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Thank you Florida

I was frantic thinking of all the those important things I knew I'd forget as I was packing for our family vacation to Florida a couple of weeks ago. It ain't easy packing for yourself, a four year old, and a two year old - especially a weeklong visit in between changing seasons. And as I was in frantic mode I thought in disgust, "Man, do I need to bring my "real" camera?!" Oooh, that isn't good. My work had become ... work. I quickly pushed the thought out of my head and just grabbed my camera body and a go-to lens.

I thoroughly enjoyed my vacation. I ate like I've never eaten, slept like I hadn't had in years, took joy in things big and small, and relied on the help of friends and family who came along to help take care of my kids. :) And a few days in, I spontaneously asked my little girl if she wanted to take a few pictures on the beach.

This photo embodies the wreckless abandon of a child, the free spirit within, and doing what you love ... even if it's just jumping and throwing sand.

I love my baby girl and thank her for reminding me that while my work can at times be work, I am doing what I love. Sometimes I just need to slow down to see it.

Oh boy

My baby boy turns one tomorrow.

It's different when your second child ages. With Whitney I remember when she a month old and thinking, "Oh no, she's growing up on me!" It seemed every single month I would mentally note that she was aging quickly. With Jake it was different. I'd been through it before. Oh I certainly took joy in the first time he smiled, the first time he crawled and the next day when he was pulling himself up. But it wasn't with a sense of panic that I was already losing him to the outside world. Until today. It caught up to me today that my little, precious baby boy is turning one. I blinked and my boy aged on me.

I didn't even want to pull up the birth photos because I knew I'd see such a difference in the way he's already grown. I knew it would send me sobbing. But since I had my amazing friend Kelly Park photograph the birth, I should show you after all. That's what pictures are for. To remind you of those wonderful moments, bring you back to how you felt, and to cherish knowing that you were that lucky.

Thank you Kelly.

A couple from me:

Jake initially had some breathing and eating issues when he was first born. He sounded like Darth Vader when he inhaled and exhaled and wasn't putting on weight. At 7 weeks old he had surgery to correct it. Of course nobody wants to see their new baby go through something like that. But spending time in the pediatric ICU was a pretty enlightening experience. We were very blessed. Here's my sweet little thing in my arms all IV'd up. (iPhone pic)

After surgery, the doctor told us it would take about 12 hours or so for his breathing to sound normal -- after the swelling in his throat went down. I remember holding him in my arms that evening just waiting for this moment - this sign - to know he was "cured". Alex took the overnight shift and when I came back up to the hospital around 6 am the next morning he looked at me and gave me his first smile. Alex had just gone to put our stuff in the car and I started excitedly saying, "He's smiling! He's smiling!" looking for someone to confirm it for me. But it was just me and him. There was my sign.

Besides his big smile, of course his other signature characteristic is that hair.

 

 

It completely amazes me that this boy is so happy. That's the biggest thing I've learned from him this year - always to keep smiling. Simple lesson, but one I easily forget. Fortunately he's there to remind me.

I love you baby boy. Happy Birthday.

Whitney

Once I lay Jake down for his morning nap inevitably I'll ask Whitney what she'd like to do. About once a week she'll say, "Let's play photo shoot!"

I can't help but smile. And even though I have to find a clear memory card, decide on a lens, and think about the long list of other things I have to edit, I jump to grab my camera. Because really, how much longer will she want to play photo shoot with her mom?

Every shoot requires a dress and fancy accessories. As Whitney would say, "For course."

My darling. And my fierce booty-shaker.

And once she's done, she's done. On to better things like her swingset, or kicking a ball, or riding her bike. But only after she's changed and removed her fancy accessories. For course.

Happy Halloween!

Did you have a Happy Halloween? We sure did. We partied like ROCK STARS!

Yes, I did that to my son. And don't go calling the authorites on me because his hair is back to normal now. It took a couple of washings, but all the product is finally out.

You see my son Jake was born to "Blue Suede Shoes". He came out with a head full of dark brown hair. I took all of this to mean it as a sign from above that he would have to be Elvis his first Halloween. No really, I think I even commented in the delivery room that he'd HAVE to be Elvis for Halloween. And people thought I was just loopy from pain meds ...

I put off another haircut until Halloween. Cool Halloween costume won out over his ability to see. Here's a closer look of his hairdo. I even gave him some sideburns ...

 

Yes, I'm very proud I pulled it off. But I'm also very proud of his big sister Whitney. She's my little princess who loves all things girly. And she's taken to my love of musicals. Especially the "Wizard of Oz". So it was fitting when she picked Dorothy for her costume. Her grandma whipped up her dress, but I bought the accessories. Toto looks mostly like a rat in a basket, but what do you expect for $14.99 off the internet?

 

 

Dorothy & Elvis

I know one day they will grow tired of their mom's crazy ideas, but until that day I will cherish every moment. And keep plenty of hair product.

My baby girl

My little Whitney turned all of 3 back in May and yes, here it is September and I am just now posting her 3 year old pictures. To quote Whitney, "Bad Mom!" You see, I wanted to do her 3 year old shoot when we moved into the new house. Well we moved in July and did the session towards the end of the month, so truth be told I wasn't THAT far off from 3. Anyway, I've just talked myself out of mom guilt, so here's the pictures I finally got around to editing ...

Fave of all time. 

Whit picked out this special outfit that her Aunt Jen and Uncle Steve gave her awhile back. With any photo shoot, it's important to get the accessories just right.

Halfway through Whitney started giving herself her own direction and poses. I'm pretty good at keeping control of kids when I do family sessions, but with my own kid, forget it!

Seriously. Love this kid.

 "The Whitney Look":

Ever since this day she's been asking me if we can go outside and play "photo shoot". She also whips out her camera and tells her daddy to put his hands on his hips to pose. It's seems I may have created a monster. :)

Happy Three (ish) my little lady!

Jake

ROCK 'N ROLL!!

Alex declared this picture of Jake his favorite of him ever and wanted a print of it. Of course it's taken on my silly iPhone and I see the flaws in the quality. "Can't you pick one from the 6 month session I did?" I ask. He says, "What 6 month session?" Doh! I've been meaning to edit that ...

Yep, that hair. Those eyes.

Here's one you can see his whole lanky self. He's in the 90-95th percentile in height. :)

Jake really is a happy, smiley baby and makes friends wherever we go. Except of course, during my photo shoot. I'd get him to smile and the instant I blocked my face with my camera he got that inquisitive look on his face. Or he'd yawn. Jeez, kid.

 

He's had one haircut and another may be coming in the near future. I love those locks, but I guess I should put his eyesight before my desire to style his hair daily.

I had a little helper that wasn't much help. But she meant well. And she loves her brother. We all do.

More in another 6 months. I hope!