Gigi's Blog bio picture
  • Welcome to the Gigi Blog!

    Mother to six Little Women and Two Little Men. Married to a Happy Mortician. Caretaker to goats, chickens and many, MANY bunnies. Photographer. Homeschooler. Lover of Jesus, coffee & tea and all things pink & vintage.

Sweet as {Sugar}

When I first photographed Claire’s family, she had a baby and a toddler … over the years, we’ve met for a few more sessions and this summer was just a treat to see her family again … especially with such well behaved and adorable children! So fun to work with! Claire, you are a fabulous mom – so gentle, peaceful and patient!  I loved our short time together during the session … even if your veggie garden did put mine to serious shame (at least you’ve inspired me for next year – maybe I’ll come to you for some tips) …

 

Seriously though. Sweetest family on earth!

 

 

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Loved seeing you again, Claire! Hope our paths cross sooner rather than later – and I’m serious about that veggie training. I could use some help! 😀

26 weeks of {Love}

“A mother’s joy begins when new life is stirring inside…
when a tiny heartbeat is heard for the very first time,
and a playful kick reminds her that she is never alone.”

— Author Unknown

 

Today was not the easiest of days. I think I was hormonal or tired or just not focusing the positive. My feet are starting to hurt like crazy in this pregnancy. I have to admit, I wear crummy shoes. Flip flops and the like – nothing great. But after not being able to walk after 5 p.m. each day for about two weeks, I decided to bite the bullet and buy a pair of Birkenstocks. {Still looking for a pink pair that will ship to Canada! Does anyone have links?}

However, despite feeling off for the morning, the end of the day was much better .. sometimes, we have to just change our attitude. I mean, sore feet?! Come on. That’s not the end of the world. And laundry piling up? Yeah, well, don’t sweat it, right?! 🙂

I’ve had a lot of people ask for belly photos … so as not to disapoint … we did a few today. Nothing fancy. Nothing prepapred. Just the girls and I on Lyla’s bed. Mid-dance-session (as you can see, they were dancing in their underwear and ballet slippers – with the excption of Lacey, who must wear a tutu She’s six now, you know. No more dancing in underwear – well, most days …). Nothing over the top. 

Just us. On a hot Friday afternoon. 

Feeling the baby kick and move. (This baby moves a LOT!)

 

The blob of fur at the bottom of the bed is Daisy, our cockapoo. She can’t be forgotten. She’s one of the girls. And she thinks she’s human. She really does. 

 

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Looking peaceful or mischevious? 

 

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Today, Lucia was touching my arms in awe … “Mommy, you ‘ave’ sparkles ….!” I think she was referring to the freckles. But I’ll take sparkles as a description. 🙂 

 

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I feel *very* blessed to have my three little girls and one more baby on the way. I never imagined having four children, but I can’t picture it any other way now. And even on days like today (when my patience was being tested with the girls being not-so-angelic from the moment they woke up), I still am grateful. Grateful for the fights. Grateful for the laundry. Grateful for the snuggles. Grateful for the dancing girls. And grateful for one more little baby on the way to cuddle.

 

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26 weeks of love. So thankful.

August 4, 2010 - 8:29 am

Yamaha Lover i just wanna thank you for sharing your this information on your blog

July 17, 2010 - 9:19 pm

Darlene O’Rourke Congrats! you are absolutely stunning! Yes..you are truly blessed and always remember..dont sweat the small stuff – someone out there is fighting a battle a lot worse than you or I. Thanks for the POst!

July 17, 2010 - 1:20 pm

Cathy I am so happy for you and can’t wait to meet you in the future (finally!)……I’m gonna go hug my kids now 🙂

July 17, 2010 - 10:05 am

michelle Your photos are so inspiring! I’m also expecting #4 and don’t look nearly as great as you do!
Not sure if this was the style you’re looking for but here’s a pair of pink birk’s and the website is Canadian. Happy Shopping!
http://www.walkingonacloud.ca/534-Claudia-Pink-Birkenstock-539123.aspx

July 17, 2010 - 8:07 am

Catherine I forgot to mention – all 3 of my boys moved a LOT! Abby just might get some more testosterone in the house come October 😉

July 17, 2010 - 8:04 am

Catherine *love* these! You are right to remind us all how blessed we are. I love your outlook on life. I’m so glad I know you!

July 17, 2010 - 7:47 am

Mom Gillian, these are very precious!! Love your sparkles! ♥

July 17, 2010 - 12:41 am

Ashley Isaac You look gorgeous and these pictures are PRICELESS!

July 16, 2010 - 11:53 pm

Julie Love it! the pics and your words, love it!

July 16, 2010 - 11:42 pm

Margaret LaRocca Beautiful pictures Gillian, the ones with you and girls….magical and absolutely love the baby bump shot!!!

July 16, 2010 - 11:18 pm

Tabitha Awwww, your baby bump is adorable 🙂 What a nice afternoon.

July 16, 2010 - 11:11 pm

Teresa l♥ve the pics. you look beautiful. love the girls hands on your belly. Abby is a great photographer.

{Beauty}

I’ve pretty much wanted to do Keri’s Trash the Dress photos since the day I met her … I knew we would have a blast! And she makes my work easy – talk about gorgeous ….

 

Keri is a fabulous, fabulous gal – the mom to three beautiful little girls, owner of Sassy Sweet Pea and an amazing friend … 

 

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Check out that gorgeous headband … one of Keri’s fabulous works …!

 

 

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We are meeting up to finish the second half of her photos as we didn’t get a chance to get to the water … so next up – water shots! YEAH!!

July 16, 2010 - 12:07 pm

Krista LOVE LOVE LOVE these!! Soooo beautiful and creative. I can’t wait to see the water pics. You are seriously gifted Gillian!

July 16, 2010 - 11:45 am

Sherri Amazing photos. Can you please take my pictures and magically make me that pretty? I’d pay lots for that magic!

July 16, 2010 - 10:22 am

Lori Gillian – these are fabulous! Keri – you are one hot tamale!! Chris is a VERY lucky man!

July 16, 2010 - 10:16 am

Frances Boniface Keri…you are beautiful as always.
I just LOVE the photographs, in particular the shot of you and Chris and the one of you in the truck…super sweet! That rosette band looks pretty awesome too 😉 Love you Girl xoxoxo

July 16, 2010 - 9:55 am

Keri Gillian! I love these so much! We never had wedding pics done and I’m glad because I love these soooo MUCH! You are an amazing photographer and a beautiful friend! xo

July 16, 2010 - 7:40 am

Mom Gillian!!! These are amazing photos!!! Keri is super gorgeous … can’t believe she has three children!!!!! WOWWWWWWW!!!!

July 15, 2010 - 11:43 pm

~love uhhh….gorgeous!!

July 15, 2010 - 11:10 pm

Evelyn Absolutely stunning…Keri you rocked these shots…what an awesome gift for Chris 🙂 Amazing job as always Gillian!

July 15, 2010 - 11:03 pm

Tricia Nugen U N BElieve able! Omg these are amazing and take my breath away. I wish you live closer!

July 15, 2010 - 10:59 pm

Tabitha Just gorgeous Gillian!!! Love them! The colours just POP! Beautiful!

July 15, 2010 - 10:59 pm

Jennifer G Kerri…you are gorgeous! Gillian, your work is stunning as usual! 🙂

Kerri is a totally awesome gal and so creative! I love her bows, clips and everything she comes up with!

July 15, 2010 - 10:59 pm

lori Wow these are super, Kerri is a gorgeous girl!

July 15, 2010 - 10:54 pm

Shannon Absolutely gorgeous!!!!!!!!

Family {Love}

Do you ever meet someone and just KNOW you would totally get along and would find life very similiar? That’s how I met” Jo over e-mail a little while back when she was looking to book her family photos. They recently moved to Guelph and had considered moving to Orangeville – I wish they had chosen Orangeville! 😉 I think we would’ve been blessed to have such a great family here in town …

 

Seriously. How cute is this family?! (Please note their awesome colour co-ordination, as well!)

 

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Three girls and then a surprise boy … love it. 🙂 

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Jo is radiating with joy – I just loved everything about her spirit, her energy and her zest for life!!

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And you can tell Steve is a great daddy to his little ones …!

 

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Miss Haley …

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Miss Maddison …

 

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Cutie pie Zoe …

 

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and the little man, River!

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Momma & her baby boy …

 

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What a treat it was getting to know this family a little bit better during our session … Jo, if you even want to move again, Orangeville is the place to be! 🙂

July 16, 2010 - 2:03 am

Jo Smith So, I’m leaving some “blog lovin'” – I LOVE the blog!!!!!!!!!!! You rocked that camera!!! What an extraordinarily fabulous gift you have!!!!!!! We are tres, tres, tres superbly loving the pictures Gillian….thank you to the moon and back!!! 🙂

July 15, 2010 - 11:10 pm

S. Patrowski Love these. The colours are great. The mom is so pretty too!

July 15, 2010 - 10:59 pm

Stephanie M. Gorgeous as usual, Gigi! Love your dof. What lense do you use? If you don’t mind me asking.

July 15, 2010 - 10:58 pm

Pam What an adorable family!!!! Too cute!

Purplicious Lovin’!

So yesterday … Lyla turned four. 

 

Insane that she’s four already but in some other ways, it totally feels like she’s been with our family forever. We celebrated her birthday with a Purpalicious party!  I had so many friends help me out with this party – I am so blessed!

 

Thank you to Keri of Sassy Sweet Pea for the amazing purple bows for the giveaway!
LeeAnn Hoskin of Eye Shadow You Shadow made the smell-so-good-purple bath princess crowns …
My friend, Rebecca, made the tags and the awesome homemade purple heart shaped lollipops …
Most of the lovely purple fabric was from Evelyn of Evelyn’s Special Event Decorating … 

And my amazingy talented BFF, Leanne, of She Takes the Cake, made all the cupcakes and the cake AND dressed up as Purpalicious for the party as well!  

{I am so grateful to have such great friends!!!! Thank you, ladies!}

We had an amazing day celebrating our middle girl … 

 

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I decorated everything in purple …

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LOVED these awesome purple heart shaped lollipops!

 

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The goodies for the guets – adorable purple hair bows, homemade purple heart shaped lollipops and purple princess crown bath bombs!

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kisses for her little sister …

 

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My awesome mother-in-law, Joyce, made these adorable sandwiches … how cute are they?!

 

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The guests even donned special purple shoes for the party … 🙂 

 

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The goodies to decorate their own purple cupcakes!

 

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Purplicious even attended the party! Okay, so she’s not really Purplicious … but she sure was fun to have at the party!

 

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Reading the book, Purplicious, together …

 

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What a fantastic day … I feel so very blessed to have these little girls in my life … I love you, Lyla! xo

July 15, 2010 - 8:21 pm

Nanny Joan Truly enjoyed seeing the pictures of Lyla’s purpleishes birthparty . Happy Birthday prescious Lyla. I love you.
Nanny Joan

July 14, 2010 - 10:26 am

Sherri You’ve gotta know I LOVE the decorations. Just leave them up and I’ll be by next month to celebrate my birthday on your porch. LOL.

July 14, 2010 - 9:55 am

Grandma Gerr The most Purplelicious Pary I have ever seen!!!! x

July 14, 2010 - 8:22 am

Rose:) LUV what ya did for the Purple Luver Lyla!
FAB-tastic Ideas…I am learning from you Gillian:)

July 14, 2010 - 7:14 am

Nicole What a dream party for wee girls! Love it!

July 13, 2010 - 11:50 pm

Rebecca McLaren I’m so glad she had a great party! All the pictures look great. That cake looks so yummy!

July 13, 2010 - 10:18 pm

Nancy love the theme…loved the pictures even more…stunning work and it sure looks like everyone had a wonderful time!! Again…what a Mom you are!! Someone your girls will look up to for the rest of their lives!! <3

July 13, 2010 - 10:16 pm

Jennifer G Aww what a lovely party!! Can you plan MY next birthday party please?!