May 25, 2012 • Laura Likes
birthdays sessions!
Loving our new birthday party sessions! This was an idea that came from our clients and we brought it to reality. We love client suggestions and are so happy about hearing what makes you excited to come back to little nest again and again.
Here are some examples of our candy banner theme photographed by Michelle in Wayne last weekend.
Here are some examples of our candy banner theme photographed by Michelle in Wayne last weekend.
May 14, 2012 • Laura Likes
coming soon
I usually don't share too many pieces of personal news on this blog (my socks are just not that exciting) but we can't help but share the great news that my husband John and I are expecting our first baby this November. We are so thrilled!
If you read my Facebook post, I hinted that's it's been a long road for us; I know it has been for so many people. For years we celebrated with others as pregnancy announcements appeared, waiting for our time to come. As a children's photographer, one of the toughest things I have had to struggle with is not being able to have children.
Despite repeated attempts for the past years and a surgery for endometriosis, it wasn't until shortly after we started unsuccessful IUI treatments that we became pregnant naturally after switching to eastern medicine. What a joyful surprise! Unfortunately, we lost our first child at six weeks last September. I know this is something many women experience, but I was completely surprised by the amount of grief and sadness that followed.
Since sharing a hint of this on facebook, I have been messaged with many questions about worked for us. While I believe everyone's journey with this is different, I can just share my experience of what I found helpful medically and for me emotionally.
For my part, and as someone struggling with infertility, meditation, prayer and opening up to friends was most helpful to me during the darkest times of this struggle. Feelings of obligation drive decisions, but I found it increasingly difficult, especially while on different medications affecting me in unexpected, sometimes unpleasant, ways. As a result, sometimes I struggled with the feeling of letting people down. Thankfully friends supported me as I gave myself permission to not be overwhelmed with situations or allow myself to not be over-scheduled for the first time in years. The idea of sitting around for a day without a humungous to-do list was so foreign that just allowing myself to be present and relax was healing for me.
Fortunately, efforts were rewarded, and I became pregnant with our first medicated IUI treatment in February. We feel so fortunate for the amazing medical care and our caring doctors who have helped us along the way. Entering into the second trimester without difficulties is a feeling no words can express.
And speaking of words, it's sometimes hard to know how to support someone who is struggling with infertility if you haven't experienced it yourself. Friends who are most helpful tend to be those who don't make suggestions veiled in judgment ("Maybe you should relax"), don't make value statements ("Kids drool. Get a dog instead."), or don't try to offer solutions ("Try a turkey baster"). They just listen and offer compassion. If you have someone in your life who is struggling with infertility, letting them talk while you listen and offer compassion (sans turkey basters) is so helpful.
When trying to take part in one of life's greatest miracles, doctors can increase your chances, but I shifted after realizing that God is the only one who knows who is chosen, when and why. Sometimes this can feel very unfair, but it's one of the few things in life I simply couldn't control. Worrying didn't help.
During fertility treatments I worried so much. I worried if we would ever get pregnant again or if it was just a fluke. I worried about other options and how hard that might be, and how long that could take. A friend who went through IVF gave me some amazing advice "For us, we worried about getting pregnant. And then during your pregnancy you will worry... when your child is born you will worry, when your child goes to school you will worry. So it's best to learn how to cope with the worry now because it is the reality of being a mother."
After we lost our first baby I had a discussion with a close friend who was being treated at the time for ovarian cancer (and is now cancer free, woot!). We talked about the importance of believing that all challenges are opportunities. And how hard it is to believe when you are in pain. I can't help but wonder why I was given this journey. I think in a way it was to teach me that some things are completely out of my control. To let life lead me, rather than the other way around.
Maybe it was given to me to write this entry, and to possibly help someone who is reading it. If this is your journey - I have no great pieces of advice just a desire to share my own story with you, my compassion and my love to you. And a final hope that anything I have shared here is at all helpful.
A few more resources:
10 things never to say to someone dealing with infertility
Yoga as a stress reliever
A great book for the husband
A great book for you
Another woman's journey, beautifully written
No twins don't run in my family, but they do in IVF
A funny and poignant view of PCOS
If you read my Facebook post, I hinted that's it's been a long road for us; I know it has been for so many people. For years we celebrated with others as pregnancy announcements appeared, waiting for our time to come. As a children's photographer, one of the toughest things I have had to struggle with is not being able to have children.
Despite repeated attempts for the past years and a surgery for endometriosis, it wasn't until shortly after we started unsuccessful IUI treatments that we became pregnant naturally after switching to eastern medicine. What a joyful surprise! Unfortunately, we lost our first child at six weeks last September. I know this is something many women experience, but I was completely surprised by the amount of grief and sadness that followed.
Since sharing a hint of this on facebook, I have been messaged with many questions about worked for us. While I believe everyone's journey with this is different, I can just share my experience of what I found helpful medically and for me emotionally.
For my part, and as someone struggling with infertility, meditation, prayer and opening up to friends was most helpful to me during the darkest times of this struggle. Feelings of obligation drive decisions, but I found it increasingly difficult, especially while on different medications affecting me in unexpected, sometimes unpleasant, ways. As a result, sometimes I struggled with the feeling of letting people down. Thankfully friends supported me as I gave myself permission to not be overwhelmed with situations or allow myself to not be over-scheduled for the first time in years. The idea of sitting around for a day without a humungous to-do list was so foreign that just allowing myself to be present and relax was healing for me.
Fortunately, efforts were rewarded, and I became pregnant with our first medicated IUI treatment in February. We feel so fortunate for the amazing medical care and our caring doctors who have helped us along the way. Entering into the second trimester without difficulties is a feeling no words can express.
And speaking of words, it's sometimes hard to know how to support someone who is struggling with infertility if you haven't experienced it yourself. Friends who are most helpful tend to be those who don't make suggestions veiled in judgment ("Maybe you should relax"), don't make value statements ("Kids drool. Get a dog instead."), or don't try to offer solutions ("Try a turkey baster"). They just listen and offer compassion. If you have someone in your life who is struggling with infertility, letting them talk while you listen and offer compassion (sans turkey basters) is so helpful.
When trying to take part in one of life's greatest miracles, doctors can increase your chances, but I shifted after realizing that God is the only one who knows who is chosen, when and why. Sometimes this can feel very unfair, but it's one of the few things in life I simply couldn't control. Worrying didn't help.
During fertility treatments I worried so much. I worried if we would ever get pregnant again or if it was just a fluke. I worried about other options and how hard that might be, and how long that could take. A friend who went through IVF gave me some amazing advice "For us, we worried about getting pregnant. And then during your pregnancy you will worry... when your child is born you will worry, when your child goes to school you will worry. So it's best to learn how to cope with the worry now because it is the reality of being a mother."
After we lost our first baby I had a discussion with a close friend who was being treated at the time for ovarian cancer (and is now cancer free, woot!). We talked about the importance of believing that all challenges are opportunities. And how hard it is to believe when you are in pain. I can't help but wonder why I was given this journey. I think in a way it was to teach me that some things are completely out of my control. To let life lead me, rather than the other way around.
Maybe it was given to me to write this entry, and to possibly help someone who is reading it. If this is your journey - I have no great pieces of advice just a desire to share my own story with you, my compassion and my love to you. And a final hope that anything I have shared here is at all helpful.
A few more resources:
10 things never to say to someone dealing with infertility
Yoga as a stress reliever
A great book for the husband
A great book for you
Another woman's journey, beautifully written
No twins don't run in my family, but they do in IVF
A funny and poignant view of PCOS
April 10, 2012 • Laura Likes
a little sneak peek
2012 spring outdoor session concepts from laura novak on Vimeo.
For months we have been working on our outdoor session concepts for the Spring called Town + Country. Our town sessions take place in historic downtown Wayne and our country sessions amongst the peach orchards at Linvilla. Here's a sneak peek... more to follow very soon!
April 4, 2012 • Laura Likes
the peach orchard
I spent the entire day yesterday creating our new spring outdoor session concept called "Town and Country." We have two amazing looks for you to choose from that I can't wait for you to see! Our town sessions will take place in downtown Wayne, and country sessions will be at Linvilla Orchards amongst the peach blossoms.
In between the photo sessions at Linvilla I grabbed this image of the peach blossoms - so pretty. I just started using Instagram and love it! My username is lauranovakm - if you are on instrgram let me know who you are below so I can follow you as well.
In between the photo sessions at Linvilla I grabbed this image of the peach blossoms - so pretty. I just started using Instagram and love it! My username is lauranovakm - if you are on instrgram let me know who you are below so I can follow you as well.
April 2, 2012 • Laura Likes
mother's day
This mother's day we are all about celebrating generations! I thought about what I would love to have for my own family and came up with this silk folio design. The text on the left says "The love of family is life's greatest blessing" and on the right is a square image that is a perfect fit for three generations photographed in honor of motherhood.
When placing on display in one of our stores, the first person who saw it said "wow! I love that, I want one!" which made me so happy. Our silk folios are normally $195 but are available for the introductory price of $125 during the month of April.
When placing on display in one of our stores, the first person who saw it said "wow! I love that, I want one!" which made me so happy. Our silk folios are normally $195 but are available for the introductory price of $125 during the month of April.
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