(Former Blog) Juxtapose This! by Kate Mefford

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This will be the last post on this TypePad Blog.  I have had some wonderful times here, and will keep it up and running for archiving reasons, but from now on,
CLICK HERE TO CHECK OUT THE NEW CRIB!!!

Love,
Kate

We're Back!

Miss Millie was released from the hospital today after lunch.  Hallelujah!

Last night was touch and go...so much that I ended up getting to sleep for only 1 hour.  But the lack of sleep was worth it...I made sure Mills was propped up and watched that O2 sats machine LIKE A HAWK.  My inner OCD characteristics came out for a good cause last night!  I was dead set on keeping her airways open and hiked her trunk up again and again in that bed...no slumping allowed!

Since we never had to use oxygen, we were cleared to go home, and boy, it feels so nice.  We are still getting back in touch with our home routines, but just being in familiar surroundings is good medicine for us all.

As we completely catch our breath, we're snackin' on a big batch of homemade guacamole (Millie's favorite!) and watching the Wheel of Fortune and are marinating in the fabulousness of just being together in our home sweet home.

Thanks to everyone for all of your sweet words, thoughts, prayers, & patience as we recover.  I plan on knocking a bunch of work stuff out tomorrow, so hopefully I will get to you if you need me to! 

Much love,
Kate

Doctor's Orders

I'm home to take a quick shower (a "bird bath", as my BFF Sarah refers to them) and let Noopsy out, and saw that I had over 30 emails regarding Miss Mills...I guess I have some "splainin'" to do.

We do have to stay another night at the hospital because Millie's oxygen saturation levels dipped too low last night, and they had to put the O2 nose tubes in.  Even though she woke up with the darned thing on the side of her face and her levels at an acceptable number, the doctor insists that Mills must go ONE WHOLE NIGHT without the O2.  So, we will try again tonight.

Ever the precious superstar, Millie has been high as a kite and entertaining us all with bits and pieces from High School Musical (I know, she isn't even 2, and already is a stage diva) due to increased breathing treatments and steroids.  Imagine Millie.  Now imagine her after an entire box of Girl Scout cookies.  That is what I am talking about, people...CRACKED OUT!  At least the treatments and medication are helping break up the junk in her lungs, though...better to be CRACKED OUT FOR A REASON than to be JUST CRACKED OUT.

Just keep praying...I love you all...I am so blessed to be surrounded by wonderful friends and family, and so is our Millie!

Mills Has Pneumonia =(

We took her to the ER yesterday around 6pm, and she was admitted around 10pm to the pediatric unit for bacterial pneumonia.  Last night was hell...only slept 2 hours (both Mills and me) as we schnuggled in the hospital bed, and she had to have oxygen tubes in her nose all night.

27,000 breathing treatments later, we are spending our 2nd night at Medical Center of McKinney and are keeping our heads up.

Those who know me well know that I am not a very outwardly spiritual person, as I have a very private relationship with God (whoever he or she may be!).  However, if you feel so inclined, I would very much appreciate any prayers or good vibes you could send Millie's way this evening...if she doesn't have to have the oxygen thingie in her nose, she will get to leave tomorrow, and this mommy wants her precious girl to come home so she can get some rest (Mills, not me!)!

Catching My Breath After Catching Hers

...that is the job of a mommy!

After 2 breathing treatments and a shot of something I can't begin to pronounce, we are home and Millie is in bed sleeping like the little angel she is.  She has a horrible ear infection (who knew???  she never once cried or complained till last night!) and the infection is contributing to her breathing issues.  She is to start antibiotics tomorrow, and can take Albuterol several times a day to ease her wheezing and coughing.

I will attempt to get a few things done today, but if you are awaiting something (package, email, phone call, blog post, quick laugh, hug), know that I will definitely be back in commission tomorrow! 

Thanks for your patience and love!

Lots of Updates!

Just wanted to let you all know that I will very soon be updating you with a SENIOR SESSION, a BABY SESSION, a FAVORITE VENDOR SESSION, and even some from MY OWN FAMILY'S WEEKEND FUN, but for now, Millie & I are headed to the doctor's office.  Not a great start to our week...sick Millie, our precious nanny, Sara left for Texas Tech, and I need a lot of caffeine because this workin' mama is T-I-RED. 

Mills was coughing all through the night and woke up crying around 5am and was gasping for air and hot and sweaty from fever.  After a ton of rocking and Mommy schnuggles, I put her back to bed at 6:15 or so, and she is just now waking up...we've got to get our girl bettah first, and then TONS OF POSTS ARE COMING YOUR WAY!!!

I Got Served...I Mean Tagged!

I got DOUBLE-TAGGED by my photographer friends, Dustin Steller and Kelley Walker Chance!

Here are the rules:
I tell you 8 things about me that you may not have already known, then I tag 8 other bloggers!

8 THINGS ABOUT KATE MEFFORD:

1)  Before I became a photographer, I was a psychology professor and a counselor at St. Edward's University in Austin.

2)  I have a major thing for metallic shoes...for my high school graduation, I wore silver Mary Janes, and I currently rock a pair of gold wedges.  I have my sights set on these bad boys!

3)  My grandmother passed away almost 3 years ago, and every time I see a butterfly, I know it is her coming to check up on me!  =)

4)  In high school, I showed cattle, and was the Texas Polled Hereford Queen...yes, I won a LOT of belt buckles, people!

5)  Sweet Niblets, I love Hannah Montana, even though I am 30 years old!

6)  I absolutely 100% abhor rice.  I attribute it to a certain scene from Lost Boys with Coreys Haim & Feldman.

7)  While I was in labor with Millie, The Price is Right was on the TV in the delivery room...come on down, Millie Mefford!

8)   The reason I have a FLEUR-DE-LIS in my logo is because I am a total francophile...studied abroad in Paris and Lyon, but most importantly, got engaged to my Bobby in Paris!  As I work on weddings, the fleur-de-lis reminds me that I am a romantic at heart!

I AM TAGGING THESE 8 KICK-ARSE BLOGGERS SO THEY CAN TELL US SOMETHING ABOUT THEMSELVES:

1)  Stacy Cross

2)  Gabe from PerspectivEye

3)  Rudy Arpia

4)  Julie C Butler

5)  Denise of Matilda Jane Clothing

6)  Ed Atrero

7)  Erin Kate

8)  Lindy Weiss

If you comment on this blog, please tell me something interesting about YOU!!!

Just Loverly!

Somebody has a 1st anniversary coming up and somebody wanted to surprise her husband with some photographs of herself...but we aren't saying who that somebody is.  Mum's the word.  We'll just post a few to leave something to the imagination...what a surprise it will be for somebody's hubby! 

Workin' Man

The dad of this little angel that I photographed last March wanted a new look for his promotional photography.  I was so honored his family chose me to be the one to help him flesh out his vision of a photojournalistic approach to the J-O-B.  What a blessing it is to be hired by clients who get that commercial photography can be art as well!

Here are just a few of my faves...

I just love love love these first 2!

Yep...we know who the real boss is!  =)

Scheduling, Pricing, & The Like

We've got some changes goin' on over here at JP.  I am almost 100% booked for 2007 for weddings and portraits, thanks to my fabulous clients for getting the word out!!! 

My portrait prices will be changing as of August 20, 2007, so if you have contacted me about scheduling and have not yet paid your deposit, you will be subject to the price hike...get those contracts and deposits in asap, because I am booking first come first serve!

Also, I know a lot of you are hoping to get in to have your family portraits done for Christmas cards...I have VERY LIMITED space this year.  Check out my availability, look at your calendar, and if we have a match, book it now.  I will not be taking ANY appointments in December other than wedding related sessions, and I do have ONE WEDDING SPOT AVAILABLE FOR DECEMBER.

Here is what I have open for portraits:
September 15th, 9am or 5pm
September 16th, 9am
October 13th, 9am or 5pm
October 27th, 9am or 5pm
November 10-11 (possible B-Sessions...Brenham & Bryan-College Station)
November 24th, 9am or 5pm
November 25th, 9am

That's all folks!  Have a great rest of your Monday, and I'll be back tomorrow with some kick-arse corporate images to show you guys...very fun and different!