126/365 Samantha

I helped a friend of mine photograph a wedding last weekend.  My role was to photograph the bride getting ready.  Samantha is the daughter of one of my favorite co-workers, Sandy.  Sandy was a cool, calm and collected Mother-of-the-Bride (something I'm not), and she kept things moving along smoothly.  The pride and love that shone in her eyes for her daughter was so beautiful to see. Samantha was an absolutely gorgeous bride and I wished I could have stayed for the entire wedding.

125/365 Julianna's birth story

Julianna Margaret Worden   September 29, 2011  

My daughter, Jessica, gave me my first grandchild last week.  Little...or maybe not so little, since she weighed in a 8 lbs. 4 oz., Julianna Margaret.  When Jessica asked me to be with her during her labor and delivery, I was honored, and excited to photograph the arrival.  Jessica opted to have a natural childbirth at a birthing center (vs. a hospital).  Her labor was long, 48 hours, with 24 of those being hard labor.  2 hours of pushing, no meds, lots of pain, lots of blood loss.

I was unprepared for just how difficult it would be for me to see my child in so much pain, or the worry I would experience for her safety and the safety of my granddaughter.  Towards the end of her labor, when she was in extreme pain, I often stepped out into the hallway to cry in the arms of my husband.  And, when she was pushing I asked my husband to be prepared to call 911 at any moment. I held Jessica's hand, I wiped her brow with a cool cloth, I offered words of love and encouragment...but that couldn't take away her pain.  Thankfully, through her exhaustion, my amazing daughter found the strength to push for two hours and bring her beautiful little girl into the world.  However, since my focus was on the safety of my daughter and granddaughter, my photography suffered.  So...these photos are far from my best...but they tell Julianna's birth story.

Tuesday evening - at this point Jessica had been in mild labor for about 12 hours.  The contractions were inconsistent...some strong, some mild.  Jessica and her husband Jesse, came to my house to spend the night since we were anticipating things to heat up anytime.

Wednesday morning - Jessica had been up most of the night with contractions.  But they were still inconsistent.  About 5 am Wednesday morning the contraction were 5 minutes apart and by 7 am they were 4 minutes apart and lasting about 50 seconds.  We called the midwife out to check on her, but when she arrived, the contractions stopped for about an hour.

To get things moving again, Eric, Jesse and I walked with Jessica around the neighborhood.  Stopping when she'd have a contraction.  Now the contractions were about 7 minutes apart and pretty strong, but still inconsistent. 

Jessica stops to breath through a contraction. 

Since Jessica's contractions were still inconsistent, we tried having her drink some red raspberry leaf tea.  I don't if that was what did it or not, but within an hour her contractions were 4 minutes apart, 50 seconds long, and painful.  Jessica called the birth center to let them know we were on our way as Jesse looks on.

Alma Birth Center.

Jessica and Jesse decided on a water birth.  Feeling it was the most soothing way to bring a baby into the world.  Jessica found the warm water helpful for her back labor.  This photo was taken just after we arrived at the birth center.  Jessica was so sweet trying to smile between contractions, but she was in quite a bit of pain at this point.

Jessica labored all through the night.  Her back labor became much worse.  Jesse would rub her back right after the contractions, which seemed to help.

As her labor became more intense, Jesse left the tub so Jessica could switch positions as often as she needed.  Her pain was so intense she could no longer tolerate the back rubs, but was comforted by a hand on her shoulder or a cold cloth to her forehead.  This is the time I stopped taking photos.  It was brutal seeing the pain she was in and I wanted to do nothing more than encourage her, tell her I love her, press a cold cloth to her head and pray.

After 2 long hours of pushing, little Julianna finally was born.  Jessica had been awake and in labor for 48 hours.  She tore and bled extensively.  In the sweetest voice, when Julianna was handed to her, Jessica said, "Oh, Julianna, you tried to kill Mommy." The laugh this gave us was all it took for the tears of relief to come flooding to all of us.

Jessica cradles and snuggles with Julianna.  I had the honor of cutting Julianna's cord.

After a little time with Mom, the midwife hands off Julianna to Jesse.

Jesse was amazing through the whole process. He encouraged Jessica and was there for her every step of the way.  Here he gets to hold his little girl for the first time.

Julianna Margaret Worden.  Born September 29, 2011 at 5:56 am.  Weighing 8 lbs. 4 oz. and 20 inches long.

Jessica, Jesse and Julianna came to stay at my home after the birth so I could help care for Jessica while she healed and so that we could support the new family during those first few days.  I took a few photos of our little miss her second day home.  I'll try taking a few more when she's a little bit older.

Sweet little girl...cute little cheeks.

Welcome to the world, Julianna!

124/365 Jessica

My daughter Jessica lives in town with me and we do a lot of things together...which mean she often ends up being my model - a lot.  She's a good sport most of the time, always willing to pose for me patiently when I find an interesting spot to take a photo or beautiful lighting I want to experiment with.

I took this photo of Jessica on her birthday in early May up by Skamania Lodge.  We were walking through the woods and stumbled across an old metal shed.  I asked her to stand in front of the wall.  She scooped up Skeeter, her 3 pound dog, and tucked her inside her coat and posed.  I'm not sure why I love this photo so much.  Maybe it's the grungy backdrop, or the beautiful diffused lighting, or the way Jessica's amazing cheekbones and blue eyes stand out...I think mostly though it's because to me, this photo capture's Jessica gentle spirit.

123/365 Chicago's Cloud Gate

In the middle of Millenium Park in Chicago sits what's called the Cloud Gate (nicknamed "The bean" ). It is a large mirrored pod shaped somewhat like a cloud, or a bean.  The day we saw it was hot, about 90 degrees, and sunny.  Tourists were swarming around the gate taking photos, laughing at their reflections and admiring the skyline view reflected in it.

Of course Eric and I couldn't resist taking our photo in the funhouse mirror like reflection.

Sort of like "Where's Waldo?"...where's Eric and Nancy?  Hint..I'm wearing an orange tank and Eric is wearing a cream shirt and standing behind me.  We are reflected three times in this image taken from inside the cloud.

122/365 Nature Conservancy and Hart Cove Trails

While at the beach this weekend, we decided to go on one of our favorite hikes, the Nature Conservancy Trail.  Just north of Lincoln City, this trail goes through about 1 mile of forest before emptying onto a beautiful alpine meadow overlooking the coastline.  The meadow is owned by the Nature Conservancy and it's a butterfly refuge.  The views are stunning...but thick fog this trip obscured a lot of view.  It was still breathteaking.

A clearing in the meadow is a great spot for picnics, enjoying the view, or a little sunbathing.

After picnicing at the Nature Conservancy Trail, we headed a little further north to hike to Hart's Cove.  We'd never done this 6 mile roundtrip trail, but were drawn to the promise of a waterfall that descends to the ocean, sea lions and more awe-inspiring views.  We hiked the 3 miles down steep and rocky switchback trails through stunning old-growth forests to Hart's Cove.  When we reached the bluff over the cove, we couldn't see a thing...thick fog had enveloped the coast (as well as us)...we could hear the sea lions barking and hear the ocean waves, but in front of us was a wall of white.  So we rested a bit and then hiked the 3 miles back up to the trailhead. I was dissappointed not to actually see the cove, but the beautiful forest trail was worth the hike all by itself.

121/365 Chicago food tour with Joan and David

David and Joan.

Each year Eric and I get together with our good friends David and Joan.  They live in New York, we're here in the Pacific Northwest.  This year we decided to meet half way (sort of) in Chicago.  Our first day we went on the Near North Chicago Food Tour.  Part Chicago history tour, part architecture tour, and mostly a food tour, we walked about 2 miles, sampling at eateries and shops along the way.

At Ashkenaz Deli we made our own Reuben sandwichs with warm pastrami, sauerkraut, and beet dressing on rye bread....the best sandwich I've ever eaten...ever.

Tour guide Jessica teaches us about cinnamon at The Spice House.

At the Fudge Pot we got to go back to the candy making kitchen...oh, the temptation.  A family business for years, in this photo the third generation teaches the business to the fourth generation.

Apples waiting to be dunked in glorious vats of warm caramel.

The tour finished at Bacino's Pizza where we had stuffed pizza...bascially pizza pie.  One slice was a meal.

120/365 Moulton Falls

In late summer in Portland you view each warm sunny day as a gift A gift you want to grab fast knowing autumn and the rainy season could be here tomorrow. Saturday was one of those days, so we decided to try a new hike and went to to to Moulton Falls.  I can't believe I've lived in here for almost 9 years and I've never found this spot.  Beautiful and peaceful, with several easy waterfalls all in a short 2 mile hike, you can picnic, swim (in ice cold water if you dare), explore an old train station, and traverse some cool footbridges.  All this, just about 30 minutes from home...nice.

Someone created a large peace sign from rocks in the stream that runs from the falls....natural graffitti.

View from one of the bridges over the falls.  Liberty was pretty nervous crossing since she could look down through the grate on the bridge.

This railroad was built in the 1800's to transport logs.  The tunnel goes through the cliff.  It had no supports....just a hole blown in the rock.