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REFLECTION

Today, I woke up and was hit with a period of reflection. Time is a funny thing. When we first found out we were pregnant, time seemed to creeeeeep along as slow as molasses. The first trimester -- the scary period when you're worrying about miscarriage and you don't feel comfortable sharing your big news -- seemed to go on FOR.EV.ER. The second trimester flew by. Literally... I feel like I blinked and we were at 28 weeks. WHAT?! Now? NOW I'm at 36 weeks. My body has changed dramatically, my hormones are FULLY ragin' (case in point: tears are currently welling up in my eyes), and my love for my husband -- who has been so wonderful throughout the pregnancy -- has peaked to a new level. He's been the best at keeping me comfortable and calm, and I know he's going to be an incredible father.

It'll only be a short month before she is here and I am in FULL nesting mode. I'm trying to take the time to relax now before our world is flipped upside down (in the best way possible, of course). I am anxious and excited to meet her. To hold her little hands and kiss her little feet. To experience one of the most wonderful things imaginable. I know things will be messy and imperfect, but that's okay. I'm ready to embrace mama-hood fully and feel my capacity for love to grow exponentially.

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CLANCY + A.J. - Abacos Wedding - Part I of II

I've got a little piece of tropical paradise to share with you today! Earlier in April, I flew down to Hope Town on the island of Elbow Cay in the Bahamas to photograph Clancy & A.J.'s wedding. I had such a wonderful time visiting the island again! Be on the lookout for their beautiful beach wedding later this week, but for now, please enjoy some of my favorites from their rehearsal dinner at Harbour's Edge. : )

It was a tad too windy to do the rehearsal on the beach, so they opted to do a run through on the lawn. How adorable are the ring bearers?

Awesome hairpiece!

The gorgeous necklaces that Clancy gave her bridesmaids.

Love this shot of Clancy in her pirate hat!

The bride-to-be and her "Bahamasistas"!

The happy couple. : )

KEY WEST

Last October for my birthday, Ryan took me on a surprise trip to Key West, Florida. And I mean it was a COMPLETE surprise. I didn't know we were going on a trip until the day before, and I didn't know where we were going until we got to the gate. All I had to do was pack a bag... and my camera, of course. : ) Here are some highlights from our sunny weekend getaway. Can we go back? Like... now?!

We found an AMAZING vegetarian place called The Cafe, and we ate there both days. SO good.

And this is where my love affair for Woodchuck Pear Cider started... yum.

... the staff was awesome too. : )

I found this painted on the side of a wall...

We found this dude it town with a BEAUTIFUL parrot. Naturally, I was afraid of the bird but got close enough to get some snaps...

... and Ryan made friends with him.

Night #1 sunset from the harbor. It was more unbelievable in person.

Ryan has THE longest eyelashes in the world.

Trip to the butterfly sanctuary!

We stopped by Ernest Hemingway's place...

And here's the lighthouse we tried to visit, but it closed down five minutes before we arrived. Dang.

Night #2 sunset; we watched from atop a hotel in town.

Thank you, Ryan, for such a wonderful trip! : )