There are lots of reasons to love my job…. really, LOTS!  Now, trust me, it has its fair share of downs and bad days….. ask my husband as he can tell you about my long and random hours and being alone with the girls a lot on weekends.  But, every career choice has its pros and its cons.  Overall, the fact that I can love what I do when I am working is such a HUGE blessing.

I am thinking about how much I love my job today because it was a very special day.  Jenn and Luke got married.  And, eventually, I will blog all about their special day.  But, for now, I will sit in my post-wedding glow (letting my caffeine buzz and adrenaline high drain before I can sleep) and reflect on my day…

Today, when I arrived at the hotel where the girls were getting ready, I could walk in and hug half of the room.  I love these girls… and their parents and sisters and cousins and friends!  Jenn would be the fifth girl in the hotel room whose wedding I had photographed.  Today when I met the boys before the ceremony, not only did I know most of the groomsmen, but there were two special little boys in the bridal party, too.   I have been blessed to be a part of the two ring bearer’s life since I photographed them in their mommy’s bellies.  I took their newborn photos, I took their one year photos and now I got to photograph them spinning, dancing and hugging their way across the Society Room dance floor in their little tuxedos.

Today I got to hang out with friends…. and I still get to call it work!   Now, THAT is a reason to love my job!  

Congrats Luke and Jenn!  Thank you for making me a part of your family.

Helen grabbed a quick shot of me with the girls….. 

Today was the first day since Irene hit New England that we have had all of our services and utilities at the studio.   The power is on.  The network is back up and running.   Our phones finally work again!  And, despite the fact that we are now desperately behind in our post workflow, it was one of the first days that I just really don’t care!  I can care tomorrow…. and I will.  But, today was reserved for my family.  After all, today was supposed to happen days ago as we waited for the schools to get their power back.  We have all been waiting anxiously for our first daughter’s first day of kindergarten. 

I knew that I would cry.  She knew that I would cry.  In fact, we have been talking about how I was going to cry for weeks – I didn’t want to scare her so I had her prepared for mommy’s “happy tears” that she has seen before.  As the bus rolled up, my eyes welled, my hands shook as I kissed the palms of her hands (if you have ever read The Kissing Hand, you know why….) and off she stepped into that big yellow bus and into the rest of her life.  And, as it drove away, it was as if I could hear the cheers of the crowd as she threw her cap at high school graduation, as if I could see a quick glimpse into the future of Bob walking her down the aisle….. Really, I was overwhelmed with a visual reminder of just how quickly life with these little people goes by!

So I spent the rest of the day wearing sunglasses and trying to occupy my mind.  Her little sister would not take her nap because she was worried she would miss Big Sister’s homecoming.  So, hours later, we walked to the bus stop to greet our little Kindergartner.  She stopped to humor mommy with a photo before she bounded off the bus and into my arms.  Little sister SQEEZED her and said, “I mist-ed you.”  And, off we walked home.  I was swinging my camera and took a random “grab shot” at our shadows and have a new favorite family portrait….. one that marks a new era and the daily arrival of that yellow bus.  I assume that as some point, I will stop crying when I see it pull up?!?!?

To my little K – You are full of life and energy and laughter.  You are probably the most passionate child I have ever met!  You have an amazing future in front of you and I am proud to be your mommy.  Life has never been boring since your arrival.  I love you with all of my heart – and “til the stars turn into popcorn.”  

 My mom had sent some photos of me from my first day of school back in 1979!  So, once K saw them, she specifically wanted to take a photo in a tree like her mommy did on her first day of Kindergarten.  How cute is she?!?!? And, hey Mom, that dress you sent me off to school in was pretty darn short!!!!!!!!!

 And it is about right…… now……. that I start to break down!

 Now going to pick up Big Sister from the bus stop….

 And she is home…. and my eyes well again….. 

 And my new favorite family portrait……

It has taken me some time to get to updating the blog…. I had so many phone calls and emails to return since baby Natalia’s arrival that I didn’t feel right spending any “spare” time updating the blog. Besides, “spare time” doesn’t really exist in my life with a newborn and an almost 3 year old. Thanks to everyone for their patience with me as I get back into the swing of things. with work at the studio. And, Sheri, thanks for your help, too. That girl is an album design rockstar!

We are enjoying life with two. Besides the smell of a newborn baby, one of my favorite things of late has been watching our oldest daughter adjust to being a big sister. She has a TON of nicknames for Natalia: “Chippy,” “Chipmunk”,”Buttercup” and “Donut” – I have no idea where she comes up with these things but we love them!

So, life is good…. I am still trying to enjoy a little down time with the baby before wedding season. But, I am still around, smelling my baby and getting to emails and voicemails as often as I can. Thanks again for your patience and for your well wishings. Here are some photos…. including a new family photo…. of our feet!

Hello everyone I am pleased to announce that the new baby has arrived, 6 days early at 4:25 am. Everyone is happy and healthy. I am going to see Carrie and the new baby girl today. I will get all of the details and see if she would like me to share or if Carrie wants to do the honors herself. Pictures to follow soon. Obviously!
Sheri-

I went into early labor on Friday. After getting the labor to cease and the baby’s vital signs to return to normal, I spent the night in the hospital under observation. My dear husband was kind enough to stay with me overnight. But, in the morning, raced home to take care of the dogs, spend some time with our daughter, take a shower, etc. On the way back to the hospital, he stopped at East Hartford’s famous Augie and Ray’s for a hotdog…. which he managed to get lodged somewhere between his mouth and his belly. So, after being discharged from labor and delivery, I was wheeled down to the Emergency Room where my husband was having a hot dog surgically removed…. (I wish I could make this stuff up!) It was an expensive day for our insurance company and a day I certainly won’t forget. So, for the first time in January, there were two Draghis in the hospital. Next time we hope one of them is a newborn….. And, dear old Bob, in the interim, CHEW!!!!!!

And, to my kind OBGYN doctor, Dr. Lazor, as well as the maternity and ER nursing staff at Hartford Hospital, THANK YOU for your concern and help. Bob (and I) can breathe again!