Liam Robert - 6 Months and An Absolute Charmer!

On March 19th I remember receiving a text that Devin was going in and we were finally going to meet this handsome little man that had been brewing for 9 months.  On March 20th at 4:55am - Liam Robert Doty was born.  The little guy had a rough few days to start his life (which in turn became rough days for his mommy), but 6 months later it's very apparent that all of that worry and fear is gone!

Beau and Devin are the epitome of great parents.  Parenthood is all about sacrifice and realizing what is truly important in life.  One look at this little man will melt anyone's heart.

Parenthood is not always smiles and kisses though.  Children have a tendency to make any parent worried, emotional, and nervous at the drop of a hat.  The minute a woman becomes a mother, she loses all hope of ever having control over her emotions.  As the mother of a boy myself, I can speak first-hand in saying that boys like to put their parents to the ultimate test.  They are wild and rough and rambunctious.  Liam decided he would put this mother to the test the day he was born.  A few pictures of the family and you can see how overcoming a bump in the road does nothing but bring a family closer.  

I have to include this next picture because the minute I uploaded it, a quote popped into my mind.  I may be wrong but this is what I think Liam is thinking....Ummmm...Dad?  Please tell me I am going to have more hair than you when I grow up.  I could be totally wrong!  Maybe he's just admiring the two people that he looks up to the most.  

In this picture - he is definitely admiring the two people that he loves the most...

Liam is going to be a heartbreaker - there is no doubt about that.  Not only does he have a smile that will make any little girl blush, but he has a great sense of style too!

A very special guest made an appearance at this photo shoot!  Liam's cousin, Miles, thought that he could show Liam a thing or two about how to impress a photographer.  He clearly accomplished this task!  

These two cousins are absolutely adorable and I'm 100% convinced that they will cause some trouble together as they grow up.  BUT, if they stay as cute as they are now, I think their parents will have a hard time telling them no!  

Beau and Devin have become great friends to Bryan and I.  Our children love to see Liam and I know that Tyler and Liam will be tearing it up on the Basketball Court one day!  

Until then, Liam will just continue to be the cutest little man that drools, slobbers, and spits up as often has his little heart desires!

Until next time...

Meet the Millers - Party of Five!

I have never been so excited to go into a family photo shoot - and the reason being I got to shoot a wonderful family that I don't get to see that often!  When I started my teaching career I was fortunate enough to work at Henry-Senachwine High School.  The entire community welcomed me with open arms and I am still close friends with many people, Mike and Heather included, today.

I started in Henry in August of 2005 and within a short amount of time I met many people that I consider to be some of my closest friends.  At this time, Catherine and Jacob were little kids running around the basketball games.  They have clearly grown up to be one handsome boy and a beautiful girl!

Although I've only met Sophia a couple of times, she warmed up to me pretty quickly during this shoot.  It did not take long for me to figure out that she is full of personality!  Her many faces, poses, and comments were enough to make my cheeks hurt from laughing!  Along with her humor, it's very obvious to see that she also has a certain element of grace and beauty.

The best part of this entire shoot was trying to capture the natural relationship between all three children.  Sometimes they were more than willing to get close to one another - other times they looked at me like a lunatic when I told them to pretend they liked each other.  It was very comical!

I know that the humor and comedic style of the children comes straight from their father.  Mike is great at what he does an administrator, and you could see from his own children that they also look up to him as a father - sense of humor and all!

When I first met Heather I admired her for her ability to deal with the demands of Mike's job, as well as the demands of being a stay-at-home mother.  Now I admire her even more for being the mother of 3 beautiful children, and a teacher once again.  I can only imagine how much the kids love having Mrs. Miller as a teacher!

I know how demanding the educational profession is.  Take a husband and wife who are both in the field, and then throw 3 kids into the mix, and I question how one can keep his/her sanity.  Clearly, when you have such a great family to come home to, it makes the hectic hustle and bustle of the day seem irrelevant.  

I will say a million times over how much I adore this family.  I was more than honored to be able to have this photo session with them and I look forward to our next get together in Henry!  

Until next time...

Newborn Sawyer - A Gentleman in the Making

Sawyer James Patton - At a whole ten days old, this little guy was pure entertainment!  From the sounds he made to the sparkle in his eye, it was all I could do to not get baby fever!

The rule of thumb for a newborn shoot is to try and get the baby into the "studio" within the first week because they are sleeping most of the time and they are easier to pose...what could a minor 3 days over a week old really hurt?  Right?  Well - Sawyer is advanced...and he likes to move! 

As you can see here - he thinks that he is funny.  He enjoyed keeping his mommy, daddy, and I on our toes!  Another thing that is more than adorable about Sawyer, is his obsession with sucking on his fingers....or his arm....or his hands.  The next pose was one that I had envisioned going a certain way - but give a newborn an arm and he can throw you for a loop!  

There is something absolutely peaceful and serene about a sleeping baby.  The little noises they make in the middle of the night can keep any mommy and daddy from sleeping.  But pure tranquility is apparent the minute you look at their face - and see that all is good.  

And then the baby wakes up!  There is always uncertainty for a parent when their child wakes up.  Are they going to be happy?  Are they going to be in hysterics?  If they are in hysterics, how long is it going to last?  I think we would all agree in saying that even as adults our moods can be hot or cold upon waking!

 As the parent of a boy myself, I can speak from first-hand experience in saying that boys are charmers. Sawyer is no different.  This boy is going to make one woman very lucky in the very...very....very...distant future.  Let's let his mommy be the love of his life for now!

 Sawyer is absolutely precious in every aspect.  From his little hands, to his little toes, to his fuzzy little noggin, Jolene and Shane are absolutely blessed with their little miracle!  

Until next time...