Brooklyn Turns 4 Years Old!

When my sister in law Rachelle told me she was going to take Brooklyn out for her birthday shoot, and do a tea party theme (like her birthday party), and asked if I wanted to come along I was so excited!  Of course I did!  Not only was I so excited to shoot this vintage tea party in a gorgeous orange grove, but Brooklyn is my extra special little buddy.  

Brookie is the 3rd of 5th children, and she is their "spunky" one... she's smart, and sassy, and cute as cute can be.  She's the feisty one of the family... but I was my family's feisty one, so I have a special affinity for this little fire cracker.  The fun part about being her aunt is that I get to laugh at the funny little things she does, and enjoy 100% of her spunk (moms don't always get to laugh at the antics of strong-willed children, but auntie's do!)!  Now don't get me wrong... she is "spicy"... but she's sooo sweet too!  She gives the BEST hugs, and is always so excited to see me when we are together.  She melts my heart in a special way only a 4 year old can.  She is my Kamryn's special little buddy, and as the 9 month gap between their ages is closing, I so enjoy watching their bond grow stronger.  Secretly I am so glad to be so close to this little girl, and for her strong personality.  From experience I know that she will have an interesting time growing up learning to temper some of her sass, but there is something to be said about having a natural predisposition to being tough.  There is a strong, resilient little spirit inside this little body!  My heart is tethered to hers in a special way, and I look forward to the sassy teenager days when I can put my arm around her, and let her know that I understand her.  

Brookie-

Happy 4th birthday, little buddy!  Aunt Kelsey loves you so much!  I hope as you grow you will always know how special you are... and not special in the normal way.  You are extra special!  The combination of wonderful qualities that make you who you are, are truly a fabulous gift.  You are bright, and sweet, and kind, quick witted and quick tempered.  In fact you are an anomoly of gifts... you are sweet and spicy, gentle and tough, still so little, but very capable.  You are so important to your family, and to our big family, and I am so glad you are part of "us"!  Enjoy your 4th year... dance around the play room in your dress ups, love, and kiss and hold your baby dolls, read lots of fairy tale books, and snuggle extra with your mommy this year.  Four is a big year... you're almost officially the real deal kind of big girl you already think you are.  Her heart aches wondering if you know how much she loves her "middle child."  Try extra hard to stay little for her.  You might feel like you're stuck right in the middle of your family of 4 siblings, but you are her littlest girl, and she loves you so much.  Happy happy birthday, lovely girl!  Love, love, love, YOU!
<3<3<3,
Aunt Kelsey

August Matthew

This sweet boy was a long time coming, but oh so worth the wait!  His mom, Sara, is a dear friend of mine, and I was elated when she told me she was pregnant.. even more so once she found out she was having a boy after having two beautiful little girls.  Anyone who reads this blog knows how much I love me some Mama+baby boy love!  Sara delivered both of her girls before 34 weeks, so as a precaution this time around she was on bed rest from around 30 weeks until the dreaded 34 weeks not to mention all the lovely shots she had to take as well to keep this little guy cookin'... we were all so happy when she made it to 34 weeks!  We were all cheering her on every week as she made it farther and farther into her pregnancy, and celebrating her first time in each new week of full term pregnancy.  We all knew she hit her new "week" mark on Thursdays, and would shower her facebook page with congratulatory messages on those days especially.  Imagine everyone's surprise to still see her pregnant belly at a full 40 weeks!  She was induced 2 days after hitting her 40 week mark, and we all waited on pins and needles for the pictures of this sweet little face.  And tell me... was he worth the wait or what?!  

This little boy is l-o-v-e-d!  Two big sisters who dote on him all day, and a mom who just can't seem to put him down... that's one lucky little guy!  Truly this little baby has hit the jackpot as far as family's go... two parents who adore each other, big sisters wh really are best friends, and a whole big extended friends and family team who can't wait to love him and watch him grow.  I know he will flourish here... so glad you are here Mr. Auggie!

Love Is Sweet

A friend of mine posted on Facebook... "I don't understand why Cupid was chosen to represent Valentine's Day. When I think about romance, the last thing on my mind is a short chubby toddler coming at me with a weapon!"  I responded that it was funny... that sounded just like my cupid!  Thinking about my toddler who so often comes at me wielding a weapon of some sort, it made perfect sense to me why a perfectly chubby little boy was chosen to represent love day!  I couldn't think of a more perfect way to celebrate Valentine's day than with my sweet little Valentine's.  Spending a gloomy (we barely missed the dark, rain-filled clouds as we were packing up), whimsical, sugar filled afternoon with these two was the perfect way for this mama to get into the Valentine's spirit.

Lots of prep, and lots of "brilliant" ideas went into my planning of this shoot... however, during all my daydreaming, I must have forgotten to take into account that this shoot was to be done with a 4 and a (terrible) 2 year old.  Almost nothing went according to plan... but looking back on the pictures, and seeing the sheer joy on their faces in some of these pictures... the sweet kisses from my Cupid to a big sister he absolutely adores, the funny secrets they shared, and the chance to have an amazing sweets-filled picnic in the middle of nowhere right along side the cutest little creek... well, to me, the candid happiness captured in this little afternoon is better than anything I ever could have planned.

I hope you all are filled with love this Valentine's day!  Enjoy the little Cupid's in your lives, and make sure they know how much you love them on this special day!  Love is sweet!