sweet.

I loved getting to hang out with Jessica and Caleb for a few minutes one evening and just grab a couple of images of Julia just before the long night ahead of them got started.

Having a baby changes so many things!  I had been to Jessica and Caleb's house before they had Julia and it was so much different this time around.  You could tell that there wasn't very much sleep happening and that days were spent changing diapers and walking the house and feeding Julia.  Here we caught Julia for a few quick moments before she got fussy for the evening...like I know all of my babies liked to do!

And even though life has become so different for Jessica and Caleb you can tell in the way that Caleb interacts with and holds Julia that he is totally in love with her and in the way that Jessica can't stop smiling when she looks at Julia.

new. FAMILY.

so quickly.

He came out of the house and hesitantly and with great effort walked down the steps.  As soon as he hit the pavement we was off and running.

I met sweet Jacob about 6 weeks after he was born.  We had fun getting some pictures of him trying to lift his head and seeing how adoring his parents were of him.  Around the time he was 6 months I got to see him exploring his little world and trying to stand up, banging on things, eating in his high chair, and loving the sound of his  own voice.

When I saw him at this session I was so surprised at how big he is!  He's really about 15 months now but I'm always surprised when I get to the last session of our "Baby's First Year" package.  It's crazy how quickly a newborn grows into a little explorer and then into an adventurer.

Jacob didn't have time to hold still...not for a second.  He was very busy...too busy for sitting still, hugs, looking at anything for longer than a milisecond, or anything that wasn't his idea.  He had a plan...a plan to see and do as much as possible in every minute. 

For the first little while I was there he was loving the rocks in his new front yard.  He carried one or two around for a long time.  He would pretend to hand them to you and then decide they were too precious to give away to anyone.  You could look, just don't touch, and definitely don't take it away.  He didn't abandon his rock until long after we had gone inside the house.

He showed my his dogs, his motor car, his books (which he did sit still for but it had to be HIS choice of book), his big chair, and how cool his parents were. 

He loves being outside, playing in leaves, seeing how fast he can run away from his parents and then be caught by them.  By the time we did everything he loves he was pretty tired.

I've had so much fun watching Jacob grow.  His big efforts at independence and being grown up are so much a part of being one and I love seeing him trying everything he can to taste that new flavor of fun.  His world is so wonderful and full of experiences, color, new things, and excitement.  He's not going to miss any of it.

What a fun day!

great. LIFE.

sweet. little. taylor.

Every time I get to see the Framptons I love it.  They are such a wonderful family.  I am so grateful that I’ve gotten to see Ashlun as he has grown over the last two and a half years.  It amazes me how quickly life changes and how dramatically kids change seeing them from one time to the next.  Now, Ashlun has a very sweet little sister.

I was so excited to hear that Stacey had had a little girl and was so looking forward to meeting her.  When  I arrived Ashlun showed me all the latest and greatest of what he could do and his favorite toys.  Taylor was so sweet and I just love the way their family is patient and kind to each other.  Taylor is so happy and smiles so much already.  She just loves her parents and you can tell they are totally smitten with her.  It’s always wonderful to see Stacey and Kent.

Thank you!

fun. LIFE.

philadelphia. fun.

I was so excited to go to Philadelphia.  I was going to get to see Sajini and Joshua again and I couldn't wait for how amazing their wedding day was going to be.  Then I found out that I was going to get to hang out with one of Sajini's good friends the day before the wedding.  As you can see from this shoot we had a great time!

I don't know if there's anyone in the world that can resist sweet Jaydon's big chocolate brown eyes.  He was so good natured about us playing with him, taking walks, and going to lunch.  He even got a little nap in...he's irresistible even when he's sleeping.

I'm so grateful for the time I got to spend with Rinu and Praveen.  They are so giving and kind.  When Rinu realized that I hadn't worn shoes for walking a few miles (because we all wanted to walk around Philly) she let me borrow her awesome tennis shoes.  (my next move it monday purchase will be a pair of Asics!)  Rinu and Praveen made me fall even more in love with Philadelphia (they convinced me that I have to bring my kids there this summer...it's beautiful and there is so much history and fun things to do!) and more in love with Sajini and Joshua. 

Thank you so much Rinu and Praveen!  It was wonderful spending time with you and getting to see what great parents you are, how much you love each other and Jaydon, and getting to see Philly.  Thank you!

love. LIFE.

Jacob.

I can't believe that the time goes by so quickly!  Little Jacob was born near last fall and I had the opportunity to meet him and his sweet parents.  It's amazing how a baby changes from a sweet, wide eyed baby (baby Jacob) completely dependent on his parents to a little toddler crawling, getting into things, exploring, and loving his little world. 

It was so fun to see him go from mom to dad and back again, he squealed during his bath and loved his warm towel and watching himself in the mirror, banging on the front door, playing with the dogs, looking at flowers, and every other new thing he could experience.  I love  how new and wonderful the world is to him.  One of the gifts of children is getting to see how amazing life and the world is...really is.

amazing. LIFE.