Go West Young Man…

One year ago, in the wee hours of the morning, I sat with Stephen and Elisha in a room of an old victorian house built in the late 1800s. Elisha was in labor and we were waiting for AJ’s arrival. I still remember around 2:00 AM making a run to the 24 hours McDonalds for a late night snack. Well, after laboring all night, AJ, Stephen and Elisha’s 3rd son was born shortly after 5 AM. 

Over the year, AJ has grown up in front of my camera. If you look back through my blog, you will see him at 3 months in a monkey suit, 6 months with Santa, around 9 months in the bluebonnets, and here he is finally, one year old, a little cowboy.

Elisha had told me that she wanted to do his one year session with a Western theme to go with his nursery. Thanks to my friend, Mistie, who let us use her beautiful barn, I was able to make that happen.

 

I will grow up to be a real cowboy and you will grow up to be a real horse!

…and off he goes, riding his faithful steed into the sunset…well, kind of…

Happy Birthday AJ, you handsome little buckaroo!

Welcome Christian Michael!

My job as a photographer isn’t just about taking pictures. Often times, it is about telling a story. This is mostly the case when photographing babies’ birth days. Every birth day is unique and special  but Christian’s story is one that touched the core of my soul  and  melted my heart.

Christian was to be born via c-section next week in Colorado where his family lives. A few days ago, his mother and father found out that Patty, his paternal grandmother who has been battling cancer, only had days left to live. The family loaded up the car and drove all night to be with her and the rest of the family. When they arrived in Plano, they realized that Patty probably wouldn’t make it to meet her first grandson. So, with the help of Aunt Lynn, arrangements were made for Megan to have her c-section here in Plano so Grandma Patty would get to meet Christian. 

I had the honor of photographing Aunt Lynn’s twins last year after they were born and, once again, for Christmas. Yesterday, she called me a few hours before the surgery to see if I could capture Christian’s arrival. I was so touched by the story she told me that, if I couldn’t have been there, I would have made sure another birth photographer was. 

Steven and Megan had no sleep, had barely anything to eat and spent the majority of the day at the hospital doing paper work and having tests done. Though they were exhausted, hungry and  emotionally drained, they felt it was worth their efforts to seeing Grandma Patty with her first grandson.

Christian’s delivery went beautifully. Only 5 pounds 7 ounces and 19 inches long, he let everyone know that his lungs were very well developed! This hospital still uses the ink pads to send the new Dad home with a souvenir set of footprints on his scrub shirt.

I watched Megan and Steven’s exhaustion slip away as their son was delivered to them. 

Grandma Patty and the rest of the family, who had waited eagerly outside the OR doors could hardly contain themselves when Christian was wheeled out.  While she waited , you could tell Grandma Patty was uncomfortable though I rarely heard her say anything. Here, she is beaming and looks like she can take on the world. This moment meant everything to her.

The family watched outside the nursery window as Dad (Steve) got to check out his son. Luckily, there were no other families trying to see their newborns because Christian’s klan took up all the viewing room.  

Finally, the moment Grandma Patty had waited for. Patty’s desire to meet her first grandson meant she would have to sit for 3 painful and exhausting hours. While she waited, she kept asking for “her baby”. When she was finally able to hold him, she was so tired she could barely open her eyes. But, when the nurse tried to take Christian from her, she held on to him tightly not wanting to let him go. I don’t think there was a dry eye in the room. 

Big sister Jayden finally got her turn with her new little brother.All in all, the day wasn’t just about Christian’s birth. It was about a family’s love and strength. In my eyes, the day was about a beautiful legacy that Grandma Patty will leave behind. Her husband and four children looked after her, each other and the four grandchildren with a deeply rooted love.

On June 26th, Christian Michael was born not only from his parents love for one another, but because of an entire family’s love for each other…I am truly inspired.

Congratulations Steven, Megan and Jayden…and congratulations to you  Grandma Patty. God bless you and be with you all.

Grandma Patty passed away on June 27th, the day after her grandson was born. 

Mexican Princess

I first met Judith this past Fall when I photographed her for Christmas. At that time, her mother asked me if I could do a session for her 4th birthday. I must confess, I am uncertain of the actual date that Judith turned 4, but I get the feeling it was back in March or April. We have been trying to get this session done for months!!! Well, it was well worth the wait…

This little princess was a dream in her birthday dress. She did everything I asked of her (including NOT fall into the fountains!!) This isn’t that uncommon with 4 year olds except I had to do all the asking in Spanish! Yes, I do speak Spanish but sometimes I can’t quite find the words I am looking for. Luckily, Judith’s parents were very patient with me and helped me find my lost words.

Oh, and what can be cuter than a princess in her traditional garb from her native country? Noe (Dad) brought this outfit for his daughter when she was just a little pea. She wore it beautifully and didn’t even complain that her feet had outgrown the little boots that were paired with it (a real bummer when that happens! )

…and one of my absolute favorites…a beautiful flower for a beautiful little girl!

All In A Year

When I started Hello World! I had totally planned on just concentrating on capturing babies birth days in a photojournalistic style (as you can probably tell from my outdated website that I am currently working on replacing!). Then, something wonderful and unexpected happened. My new moms started asking me to capture their growing babies…How could I say “no”? I love taking pictures of babies and children but I especially love watching the little ones who I welcomed into this world grow in front of my lens.  

…and this is one of those babies. I welcomed William into this world a year ago (you can find his birth day posting under “birth” in categories or scroll back one years worth of blogging). Unlike many of my little clients, I haven’t had the opportunity to see him since I did his newborn session. William’s Daddy is one of the brave young men who protect our country and is stationed out of state. 

We couldn’t have asked for a better morning and I couldn’t have asked for a better one year old. We played with my old antique chair, blew bubbles, read his favorite book…

we swung in the swings, discovered the playground,  made a new friend, and then…

WE CELEBRATED!!! Two yummy cupcakes and a wonderful day at the park, what more can a one year old ask for?

…Yum, Yum, Yum!!!

Happy Birthday Will!!! It was so wonderful to see your handsome little face and your family again!

Rubies…

…That is what you would traditionally give someone for their 40th wedding anniversary. I know this because my daytimer tells me this. Sometimes I am just curious enough to read what is to come  when I have been married many years past the 14 years I will celebrate this year with my husband, Eric…Anyways, this photo session is celebrating the “Ruby Anniversary” for this couple. Steve and Ellen were UNT college sweethearts who went on to “tie the knot”. Unfortunately, these days couples celebrating 40 years of wedded bliss are pretty rare. With that being true, it was nice to spend some time with a couple that reminds you that love lasts and a commitment is indeed a commitment.

I have to admit, this is the first time I have done a portrait session for a 40th anniversary but I have had the opportunity to meet Steve and Ellen before on a few occasions. I had the honor of photographing their daughter, Julia’s family on a fewl occasions….her daughter Kate’s birth, Kate’s first Christmas, and Kate and her siblings in the bluebonnets.  Ellen asked me to photograph two of  her grandchildren, Quinn and Nora (one of Julia’s daughters), as they turned 4 years old. During these sessions, it was Steve and Ellen who accompanied the children.

Steve and Ellen, I hope you have a wonderful anniversary…we should do this again for your 50th! )

Welcome Britton Scott!

I have to tell you, Britton’s birth was the first birth day session that I have ever photographed that went EXACTLY like a mom had predicted it would happen. Alicia, Britton’s mom, had her c-section meticulously planned from the date and time of her c-section, to the way her pain medications would be administered. Luckily, Alicia had an ace up her sleeve, she works  for a company that produces a product for post-op pain control (On-Q).  

It  is very obvious that Brandon (dad) loves his little girl Alivia, but like many fathers, he wished for a son to do “boy stuff” with. He has an old car that one day he and his son will rebuild…actually, he has a hanger full of boy toys…boats, planes,cars. I bet he can’t wait until Britton is old enough to take things apart and rebuild them with him.  

This picture is of Alicia finally getting to meet her son, the little guy who, from what I understand, almost kicked his way out. Have you ever seen a prouder mom?

Oh, and the beautiful Alivia. She was such a doll. Amazingly, big sister held up really well at 6:45 in the morning. I figured she would show up later with other family members after Britton had arrived. I was wrong. When I got to the  hospital at 6:20 Alivia was in the waiting room with about 15-20 other family members anxiously awaiting the newest member of their posse.

I think Miss Alivia was a little concerned that the attention she was used to was being directed at nursery window. Daddy gave her a lift to get a better view  of  her “niño”. 

…and while waiting to actually meet her little brother, Alivia and her grandpa decided to entertain themselves with a “toy” they found parked outside of Mom’s room.

Congratulations Brandon, Alicia and Alivia on your new little bundle of …”Laundry” ;o).

Welcome Maren Elizabeth!

Beautiful little Maren came into this world on April 14th. While planning our session at her beautiful historic home, I asked her mother if she had any special items of clothing or blankets to use in the photos. Out came this beautiful blanket that Maren’s grandmother made especially for her. As any of you who follow my blogging know, I am such a sucker for sentimental value…and if the blanket wasn’t enough, Maren’s middle name is her grandmother’s first.

To me, this ottoman screamed “put a baby on me!” It took her a little while to finally fall asleep but once she did, “oh,just look how cute of a picture it made!”

Along with mom and dad, Maren has been welcomed home by two “built in” playmates. Having a terrier and 2 others before him, I know how tenacious these little dogs can be. I really didn’t think we would get this shot. Luckily, Goblin and Moxie work for food.

…and finally, as usual, one of my favorite shots from this session is one that I couldn’t set up no matter how much I tried. While trying to get Goblin and Moxie to pose with the newest family member, Goblin just couldn’t resist sneaking a lick and a sniff. I get the feeling Maren is going to have lots of fun with her new playmates.

Welcome Dani Mae!

Oh, the month of April…This year so full of surprises! First of all, our April showers came late this year and are still coming strong well into May, and then the bluebonnets came early but weren’t quite up to parr as other seasons. Finally, not a single April baby came when they were “supposed to”. Two came in March, two came the first two days of April though they were due around the 10th, and the one who actually was to be a planned c-section…well, her original c-section date changed from April 29th to May 4th. That didn’t even go over right. Little Dani decided that neither April 29th or May 4th would work as a birthdate. She picked to be born on Saturday, May 2nd.

Anytime  a mother goes into labor and has a planned c-section, it becomes an emergency c-section. Michelle (mom) went into labor around 2:00 am and little Dani was born at 5:08 am. Family came to welcome little Dani at 10:00 am. Do you see the adorable little 16 month old in the picture above trying to get her mom’s attention? I was there to welcome her into the world too. That is big sister Drew. If you scroll waayyy back in my blogging into ‘older posts’,  under the category “births”, you can see Miss Drew Marie on the day she was born. 

Though big sister Drew showed  a few signs of  being a little jealous of  her new sibling, big brother Deuce took everything in stride. He was calm, cool, and collected and just enjoyed hanging out with his cousins, aunt, uncles and grandparents.

…and here is Mimi and Papa with their grandchildren (minus two). They love their little ones! I was unaware at the time that they had made the hour+ journey in the wee hours of the morning to be there when little Dani was born. They went all the way back home and then returned to be with the whole family.

…oh, and in lieu of cigars, lollipops were passed around! 

Congrats Michelle, David, Deuce and Drew! I had so much fun hanging out with you guys again and capturing another special day for your gang. You guys are a “D” lightful family!

Blue eyes

…the last bluebonnet session of the season…it makes me a little sad. At the same time, it brings me a little relief because the little flowers  only  last a few weeks so you have to get the sessions done between rain showers and  overly sunny days. Unfortunately by the time we got Olivia’s session done the field’s vibrancy had paled to a somewhat dull blue. Luckily, there were still a few late comers around to greet us.

This is Olivia’s official “one year old session.” Like all the other babies in this year’s blue bonnet sessions, I had the honor of welcoming her into the world. She appears three times before  this entry in my blogging. If you scroll back to the day she was born, you will see her big brother Peyton. Every time Olivia smiled, I swear I was seeing her brother!

It never fails, bring out the hats and the fun begins. Now, mind you, I didn’t for a second think Olivia was actually going to leave the hat on. After all, we had just gone through multiple attempts to keep a head band on her. She won that battle but I won this one! Just as I thought, she loved removing the hat everytime her mom placed it on her head. It became a game and I got the cutest pictures!

And then there are the pictures of Daddy and his girl at the end of the session. They were an after thought. It was obvious that Russ wasn’t on having his pictures taken but I just LOVED the look they are giving each other in this picture so I had to post it.

Oh yeah…the bluebonnets!!! We actually did get a few in those too!  My old, favorite bluebonnet patches didn’t produce very much this year but the beautiful little faces that posed and played in what I consider to be a pretty “average patch”  made it one of my favorites as well.

Absolutely Blue-tiful!

I first met Natalie last year in July when she posed with her mom and dad. At that time, mom (Crystal) was expecting little sister Sophia. Crystal had told me that Natalie was VERY shy and boy, was she right. Well, I guess Natalie has warmed up to me. She still has her shy nature but she gave me some truly beautiful smiles and was very helpful in trying to get her little sister to do the same.

…and here she is with little sister, Sophia. I love this picture because it shows the close bond these two sisters share. From day one, Natalie was all about her little sister. She stuck to her like glue at the hospital and it seems like that bond is still holding. 

Of course I have to give Sophia equal billing to her older sister. She wasn’t too fond of being in the actual flowers so into a basket she went. Sitting there, she looks every bit as adorable as her big sister! It was so great to see you girls again. I hope you enjoyed your time in the flowers!