Annapolis Valley Newborn Photography: Introducing Alannah

...and here she is....the newest arrival in our family....introducing Alannah Jennifer Malaiya Whynott. At six weeks old she is a growing little wee one. I hadn't planned on taking photos, but I usually have my camera nearby and couldn't resist taking a few.

 
My Mom lives in an apartment building that is filled with kind and caring neighbours. Audrey happens to be one of those lovely ladies that makes up Mom's close knit community. While visiting with the newest arrival in our family, Audrey was visiting with the newest arrival in her family. I couldn't resist taking a little snapshot of her giving sweet love to her great grandbaby. This little one is a preemie who happened to be born the same day our little Alannah was born. So very sweet!

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It's hard to concentrate these days on all of the good that is happening around the world with all of the sadness and desperation in Haiti. I keep thinking about all of those suffering as well as all of the volunteers who are desperately working to provide aid and support in the chaos. I also can't stop thinking about all of the men and women (and in particular the really young men & women) who have arrived, and are about to arrive, to witness devistation that no person should ever have to endure. I pray for those that are suffering as well as those that are there to provide humanitarian aid. The Chronicle Herald has been providing full coverage from HMCS Athabaskan. The stories that have been published are a reminder of the good work that our sailors, soldiers and aircrew are doing around the world.

XOXO
Lisa

Annapolis Valley Family Photography: Baby "B"

Another peak into our mini photoshoot with Baby "B" earlier this week. I love this photo because his teeth are showing which are usually hidden behind his huge adorable grin. I love this photo because he is dressed in his Christmas outfit that Nanna & Pappa gave him. I love this photo because his eyes shine brightly....and because I am reflected in them so clearly.

One of the e-mails I received before their visit confirming arrangements read something like this....it will look like I'm moving in, so don't panic. That was no joke! Holy schmolies it takes a lot of crap stuff to do this baby moving/visiting thing. AND to think she packed up the little one and all of his necessary items for a one night stay...so very sweet. Oh! It didn't go unnoticed by the way that amongst all of the clothing, food, toys, books, chairs, seats, etc., etc., must have been every item that has been gifted by us to the little guy since birth! Too cute - but I think it would be a little troublesome keeping it all straight!

Today I was up bright and early (6am) to be picked up by a perfectly nice stranger so I could retrieve my SUV and hand over lots of cash to the dealership. Lucky me I didn't have a major breakdown in the middle of nowhere because I was oblivious to the fact that my car was almost inoperable. That makes having a $1,200+ so-called MVI worth it!

Today I have also had a perfectly lovely visit with friends from the city. They brought their little doggie down for a playdate with my girls. It was a little rough at first between Max & Sienna, but soon enough (when I stopped trying to intervene) all was well and the three of them were buds. We even left them on their own while we headed out for lunch at a nearby pub. Thanks guys for the visit, for the company and for the lunch. It is very much appreciated!

XOX
Lisa

Annapolis Valley Photography: Baby B

I couldn't resist a sneak peak...Well, I have been pressured into showing a sneak peak...Not mentioning any names (but one of them starts with a "K" and ends with a "Y"). This has been processed at night, so lord knows what it will look like in the morning :) My eyes work much better in the daylight folks!

I had the pleasure of hosting a sleepover with this little guy and his mamma on Monday night. I didn't think it was possible for "B" to get any cuter, but somehow he manages it. We'll be able to tell him when he grows up that it was Auntie Lisa that introduced him to his first bar/lounge...and it was his Auntie Lisa that was a cry baby during his first sleepover...and it was with his Auntie Lisa that he managed to share his first dog chewy bone...and it was with his Auntie Lisa that he slept soundly with his mamma in the big fluffy bed.

A little birdy told me that little "B's" mamma thought I was lonely and needed a little company. It means more than words can say....

XOX
Lisa

Inspiration

I was all set to write a post about what a great visit I had and share some of the photos I took of our short but sweet time together; and I will get to that soon. BUT, I had to share this quote taken off of a Facebook status of one of Wally's childhood friends whom I have had the pleasure of meeting a few times. Kevin is sarcastic. Kevin is funny. Kevin always shows his good side even though I'm sure there have been many, many rough times...

"after a hip replacement ('95), a double lung transplant ('98) and a liver transplant (2007) I am happy to be here to celebrate another year. Thank you to my family and friends for being a big part of my life and a special thanks to my doctors and donors without whom I would not be able to do so! As a birthday wish please sign you organ donor cards."

I am sure Wally would have something sarcastic and funny to say to Kevin on this day, but all I can say is....Kevin you are inspiring. I wish you happy birthday on this day, and many, many more happy birthdays to come!

Connections

Monday is here after a weekend of detours. I learned I must communicate better when speaking to answering machines so I can make the connections I am striving for (my bad!). I found my groove, after a break, getting the paper ready for press and shed tears watching Dateline last evening. I have been following the saga of "Bring Sean Home" but to see the love that his father has for his boy was more than touching. What a gift he received this Christmas!

Waking up this morning to a clear sky displaying a beautiful moon really is a welcome sight. Waking up knowing I have a sleepover tonight with a couple of my favourite people in the world is enough to make me giddy. Now I just have to get the floors cleaned so the little tikester doesn't start coughing up furballs.
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And since a post is soooo much better with eye candy, I thought I'd share this photo that was taken January 2nd while Wally was on an overnight safari in Kenya. I am busting waiting for the remaining photos to come my way. The expression on this adorable giraffe above is priceless. Those eyelashes are only what a girl can dream of!

TODAY: It's all about connecting with family and connecting with my camera lens. The sun is shining on this crisp cold day and I can't wait to get at it.

HMCS Fredericton: Crossing the Line Ceremony

One of the less common traditions that has been passed along through generations of sailors involves crossing “The Line.” This line can be one of many lines, but is generally agreed on to be one of the Arctic or Antarctic Circles, or the Equator. HMCS Fredericton crossed the Equator on December 30th enroute to a Mombasa, Kenya port visit.

Below are a few photos celebrating this achievment along with a description taken from the HMCS Fredericton Website. Looks like a good time was had by all.

Crossing the equator brought Fredericton to the attention of King Neptune, who sent his messenger Davey Jones to inspect the guard the night before. Finding the Tadpoles (those who hadn’t crossed the line previously) “unclean”, he prepared them for the following day’s arrival of King Neptune himself. This included a quick scrub down with a trout, and a follow on washing of salt water. The Shellbacks (those who had crossed the line previously) watched on with mild amusement, knowing what was in store for the Tadpoles.

On the morning of the 31st the crew was divided into two groups. Tadpoles, who ate a breakfast fit for King Neptune himself consisting of salmon guts (pink scrambled eggs), seaweed (green bacon) and entrails (green noodles) and Shellbacks, who ate a breakfast of steak and eggs. Following a short respite, the Tadpoles were mustered on the flight deck to attend Neptune’s court, where they were finally introduced to the legendary King himself. The King inspected each tadpole individually, cleansing them once again and ceremoniously dunking them in a pool of salt water before declaring them “Shell backs.”

The specifics of the crossing of the line ceremony may change slightly from navy to navy, from ship to ship, even from crossing to crossing, but the idea is the same. It exists to recognize a special occurrence in a sailor’s life in a fitting manner; by surrounding them with their shipmates and publically acknowledging their accomplishment.

Looks like fun was had by all.

Have a good weekend folks!

...and more GO!

Yesterday was good. It was good in the sense that I spent hours and hours in front of the computer (until my head felt like it would explode), and happily took the doggies on their 2x daily jaunts. I actually ate a proper lunch of soup and sannie, even though dinner was an awful unfortunate mess that contained crackers, cheese & oysters (hey, at least it didn't come in a paper bag!)

My head is swimming with thoughts about photography. It is what is constantly on my brain. I could spend hours drawing up business plans, logos, websites & brochures; but what I'm really dreaming about is location sites, family sessions and newborn sessions. I constantly have ideas about poses, positions, locations, and hats. I am obsessed with hats. Trust me when I tell you that I need restraint when it comes to visiting Etsy. I want almost every darn hat that could be made by mankind!

What I wish I had was a mentor. A photographer who I admire (which there are many) that I could watch and learn from. That would make for a very happy me!

TODAY is almost like groundhog day. Work. Walk. Food & meds.

...and a shout out to Candice...Hope this birthday is the best!

it's all GO!

Yesterday I said the worst thing about a whining, snippy, complaining wife was one that was clear across the world. Well, I'd like to amend that slightly today. The worst thing about being the whining, snippy, complaining wife who is on the other side of the world, is that said wife cannot make contact with her husband after her said whining, complaining and snippiness. The e-mail was sent to remind him it was just a bad mood that happened to be taken out on the wrong person at the wrong time, but somehow it just isnt' the same....my stomach is all aflutter just waiting for his reply...

Yesterday, I did manage to suck up the fur that was taking over the basement, wash all the stinky doggie toys and blankets that inhabit our home, take a couple of walks with the doggies, get lots of work done, ate an entire pizza (it was all natural which makes it OK right?), and spend lots of time researching on the Internet. That my friends, makes yesterday a GO!

TODAY is day two of GO and I have already been at it for several hours. Work is getting accomplished, clients have been spoken to, walk #1 of 2 has been accomplished, breakfast was eaten sitting down and news has been caught up on. The sun hasn't made it's appearance but the roads are clear, the temperature is agreeable and the soft flurries floating down make me want to head outdoors again.

....today....it's all GO!

I Suck...finding my GO!

There. I said it. I am confessing that I did not act the way I wish I would have when I received a morning phone call from my guy. At first I was quiet....which most likely scared the crap out of him. Then I snapped. Then I complained. Ugh! The only thing worse than a whining, snippy, complaining wife is a whining, snippy complaining wife that is on the other side of the world!

I could find many excuses for this bad mood...could be because I'm feeling like sh*t, could be yesterday's very disturbing dream that sent me flying out of bed from hearing Wally's voice to search for my little dog who I was convinced was dead (who happened to be sitting like a little pricess in the middle of her "sister's" HUGE bed when I found her), could be that I'm fighting the blanket of loneliness that is shrouding me. Hell, it could be a multitude of things that I'm sure many of us are feeling right now. These are all just excuses to me. And I really have no excuse to make someone elses day bad, just because mine isn't going so great.

TODAY: I plan on snapping out of it and shaking the aches and pains of this non-cold. After a couple of walks with the pooches wishing for the sunshine and a trip to the bus to pick up some work I am going to find my get up and go! There's a pile of laundry, a pile of dust, a pile of fur and a pile of photos to make good work of. Now GO!

XO
Lisa.

2009 - a year in review

I have been working on my new blog, and have gained only a little progress. Sheesh, I really wish I had more patience with this kind of thing! For now, I have put together a little bit of "us" from 2009. As most would know, Wally has spent more time away in 2009 than at home, but we did manage to spend some "quality time" together in between. Soon. Soon, I hope, things will be back to normal...