I thought on this Easter Sunday celebrating miracles I'd annouce one of our own! We are adding one more boy to the family! And if you are counting, that means the boys totally out-number me: 3 sons, a husband, and even our dog.
I'm pretty far along but we were a little shy to announce it sooner because of past problems. It's been 7 years since I've gone through any of this so it all feels new but we are so excited that it is finally happening! And our boys couldn't be more excited. They pat my stomach and talk to the baby daily. This baby is long awaited and will be much loved!
I had Grant snap an iphone photo just to prove it's true. I think this is the only exsisting pregnancy photo of me. I'm not so cute in the last few months of swollen pregnancy. You'll have to trust me on that because you won't be seeing any photos of the last month!
P.S. This makes 7 grandsons for my parents and no granddaughters! Quite the turn around from 3 girls and only one boy.
P.P.S. If you have any recommendations on baby products, clothing lines, strollers, things we do or don't need, you know all that stuff I'd be so grateful! Times and products have really changed in 7 years and we didn't keep any baby anything, we moved so often and then there was no room in our little Brooklyn apartment.
P.P.P.S I'll announce the class winner tomorrow morning so you have until tonight at midnight to enter!
Yay!!!! You posted a picture of yourself! You look absolutely adorable.
Hats off to Grant and the iphone!
Posted by: Kimber | April 24, 2011 at 11:43 PM
Congratulations! What a wonderful blessing . . .
Posted by: Beth Lambert | April 25, 2011 at 12:42 AM
I'm so glad you're blogging again!! Congratulations - you look beautiful!!
Posted by: Liz Walker | April 25, 2011 at 12:42 AM
you look great, candice!!!
Posted by: kelly purkey | April 25, 2011 at 04:14 AM
How exciting! Congratulations! You look BEAUTIFUL!
Posted by: Charmaine Ikach | April 25, 2011 at 06:55 AM
congrats!!!
Posted by: bandreoli | April 25, 2011 at 08:42 AM
Congratulation!! You look beautiful, Candice!
Posted by: Gabi | April 25, 2011 at 10:01 AM
oh congratulations!!! what wonderful news :)
I have NO photos of me whilst preggers....so I completely understand! :) :)
Posted by: magoo | April 25, 2011 at 11:23 AM
You look beautiful (and you are glowing! )... Congrats!
Posted by: Deanna | April 25, 2011 at 12:00 PM
Oh goodness, we had over 5 years between Spencer and Paige, but it was sure fun to go back to newborn-hood. Well, mostly fun. :)
Posted by: HIlary | April 25, 2011 at 12:34 PM
First of all, your hair is adorable in that picture!
Second of all, here are some of my favorite products (I have a 4 month old daughter):
Wubbanub (awesome pacifier holder that's great for car rides, now LO loves it because she can get her paci in her mouth on her own)
Fisher Price Rock N Play - this is a great little chair. We keep ours in the kitchen and LO loves to watch me cook or clean, but lots of people swear it's the only place their LO would sleep the first few weeks because of the incline.
Sophie the Giraffe - awesome teether made with safe natural rubber and food paint dye.
Good luck with everything!
Posted by: Becky | April 25, 2011 at 01:12 PM
you are glowing! you look beautiful!! Congratulations!
Posted by: lizzy kartchner | April 25, 2011 at 01:17 PM
candice! congratulations - so happy for you and your family of guys. you look gorgeous. :)
Posted by: melanie | April 25, 2011 at 02:03 PM
i love this photo. you are beautiful candice! i'm so so so excited about baby boy!
Posted by: naomi megan. | April 25, 2011 at 04:44 PM
Wow! Congratulations, Candice! That's exciting news : )
Posted by: elizabeth | April 25, 2011 at 09:36 PM
You are gorgeous! Congratulations, what a lucky little man--3 boys is AWESOME!! :)
A few baby things:
-the adorable nursing covers that are in style these days (if you nurse)
-the cute baby carrier (carseart) covers that keep your baby in the shade or away from unwanted touches in public
-Graco stroller base (so thin, easy to set up, and awesome for the Graco carrier carseat)
-love my boppy pillow
-burp cloths! I always forget how often a newborn spits up
-some kind of white noise maker--fan/mp3 of hairdryer sound (not joking)/etc
-couldn't live w/out the SWING
Good luck, there are so many awesome & fun products out there!!
Posted by: Shara | April 25, 2011 at 09:45 PM
You look great! (I'm a lurker, and love your photography!)
I had a baby last summer after a 5 year gap from my last baby. My favorite thing that I discovered were Aden and Anais swaddling blankets. They are awesome! And now you can even get them at Target!
Posted by: Ashley | April 25, 2011 at 10:33 PM
Wow! Congrats Candice! SO exciting!!! I only have one 5 month old baby, so I'm no expert, but here's what I recommend in addition to what's been mentioned above:
+ Woolino sleep sack. So they can't kick off their covers. It's made with 100% natural materials (cotton and merino wool) It is pricier compared to the most popular brand sleep sacks, but so much nicer and they can wear it from 3-24 months instead of having to get a new one every few months. Also, it's supposed to be great for all seasons. And you can get it in stripes!
+ The wooden play gym from Ikea. I borrowed it from Steph and Larry, and it's been so great. Plus, it's cute.
+ T.J. Maxx is great for discounted board books. We got a bunch of classics from Eric Carl and Sandra Boynton there...
+ Ergo baby carrier. For the past couple of months, I've been taking a walk pretty much every day with Ingrid in the Ergo. I like it better than pushing her in a stroller because she's all warm and cozy against me. (And we live on a dirt road with potholes, so a stroller would have to be really heavy duty to work here.) It's also great for the last hour of church. One of us buckles her in and walks the halls, and she will usually fall asleep.
+ If your baby has tiny narrow feet as a newborn like ours did, then try the little grippers socks at Wal-Mart. I know. I hate Wal-Mart. And the socks are really cheaply made. But they were the only ones small and narrow enough to stay on her feet. Once she hit about 2 months old, we could start putting Trumpettes and other brands on her.
Posted by: Eva / Sycamore Street Press | April 25, 2011 at 11:22 PM
Congratulations Candice! How exciting for you and your family of boys! Your photo is perfect, and you look gorgeous!
Posted by: kyleeg | April 26, 2011 at 06:23 AM
I had my third child when my daughters were 9 and 7...it was wonderful....the boys will enjoy this new addition and be a great help.
peace
kim
Posted by: Kim Bolyard | April 26, 2011 at 09:44 AM
Congrats! You look terrific!
Posted by: Alicia W. | April 26, 2011 at 10:38 AM
Just stumbled on to your blog via Jessica Sprauge...really interested in your next digi class, but since I will be due with #4 right in the middle am scared to sign up.... totally get the not expecting it... have 13, 8 and 6 - first two fertility babies, third adopted and then a huge gap and an "oh my word!"
We are completely over whelmed with how much things have changed and how much new stuff is out there! Totally get that too... well let you know what I discover along the way though! When are you due?
Posted by: Molly | April 27, 2011 at 10:45 AM
First of all, you look AMAZING!!!
Second, my two girls are 6 mos and 7 1/2 and I must say I have really enjoyed the age gap. I agree that things have totally changed since the first time around!
Third, I'm a Lactation Consultant and definitely encourage you to breastfeed :) Email me privately if I can help you in any way!
Last, baby gear recommendations...
-I second the Aden and Anais muslin blankets...love, love, love for everything (swaddling, nursing covers, light blanket). These scrunch up super tiny too! And it gets really hot here in Texas so you want to keep it breathable.
-GRACO stroller frame instead of full size stroller
-Baby K'Tan wrap/carrier when he's little, BECO soft structured carrier when he's a little bigger. Babies LOVE to be worn and it will free up your hands :). I can even shoot (cameras not guns :) with my little one in her BECO.
-Buy good bras if you nurse. Bravado is my hands down favorite.
-My Brest Friend nursing pillow - positions better than a Boppy
FYI - Loving everything about Portraiture 101!!!
Jen
Posted by: Jennifer | April 27, 2011 at 11:42 AM
Candice,
Congratulations to you and Mark on your happy news! I was on the French Photo Retreat last year and am so glad to see you back blogging; I love seeing your photography and hearing updates. Coincidentally, I am also expecting a baby (our first, gender unknown) right around the anniversary of the retreat! You look great and I hope the rest of your pregnancy goes smoothly! Best, Laura
Posted by: Laura | April 27, 2011 at 06:20 PM
For Baby gear etc. check out babysteals.com they have a different steal at 10 am and 10 pm usually 50-70 percent off.
I highly recommend the Britax Boulevard car seat it is the Cadillac of car seats.
Posted by: Dale | April 28, 2011 at 11:01 AM