One more from last Thursday's newborn session

because I love this and just can't help but post it.

Nine Days Ago...

this sweet little bundle made her grand entrance!

* Tushie Wrap by Mamique Designs.

Just look at those big beautiful eyes. It's hard to believe she is only 9 days old with such alert eyes.

Her eyes may be deceiving, but she definitely has the flexibility of a brand new baby.

This raised hands pose reminds me of the beginning of "The Lion King" (I know, I am such a mom... I need to get out out of the house and see some grown-up movies, huh?). The cool pose was her mom's idea, but I am not sure her dad thought it was so cool. Oops, sorry dad! Thankfully this was the last shot of the day.

I sort of feel like today was a rite of passage for me. In my whole career, today was the first time I have captured tinkle in a picture. It's certainly not the first time a baby has tinkled during a photo session, but it's the first time I photographed the actual act of tinkling. Perhaps this baby should win some sort of a prize. I know... a free 5x7 for the baby book. S&R, in 17 years you guys can bring this one out to show her prom date.

World's Most Cooperative Newborn

I’d like to introduce the world’s most cooperative newborn, Baby J. Four weeks old, he would pretty much go along with anything and didn’t cry once during the session. And amazingly he only peed on my pillows once....LOL!

Even though I am running around this week processing holiday orders like my hair is on fire, I was so excited about yesterday's shoot that I just had to play with a couple of them.

* Knit cocoon by Breanna Morman.

Happy Thanksgiving!

There is so much to be thankful for. I hope you are all enjoying great food and great times with your families today.

Thing 1 Turns 6

Yep, I know this post looks familiar. My kids’ birthdays are the same week. My daughter was born the day before Thanksgiving in 2002, my son was born two days before Thanksgiving in 2005, and I got to experience hospital turkey twice. Blech!

Wow, my firstborn is six. Five years and 364 days ago, I thought I knew it all and honestly had no idea what I was in for. I never knew I could love someone this much until I became a mom. I never knew I could be driven this insane until I became a mom (LOL). You think you understand how much a parent can love a child, but you really don’t get it until it happens to you. And then overnight your life is changed forever.

My daughter is smart as a whip and stubborn as hell. She can drive me to my wits end, and then a minute later says something to make me melt. Everyday she amazes me, and the true highlight of my life has been watching my children grow.

I have to thank my daughter, for her arrival allowed me to follow my dream. I spent many years in school to get my graduate degree in engineering, and I had a lucrative career in engineering. Still, photography was always my passion. I actually looked forward to getting out of engineering school so that I would have time to take more photography classes…how crazy is that? Once I held my baby daughter in my arms, I knew that I could not go back to the corporate world - stress, travel, corporate politics, 60 hour work weeks. I decided to turn my passion into a business, and I have not looked back since.

Happy Birthday, G! (( HUGS!!)

Sneak Peek

What an awesome family. They all have great smiles too. If you looks closely you'll notice two of my favorite kinds of smiles...missing teeth smiles, aka "jack-o-lantern smiles."

A little texture play for some variety:

I recently bought a new pettiskirt and have not had an opportunity to shoot with it yet. L was just the right size for it, and she agreed to model. Thanks, L! I like this picture because of the motion, but for some reason it also reminds me of a painting.

Thing 2 turns 3

I really cannot believe that my baby is 3. The time has gone so fast! Today he woke up and said "Hey, I'm 3 now!" We have been telling him all week that 3-year-olds use the potty and don't wear diapers anymore, so we'll see how that goes.

When I think back to three years ago, I am reminded of the rough entry H had into this world. I had complications with my c-section, H was a miserable colic-y baby, and his older sister who was three at the time was not too thrilled about his arrival and made life somewhat miserable at our house for a brief time. It's amazing how the good times outweigh and overshadow the bad. It didn't take long for G to learn to love her little brother, and now it's impossible to imagine life without him. His smile is contagious, and he is perpetually happy. He's a total boy - loud and crazy. My husband jokes that H only has two volumes - loud and louder.

So hugs to you H, and a big fat Happy Birthday!!

P.S. Don't forget the deal about 3-year-olds and the potty!