Care for a little coffee date?

I'm starting a new little weekly post on here--a coffee date of sorts. I've seen it around the blogosphere and thought it was a sweet idea. What would you share with me if we were on a coffee date? 

If we were on a coffee date, I'd first have to order an iced tea instead of coffee. Although I have been drinking lots of decaf White Mochas at some of our fave coffee shops, Iced tea has sounded amazing. This is Crystal Light Peach Iced Tea--kind of addicting.

I'd also share with you that if I ever think of leaving our Chico community and friends here, it brings me to tears. I feel very, very fortunate for the people in my life. One of the reasons that Travis and I decided to buy a house and stay in Chico is because we couldn't imagine leaving the friends. 

Some friends came over last night for dinner and they brought us this blue hydrangea--blue for our little boy on the way. Very thoughtful.

If we were on a coffee date, I'd share with you just how thankful I am for my husband. Truly, I'd tell you that. I've been working about 45 hours/wk the past few weeks plus shooting Weddings and Portraits. I've come home to dishes done and groceries shopped for. 

I'd also share with you that I am beyond excited for my sister's wedding weekend coming up. Travis isn't able to get the time off of work so I get some girl time--manicures, lunch with the girls, and all of the wedding excitement. I miss my mom and sisters a lot. I can't wait for them to feel little baby boy kick, too!

What is your relationship like with your siblings? I have 4 sisters and it has been a roller coaster of ups and downs in our relationships. My twin sister and I were attached at the hip growing up, until about high school. After those years of not getting along, we get along just fine now. I miss her and think she is such a beautiful woman. I tried to convince her to move to Chico:)

My older sister and I never got along growing up--around my college years, we started to be able to relate better to each other instead of ignore each other's wants. She is really smart and a great shopper--I look up to her in many ways.:)

My two younger sisters and I have gotten along well. I used to carry my younger sister from her bed to mine because I got scared at night. She was the baby in the family for a long time. When my youngest sister came along when I was 12, I treated her like my own baby. I remember running home from the school bus just to cuddle her as a newborn. I will be very sad when she doesn't run into my arms anymore when I visit. I'm going to pretend she will do that even when she is 16. Hmmm...

That was kind of a tangent about my sisters but I can talk for a long time about them--so maybe this coffee date went a little longer than the usual one. 

What would you tell me if we were on a coffee date?

Maybe at the end of this coffee date, we'd watch Matilda together--as that is what I have on in the background while I clean up and finish some Wedding crafts. I love that movie.

Thanks for the coffee date--until next week...

(Photos taken with Instagram App--follow me: mrsdla)

18 weeks

18 weeks has been a very eventful week for us. We got to see our little one again on an ultrasound and find out that we are having a boy! It was so great having the ultrasound technician point out all of his healthy parts--his heart, stomach, bladder, kidneys, spine, all 10 fingers, all 10 toes, etc. We feel very blessed to have a healthy baby on the way--he is a miracle.

I have been feeling him kick like crazy the past week. I knew it was early to feel that much movement so I was kind of talking myself out of it. I would think "I'm only ___ weeks, that's probably just something weird like gas." Nope, it was him. I guess my placenta is in the back so it is normal to feel the baby kick a lot sooner and more often. That is both good and bad--when I'm in my third trimester and he is kicking a lot, I'm told I might not be a big fan of it. As of now, I am loving it!

Weeks: 18

Weight gain: 7lbs total

Baby's size: 9.5 ounces 

Changes: He is kicking lots. I am pretty tired this week--having to slow down some. Pulling weeds hurt my back:)

Maternity clothes: Some. My shorts/pants don't button anymore but I just use a hairband through the hole and around the button. Dress in the pictures is Maternity from Motherhood.

Food Cravings: Tacos, fruit, salad, chocolate.

Food aversions: Burgers.

Best moment of the week: Travis feeling baby boy kick!!

Worst moment of the week: Randomly throwing up one morning.

Movement: Yes--lots of jabs.

Missing anything: Raw sushi, a big bladder.

Looking forward to: My sisters and parents feeling him kick when I travel to SD for my older sister's wedding next weekend. 

Oh, and we think our little boy is so cute and looks like his daddy already!

A few more photos from last night...

 It was a windy night in Chico...

 Thank you, hubby, for taking these. You're the bomb.com.

Baby Albini is a...

Baby Albini is a...

BOY!

 Here he is sucking his thumb--being all cute and stuff.

The ultrasound was such a great experience and we saw that he was a boy before the tech even pointed it out! Our little man was not shy.

I have always pictured having a girl first so I am having to change my way of thinking about motherhood from girly things to boy love. Friends have already given us very cute boy clothes so I am getting used to it.:)

Had to share...

Had to share--While editing a Family Session tonight, I came across this photo.

Mom and Dad were going in to give baby L a kiss and all of a sudden he burped really loud--they were cracking up and it was just perfect timing. 

Now off to upload the rest of Saturday's wedding photos and then I think my head will hit my pillow really hard...phew!

17 weeks

Well, in four days we get to find out if we are having a boy or a girl! I am really looking forward to seeing our baby again and starting to plan and decorate the nursery. 

I wore this dress to church and it hid the little bump pretty well--not that I am trying to. I am definitely in the 'looking chubby but no stranger would think it's a pregnant belly' stage.

Weeks: 17

Weight gain: 7 lbs (I think)

Baby's Size: 5 ounces and 5 inches long.

Changes: Ligament pain starting to go away & I'm noticing myself holding and rubbing my belly more.

Maternity clothes: I got a pair of black shorts online and I love them.

Food Cravings: Salad, salad, and more salad. I eat fruit every day.

Food Aversions: Burgers.

Best moment this week: Sleeping really well.

Worst moment this week: Miscarriage nightmares.

Movement: More flutters and some harder movement but I'm still questioning if that is the baby or not.

Missing anything: Raw sushi and turkey sandwiches.

Looking forward to: FRIDAY! What's your guess--blue or pink??

 Caught Travis on the couch reading this book that one of his clients at the bank got him. Yesterday we saw the movie What To Expect When You're Expecting--thought it was funny and a great way to get outta the 100 degree heat.

Enjoy your week and check back here this weekend to find out!

Happy Father's Day

Happy Father's Day to all of you Dads, soon-to-be Dads, and Moms who play both roles. 

Dad--thank you for all of the one on one softball practices, for being at so many of my games, for sacrificing your time to drive all of us girls everywhere, and for making us love The Red Hot Chili Peppers and The Beatles. You are great.

One of my favorite memories with my Dad is when we would play hide and seek at night with all of the lights off. I remember him crawling around on his hands and knees with me on his back as we searched for my sisters in their hiding spots. He'd growl and we'd giggle. 

I love you, Pop. Thank you for being so hard working and silly. 

Also, a little shout out to the father-to-be in my home. Travis, can't wait to see you holding our little baby in your arms. I love you.

Chico California Wedding Photographer:: Full Swing!

Wedding season is in full swing! We got to be a part of some great friend's wedding this afternoon and it was just perfect--even in the 100+ degree weather.

Amber was seriously stunning and Tom, dapper. You'll get to see his handsome look soon on the blog. 

Just a little peek at our time and a reminder to start booking your wedding photographers now for next year! It is always a bummer to turn someone away because you already have that day booked--so get it in the books, friends!

Have a great weekend and stay in the air conditioning!

16 weeks

I went garage saling this past Saturday with my sister in law and it was so difficult to not buy baby clothes! But, only 12 more days until we know and then I will get to get the cute Gap baby clothes at garage sales. Ugh, I should've just gotten that cute girl Gap dress--oh well. 

Anyways, onto sixteen weeks. 

 Biggest changes this week that I have noticed is that I am feeling baby flutters! and I am really emotional. I almost cried when we went to dinner with family because Travis wanted to sit across the table from me and not next to me. Then I realized I'd be super embarrassed and his mom would think I'm crazy. So, I held back my tears and just gave him a dirty look across the table. He said "Now I can look at your beautiful eyes from across the table". I responded with "Yada, yada, yada...". Really...I'm blaming that one on the pregnancy hormones.

I also had an emotional breakdown after a friend's kid jumped on my stomach on accident. I walked away and fought back the tears--mainly due to fear but it was also really painful. Then after we drove away, I broke down after Travis asked me if I was okay. I told him that it just scared me and I starting bawling. He rubbed my back and said "It's okay, babe. It's normal to get scared about something like that. But, the baby is fine. Remember...it's an Albini." Ha. I think those tears were somewhat warranted but I still felt kinda silly. 

Weeks: 16

Weight gain: 5 pounds total

Changes: Feeling baby flutters!! Oh, and the tears.

Maternity clothes: Just wearing loose fitting pants/skirts.

Cravings: Salad, fruit, pizza.

Best moment this week: Realizing I was feeling the baby move and it wasn't just gas bubbles. It is still kinda hard to believe it is the baby in me!

Worst moment this week: Almost gagging up Prenatal pills. Eck.

Movement: Flutters--can't wait to feel more kicks, though!

Missing Anything: Sleeping on my stomach. 

Looking forward to: Finding out if he or she is a boy or girl! 

Gratitude

Gratitude is a fine quality--and while I can sometimes get in a funk, I realize how important it is to show gratitude. 

So today, as I am working on rearranging things on the blog, I realize just how grateful I am for our clients--the people who we work with, enjoy spending time with, and feel honored to be invited into their lives.

And because I am getting things ready for a wedding next weekend, I had to share some of our Wedding Portraits from last Fall--I love these people.

Kristen and Dane

Carly and JJ

Lisa and Dave

Raechel and Bryce

Thank you to the people who trust us with your special moments. Thank you for also trusting us when we have you lay in weeds beautiful grass or jump off logs--you are the best!

We are grateful for you.

Summer Bucket List

Summer used to be a lot different for us. We got married while still in college so we got to enjoy looong summer breaks together--going on trips, visiting family, living the awesome married-but-still-living-like-college students-life. Now, with full time jobs and a mortgage to pay, our summers are a little different. 

There is still lots to enjoy about summer time--even without the months of freedom. I'm looking forward to windows opened with cool night breezes, walks around the neighborhood at 8pm with plenty of sunlight left, fresh fruit that this mama-to-be has especially been craving, weddings of clients, friends, and family, and much more. But here is a look at our Summer Bucket List--a look at what us Albinis will be up to the next few months.

Summer Bucket List 

2012

--Laundry Room Makeover

--Yard Sale for patio furniture and a dresser for Nursery

--Use hand crank Ice Cream maker

--Grill lots and lots

--Paint Nursery

--Enjoy lots of showers for beautiful friends.

--Summer salads

--Sew curtains for Master bath

--Register for baby

--Cheer on Travis and his two softball teams

--If we are having a girl, make headbands

--Plan Babymoon

--Finish year four of marriage book

--Sunset walks in Upper Bidwell

This is a good start to our Summer Bucket List. I'm sure we'll be doing a lot of swimming and laying on the couch, too. Got myself a new(large) bathing suit so I'll be sportin' the bare belly this summer--love it. 

What are some of your favorite summer things to do? 

Happy Birthday!

 Happy Birthday to my sweet husband!! You are a quarter of a century old. 

Since my favorite trip ever was our Road trip in 2010, I will share some of your photos from  summer.

I am so thankful to have you in my life and to get to wake up next to you every morning. You are the greatest.

Grand Canyon

Bryce Canyon

Windcave Nat'l Park

Mt. Rushmore

Chasing sheep to keep us all entertained.

Pike's Place, Seattle 

Crater Lake

 You add so much to my life. I truly thank God for you every day and I pray for many more birthdays together!