I’ve watched terrible zombie movies that had me crying from laughter, as I saw zombies stumble around and mutter unrecognizable words and sounds.  I thought where did they come up with this stuff?

Waking stiffly each morning after only a few hours of interrupted sleep I stumble around getting the kids ready for their day with dark circles under my eyes and my body at an awful kilter.  Attempting to get it together, I often hand Nate a cute my little pony bowl with a little purple spoon and Lana a large Star Wars bowl with Nate’s favorite silver spoon.  I confuse dates, read numbers backwards, and call Nate-Kenny, Lana-Nate, and Dez-Lana, Nate, or even Andre.  Usually one of the kids call me out with cute comments and even cuter giggles.

Thinking back I remember witnessing these characteristics and much of this behavior with my mom… and Andres’ mom.  That’s when it dawned on me that those silly movies must have been inspired by moms like me.  Real life walking zombies.  Not gross gory people with the instinct to kill, but moms in a catatonic state willing to sacrifice ego and self pride for the greater good of our family.

So, with this thought I embrace the zombie within in me and this temporary stage as I dance the days away with Michael Jackson’s Thriller blaring in my head.

Now to the photos.  Here’s my little, 3 month old, man that with his 4 nightly feedings and 3 to 5 startles is causing me to be in this catatonic state.  Oh… but don’t worry he so worth it!!!

I was working on a clients images and Dez was being absolutely adorable and I couldn’t resist seizing the moment.  I used the beautiful natural light coming from my office window and his soft white blanket which created a perfect natural reflector.  Shot with my Canon 5D Mark II and 24-70 2.8L

On Friday I was happy to enter the Robbins home to photograph their sweet little newborn Genevieve.  Little did I know that she and her big brother would steal a piece of my heart.  Their sweetness was irresistible and unforgettable.

I was so excited to walk into the Robbins home to this smiling face.

and we played… and played

until Genevieve was ready with her sweetness

being 5 weeks old she was alert and didn’t want to go to sleep so we played in her moms sock drawer… then she relaxed… just enough!

Thank you Robbins family for welcoming me into your home to capture your beautiful family.   I had a great time and look forward to shooting you all again soon.

Christmas has come and gone and we’re left with the memories of what this years festivities held.  For us our greatest gift is our new addition to our family and the love that surrounds us each day.

As part of our family tradition we had to stuff our big boy in our stocking for our babies first Christmas photo that is hung on our Christmas tree.  It’s so sweet to see the three kids hang there.

I hope you had a Merry Christmas and that the year ahead of you is joyous and prosperous!

Being on maternity leave with my family is wonderful.  I can’t imagine trying to manage juggling new life with our family of five, as well as business.  I appreciate all your well wishes and understanding while I enjoy this much valued time off.

Things are going great with Dez.  Time is flying by fast as today marks his 4th week.  Andre says he’s a month old now, but I think you go date to date to mark that. How would you calculate it?  Either way I can’t believe he’s a MONTH old either today or in 2 days.  Isn’t that’s crazy!!!

He’s a very healthy eater and is growing like a weed.  At 4 weeks he’s 12.8 pounds and 22+ inches long.

Here’s my little chunky monkey.

Introducing…

Sweet as can be he’s now 3 weeks old.  He’s rounding our family off beautifully and has Nate and Lana, ahem… well all of us wrapped around his precious little finger.

As for me, I’m on maternity leave through the New Year.  I’m available for phone calls and emails so feel free to contact me.  I’ll respond as quickly as possible… I’ve quickly realized that I’m not in control of my schedule right now.  Dez is!

I’m actually on maternity leave.  I’m sorry for not blogging sooner… but I’ve been enjoying my my time by recovering, spending time with our newly shaped family and getting to know my precious baby boy.

On November 20th my husband and I welcomed our third child Dezmond Dominik into our family…. literally.  Andre and I delivered him at our house.  Yes, we had a semi-unassisted home-birth.  I say “semi” home-birth, because thankfully our wonderful birthing team (Mid-wife Christy Martin, her assistant Abby, and our Doula / Hypnoduola Kathy O’brien) arrived just minutes after Dez was born (they were caught in Friday night rush hour traffic).  Immediately upon arrival they took incredible care of Dez and I and we couldn’t have done it without them.

Having Dez naturally at home was such an amazing experience that has bonded us all together in such a loving and intense way.  Being at home for his birth was so soothing, comfortable, and most of all it was just right for us.  At birth Dez weighed 9.6lbs and was 20.5in long.  My biggest baby yet.

Proud Dada Andre taking in all of Dez’s sweetness.

Me, proud and shocked Mama, taking in the moment, shaking a bit, and high from the experience.

Nate and Lana… simply in AWE of their baby brother.

Andre and I had planned for a home-birth, not so much the unassisted part, but when it happened, we worked together perfectly and encouraged each other throughout the two pushes… then Dez was there and in my arms.  I always say that Andre is great, but really you must know after this he truly is AMAZING.  I’m so lucky to have such a wonderful partner and best-friend to experience life with.

Photo taken by Kathy O’brien.

We’re feeling the spirit! With October being Down syndrome (Ds) Awareness month I felt lead to create a special to promote the incredible beauty and awareness for the over 350,000 individuals living with Ds, including my daughter Lana.

GIVE-AWAY TIME!!!

In honor of Ds Awareness Month we’d love to give back and photograph as many people with Ds as possible, so spread the word!  We’re giving away a beautiful 8×8 custom hardcover album ($440 value) with a paid session to the lucky “Spread the Word” winner.

To enter the contest simply blog, tweet, facebook, myspace, email,… you get it, spread the word! Here’s how you get your name entered into the contest for a chance… ahem, many chances to win.

3 chances: contact us right away to reserve your session

1 chance: follow us on twitter @ficklezeal then tweet the following

Win a Custom 8×8 Album from your Down Syndrome Awareness Portrait Session @ficklezeal for details visit www.fzphotography.com/blog

1 chance: become a fan of FickleZeal Photography on Facebook and post some Ds Awareness Portrait Session love

1 chance: leave a comment on my blog with why you’d like to win this beautiful memento with your session

3 chances: email us a sweet photo for us to share on our blog of your loved one(s) with Ds

5 chances: for each referred session that is completed

Contest ends October 31st and the winner will be announced November 10th!