I promise you will see photos of the weddings and shoots from this fall soon. New web site and new blog to be coming with the New Year (eventually).

For now....stay warm...!

I took this photo this morning in 15 degree weather. And Gabe still smiled!

So lets just say I have been super happy these past few months...but a little behind on keeping up with everything. I can honestly say that I do not feel stressed though. Maybe that is because I have so many wonderful friends and clients and because I have the sweetest baby girl to hang out with everyday.

I have lots of wonderful weddings and family photos to post, but it may take some time to put them all up here. Keep checking back!

First, a few photos of Norah from the past weeks....she is now 10-weeks-old

And my adorable nephew Liam Patrick...

It is such a gift to have so many babies in the Gould family this year (3 total). Liam is a perfect little miracle and only 6 weeks younger than Norah.

And these first four weeks have flown by so fast. She is growing and eating and sleeping all the time. I need to thank all of you, for your support, friendship and love. Thanks for all the gifts, prayers and visits (we love visitors). Norah is excited to meet all of you.

I will also be posting an update on here soon about our fall bookings and Christmas deadlines.

Congratulations to five winners: Chris, Amanda, Molly, Kara and Annette, who guessed Norah's birthdate and sex correct. Because we have so many winners, we did a drawing for the free session and $200 GC, which Amanda is the winner of, and everyone else will have a free session and $50 GC. Thanks so much for all your guesses!

The story of Norah's brith began on August 23rd. I woke up with back labor, but was not sure it was the "real" thing, so Dave and I went on a walk and a trip to Barnes and Noble. When we got home, I called the DR but wanted to wait it out a little longer before heading to the hospital. I still was not convinced they were real contractions because I was able to talk and walk through them.

I called my mom who started driving up from KY and my close friend, Stefanie, who is a Labor and Delivery nurse at OSF, driving home from a weekend in Chicago. Dave and I decided to head into the hospital around 5 in the evening and everything seemed to flow from that point. Stef made it, my mom made it and my wonderful midwife, Sheri made it. The labor was so beautiful and peaceful and Norah arrived at 1:07 am on Monday morning. Perfectly healthy, a gift from God.

Photos coming soon I promise! Thank you so much for all your love and support.

August 24, 2009

1:07 am

7 lbs 11.6 ounces

19.5 inches

Happy Birthday Grace! You are such a fun and special girl and always have the biggest smile to share.

I am going to give away a free photo session and $200 print credit for anyone who guesses correct (the birth date as well as the sex of the baby). I have lots of guesses already from friends and family, and maybe more than one person will be right. (hint: my actual due date is in two weeks.)

Feel free to leave a comment below with your guess, or you can e-mail us at nellie@nellie-photography.com

Just a reminder that I will not be shooting for 6 weeks after the baby is born (except for the weddings I already have scheduled). Kristine, my office manager, will be off for two weeks as well, so we will not be answering phone calls or e-mails for two weeks. I have very limited availability left for when I return from Maternity leave in October, but depending on how well the sweet baby adjusts to my shooting schedule, may have more sessions open. Until then, everything is kind of "tentative".

Thank you all so much for your support and prayers! I am ready to have this little one and be a mom! We will keep you posted. Until then, let us know your guess!

I was able to photograph some very special families this summer but not post as many photos on the blog as I wanted to. I am planning on a web site redesign soon so we will have lots of new photos up. For now, enjoy the photos of these two wonderful families summer days:

It was an honor to photograph Davin and Sarah's wedding....they have a special connection in their relationship that is hard to miss. I have been so blessed to have so many wonderful weddings this summer while pregnant. It is one of the best gifts in life to be able to capture true relationships surrounded by such loving and dedicated family and friends.

Some of my closest friends threw me a baby shower last weekend. It was such an honor and so beautiful. We had the perfect night and the coolest decorations. Beth, from Save the Date, gave Stefanie, Katy, Molly and Katy B. all the decorations and the girls added in all the flair! We had non-alcoholic punch (thanks Molly), Sangria, a pickle bar (perfect for pregnant women), pasta and the most delicious popcorn balls. I also had some friends and family come into to town for the weekend.

I have been feeling great. Just three more weeks to go if I can hang in there. I am now on bed rest (very hard to commit to). I will keep everyone updated as much as possible. I was able to finish all but two photo shoots scheduled, so I am very grateful for that.

Here are some photos from the shower:

The girls made my place card at the table say "mom" and my mom thought it was her seat. She thought it was funny that she is soon to be "grandma williams".

Surrounded by amazing women! Stefanie, Katy, Katy B. and Molly hosted my baby shower last weekend. Below, my mom, sister-in-law Meaghen (who is expecting 6 weeks after me) and my mother-in-law. My sister Sarah, and my sister-in-law Jen.

One of Callie's newest fashion creations.

Kristine, my fabulous office manager.

5 weeks and counting now.

And nothing is better than splashing in a pool on a hot summer day. We ended up at the pool and had a blast.

So I have not been able to post sessions as they have been happening this summer, and I know there are many I am missing on here, but I wanted to put as many as I could up for now. Starting with bellies and babies to toddlers and high school seniors.

Each one a precious time in their life.

Now, a professional football player (he just signed a contract to play in a new football league, the United Football League) and even more important, a husband. It was such an honor to photograph his wedding to my new sister-in-law, Jen, this past Saturday in St. Louis.

Jen is the perfect sister-in-law. I cannot imagine how intimidating it was for her to meet my family for the first time....4 protective sisters of Nathan. But she easily fit in the "Williams" clan and my mom fell in love with her as much as Nathan did. Jen is one of the most sincere and generous friends I have ever had. She has made my brother happier than any other person.

So under one of the hottest, cloudless days this summer (over 100 degrees), Nathan and Jen promised their love to each other. Despite the sweat (you can't even see it in the photos), we had a great time taking photos all over St. Louis and at the zoo where their reception was held.

I could NOT have shot this wedding without the help of the amazing Matt Dunmore (Matt Dunmore Photography). He drove out from Chattanooga, TN, to be a part of the day and help me with yet another wedding. He gave my feet and big belly a rest when I really needed it! This baby is ready to be a photographer! Thanks so much Matt!

Congratulations Nathan and Jen. I could not have asked for a better brother or sister-in-law!

The "Williams" siblings.....Dave and Nellie, Sarah, Nathan and Jen, Caitlin and Rachael