Tracy Joy | Modern Child & Family Portraiture Art

I love shooting my lens at babies & families… but I also LOVE to get creative with nature.

This past weekend, we enjoyed a BEAUTIFUL visit to the Kohler/Andre State Park in Sheboygan Wisconsin!

Full of natures beauty, and that is a great understatement.. marshes, beaches, wooded walkways.. and butterflies galore!!!

Esp when I get to share it with my family.

Just a few quick snaps from our recent getaway with our “Hilton on Wheels” (aka our new trailer/camper, lol).
This trip… we took along my parents, and went up to Kohler/Andre State park, in Sheboygan Wisconsin… which so happens to be where my Aunt and cousins live!

Thanks to my mom for grabbing my camera and snapping this one of us the kids on the beach….

Here are the P’s, having fun time w/the babes!

and of course… my FAVORITE people ever!

the kids

and a neat guy on the beach… feeding the gulls!

and of course… my gorgeous cousin, Laura… and her “beau” Rob…. she’s a stunner, to say the least. Lucky girl got all the good dark looks in the family

And my Bebe Paluzza FREE SESSION winner is…

Michelle P!
(Michelle and her twins have been contacted via email, I do not post last names over the internet).

THANKS TO EVERYONE WHO ENTERED!!!!
The outcome was outstanding, and I am truly blessed to have had so many people interested in a session from me!

To everyone else who entered… I would like to offer you a

FREE MINI SESSION, with a paid full session!

At my recent booth at the Bebe Paluzza Expo, I met a great gal with an amazing company!
Heritage Makers is a wonderful digital scrapping company… that makes it EASY for the every day gal to create and print GORGEOUS, professional looking, & quality items!

From custom albums, to cards & announcements, canvas prints… and my fav lil item, the Swatch Book……

With Heritage Makers, you simply choose a template for the product you want to create, and “drop in” your pictures! They have a great system, that is very use friendly. Use your own family pictures, or use the digital images you buy from your professional photographer (like me!).

Sign up for the free account…. and get creating your personal lil heirloom yourself!   Or, if you find that you LOVE LOVE LOVE the digital scrapping world, sign up for their Premier Account and have access to 1,000′s of designer templates and designs…. ahhh, a creative girls dream!!! Click HERE to see their accounts and sign up for your own… free, or premier!

So ladies and gents… WHO WANTS TO WIN THEIR OWN FREEBIE SWATCH BOOK?!?!

ENTER TO WIN, simply visit my Facebook Page, *CLICK HERE* and then LIKE the “Heritage Makers Contest” album in my photos!

What the lucky winner will receive:
Swatch Book (value from $19.95)

Capture the everyday moments in a handy swatch book. Perfect to fit in a purse or display on an office desk.

* 5.75″ x 3.5″
* 10 double-sided pages (non-expandable)
* Rounded corners
* Full-bleed images
* Velvet, acid-free, lignin-free paper

Tracy Joy’s FACEBOOK Fan Page

I get this question on a regular basis…

“Where do you buy those cute clothes for your kids?”

And I’m always happy to share… as it’s no big secret… no lil quaint shops for me… it’s just finding a great deal, and looking where others might OVERlook…

My new fav this this week… these lil tutus/pettiskirts.. from… TARGET!

CLICK HERE to see them… $9.99 and worth every lil penny!

Uber darling, not too big and fluffy (like my prop tutus), and still frilly enough for lil girls to go “gaga” over!

Another fav of mine… The GAP…. and these ridiculous lil beanie hats… $16.99 peeps… hurry and scoop yours, I did!
CLICK HERE to see them at the Gap

and my last tid bit for finding uber cute things for your babes w/o breaking the bank.. never… EVER overlook the clearance section.
My fav clearance racks…
Von Maur, Macys, the Gap, Gymboree, Janie & Jack…
I could go on, and on, and on,
and………..

I found this great lil article on www.TheBump.com and thought it was “share worthy!”

Enjoy…
Don’t do this. Don’t do that. With all the pregnancy “advice” out there, it’s hard to know what to believe — or whom to believe. But remember, every pregnancy is different, so follow your doctor’s orders above anything else.

Myth 1: Eat three healthy meals a day
False! You should be eating six or seven small meals (every two to three hours). “Eating frequently and from various food groups will keep your blood sugar in a constant range, which is healthy for you and your baby,” says Stuart Fischbein, M.D., coauthor of Fearless Pregnancy.Don’t obsess about food and don’t diet. What was good for you pre-pregnancy is good for you now. And yes, that includes an ice cream sundae with butterscotch sauce if you so desire.
> Daily nutrition checklist

Myth 2: Decaf only
False! One small cup of coffee a day is perfectly fine. While a recent study at McGill University in Montreal did find that the caffeine in two to three cups of coffee a day increases the risk of miscarriage, it did not consider how the coffee was brewed and the type of coffee used. Dr. Minkin points out that a French blend served black is much stronger than a weak cup of American coffee mixed with milk. It’s another controversial subject for sure, but moderate caffeine intake isn’t likely to harm you or your baby. The same goes for sodas with a caffeine jolt.
> Tips for decreasing intake

Myth 3: Cut out the cheese
False! Well, you don’t have to cut all the cheeses. Some kinds, like cheddar and Swiss, are innocuous because they have been pasteurized. It’s the soft, unpasteurized products like Brie, feta, and goat cheese that might carry food-borne illnesses. If you’re lucky, the market you frequent will carry pasteurized versions — just start looking at labels more often. And then you can still enjoy your crackers with cheese.
> Why calcium’s key

Myth 4: You’re eating for two
False! Pregnancy is not a time to pig out. You certainly have a bit more leeway when it comes to a second helping of supper, but on average women need only about 300 extra calories a day.
> Expert’s eating guidelines

Myth 5: Say so long to seafood
False! Chances are that if the reputable (and tasty) sushi bar you love so much has not made you sick pre-pregnancy, you are not at risk when you are with-child. Yes, there is a greater risk of ingesting bad kinds of bacteria from raw foods (so you might feel more comfortable with a cooked-shrimp roll), but if you had spicy yellow fin before realizing you were pregnant, no harm done. The dangerous mercury levels, you ask?Again, it’s all about moderation. Enjoy tuna on rye once a week, not daily. Not all fish are created equal. When perusing a menu, go with seafood with lower mercury levels, like salmon, shrimp, and tilapia.Unfortunately, swordfish and tilefish have the highest levels of mercury and should be skipped.
> More from Dr. Roman, recent studies & the FDA

Myth 6: You’ll have to suffer through sickness
False! Many OTC meds are safe during pregnancy, but somehow women believe they need to put up with migraines and be a slave to the runs.Not so. You should consult your OB/GYN before you take anything, but many experts give the following drugs the green light: Tylenol for headaches and fever; Tums or Mylanta for heartburn; Imodium for diarrhea; Robitussin for colds; and Sudafed or Benadryl for allergies.Many prescription drugs are also okay to continue with during pregnancy, but again, follow your doctor’s orders. Herbal supplements and teas are up in the air. Not much research has been done on their effects on fetuses. The kinds you buy in the grocery store are probably safe, but check with your doctor first. If you need to soothe your nerves and want to take the natural route, meditate or eat a piece of chocolate. We prefer the latter.
> Complete guide to OTC meds

Myth 7: They’ll know you’re not a natural blonde!
False! Being pregnant does not have to compromise your appearance (at least not above the belly), but you do need to be smart. Dr. Fischbein says that while there is a theoretical risk associated with coloring your hair (chemicals being absorbed through the scalp), studies have not shown anything conclusive. He recommends avoiding dye for at least the first trimester, when the baby’s organs are forming. Relieve worries by opting for a natural vegetable dye over a semipermanent or permanent product, but Dr. Minkin still suggests checking them out with your doctor during the first trimester. Eggplant, anyone?
> Also: Why you’re now a frizzball

Myth 8: Exercise is a no-no
False! Clear everything with your OB to be sure, but many docs say that keeping up with mild exercise is just fine. If your pregnancy is sans complications, low-impact workouts can be a great way to control your weight and prep for baby — just be sure to avoid contact sports or exercises that involve lying on your back (this position can reduce blood flow to your brain and uterus).
> Exercise dos and don’t during pregnancy

Myth 9: Manicures are out
False! You don’t need to forgo weekly manis just because you want to be a mommy. “You would need massive and long-term exposure to the products before there was a chance of problems,” says Dr. Fischbein. You might get a little nauseous from the fumes with your newfound sensitivity to odors, but if that’s the case, make your appointments for less crowded times of the day. Still freaked out about what’s in the nail polish itself? If you fear exposure to dibutyl phthalate, a much-debated ingredient in some polishes, look for brands that don’t use the stuff like Urban Decay,L’Oreal Jet Set Nail Enamel, and Revlon Nail Enamel.

When you love an animal so much that your lives intertwine…. when that animals life brings a new dimension to yours, and fills it with love… sweet purrs… warmth and cuddles when the rest of the world seems to fade… that is a true friendship.  And our sweet Boo-Kitty was a friend to us all… she was the happy face at the end of an ugly day… who’s loud purr could perk a smile out of any face… even with a 4am wake up call demanding to be fed (you fatty!!), you always made us happy.

Now who will wake up dad at random times in the middle of the night?

Who will rattle the blinds in the dark, for a kibble of food?

Who will “call/cry out” for glitter balls, waiting to be played with?

Who’s butt will we scratch for a good giggle?

What will we do with Spanky, when she needs someone to cuddle under the covers?

and Who will swat at the children when they are being naughty, lol?

…..But seriously, who will watch the “shadows” for us now, Boo-Kitty?

I believe that just like us, animals have little souls inside of their soft and cuddly exteriors… and Boo-Kitty was no exeption.  Sweet Boo, not only were you a beautifully kitty with your white fur and piercing blue eyes… but those blue eyes were deep and loving, true windows into your kitty thoughts, which even seemed to smile at times.

Never had I met a cat like you, Boo-Kitty… one that had a human persona, even “talked” on the phone to Aj on a daily basis (lol).   When your Pops was sad… you cheered him up. When your “Ma” was busy, you would find a way to distract her and bring smile to her hardworking face.  You were Aj’s buddy, his playmate and constant companion at Nani’s house… the one to pull a giggle out of him each and every time you entered a room to play “ribbons” with him.  God knows, your sister cat won’t know how to even face the night time w/o you at her side… poor Spanky, you were her guiding light, her every waking thought (as dramatic as it sounds, I promise it’s the truth!), and her better half, lol    The ying to her yang (even in color!).

Sweet Boo-Kitty, I’m grateful you didn’t have to suffer… but I’m so very very sad you are gone.  Visits to Nani’s will never “feel” the same, as you were many times the highlight of our trip.. and blue eyes will never look as beautiful to me, as they did on your sweet face.

Losing a pet is never easy, especially when we’ve lost so much this past year… but losing Boo-Kitty is not only losing a pet… We lost a friend, a companion, a “light” in our daily lives.

In one happy thought… we can all find comfort that Boo-Kitty will have some pretty amazing and warm laps to lye on in Heaven… Pick one Boo… or pick them all… God knows I would if I were you

Love and miss you Boo-Kitty… and forever more will every kitty in my life be compared to you.

So GO FISHING BOO-KITTY!

Catch the big one, and don’t worry about sharing with Spanky
The tank is yours… enjoy sweet Kitty…..

fireworks.. and water balloons! I love the 4th of July

and their new bff Haley… thanks Haley!

If your mom and dad would allow it… we’d keep and and Hannah FOREVER!! lol

xoxo

she looks like one of mine, right? haha

Sometimes it makes me wonder… but I consider myself as close to the most honest person you might ever meet.. or I’ll try to be at the very least…

I would never intentionally hurt ones feelings, and I try my hardest to live by the “golden rule” of do unto other as you would have done unto you… but at the same time, if I think you’re doing or saying something inappropriate, or cruel, or down right strange (haha), I’ll be the first to tell you so.  As for me.. if I’m acting like an idiot.. please let me know

Some days, I think I should have been a defense lawyer… or pshrink’ … or a prison guard!  bwwwaa-aaahhhh!!!  When I see someone get knocked down, my first reaction is to 1) help them back up, and 2) defend them.  A good quality, you would think ….

My poor children, they have no idea what is in store for them, lol

I think there is honest goodness in every person… and each of us deserves a chance to prove ourselves (more than once!).  Which… in itself has gotten me into much trouble. But again… there has to be goodness in us all, and I just try to weed it out (even in the thickest and nastiest of “gardens!”), even getting stung in the process of it.

I try to be a good listener… and  lend my shoulder… hand… hugs… wallet (lol)… to those who need it.. even when not asked for.  Which is why I’ve come to the conclusion… is honesty the best policy?

Beats me! But maybe these lil quotes will put a few thoughts into proper place….

Look a man in the eye and say what you really think, don’t just smile at him and say what you’re supposed to think.
Author: Source Unknown

An honest answer is the sign of true friendship.
Author: Proverbs 24:26

Be true to your work, your word, and your friend.
Author: Henry David Thoreau

Integrity is telling myself the truth. And honesty is telling the truth to other people.
Author: Spencer Johnson

and my favorite quote on honesty…

Honesty is the best policy, but insanity is a better defense.
Author: Steve Landesberg

I mean.. even my kids are honest… (see Aj’s shirt and Reese’s bib?) lol lol lol