Nolan Smith - 3 Months Old With Baby Blues!

On Saturday morning I had a date with a very handsome young man named Nolan!  Due to the weather we had to push that date back to the afternoon, but that was fine because I still got to meet this charming little boy!  Nolan Smith at 3 months is purely adorable!

I met Albana and Brent through some mutual friends in Henry.  Although we never actually taught together while I was there, it's always nice to see who is a part of the close-knit community that I was fortunate enough to work with for 3 great years.

The last time I saw Albana she was very pregnant and VERY adorable.  Flash forward a few months and Nolan is already 3 months old.  This kid is the prime example of go-with-the-flow-and-do-as-they-say.  After multiple outfit changes and what may seem like pure torture for a young one, Nolan simply took it all in and fascinated us with his handsome smile.

I haven't done many 3-month-old shots. The tricky part here is that they don't sit up on their own, they usually dislike tummy time, yet they're too old to just lay there.  With some help from mom and dad and a few trick shots later, we were able to capture some great moments with this little man.

I love that I've become friends with people from Henry that I never knew while I was actually over there.  It speaks volumes that even though I've been gone 6 years, they still include me in their family.

Until next time...

Celia Jane Carlson

Celia Jane Carlson was born Thursday, January 23, 2014 at 2:34 p.m.!  She weighed 8 lbs 11 ounces and was 21.25 inches long.  What do I like best about Celia?  She is punctual!  She was born ON her due date!  How often does that really happen?  Introducing...Celia!

First of all, this family is so precious.  Anne has become a great friend to me since I started at Streator 6 years ago and Kenny has fallen into the father role VERY well to his two, beautiful girls.  I remember going to see Harper as a newborn and I have no doubts she will be a great Big Sister!

So, I asked Anne awhile ago if I could practice some newborn shots when Celia arrived.  At that time I had yet to do any newborn shoots.   Flash forward to now and I have done a few, but I have yet to experience a newborn shoot where a baby actually sleeps...and Celia was no exception.

Before I arrived I got a text from Anne that Celia had been sleeping all day and she didn't know if she should wake her up to feed her or just let her sleep.  A few minutes before I arrived...Celia woke up.  And she was hungry!  So, Anne fed her.  And then she was hungry again.  So, Anne fed her.

I LOVE crying babies!  I really do...when they're not mine!

I was able to sneak a shot here and there, but she rarely, if ever, actually drifted off to sleep.  She just wanted to have some girl talk with her grandmas!  For Anne to be able to put her down without Celia wanting to eat we had to work magic.   You might wonder what magic could possibly be worked with a newborn.  Anne's mom, Jane, stood there with the hair dryer on.  The noise instantly calmed Celia down and she was in a daze!  She never actually fell asleep, but she gave me a good 10 minutes to try and capture her beauty.

I often see these shots of newborns who are propped all cute and sleeping peacefully.  I know this takes extra hands to hold the head, prop the chin, and photo shop.  YouTube it...it takes a lot of magic to get the babies looking that way!  When I figure out how to do that I'll let all of you pregnant moms know.  But, until then, I will continue to capture newborns the best way I know how.  After all - this is simply a hobby for me.

Welcome to the world Celia Jane!  And congratulations to Anne, Kenny, and Harper!

Until next time...

Happy Valentine's Day - Reasons for Loving and Feeling Complete

I've never been one to get holiday photos taken of my children.  I take a lot of pictures, all year round, and I make sure to take their pictures for each birthday.  BUT, when we are cooped up in the house during a Polar Vortex, there is nothing better to do!  So, Happy Valentine's Day from Ella and Tyler!

To me, Valentine's Day is just a Hallmark holiday.  There is no reason we should have a day set aside to let someone know that we love them.  That is one thing that I always tell my children - and when I'm angry or they are getting in trouble, the conversation always ends with I Love You.  

Ella - I can't even begin to count the reasons why I love her.  Since the day she was born she was the easiest child in the world.  She is kind and sweet and always puts others before herself.  I know that sounds extreme for a 6-year-old, but she truly is kind-hearted.  Bryan and I always joke and say she's going to be a politician because she always wants to please everyone.  If you ask her what tastes better, she will say both items for different reasons.  If you ask her if she loves mom or dad more (in good humor), she will say both of us.  If you ask her what her favorite color is, she will mention 2.  She is a people pleaser.  She cannot stand to see someone cry, including her brother, and she will do anything to bring a smile to those around her.  In school, Ella works hard and recognizes the importance of good manners and hard work.  She will try anything at least once (except certain foods) and she will be proud of herself for doing so.  When I see her dance I tear up, because to me, she is absolutely beautiful on the stage.  When her feelings are hurt, it breaks my heart too because there is nothing worse than seeing your child hurt.  She is truly and honestly my glimmer of hope for the future.  

Now we move on to Tyler.  Every family has the one that pushes the boundaries a little bit more than their sibling(s).  Tyler is my boundary-pusher.  With that being said, he does so with a smile that can absolutely light up a room and eyes that melt your heart.  He is a 3-year-old heartthrob.  Seriously.  He is the perfect blend of spunkiness and sweetness.  I love Tyler's drive.  When he wants something, he will do whatever it takes to get it.  He is persistent when it comes to doing things independently.  We could be in the middle of something, anything...playing basketball, folding laundry, going to bed, and he will look up at me and say I love you, mom.  There is nothing sweeter to hear in the world.  He is absolutely hilarious on the basketball court and his sense of style is one of the a kind.  There is nothing I love more than to hear his footsteps running into our room in the morning (or sometimes in the middle of the night).  I love how he playfully teases his sister and I love how he charms all of the women in his life.  He will grow up to be a charmer - and his dad and I will make sure that he treats his women right!  

Put these two together and Bryan and I are literally laughing more than we are not.  People often ask me why I'm not having anymore kids.  To be honest, the thought the of not having anymore makes my heart hurt a little bit - especially when I see newborn babies.  BUT, we also have 3 children.  Ella was born in 2007 and was a beautiful, healthy baby girl.  In 2009 we had our Ethan, and although he's not with us today, he is still a part of our family and we celebrate him.  In 2010 we were blessed with Tyler and he is healthy.  We have a boy, we have a girl, they are both healthy, and we are more than complete as a family.  I wouldn't trade what I have for anything in the world.  Plus, if we had another we would have to switch from man to man and play a zone defense.  

Until next time...

Boys! Boys! Boys! Jessica and Brian Welcome Hudson - Baby Boy #3!

Let me start by saying that Jessica and Brian have such handsome little boys.  I don't think they should stop at 3!  Introducing, the Szarek family!

They already had the most adorable family, and then Hudson was born.  From Jackson's brown eyes, to Greyson's baby blues, I'm not quite sure what color Hudson's will be.  But, I can say that all 3 of these little boys are so charming and loving!  

This next picture cracks me up.  Hudson would fall asleep, and then wake up wanting some more food.  Who can blame him, right?  So, in between shots Jessica would try to appease him.  He was very content laying here during this next shot, but I'm still uncertain what thoughts were going through this head.  Probably something along the lines of why the heck do they have me in leg warmers!  

And he clearly wasn't feeling what we were trying in this next shot....

From the times I've been with these little boys, I would say that Jackson is the boy, Greyson is the flirt, and I'm still waiting to see what shoes little Hudson will fill.  I do know that he is one handsome little man!

Jackson wanted to keep holding Hudson while Greyson just wanted to snuggle with me.  I was more than okay with both of those!  It's very clear that these young men love the new addition to the family!  

Thank you for letting me help in welcoming Hudson to the family!  

Until next time...