So…I’m seriously considering making a business out of photography!! :O Phew. I said it. Scary.

We moved this summer and since I’ve entered this community I’ve realized there is a market for a great family photographer here. I’ve been asked to do shoots for my friends…tons of friends and I keep turning them down. I get stunned looks. Truth is…I love it. I love photography. I love photographing my kiddo.

BUT, am I ready to go into business? It’s scary! What pressure! But, in life, I think it’s good to leave your comfort zone.  And this definitely is  out of my comfort zone!

I did a newborn shoot a few months ago. I borrowed a friend’s flash to try it out and I’m not too crazy about the flash. I think I’m a “natural light” girl!  I’ll share the pics anyway, even though they’re not my fave so far!

I know I’m too critical of myself and I look too much at the details. I will have to work on that. I will have a lot to work on! But, oh what fun!

So, as I take this journey and explore the idea of going into business as a photographer, I hope you’ll be there to share in my growth just as you were there with me during my competition!

As always, I love your thoughts!  Share them here!

I’ll definitely be trying out some shoots in the coming weeks [er...months maybe!] and I’ll share them here if I feel they’re blog-worthy! I sure hope they are!

[And more to come on post-preggo weight, metabolism, body image. And, some pics of my abs....just as soon as we get moved into our new house and I have a pretty backdrop! ]

We’re moving next week and with Christmas coming also…I’ll see you soon….

]]> http://fitoriblog.com/fitori-photo-warrensburg-mo-photographer/feed/ 4 http://fitoriblog.com/details-changes-around-here/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=details-changes-around-here http://fitoriblog.com/details-changes-around-here/#comments Sat, 22 Oct 2011 05:02:57 +0000 tori http://fitoriblog.com/?p=4994 So, did you notice the change to the blog? Subtle. Yes. Better. Yes. Awesome. Yes. I needed a bit of a change. I often feel that way.  Just a little tweek here or there. Just a new pillow cover. A different angle. A minor change sometimes makes a huge difference. I was really bugged by a few things on the old blog layout and now…they’re gone! I love it! I am a detail-oriented person….maybe to a fault. We are currently building a new house and boy am I driving our builder crazy…I’m sure. I notice everything. Every. Little. Detail. It must be right! Or must it? Because we’ve been working on this house since April, yes April [we had to wait on the new phase [...]]]>

So, did you notice the change to the blog? Subtle. Yes. Better. Yes. Awesome. Yes.

I needed a bit of a change. I often feel that way.  Just a little tweek here or there. Just a new pillow cover. A different angle. A minor change sometimes makes a huge difference. I was really bugged by a few things on the old blog layout and now…they’re gone! I love it!

I am a detail-oriented person….maybe to a fault. We are currently building a new house and boy am I driving our builder crazy…I’m sure. I notice everything. Every. Little. Detail. It must be right! Or must it? Because we’ve been working on this house since April, yes April [we had to wait on the new phase of our subdivision to be ready] I have had WAY too long to think about and plan this house and yet….I still feel like I need more time [and money, definitely money] to make it JUST RIGHT.

I still have some work to do on the blog, but I LOVE the changes. I will be updating the slider photos at the top. I also will be working on updating the menu to make it easier to navigate and find the posts you love.  Check back on my FITori Facebook page for updates on that!

[photo taken by the amazing photosbyjenny.com & edited by me]

So, who helped me with my page and logo design? The amazing Kate at Pagelauncher.com. She rocks! I will do a post just on her at some point and on websites and starting a blog. I am a picky person. I know what I want and like. And, she has put up with me to make sure it’s just right. She has made sure that I’m happy even if I go against her design ideas! And, she’s had many ideas that have WOWed me! Thank you, Kate, for all of your hard work for me! [Also, check her her personal blog on wickedkate.com for all kinds of fun mommy ideas, photos and dialogue!]

And, since every post must have a photo….this photo was from the same photo session as the last post by photosbyjenny.com but edited by me. I love the look on FITbaby’s face

Are you a big change or minor tweek kind of person? Did you notice the changes? 

In case you didn’t catch these via my FITori Facebook Page a few weeks ago, my newborn photos have been revealed via styleberryBLOG!!!  She’s my BFF so I’m sure I’m biased but I can honestly say that she is one of the best photographers out there. Period. And, the best newborn photographer I’ve seen. [There is some freaky newborn photography out there.]  Check out these photos for yourself and you’ll see….she’s the best.

She’s amazing with lighting! I have no idea how she does this. Someday I’ll ask…

And, she picked out all the props for me. They were gorgeous. Although I love a naked baby, I love that she’s wrapped in a beautiful scarf. A scarf I’m sure one day I’ll see on my BFF’s neck or in  her home and it will remind me of this day!

This photo is a gem. All of these photos are captured memories that I cannot be more grateful to her for giving to me!

The photo below is one of my favorites. It will probably be my birth announcement…I know, she’s 10 weeks old and no birth announcement. I’ll get around to it! I’ve been busy…moving and raising a newborn!

Of course, Toby made the cut!

And, the many faces of my sweet FITbaby! There are SO many more to add to this list of faces. She is so animated! It’s ridiculous! I still haven’t decided how much of her I want to share with the world. I have a private blog that I’m sharing more photos than I am here. I’m still undecided. I’ll probably just show my few favorites here. And, leave the rest to Fitness and Nutrition….at least I say that now!

So, speaking of Fitness & Nutrition! I’ve redesigned the blog and I’m just about ready to launch. It’s not too terribly different but it is better! And, I’m starting my Sports Nutrition Certification. With what time? I know! I’m working Part Time, my FITbaby is a FULL time job, I have too many hobbies, a house that is too big to keep clean, laundry alone keeps me on my toes[cloth diapering/wipes plus a spitter baby keeps me doing multiple loads daily], etc. I have many posts started. None ready yet. And, the thing that’s holding me up the most? Not the post content as much as the PHOTOS!!!  I need props and lighting and time to take good photos…because every post needs a great photo!

So, stick with me! I’ll get back in the groove. Promise. And, the new blog will be more organized. I’m working on organizing the posts so that they are easier to find! I’m also going back through them to delete the bad and unnecessary posts!

I can’t wait to start writing posts more regularly again! I love this blog and the special people who read it!

At first we thought she was a mini FIThubby. Now we aren’t sure.

She has my lips and smile, we think. She has his furrowed brow, for now.

She was 9 pounds 5 ounces, which was definitely all FIThubby.

We aren’t sure about her skin, eyes, and hair yet. We think she has his darker skin. We are still hoping for curls!

We can’t wait to see her grow up….her features, her personality, her brains, her sass, her gifts!

We also can’t wait to see the rest of these AAAAAAmazing photos taken by my BFF of styleberryBLOG.

can’t. wait.

We are moving across the county this weekend….yes, with a 3 week old! Pray for us!

Can’t wait to get settled and tell you all about it!

Yes, I know. I’m totally stealing pics from last week if you didn’t notice. And, I’m a week behind. Ugh. I’ll get caught up soon…promise!

news around here!

I’m finally on Maternity Leave….yet I have no baby!  I have work to do so I’m not completely bored and let me tell you….my to do list is a mile long. I’m amazed at how much I have keeping me busy. I’m in for a rude awakening when Little Miss FITbaby arrives! CAN’T WAIT!

We’re 39 weeks and progressing. I have a doctor’s appointment tomorrow. Can’t wait. Must say…I’m hoping we show up tomorrow and find out we’re 7-8 cm and ready to go. Even better, we’re ready to push! Wouldn’t that be nice!

Also, there is a thunderstorm here starting tomorrow and Wednesday and I’ve heard that Labor & Delivery is often busy during thunderstorms from the pressure changes.

I have to tell you….I have been really busy but I have SOOOO enjoyed my week as a stay-at-home-wifey!  It’s been tons of fun!  It’s a great time!

I have so much more to share and tell and I can’t wait to start sharing pics of my girl! I can’t wait to meet her! I can’t wait!

I have REALLY tried hard not to complain during pregnancy.  BUT, I do really understand what everyone complains about during the last month and being “ready.” I get it for so many reasons. Yes, it is the most miserable I’ve been during pregnancy. And, I am SO excited to meet this kid. And, it’s weird waiting and knowing it could be today or it could be a few weeks. It’s like waiting for Christmas in a weird way.  It’s crazy.  WEIRD.

I’ll see if I can find the time this week to do some actual fitness & nutrition posts…you know, the reason for this BLOG!!! If no baby, I’ll work on posting hopefully! Otherwise you’ll probably see an iPhone pic posted via my iPhone from the hospital via my WordPress App. It’s pretty neat. I tested it here.

A few weeks ago I posted the first part to this post, showing you the photos that styleberry (my BFF) took of just me for my maternity shoot.  Here are the rest of the pics….these have FIThubby in there too!  These are two of our favorites. The one on the right is MY ALL. TIME. FAVORITE. PHOTO OF MY HUSBAND. EVER. EVER. EVER. His true smile has never been captured on film. I am so blessed to have this photo! I love it! I can’t wait….CAN’T WAIT…..til our newborn shoot!!!!

I’ve been asked often about how I feel about my body being pregnant. I think people assume that since I was in the best shape of my life last year and now I’m pregnant that I should be or am struggling with that.

Body image during pregnancy is an interesting subject!  We are all different regarding how we feel about our bodies when we feel like we CAN control what we look like.  Now, add in pregnancy and it complicates things even more.

This time last year I was in the best shape of my life. Now, I’m heavier than I’ve ever been! So, how do I feel about it??…..GREAT!!!! My body is performing it’s function. It was meant to do this. I have always wanted to do this. I will not watch the changes occurring to my body and panic or hate my body. I will not look in the mirror in disgust, instead I look in awe. I am amazed that our bodies were created to do this. It’s amazing. I do feel like a freak show at this point with this HUGE belly that cannot be hidden. It’s weird. There’s a huge baby in my belly! But what a blessing! And, the body was meant to do this and to go back (kinda! ha!)

I am totally confident I will lose the weight and quickly. (Maybe I’m naive. Maybe I’m just being positive.  Maybe that positive attitude is helping me now and will help me in the future though! )  Who knows! I will not worry about it because worry will not fix it. I will not panic. I will wear my belly band to hold in the loose skin until it tightens back. I will wear comfy, loose dresses until I’ve lost the weight. I will work hard at eating right and working out both so that my body can function and nurse as it was intended to and also so that I can teach my FITbaby girl about health, nutrition and fitness and lead by example. I will take care of my body so that I can hopefully do this again one day.  And, I will be a STRONG & FIT mommy.  I may have stretch marks (none yet, thank Goodness!); I may have loose skin; I may never look the way I did this time last year, but I promise you…..the one thing I learned working as hard as I did last year to LOOK GOOD, is that life is not about LOOKING good, it’s about FEELING good!!!! I cannot live the life I want without FEELING good!

BTW, last year I lost all that weight with the express intention to get into the best shape of my life before pregnancy. That was the plan. I wanted to compete before we had kids.  I didn’t lose it with the intention to keep it off and look that way forever.  I believe in muscle memory and that our bodies and our muscles remember and if you’ve done it once, you can do it again!  I knew that if I started smaller that the weight gain during pregnancy wouldn’t be as hard on my body or on my body image….and I was right (though I was 5-10 pounds heavier than my “ideal” weight getting pregnant.)

I am excited about the next chapter of my life….starting any day now!!! I am excited about training for FUNCTIONAL FITNESS (we are putting a Crossfit gym in our new basement!).  I’ve been saying my next “fitness challenge” will probably be a Crossfit competition. I have no desire to run races (not right now…maybe later) and no desire to compete again in a “Figure” or “Bikini” contest that focuses on looks. But I value strength and truly enjoy lifting and getting stronger. I love the way that feels and the bonus is that if you eat right along with Crossfit, you can achieve the look you want as well.

I am excited to get my “new” body “back”…whatever that is!!! I’m really excited to be able to MOVE again…with ease!!! I think that’s been the hardest part about pregnancy for me!

MY ADVICE TO PREGGO MOMMAS!!!!!

With ANY figure it’s all about dressing for YOUR best and worst parts!  I promise you, the women about to step on stage HATE things about their bodies (that was a huge awakening for me….if THEY’RE not happy with their bodies…come on! what are we working so hard for then?!  I just want to be at peace with my body and myself and not obsess over losing weight or changing my body! What Freedom!!! Anyway, we all have to dress for our bodies!  Don’t hate yourself in the fitting room. Hate that dress that wasn’t made for you. Ugh! Go get a different cut dress!

What about FITori’s body?!

• Everyone says I’m “all belly.” My friends, I am not. EVERYTHING has gotten bigger. Luckily, there is a fantastic optical illusion that occurs. When your belly gets huge, it makes the rest of you look smaller….whether it is or not. It’s lovely. I also started wearing A-line dresses/skirts months ago to hide what’s happening to my butt and thighs. It’s much more flattering to draw attention to the belly than to the other parts that are getting bigger.
• I promise you….I do NOT look in the mirror at the changes that are happening except to marvel at how amazing the human body is!!!! I really do think it’s beautiful! If I could have had some boudoir photos taken pregnant, I totally would have! I think it’s amazing and beautiful….yes, the huge thighs and butt, the cellulite, the streeeeetching belly, the lack of toned arms, the huge rack! All of it!  I don’t look in the mirror to judge and if I catch a glimpse of myself in a reflection somewhere that is unflattering I look away and think “I’m sure that’s not how I really look!”
• Also, I have to reiterate….it’s SO important to pick outfits that are flattering. I have been the QUEEN of skirts these days. There is no need to accentuate that my butt and thighs have gotten bigger! I just drawing attention to the belly! And, try to flatter what I’ve got right now.
• My arms are not svelt like they were last year. They will be again. Soon. But, now, they are what they are. SO WHAT?! I’m pregnant. I don’t need to have buff arms right now. My baby is healthy. That is the important thing. My arms will rock again. Soon. Promise.
• Regarding weight gain…I do recommend not gaining too much weight. I have gained 30 lbs I think (I stopped caring a few weeks ago. I realized I was eating healthy and the right portions and that I was listening to my body and that’s all that mattered so I wasn’t going to worry about it!).
• I also have to say I AM BLESSED with good genes. I think being tall helps. I really do. I think I’m more “comfortable” having the few extra inches in my torso for the baby to stretch up and down versus straight out. That may be the reason for no stretch marks yet also! And, I haven’t been swollen but a few days here and there from sodium, carbs or this heat. I am still wearing my rings, my ankles/feet aren’t swollen and my face isn’t too fat (or swollen) yet! (HUGE PREGGO TIP: PROTEIN SUPPOSEDLY KEEPS YOU FROM SWELLING…I BELIEVE IT!!!)

So in closing, that’s how I feel about my body right now. Great!  I hope that you all feel good about your bodies too, no matter what stage in life or fitness you are in!  Don’t wait til you’ve lost that next 5 pounds to dress, look and feel fabulous! Dress for your body now and do what it takes to get the body you want that makes you both LOOK AND FEEL good.  [Stepping down off soap box.]

How did you feel about your body image during pregnancy? And after?

Or, was there a time you felt horrible or great about your body? How did you work through that? What have you learned?

We’ve been spending a lot of time with our Toby this week, enjoying him before our new baby comes along!

Toby and I spent a “Mommy Toby” day together on Saturday morning. We went to the vet (one of his favorite places) and PetSmart for an outing!!  We had a fun time!  This afternoon, FIThubby turned on the sprinklers for some playtime with Toby….TONS more pics to come!  These are just some fun ones to start!  I filled up an entire memory card in just a few minutes! *blushing* It’s easy to do on “continuous shooting.”

He looks so mean!!! He fooled you! Check out last week’s post!

Baby news! We’re 37 weeks…full-term!  And, this is my last week of work before my Maternity Leave…Hallelujah!

Hat for coming home from hospital. Check. Car seat installed. Check. Birth plan written. Check. Hospital bag mostly packed. Check.

Another dr appointment in the morning. Hoping for more progress!

FITori NEWS!!!!! FITori is a CERTIFIED PERSONAL TRAINER…officially!!!! I finished up my certification this weekend and now I have that along with my Nutriton & Wellness and Pre- & Post-Natal Exercise Certifications!!!

I’ve been holding out on sharing these maternity photos! Sorry about that! I am still holding out a little because I have 10 or so more pics I’ll share with you soon that my BFF took the night before my shower a few weeks ago.

FIRST OF ALL, aren’t this pics amazing??!!! You haven’t even seen the best ones!! The one on the top right of this collage will prob be in our FITbaby Girl’s nursery….it’s in my top 3…I think, but it’s so hard to choose! They’re all SO amazing! The hubby loves it.  Thank you styleberry!!!

I’ve been asked to share some of my thoughts and feelings on pregnancy. I posted these two posts back at around 19 weeks preggo…..Why I don’t love pregnancy & Why I love pregnancy and got a lot of great responses. I’ve been pregnant longer now and can now give a different perspective on pregnancy than I did then.

At 19 weeks, I couldn’t feel the baby move. I had more fears. I was getting used to not being able to move the same way in my new & changing body. I was still not feeling 100%…my appetite wasn’t back [it's probably not back now to be honest....I'll report back post-baby and post-BF!] The “fun” parts hadn’t begun yet, just the part where I couldn’t get in and out of my car as easily as before – a “fat tire” had appeared around my middle!   And, I was still fearful that it wouldn’t work out and that it wasn’t “real” yet.

Now, at 36 weeks and nearing the end I can honestly say….I still do not LOVE being pregnant. Hear me out though! You know how some women say they LOVE pregnancy?  I don’t LOVE it, BUT I REALLY CAN’T COMPLAIN. My “discomforts” are normal pregnancy discomforts. They are part of the territory. But I cannot say…”I’ve never felt better” because…well, I have!

I am MOST excited about MEETING OUR GIRL!!!! This is not bad. I do not complain….even when I walk like a granny or waddle….even when I wake up in the middle of the night to pee…even when I cannot bend over….even when my pace has slowed to that of a snail’s…I really cannot complain.  This is pregnancy.  And, for all that bad….THERE IS SO MUCH GOOD!!! Again, the main thing…we get to meet our girl soon!

I have very few pregnancy symptoms and for that I am truly grateful.  I actually had a nightmare the night I wrote the first draft of this blog post…..I had a nightmare that there was no baby because my symptoms were so minor. Crazy?! I’ve also had nightmares that I’ve forgotten to feed the baby and most recently…that I’ve forgotten the baby. I guess it’s a good thing that my diaper/camera bag won’t be in quite in time…I’ll be using the hubby’s Diaper Dude and thank goodness it comes with a checklist. Note the last item on the checklist….

I think about how grateful I am to be feeling “well” every day. I am not sure why I am feeling so well. I really do think I am feeling better than most pregnant ladies at this stage. Again, I don’t love this…I’m not feeling better than the normal FITori me…but I don’t think I feel as bad as the normal pregnant girl does….I could be wrong. It’s hard to know how others feel!  I just know my list of symptoms is pretty short.  I feel very blessed to have good genes and to be healthy and feel good!

I still have to say…. I’d am excited to have my trim little waist & rockin’ shoulders back!  I’d can’t wait to be able to bend and move again. I can’t wait to be quick and speedy throughout my day again. I am very excited about getting my body back and being A BUSY & FIT MOMMA…..very soon, I hope! Can’t. Wait.

FITori’s pregnancy symptoms:

• I do wake up in the middle of the night to pee. Only once usually. And, only 5 out of 7 nights a week. I’m getting a full night’s sleep one or two nights a week. It’s bliss and I’m very thankful for those nights.
• When I do wake up, I waddle and move REALLY slowly to get there. My hips take some time to stretch out.
• I move at the pace of a snail, especially when there is a little baby head resting on my cervix. What a change from the old me, where I’d be in the store before my FIThubby would be around the car to open the door. Now, I don’t even have my seat belt off before he’s standing at the door trying to help me. It’s quite the change.
• I can’t bend over well. “Can I have a tissue?” [the box rests at my feet in the passenger side of our cars] usually sounds like the toughest request of the entire day b/c I can’t really reach it!

So, all in all….this is NORMAL PREGNANCY STUFF!!! I’m not swelling…yet. [Thank you, God.] My face isn’t fat….yet. I can still wear my rings.  My appetite never got crazy…in fact, I think my appetite has been more under control during pregnancy than I remember before. BUT, some of that could be that I may finally be “regulated” after competing!

How much of this is because of my health, diet, exercise and weight? I can’t answer that. I have read and my OBGYN did tell me that protein intake is directly related to swelling. As you all know….I am serious about protein! I don’t know. I can only guess and assume that it’s part of it!

AND THE FUN STUFF….At 19 weeks I couldn’t feel her move. Now, she’s about 6 lbs in there and is moving and shaking. I feel like I’m getting to know her. We saw her 4D ultrasound pics and I feel like I know what she looks like.  I am nesting and I’ll try to share all of that with you!!! I have some great tips for things to buy and how to set it all up! I will definitely be sharing once I have some “real” experience with this motherhood.

Back at 19 weeks, it was hard to believe it’s happening. Now, it’s real. I wake up every morning and think about snuggling her, changing her and feeding her. I go through my day thinking about taking care of her and wondering when she’ll be done “cooking” and ready to come say hi.  I get kicked and punched all day…..a reminder she’s in there. 

The moral of the story….the moral of MY story…I AM GRATEFUL. I AM THANKFUL. I AM BLESSED.

I wouldn’t trade this experience for the world. My hubby reminds me daily….“Are you glad you were able to have this experience?” [speaking of pregnancy] and I can say, without a doubt, I am very thankful and that this has been a wonderful experience that I wouldn’t trade for anything. [Can't wait to be a FITmomma very soon though!!!]

I love you all and appreciate your support.  Thank you all for staying with me as I post sporadically during this exciting time!!

Keep checking back….I have more maternity pics to share! Promise!

What do you think helped you [or your friend, sister or mother] most to minimize pregnancy symptoms?

We had the most fun the other day taking Toby for a walk in the woods and letting him off leash.

We wouldn’t let him in the lake and he got us back….by laying in a mud puddle!

Didn’t. See. That. One. Coming.

He was the happiest dog….both clean and dry and later when he got muddy and dirty, running around….

I’M FREE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

It’s less fun these days walking….it’s not quite as comfortable and I’m a little slower than I was a few weeks go.

I’m looking forward to more shower and maternity pics!! I’ll share them as soon as I get them!

We finished off most of the registry this last week! I’m so excited to get it all and set it all up! We are washing baby clothes, blankets, bibs and burp cloths. She has SO many clothes already!!

I am experimenting with NATURAL FABRIC SOFTENERES for baby and will share once I decide.

I have a blog topic list a MILE long & I can’t wait to get to it all, but it seems more daunting than ever to take the pics I need for the posts!

This momma is overworked and tired!

I can’t wait to have some great news to share…crazy…it could be any day!

Speaking of being free….I’m counting down the days and weeks until maternity leave starts! I have less than 4 weeks left!  Can’t. Wait.

BTW, it’s getting harder to get good shots, b/c I can’t bend over and move as well as before! Ha!

I had the best weekend!  Talk about feeling LOVED!

I had friends and family coming into town to share (& plan & throw) my Baby Shower!

I got dozens of roses, tons of baby gifts…some personal, some useful, some adorable!

We shared sweets and treats and fun!

We shared tears and hugs!

We enjoyed Mother’s Day….my first!

As soon as I get the edited photos from my shower I’ll be SURE to share!!!

This is a photo of one of the roses that I got as a gift from my Aunt Laura!

How was your Mother’s Day?!