Last Christmas we announced to our family that we were expecting baby number three!

As I reflect back on 2011 I begin to grin and feel very warm inside.

God has brought so many blessings to us this year.

Through time and questioning we were blessed with a healthy home birth and beautiful daughter: EDEN aka EDIE or Easy E.

Already four months now – she is happy, sleeps well and has such a calm demeanor.

Parx turned two and has accepted her baby sister very well.

She has entered the typical ‘two year old’ syndrom. Lots of fits, screaming, and is super attached to mama.

Pierson is EIGHT! now & continues to blossom in school and is an amazing big brother.

He helps around the house, loves on all of us and is top of his class!

Paul and I have been blessed in our jobs.

He has a position that he loves, is fun and flexible… and we are able to have a wonderful life because of it!

I am smitten with ‘Arden Prucha Photography’ and plan on making some big changes next year.

This year I definitely went through some more growing pains – in business and in family.

Having three children is a full [OVER]time job.  Balancing has been a lot harder than I anticipated.

Anyone who has worked with, visited or chatted with me – surely sees I do NOT have it all together.

However, I am lucky for the sanity, happiness and good things in life I do have.

Our families and friends are so full of support and love – helping us whenever we need it.

We truly are blessed.

God is OH so good.

Today I am extra grateful for finding my way to the Lord.

It’s from HIM that I have been gifted:

A beautiful and gracious family, understanding and generous friends, a plethora of ‘things’ I need and want, never going without, a passion that I continue to learn from and such complimentary and heart warming fans…

I thank each person in my life.  For those of you who continue to encourage me, without every having MET please know that your words are fulfilling, uplifting and push me to be a better person and photographer.

So today I hope each one of you has a beautiful end to 2011.

May you have a blessed and very merry CHRISTMAS.

Neglecting my children has been an everyday problem.

While it’s getting ugly here in Texas, it brings me a little more family time – less shooting, postponing sessions and more snuggle time.

My two bigger babes were playing trains, so I whipped out my camera and snapped a few candids.

It’s the little things that release my stress and make me smile.

Hope you all had a terrific and candy-filled Halloween.

Pierson: Darth Vader

Parx: Wonder Woman

Edie: Kitty Cat (and the most precious one you will ever see!)

My sister and her family had THE COURT DATE, where they were trying to gain custody of Mallon.

They WON!

A few days later, he turned ONE!

Well, a year later and another adoption down… our sweet Mallon is TWO today.

I just want to give a shout out to this sweet little man, who came into our life at 3 days old.

A sweet soul, who says ‘day-du’ (thank you) all of the time and gives big wet kisses and hugs.

(he is such the opposite of my stand-offish and impolite Parx)

Mallon will cry if he knows he hurt you or upsets someone, such a pleaser and soft heart.

His favorite saying right now, “TOP IT!” (stop it)

Favorite Past Times: Hanging out with Elmo, Playing instruments and lovin on his family.

He knows exactly what he likes and wants, saying yes or no to all types of foods.

A precious face, with big dark eyes that will melt your heart… especially when he bats those lashes.

Happy Happy BIRTHDAY Mallon… We LOVE YOU so much.

The wind was so lovely.Love this series below:

1. Mallon happy with Parker’s pinwheel – while Parker is holding Mallon’s Elmo, complete with blankie, wipes and diaper, but noticing that Mallon has her pinwheel.

2. Parker snagged the pinwheel and is giving it to Elmo, but look at sweet Mallon. Poor little fella is sad!

3. Auntie Arden, HELP ME  - he says in those big’ole eyes.

(So, I give them back to him and Parx throws a SCREAMING FIT… enough of a fit that Mallon told his ‘Mama’ when he got home,”Parker, Elmo, WA WA WA WA she CY-ING!”)Little Bill.

Our kiddos LOVE this show.He is a kisser.

She is not.

They smooched!

(and Parx kisses with tongue, sheesh)One of my favorites!!!

I wanted to try to snag some photos of these wee little birdies.

I did not have my nice 70-200mm  zoom lens to be able to stand back and get great close ups.

I had my 85mm 1.2, which is NOT easy to get shots like these, because of the lack of zoom capability and the wide aperture.

So I narrowed the aperture a bit, kept the Shutter at a reasonable speed, and stood as close as I could without disrupting their feeding.

My settings:

ISO 320, SS 1/640, f-2.8

In the photo below there are THREE Hummingbirds.

The two on the right are fighting over the feeder.

Crazy little birdies!Why thank you for looking so perfect Miss H. Bird.

Then I thought about throwing the girls in a couple, since Paul or Pierson are the only ones who get to take photos of us.

It was pretty fun – having Harper (her 10m old), Parker (23m) and Eden (6wk) all together in a room snapping away!

I am just posting some photos of my crew and me today.

Heather snapped the ones of me and us.

I had fun snapping some of my girls too.

Her studio is just beautiful and the couch and light… oooooh so pretty.

I love how soft and airy everything looks.

My beautiful girls, who spend every day with their adoring Mama.

I am blessed to be able to love on them from the moment they wake up until they fall asleep.

I love them so much.

thank you HEATHER ESSIAN for this day.

I was taking photos of her, she starts screaming.

Heather starts playing ‘peek-a-boo’ with the sock monkey and she started smiling.

Children need constant entertaining!
I was snapping photos of Heather and Parker was running around, yelling and being silly.

.love.
Heather snapping me, Parx decides to come ‘hang’ while playing on my iPhone.

*she is obsessed… booLook at that light!

I threw this outfit together last minute.

I love the way it turned out!My Edie Girl.

She has such a soft demeanor about her.

Really a sweet spirit.Then there is Parx.

Spunky. Hilarious. FEISTY. and Beautiful.

She speaks a lot. Loves to put diapers on all of her animals, nurse them, and love on them.

She will only kiss two things:

1. her stuffed animals

2. Edie!!!

Paul, Pierson and I can: KISS HER, only when she is in the right mood.
I love this one.

Why?

It is my 30th birthday weekend!

Paul arrived home yesterday to say, “Babe, we are leaving for New Orleans tomorrow through Monday!”

This is one of our favorite cities and we are lucky enough to have a lot of family there!

We try to go at least once a year – to enjoy everything NOLA has to offer.

One of the coolest places for photographs, dining on the most scrumptious [and not so healthy] nibbles, sipping on daiquiris, site seeing, experiencing culture and unique people watching.

I am thankful to be turning THIRTY… having birthed three children, becoming a wife to a strong and wonderful man, being part of a beautiful [BIG] family and building friendships with so many good hearted people – during my 20-somethings, I wonder if 30 will live up to it?

The twenties brought some freedom and fun, with plenty of responsibility early on – as I had my son at 22 – young and single.

I met some of the best people in my life and grew with my old friends.

Lessons were taught, through days that I lived.

The twenties taught me how to be courageous, strong, selfless, kind, giving, while also learning from plenty of mistakes and selfish actions.

My heart grew. Opened up. Wrapping itself around precious lives.  Lives I couldn’t imagine living without.

I cannot dream of what this new decade will bring, but I have a feeling I will be engulfed in a vast amount of LOVE.

Here’s to you THIRTY – It will be an honor… to finally meet you and live as a thirty-something.

.love.

.and.

.cheers.

.humbled and happy.

arden

“Laissez Les Bon Temps Roulez!”

(NOLA 2010)

One day we went to Petsmart and found Pete!

Well, not long after we adopted Pete were newly married AND expecting a baby.

Through two new babies, Pierson, running a business, Paul and his busy side jobs, life and focus – we have not been the best dog owners.

I knew it was time – for Pete to find a better home.

More suited for him.

For more attention.  More outdoor adventures. More interaction, love, and excercise.

I had been contemplating this for over a year (even before Jasper was in our family, in fact one reason we got Jasper was to entertain Pete – as a buddy).

To be honest, Paul and I never knew we would not be good dog owners, but luckily realized it and wanted to fix the situation.

It wasn’t fair to Pete, it wasn’t fair to anyone.

Lucky for us Pete’s original foster mom saw a FB post about Pete needing a home.

So, she helped us find one for him!

A couple, about our age, who lived right across from her.

Engaged to be married next year and dog lovers!

Both artists. He is an opera singer, she is a painter!

(how cool is that?!)

We met them at the house, they met Pete – and took him over a couple of days – for a trial period.

Well, it’s Pete – so DUH they loved him.

I mean he really is a good boy.

Pierson had not been able to say ‘good-bye’ so Janna brought him over for a last farewell with the kids.

It wasn’t sad, it felt right. There was more joy than sadness.

Pete(r) is with his new family, who already love him so much.

They have re-named him: Peter Barker – get it?!

Meet Peter’s new mama: Janna

(she’s cute huh?! Peter got lucky.)

Our kids – sharing their last bit of love with him.

Parx loved it and kept going ‘oh Pete!’

Pierson started bossing Pete right away, how unusual!

(Parx was also very interested in his nipples – along with everyone else’s in the house, could it be the nursing baby?)Best buds.

Pierson was great, not even a wimper.

Probably good to do the goodbye AFTER he had been gone for a while.Our pooch, what a handsome boy he is.
You are a great dog, Pete.

We will truly miss you.

We LOVE YOU and hope to doggie sit often.

May your life be full of belly rubs, games of fetch, lovely walks with your family, endless amounts of bones and treats, playmates and precious love pats.

Be good Pete.  Sweet boy.

Farewell.

Please watch this slideshow.

Heather Essian – my amazing friend and photographer – put this together.

She asked me to ‘pick a song.’  I chose ‘This Woman’s Work’ by Kate Bush.

If any of you have seen ‘She’s Having a Baby’ you will understand why this song was special.

(AND it’s a John Hughes movie… if that tells you anything about how AWESOME and quirky it is!?)

I adored the movie as a child and that song has ALWAYS conjured up emotions – related with child birth, an adoring spouse and ultimately: LOVE.

Thank you Heather – for devoting hours and hours for us.

We cherish these moments and will always be albe to remember exactly how our sweet E came into this world!

(to see a better version: CLICK HERE - if anyone can tell me why it isn’t showing the text (or full size please let me know!)

Well, if you read my last birth post you know that Paul and I went to bed at 11pm Sunday (14th) – with my midwife, Donnelyn, predicting that I would go into labor just after relaxing and lying down.

So was D right?

Of COURSE she was!

I woke up, once again, with contractions – at MIDNIGHT!

I tracked them for an hour and they were 4-7m apart, this time lasting a full minute and pretty intense.

Got in the bath and had nice and even contractions, so they were NOT slowing down.

Donnelyn came around 2:30 and the contractions had been nice and steady.

Progression wasn’t quick – ya know I kept hearing ‘OH BABY NUMBER THREE will be FAST!’

Well, not necessarily – considering numero uno was an induced birth leading to a cesarean and numero dos was pitocin induced VBAC…

So, my bod had never ‘labored’ on its own before…

I was also very eager and anxious, which probably slowed things down at times.

At 3:30 am I was 3cm and 90% effaced… the contractions started to intensify, but were not quite ‘unbearable.’

The key Donnelynn told me: MELT INTO your contractions. Don’t fight them, don’t tense up, don’t make high pitch noises.

Just… relax.

Well, of course that sounds EASY right?

Ha, not quite.

I would have to tell myself (or have Paul or D tell me) to relax, melt in, let go.

One of the best things Donnelynn would say: “You don’t EVER have to go through THAT contraction again… IT’S OVER.”

Each one would be GONE before I knew it.

The thing I had a hard time with… HOW MANY MORE would I have to endure?

4:30 am roles around and it was time for my family and my photographer to join us.

My husband… I really could not have done it without him.

He guided me through.

He held me.

He caressed me.

He loved me.

He spoke to me.

He prayed for us.

He laughed, he cried, he was the perfect husband and father!We were so tired.

The day before was exhausting – because of early laboring.

Then waking up at 12am… in true labor.

This is 4:30 am.

So glad that our new DVD player has our ‘Pandora’ account on it!

We had the John Mayer station playing… lovely!
Sweet Donnelyn…

At this point I was able to talk in between contractions.

I was even able to SMILE for a bit Saying something silly I am sure.

We joked because I told Heather – I didn’t get any smiling photos of her (she had a very hard labor).

So we made sure to be silly in a few…

and like I said – it was not QUITE intense yet.My mom and sister…
I wish I had known – to warn them that I wasn’t going to be as ‘friendly’ as the epidural births!

At one point I stopped wanting to converse… or really have anyone around.
Paul’s pockets were my BFF – I remember wanting to find them.

When a contraction would creep up, I would put my thumbs in his pockets and lean on him.

Donnelyn and Sue told me to open my legs as much as I could.

I would sway from side to side or move my hips to find comfort.

This also allowed baby to descend more.

Look at this BIG belly!!!!

It’s weird, to see it now – now that I have her in my arms and not in my womb.We first assumed that this would be the final portion… in the tub.

While I was in the tub, I began to get VERY tired.

In between contractions I would dose off.

This sleeping really frustrated me, I thought: “How can I be progressing if I am falling asleep?!?!”
Once again – a SMILE for the camera… only for the camera

I told Paul to go grab some coffee – he was just as exhausted as I was.

My mom and sis stepped in to comfort me.
Then I felt it was TIME to get some energy – get OUT OF THE TUB for a while – and WALK AROUND!

I really really wanted things to progress.

So we went on a walk – up and down the street – right at sunrise!

It must be just around 7am at this point.

My sister came with me – it was hot and muggy, but a beautiful day.

I love how my sis and I are mirroring one another.

So true to ‘US.’

At this point… I was 6cm, 100% effaced and 0 gestation.

We were getting there!

I was nearing transitional stage!I came back in and was so tired.

Paul was too.

What I love about Donnelyn is that there is NO RUSH.

She is a firm believer in listening to your body.

So we napped, for a short time.

Through the contractions, I lay there – with my husband – peaceful and in rest.

Little did I know that it was about to get harder and more intense.
Our children woke up… not knowing any of this had been going on.

Though, I wasn’t in the mood to see them.

I was in more pain, and wanted to stay focused.

Parx didn’t quite understand.

My family did a great job at keeping them entertained.

This is where I became more ‘stand-offish.’

My conversations lessened A LOT.

I wanted some gentle guidance through contractions.

I wanted to know how much longer I would be laboring.

I was ‘over it,’ but not giving up.

Now, I type all of this – not wanting to sound like it was miserable – it was definitely HARD.

I hated it and loved it.

It is WORK, it is LABOR – hard, intense and beautiful… as every ounce of pain brings me one step closer to my little ‘baby.’

I kept praying to God, “Get me through Lord, help me God, Be with me.”

Sometimes whispering, other times in my head.

I almost forgot to mention – my devotion to HIM – through all of this.

My God – creating life through us… bringing this baby from my womb to my arms.

I prayed – for his hands to assist in the laboring. Reducing pain and bringing baby to us – with no problems.

At this point I was an 8… she suggested some things I do to assist in water breakage.

My water didn’t break though.

Not yet at least.

So, this is the point where I was emotionally ‘done.’

I was EXHAUSTED.

I felt ‘stuck.’

Stuck in this… ‘you are in labor, but baby is NEVER going to come’ moment.

Just before this photo I was in the tub, holding Paul’s hand – and crying, with zero energy and few tears – as that would take more work to create them.

I remember Paul left the room, I am sure he said something to Donnelynn.

It was time to get out of the tub [again] and get this thing going.

D, checked me again and we were SO CLOSE.

She decided to help – help my body move along.

She meant BUSINESS.

She did some manipulating…

She put me in some positions.

She knew this mama was MORE THAN ready to meet baby Jenkins.

I remember her telling Paul how to stand and that I was going to come over and hang on his arms – while in a squat (sexy huh?).

I waddled over and leaned my back on his belly.

Once the contraction came – I squatted down and hung.

D, helped by putting pressure on my belly.

I remember saying, “I WANT TO PUSH!!!!!”

(I have NEVER felt that feeling before, it was amazing – and scary)

She responded with, “Do what your body tells you.”

So I did. I pushed!

I felt Paul shaking and heard his breathing – he was nervous, excited, scared… perhaps crying for me?

D responds with – okay only 5-10 more.

I thought ‘ARE YOU CRAZY?’

Then the next contraction came and we did it again.

Once again – it was time to push – at least that is what it felt like.

We only did THREE of those and BAM it was time!!!

The baby was ready – my body was ready – I was going to meet him or her so soon.

D told me that if I wanted to have the baby in the tub, we would need to go in there now.

So now I was REALLY was waddling over to the tub.

I had Heather get my sister and mom… I knew they would want to be in there for the birth!

The only problem – our bathroom is NOT roomy.

We had two midwives, their apprentice, the photographer, my mom and sister squeezed in a small area.

The next contraction came… and by golly I loved knowing that it was FINALLY time to push.

I could feel it.

The urge, the desire to get this baby through the birth canal and into my arms!

One of the most special moments of the entire day is… when Donnelyn looked at Paul and said,

“Paul, I want you to repeat everything I say…

she may not hear me,

but 

SHE WILL HEAR YOU.”

She was right. I would hear my husband.

He was my rock. He was my love. He is the father of my children.

So, I listened.

I never thought I would make noises… but I did.

Even though pushing is painful, it was NOT the most painful part of the labor.

This was the FINAL portion of the ENTIRE process.

Pushing – is easy!
As I pushed I could feel each little thing happening.

At first I thought I felt the crowning, but in fact it was my bag – of water coming through and breaking.

 A nice cushion prepping my body for the soon to come head…

Then I felt it, the head coming, crowning.

I remember D telling me ‘if I tell you to stop pushing, stop.’

I kept thinking to myself – if she asks me to stop – there is NO WAY I can stop!

Luckily for all of us, she NEVER said STOP!

So I pushed… again…

My baby’s head was out.

I knew, that was the hardest part – get that body out and baby will be HERE!

So I pushed again… and baby came into the water.

This was when I finally opened my eyes and looked down as I watched her come into the water.

I started saying – over and 0ver – ‘My baby, my baby, my baby!’

I looked at Paul – he was red. He was crying with me.

We were so happy – and in shock that it was OVER.

Our baby was here!!!
Then I was in reality and heard my mom say ‘WHAT IS IT????’So I felt down under the bottom and said, “I think it’s a girl?” and they helped me pick the baby up…

‘IT’S A GIRL!!!!!!’

See us smiling – Paul said, “YOU GOT YOUR GIRL!!”
Parker and Pierson came in.

I told Pierson, “It’s a girl.”

I did see disappointment on his face.

I know he really wanted a brother.

He never told me he was sad, he said – Mommy, I am happy I have another sister.

What a strong boy. I did start losing blood after the birth.

D got me out of the tub, prior to the placenta delivery.

She wanted to be able to measure how much blood I was losing, rather than in the water.

Unfortunately it was more than they would want.

I became quite colorless and out of it.

I got a little bit of tunnel hearing – not being able to focus and passed the baby over to Paul.

The good thing, D was ready to take care of me.

I did have an IV, some pitocin and some chlorophyll to assist in replenishing.

Once that IV hit about half to three quarters empty I started feeling MUCH better.

Amen and thanks to my team for being proactive and watchful!

I love that my team also included the children in the Newborn screening!

So special for them… see Pierson listening to his baby sister’s heart?
Parx meeting her sister for the first time!
My daughter:

Eden Meredith Jenkins

7lbs 10oz

20.25″ long

Born on August 15th, 2011

at 11:08 A.M.

In our Home.

Would I do it again?

Yes!

Did I think that right off the bat?

No!

I wish I wouldn’t have waited so long to swap over.

I didn’t know what to expect – nor did I prep my family enough.

I do not feel ‘finished’ yet with children.

Paul may be done?

We will have to re-evaluate our family situation when the time comes.

I am so thankful for everyone who supported me in this decision.

There can be people who will tell you ‘you are crazy’ and that ‘it’s unsafe.’

Maybe I was crazy – but I am very happy and confident in our birthing choice.

Donnelyn, Sue and Melissa took great care of US – all of us!

They gave me space when I needed it.

They helped me through painful moments.

The advised me and helped when we were frustrated, exhausted and overwhelmed.

They intervened when necessary.

They provided us with love – prayer – and a beautiful birth!

We are blessed and Edie is a great baby – happy – healthy and perfect!

She has completed this long wait, as a perfect addition to our family.

We are all IN LOVE!

Special thanks to PAUL – for your AMAZING DEVOTION to your laboring wife.

My family – for being there and loving us… and all of the support BEFORE AND AFTER baby Eden joined our lives.

For our midwifery team for carrying us through and making our health and desires priority… and keeping us safe.

The infinite amount of blessings and prayers we received from our friends whom we have met and yet to meet!

You have all been so wonderful for Paul and me – in this journey.

We love you all!!!

(if you want to get even MORE into my birth story… here is a video moments after birth!)

One of my lovely friends on there brought it to my attention.

I was like, “BRING IT ON GRAVITATIONAL PULL!”

In fact I even did a bit of research to see if this was ‘true.’

While there isn’t “proven” evidence, but many studies found there to be a higher rate in births the day before, during and after a full moon.

Of course I didn’t put my stock in it… REALLY A FULL MOON… throwing me into labor?  Psssshhhaw!

As I slept that early Sunday morning I started to incorporate contractions into my dreams.

I woke up realizing I was having quite a few contractions in my sleep, so I grabbed my phone and started timing.

My contractions were VERY regular – lasting only about 20-30 seconds, but a continual 7-9 minutes apart, like clock work.

I could almost bet when the next one would come down to the minute.

I lay in bed for an hour – 5am-6am timing the continual contractions, letting Paul sleep next to me.

After another hour of the same pattern, so I text my midwife at 7am.

Seemed to be early labor!

I hopped in the bath to see if they slowed down at all.  Well, they did.

I start thinking, “NOOOOOOO!”

I didn’t want them to slow down, I was ready… I guess as ready as you can be.

Around 10am we walked up and down the street to see if progression would happen.

They seemed to slow down quite a bit – and I didn’t know what labor really felt like.

I was used to pitocin/cervidil laboring – so was THIS IT – the real deal? or was this ‘practice’ for another day down the road?

Throughout Sunday they would come and go.

By late lunch time I had to get out of the house.

I was driving myself nuts, looking at the seconds, minutes, hours.

Wondering, waiting, anticipating, getting frustrated.

Which probably assisted in slowing things down.

During this early laboring, Paul was so funny!

Maternal nesting mode kicked in for him.

He started picking up and cleaning house like a mad man.

Up and down in the attic – taking things to his office, making good will pile in his car, doing laundry, cleaning, etc.

It was so cute to watch his ‘baby is coming’ natural instincts kick in.

We finally got out to grab a lunch with the kids and drop some stuff off at my sisters around 2pm.

After all of that the contractions started picking up again (around 4pm) – this time about 15-20m apart, BUT they were longer and harder!

That was surely a great sign!

They then dropped to 15-18m apart and still heavy and longer!

Through consistent texting with my midwife, she decided to come over around 7pm and make sure all was well – through my continual, but inconsistent contracting.

I went ahead and called my family too, I had no idea what to expect!

Would they for sure need to be there JUST IN CASE this was the time?

Once Donnelynn arrived she evaluated me and then went ahead and checked me.

I was 1cm, but nice and open – 90% effaced and the baby was at 0 gestation.

Things were definitely HAPPENING, but it was not quite TIME.

Donnelynn predicted: “I bet you will put your kids in bed, lie down to go to bed and RELAX, and labor will progress.”

So, she went home, my family hung out for a bit longer and went home around 9pm.

We put the kids down around 10pm, hopped into bed and fell asleep around 11pm.

WHAT HAPPENED NEXT?

Well, that I will leave for the next post!

Was D correct – would I indeed relax and have labor progress after lying down?

We’ll see!