesus? Will Parker get a brother... or a sister? Parker (whispering excitedly): What did he say?? Me: He said we just have to wait and see. Parker: Aww. (sigh) Okay....

WELL, we had our ultrasound today, and... Parker doesn't have to wait anymore!!!!!!

Guess what's inside this tummy??

OUR LITTLE GIRL!!!!! :) Isn't she sweet? Our ultrasound was wonderful and from what we can tell, she is perfect! About 11 ounces, and between 10-12 inches long. Wow! And I'm exactly halfway to her birth... I'm 20 weeks pregnant now. Parker has watched the DVD of the ultrasound twice since we've been home. Bless his heart! Honestly, if this little girl is half as sweet as her big brother, Chris and I will be the most blessed parents in the universe! xoxo

Anyhow, we are over the moon with our good news!! Thank you everyone, for your well wishes so far. We are all three so excited! Now... I've gotta get me some "girly stuff", as Parker calls it. We don't have a STITCH of pink in this whole house!

Oh, and I have to confess..... I've had a feeling that it was a girl the entire pregnancy. I've been waaaay more nauseous with this one (and for a much longer time!) than I was with Parker, and really.... no little boy would do his mama this way!! Ahh, the girly drama begins.

Love her heart...

Ohh what a sweetie she was. Precious little Rainey Hunter, one of my baby planners, has made her entrance into the world! Take a peek.... :)

I can't tell you how much I adore this next photograph....

Nothing better in the world than a close snuggle with your Mama. :)

Oh my, how I looooove this one!!!

And WHO could look at this image and not melt into the floor?! My goodness.

Thank you, Kilty and Robert, for granting me such an honor.... to photograph the new little life you've helped to create!

xoxo, Stacey

Sooo much love!

I got the opportunity recently to meet the sweetest couple, and their fabulously-adorable 4-year-old daughter! What a lucky little baby this will be, my goodness. Here are a few sneak peeks into their maternity session, while I'm busy preparing her gallery to go online. Gretchen, wait no longer! ;) Thanks soooo much for being patient!

Aren't they such a gorgeous family?! And I loooove this next image..... just love it to pieces.

Now meet Miss Brynne. She completely stole my heart!!! I just wanted to stay and play with her in all of her pink and girliness. :)

My disclaimer: I did NO special editing to her eyes. And just look at how they sparkle! Ohh how I loved her. I can't wait to go back and photograph their sweet baby girl in March! I have the BEST. JOB. EVER. Really. :)

2007: Greatest Hits

I think it's HIGH time for a contest around here! What do y'all think??

Here's the way it works: I've selected the 15 very best images from 2007. And YOU, dear blog readers, get to decide which image is your favorite! Voting is simple.... just choose the image you love (image numbers will be directly on TOP of the image), and email me at stacey@staceywoodsphotography.net with your vote! (Only one vote per person.... y'all know I can track ya, so no cheating!) ;) Feel absolutely free to call on all of your friends and family to come vote for your photo, though! The more votes you get, the better your chances to win one of the TWO awesome prizes!

Yep, TWO images will win! Check out what the lucky winners will receive:
FIRST PLACE is a mounted 16x20 print of their winning image!
SECOND PLACE is a Classic Brag Book so you can insert your Stacey Woods Photography images in there and show 'em off! ;) The album will hold up to 14 4x6s (and I'm including 3 of your favorites in the book, too!)

Now... without further ado, here are the images up for grabs:

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

Now... get crackin' and VOTE! The contest ends on February 1st! So... come on, what'cha waitin' for?? Have fun! And GOOD LUCK! :)

Here we are!!

All four of us. :)

Yep, our first family photo! Our little one is due to arrive "on or around" June 22, 2008. ;) We will hopefully be able to find out whether we're bringing a boy or a girl into the world, by the end of the month.

I have more client sessions to share with you... soon.... so stay tuned!!