Young House Love

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Maternity Portraits In Front Of The Christmas Tree

Before we took down the holiday decorations, we decided to snap a couple better-late-than-never seasonal pictures, since this will likely be the last time we can take a photo like this in front of the tree.

Christmas Bump

Kinda crazy to think that this was our last Christmas with just one little one (well, two including Burger – and about 30 if you count all of Sherry’s ceramic animals). What’s even crazier is that Clara stood still enough for this long of an exposure! If you want to take a photo like this, our tips are: use a tripod, lower the lights in the room so the tree glows, and use a long exposure and stand as still as possible. The results are so cool!

Christmas Belly 2

What did you guys wrap and unwrap this year? Do you do big gift exchanges with your other half, or just little fun things that you’ve been eying? Sherry and I like to keep it pretty low key, but we love hearing about giant surprises (were there any bows on any cars in any driveways?) and little thoughtful things alike.

Update: You can check out all of our favorite holiday decor finds here – many of which are under $15! 

Comments

  1. Allison B. says

    We sadly lost our family dog earlier this year and since I knew we would get another dog relatively soon I hinted to my husband that this would be the only time we could ever surprise our kids (6 and 4 yrs old) with a puppy from Santa. So Santa delivered the cutest puppy under the tree complete with a red bow on the crate. The look on my 4 yr old’s face when he saw the puppy for the first time is something I will never forget. :)
    PS – I love the belly pics by the tree! So sweet!

    Reply

  2. Lisa says

    My second comment today, I know, lol, but I’m curious…how often do you guys use a tripod with your camera? Do you use it for most of your room shots? Thanks in advance :)

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      Lately we have been trying to shoot more in Manual mode, so I’d say that we use a tripod a lot more too, just to stabolize thing. Although for the action shots of things (like Clara opening gifts) there’s no tripod, just handheld. And for most house-crashings we use a tripod for some low-light shots but hand-hold for the rest.

      xo
      s

  4. Sarisfashion says

    Hi! Oh! Your kid is so cute!! I’d be crazy with this tree!! It is gorgeous!! I hope she will enjoy with all the presents.

    The pictures are amazing, specially the ones with your pregnancy. Gongrats!!

    I hope all of you have a nice 2014!

    xx

    Reply

  5. Evin says

    Ooh, can’t go wrong with Fentiman’s soda. They carry some of their line locally in Cork City and their tonic is perfection with a G&T and slice of cucumber. Mmm.

    Where did you end up getting the reflector? It has been on my wish list for a while but haven’t narrowed down the “right one” yet. I’d love a point in the right direction since I’ll shamefully admit I bought the same camera as you too. It’s just so nice to have you guys do my consumer research for me. ;-)

    The photos are beautiful with just the right pop of joy and colour. We only ever have a tree when we are with our parents at Christmas, so that’s once in the nearly six years since we’ve moved to Ireland. But we also rented a cottage for the holiday. A full week on the coast in West Cork. For all the lovely things I can say, one thing kinda sums it up… sub-floor heating. BLISS!

    Happy New Year! I think 2014 will be a happy one for us all. I mean, you have a staircase now and a second on the way so obviously that’s happiness right there.

    Reply

  6. Yvette says

    Beautiful pictures in front of the tree! I’m due mid-Feb, can’t wait to meet our little guy!
    Best wishes for all 5 of you :-)

    Reply

  7. Teresa says

    John & Sherry,
    Loved seeing all your Christmas pics! Clara looked so sweet and adorable and there is nothing like seeing the wonder and excitement of Christmas on a child’s face. The silhouette of you and Clara standing in front of the tree was also sweet.

    Seeing Clara’s ballerina doll reminded me of a doll called “Dancerina” that my sister and I both got for Christmas one year.(I am telling my age). My sister broke her dolls leg within an hour and cried half the day. BTW…Cant wait to see the post of the cabin since I live in the Richmond area.

    Reply

  8. Heather says

    I am still learning how to use my dslr. I was curious as to what shutter speed/ISO/WB etc you used to capture the images of Sherry and Clara in front of the Christmas tree?

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      Ok, so the lights were off, the tree was plugged in, and the camera was on a tripod since it was a long exposure. The ISO was at 100, and the f-stop was 4.2, and the shutter speed was 1.6.

      xo
      s

    • Heather says

      Thanks so much for the info! I’m going to try to take a similar picture before I take my tree down. (Yeah…I haven’t got around to it yet, but now I can practice taking pretty pictures before I officially say goodbye to Christmas) :-)

  9. Rose says

    I still have those Cinderella mice! :) I never used them as ornaments. Lol. I took them to summer camp with me and now they live in my car.

    Reply

  11. Megan says

    I don’t usually comment, but I had to when I saw your Gus and Jack ornaments! I also shared a story about my sentimental ornaments a few years back on our blog as well: http://freshnestblog.com/twas-the-night-before-christmas/

    My Mom had these same exact ornaments that I LOVED as a kid. Before she passed away she gave me several of her ornaments, these two guys included. I cherish them as I’m sure Clara does/will forever. <3

    Reply

  12. Christy Niebaum says

    Tradition for me growing up was family gifts on Christmas Eve and Santa gifts on Christmas Day. Since we’ve been engaged, it’s been my family on Christmas Eve and my in-laws on Christmas Day. Now with our little one is the same, but we did our tiny family (meaning just the three of us plus the dog) gifts and Santa gifts on Christmas morning before heading to my in-laws (they live about 3 hours away). My hubs and I typically do about 3 gifts a piece. Usually a couple of bigger ones and a smaller one.

    Our daughter made out like a bandit between us, our extended families and Santa. Next year I think I want to try the four present guidelines (something they want, something they need, something to wear, something to read).

    Reply

  13. Stefani says

    Merry Christmas! Loved this post. The pictures were great – especially the sweet one of Clara with Sherry’s baby bump in front of the tree. You should frame that one. Maybe keep it as a special framed Christmas picture with the Christmas decorations and just put it out every year with the décor… Also loved the sweet video :-)

    My little girl is just over 1 year, and she enjoyed Christmas a lot this year, even though she obviously didn’t understand it very much. Seeing this post makes me so excited for the Christmases yet to come with her as she grows older! :-) Thanks for the sneak peak into the future!

    Reply

  14. SuzinRVA says

    I definitely need reading glasses – I keep reading “popped” as “pooped.” Early poopage made me laugh out loud at my desk. Tough one to explain to the coworkers. ;-)

    Reply

  17. Sally G. says

    Those photos of Sherry and Clara in front of the tree are so precious! And I’m really digging that chevron necklace that Sherry got – good job John!

    My hubs did pretty well this year too, he got me the Fitbit that I’ve been looking at all year. My mom got me this amazing Jadeite cake plate from Terrain, which I’m pretty sure I started lusting after when I saw it in one of your giveaways! Thanks for the inspiration :-) Happy new year!

    Reply

  19. Trish says

    Great post! We always did Pez in the stocking too for our kids! Had to giggle at the fact you do it too! Looks like you had a wonderful Christmas!

    Reply

  20. Jennifer R. says

    Since we bought our house about a year ago I have been wanting a swing in the backyard. I figured we might try to put one up in the summer but had mostly forgotten about it because it is so cold out now. Christmas morning I unwrapped a little note that said to go outside. My husband had spent weeks building, sanding, painting, and tying up a beautiful little wooden swing in our backyard. I cried, and I never cry! I was so surprised, seriously no idea whatsoever!

    Come to find out he stayed outside from 11 to 2am on Christmas Eve after we had driven 8 hours to see family so so he could get the swing hung and I wouldn’t know. It was below 30 and pitch dark and I still can’t believe he did all of that. Yep, he is a keeper. <3

    Reply

  22. Nikki says

    Love the belly shot with Clara! I have a very similar one with my mom while she was pregnant with my little sister. I was pretty much right at Clara’s age. It has been a family treasure ever since!

    Reply

  23. tisha says

    OMG! That cabin! I must find that…we are here in Richmond as well so we head up to the mountains hiking often! Your photography is looking good and you will love the reflector! I will say I used mine bunches when I first got them, great for still shots…not so great with the little ones. They steal them and run away with them! LOL :-) Or at least mine do!
    Merry Christmas!

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      Thanks Tisha! So far we have just used it for static shots (like the soda or jewelry on the table) but have been having fun! I think Clara would try to grab it and throw it like a giant frisbee if we flapped it around near her though! Haha!

      xo
      s

  24. Janelle @ Two Cups of Happy says

    Me and my man usually keep it pretty low-key with our own gifts. But this year we did an all-inclusive trip to Mexico in November – which was our gift to ourselves. Haha. Our first trip in 5 years of being together, so it was worth it!

    Reply

  25. Karen says

    Clara is such a lovely, happy little girl!!! Thanks for sharing your life with us!!!

    Also, the Christmas tree room: Which room is that? I noticed the blue trim and I’m like, “Egads! I thought they got rid of it all!!?” Is that the white-washed brick living room?

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      It’s the room that we call “the office” where the blue trim is still alive and taunting us (same with the dining room). I can’t wait to tackle it though!

      xo
      s

  27. Ally says

    I’m usually a silent YHL reader, but I had to comment on this one. Clara’s smile is absolutely infectious, and, as others posted, the bump pics (especially the one with Clara) are beautiful!!! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! Can’t wait to keep following along with your family and house progress during 2014!!

    Reply

  28. Kerry says

    I love those tree shots! So precious. Our Santa tradition has always been that the largest gift for each person was from Santa, the rest of the gifts were from family members. I always liked that, because there was never the “Why didn’t Santa bring me everything on my list?” — Santa only brought one thing (plus stockings).

    Reply

  29. Kim says

    We still hang Jaq and Gus on our tree, too. And, there was a similar ‘pregnant silhouette in front of the tree’ shot of my daughter this year. She’s due in 3 weeks!

    Reply

  30. Lani says

    Just…Fantastic. I just have to say that I absolutley love reading your blog. 2013 has been an unfortunately hard year for me and seeing the joy and love in your family gives me hopes for a better, nay, fantastic 2014 for me! Thanks so much for all the house inspiration as well as all the life inspiration!

    Reply

  31. Meg says

    Looks like such a lovely holiday, and I love the ballerina doll! The long-exposure shots are just gorgeous, too.

    My husband and I kept it low-key this year — we just got married in November and, well, finances are a little interesting in the wake of that. :) But I loved getting more thoughtful with presents instead of just going to spend, spend, spend. Of all his gifts, I think his favorite was a Psy (yes, that Psy!) calendar so he can “Gangnam Style” all year long. He’s a goof. :)

    Reply

  32. Crystal says

    What a nice Christmas! And I love (no pun intended) that bracelet and necklace Sherry got!!

    I got a remote for our Nikon!

    Reply

  33. Tania @ Run To Radiance says

    YAY! You will love your reflector John! I use mine all the time- for photography clients and for added light on house projects/meals, etc. If you are venturing into doing any people photography I really love the gold reflectors- you can find ones that will zip onto yours probably. They add a lovely golden glow…not that your glowing beautiful wife needs it! I love those last two pics.
    My favorite gifts this year were watercolor supplies, calligraphy supplies, french cookbook and a spiralizer….and a spa gift certificate. Don’t I sound soooo cultured? :P

    Reply

  34. Francis C. Moore says

    Christmas is so much fun when children are around. I gave my almost 3 year old granddaughter, Harper, a Gotz doll from Pottery Barn for Kids. My daughter had 4 Gotz dolls growing up, and we still have them. Great dolls. Hope Clara enjoys her doll. Great profile picture showing the new baby to be.

    Reply

  35. Carrie Lea says

    Those pictures of Sherry in front of the tree alone and with Clara made me all teary. So sweet. Ehm. Excuse me.

    And that cabin looks amazing!

    Reply

  36. Evelina says

    Sherry, those pictures in front of the tree gave me goosebumps! They are so beautiful, meaningful and graceful! Best of luck with de-Christmas-ifying the house this weekend. We are going to be doing the same. Putting things up is always fun but I dread the take down. Wouldn’t it be nice if little elves could just come and do it? Maybe Clara can think of a fun putting-decorations-away song for all of us?

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      Yes, it would be amazing if little elves did it! Or if Clara’s putting-away song somehow animated everything and we watched it pack up from the comfort of the couch. Haha!

      xo
      s

  37. Lauren says

    I love those pictures of you and Clara by the Christmas tree! So sweet!

    And I love how you stay low key for gifts for each other. I’m glad you had a wonderful Christmas!

    Reply

  38. Nichole says

    I totally had those ornaments as a kid too! I wonder where they ended up?!

    Love seeing your pictures – Clara is so sweet and it’s nice to see her joy :-)

    and of course, the bumps pics are precious! I’m due around the same time and glad to see we’re all “poppin” LOL

    Reply

  39. Eileen malec says

    I live about 10 houses away from Avery’s soda… Local, wonderful soda made in Central CT! Hope he enjoyed!!!

    Reply

  40. Bri says

    I absolutely love the two pictures in front of the tree. Beautiful! I am so excited to see your family grow, thanks for sharing!

    Because my husband and I are starting our own business, we were significantly more limited on gift giving funds this year. We did $5 sibling gifts that were either second hand or homemade (together we have 6 siblings and 4 siblings-in-law) http://poshpurpose.blogspot.com/2013/12/5dollar-christmas-gifts.html

    But probably my favorite gift this year was for my 16 year old niece. I found a pair of vintage opera length gloves at a thrift store for $7 and then beaded a G onto each glove. http://poshpurpose.blogspot.com/2014/01/diy-monogramming-gloves.html

    Reply

  42. Rachel says

    I got y’all’s book for Christmas! I know I’m a little late to the party but it was definitely a favorite!

    Reply

  45. Jen says

    I LOVE that Clara was passed down those ornaments! I have the same ones! They are the mice from Disney’s Cinderella and I think they were McDonald’s kids meal prizes? I asked my mom if I could have them a couple of years ago so now they’re on my own tree (she even passed down the original boxes they came in). What a sweet memory for Sherry and a sweet ” new” surprise for Clara!!

    Reply

  46. Alycia Isaacson says

    Oh my gosh! I had (still have) those exact Cinderella mice ornaments. I remember those were my favorite as a little girl. I’m 25 now but I still love having them on my tree. There’s just something special about ornaments that have been in the family for such a long time. =)

    Reply

  47. sarah says

    the picture at the end. what sweetness. made a tear spring up in my eye. we are done having babies, and i will miss the squishiness of a new born. but not any of the other stuff…. ;0

    Reply

  48. India says

    So exciting for me to see Fentimans Curiosity Cola in John’s soda gift – all the way from the UK! I actually prefer it to regular Coke as it’s much healthier (well, as healthy as soda can be) as it’s all ‘botanically brewed’.
    Enjoy!

    Xx

    Reply

  49. shelly hendriks says

    Thank you again for sharing!! Clara is just the sweetest little girl…I was smiling so big watching the video. Happy New Year~!!!

    Reply

  50. Steph Reiner says

    Ahh so I’m super anxious to see how the cabinets turn out!!! We’re moving into my in-law’s house (long story short, they’re moving to Maui) and they have only one window and a sliding glass door in their “great room” which is a kitchen/dining/living area. We’re planning on painting everything light/white colors to bring some brightness into the cave but because we also have a little one with another on the way, I’m considering leaving the lower cabinets darker… No pressure, but my decision depends on how yours turn out ;P

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      So far we’re excited with how it looks! Can’t really get the full picture until we rehang all the doors and put the drawers back in, but we can’t wait!

      xo
      s

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