An important message...

Just wanted to post this message from one of my scrapper friends. She reminded me today of how important awareness is!

So, I know that not many would consider this reason to celebrate but for me this month is special. It is not only the month that my DS with PDD will turn three but it is the month that he will graduate from going to therapy 2 hours a day five days a week, to one day a week for an hour! Our son has come so far and at first we didn't even think that there was anything wrong with him until one of our friends who worked with autistic children pointed out that she had a tough time understanding him and her became very emotional. Autism affects 1 in 150 children with a majority of them being boys. there is no know cure or cause for Autism, it just happens to unsuspecting loving families everywhere.

My point of this message is to help educate and promote. You may be affected by a child of your own or a friend, but chances are you know someone out there that struggles the day to day basics of this disorder.

Not many moms of a two year old think that there may be something different about their child. whether they don't want to know or they just don't see the signs. I was always thought that my son would grow out of it. Everyone told me that his speech delay was due to his older brother doing all the talking for him, heck even my pediatrician said not to worry. But I did, and I called my local early intervention program and they were the ones that gave me the information that I needed.

early intervention is key and was a vital part in the success that we have had with our DS. In order to find an early intervention porgram in your area google or yahoo your county's name along with early intervetion. If you need help, pm me and I will find it for you.

here are some warning signs to look for if you or a friend may think that your child may be effected:

Does my child have autism or PDD?

According to the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development's Autism Facts, "a doctor should definitely and immediately evaluate a child for autism if he or she:

Does not babble or coo by 12 months of age
Does not gesture (point, wave, grasp, etc.) by 12 months of age
Does not say single words by 16 months of age
Does not say two-word phrases on his or her own (rather than just repeating what someone says to him or her) by 24 months of age
Has any loss of any language or social skill at any age.
Are there other possible symptoms of autism and PDD?

There are a number of things that parents, teachers, and others who care for children can look for to determine if a child needs to be evaluated for autism. The following “red flags” could be signs that a doctor should evaluate a child for autism or a related communication disorder.

The child does not respond to his/her name.
The child cannot explain what he/she wants.
Language skills or speech are delayed.
The child doesn’t follow directions.
At times, the child seems to be deaf.
The child seems to hear sometimes, but not others.
The child doesn’t point or wave bye-bye.
The child used to say a few words or babble, but now he/she doesn’t.
The child throws intense or violent tantrums.
The child has odd movement patterns.
The child is hyperactive, uncooperative, or oppositional.
The child doesn’t know how to play with toys.
The child doesn’t smile when smiled at.
The child has poor eye contact.
The child gets “stuck” on things over and over and can’t move on to other things.
The child seems to prefer to play alone.
The child gets things for him/herself only.
The child is very independent for his/her age.
The child does things “early” compared to other children.
The child seems to be in his/her “own world.”
The child seems to tune people out.
The child is not interested in other children.
The child walks on his/her toes.
The child shows unusual attachments to toys, objects, or schedules (i.e., always holding a string or having to put socks on before pants).
Child spends a lot of time lining things up or putting things in a certain order.

I got this from this website:
http://www.autismweb.com/signs.htm

Ways you can help:
PROMOTE
add a blinkie to your siggy, even if you aren't effected directly you can add it in honor of someone, If you still don't know anyone you could add it for me and my son. the idea is just to get the awareness that just about everyone is effected or knows someone that is effected. if you need help adding this to your siggy, let me know, I am here to help!

here are some blinkies that you can add to your siggys to promote awareness:

http://www.justmommies.com/boards/lofiversion/index.php/t483386.html

http://piecebypiece.bravehost.com/autismgraphics.htm

http://parentsandcarersofautism.com/autgraphics/autismgraphics.htm

EDUCATE

encourage your children to understand and accept the difference. with such a huge amount of us effected it is hard to have to explain.

DONATE

Ali Edwards has set up a badge on her blog that you can donate through. the minimum is $10. If you can't don't worry, but maybe you know someone who would like to know about this.

http://aliedwards.typepad.com/_a_/

Thank you all for reading this lengthy thread, this month let's be a MB that cares and promote something that is worth it.

I hope that others will do this with their own causes as well.

thank you for all the love and support you all give to me, I truly can say that you all have helped me through some of my tough days!

~Liz

The Petticoats have arrived!

I can't wait for my next session with a little girl! I just ordered a bunch of Kaiya Eve Pettiskirts, and they arrived yesterday. These are going to be too darn cute. Hmmm...which little girls are due for their portraits?

It's a dreary day...

We are getting some much needed rain here in the Nashville area today...it's been 27 days without significant rainfall. Some of the storms were bad enough that I had to unplug the computer equipment. But everything seems to have turned green overnight!


I did have to get out in the nasty weather today and deliver these portraits to a client. I photographed these twins right before Christmas. Mom wanted to get it done before their teeth fell out! So they ordered Christmas cards and some gift portraits for family before Christmas, and then ordered the bog wall portrait a few weeks ago. Such handsome guys! Watch out girls, these guys start kindergarten this fall!

On top of the world...

This past Saturday, my very brave and very hyper husband went rock climbing with his friend, Jerrold. I am terrified of heights, and dreadfully out of shape, so I went shopping instead. But Kelly took along my trust little Canon Elph, and Jerrold was kind enough to take some shots as Kelly took the challenge and climbed to the top of that mountain!


Here is the view from the top, where they secured their lines.


Here's my daring husband, about half way up...



And he made it! He was filled with a sense of accomplishment, and a serious adrenaline rush, but said he felt every one of his 40 years!


Better him than me. Even when I was in great shape, I still didn't have enough upper body strength to pull myself up the side of a mountain!

A little vent this morning...

OK, I know I am not the greatest photographer in the world. I have many photographers whose work I admire, and I strive to learn from. I respect them. I have never been jealous of another photographer's work. I only try to figure out how to achieve similar results in my own work.

So I get really ticked off when a newbie asks for advice, and then tells me I'm rude, disrespectful, and jealous when I give her the advice she asked for! If all you want is Attaboys, then don't ask for anything else. Don't ask for advice or constructive criticism. Because you know what? People might actually give it to you!

OK, vent over. Time to go shopping!

A day at the Zoo...

Or should I say Stroller Hell! I don't know what I was thinking when I agreed to go to the zoo with my friend Sarah, two of her boys, and a friend of her 6 year old. Really, it was 80 degrees and everyone in 4 counties was on Spring Break. Had I lost my mind?


I arrived at the zoo at 10:20. Zoo Drive is about a mile, mile and a half long street from Nolensville Road leading to the zoo parking lot and entrance. This was one long snaking chain of mini vans moving at 15 miles per hour. The entire parking lot was full, as were two of the grass fields adjacent to the parking lot. Mini van after mini van unloading strollers and small children. Yes, I had lost my ever-lovin' mind.

Once Sarah and her brood had arrived, we waited in line to get in. This wait wasn't too bad, since Sarah has a family membership, and was her guest. Inside, the trails were so crowded with strollers--one of which was Sarah's--that we could barely move. Later, when we decided to eat lunch, we waited in line for food for at least half an hour. After we ate, and I drank a large bottle of water, I really had to pee. Big mistake. The line to the bathrooms was so long, three little kids peed in their pants while waiting in line near me. It took 30 minutes to get to the bathroom. Seriously, little kids don't have that much bladder control to wait in line for 30 minutes! What where they thinking building so few facilities at a Zoo, for crying out loud?

Anyway, it was so crowded that I couldn't get very many photos, but here are some that I did get.

Well, I have joined a few more photographers' forums. Over at ILP (I Love Photography), I have joined a group that reads each other's blogs. So that means I actually have to update mine more than 3 times a year! OF course, that means I have to find something to blog about...

OK, plans are moving forward on my new business venture. My friend and colleague, Rebekah and I are joining up to form a new company called Pope & Schwartz Photography. We specialize in contemporary school portraits for day cares, mother's day out programs, pre-schools, home school groups, and small private schools. Not your typical school photo, though! Here are a few examples...If you are interested in having us photograph your school group, you can contact us through www.barbieschwartz.com or rebekahpope.com.