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I’ve been slow on pulling the trigger….but we FINALLY have our giveaway ready! There 3 AMAZING $100 prizes…and some pretty simple ways to enter. We’re going to use this giveaway in exchange for some fun info! You could win one of the following….
Modern Salon & Spa $100 gift card. If you are from Charlotte…then you KNOW what kind of prize this is! You could get hair, make up, spa treatments, massages and so much more!
If you are not a local or if you just wanted this prize more, you could win a $100 gift card to B & H Photo! I think I’ll even enter to win that!
If you are a friend or family member…but you are out of town…and not a photographer… how about a $100 gift card to Target?!
We find out on June 7 th the GENDER of our baby! Yes we’re going to find out…and YES we will tell everyone! So take this survey below as your first entry for a shot at the prize! What is your guess at the gender of Baby Lanning?
In order to finish up your entry into our contest you have to submit into our comment section these two things:
1. A creative way for us to REVEAL the gender of baby Lanning online.
2. Baby name suggestions for boy, girl or both!
Be sure to leave your name and e-mail when the comment section asks for it…so if/when you win….we can contact you with ease! You have until June 5th at noon to enter. Everyone only gets one entry and the winner will be announced on June 7th. Everyone needs a fun contest…and I’m glad you played along with us.
Now get started!
Gloria I think you should have ur hubby do a maternity session with whatever color ribbon(blue/pink) around ur belly with a pair of booties resting on top for the revealing of the gender....
Ashley DrewB did an awesome photo sesh announcing the sex of a baby with balloons with pink and blue and then letting go off the color related to the sex the baby is not. I think it's adorable :) one of my favorite baby girl names is Lyla and for a boy Jackson. I'm so excited for you guys!!!
Jessica Klima You should wrap a gender appropriate outfit and photograph your parents opening it and finding out the gender that way!
Jessica Klima Oh, and baby names - You could combine your names and have either Caniel or Dandice! :-D
Angela Tucker you could have someone that is great at decorating meet with you both and have a brainstorming meeting about how you would like the nursery to look, if it's a boy this way, if it's a girl that way... THEN- when you find out the gender, you somehow let this wonderful decorator know without you knowing and give them 1 WEEK to make it happen. Then have an unveiling party and you guys walk into the room to find out what gender baby Lanning actually is...:)
wow- not sure how i just came up with that. i think it's pretty good. Baby Names??- i love classic & biblical so i would go with Charlotte & Moses. (Matt laughs at Moses but i like it!)
Brooke 1. Congratulations - your little family is expanding! Part of that family is your puppy, Oli.. (I follow you on Twitter!)
A photo series on your blog would be such a cute way to share with the world your new baby's sex. Even cuter: involving your puppy and revealing the gender using him! You could dye his fur pink or blue and take a series of photos "revealing" him. If the dye is too extreme, maybe get him to sit on a big sign saying "Boy" or "Girl" and take photos from higher up on a second story. You could even keep it simple by tying a pink or blue bow around his neck! For a more dynamic reveal, you could do a video of these instead.
2. Since "Dan" and "Candice" have the common 'a' sound, I think it'd be cute to stick with that for names. I love the name Anniston for a girl and Cameron for a boy.
Alyse Woodward Chocolate sauce! OR Wrap Mr. Oli up in a box with a removable lid and have him inside with a pink or blue bow on. :) I'm sure he would love that.
Baby names. Well since you always claim to be gangsta you better name baby lanning something they could utilize in a hip hop career. For example, myrapname.com suggests "Danny D Master" for Daniel, "Candy Trick" for Candice and "Baby B Style" for baby Lanning. But seriously, as long as you don't name little lanning "twilight" or "new moon" we can still be friends. :) xo
Brett Crisp I think you should do a video blog before you find out the gender telling us what each of you think it is and why and even what other family members think it is and then follow-up with who's right by posting a photo of Oli in a "I heart my little brother/sister" shirt! As far as names, I like Taylor for either a boy or a girl. Also, you could always use a name from Twilight!
Nicole Faby Creative way to reveal: Post a picture of Oli tinted pink or blue this can be photoshopped or real ;)
Boy Name: Caden
Girl Name: Leighton L
Lindsay Have a cake either blue or pink, or have Candice's belly have a pink or blue heart on it and take a picture:) I think you should name a boy Josiah or Auden and a girl either Lucy or Meredith
nicole Faby Apparently my dying oli idea was already taken should have read the others first! Reveal option number two... On the blog post one letter a day until it spells the baby's name! Assuming the name is not gender neutral!
Nikki well since Oli ideas have already been taken :)
i think that the gender reveal parties are cute - you could have some friends/family over wearing the color that matches the gender they think you are having...then hand out cupcakes for everyone to bite into at the same time with the color icing inside (pink or blue) to reveal the real answer :)
Alicia Damron I'm old fashioned, I would wait until your baby is born and then announce the gender along with a photo of your precious newborn. I like Isaac for a boy and Sophia for a girl.
Sally Ann *Change the background of your site to blue or pink depending on the verdict (I'm pulling for PINK!)
*I tend to like classic names rather than trendy ones, so Biblical options are always good (Eli or Isaiah for a boy, Hannah for a girl)
Katie For the reveal: If it's a girl post a baby picture of Candice's, or a baby picture of Daniel's if its a boy, that way, the world will get a sneak peek of what the baby may look like! Names: Elliott for a boy and Nora for a girl.
Mary I think you should post a belly shot with a handprint on it in the gender color (pink or blue). Or do some sort of light painting writing out the big announcement. As far as names I really like Asher for a boy and Ellie or Violet for a girl :) best of luck!
Vanessa Rippetoe I am predicting a boy. Don't ask why but I have a feeling. So, since I think it's a boy I am going with Landon Lanning. It seems to fit perfectly. I'm not a real creative person but I thing you should reveal the gender by both of you wearing very gender neutral colored shirts with the front of them reading, "It's a ???" and snap a picture. Then turn around in the photo and it read what it is that your having in the appropriate color (pink or blue). Can't wait to see!!
ashleigh morrell For the reveal, you could change the blog to blue or pink or at least the font color for the day/for that post along with a photo shoot of you with pink or blue on. One idea that I heard about to reveal to your family, if they all could be at the same place is to have a cake made and the color of the icing between layers be that of the gender of the baby. When the first piece is cut, the gender is revealed. If they aren't all together, you can send flowers to the grandparents with gender color balloons attached or a wrapped box with blue or pink balloons inside.
Girl name, Whitley Lanning. Boy name Whitley Lanning and call him Whit. :O) Others that I like, Lucy, Taylor, Adleigh, Noah, Cameron, Jackson, and Preston.
Mallory Helms I think Oli should be involved since it will be a change for him too. you will need: a blue outfit for Oli, a pink outfit for Oli, a video camera, a party with all of your closest friends/family.
1. when you get the ultrasound results you should have them write it down on a piece of paper, and put it in a envelope.
2. find someone you want to help make the "reveal" and give them Oli and both outfits.
3. have someone video tape Oli running in the room with the genders baby color outfit, and safety pined to the shirt across Oli's back should be the baby's name.
Caydence for a girl since it resembles Candice {or Cayden for short}
Isaiah for a boy {because like Daniel in the Bible, he was a prophet too}
i'm beyond excited for you guys!
Kathy Cowan I'm feeling a girl for you two (side note: I was right with Kristy) Since the grandparents live out of town I think you should send them a sucker bouquet blue for a boy and pink for a girl. This would also be a fun way for them to share with friends and family. For names you know I like Whitley for a girl and Whit Lee for a boy. I also like Baze for boy. I'm excited for you guys. I guess Matt is next in the family!!!
Amy I love the new website! I say RUN to the store and pick out the baby's first outfit, wrap it up and take pics of the un-wrapping/revealing. That first outfit is so fun to buy!
As for names, I think it's a girl - and Amy is a a classic! :)
Meredith Buy an outfit for the sex of the baby and have it wrapped. You could take photos of the unwrapping!
I like Stevie for a girl....have no clue where that one came from ;)
Kelly Hamm 1) I think a cute way to reveal the gender of the baby is to dye your hair blue or pink. Keep your hair concealed until time and then take the hat off live on the internet. Or paint a small pink or blue heart on your belly. When it's time, lift up your shirt to reveal the gender.
2) I think it's a girl, so I vote for Sarah Elizabeth. A boy, Keaton.
dorian curlee I am thinking "Miss Thang" for a sweet little girl and "Yo bobby" for a boy! Sorry C, I just had to go for your love of hiphop! :) Speaking of...why dont you get Robin Thicke to reveal the gender....or at least do it the way he did. Talk about Daddy love...Paula was lucky!!!!
Kym Tucker Ok, I think you should definitely tell some sort of story with pictures...obviously...have the final one be one of those pics where you both have your hands on your belly in the shape of a heart and in the middle of the heart have pink or blue paper or what not in the shape of the heart as well. Names...Colton for a boy...sounds like he could be a major sports enthusiast...and Whitley for a girl!!! :-) Can't wait for the reveal, I know whatever you do will be awesome!
Erin first, for the reveal... i think you should photograph a really neat scene and place something gender-specific in it, but something that is not totally obvious or in an obvious spot. sort of "where's waldo" meets baby lanning's gender! :)
on the names... "hudson" for a boy and "harper" for a girl. love them!
Cheyenne Schultz I'm hysterical about the ideas involving Oli...dying him pink or blue cracks me up...and Alyse's idea of putting him in a box is super funny to me for some reason...poor, poor Oli. I haven't any original ideas for the reveal....I ripped the cake cutting thing off of another photographer!
Frank for a boy....and Jazzy if it's a girl. Definitely. :)
Jenni I think you should go stand in front of the sign to the city you are going to name your child after. If it's a girl...that's easy. But if it's a boy... trip to Mass!!! I think it's a boy!!!
dorian Obviously Whitley for a boy or girl... also Lane. Lane Lanning. Boy or girl!!!! so excited! If you happen to have twins then Whitley and Lane Lanning :)
Bethany Boone 1. Ok, I think you should get one friend or family member to open the card of the gender & to set up all pink or blue decor. Then have someone record a video of all the guests and you two walking into the party to see what color the decorations are! (Also pick out a boy & girl name and have it hung in big cute capital letters)
2. Girl name: Grayson, Skye, Felicity, Tegan
Boy name: Asher, Ezra, Quinn, Tucker
Rachel OK, I know I'm not in the running for the contest, but I still want to give my ideas. :)
Creative way: Hmmm...everyone already has so many creative ideas. It's hard to think of something original. But I think you should write your own song and you can sing while Daniel raps. (on video, of course) In the song, you can reveal the gender.
Names for girls: Charissa, Bella, or Annamarie.
heather (a) I can't believe you are almost to the halfway point already!! As bad as this first half has been you will look back at the end and it will have gone by so fast.
(b) I would love to win $100 to Modern for a massage....so if you could just go ahead and pick me that would be great. ;) JK
I think you should do a huge skype convo with all of your families from all over and open a gift that indicates boy or girl (an outfit or just a big box of pink or blue something-a-nother).....you two find out with the entire family....it makes it really special...but thats just my opinion. Then you could video that skype convo and the shenanigans that will ensue so that you can share that with the blogging world.
For names I would say Tate or Whit for a boy.....Reese or Sienna for a girl.
I can't wait to find out WHO you are having....and that I won the giveaway. :)
Feel better!
Heather okay...so I probably shouldn't be allowed to leave blog comments or voice mails because they are always ridiculously long....but I have refined my idea. :)
I think you should find an old school "jack in the box" that you can have someone put a tiny pink or blue shirt on "jack" and let that be the reveal to you and the fam on skype. That way the baby can keep the "jack in the box" as a memento.
K. I'm going to bed before I write another paragraph....I guess that is what email is for. :)
Andrea For a girl, my suggestion is Amana Noelle. Amana in Hebrew is "Faithful" and Noelle means "Day of Birth". And you can pray Isaiah 49 for her, including v. 1: "The LORD called me from the womb; From the body of my mother He named me" The whole chapter is a beautiful foretelling of Jesus, but it also reflects His faithfulness to us from the day of our birth.
For a boy, I pick Amos Gabriel. Amos means "burdened" and Gabriel meaning "God is my strength." And you could pray Psalm 68:19 "Blessed be the Lord, who daily bears our burden. The God who is our salvation." It's a strong name to reflect the strength of our God who laid the burden on His Son for our joy and strength.
Hmmmm...I think I like these for my future babies. :) But, they are ones that came to mind when I thought of him/her and so there they are! :)
Jen I think it is a boy so I will tell you my favorite boy name - Aiden. have always loved that. and I think you should tell the gender with a photo of a single blue or pink ribbon. no title, nothing else. we will all know! :)
Heather Palmer This website is great and your work looks amazing! I found it through Facebook. I went to school with Daniel. My maiden name is Drake. Anyway, maybe you could reveal the sex of your baby by photographing the phrase "it's a girl" or "it's a boy" in the same way photographers have done with "SPARTANS" all around the MSU campus. I know Daniel went to U of M, and I think they have done it with that campus too, but I don't know if they spelled WOLVERINES or not. Names...Landon or Macey.
Holly Okay, I can't think of any creative ways to reveal the gender! How about "It's a Boy/Girl"!!! Or maybe one of each? Kidding! I like the name Macy for a girl and Sawyer for a boy. Best of luck!
Kristin Byrum super cool photoshoot!
Erin Drago I love your blog...your pictures are fantastic!!!:) I was introduced to your photography via a friend of mine who used to go to church with you. Here are my answers to your questions...
1. put a literal bun in your literal oven ("bun in the oven") with either a pink or blue ribbon tied around it.
2. These are the names I would like to use for future children, so I am just going to share them with you...
girl: Olive
boy: Mack
congratulations!!!!:)
Jessi Ok. Hm. the reveal.
I saw flowers. Just the most beautiful picture of some pink peonies super close up, or some blue hydrangeas. Maybe even plant that flower at your house to celebrate!
And I say it's a boy:) Definitely. And if it's a boy, I think I know his future name but if I HAPPEN to be wrong (for the first time ever) and it is a girl - Esme. Esme Lanning. :)
crystal genes 1. have a party with a pinata filled with girly or boy-y stuff and have guests bust it open! (if you do this, i wanna come!!!)
2. girl - sadie, ariana, kate
boy - ellington, lyric
yay!
Sarah I saw one time where for the online reveal a couple drew a picture on the baby bump. Theirs was a girl, so it was basically like a smiley face with long hair and a bow. It was really cute! For a girl, I like Lilly, and for a boy, I like David. :-) Congrats!
A.J. Dunlap 1. I had a friend who did a gender revealing party and baked cupcakes, then scooped out the middle and put the color (pink/blue) in the middle and covered it up with plain icing. It was so much fun!
2. Clueless on names, but with how creative you two are with photography I'm sure you'll come up with something great!
Nick Name Suggestion: Rosalie
Revelation:
On a Scrabble board, write out boy or girl going up, down, left, or right...then blend the name going the opposite direction...then take a beautiful picture of it...which I'm sure you both can handle that part.
This would DEF. work if it is a gIrl with RosalIe or a bOy with JacOb (notice the 'i' and the 'o').
ps...very excited for you guys.
Desiree Crisp Congradulations! We are so excited for you! Love the name Clare for a girl and Dane for a boy. Can't think of anything original to reveal the gender. Some of the other ideas mentioned sound fun!
Andrea (reposting because I forgot part 1. eek!)
For the reveal, definitely involve Oli. I like the idea of putting a blue or pink ribbon around his neck and posting a pic on your blog.
In terms of names: For a girl, my suggestion is Amana Noelle. Amana in Hebrew is "Faithful" and Noelle means "Day of Birth". And you can pray Isaiah 49 for her, including v. 1: "The LORD called me from the womb; From the body of my mother He named me" The whole chapter is a beautiful foretelling of Jesus, but it also reflects His faithfulness to us from the day of our birth. For a boy, I pick Amos Gabriel. Amos means "burdened" and Gabriel meaning "God is my strength." And you could pray Psalm 68:19 "Blessed be the Lord, who daily bears our burden. The God who is our salvation." It's a strong name to reflect the strength of our God who laid the burden on His Son for our joy and strength. Hmmmm...I think I like these for my future babies. :) But, they are ones that came to mind when I thought of your little one and so there they are! :)
kate Walser I am JUST loving all these ideas.. and none of mine seem to be as creative:(! Rachel's I do agree with most though - Daniel rapping?! wayy cool !! :P
I think maybe a BeAUtIful BLUE sky for a boy or capture some of these awesome after storm skies weve been having- right before sunset, it cast a PINK glow all around…but I still like the song best! lol thanks guys I can't tell you how very excited we are for you and your sweet family - no matter a girl or boy this baby is already loved by so many!! :) Take care
Tessa Roman Ok so I dont have a creative bone in my body, but I definitely think something with photos since you guys are pretty amazing at that!!!! As far as names, I remember you guys mentioning {a name} for a boy and I think that is awesome so that's my vote for a boy and a girl I like Ava, its kind of old hollywood!!! So excited cant wait to hear the big news!!!
Claire Aubrey for a girl
Jackson Daniel for a boy and you could call him Jack Daniel for short ;-)
Get a hershey bar and black out all the letter but he or she and take a picture you could get make tshirts and take a picture of you and daniel wearing them.
Amanda B So excited for y'all. I say Olivia or River, Gabe or Jordan. : )
I think y'all should do the balloon idea mentioned. Makes for unique photo...or you could do something along the lines or sugar/spice or puppy dog tails...
Amy Gartside The reveal: I think that you should pick out a pair of shoes for the baby (a tribute to Candice's love of shoes) and have that be the way you tell if it is a boy or girl. Some cute little sneakers or boots for a boy and little ballet slippers or sparkly shoes for a girl.
The name: I see y'all have a little boy first, so I'd suggest Mason.
Can't wait to find out! I hope baby Lanning cooperates on the 7th!
Wendy We bought two of the little balloons on a stick they sell in grocery stores when we found out we were expecting and put them in a vase. One said 'It's a girl!" and the other said "It's a boy!". We took a picture of them for family to announce we were pregnant. They stayed in that vase until the ultrasound for gender and then we removed one and took a photo of the remaining balloon to announce the sex.
rebecca schlieman i think it would be really cute to video tape you finding out the gender of your baby and post it here.
and names... well, I love elise for a girl and ethan for a boy.
Bird I think you should reveal the gender by posting a video of you singing either "My Girl" or "The Boy is Mine."
My name suggestions are Bailey, Jackson, and Emma.
Brooke To reveal the gender of baby Lanning, you should post a video of y'all cutting into a cake that is either blue or pink inside. To make it even better, neither of you should find out the gender until you cut into the cake. I love the names Grace or Max :)
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