SOCIAL MEDIA

3.13.2014

Catching Up with Myself

Hello all! I unplugged from the blogging world these past week and I think that was the best thing for me. Things have been tough, but I have really cherished all of your kind comments, emails, tweets, and thoughts concerning my aunt (you can find those posts here & here). Really, they were all so overwhelmingly wonderful.

Spending this past weekend in Washington DC was truly the best thing I could have done. There was definitely a melancholy undertone to the weekend, but I think my family was more grateful to be together during this time than anything else. I spent Saturday arriving in DC at 6am, having a gourmet breakfast at a wonderfully generous neighbor's home, having an impromptu baby photo session, getting girl-time mani/pedis with my two cousins, having a big family dinner (20+ people!) at a restaurant, having a few good cries, editing baby photos, and crashing very hard that night from this busy day. Waking up on Sunday morning, we all knew that a tough day was ahead of us, but things went as well as they could and we celebrated her 70th birthday, as well as the memory of her life.

This is my aunt's two-month old-granddaughter, Arianna. She got to spend a short amount of time with her, but let me tell you, she lived for this girl before she was even thought of. Having only one child of her own, she looked forward to the day her daughter would have a child so that she could pour as much love into a grandchild as she has her daughter.

It really is all bittersweet in some sort of strange way and Arianna has been the greatest distraction and blessing out of this mess. My aunt got to meet her granddaughter, see her daughter as a mother, and take pride in all of it with her husband. I think that is all anyone can really ask.

While I was visiting, I brought up the idea of having a little photo shoot with the baby. My cousin was thrilled and we immediately went upstairs to the nursery for our impromptu session, while around 15 people hung out downstairs. I thought I'd share a little look at them with you! I must say, I love how my cousin looks so naturally beautiful without a drop of makeup.





I love how simple and natural these are. There was nothing fancy going on here, but yet they are just sweet. I am really happy to have been able to shoot these during my short visit, as it was a way for me to do something meaningful for my cousin during this time. I really hope to see more of this part of my family again soon, and even do some sightseeing in DC while I'm at it.

This little break was good for me, but I'll be back tomorrow and next week to resume things as originally planned. Yesterday was the first day in a few weeks that I looked at my blog planning pages and actually felt inspired. Things have been rough and I am just starting to catch up with myself.

Though I was undecided about making the trip out to DC, I am so glad that I went. This whole situation has been crazy and I keep thinking that it all must be a dream. While sad, seeing my family helped me wrap my head around everything a bit better and come to terms with what has happened. I can feel her absence, but I know that she will always be with me.

You are all wonderful. Have I told you that lately?


abby - little city adventures said...

OHMYGOODNESSLOOKATTHATBABYFACE. Um, please come to PA and take pictures of William this summer. These are amazing Jess. Like seriously. I think I'm going to just kidnap you so you can take pictures of William all the time for me. Ha.


I'm so glad you got to spend so much time with your cousin and family. Sounds like such a great time despite things <3

Ella Nimmo said...

Those pictures are beautiful, Jess! I'm so impressed!


I'm so glad you were able to have a good visit with your family and celebrate your aunt's life :)


xx

Jess // Foreign Room said...

Thanks so much, Ella! I had a lovely time with my family and shooting these photos :)

Jess // Foreign Room said...

Haha I would love to! Thanks Abby! I really do hope I can have a session with William one day :) Come to CA!!!


Yes, it definitely was a nice time and went as best that it could have I think! xoxo

LifeChangesii said...

These are so nice! And so simple as well. Nothing fancy but perfect. Great job!