Good evening everyone!
I wrote this post for The Nest website, but I think it being here is a good option! So...
Candice here!! We are days away from opening and I want to explain in more detail what The Nest is! I am a photographer. I take photos, but I like to think of myself as more than that. I am a mama too. I am currently raising five children ages twelve years to fourteen months. When I moved here I didn’t know anyone and was trying to raise my children without the love and support of my family so far away. I was longing for community. Each member of The Nest is full of life and love and I am so proud and grateful to call them not only partner, but also friend.
I have been shooting here in Jacksonville, Nc for four years now. I love the coast and enjoy watching little ones grow up. If I had to choose a favorite session it would be smash cakes! I love to see babies turn into toddlers and explore that messy cake! There is a great story about why I chose “Flash Photo Studios” coming soon! It has to do with the amount of time your family is at the stage they’re at— a flash.
I met Erikah (Hello, Love. Doula Services) through a Babywearing group. I am pretty sure babywearing saved my sanity while my youngest was super tiny. Erikah’s son is 6 days older than my girl, and we became friends almost instantly. We’ve become leaders of Onslow County Babywearers (A group where meetings are always free) and are so excited to give the group a place to meet weekly, and store our lending library! If you have any questions about babywearing, and our lending library we would love to help!! There are other leaders too, and together we form a pretty great team! Some of them will be making a trip in December for a special certification!
Erikah and I met at a time in my life I needed someone just like her. “As a mother myself I know first hand how connecting with other parents can truly help you during the times you’re thinking ‘I suck at this! Everyone else does this better!’ – because those other parents reach out and say ‘YOU are the perfect parent for this baby!’ and help reassure you that you got this” — Erikah (It’s like she just GETS me!) I can’t wait to see what she can help mothers accomplish as a doula!
Community support is something so important to us. We live in a community that is often far from family, and we need each other. At The Nest we want to give as much back as we can. A place to seek help and guidance, love, and support. Yes, we are businesses— but we are more than that. We will have support groups with an amazingly brilliant and highly qualified leader. We will services all in one place and hope to make everyone feel comfortable and at home. Erikah says, “ Being invested in our community and providing these services is important to us because we have heard the requests and want to give them.” Which reminds me, check out the post about our Birth Book! We want to hear your stories!
Next is Tori, (Tiny Tummies Lactation Services). I have nursed all five of my babies, I didn’t think I needed anything and thought I had all the answers. I was wrong!! I had NO IDEA there was a more effective way to pump! I’d never heard of “pace bottle feeding” or that there was a reason my husband was using so much milk while I was away; he shouldn’t have been. I was bummed and cursing my pump when Tori came in with information and an amazing amount of positive encouragement. Tori has a way of making me feel like I am the best mother for these babies in the entire world. There isn’t a doubt in my mind you’ll love her too!
Our support group leader’s name is Kathy. Oh Kathy. One of my favorite people ever! Seriously, ever. Started as a client of mine. Found out she went to school in South Florida with my husband. Now, she is my daughters Godmother, and I am hers. She comes with experience and patience, and so many other adjectives my heart is struggling to explain to my head. I can’t wait for these groups to start! Please, look for them!
We have visiting services!!
In this world have you ever met someone and knew they were one of the good ones? Someone who was truly a good and beautiful soul? That’s Vivian. She owns Jacksonville Oriental Medicine. (She’s an acupuncturist). I went to her for my #2, you can tell her heart truly loves. I promise you, her needles are nothing to be scared of.
We will also have Marsha, a massage therapist joining us (I don’t know her very well, but a great joke about us becoming besties brought us together!! 😉 We will also have a theatre company ‘Debbie’s Angel’s Productions” visiting on weekends! I have been working with Meme for three years now, and am so excited to have all of my favorite people together in one place! You will be able to find more information about them on our website soon!
We have so many things planned, and we hope to give as much love, support, and beautiful portraits as we can! Tori says, “The Nest is a unique place for this unique community. We are thrilled to be part of this adventure.” We hope you will join us!
There you have it, The Nest from my perspective! I love each of these woman and know I am a better person for knowing them! We can’t wait to meet everyone we can! We want to hear from you, and your family and meet you all soon!!
PhotoCredit: A.DemontPhotography.com
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