Erin Wallis Photography Blog

As I enter the last few weeks of my pregnancy, besides being outrageously emotional, I’ve also become increasingly reflective on the nine months that have just passed.

I have a great appreciation for the vulnerability that comes along with growing a human life. Right underneath your surface is a human being. A small little creation that without you, wouldn’t exist. Little fingers, toes, eyes, ears, mouth, brain, vital organs… all growing right underneath your skin. At times it feels so surreal that all that separates this little marvel from the outside world is skin, literally.

I have a greater sensitivity towards anyone who looks “different” or is pregnant. Some people are fabulous… they just walk by and maybe give you a little wink, or knowing look, like… “I’ve been there honey, this too shall pass.” Or even looks of admiration, “You go girl”. Those are great. What I am not a giant fan of, is the gawking that goes on… or the extra weird comments that people make. Or the words like ‘growth’ or ‘massive’ or ‘huge’. I’m not sure if pregnancy makes some people uncomfortable, but there are certainly a few folks that need to enroll in some serious sensitivity training. Or rather, just say nothing. That would be helpful.

The biggest lesson I have re-learned, and will likely do countless times over the course of my lifetime is on letting go. Recently I’ve felt like this pregnancy is shedding layers of myself that I never knew I’d have to. Grieving the loss of my own childhood, my innocence, my youth even. I thought that I understood all of this before. I didn’t. I still don’t entirely. I’ve had to let go of what my body felt and looked like before. Not to mention giving it up entirely to share with another soul. If you’ve never done this, it’s likely you’ll need to before you can truly comprehend it. In a sense, you just keep letting go of anything you thought you’d ever known before.

For a while, I became consumed with ‘what ifs’ and fears. About the pregnancy and having a healthy baby, and not having stretch marks and hemorrhoids and not gaining too much weight and self image, and how others see me etc. In the last few weeks, I’ve realized that the only way to move forward in this journey is to let that all go. Honestly, just let it go. I am unable to control any of it. What good is it to worry about something that is out of your hands. Giving up control, letting go of fears and doubts and worries. Letting go of due dates and name choices and leg cramps. Letting go of this all, has resulted in a sort of spring cleaning of the soul.

The great beauty in letting go, is that it allows space for something new to take its place. I have a feeling that space will soon be filled with something much bigger than anything that was there before.

Saturday was beautiful on Vancouver Island. Like…outside all day working in the yard in a tank top and gardening beautiful. Sunday, it poured. Then snowed. Then had wild howling wind storm… so an impromptu visit from fabulous friends on an otherwise gloomy Sunday (and their fabulous wee people) was just what the doctor ordered. It also had me reaching for my camera. I could not help it. Look how beautiful these children are. Its not normal! How could I be around them, without taking at least a few photos. Look how much they’ve grown up since HERE or HERE. So much fun! Here are a few of my favorites from our accidental photo shoot.

The famous ’serious face’

I’m officially on my own little maternity leave. I’ll be back in action in June. I thought to celebrate my time off I would share Jamie and Brad with you.
They are awesome. And, I am anxiously awaiting news of their little bundle so we can hopefully squeeze in a newborn session for them before I’m in the delivery room myself! Guess what else? It’s Friday. Thats a good thing.
Happy weekend everyone!

Yesterday was a less than perfect pregnant day. Not a catastrophic day, just a less than perfect day. A day where I likely allowed all of the dark and twisty thoughts and fears creep in just a bit too much. Being a person who is always searching for the silver lining, it is difficult to allow yourself to feel anything but grateful. But… when these days happen (or hours or moments). There are ways to work through them, and to come out smiling.

What I learned yesterday was.

When you are having a bad moment or two, reaching out to friends is actually ok. I don’t like feeling like a burden, or like I’m passing on negative vibes to a cherished friend (or two). But, sometimes it boils up and spills over in unwanted ways, so sharing can be a good thing (so long as its not every single time you chat).

The moral of my little story this morning is, there are three things I now know for sure.

#1: When having a bad day, reaching out to friends can bring you surprises in your mailbox the next morning.
#2: Homemade treats from friends taste better than any other in the world.
#3: Have a coffee, eat a cookie and count your blessings.

Not so very long ago we photographed Tiffany and Braden and their beautiful belly creation. It is my pleasure…. to introduce the little love bug that joined the world on February 10, 2010. I was most honored to have them journey over from their happy little cozy nest in Vancouver, solely for our photo session last weekend. How cute is he?

Many have asked about the cute baby hats that have been featured lately… ETSY people. Etsy. Check it out!

On a personal note, you may have noticed my lack of blogging lately. Well, apparently creating a baby takes just as much of my creative energy as physical. So, I’m rolling with it for a while. But, believe me… when the I feel inspired to blog more, you’ll be the first to know! Have an amazing weekend!