Bright Eyes, Sweet Sighs and Chubby Cheeks

Meet Ms. Carolyn Lea.

What a sweetie!  I loved everything about her including the fact that her full name is a combination of both of her Grammies.  What an honor for them!  Carolyn Lea came into this world just three months ago.  She was born one month early, so she was just a little peanut.

After a little bit of time in the hospital to sunbathe under the lights, she has been going strong!  Looking at this little girl today, you would never have guessed she was born early!


Every time I do these sessions I leave with a full heart.  I absolutely love babies around this age. Carolyn Lea was a perfect example of why I feel this way.  I was enamored with her bright eyes and  inquisitive mind...


chubby cheeks, sweet sighs and pudgy piggies...


and her perfect lips really took me right back to when my girls were small. During this session, I could help but think about all of those things that are special and unique to a newborn... those things that change and disappear over a the first few months of life.  It was an honor to be there to capture some of these precious details for Carolyn's family. Look at the way she happily drapes herself over mama's shoulder for a little snuggle...

I loved the way she slept without a care in the world.


I loved seeing Carolyn streeeeeeetch...

I loved the tiny little hat she wore...


Or when she would snuggle up like this... can you feel the warmth...

look a little closer.  I can hear her sighing.  Look at those lips!  Ahhhh...so dang sweet!

 Ok... OK.... OKAY!!!!I can hear you Carolyn...

I have shared enough! Thank you for being such a perfect little sweet pea!

Ms. Lila Belle...

Ms. Lila Belle.... seriously, how sweet is that name?! Especially because it is for both of her grandmas!

I was supposed to meet Lila on her first day of life, however a horrible cold and flu kept me away from the hospital.  I was so glad I was able to go meet her at her own home when she was less than one month old!


She is such a sweet baby, and let me tell you, she was very patient with us for our session! It was so fun watching these new parents ooooh and ahhhh over there new babe.


I remember life those first few weeks with a newborn.  It was consumed by diapers... feeding times...are they warm enough... does her tummy hurt...did the staff at the hospital really let ME take this baby home? I was so consumed with that new life that I barely came up for air.  When I asked these two to look away from their little one and to look at each other, I could see them both take a deep breath and they just smiled at each other. I felt like when these two looked up at each other, it may have been one of the first times they came up for air as well!

 
What a gorgeous family!

 These may be the most perfect piggies I have seen in quite some time! I love how both of her feet fit into her mommy's palm.

Oh yeah... did I also mention that Lila has an adorable puppy who is just a few months older than she is?
Isn't Rossi adorable (that is for Rossignol skis... not Dino Rossi! )?  I had a great afternoon with Lila and her family.  I know I wore them all out (except for Rossi)!  Doesn't Ms. Lila Belle look sweet tuckered out as well!? Thank you to Lila and her whole family for spending the afternoon with me!

Capturing Memories With The Mighty Snap Shot

Do you want to remember all of the little silly things your kids do?  Will you remember how intently they brush their own teeth?  Will you remember how proud they looked when they tape artwork all over your house?  Will you remember the crowns of bubbles they made in the bath or when they dressed up like Captain Underpants?  You MUST take control of capturing memories for your family with your camera in your home!  Don't get me wrong, I would love to spend time with you and capture images of your family, but I can not be there every day, I can not be there for those unplanned events, moments and milestones that are a part of your life every day.  I have a few very SIMPLE rules for you to use to help you capture these moments through snapshots.

Rule Number One:  Always have your camera ready.  Have your battery charged and have it close by.  How are you going to get those shots when your camera is not ready!?  This may seem obvious, but even I am guilty of this at times.  My girls will be sitting by the window doing art together while singing and giggling and my camera is no where in site.  UGH... another shot missed.  Now I have to try to depend on my horrific memory to remember this great day!  So... now, I am trying to be better.  I am trying to have my camera within arms reach so I do not miss those moments and memories that I will treasure for the rest of my life.  I did not miss my girls with their grandma planting flowers all weekend.... and thank God I did not miss this...

This is moments after her front tooth fell out. She was so excited, and we were too.  After we got a few shots inside, I sort of tricked her into going outside so I could get a better look at her new look... really I was moving her for the light.

Rule Number Two: Follow the Light! If you have a camera that allows you to turn your flash off, DO IT!  Turn it off and move outside.... use natural light, your snap shots will look SO much better!
 

Rule number three:  Go with the Flow.  When your crazy four year old shows up to see what the fuss is all about... let her join in.

Rule Number Four: Don't worry too much about preparation.  We are not talking about portraits here... they are snap shots!   If you stop to fix hair, change a shirt or wipe a face, you are going to miss the moment.  Just go for it.... laugh with them... let them be themselves... and you will have memories for a lifetime.  When I finished taking some shots of the new toothless grin, I turned around and saw this...

 my silly little girl.

Did I mention that we had not brushed this little lemonhead's hair yet this day. But, now that I look at these snapshots, I love them even more.  This is my little girl... goofy, silly, funny, carefree and happy. These photos will make me laugh for the rest of my life.

Rule number Five: Just keep shooting.   The digital camera is such a gift!  You can just snap snap snap shots without any worry about running out of film, or the cost of developing a bad image.  You never know, you may end up with this shot... now won't this be worth a lot when she is 16?

Man, I love this spunky little girl!!!

New Experiences, New Freedom, New Friends... COLLEGE!

My youngest daughter (4 and 1/2 years old) and I had a conversation the other day,about how she will be making a huge move to a new "big kid" room at her preschool.  I gave her my most pathetic sad face and asked her to stop growing up.  Seriously... I am not kidding.... I really REALLY want her to stop growing.  She responded to me in her most mature 4 year old voice saying, "Mom, I just wish you would not say that to me anymore. It is just too hard not to grow. I tried, but I keep growing. I will live with you forever though.  Well, only if I can have a big Poodle and a Chihuahua." I want to freeze her just as she is.  I could keep her as a 4 year old chatty, silly, inquisitive little girl forever!  But... reality is that she is growing up.  Before I know it, she will be graduating from high school and growing up just like Becca.

I met Becca's mom about 12 years ago.  When we met, she showed me a photo of her son and daughter.  Her daughter was probably about the same age as my little one is now, and cute as can be.  I had not seen any images or Becca since that day 12 years ago.  When she showed up for her senior session, I was in shock!

Where was that little girl that I saw in that photo?  Wasn't it just yesterday that I saw that photo?  Becca changed from that adorable little girl into a beautiful senior in high school in the blink of an eye. (Make sure you click on any of the photos for a larger view!)

She is just weeks away from graduating and starting this new great adventure in life... COLLEGE!

When we were talking about college and living on campus, I started getting excited for her. I can clearly remember getting ready to go to college... new friends, new experiences, new freedom.... and so much fun!



It was great to spend the afternoon with Becca.  I had fun learning about her, who she is and what sorts of things are special to her in her life.


By the way, did you notice her eyes yet????  Aren't they amazing?!   Even in black and white, they are just stunning!


 
Becca, good luck to you and congratulations on your graduation!  I was honored to spend the afternoon with you and I wish you the best of luck next year at college!  Enjoy it and have fun!