My Pregnancy Week 25 - by Betsy Cherry Twin Cities Maternity Photographer

Posted in: PROJECTS | MATERNITY | JOURNALING | FOR PHOTOGS

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SELF-PORTRAIT HOW-TO: This week's photo presented one major problem. The background blended right into my hair. I simply couldn't accept that because not only did the shape of my head disappear but the photo also appeared less dimensional and more like a snapshot. Unacceptable! To solve this problem I placed my speedlight on a stool directly behind me. The ideal direction of the light was discovered through trial and error, since this was a technique I hadn't yet tried until now. At first I had it pointed the light at the backdrop...that didn't work because it revealed too much texture and produced a spotlight. I also tried pointing it at my hair, which also didn't work because I ended up with a full highlight all the way down my body. I didn't like the way that looked. Lastly, I tried pointing the light straight up and turned the power down considerably. Both adjustments help produce a nice subtle highlight on my hair and on a few areas of my body. The main light source was the doorway to the left of the photo. In post-editing I darkened the outer edges of the right-hand side of the photo to increase the overall drama of the lighting.

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WEEK 25 MONTH 6 | FEBRUARY 28TH - MARCH 6TH
B A B Y   R U T A B A G A

My husband and I started reading a book to Landon about a boy who becomes a big brother. The boy talks about how the baby is too little to walk or play with toys or eat the foods he can eat. He also talks about helping out by holding the baby and feeding the baby and how much he loves being a big brother. The story finishes with the boy saying how great it is being a big boy and being able to do and eat the things he does. He also says that he's very special to both his mommy and daddy and that being a big brother makes him special in a whole new way. Its a brilliant story and I think Landon is starting to pick up on some of the important ideals. He's actually started "reading" the story back to me. He likes the part where the boy explains that the baby cries, and is sad or hungry. I think this book will really help him transition and not be so shocked by the changes when the baby arrives. I wish I could have him in the room when the baby is born so that he can see that we didn't just go to the store and pick her up, but being that my goal is to have a hypnobabies water birth, i would be much too distracted by him running around the room. What's worse is that I fear he would think I was in pain, asking "momma ok? momma hurt?" Even though I could answer "momma's ok", he would probably keep asking, and i would be worried he was worried about me. I think its best that he not be there during the birth.

Tuesday, March 4th - this morning while lying in bed I felt lots of flutters that were higher up on my stomach. Up until now, all the movements I've felt have been very low, just on top of my pelvis. But the flutters I felt today were off to the left of my belly button. I'm curious to know what position she is in now. I've been talking to her a lot about moving around so as to not get used to a single position. I explain that she'll eventually need to turn upside down and remain in the oven at least until 37 weeks, but preferably 40 weeks, so that we can share an amazing water birth together. I really hope she hears my voice. I talked a lot to Landon at this stage about how I hoped our birth would progress, that it was about him and me and not the doctors or drugs. I wanted the two of us to do it together, to help each other through it. He listened. Lets hope this little girl follows suit.

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