Ever since their engagement session, I couldn't contain my excitement for Julie and Chad's wedding day at the Longue Vue Club. Julie is like my shoe spirit animal! At her engagement session, she wore these amazing green studded heels, a vibrant pink dress and included their pup, Cannoli! Loooovee! These two are high school sweethearts just like me and Chris! Chad proposed to Julie by preparing scavenger hunt around their house on Christmas morning. How sweet is that! As if Christmas isn't fun enough, he popped the question and she said 'Yes!'. 

The ladies prepared for the day at Julie's parents house with her bridesmaids and family members. I knew her wedding shoes were going to be beyond phenomenal. I think I died and went to shoe heaven when I saw them. I felt more chic and fabulous just photographing them. We headed to Blessed Sacrament for the ceremony on a gorgeous September day in Pittsburgh. Afterwards, we made our way to the beautiful Longue Vue Club for the reception. If I could describe the day in one word it would be 'glamourous'. The venue, the shoes, the bridesmaids dresses, and the men in black tie. When it all came together it made me want to do a praise hands emoji. Enjoy a peek into their celebration!

VENDORS

Cake: Tasty Bakery

Wedding Dress: The Exquisite Bride

Hair: Pure Salon

Makeup: Tiffani Johnson

Florist: Brides and Butterflies

DJ: Second II None 

Ceremony: Blessed Sacrament Cathedral

Reception: Longue Vue Club

Second Photographer: Kristen Vota

So having a baby and busy season may be getting the best of me! But I will always make time to share a wedding blog! 

Lauren and Jonathan were married on the PERFECT August day in Pittsburgh! Lauren was glowing and giddy while preparing for her walk down the aisle to Jon. I don't think I have seen a bigger smile on a bride and there is no better accessory than a smile. I mean her shoes were TO DIE FOR but you can't buy the happiness that she was exuding. Marrying your best friend will do that do ya! Their ceremony was held at Heinz Chapel on the University of Pittsburgh's campus. Can I just mention again that smile?! Just look at them coming down the aisle after being pronounced husband and wife! Afterwards, we took photos around campus with the bridal party.  Then the celebration continued at South Hills Country Club for dinner, dancing, cake eating, scotch drinking and cigar smoking. Sounds like a good party, right?! The DJ kept the party going all night long and it was one of the most lively dance parties I have ever seen- Jon has some moooves! I was seriously sad to have this wedding completed because I loved working with them so much! Congratulations to the new Mr. & Mrs. Kurtz!

Julia is 12 weeks old! Or 3 months (last Saturday). However you prefer to count baby time. I am a little late sharing but I like to think its because I am spending all of my time with her. The comparison photos are crazy! I can't believe how plump she is getting but I LOVE it! We struggled at first to get her to gain weight. Since I was trying to boost my supply in hopes of only breastfeeding, I bought a infant scale. If we were able to drop the formula then I wanted to make sure she wasn't losing weight. On the plus side, it means I can weigh her periodically in between doctors appointments. Our girl is almost 12lbs!! Practically doubling her birth weight and its such a relief to see those chubby cheeks.

Just 12 weeks ago we got the call from my OBGYN that they wanted to induce me even earlier than planned. After a routine doctors appointment they noticed my blood pressure was *slightly* higher than they would like. Since I had gestational diabetes during the last trimester, I was at a higher risk of developing pre-eclampsia. I was going in for tests twice a week at that point, just to monitor the baby's movement, since I was on medication for gestational diabetes. They noticed my blood pressure creeping up over a few appointments. Nothing serious, but they didn't want it to turn into pre-eclampsia overnight and then have a real issue. 

So Thursday night, July 13th, we checked in to Mercy Hospital to be induced. I was feeling every emotion possible! I had no expectations for delivery other than I would get the epidural when I was ready. I didn't read anything about birth. I get nauseous at medical stuff so I didn't want to make myself more anxious. I trusted the doctors would do what was best and that my body would get things moving. 

By the morning I was feeling contractions and was 3-4 cm dilated. I couldn't believe when the nurse told me I wasn't in active labor yet! What?! Those contractions are no joke and I had 7 more cm to go! I felt like such a wimp when she asked me how much pain I was in. I was already curling my toes in pain and trying to breathe through it. The epidural was a welcome relief and after some adjusting (since it was only on my left side for a bit) it was enough pain management to get a short nap. Although, how much can you really nap when you know you're about to deliver a baby!?!

By the evening, I was ready to push. The nurse looked at Chris and said "Ok, grab a knee". Um, excuse me? Where are the rest of the doctors? Shouldn't a whole team be in here helping? Nope. Just the nurse, Chris and me pushing this baby out. It was the HARDEST thing I have ever done in my life. At points I would doze off in-between contractions. I was so hungry from not eating for over 24hrs. I must have been all adrenaline because I was still pleasantly talking to the nurse at Chris at points and they encouraged me to keep pushing so we didn't need to use any interventions. Towards the end the doctor joined. I wanted to meet her so badly so we pushed a few more times and after 2.5hrs she arrived! It was the BIGGEST relief of my life. The pain was over, the gestational diabetes was over, and I made it through the hardest, scariest, most rewarding event of my life. 

Julia Grace was born on July 14th at 10:48pm at 6lbs 4oz.