thaoie Posts

Mommy rant time!! I’ve been lucky that most the weddings I’ve photographed since giving birth have had frequent enough breaks for me to pump without having to bother the bride and groom with the little detail of why I’ve disappeared for a bit. But…there was one where it was non-stop from beginning to end that I couldn’t possibly find any time to pump (and odd thing is the bride was also nursing at the time!). If you’re not aware of the details of pumping it’s hard to wrap your head around and understand the importance to do so regularly and in turn to empathize and encourage a mother to go and do the deed. It’s easy to find the time in a corporate setting where you can schedule your meetings around these breaks, but when you’re the primary shooter at a wedding that’s non-stop for 8-10 hours and needed at almost every minute, how the heck do you slot in time to pump?  For that one wedding I sucked it up and did not pump for 9 hours–yikes!! I had to bear the engorgement pain and risk the decrease in milk supply (I already don’t produce enough for the growing guy). I have to admit that before Nolan I would be guilty of judging a nursing mother for taking these “unneeded” breaks. I mean, I understood that pumping had to be done but I did not know that it had to be done so frequently (every 3 to 4 hours). I’ve been scared to tell my clients the need for these extra breaks, afraid they wouldn’t understand and end up worrying that their wedding would be inadequately covered while I was gone. I would just hope and pray my short disappearance would go unnoticed.  Duy has been great with covering for me during these breaks and I always take it at the slowest times during a wedding. There have been many times where Duy is driving us from one location to the next while I am pumping in the back seat! I know, hilarious and traumatizing for Duy at the same time but he has been such a good sport and understanding partner. Lucky for me the couples that I do tell have been quite understanding and super accommodating. So blessed to have such awesome clients!

Quick “Noly Poly” updates:

– I can now call him my “roly poly”. Rolls both ways back/forth now. Yay!
– Rolls his eyes in euphoria when I clean his ears with a q-tip. Must record this to show/tell next week.
– Bath time is still his favorite time.
– Daddy’s boy all the way!
– Favorite toy is Sophie the giraffe.
– Got his first haircut from daddy (just a little fade on the back and sides).
– Skin still breaks out so we know he has super duper sensitive skin and is allergic to something or many things.
– Took his second plane trip ever; this time to the Bay Area.
– Eats 7 to 8oz before bed to hibernate for 10+ hours.

Check out our photos in San Francisco. We had to do the touristy thing since it was Nolan’s first time. Also had some super yummy food from Mama’s and The House. Highly recommend both though Mama’s is a bit of a wait.

So lucky to have caught SF on a clear day to get a full view of the bridge. Yes, Nolan’s wearing sunglasses!

We visited Alameda Square to catch the famous Full House opening credit scene.

So yummy I had to share photos of the dishes we tried at The House. Deep fried salmon roll, scallops, wasabi house noodles and sea bass. So good I’d go back and order everything again but this time all for myself.

Nolan at his 21 week old photoshoot. Such a happy baby!! I have no clue what I did to deserve such a beautiful thing. I can stare at him all day, errday!! LOVE him so so much!!