HOTlanta, it was!

I took a really quick trip to Atlanta this week to shoot an installation video and product feature video for a new car seat Graco has coming out later this year.  I don't know what it is about the product development cycle of Graco's car seats, but I feel like we are always filming in the heat.  I think the high was 98 yesterday, and just imagine how it's magnified even more with all of the lighting and being in and out of a mini-van for a majority of the day.  I know I'm from Texas and should be used to it (considering we've already had several days over 100), but that's why our electric bills are through the roof for at least 6 months out of the year...WE LOVE OUR AIR CONDITIONERS!

Anyway, I wore khakis instead of skinny jeans this time, in hopes that they would feel a little cooler.  And they did, I just felt a little frumpier that usual.  The heat was quite brutal though, but Todd at Fraser Films was really great about letting me hang out in the house whenever we weren't shooting.  He kept saying, "we've got to keep you fresh".  Well, I was far from feeling fresh, but hopefully I looked fresh....enough, anyway.

It was a long day, reporting to set at 8 am, wrapping at 6:30 pm and catching a flight back to the ATX and returning home at midnight.  I've done enough of these that the process has become kind of like habit, but the poor makeup stylist, Stacey, had a little more work than normal touching me up every 10 minutes, it felt like since I was basically melting.

Lunch is always a great break, though, when Chef Jaye is cooking.  We had a tortellini pasta salad with feta, flank steak, salmon, chilled cucumber soup, and hearty chocolate chip cookies.  Yummy, to put it lightly and  great perk of working with this team.

Here's a quick look at the setup:

 

 it just looks hot, doesn't it?

 this is the monitor the Graco team and the producer watch to ensure all looks good...hopefully this shot doesn't make the cut.

 prepping for the product feature video

closeup!!

demoing with a crash dummy how to properly use the harness

So what it comes down to, is the work still has to get done, whatever the conditions. Oh and how could I forget to mention the bee hive located inside the brick column of the carport, just a couple feet from the van.  Thankfully they were nice and didn't sting anyone!

Reese Does Vegas

So for the past 6 months, I've been working for Graco, teutonia, and Aprica via contract to plan the their show space (equalling a whopping 8200 sq ft) at the 2010 ABC Show.  Once again, the show was held in Vegas and since I needed to be out there for a full 7 days, I asked Honey and Grampy if they would be willing to bring Reese out, so that I didn't have to miss her for a whole week.  They had been wanting to make the trip anyway, since so much has changed since they had been out there 20 years ago.  It was a long week, but I'm so glad my little lady was there for part of it, because I think I would have been miserable without her.  Here are a few pics of the booths, which turned out looking absolutely spectacular!

I asked Honey to write a little bit about their trip with Reese to share on the blog...so here it is:

Earlier in the month, Honey and Grampy had the occasion to spend some quality time with Miss Reese. Her Mother was on a project in Las Vegas so we took her out to so she could be with her Mother part of the time. The airplane ride was uneventful---she took two naps, one in Grampy's arms and the other in Honey's arms. Reese was awesome---wooing the hearts of those around her. In Vegas, she was sighted at multiple high end restaurants. ( Her Honey and Grampy love fine dining.) Reese enjoyed the likes of Emeril's, NOBU, Mario Batali's, and Michael Mina's Nob Hill. She was soooo good at all these places, taking in the sights. She really enjoyed strolling through the casinos seeing all the flashing lights and hearing the sounds of others hitting the jackpot.


Reese adjusted well to PST from CST. She made up an hour every night so by the time it was time to go home her body adjusted to the 2 hour time difference. The first morning she was up and ready to play at 4:30 am.

It was an awesome trip both for the grandparents and Reese. There was a close bonding, something that Honey and Grampy will never forget.

I'm a bit sad that the only pics we have from this excursion were taken on our iPhones, but here is one of Reese and me getting ready to watch the water show at the Bellagio...it never disappoints!

Long Time, No See

Itsy Bitsy Parker aka Reese's Pieces has been neglected lately.  I hate this because I guess this blog is my way of "scrapbooking" the happenings in our life, and the fact that it has been neglected means I'm not doing a very thorough job of documenting all the goings-on.

But, what it comes down to, is that there has just been a lot going on for us.  This is not to say that everyday isn't crazy busy for the Parker's, but my work is getting crazier, considering this tradeshow I'm planning is just over a month away.  I also had the opportunity to pick up another job with Graco last week filming more videos for 2 new Graco car seats.  The trip to Atlanta was a fast and furious one, but I wanted it that way so that I could get back to my little lady (she didn't join me on this one, since we didn't use babies in the shoot).  Besides that, Miss Reese just keeps getting better and better, so dropping everything to play with her, hug her, kiss her, laugh with her, and snuggle with her is an everyday occurance that can't be missed.

I was apart from her for 2.5 days while I was in Atlanta, which the initial thought of was a bit daunting for me since she has only been on a couple of overnights away from us.  But, in the end, it wasn't quite as bad as I thought it would be.  Of course, I missed her tons, but I was so stinkin' busy, that I didn't have time to let it consume me.  It also reaffirmed for me that I need this work/life balance in my life and that going back to work in the next several months, is the right thing for me to be the best parent I can be.  Plus, the grandparents did a great job of keeping me up-to-date by sending these great glimpses:

swim diaper made it in the bag, swim suit did not

say it, don't spray it, Reese

my kids for the day on set

Reese split her time between my parents house and Grammy and Grandpa's, staying with Grammy during the day, then with my parents at night.  It sounds like she had quite the time--playing in her own little pool, playing with her cousins, baths in the kitchen sink, and swimming in the big pool at the Cramer's.

So, I think this was good preparation for our next time apart, which will be in October when I go out to Vegas for the tradeshow.  We will have 3 days apart, then thankfully my parents will bring Reese out to Vegas for the remaining 4 days of the show, because a full week without my little lady would not be a good balance for me.

The Final Product

My apologies for forgetting to post these, but I have been reminded about them as I prepare to film a few more for Graco later this month. I guess you could say this is Reese's claim to fame (at least for now)!

Even though every new Graco car seat comes with detailed installation instructions, Graco also understands that many of us learn better (and quicker) by actually seeing the seat being installed and quite frankly they want parents to have all of the resources they need to ensure their children are safe.  And with the fabulous technology we have today, these videos are just a click away on Graco's YouTube page and product pages on http://www.gracobaby.com/. 

Reese was such a champ during the filming--you can find a full recap here or here.  I love looking back at these and seeing how much she's grown since then and I can't wait to share these with her when she is older.  Enjoy! (and I hope that these may even be helpful for a few of you)

Atlanta Shoot

The trip to Atlanta was a great one.  Reese was such a trooper!  I will write more about our travels soon, but this is about what we went to Atlanta to do.  Many of you guys know how passionate I have become about child passenger safety and part of it is because Graco is so passionate about it, I couldn't help but be immersed in it when I worked for them.  They go the extra mile to provide consumers with how-to videos to assist in the installation process, because we all know how overwhelming it can be for new parents trying to get this new contraption into their vehicle correctly.

So, Reese and I set out for Atlanta to film the installation video for the SnugRide, our most popular seat.  Of course it is top-rated and more moms rely on the SnugRide to protect their little one than any other seat. 

We started the day on location at 9 am...well, let's say 9:15 for us since traffic was horrific and we were a tad bit late.  I'm so glad I don't have to battle that mess everyday...my commute took me almost 2 hours that morning.  Thankfully, Reese had a full belly and slept through it all.

First thing was hair and makeup.  Considering they shoot with hi-def cameras and such, you're normal everyday mask usually isn't enough.  Then once I got dressed it was onto the demo part of the series.  We shot outside in a mini-van and went through the steps of how to install the seat using the seatbelt and LATCH. 

We had Reese buckled in the seat to show putting the baby in the car , but as soon as I clipped the seat into the vehicle she began to fuss because the bright lights were shining directly into her eyes.  We did several takes of it though, so hopefully there is a take that works.

The actual demo took a majority of the morning, so we finished up and then broke for lunch.  During the short hour or so timeframe Miss Reese had two blowouts and went through the two pink outfits we had, so the majority of her camera time was wearing jeans and a yellow sweater...our last option since dresses don't really show well buckled into a car seat.  You never know what you're going to get with a baby on set!

Then we moved on to shooting the informational/Vanna White-style video.  I had done the installation demo videos before, but never this one, so I was a little nervous at how I would do.  Of course, our producer along with the Graco staff that was there were great coaches and the teleprompter made it so easy, so I feel fairly confident that it will turn out ok.

We wrapped up the day recording the voice-over for the installation demo.  It is amazing that two simple videos lasting less than 2 minutes can take a whole 8 hour day of filming.  Like I said earlier, Reese was such a trooper and had several naps throughout the day.  When it was her turn to be on camera as we were showing how to adjust the harness around her, she was really hamming it up with the camera guy...hopefully we'll see a few smiles in the finished product.

Final videos to come...as soon as they are edited and in their final state online.  Thanks, Graco for a great day!  I look forward to recapping this again with Reese one day when she can really appreciate it!

Oh, and check out the Graco blog for their take on the day.

2 months

We had Reese's 2 month checkup today...my how time flies!  She is long and lean weighing in at 11.5 pounds and 23 inches long.  We have been battling her reflux and are now on our second medication to try.  Beyond the reflux making her uncomfortable, she really is a great baby.  I think her favorite place to be is in her car seat, considering it makes her upright enough to feel some relief.  It sure does make it easy to go-go-go..which is really all we've done lately, so that is a plus!  She's really getting into the interacting stage where she smiles, coos and laughs at us when we talk to her (videos to come soon)...it is truly one of the best things to see that beautiful smile and it just makes my heart melt.

We had all of her vaccines done a couple weeks early since we are headed to Atlanta on Wednesday.  We figured we should be on the safe side for her first plane ride.  I'm saying my prayers that she does well and is not "that parent and child" that I always used to be so frustrated with on my plane rides and tuned out with my iPod.  Oh, why are we going to Atlanta?  Well, we are filming a car seat installation and demo for Graco on Thursday.  I will be sure to keep you updated on how it goes and the finished product of course, but it's going to be one like this and this that I've done in the past.  I'm looking forward to the trip and seeing some of my work friends while I'm there, too!

Here are some of my favorite recent pics of my lovely little lady.

39 Weeks

So here we are at 39 weeks (and 1 day) and expecting the arrival of IBP any day now!  I'm so ready to meet this little one, to know what his/her name is going to be and just know our newest addition.  The world talks about pregnancy being 9 months, but in reality, the pregnancy life cycle is 40 weeks, which is really 10 months.  So being just a week shy of the 10 month mark, I think back a bit at the past 39 weeks and I have to say for the most part it has been a piece of cake.  Of course, I've had my uncomfortable moments these last several weeks, which make me more ready than ever for this little one to be here, but all in all I have had a truly wonderful pregnancy and I wouldn't change a thing.  So, I wanted to take a moment and reflect on  my favorite thing about being pregnant (besides indulging my sweet tooth more than ever before!).  Hands down, being able to feel this little life move around inside of me has been the most fun!  It is truly a miracle and I sit in awe and enjoy being kicked every single day!  Take a visit over to the Graco blog for more of my sentiment on this topic.

So, hopefully our next post will be to announce the birth (and sex, and name, and weight, etc.) of IBP!  We can't wait!

Bittersweet Week

This week has been somewhat of a tough one for me. I made my last trip to the corporate office in Atlanta. Since Graco has made the move from their offices in Exton, PA to Atlanta, I too was asked to make the move. JP and I have always felt like our life is in Texas and decided that while there is great opportunity with Graco there, it would truly be a major sacrifice for us to make that move, so needless to say, we are staying put in Austin.

With this decision comes the end of my employment with Newell Rubbermaid once IBP arrives, and specifically Graco. It has been a great ride for 5 1/2 years, but hopefully there is something bigger and better out there for me.

I'm now at the end of my 32nd week of pregnancy and was told by my doctor that I would have to suspend all travel more than an hour and a half away by December 13. So, I headed out Monday for my final trip to the ATL.

I have to say, it was a great one though. On Tuesday we had a mini-photoshoot for a new stroller coming out in January and it was so fun, as usual, to interact with the baby models and their moms. Then on Wednesday morning, I was invited to partake in breakfast being brought in for a meeting, and much to my surprise walked in to a nice little baby shower celebration hosted by many of my co-workers. It was so nice to have a chance to catch up with many of them before I head out and of course get some wonderful gifts! Melissa and Blair, thanks so much for organizing and I'm truly looking forward to shopping for some oh-so-adorable frocks with my Baby Gap giftcard.

As I was walking out of the building on Wednesday evening to the parking garage, a couple of tears streamed down my face. They were of course sad tears, since I feel like I've had such an amazing ride with this company since I graduated. I've had the privilege to work with some amazing people and make some wonderful friendships, too--so it's hard to say goodbye. But it will never be goodbye, because in the wonderful world of social media, it's very easy to stay in touch. And, I will be around until IBP arrives, so they aren't rid of me just yet.

While this is a very sad moment for me, it's also a very exciting and anxious one for me too. Of course the arrival of IBP is less than 2 months away, which will be life-changing and there will hopefully be a very exciting career endeavor come along for me within the next 6 months or so--fingers crossed.

So for all of my followers and readers, if you hear of any good marketing opportunities within the Austin area--holla at me, I'll be in the market!!

Fit to be a Mama

As many of you well know, I've been trying to keep up somewhat of an exercise routine during my pregnancy. My contribution to the Graco Corporate Blog this week is about just that. Give it a read!

I'm a Blogger X2

I am now not only a blogger on Itsy Bitsy Parker, but also on Graco's Corporate Blog. Today my official news of expecting IBP in January was released (only a few people at work knew up until now) as my first blog post on Graco's Heart to Heart Blog. For 3 years now, I've worked on the marketing team at Graco and have gained a lot of knowledge about the industry, but I now know, as a First Time Expectant, I know a lot about baby gear (ask me if you're car seat is installed correctly), but there is so much more to learn. I look forward to sharing my journey!

Check out my first (BIG) post!
http://blog.gracobaby.com/