forte

Out of all the posing possibilites in photography, I think I'm probably best at the individual head shot. Maybe because it's the easiest. :) I just wanted to show you a recent before and after. For you photographers out there, I've listed my settings as well.

SOOC (straight out of camera)
f/1.8 Shutter 1/320, ISO 100


Edited


All I did was sharpen, reduce the red in her face a tiny bit, lighten the image, add a little contrast and touch up a few blemishes. I didn't touch the eyes.

happy mother's day to me!

I'm 9 weeks along now and everything is looking SO much better than my last pregnancy did. But we could still use your prayers that everything goes well and we end up with a healthy baby!

baby shelby

My sister Missy just had a baby two weeks ago and she came over the other day to hang out and take some pictures in my mock studio. Since my sister is a photographer also (and a freakin' good one) I wanted to act as assistant and let her do the shooting. But Shelby was the PERFECT newborn model so in the end I had to get out my camera and take a few pics. She is such a sweet little thing. Ugh!

Besides, I'm going to need as much practice as I can get so I'm ready to photograph my own baby in December. ;)

8 things

1. Carter is fully recovered from his surgery, is gaining weight back and even has his cute little husky voice back. So glad about that!
2. My sister, Missy, had her baby two weeks ago. She and my mom and Melinda came over to play today. I set up my little newborn photography studio and we did some pics of her. I can't believe how easy going and moldable she was! It was awesome.
3. I think we need to do a mapping session with Abby. It's been about 6 months and I notice that her /s/ sound is not very sharp anymore. But other than that, she's a superstar. She talking so well and I'm AMAZED and her progress and know she's going to keep amazing us for a long time.
4. Speaking of, Abby said the prayer in church on Sunday in front of all the Primary kids. I helped her because she was pretty scared, but she was clear and understandable and she did such a great job. Its a lot to ask a four- year-old to get up in front of everyone and say an intelligble prayer, let alone a child that is DEAF! As I sat her down and walked out of the room my eyes welled up with tears. Her CI/hearing aids are a miracle. SHE is a miracle.
5. Brian hasn't been traveling for a couple of weeks now and hopefully will be in town for a great portion of the summer. He's been traveling since we've been married, so I guess you could say its old hat. But its not home without him home.
6. Brian got called to be Elder's Quorum President in our ward and so that will keep him very busy. But its a big calling and I'm proud of him for being worthy and willing to accept the assignment.
7. Our dryer went kaput two weeks ago so we bought a new set. We got dem new front loading contraptions and I think I'm in love, although it has been an adjustment! We stack them on top of eachother and we're going to build a little workstation in the area beside it so hopefully it will improve my laundry workflow. Because laundry seems to consume my life. I don't know how you people with 4+ kids do it.
8. It's midnight and I'm going to bed.

blogging rut

I guess I'm in a blogging rut. I have things I want to blog about, but I've been so busy that its really the last thing that I want to do when I have a free moment. And really, right now all I feel like doing is posting a picture.

I attempted bluebonnet pictures with my kids at Mt. Sachse but the bluebonnet crop was pretty lame and it was way too bright outside, so we ended up exploring instead. I LOVE watching the kids run free.

make a wish

I haven't fallen off the face of the Earth. Just teetering on the edge of it. I'll get back in the swing of blogging soon, but in the meantime, check out Carter's luscious lips. And if you're really bored, hop over to my photoblog. Got some new stuff posted. Ok, so yeah, I love my photoblog more right now. Don't hate.

78?!

When I made that poll a month ago I really only expected about 40 people, but 78? Wow! Do I even know 78 people?

If you're a stalker and you'd like to make yourself known, please leave me a comment. And nice to meet you in advance!

in the weeds

Last week was rough. Brian was out of town, I have half a dozen clients to edit and no time to do it, our dryer broke, I had a migraine mid-week, I had a photo shoot every single day this week except for Saturday and that was a rain-out. I have been totally in the weeds, but next week promises to be better.

I have lots to blog about. Now I just need to find the time.

timeless

I love photographs. They capture a moment in time, a personality, a feeling, and no matter what changes in your life, you can always go back to a picture and be right back in that moment. The ones you lost become alive to you, the happy times you had are remembered, the emotions of that moment are real again and its as if no time has passed. It all comes flooding back, and you're there, in a field of bluebonnets, with the ones you love, and you're happy.
My mom and dad, circa 1980-something

Bluebonnet pictures are timeless, and your children will cherish them, like I cherish mine.

I'm offering four Bluebonnet Mini-Sessions on

Friday, April 16th

The cost is $40, which includes a 20-minute session and 8 digital negatives

Location is in Richardson near Renner and George Bush

Times available are:

6:00 (booked)

6:25

6:50

7:15 (booked)

call 214-316-0161 or email mandiemcmurdie@gmail.com to book your session.

Oh, and you might want to hurry.

what did you get in your easter basket?

I got a happy Carter bug.



The doctor (and everyone else and their dog) warned us that recovery was going to be a beast, but Carter really hasn't had a bad day since his surgery. He's had some bad moments when he was really tired or we waited too long in between medicine doses, but other than that, he's really suprised me. Now, they were right about everything else though... the knock-down-drag-out medicine administration and the refusing to drink fluids, among other things. But yeah, the prone-to-being-grouchy Carter has dealt with this really well, and I am so grateful! Tomorrow we pare down his medication, so we'll see how he does.

I just went into the bedroom to check up on him, and he was breathing clearly and deeply with no snoring. That makes me happy.

brian's birthday

was almost two weeks ago, but I was a bad wife and didn't mention it on the blog. So, um, happy birthday, Brian!

And for your viewing entertainment, here's the McMurdie family singers. Notice I quit after three words? I knew it was going to be hopeless to keep a tonal center. Anyway, I also wanted to post this to document Abby's progression since her CI activation. She's had it now for a little over seven months, and the improvement is astounding! I am so proud of her and her progress. She loves her implant. She calls it her "coke--plant" and wears it every waking minute. She can even change out the batteries and put it back in her ear all by herself!

And come on, Carter is so stinkin cute!!!

Make video montages at www.OneTrueMedia.com

booked

My Saturdays are booked until May 8th for photo sessions, but I do have some openings during the week if you'd like to book a session in April. I am accepting babies, kids, seniors, and small families. I would especially love to shoot your baby. With my camera, that is. I've created a little studio space in my house in order to accomodate the little ones, and I am excited to get to use it more. So come on! Don't be shy!

Oh, and for those of you interested in doing a bluebonnet mini-session, I said I wasn't going to do them this year, but I've changed my mind. Now we've just got to wait until they bloom and I'll set a date and time! Stay tuned for more details!

If you're interested in booking a session, you can email me at mandiemcmurdie@gmail.com or call me at 214-316-0161.

More details HERE.

like mother, like daughter?

Here's a picture of Abby taken today



And here's one of me at her same age. (With my childhood bff Jerry Parks.) I don't have a lot of pictures of me that age without my tongue sticking out or me making smirks at the camera. This was one of the only normal ones. Sound familiar?



So, do you think we look alike???

happy easter!

I love my children.
I would die for them.

Jesus Christ DID.

I am eternally grateful.

dear bluebell ice cream co.

Thank you for making popcicle Bullets. They are a lifesaver for my little tonsil boy.

p.s. I think I might be the only Texan alive that doesn't like Homemade Vanilla. It makes me gag. Just thought you should know.

aftermath

The surgery went well. Dr. Bauer said his tonsils were massive, so we should see a lot of improvement after he's healed. The ABR also went well and the audiologist shared with me the preliminary results, although the real report won't be ready for a week. She said that his hearing hasn't changed. I was... shocked.... but so relieved at the same time. So he doesn't have fluid in his ears, and his hearing hasn't gotten worse, so that must mean he's just being a two-year-old. Go figure.

So the recovery of a tonselectomy patient really depends on the parent. It's vital that you give him pain meds every three hours, and they have to stay really hydrated or they could end up in the ER. But in reality, getting a two-year-old to take nasty medicine 8 times a day and drink fluids when their throat hurts is easier said than done.

So when I went to pick up the prescriptions at our local grocery store, Carter spotted a chocolate muffin and asked for it, so I was like, um ok... I guess. So as we were waiting, he actually ate a few bites of muffin. This is three hours after throat surgery, mind you. (Although new rules say that let the kid eat when he's ready to eat. No time frame.) And then when we got home he had a cup full of goldfish and a little bit of dinner roll and chicken for dinner. But initially he wouldn't touch the fluids, which really concerned me. But now he's drinking better, although he hasn't met his 40 ounces of fluid quota they want him to have every day. But we're pushing the fluids and giving him his pain medicine as prescribed, so I think he's going to be okay.

They say there's a honeymoon period the first couple of days, and then the pain really sets in on day three and four. The first half of today was pretty bad. But right now Carter is watching tv and eating more goldfish, so he's fine for now. I just hope that those goldfish don't do any damage.

Wish us luck with tonight.

verklempt

I was looking through pictures from an insanely fun photoshoot I had tonight, and got all verklempt when I came to this one. For some reason it just moved me. Springtime, adorable kids, amazing locations, perfect light... this is why I love photography.

abby's recent artwork

The first is Mommy and Daddy


And this one is a rainbow and a castle.


Abby told me the purple thing under the rainbow is Cinderella. I guess she just ran out of room.

Not bad, huh?

i try

But getting a picture of my two kids together is har-uud. Abby was on board, but Carter? Not so much.







Here's Abby explaining to me why it was absolutely important for her to go "this" way instead of "that" way. It gives you a glimpse of how girly she is, especially her mannerisms.




And here's Carter being all-boy.

One of my favorite activities is to pack up the kids and go exploring at different nearby parks. I love their curiosity and wide-eyed wonder, and I love being able to capture it.

Side-note: I'm experimenting with some different editing techniques and gave these a vintage look. I'm not sure it's my style, but its fun to play around. I'd like to know what you think.

friday it is

We decided to just get it over with and schedule the surgery for this Friday. I guess due to Easter, the surgery center isn't as busy as usual, so we had no problem scheduling. This weekend is General Conference and so it was going to be an easy going weekend anyway. Plus, Brian could be traveling soon, and I'd really like him here to help with the aftermath. And I know this is going to improve Carter's quality of life, so the sooner the better.


So Friday it is.


We'll let you know how it goes.

abr, adenoids, and tonsils, oh my!

Although we see our audiologist every other month it seems, it has been over a year since Carter saw our ENT. So we went to see him today to do a little check up and talk about his possible hearing loss. They did a tympanigram which came back normal, and he looked in his ears and found a lot of wax, but no infection. So he definitely wants to proceed with an ABR to see what his hearing looks like right now.

He also took a look down his throat and then asked me if Carter snored. I knew where that question was going to lead, and I was glad he brought it up, because sometimes he sounds like an under water lawn mower when he sleeps. And thanks to Leah, I've really been congnisant of it lately. I don't really listen to Carter when he's sleeping at night, but when he sleeps in the car, which is almost every day, he snores, gurgles, holds his breath, sleeps with his mouth open, the whole shebang. He also wakes up multiple times at night, and his overall grouchiness during the day may also be a indicator that he's not sleeping well. The doctor then said that his tonsils were so large they were filling up the back of his throat and it was no wonder he's not sleeping very well. So he suggested that while we have him sedated for the ABR, we go ahead and take out the tonsils and adenoids. I asked about a sleep study and he said that with the symptoms I explained and what he saw in his throat, he doesn't really think its necessary. Plus, I doubt he will be a very good sleep study patient.

So we are in the process of scheduling a triple procedure, hopefully sooner than later. Although I am totally not looking forward to the 10 days of recovery they warned me about. But if it means my baby will sleep better, and maybe even be happier, then I'll do anything!

i haven't blogged in a week!

So I guess I better do that.


...Tomorrow.

worried

I forgot to mention that Carter's hearing has dropped significantly this week. Like, a LOT. I'm really hoping that its because of the ear infections, because his loss occured at the same time he got sick, but he's been on antibiotics for three days now, seems to be feeling a lot better, and I haven't noticed any improvement in his hearing.

I'm really worried about it. Because of the type of loss they have, I know its inevitable that his hearing will drop. But he's been so stable and I was hoping he would stay that way for a long time. Cross your fingers for us.

remembering you

I was ten or twelve, I can't quite remember exactly, and my dad had just recently been diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis. It was an exceptionally cold March evening, and my mom bundled us up and took us to visit my dad, who was in the hospital receiving treatment for a pretty bad spell he had recently had. After our visit, none of which I can remember, we headed home and as we neared our house, it started to snow.

When we got home, we jumped out of the car and ran to the middle of our cul-de-sac and played with the falling snow as it swirled around us. I remember standing under the street lamp and looking up and watching the snow fall and glisten as it reflected off the bright flourescent light. I closed my eyes, lifted my face to the light, and let the cold snow fall on my face. And at that moment, I forgot about the scary things happening with my dad, and everything seemed right with the world.

Tonight, on this cold March day, it snowed, Dad. And I thought of you.

you know...

It's so much easier to blog when you keep up with the events happening in your life. Save them up, and it seems a little overwhelming. Then, as I'm sure you know, nothing ever gets blogged.

Take my Christmas, for example.

But anyway, I watched my sister (Melinda's) three kids this whole week while they went on a much needed vacation to Costa Rica. Don't worry people. I'm not that nice. We're doing a trade and she's got our kids in May.

So the week actually went really well, for the most part. The kids got along with eachother, they played outside a ton, and we tried to go and do something every day. Missy and Mom came to visit on separate occasions, which was nice too. But then I ate standing up the majority of the time, I swept the floors five or six times a day and did an unnatural amount of laundry. And don't ask me about how the nights went. I really don't want to talk about that.

And then there's the matter of little Carter, who has been healthy for six months and decided to choose this week to get a double ear infection. The kid had goup seeping out of every orifice on his face. Yeah, I said orifice. So he was miserable and clingy and grouchy for the greater part of the week, but he's feeling better now. thankfully.

My sister is back, with some crazy stories to tell, and everyone is in their own bed tonight. Yay!

abby and carter's book of feelings

My sister Ginny is a brilliant speech pathologist and works with special needs kids, specifically autistic children, in an elementary school in Mansfield. She's commented a few times about how expressive our kids are and has asked me to print out some pictures so that she can use them to work with her students. After talking with her about it a little more, we decided that I should take it a step further and make a book called "Abby and Carter's Book of Feelings," and give them out to other therapists to use with their students to work on feelings and emotions. Cause you know, my kids certainly know how to express their emotions.


I'm thinkin this picture will make the cut.



But then again, it may scare a few kids. It scares me.

*
*

Also, I'm a mother of FIVE this week! More on that later.

do it thrice, shame on me.

How many toothbrushes shoved down the toilet by your two-year-old do you think it takes to be considered a bad parent?

Let's hope it's not three.

two cousins

I recently made friends with another photographer in McKinney, and she invited me over to a photoshoot in her home studio saturday. And when I say home studio, I mean, decked out home studio, with thousands of dollars of lighting equipment, backdrops and props. Now most of you know, I have zero experience in studio lighting, and I'm kinda proud to be a natural light photographer. But I've been wanting to learn all about the other side of photography, so I was excited to learn. But after about 30 minutes of shooting, I was completely overwhelmed and felt totally inept. Shooting with synthetic light is completely different than natural light and I have a LOT to learn.

So anyway, after that experience, I was craving some pure sunlight. So with 30 minutes notice, I called up my SIL Carrie and she met me at my favorite location to do some pictures with Abby and her daughter Mikayla. All I can say is thank God for the sun.

Funny though, with all the sun drenched pictures I took, this one turned out to be my favorite of the evening. I love the raw, broken look of it.



You can see the rest HERE.

someday

Someday your hair will grow darker and thicker

Someday those ears won't stick out so much

Someday the sweet little dimple might fade away

Someday you won't stick out that bottom lip like you do

Someday the rest of your face might catch up with your big eyes

Someday your cheeks won't be so smushy and soft

Someday you're going to grow up

But THIS face will be emblazoned on my mind forever

out of abby's mouth today

"Playing outside is my job."

I asked her what my job was and she didn't answer. Probably smart on her part.