Serene Baby Sweetness

I am one of those people who sees a brand new baby and I just wish I knew the parents so I could sneak a minute or two of baby sugar. I think I have been this way as long as I can remember. Even as a mother of three, that need for a baby fix hasn't worn off. Each time I see a teeny tiny one I swear my own baby {M} grows about 2 more inches. Thankfully I have a reason to hold and swoon over those sweet little ones as a photographer.

Beautiful baby K was no exception. The first second I saw her I felt that impulse to grab my camera. She is the product of two amazing parents! She is blessed with an equally beautiful older sister too. Her mom is one of those people who just AMAZES me. She endured 9 months of sickness to get this healthy baby here . . . and without further ado, some of my favorites from our session:

{beautiful sisters- they are a great match!}

Thanks to the B. fam for allowing me to soak up some baby sweetness! I look forward to seeing your sweet babe continue to grow!

New to the World

A big congratulations to the beautiful G family on the arrival of their handsome baby boy! There is just something so amazing about photographing new arrivals! I had to post this first picture that just mesmerizes me! Enjoy the sneak peak of your session!

{Grandpa joined them for this one, as well as the two family doggies.}

{Newborns this age--2 weeks--usually sleep right through the session. Not this guy! He was awake up until the very end. Check out his beautiful eyes!}

{Beautiful mama and her handsome boys . . . she's just radiant!}

{One of my favorites from the session! Snuggly baby, beautiful light!}

Sweet, Pink Baby Girl

Here's a sweet newborn I had the privilege of photographing just before Christmas. She is just so sweet, cuddly, alert and pink!

{Sleep, baby sleep. I love being a photographer!! Thanks H. fam!}

Newborn Love

Saturday morning we awoke to a nice, fluffy blanket of snow outside. This made for a very snuggly, cozy 8 am photo shoot inside the home of this beautiful family. It was so fun to see how the girls had grown since I photographed them a year and a half ago, and baby brother was just as gorgeous and sweet. At two weeks old and with bushels of hair, this little guy has captured the hearts of three big sisters and his mom and dad.

{This little babe is just perfect. I love how soft and cuddly he looks in this one!}

{Don't ya just love baby feet?}

{These girls sure love each other!}

{One of my favorites from the session! I love how Dad's arms completely encircle his son, and it shows the scale of tiny newborn and protective father.}

{Here's a moment of "crowded happiness" for this family.}

{Beautifully . . .}

{Breathtakingly . . .}

{Gorgeous . . .}

{. . . Family. I love sessions like this.}

My LBFF

The son keeps us on our toes these days. He is a stair-climber, potting-soil digger, unidentifiable crumb tast-tester, emotion detector, and true sweetheart. It has been said of M. that I am his "BFF" (ie. "Best Friend Forever"). I can attest to this, and I will be the first to admit, I do make a great friend. I keep this boy safe, fed, clothed and loved, and that is HARD WORK!

{This is M's "I'm drooling, I'm teething. See my two-teeth grin, with eyes bluer than blue" look}

{This is M's "laugh-out-loud, how can you resist me mom, I'm a sweetheart" look}

{This is his "catch me while you can, don't you love my beautiful lashes" look}

Love you, my little best friend forever.

Precioso!!

These little ones start out so tiny . . . and photographing little C. made it seem as if my own DS instantly grew 8 inches and put on 10 pounds. I have been so anxious to share some photos of C. at one and a half weeks. Meet this precious newborn!

{I love his sweet dangly feet!}

{I call this one "itty bitty." }

{More snoozin. He kept on sleeping through the WHOLE session. I wish I could get in a nap like that once in a while!}

{She's got the whole world in her hands. This is one of my top picks from the session- it just does something for me being so sweet and simple.}

"It is not so slight a thing when they, who are so fresh from God, love us." ~ Charles Dickens

Semi-Annual

My little boy is now "semi-annual" . . . half-yearly. Here are some fun shots that capture his six-month essense. I love this boy!

{M. has no shortage of drool. He has plenty to spare, in fact. He shares it with the whole family and delights us with a few bubbles once in a while.}

{M.'s blue eyes are right up there on my list of favorites. I just love that now he notices me from across the room, and those baby blues light right up.}

{My little sweetheart. 18 lbs. of baby sugar right here.

I call this one "slip & slide" as you can see even his shoulder is wet from his own drool!}

{Gotta love pink pudgy baby toes! M. thinks his own tootsies are perfect, and his arms & legs are made to match.

Sweetness in a Silver Dish

From today: two little redheads & a blondie. You may recall them from an earlier post. Baby E. has the most incredible blue eyes, they are piercing. Enjoy browsing!

{baby sleeping soundly in a . . . silver dish? I do love the light streaming in from the sunny window. What do you think?}

{Snuggly. Soundly. Sweetly.}

{Three sisters: you can see how close they are. You know that they are there for each other. You know they love being sisters.}

{This image really speaks to me. I am caught up by her intense gaze, yet it is peaceful and calm. I love her beautiful eyes.}

Answered Prayers

I pray often. Sometimes out loud, sometimes a whisper prayer. At times, a silent prayer. And today, all of the above. Sometimes, it is a simple prayer in my heart. When I have a deep concern for someone I find myself alternating between being focussed and distracted--going through a gammut of feelings and emotions: hope, concern, gratitude, joy, relief, sadness, love--then I must accomplish a task and for a moment my silent prayer must wait.

Today I could not stop thinking about this handsome little baby. At five weeks old, and he has spent all but two weeks in the hospital. For the past couple of days he has been the focus of my prayers, along with many others who are truly rallying around his family. He is the son of a friend in the neighborhood, and I have been humbled by just how many people want to reach out and help in some way. I know he is in the thoughts and prayers of many.

So tonight, I made arrangements to go and visit baby H. & his mom at the hospital--camera in tow (of course). I felt that photographing him today was one of the best things I could do (second to praying for him) . . . here are a few photos I'd like to share with his mother's permission:

{proof that prayers are answered: baby H. resting peacefully tonight.}

{I am so inspired by this determined little guy- barely older than a month and has already undergone 6 or 7 surgeries. He keeps on going, despite setbacks and emergency operations and more surgeries in the future, he still keeps on going.}

{I think I know where H. gets a good dose of his resillience from . . . his mama. As I looked through the photos from tonight, her happy countenance really struck me. She still finds joy, even through all she has been through this week alone (her baby had 4 surgeries this week!) J- your example means a great deal to me.}

To baby H:

{Hold on kiddo. You'll get through this. You'll be stronger than ever. Miracles do happen, and they have happened for you. Miracles will continue to happen. Prayers have been answered, and they have been answered for you. We pray for you.}

* Today was another day that reminded me why I am a portrait photographer-there is so much love and human emotion out there, just waiting to be captured through the lens and into the heart.

Please say a little prayer for baby H.

Togetherness

Saturday was a delightful day-- it was so fun to take advantage of the spring sunshine we are currently enjoying. Here are a few photos from a family/ newborn session that morning. These two little boys are so handsome with stunning eyes and darling dimples- such a beautiful family!

{father & son. Eighteen months = as fast as lightening. Good thing for my fast camera shutter and quick feet! It was so fun to capture him while on his outdoor exploration of the yard. Toddlers this age are ideally photographed while at play, especially outdoors. I love it when they seem to forget they are being photographed!}

{Just look at those gorgeous eyes! Truly the window to the soul.}

--Looking forward to creating a custom birth announcement with more photos of this little guy!

Sweet Three Weeks

Pure sweetness at three weeks . . . he has the biggest, alert eyes and is just perfect. So many great shots to choose from, it will hard to narrow it down for the online session. I'm looking forward to designing his baby announcement. Here are a few of my favorite picks from today's session:

{I just love this one of mom & baby. So serene.}

{in Daddy's hands}

{a little splash of color and a cozy, warm newborn . . . what could be better?}