Friday, May 22, 2009

8w4d

Today I am 8w4d pregnant. Just four more weeks and I'll be in my second trimester!!
Yesterday we got really good news at the doctor. I had my second ultrasound at 8am to check for sac and baby growth, and most importantly, to see a heartbeat again. I started crying when the ultrasound tech found the baby and you could immediately see the little heart just pounding away on the computer screen. The ultrasound tech turned on the sound so Brice could hear it. Then I think he almost started crying. The heart was 176bpm and we are confident based on the heartbeat it's a girl. Last week it was 130bpm so I thought maybe boy, but my doctor said you can't base it on the first ultrasound because the heart was just getting started at that time. So it starts off slow.
I was excited to see the heartbeat, but I still didn't know what this meant for the sac growth. The ultrasound tech let us leave without talking to us so I knew that was a good sign. I had an appt with Dr. Miller that same day just a few hours later so I knew I would find out soon enough. So we go see Dr. Miller and when she walks into the room her eyes are kind of huge and I can tell she has something exciting to tell us. She said based on the ultrasound findings that the sac is measuring right on time and looks completely normal. She was kind of dumbfounded over this. Not only that, but the baby has grown like weeds in the past week, so they have now changed my due date back to where it should be which is December 28, 2009.

Here is a picture of our little gummy bear

See the little "hole" above the head? I was a little worried what that was since it looks like a hole in the head. I asked Dr. Miller about it and she said it's the yolk sac. Brice of course had to tell her "That's Maryann's kid- that's probably where the brain was suppose to be".
He better sleep with one eye open tonight!

Monday, May 18, 2009

I won!!

Well actually I was a runner-up. This past weekend me and my fabulous mom went to a baby expo at the Reliant Center. I found a really great baby photographer there who was giving away a free photoshoot in a raffle drawing. I was the runner-up and get $100 off when baby is born. So thank you so much Debi at Life's Images Photography!! Check out her website, her work is amazing.

Of course Brice had to mouth-off about this. He said and I quote "The very first time you ever win anything, it had to be something you could have done yourself!" Thanks, Babe.

Meet Baby Fief

Due to arrive December 31, 2009

At 6w5d (7w2d by LMP)our baby was measuring right on time with a strong heartbeat of 130bpm. Average heart rate at this stage is 110bpm so baby Fief is defiantly thriving. We did get some bad news, though. What else with me, huh? The gestational sac is measuring small. You can tell by the ultrasound the CRL (crown rump lenght) there isn't much room. Luckily there is room on the sides. My doctor isn't sure what to think of this as she as only seen it one time in 8 years. Maybe I should start playing the lottery? She said it's so odd for the "fetus" to be measuring right on time with such a strong heartbeat, but yet a small gestational sac. Of course now this increases my risk of miscarriage, but she's not too worried at this point. I have another ultrasound this coming Thursday to make sure the sac and baby are still growing. All I want to see is a heartbeat. So I'm not sure what's going to happen, but I did want to let everyone know what's going on because we could use the support and prayers.
I am exactly 8 weeks today and morning sickness is kicking my ass. I have lost 3 pounds on the scale, but yet all my jeans are too tight already. Good sign baby is still growing. I spend more time running to the bathroom to pee than I do on the computer. But I promise to continue to update everyone.

Sunday, May 17, 2009

Nathan has a message....

for everyone-

Monday, April 27, 2009

before & after

I don't like to post-process my images to the point they look fake. I want my images to look amazing straight out of the camera, but I do like to add a few colors and sharpen them.

BEFORE-


AFTER-


AFTER w/ Lux Soft and Pool Party

Sunday, April 26, 2009

Yes I Will...

marry you.
Today I met up with Jennifer and Pat out at Varner Hogg Plantation to take their engagement photos. They are so sweet with each other, and Pat was such a great sport because all he wants to do is make Jennifer happy. We had a lot of fun, and I am looking forward to their wedding. Here is a sneak peak from today, but you'll have to wait to see the rest:)
As always, please click on each picture to see the amazing details.


Saturday, April 25, 2009

Malaia

Just for fun today, I took some more pictures of Nora's daughter, Malaia. I've had a lot of people ask me about her lips, especially the picture of her on my website. Yes her lips are naturally that color. She doesn't wear lipstick, she is 5! And I didn't do anything to them in photoshop. Her lips look purple in some, and dark pink in others. I promise you- it's all natural:)
Click on each picture to view the full detail


baby names?

I was thinking of baby names today (just for fun) and was wondering what everyone's favorite names are for a boy and/or girl? I try to picture the baby as an adult, and ask myself if it sounds weird calling an adult that name. Or what if they grow up to be a lawyer or the president? Will people take them seriously if they have a "baby" sounding name? So this has always been a hard topic for me.
One thing Brice and I did agree on, is once we pick a name (when we get pregnant) we're keeping it a secret till the baby is born (sorry Kristi, hehe). Mainly because I want there to be a surprise for everyone to look forward to. And I'm not even going to lie- I don't think I could handle everyones opinion on it if they don't like it. But I am open for suggestions till we decide. So how did you choose your babies name? I like the idea of them having our middle names, but that's all I can come up with.

Monday, April 20, 2009

A couples session....

Turns into an engagement session!
So I had Jennifer and Pat scheduled for Sunday the 26th for a couple session. As of last weekend it is officially an engagement session. Congratulations you two. And Jennifer I am so happy you have finally found someone who treats you like the wonderful person you are.
Jennifer and Me (capree in the middle, sorry boys she is married).

Jennifer & Pat

Thursday, April 16, 2009

photoshoots...

I am so excited because in the next few weeks I have a couple's session, maternity session, newborn session, model session, and hopefully a boudoir session. I can't wait to use my camera again and post the pictures on my website.

Yay!

Friday, April 10, 2009

Say Cheese!

The waiting is over! I have finally launched my new photography website. And it totally rocks!!


FIEF photography
by Maryann Fief

Happy Birthday....


Today is my sisters 29th birthday. Wow!
Happy birthday sis, I love you and thank you for being my best friend.
Make PJ and Nathan wait hand and foot on you today!

Tuesday, April 7, 2009

Kristi's maternity shoot

Last week I picked up Kristi and we went to my aunt Brenda's house to take some pictures. Here are two to show everyone- the rest will be on my photography website. You really have to click on each thumbnail to get the full experience how amazing these pictures are. Isn't she the most beautiful pregnant woman you ever saw?

"Warm It Up, Kris" @ 13%. That's the only photoshop action I used on this one. And I thought the name suited Kristi well:)

Last week I picked up Kristi and we went to my aunt Brenda's house to take some pictures. Here are two to show everyone- the rest will be on my photography website. You really have to click on each thumbnail to get the full experience how amazing these pictures are. Isn't she the most beautiful pregnant woman you ever saw?
"Greetings From Paradise" @ 75% which made the water blue. The rest is all natural- and breath-taking!

Monday, April 6, 2009

Jennifer

Last week I had a great photo shoot with Jennifer. You never would have guessed it was raining during our entire shoot! Some of the pictures I had to take from the truck so I didn't get my camera wet!
I really love the two pictures below, but was wondering which is everyone's favorite? I can't decide which one, or both, to put on my website?

Jennifer you look beautiful. Thanks for being such a good sport in the rain!
(click on each picture to see full detail and quality)
The first picture is meant to be light in color with blue tints. The second picture is the original color- which I think is my favorite. I was mainly playing around with photoshop on the first picture.

Sunday, April 5, 2009

sneak peek

I'm having a bit of trouble launching my website. The hosting site I was planning on using reduces the quality of my images. So I found a great hosting company (thanks to my SIL) who I can use for my website, but now I have to start over. It won't be much longer, but till then....here is what I have been up to-