Work update

Well, I am officially on photography maternity leave! I am still working at the paper everyday but I am not shooting anything else until August. This last month has been really busy fitting in engagement portraits for fall weddings but I feel like working every weekend only makes me a better photographer.

Check out my blog for three new engagement slideshows but here is a sneak preview of a couple of my favorites...

29 weeks!

This is what I look like now at 29 weeks... I figure I must be alot bigger than I was with Eli because this shirt is the one I wore to the hospital when Eli was born and it wasn't near this tight!!
























I did have a doctor's appointment this week with an ultrasound. No pictures this time though.. The girls are so big, it's really even hard to tell what's even on the screen.. I couldn't tell at least. they are right at 3 lbs each and doing really great.

I also had my glucose screening test which came back elevated so now I have to take the 3-hour test so be thinking of me next week and pray this one goes well:)

If you are reading this, thanks Molly!

This post is only like a year overdue but, every now and then, I like to say something about my life that has nothing to do with the twins or Eli. It's like a nice reminder to me that I have my own life too... Crazy, huh??

Warning: kinda a long story but relevant:)

Couple of years ago my friend Molly got married in Louisville and Josh and I along with my best friends spent the weekend there. Being big music fans themselves, Molly & Stephen hired a bluegrass band for their post-reception reception and I was introduced to "Wagon Wheel." It's a simple song but, for some reason (those who love music know what I'm talking about) I fell in love with it.... It has since become maybe my favorite song of all time. I don't know why, it just reminds me of that weekend, and of my childhood, etc...

Anyway, to progress on a long story. My first thought was "If I love this song so much, that I have never heard in 29 years... how many more songs are there out there that I didn't even know I loved?"

I work in a close-knit office with many different personalities so I decided to start a CD Club here at work in hopes of being introduced to different types of songs, bands, etc. Last June we started with like 13 people, who made a CD of their top 20 favorite songs and then exchanged CDs each week until everyone had heard everyone's CD. After that, people made a top 20 CD with its own theme (Soundtracks, songs you had never heard, top 20 songs from Canadian artists?). We are now on Round 3, which my friend Corinne has graciously taken over since I have found myself preoccupied with life:) But, after a year, I am still enjoying it..

This morning I was listening to my CD for this week and found a new song that I love. I have learned alot... like, for example, I love Bob Dylan!! I didn't even know it until I experienced several different songs of his in this club.. I also learned that I can't turn off a Michael Jackson song if it comes on.. Man in the Mirror is a great song!! Thanks to Corinne's 2nd round CD, I remembered that 1994 was an awesome year in music!

So, in the end, it's been a great year and I am lucky to have co-workers that get excited about silly clubs that a grown woman can think up! I suggest it to any music fans.. or you could do it with movies.. Either way, it's a fun diversion every week.

So, for those interested, here is a link to the you tube video for "Wagon Wheel" by Old Crow Medicine Show... who just happens to be playing at the Fox tonight! Just so you know- video is not child-appropriate!!

Wagon Wheel

I can't believe I am doing this to myself...

I look at this picture and think, why on earth would anyone post this on a website for people to see??

Anyway, in order to preserve an accurate history, here I am at 25 weeks.























I have a social experiment for any pregnant women. Tell a stranger you are having twins and I would be willing to bet the next comment is something about your size.... It's a strange thing.

Everyone knows, when you are pregnant, there are the standard 3 or 4 questions you get from strangers (checkout people, colleagues that have never talked to you in the 10 years you have worked at the paper, etc. etc.) ... When are you due?, Do you know what you are having?, Have you picked out names?, etc etc etc..... I have found it very amusing that, when carrying twins, you get the second question, what are you having and when people find out you are having twins, they automatically give a judgment on how big/small you are... like, "You are so small for twins.. or "wow, I thought you looked big" and so forth. I find it funny because I NEVER got any comments on my size with Eli and I was huge but now perfect strangers feel it's okay.. I don't care, I just feel like a whale on the inside. I'm glad if I don't look like it:)

Warning!! SPOILER ALERT! Baby names enclosed...

Today I had a 24-week checkup and everything seems to be perfect!

(being pretty open here..) Every month I walk into that place and am so nervous and scared but as things progress I feel so blessed that God has chosen me to have these babies and is keeping them healthy. I'm sure most moms out there can agree that it is pretty unnerving since it's all so out of our control and feeling like we are relying on luck and prayers... but anyway, this post is to say my babies are great! I wanted to share several things. First are our recent pictures: The girls are so big now!!


















The picture above is the baby on the left (as they call her at the doctor). Both babies have switched around their heads and feet but mostly had stayed where we can identify them separately.
Though most of the family knows already, her name is Annabel.



















This is my "wild" child since everytime we are at the ultrasound she is jumping all over the place and she makes my belly move like jello most nights.
Her name is Harper.

The next thing I want to share is a video Josh took at the ultrasound today.. it's kinda boring and long because the girls weren't moving very much but mostly I wanted to share our experience. There are two ultrasound technicians at my doctors and I love them both! When I walk in ready to throw up from anxiety both of these women put my heart at ease immediately. Today we had Mary, who is so good at her job I can't imagine there is a better one out there! I love her energy and she make my eyes tear up everytime with her positive attitude and reassuring comments.



Lastly, I didn't leave out middle names on purpose:) We aren't keeping them secret or anything, it's just... Josh and I don't know them yet:) We have decided to let our siblings and their spouses pick out the middle names for the girls... so we may not know until they arrive! Suspenseful, huh???

New wedding stuff

I usually just put this on my wedding blog but I wanted to share this wedding with everyone. This is my last wedding until after the babies are born and it couldn't have been a better send off! Jennifer and Jeremy were the sweetest, most easy-going and wonderful couple to work with. Their wedding party and families were equally awesome! I had such a great time that it reminded me why I do this and how excited I am to get back to it in August! I still have lots of engagements and families coming up though so stay tuned to the blog!

Being pregnant I also hired a helper with this wedding so I give credit to some of the pics to photojournalist Jonathan Phillips .

Jennifer Miller & Jeremy Woods
March 7, 2009
Lilburn, Georgia

The fun begins...

Now, five months into this life-changing event, we've gotten to the fun part:)
Shopping!

In the last two weeks, it has been baby buying crazy at my house and I have had so much fun! As soon as I found out I was having twins I was determined to make it all very economical, which has turned out to be really difficult but, with all my family help, I think we have done a great job.

Number one rule: CONSIGNMENT, CONSIGNMENT!!
I went to two consignment sales.. one with my mother-in-law and one with my sister-in-law and Mom. Since they are spring/summer sales the only clothes we could buy were 0-3months or 12 months but I think we managed to find a few things:) Actually, not overbuying was easier than you think, since every time you find something you like, you have to make sure you can find something to go with it!
























I also got two big items, like the double snap and go frame for two infant car seats:
























And the infamous double stroller.. all of these were used so basically half price.

















Of course, the girls already have lots of new things too thanks their Mammie. And I really thank my mom, Christy and Becky for all the things they bought for us and the time we have spent shopping and planning. It has been so much fun and helped my stress level tremendously! I love you!

Last but not least, we had another ultrasound yesterday and the girls are still growing great and looking good. We didn't really get very good pictures since they are getting so big but I thought I would post another pic of myself at 5 months.























I feel like I could give birth anytime.. some people keep telling me I look so small and I can not believe it!! I already feel like I am in my ninth month!! Anyway, feel free to comment honestly. I still have over four months to go and about 50 lbs to gain so this should be interesting!

A Valentine's performance for you!

Eli sings all the time.. 90 percent of the time he is in that "silly, making up words to songs" phase but, as him mom, I still think he is adorable. Here are some of his latest tunes..

The boys have been outnumbered!

Today was our 16 week ultrasound and I can't promise I won't post ones every single time, so get used to it!!

Most importantly the babies are healthy, both growing at the same rate and looking good!
Secondly, they are both little girls:)

I never had a sister growing up (although I have two awesome ones now) so I am really excited to see real sisterhood in action!


















Baby A was pretty mellow.. she looked like she was trying to sleep the whole time but finally at the end she started pushing her sister with her feet so she could stretch out!


















Baby B, on the other hand, the technician kept calling a wild child because she was all stretched out, taking up all the room and moving around all over the place. Josh said that sounded more like the Finley and Puckett women to him!

Try this and let me know....

So.. I love trying out old wives' tales. I think it's fun and I had heard about this one when I was pregnant with Eli but figured it was just silly..

Today, on morning radio I was reminded of the needle on a string baby gender test and normally ignore those things but since I am having an ultrasound on Monday, I thought why not???

Apparently this can work on any woman... even if you are not pregnant so anybody who wants to try.. let me know the outcome. Allegedly, any woman can have somebody else hold a needle(or ring) on a string just above your wrist pulse point and it will document ALL your pregnancies. For example, if you have a boy and a girl in that order, the needle will swing back and forth.... stop...... then swing in a circle. No kids and the needle won't swing at all..

I know it's kinda silly but when I got to work today I found a needle and string and tried it.. It's kinda cool because first it swung back and forth, then stopped still (seriously), started again in a circle, stopped, and swung back and forth.... Which would indicate Eli, a girl and a boy....:) maybe we will find out next week:)

I tried it on a couple other women here at work and it worked with all of them accurately... It's a fun experiment anyway:)

Baby Scarlett needs a few prayers

I wanted to post a note to ask everyone who reads my blog to include baby Scarlett Mann in their prayers....

Scarlett's mom Shelley worked with me at the paper before moving to Columbus last year. Scarlett was born right before Christmas and is currently in the ICU of the hospital unable to breathe well. After her third hospital stay, they now think she has pnuemonia but for a month old baby, I know she needs some extra strength and so do her mom and dad. So be thinking of them.

If you want to see Scarlett, her mom's blog is on the right under "The Manns."

Thanks!!

I mean......seriously???

So, let me begin this rant by saying this: I know pregnancy is a wonderful and beautiful experience. It is pure joy to bring a child into this world and I really enjoyed being pregnant with Eli!

That being said, when I woke up this morning and looked in the mirror, I thought to myself (repeat blog title here)...

On top of nausea, shooting leg pain, headaches, exhaustion, stretch marks, weight gain and the myriad of my other pregnancy related issues now I have been blessed with........ acne? Really? Is there no end to what else I get to experience?

But, some people have asked so here is the first picture of pregnant me at almost 4 months (pre acne)..

Hope you have a great day!!

We love you very much Christy!

This was about the 18th attempt so... it's the best I could get this morning..

And then there were five....

Most of our family and friends know by now but I want to officially announce that the Puckett household will be growing by two in July!

Yes, we are having twins. We had out 12-week ultrasound today so I wanted to post the picture. They are too big to get in the same frame anymore so they did a split screen of both Baby A and Baby B. The technician is pretty positive that Baby B is a little girl ( Yeah!!!) but the word is still out on Baby A. We should find out at the next ultrasound in January!



















I have been very stressed about the babies but have a great support system so thanks to all our friends and especially family.. We are so blessed!

Christmas Program

This year Eli was in a short Christmas program for the 3 and 4 year old class at his school. Of course, you can't really hear him but he smiled and seemed to enjoy it...

The first video is of him walking in and the second is of the songs he actually sang...

Eli's turning three!

My baby will be turning three this Saturday so this weekend we took some pictures of my little boy! He really does a great job during pictures so I am lucky in that aspect, plus, seriously, how cute it this kid!!!!

here is the slideshow

We are back

I know it's been a while.

I have been blessed with alot of phototgraphy work lately, so with those projects outstanding, I haven't been able to find time to post about other things, although we have had alot going on...

October was an awesome month! We enjoyed it all.. this first weekend I had a wedding in Athens so that was boring... Two weekends later, we visited my friend from Arizona, Lauriann Jones, at her parent's cabin for our annual 2008 Blue Ridge Bash. My friend from Virginia, Amy Holtschneider, was able to fly in with her four month old too, so I was ecstatic to spend the weekend with them and and my friend Christen as well. We four girls rarely get to see each other and I feel so blessed each time we do.

Of course, we visited a pumpkin patch, carved pumpkins and had a Halloween to remember throughout the month, also. We went trick or treating with our friends, the Hammocks.

On a really sad note, we lost Josh's grandmother last weekend after a short illness. There was peace knowing she was no longer in pain and we celebrated her life in a service in Carrollton on Friday.

Though the circumstances are sad, being able to see distant family and spend time with them is a shining light at a dark time. Chuck, Amy and the boys came down from Missouri for the weekend and we were able to see them and help celebrate Quinn's birthday on Sunday. The boys were also all able to go to our friend, Dylan Hammock's, birthday party at a local fire station.. what a great idea!

Below are slideshows for all our events:
Pumpkin patch/carving
Blue Ridge Bash 2008
Halloween 2008
Dylan's birthday/Fire Station
Nov. Weekend/Quinn's birthday

It's ABOUT time!!!

After nearly 3 years I have finally begun my own photography Web site... The blog has been working great but I needed my own page and needed to move away from the Flickr slideshows for my professional photos... Thanks to my awesome mother-in-law, we finally have her up ( not exactly running yet:) .

Feel free to view a preview and make a mental note to check itout every once in a while... I'll still have the blog, too.

Introducing..... www.nicolepuckettphotography.com

Thanks again Becky!!

Family Time

A couple of weeks ago, Chuck, Amy, Trip and Quinn were on their way up from a week in Florida and stopped to stay with us a few days. I have linked to a slideshow of the boys at Jungle Jump that weekend. You may notice there are not may pics of Eli because he wanted very little to do with the inflatables... He warmed up at the end but really had more fun just running around with his cousins. After our weekend together the Scoggins clan were on their way to North Carolina to see Josh's parents for a week.... SO... they took Eli with them and we went up on Thursday night to see them for another day. Aunt Carol hosted a great dinner/ mini family reunion for us on Friday night and we all had such a nice time. Thanks Uncle Phil and Aunt Carol! and... Thanks Uncle Chuck and Aunt Amy for providing us all with some quality Scoggins time!

Here is my favorite pic and the slideshow

Rain, rain...Come again another day

Eli's "G" gave him an umbrella the last time she visited and he loves it... He is always carrying it around the house. One day, on the way home from school, it was pouring and Eli asked if he could use his umbrella. So when we got home I let him take it outside for a while... Of course by then it had stopped raining but... not really the point I guess! P.S. Blogger didn't want ot upload my photos so I had to make them really small.... If they look funny, that's why.