i think this is part of what makes maternity shoots so darn special.  it’s like the lead up to the event.  it’s exciting.  it’s romantic.  it’s special.  Jen and Brendan are pretty special actually,  and they are totally ready for their little girl to arrive. (well they think it’s a girl.  they’re 99% sure it’s a girl.  the people in the know told them it was a girl!  they brought all the pink things. so it must be a girl…right?)

Jen is the caring, perfectionist, protective one.  Brendan… well he’s hardworking, witty and relaxed.  with a combination like that this baby is going to have the perfect kind of personality!  how lucky she is to have these two gorgeous people for parents?  even luckier is that mum owns a cupcake business.  seriously.  never ending cupcakes.  what more could a kid wish for!  honestly though, although Jen has found this pregnancy to be somewhat exhausting (don’t we all!) she also describes it as being one of the most joyful, rewarding and exciting experiences they have ever had.  so even though Brendan may have to soon give up his midday sleep ins and Jen may have to slow down that driving with a baby in the backseat, these guys are totally ready to grasp parenthood with both hands, meet their baby girl and become the perfect little family of three.  it sounds like a wonderful plan to me!

a little q+a with Jen and Brendan, then we will get to the images!

describe the moment you first found out you were pregnant…  Since we’d had a long journey until that point, I was convinced that the test was going to be negative. I couldn’t believe it when it wasn’t. I screamed & ran into our room to wake Brendan up who wondered what on earth was going on. We weren’t convinced so went and bought a stack more tests!

“baby brain” is often used to excuse any forgetful behavior up until your child is aged 18. Jen, please tell us your funniest “baby brain” moment…  I’d tell you, but I honestly can’t remember!

Brendan, please describe Jen’s pregnancy so far in only three words… Always say yes!

what are you most looking forward to when baby arrives?  First day home just the 3 of us

oh, and i had to share this… when asked if they could be a rock star/ movie star for a week who would they choose, Jen responded with Katy Perry and Brendan with President Obama…  wow, what an awesome pairing.   i’d love to witness that dinner conversation!!!  though, to be honest i had no idea Obama had become a rock star!!!

First time mum-to-be, food challenged, pet-obsessed born and bred Newcastle TV journalist trying to find her feet in a whole new world.

learn more about Kate and her journey over the coming months here as part of our real life. real stories series…

38 weeks
Labour pains

Before you get excited, or I do, no I haven’t felt any labour pains…yet. I just can’t stop laughing at a comment my doctor made during my recent visit. He asked if I had any concerns about labour. I said no, because I genuinely don’t (maybe I am in denial) He replied “that’s because you haven’t done it before” and heartily giggled to himself. I’m sure he’s used this line on thousands of women before, but it’s a good one!

I think the people around me might be feeling their own kind of labour pains, or pre-labour pains, at the moment. My husband remarked the other day that I lost my sense of humour somewhere between the second and third trimesters. I tried to object to the comment but I dissolved into a fit of laughter. My mum, who is living in Singapore at the moment, is probably feeling her own kind of pain. Pain that her daughter only wants to talk about the methods she is using to try to “get the baby out”. They include red raspberry leaf tea, copious amounts of pineapple and doing exercises on a fit ball (I’m sure this list will continue to grow!) I have become a woman possessed and I just can’t seem to leave well enough alone. The sensible, analytical Kate knows that there is no hard proof that any of these old wives tales are successful, but the crazy pregnant Kate blindly believes it’s working.  Yes mum, I am aware that the baby will come when it’s ready, but I still want to feel like I have, even a minuscule amount of control over just when that will be.

Just as I get more uncomfortable, it seems the baby is too, or it’s just trying to not so subtly remind me it’s doing fine in there. Its latest method is to stick a foot directly into my ribs, or stretch it out so far that my stomach gets contorted, to the point where I can actually see the outline of a teeny, tiny foot. Its favorite time to do this is of course while I’m trying to sleep. It’s hard enough to get a good nights sleep in between struggling to find a comfortable position within the pillow fortress I have created and the constant “dream pees” as I like to call them. It’s the state somewhere between awake and sleep walking, where, like a zombie I stumble to the bathroom, holding all available walls, to empty my bladder. Three, four, five times a night. I would love to know where all the pee is coming from. Aren’t the thousands of toilet trips during the day enough? It’s sure to be a pregnancy conspiracy; a cruel tool to get mums-to-be well accustomed to broken nights sleep before the baby arrives. And that could be any day now!

Although I am seriously questioning whether I am ready for motherhood. I am ashamed to admit that I just realised that I forgot my first-born’s (Lola the sausage dog) birthday for the second year in a row. I should mention she is only 2, so I haven’t remembered her birthday EVER. Luckily she is the forgiving type.

:) Kate

Lola, the forgotten sausage dog

Kate and i met up for a coffee earlier this week to discuss all things baby related… and a whole lot more about being coeliac, lactose intolerance, healthy eating and zinger burger cravings!

here are a few quick shots of her bump taken outside the cafe… we have worked out a plan, on when the baby should arrive to fit in with everyone’s schedules…  will keep you posted to let you know if it all happens or not!  it can’t be today though, since Kate has a wedding to go to tomorrow :)

from her 12 week announcement shoot, right up until 38 weeks… check out Kate’s journey through pregnancy below…

and then meet her new little bundle, Spencer!

and the little man… Spencer at 4 days old…

and 2 weeks old…

here is an email that Kate sent me just after her last maternity shoot…

Just want to say a HUGE thank you Renee, for capturing one of the most special times in my life ? It’s hard to believe it’s been 9 months since we started this journey and i’m so so so happy with the results of all of photos. I really think every woman should do this when they are pregnant. It’s amazing to look back on and i’m sure in the years to come i will appreciate it even more!
You have been an absolute pleasure to work with, both professionally and on a friendship level. Your work is quick and amazing and i cannot wait for you to capture our new baby when it’s time xoxox

are you interested in documenting your pregnancy journey in this way??  i am currently looking for 1-2 ladies to take part in this project in 2012 so please get in touch to discuss details if you are in the early stages of pregnancy and almost ready to make your announcement at approx 12 weeks…

contact me here ~ i look forward to hearing from you !!

love the colour in these images!  cant wait to meet the new family member… about 4 weeks to go!

i cant wait to meet him for his newborn photos!!!

So so excited for these guys, only about 4 weeks to go till they meet the newest addition to their family Some of you may recognize Scott and Kate, who were wedding clients of mine in 2009.  Kate is also the gorgeous bride on my wedding business cards…  We have also been taking progressive studio maternity photos with Kate, and will do the last one in another week or two and then I will share all the images…

For now; a preview :)

To find out more about [beloved] photo sessions please get in touch… the new website is in production and should be ready soon!!!

kate at 25 weeks…. so excited to see this baby growing :) :)

Jess and Greg, thank you so much for sharing your stories and allowing me to capture these photos for you.  I cant wait to meet the new arrival!!!