REAGAN'S PARTY [Monica Brown, Pensacola Photographer]

I guess I should post photos from Reagan's party before Luke has his FIRST BIRTHDAY PARTY this weekend! My, how time flies!

We had so much fun with Reagan's party...and she had a blast! It was so much fun celebrating with friends and family! As you can see, the [theme] was all things summer.

This image was the worst exposure ever...but turned into my favorite with just a little playing around.

The pool was a hit!

Reagan and her handmade bucket. She was the only kid that put fishy stickers [inside] her bucket...so they could swim in the water ;)

We are so very thankful to be surrounded by so many wonderful friends and to be near our families so that they can celebrate with us. I'll try to post photos from Luke's party faster than a month later!!

delightfully,

Monica

THERE IS NO CHARGE FOR AWESOMENESS [Monica Brown, Pensacola Photographer]

Lately I have been taking stock of all of the blessings in my life, things I am most thankful for. Many things come to mind but the one that is most appropriate for here is my thankfulness for my mentor, MICHELLE OCAMPO. She has been such a good friend to me. I met her only briefly in Washington before we both moved. She is now in the desert in So Cal and I am about to experience Pensacola's first tropical storm of the season. We are worlds apart, yet not. I know that anytime I have a photography question (or other random question for that matter), she will be more than happy to help me out. I ADORE her artwork. It is simply inspiring. And I find myself stalking HER BLOG to see her latest work. She is such an influence [if not THE INFLUENCE] for my work. I know I can only learn and get better, and I credit her with 99% of my progress. She even helps me find other places to learn. She is simply fantastic. I wish that you all could meet her, but if not, just visit her website and blog. You'll find a piece of her there...

THANKS MICHELLE. I hope to see you again soon!

[oh, and if you didn't catch my reference to KUNG FU PANDA, you need to watch it :) good lessons to be learned]

delightfully,

Monica

OUT OF THE ORDINARY - SIMPLY EXTRAORDINARY [Monica Brown, Pensacola Photographer]

It is getting to be that time of year...BACK TO SCHOOL!!

I always used to look forward to school, but hey, I was a little nerd :) And my SCHOOL PHOTOS proved it!! Wouldn't it be wonderful to have CUSTOM "school year" photos of your children??? No more eyes closed or cheesy grins and flat lighting?

Just your child, the way they are.

Wouldn't it be fantastic to give photos like these to grandparents, family and friends? I am going to make that easy for you!

Place your order between NOW and SEPTEMBER 12TH to receive ONE FREE SET OF WALLETS OF EACH OF YOUR KIDS!! (limit 5 offers per family...that's a lot of kids!)

I can't wait to see you!

delightfully,

Monica

CH-CH-CH-CHANGES [Monica Brown, Pensacola Photographer]

Cheesy song to get stuck in your head, right? It's been on the turntable for days now and it seems only fitting. THE WEBSITE is undergoing major changes right now. So if something doesn't make sense or is out of whack when you're surfing the pics, just refresh. Chances are I'm in the back working on it.

I just love [hate] how when I have one idea I have a buh-zillion! In the works are new products and some new funky ideas. I can't wait to share!! But right now I have to get all of my wires straight so that you can understand my thought flow. This is my brain right now -

Hmmmm...my desk top looks kinda like that too...

SPEAKING OF CHANGES -

LUKE IS WALKING!!!

No time for a creative shot here! He was heading toward me so fast I barely got this snapshot! I am soooo proud of my little bear!!!! [and I just ADORE these jammies!]

delightfully,

Monica

OH MY BABY, LITTLE ONE [Monica Brown, Pensacola Photographer]

Be still my heart...

Wendy is a mommy.

Her dream of a baby to love has come true. She and [her] Jake are now a FAMILY. They have moved on from [couple]. After MUCH stress, the adoption is moving right along. And so are their happy lives...

I am a sucker for a soft image now...

Seemed only fitting for a photo of a soft kiss from mommy.

Jake is such a loving, patient, wonderful father. I guess after you wait that long to be called [daddy] the crying doesn't seem all that loud...

THE FIRST COYNE FAMILY PHOTO!

Wendy has been a mother at heart for so long. I cannot convey just how overjoyed I am to see her with HER daughter. She is an amazing mommy. So caring and gracious. So everything that a mother should be. You, my dear, are just simply amazing.

And of coarse, Granny and Papa. They too have waited. They have been parents to me throughout the years. More than an Aunt and Uncle. The closest of family. It thrills me to see them holding their first grandchild.

I have to thank Wendy and Jake for welcoming my brood into their home with a 4 week old. Reagan has one volume [LOUD] that I can sometimes quiet...and Luke has excited yells that I have no hope of ever controlling. We had so much fun meeting Miss Savannah! She is so very wonderful. And soooo little - Reagan's characterization of her :)

We will see you again soon! LOVE YOU ALL!!! Mwah!

delightfully,

Monica

ROAD TRIP [Monica Brown, Roaming Photographer]

As summer vacation is nearing it's end, we are off to visit family. We will be making the rounds through the southeast from ATLANTA, GEORGIA to CLANTON, ALABAMA and home.

While on the road, I will be offering sessions if anyone is interested. Dates are as follows:

[THESE ARE NEXT WEEK!]

Visit THE WEBSITE for more info!

Hope to see lots of you along the way!

delightfully,

Monica

SOMETHING PERSONAL [Monica Brown, Pensacola Photographer]

So much is changing right now...

Reagan is growing into a lovely little lady.

i just love this photo of her. I know it is a bit blurry, but I don't care. She is so full of life and happiness...and this conveys that to me.

And this is the opposite end of the spectrum. This is her sad look. She always looks down and places her hand just like that on her top lip. I hate that she was sad, but I am so glad i was able to capture this image.

And Luke is changing from a helpless baby to an independent toddler [with the help of his big sis of coarse]. I LOVE that he still has that [baby] look to him. His round cheeks and toothy grin just melt me. He is going to take off running any day now. He consistently takes 3-6 steps at a time until crashing into his toy of choice (or my arms - sigh).

delightfully,

Monica

LITTLE [L] [Monica Brown, Pensacola Photographer]

Thank you to the [G] family for allowing me into your home yesterday! I had soooo much fun photographing your newly expanded family ;)

You all may remember them from the Day Downtown shoot earlier this spring when little [L] was still growing in her mommy's tummy! She has since made her presence known in the [G] household!

I just LOVE newborn black & white photographs. They convey the peace of a new soul and the beauty of a wonderful creation.

This is sooooo my new business card!

I was so focused on [L]'s tiny hand that I didn't even notice her yawn until I edited!

I can see these two becoming the best of friends, just like my little ones.

[So formal...and so simple.]

This was a pose [J] wanted me to duplicate from a session when [G] was tiny. Crossing my fingers that I nailed it.

And Charlie!

He was fantastic for the entire shoot!

This is one of my favorites. I love how [G] is the center of attention, yet the entire family is in the photo.

oh, baby girl

CONGRATULATIONS AGAIN!!

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[G]'s....get 25 comments by Friday and get a FREE metallic 5x7!

delightfully,

Monica

THE GIRLS [Monica Brown, Pensacola Photographer]

My little girl turned 3 this Thursday! My, how time has flown. She is my sweet baby. I love to hear her little voice say, "I love you so much mommy." She is such a loving and caring child. I couldn't be more blessed.

You just have to hear for yourself how she says KISSES.

My cup runneth over...

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We are all back home and doing well. We had a SUPER FUN birthday party yesterday!! I am working hard to get some photos up soon. There are just too many to choose from!

delightfully,

Monica

TOTALLY UNCOOL [Monica Brown, Pensacola Photographer]

So much for that happily boring week I was looking forward to...

[Let me preface this with: I am not home, not answering phone calls or emails at this time.]

WOW.  What a week!  I was so excited to finish editing baby Max's photos.  They made me smile to look at them (as all photos do!)  On to the next project I went - Reagan's 3rd birthday is THIS THURSDAY (OMG how time has flown...but that is another post entirely).

I was trying to finish gathering and planning for the party so after Jake got home from work Wednesday we headed to Michaels to get some fun glittery foam stickers for the little activity I have planned for the party.  There I am just happily overwhelmed by the selection of foam (there is an entire aisle of it!!) when I get the tiniest of nose bleeds.  I look around for the restroom and pass a couple of employees on the way and ask for a tissue.  I casually mentioned that I had just had nasal surgery and they pointed me to the restrooms.  Sparing the details, I'm glad I mentioned the surgery because that prompted one of the ladies to check on me.  Her response when she opened the door was, "Do I need to call 911?"  A very good question if you had seen the scene.  I had just gained enough composure to be able to call Jake who was waiting in the truck with the kids so he arrived seconds later.  While we were trying to get the situation under control, I am wondering, "has anyone ever died of a nose bleed???"  Thankfully my sister in law's mother in law (you following me? - Jake's sister's MIL) works there and was a tremendous help.  She took the kids so we could gather ourselves to head across the street to the ER.  Everything under control, we waited our turn in the ER, Dave and Jo Ann took the kids to their house (have I ever mentioned how thankful I am to live near family now???) and we were sent home an hour or so later with instructions to simply keep the area moisturized.

We grabbed some fabulous pizza across the street at Santino's (YUM!) and headed home to get some rest.  Good thing.  As soon as I woke up - and I mean immediately - the drama started again.  At least Jake had woken up earlier and was ready to head to work.  I was still in my jammies, hair a mess and not looking so fantastic given the circumstances.  We called the doctor who performed my surgery and headed straight to his office at Sacred Heart.  After a VERY traumatic hour or so in his office I was admitted to the hospital via stretcher.  Once in the observation unit another traumatic hour ensued.  I did not know you could loose that much blood and not need any...although I am very grateful. 

The Dr. decided to keep me Thursday night and then again Friday night.  I was seriously missing my kids by now and ridiculously sleep deprived.  Once you finally get to sleep, they always wake you up!  And speaking of ridiculous...if you are EVER given the option for the "waterless shampoo" cap, no matter how much everyone tells you it will make you feel better, it's so nice and warm, etc, REFUSE REFUSE!!!  I looked like I had dumped a gallon of Crisco over my head.  As my MIL points out, my nose was packed, and I had bloody gauze taped to my face, so it was no fashion show anyway.  But nonetheless, my hair was slicked back so well I could have totally been a Greaser.  Thankfully Robin brought shampoo and conditioner when she and Jon visited.  Since I was in Observation, the room was tiny and I had to drag my IV bag (which was connected to a pole with wheels that did not roll) down the hall to the restroom.  Jon carried a chair and Robin helped with the anchor I was dragging and we had the ultimate bonding experience.  Hair washing!  I felt like a new person :)  It was fabulous!

Throughout all of this Jake was a wonderful support.  I can't stress that enough.  He is my person.  Always there for me no matter.  I know that is the definition of a husband, but he is my best friend too.  I could not have coped with this without him.

His family is fantastic too :)  While Jake ran downtown to make sure the Farewell for the Skipper was going as planned his entire family visited with the kids!!  I already mentioned the fabulous salon skills of Robin, but it was fantastic to see the kids too.  I had no idea they were coming so I was so excited, although I couldn't smile to show them :)  Too much tape.  Reagan was hesitant to get near me with so many wires and Luke didn't know who I was.  I don't blame him.  I was scary.  

I tried to take some funny pics to post, but there was nothing funny about them when I looked at them.  You couldn't tell I was smiling so they were just sad.  Like Michelle says, posts without pics are TOTALLY UNCOOL, but since everything about this screamed of uncoolness, I'm okay with it.

I am so thankful, appreciative, grateful, etc for all of the help and support we have received through all of this. Thank you for all of your emails to facebook and texts to my cell (since I'm not home).  Knowing so many of you care helped distract me from what was actually happening.

Sorry for the rambling.  I have been working on this post for 21 hours amidst being super tired and super dizzy.  It may make no sense at all.  

I will return home later this week.  Jake's parents are being fantastic with help.  I can't lift the kids for a week and plus I'm still very hesitant to be left alone so we are going to hang at Grandma and Grandpas for a few days.  More rambling...

Anyway, have a fantastic week!!!!

delightfully,

Monica