A friend once gave me a beautiful blessing before my first birth, and I recently found it tucked away in a pile of papers from 2012. I wanted to share it with you, along with some gorgeous photos that were taken by artist Lisa Gendron of Agroterra Birth. You can read more about Lisa next week (her doula piece is coming out!!!!), but before that, take a look at some of these moments caught during my maternity photo session:
Looking at what she was able to get on film, she truly captured how I feel pregnant and how I feel with Addie. There is just connection. Love. Deeply rooted in me, who I was meant to be: Mom.
These moments speak more than what I could write about- they’re more than an embrace in a picture, they’re my vulnerabilities about myself and motherhood and being a woman unfolding and melting away. They’re they inspiration on harder days. They’re the sunshine in the rain.
Thank you, Lisa, for your love, compassion and for sharing your incredible talents as a photographer and friend.
A Birth Blessing,
by Shiloh Sophia McCloud
May your body Be STRONG.
Your womb Be OPEN.
Your mind Be PEACE.
Your support Be WISE.
Your birth Be WELL.
Your baby Be BORN in HEALTH, HAPPINESS and HARMONY.
…and if you can’t get enough of Lisa’s amazing work, check out her Birth and Photography sites!
These are beautiful. You (and you daughter) are beautiful. So much love and joy. Great, great expectations soon to be fulfilled.
I can’t wait!
martinkadelux recently posted…What is work?
Look at how radiant you look! I love the photos.
Thank you, Robin!
martinkadelux recently posted…What is work?
Awe, so beautiful!!! I especially love that last one – very pretty!
Tammi @ My Organized Chaos recently posted…Bacon Wrapped Tater Tot Cheese Bombs
Thank you, Tammi! I just printed it for her bedroom!
martinkadelux recently posted…What is work?
Wow! Your photography session was amazing. I love the picture of you and your little one snuggling together and the Black and White picture of you in the lace dress. Incredible.
Felissa (Two Little Cavaliers) recently posted…Caring for Your Diabetic Dog
Lisa is a wonderful photographer.
martinkadelux recently posted…What is work?
you are radiant, lady!! i glowed when pregnant, but it was sweat. not radiance.
and your daughter is scrumptious. love these photos, thank you for sharing!
Haha! I sweat a lot, too! 😉 And thank you- she’s my sweet little bear.
martinkadelux recently posted…What is work?
You look amazingly beautiful in these pictures. The photographer did a great job. There’s something about a pregnant woman that just evokes this strong feeling of warmth and happiness, and you already looked so happy in the pictures. These are really great. Congratulations on your upcoming birth! I look forward to reading about the new addition to your family!
Ben @ Cheap is the New Classy recently posted…Thirsty? Try One Of These 10 Tasty Punch Recipes
Thanks, Ben! I am so excited to meet this little being… and a little nervous about being a mom-of-two, too!
martinkadelux recently posted…What is work?
What beautiful pictures! You look amazing, and little Addie is a doll!
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Thanks, Dawn!
martinkadelux recently posted…What is work?
These pictures are so beautiful. You look just beautiful, and your daughter is cute as a button.
Jennifer recently posted…Affordable Fashion for Back to School #NordstromRack
Thank you, Jennifer!
martinkadelux recently posted…What is work?
These are lovely pictures. The photographer did a great job capturing you and your beautiful daughter.
Stacie @ The Divine Miss Mommy recently posted…Chex⢠Honey Peanut School Fuel + $40 Publix Gift Card Giveaway
She really did- Lisa never ceases to amaze me!
martinkadelux recently posted…What is work?
These are beautiful photos. I love the blessing, too.
Julie recently posted…Exploring Patriotic Symbols of America – FREE Ebook!
Thank you, Julie! That blessing has meant a lot to me since the birth of my first!
martinkadelux recently posted…What is work?
I’ve been catching glimpses of these shots on your social feed- too precious! It looks like you truly were meant to be a mom!
ditto!! warm fuzzy post for sure
Thank you, ladies. That means so much to me. I love being a mom… it’s so much more than I thought it would be!
martinkadelux recently posted…What is work?
such beautiful portraits! I love that you included Adelaide! Not many do that in their pregnancy photos. But I think that makes these even more unique and cherished.
Amber Edwards recently posted…Amazing WorldFoods Thai Chicken Recipe
Addie is already such a loving big sister- she needed to be included. I felt sad hubby wasn’t able to be there!
martinkadelux recently posted…What is work?
Beautiful documentation of your pregnancy and motherhood. I wish I had done this with my own kids. What a wonderful keepsake!
Dee Mauser recently posted…Send a Surprise Delivery of Cut-To-Order Flowers from The Bouqs Company
These maternity pictures were much different than the ones I did with Addie. I love the artistic and “captured” moments so much!
martinkadelux recently posted…What is work?
You look absolutely stunning. Beautiful words at the end.
Lisa recently posted…Ways to Teach Kindness To Toddlers
Thank you, Lisa!
martinkadelux recently posted…What is work?
Those photos are so great – I know you’ll cherish them forever! And that blessing is beautiful.
Christi recently posted…Beauty & History Combine at the Battle House in Mobile, Alabama
I will! Thank you <3
martinkadelux recently posted…What is work?
That is a beautiful blessing. You look fantastic!
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Thank you, Stefany!
martinkadelux recently posted…What is work?
What beautiful pictures. I love the ones of you and your daughter.
I love those, too! I think she’s SO excited to be a big sis!
martinkadelux recently posted…What is work?
These shots are absolutely stunning! You look look gorgeous and the photo of you and your daughter are precious! What a wonderful moment caught there!
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Lisa caught motherhood… or how I feel about my own experience! I can’t wait to see more to be honest!
martinkadelux recently posted…What is work?
What great photos and memories she was able to capture for you!! I love how happy both of you look!
tammileetips recently posted…Paradise awaits in Grand Turk
We really are!
martinkadelux recently posted…What is work?
Wow, she really did capture full emotion in her photos. People that can do that are truly talented!
TerriAnn @ Cookies & Clogs recently posted…Palo Alto Festival of the Arts + Easy DIY Decoupage Ideas
Lisa is one of those truly talented- that is for sure!
martinkadelux recently posted…What is work?
She did do a wonderful job with the photo shoot. You were so smart to get one when you were expecting. I have so few pics of when I was, wising now that there were more!
Rosey recently posted…MegaFan Sports Megafold Review and Giveaway!
I love looking back on my belly from Addie… I’m glad I got them this time too!
martinkadelux recently posted…What is work?
What a photo session!! You are glowing!
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Thank you, Jenn!
martinkadelux recently posted…What is work?
These are just beautiful! I had photos taken when pregnant a couple of times and just love all that they capture!
Right? So cool to be seen by someone else in this light!
martinkadelux recently posted…What is work?
You look like how I wish I felt, 😉 . I’ve been so very hot and uncomfortable at 30 weeks here.
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I’m still doing OK at 37 weeks, but I am totally worried about these last few passing weeks. I feel her weight slamming in me when I sleep!
martinkadelux recently posted…What is work?
those photos rock. i love the bare belly photos
Thank you, Katrina!
martinkadelux recently posted…What is work?
These pictures are so beautiful!! I love that you didn’t touch up your stretch marks either because those make the picture so real.
Amy Desrosiers recently posted…My Murad Vitamin C Facial Experience at Massage Envy East Providence RI
I was self-conscious about them… but they are what they are- my sweet girl growing inside!
martinkadelux recently posted…What is work?
What cute photo’s! I wish I had maternity photo’s when I was pregnant with my 5 kids. What a great way to remember.
Mama to 5 BLessings recently posted…Amp Up Your Hair With TRESemmé
Oh man! you never got them done? I hope you took weekly pics to compare them! I was SO much bigger earlier on with Millie, but now I’m about the same.
martinkadelux recently posted…What is work?
So so beautiful!! Wishing you all the peace.
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What gorgeous pictures, you’re right. Every birth is a blessing. 😀
Thank you, Nancy!
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