Moments that Matter

What will you remember about nursing your baby?

The milk-drunk smile

Wide eyes eagerly watching you

Their warm little body snuggled next to yours

Little fingers touching you

Gulps and swallows as the tummy fills

Watching wrinkly feet turn plump over the first few weeks

Seeing those chubby thigh rolls and knowing it’s pure nutrition from your milk

Comforting a sad or sick baby

Contentment

…and so much more!

As new moms, we spend countless moments nursing our babies. At times, it may feel like it will never end and can even be overwhelming when exhaustion sets in. Like everything else with kids, though, before you know it your child will be grown up and no longer nursing. What will you remember?

We have this incredible bond, this incredible gift, that is breastfeeding. Whether for 2 days or 2 years, the time spent breastfeeding your child is so special. For some, it comes easily. For others, they have to fight through one struggle after another.  Regardless, the moments shared between mom and baby are special and deserve to be remembered.

So much of a newborn’s life is spent eating, but if you are like most moms, you don’t have any pictures to remember this special time together.

Enter Timbra Wiist, of Landslide Photography. Her specialty is nursing photography. I met Timbra in her role as the leader of the Murray group of La Leche League. I was then introduced to her photography skills at Latch on America, a breastfeeding event in the summer of 2011. My first daughter was about 9 months old at the time and I was running a booth about my childbirth education classes. Timbra was taking nursing portraits. She took a couple of shots of us together and I chose my favorite to keep. At the time, she offered to let me purchase the other  images, but I declined, thinking to myself, “If I want to pay for pictures, I’ll make sure and do it on a day when I’ve done my hair, I’m not so sweaty, etc.”

  

 Now I wish I could go back and get those images! I didn’t get it—photography isn’t only about creating an image of what you wished you look like…it’s about capturing a moment in time to remember. The great thing about professional photography is that it captures that moment in a flattering, but not fake, way.  Now that little baby is a full-fledged “big girl” (according to her) and recently became a big sister, which made her look SO much bigger than she ever had before.  I love her toddler-self. She’s hilarious, adventurous, creative, and loving.  As much as I love who she is at this moment, I realize I can never go back to the time she was smaller- only through memories, and photography helps to capture those memories.  I also love that nursing portraits show how normal, loving, and important it is to nurse your baby.  So, when Timbra said she’d like to do a giveaway to let one lucky reader have a photo session with her, I was eager to share that chance with you!

Let me share part of my interview with Timbra, so you can get to know her and her work a bit more. The responses in italics are her words, although I have edited for length and relevance.

Tell me about yourself.

I grew up in Northern California and lived there until moving to TX after high school, for a year, where I met my husband.   I am a wife and the mother of 2 little girls.  One was born in Fiji, the other here in Utah.  I am a La Leche League Leader, lactivist and this year I will be the Chairwoman for the Breastfeeding Cafe in SLC, for the second time (the first in 2011).  in 2011 I took on the role of Girl Scout Leader as well.  I absolutely love the water and the ocean.  

Tell me a little about your background in photography.

I have always enjoyed taking photos.  I think I got my first camera when I was 10.  It used 110 film, that long skinny film with the two little reels on either end :)  And I upgraded several times after that.  Through high school I traveled to the South Pacific several times and LOVED photographing children on those trips.  Living in Fiji in 2000, I really started enjoying photographing people and the interest in photographing people and my travels caught fire.  I spent 2 years studying photography, particularly photojournalism, event and portrait photography.  I have combined these styles of photography in my own work, a mix of "lifestyle," and formal portraiture.  My favorite subjects these days are my kids.  

Why do you specialize in nursing/newborn photography?

When I started out in photography, I REALLY loved wedding photography, my business was just getting off the ground in California when we moved out of the country.  When we returned to the US and relocated to Utah, wedding photography was a very difficult avenue to gain much ground in.  I did a few family sessions here and there, but after becoming a La Leche League leader and later working with the Breastfeeding Cafe in Salt Lake City, I became really excited about nursing portraiture.  I feel that my excitement surrounding photography has followed my own life path and while I still REALLY love event/wedding photography and find it to be quite thrilling, as I've become a mother I've come to enjoy documenting pregnancy, infancy, breastfeeding and childhood just as much, if not more so.

Describe a typical photo session.

A nursing portrait session generally goes pretty quickly.  A newborn nursing baby pretty much just nurses and nurses and it's easy to get several lovely photos.  An older nursling can be easily distracted, playful or sometimes frustrated about someone invading a nursing session. I try to stand back and let the child cuddle with mama for a bit then step in again when things seem more natural and comfortable, but these sessions also go quickly, because any little one over about 6 months old is generally interested in one way or another, in the big black box that has become part of the session :)  I think nursing portraits are great in someone's house, in the "usual" nursing spot, but they can be fun in parks and other pretty places too.  For other sessions?  With families, I know how it is to be the mom who spent months looking for coordinating outfits and hours trying to make sure no one fell and broke their nose that day leading up to photos, and how frustrating it can be when little ones decide they will just NOT comply and "smile nicely for the camera" (which is pretty much EVERY family I've ever photographed).  I try to remind families that I'm photographing their REAL family and real families don't all sit together and smile at the camera at the same time.  If someone is looking for a regal portrait to hang over the mantle, maybe I'm not your gal, but if you're wanting some photos that really capture your family in THIS moment, then that's what I seek to do.  And sometimes that means one child is off by him/herself, or someone's picking their nose or rolling their eyes. . .whatever it is, it's real!

What would you say to people who are unsure if they are comfortable with nursing portraits?

Nursing portraits are really intimate.  Some people are worried that nursing portraits will expose too much but are pleasantly surprised with the result of modest and beautiful photos that capture the essence of the breastfeeding relationship they have with their little ones.  The beauty of nursing portraits, particularly, is that you don't have to "do" anything, except that which you already do.  I have even gone to homes of new families requesting newborn photos and when baby decides to nurse, asked if the mother would like some photos, a mother who had NEVER thought of nursing portraits before, and later been told that she was pleasantly surprised by the beautiful result, namely because she pictured herself much differently when nursing.  The photos will reflect your feelings and personality within your nursing relationship, which will be different for every mother/child pair (triad).

Anything else you'd like to share?

Very often I have had women in my life say they wish they'd gotten maternity photos.  I have three photos of my first daughter nursing between birth and one month and none again until she was nearly TWO!  A few months after she turned 2, I embarked on nursing portraits as my niche.  I am remiss that I do not have more photos of her nursing, because it was a HUGE part of my every day mothering for the first years of her life, and most certainly for those early months.  Even if you decide not to have portraits done . . .  take some photos!  Sometimes we feel worried about how our bodies look rounded, awaiting babies, or nursing them and nurturing them, not quite back to our "fighting" pre-mother weight, but I hope that the photos I take, will reflect back to mothers that their bodies are doing AMAZING things, growing humans (in different stages) and that this will be what they see when their photos are returned to them.  

I love that Timbra “gets it” and has totally been there! She is in a beautiful place to use her talent to help new moms capture the moments that matter.

So here’s what you can win:

It's a 30 minute, on location session with 3 high resolution digital negatives of choice, a $65 value.

And here’s how you win:

Leave a comment on this blogpost about what you’ll remember about your nursing experience (or why you think nursing photography is a cool idea!). We’ll randomly pick one commenter to win the session. In order to win, you must also be a fan of Birth Utah and Landslide Photography on Facebook. You will be contacted by email.

CONTEST ENDS SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 9 at Midnight MST. Winner will be contacted by Monday, Feb 11 and announced on Facebook. 

Fine Print: This promotion is only featured by Birth Utah, but the giveaway is solely from Landslide Photography. They are responsible for coordinating with the winner to redeem the prize. It is not in any way sponsored by Facebook. One entry per person, regardless of how many times you comment. J

New Beginnings

Becoming a mom is a life-changing event in innumerable ways. Through giving birth and raising a child, often a woman rediscovers who she is and what matters to her!

 With new beginnings come new opportunities. I am grateful that my daughter’s birth started me on the path of becoming a childbirth educator, which I absolutely love and am passionate about. However, before my pregnancy, I never would have considered it!

This week, I met a remarkable lady who had a somewhat similar discovery. Michelle Hoyles was living near Portland when her first son was born. A friend gave her a gift certificate, as a shower gift, for a custom artwork of her baby’s handprint and footprint. After her son was born, Michelle had the artwork made and it become a cherished piece of their family history.

Fast forward a few years. Michelle, now living in the Salt Lake area, had a second son. She wanted to have another piece of artwork made, this time with her second baby’s prints, so she could display them together. Michelle began looking for an artist to do the impression for her. However, she was frustrated in her search and couldn’t find anyone who offered the product she was looking for.

As a former elementary school teacher with an art minor, Michelle saw this void as an opportunity. She decided to go back to Portland to train in this art method. When she came back, she continued to develop her technique and has since opened her own business, Impressions Clay Prints.

I was fortunate enough to visit Michelle’s home and studio and see her in action. Her work is beautiful. She explained a bit about the process. First, she rolls out clay. This clay, she informed me, is totally safe and non-toxic, meaning that even preemie babies can have their impressions done. (What a keepsake that would be for those parents!)

Then, she masterfully takes the child’s prints (and if she could get a good print off my squirmy one-year-old, you know she has skill!). That’s all that’s required of you- just a few minutes.

The impression then gets placed in the kiln. After that, it is hand-painted and glazed.

The process of hand-painting just the actual handprint or footprint (or paw-print) is what really makes the piece special. It highlights every line and really makes the piece attractive. Some other businesses (or do-it-yourself kits) will do a handprint or footprint, but they glaze the entire thing, so the print isn’t visible from far away. Also, the process Michelle uses will create a lasting keepsake, instead of a piece that will crumble away over time, like plaster does.

To finish it off, Michelle paints the child’s (or animal’s) name and age, and adds a beautiful ribbon.

I love the idea of clay impressions, because it is a unique keepsake that both you and the child will treasure as time goes on. (And, unlike pictures, you don’t have to stress about your baby’s hairstyle or expression…or your remaining baby weight!).

Some of the options in creating your artwork- size, color, etc.

Cute little one-of-a-kind ornament!

Visiting with Michelle was such a good reminder to me that motherhood is something to be treasured. We should treasure these moments, because before we know it, the little tiny baby we adored is a toddler…or teenager! Hopefully, in the midst of fully appreciating our children, motherhood will allow each of us the opportunity to do a bit of rediscovery and appreciate our passions and talents!

How do you capture memories with your children? Photos, Artwork, Videos?

What have you discovered about yourself since becoming a mother? 

P.S. To find out more about Michelle's work, visit her website at http://www.impressionsclayprints.com. You can schedule an appointment for you or plan a group event (parties, preschools, etc.). She also offers gift certificates!

***GIVEAWAY! Michelle is giving away a $45 gift certificate to one lucky reader (use for yourself or give to someone as a wonderful gift!)


To enter, you must do these three simple things:


1) "Like" Birth Utah on Facebook  https://www.facebook.com/BirthUtah (if you haven't already!)
2) "Like" Impressions Clay Prints on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/pages/Impressions-Clay-Prints/105407299547567 (if you haven't already)
3) Comment on this post, here on the blog, answering one (or both) of these questions above (in bold).
-Make sure you put your name, as it is on Facebook, when you comment on the blog.
-To comment, click at the bottom of the entry where it says "# comments" and it will open a comment box for you.


One entry per person! Enter now. Winner will be chosen on Wed, Dec. 21 (in time for Christmas!)

Better Late Than Never

Recently I took a field trip to a place I wish I'd known about when I was pregnant! Do you ever have moments like that when you say, "I wish I'd known about this when ________"?  It can be frustrating to find something later than you wish, but in this case, it's better late than never!

Where is this wonderous place, you ask? My visit was to Salt Lake Prenatal Massage, where I had a great conversation with the owner, Rebecca de Azevedo Overson, LMT.


My conclusion? If you are pregnant and in Utah, you should know about this place. Let me tell you why:

-First of all, their slogan is "pregnancy made comfortable." Umm....yes, please. You mean that's possible?? :-)

-While other providers may offer prenatal massage, Salt Lake Prenatal Massage is the only massage therapy clinic in Utah that focuses solely on childbearing women. Rebecca has received extra training and has tons of experience to know exactly how to help women in every stage-- those trying to conceive, those currently expecting, those recovering from birth, and those who are new(er) moms.

-According to Rebecca, women can receive massages in all stages of pregnancy. I was impressed how conscientious they are in this clinic--they will even work with your doctor to get the "okay" if there are concerns.

-There are NINE massage therapists who work at Salt Lake Prenatal Massage, and Rebecca has worked with each of them individually to make sure they know the best techniques and can provide you with an amazing experience.

-Since the focus is on pregnant women, the massage tables are well-equipped with cushions and pillows to accommodate blossoming bellies. That means you can safely lay on your belly to get a massage--that alone feels incredible for your body that is used to carrying the extra weight (see a pic of the table below).

-This clinic is gorgeous, from its home-like waiting area to the relaxing massage rooms, adorned with incredible artwork geared towards childbearing women (keep reading for the pictures...).

-When you come to Salt Lake Prenatal Massage, you are getting so much more than a massage--Rebecca and her other therapists can help you to understand the changes that are taking place in your body and assist you in making those changes as comfortable as possible.

-Not only does this location offer expert massage, but it is also becoming a hub for all things related to pregnancy wellness. There is an in-house chiropractor and a variety of childbirth classes are held in her beautiful location (hopefully Brio Birth classes will be held there soon!).

-Finally, I believe that when you are pregnant it is important to surround yourself with people who are positive and who believe in the power of women's bodies to give birth...and that is what I felt at Salt Lake Prenatal Massage. I was energized by my conversation with Rebecca, and I feel confident that you will feel better after a visit, too.


Good news! You don't have to be pregnant to go there- but childbearing women are their specialty!

So, wondering how to get there? It's just east of I-15 at 2100 S in Salt Lake--you'll see a building on the south side of the road that says "Skin Science" on the side--it is in that building!

The entrance is on the side of the building NOT facing 2100 S--go in the door marked main entrance.

 If you go down the hall, turn to the right, and keep going....you'll find it! Salt Lake Prenatal Massage.

This is the lovely waiting room...and classroom for childbirth education classes.

 This is a massage table that is not covered in sheets yet to demonstrate some of the amazing cushions they have to fit every woman's body comfortably--and check out the incredible artwork on the wall.

So, there you go...better late than never, right? I can't wait to get a massage next time I'm pregnant...or not pregnant. Either way, I'm sure it will be great!

Are you wishing you could visit? Well, definitely visit their website for more information. It has a great directory of providers who offer various services for expecting women--take time to look around this website. You can also read more about Rebecca and her journey to natural birth. If you are really lucky, you may even be able to hire her as your doula...wouldn't that be amazing!

Maybe you could hint to someone that a massage would be a wonderful mother's day present! Also, if you "like" Salt Lake Prenatal Massage on Facebook, you'll receive awesome updates about specials...and informative blogposts.

You can enter to receive a certificate worth $35 towards a 60 minute prenatal or postpartum massage! To enter, write a comment on this post about what you have done (or plan to do) to "make pregnancy comfortable."