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I'm a self-proclaimed sentimentalist who believes in photography that evokes emotion, looks effortless, and feels real. Here on my blog, you'll find my work, my outfit inspiration, goals, and more. I'm glad you're here!

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Some Exciting News

11/24/14

Let’s be honest, anytime someone sees this kind of blog title THIS is the kind of post they’re hoping for and expecting. So, I’ll spend no time pretending it’s anything else! We are thrilled to announce….

Baby Watson Announcement_0001

This has been a long-time hoped for, and Aaron and I couldn’t be more excited or grateful! It still totally feels surreal that we’re going to be PARENTS, but as we saw our Baby bouncing around in the ultrasound today it started to feel a little more real. This beautiful little human growing inside of me is going to change our lives forever (already has!) and I’m so excited for the adventures ahead!

For those who know us well, you know a little bit of our story, but I wanted to share with the rest of you all in hopes of just being a small encouragement to someone who might be walking a similar path. We’d been trying for this precious little Watson for 19 months, and while I know for so many who have had to wait so much longer, that seems like nothing. But nonetheless, after a year and a half you start to wonder if it will happen for you. WHY it hasn’t already. You see pregnant friends, and you feel a heartache you didn’t even know you could have. You feel yourself resent the fact that anyone can get pregnant “accidentally” or “unplanned”. It can be a very lonely and frustrating path to deal with infertility of any kind, for any amount of time, especially when you feel like you’re one of the “few” who are going through this. So few people talk about it, and that’s what makes it seem so isolating – but it shouldn’t, and doesn’t have to be that way! I’m so grateful that the few friends and family we reached out to, even if they couldn’t all relate from personal experience, offered support, care and encouragement.  Sometimes you just need to know that someone is aware of what you’re going through, and that they are there to care about you in the process. So, if anyone is reading this and find yourself in a painful place of waiting….wondering….not knowing. Of sadness and discouragement, please please know you don’t have to go through it alone. I’m so grateful for the way God encouraged me through that season, and gave us reminders of His goodness and love through the tangible care and conversation of those around us. So, if you need someone to correspond with or talk to, I’d love to hear from you. So would those close to you in your life. Help them understand what you’re going through so that they can in turn help support you. I promise it’s worth being vulnerable about, and that even in the sadness it can be a season of great growth and blessing – hard growth, no doubt about it, but it’s not wasted time.

So, after the year and a half, we finally decided to meet with a fertility specialist (this August), and after getting some pretty poor test results in September, we were told the next step was insemination. It just seemed unlikely that we were going to be able to get pregnant on our own, and while that was something I had to work through (Aaron was such a rock through all of this), I was grateful to have at least some answers. So, we were set to go with that plan in October….but much to our great surprise, when late September rolled around we were shocked to find out we were pregnant! So, clearly God had other timing in mind, which blew me away. Just when we thought it wasn’t possible, He proved that it was. I don’t know what future pregnancies will hold, but I’m so grateful for the unique timeline He worked out with this pregnancy and for the reminder that none of this is in my control. As hard as that was to grapple with so often, it’s also SO freeing to know!

A little bit of general information, in case you’re curious:

How far along am I?

12 weeks and 3 days! :)

How’ve I been feeling?

Up until this past Wednesday, I was very nauseous pretty much 24/7….which was not fun, let me tell you. Also pretty tired most of the time. But right as I was reaching the 12-week mark, the nausea really died down! I was hoping that would be true for me, and I’m super grateful it has been. Still dealing with some random nausea/gagging here and there, but am back to being able to eat MUCH more normally, and have a good amount of energy back!

Am I craving anything crazy, yet?

No, I don’t think any real “cravings” have kicked in yet. During the first trimester I just wanted a lot of cold fruit, and sour things because I think they helped the nausea. I also didn’t want anything to do with meat. But, now I can pretty much eat like usual again….and I’m bracing myself for the intense cravings that I hear can happen. So, we’ll see!

Will we be finding out the gender of Baby?

YES! Neither one of us has any interest in being patient or surprised. Haha. We can’t wait to find out if we’ll be welcoming a boy or girl! Sadly we have to be patient until the end of January….but we’re excited to know!

How often do I plan to post about Baby-related stuff?

I don’t want anyone to be worried that it will totally take over the blog! I plan to keep updates to once a month, or once every 2 weeks. I want you all to be involved along the way, but I will definitely still be posting regular photography content. Wardrobe Wednesdays will become somewhat maternity-inspired out of necessity….but obviously that won’t be a forever change. :) Can’t wait to share in our joy and the journey with you all, though!

Will I still be booking weddings for next year?

Absolutely! Just not in May or June. :) But I’m definitely planning to book as much as I can in early Spring, late summer & Fall! This beautiful business is still a passion of mine, and one of the reasons way-back-when I chose to be my own boss was so that I could have the flexibility to work and do what I love, while also being able to set my own schedule and have availability to start a family. I know it will be a transition, but I’m so excited to learn the ropes!

And just because every post is better with some photos….here are the beginnings of my weekly Baby Bump!

Baby Watson Announcement_0003
Baby Watson Announcement_0002

If you made it through the whole post, you’re a champ! We are so grateful for this amazing gift in our life, and are so blessed to have so many caring people interested and along for the ride! We would covet prayers for the continued healthy growth of Baby and for me as my body goes through all the crazy stages of pregnancy. Can’t wait to see what this amazing new season will hold! :)

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  1. Lauren Swann says:

    YAY!! I’m so glad that the cat is finally out of the bag!!! I am so incredibly happy for you two!!! Love ya!!

  2. Rachel May says:

    Tori, I’m SO excited for you and Aaron!! You guys are going to be amazing parents! :)

  3. Congratulations!! That is so exciting! All good things are worth waiting for and God’s good timing!

  4. Alissa says:

    This was so precious to read! thank you for sharing your heart, Tori! So excited for you and Aaron!

  5. Amanda Wilcox says:

    Over the moon excited for this amazing couple. What an amazing post as well. I can not wait to begin this journey with you through your blog. Reading your post was and is exactly what I am going through. We have been trying, I am too struggling with the whole thing. Its nice to see that many have problems. I come from a family that has not had any trouble getting pregnant. But me, I am. Its very hard, no one in my family can relate to me. But reading this blog has given me hope.

    Thank you Tori your are always inspiring me!

  6. SOOOOO happy for you, and praising God for this precious gift!!

  7. Jen says:

    Tori!!! This is SO very exciting! Congrats to you both!!

  8. Lauren Reavely says:

    BEST NEWS EVER. Baby Watson is going to be SO loved!

  9. Herlinda Teach says:

    Hello Sweetie, CONGRATULATIONS to you and Aaron love you both. May the end of 2014, and the New Year bring you peace joy through out. We are both excited for you, your pictures are so cute. Be safe and enjoy this blessed event in your life. May the LOVE of CHRIST JESUS surround his loving arm around you. Love you bunches Your Friends in HIS NAME Steve and Herlinda, Again CONGRATES ;)

  10. I am so excited for your Tori! It was so great to read a bit about your journey and even more amazing to see that God had a plan for you all along, and that right when you thought you were going in one direction, he took you in another. Amazing!! You will make a wonderful mommy and I can’t wait for you to experience the most life changing, wonderful love. It’s the best thing you will ever do! Congrats!!

  11. Katie says:

    OHHH TORI!!! You are already the cutest little mama-to-be in the world! I am so over the moon excited that your prayers have been answered!! <3 <3 Love you SO MUCH and I can't wait to see the arrival of the newest Watson!!!

  12. Giann says:

    How exciting! Congrats, y’all! :)

  13. God’s timing is so perfect! I am so excited for you and your husband, friend. You are just the cutest little pregnant lady! Thank you for sharing your story so honestly. You’re so right, it’s something people don’t often discuss so it can feel so lonely. So thankful your prayers were answered this fall! xoxo!

  14. Ervina says:

    Oh stop, you already have the best maternity photos ever! Baby Watson is one lucky child to be documented so beautifully. :)

  15. Amelia says:

    SOOO thrilled for you two! What a blessing God has given you:) Can’t wait for more updates!

  16. Lelia Marie says:

    OMG OMG OMG!!! I am so thrilled for you both!! Congratulations Tori! I cannot wait to follow along and hear about everything :-)

  17. Mary McNamara says:

    Beautiful blog post God is so faithful! Thank you for sharing. My parents prayed for 7 years before a miracle happened! Doctors told them there was no hope. My mom cried out Hannah’s prayer and God gave them me and then my brother right after! And I am so glad God blessed my parents or I would not be here today! He will bless the barren woman.

  18. Jen Jar says:

    YAYYYYYYYYYYY!!! So happy for you and Aaron, and you are seriously the cutest pregnant woman EVER! AH! <3

  19. Alison says:

    Tori! I am so excited for you guys!!! God is SO good! My eyes filled with tears of joy for you while reading this post! You are going to make an amazing mom to this little kiddo! Thanks for being vulnerable and sharing! Can’t wait to see more of those adorable bump photos!

  20. christy says:

    Enjoy the journey! Thanks for sharing your story. So much hope and beauty in you and the new life you carry.

  21. Nancy Phillips says:

    Congratulations! Mindy is just ahead of you. She’s due in March. Doesn’t seem possible that our girls will be mommies soon ;)

  22. […] so very much to be thankful for this year! I’m blown away by the privilege of our family expanding, nearly finishing my 6th year in business, and continuing to get to work with the most amazing […]

  23. […] be excited to get into the phase of wearing things that show off my Baby Bump a little bit more in the coming weeks, but for now outfits like this are just perfect and allow me […]

  24. […] I’d kick things off with a little Baby Bump update for you! It’s been two weeks since our announcement (crazy! It feels like I just posted that) and Baby is definitely starting to peek out a little […]

  25. […] a super fun boho shoot with the Tart Event Co. girls (more of that to come, soon!), and of course, announcing our little one! Definitely one of my favorite months of the year. […]

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