Kade's Birth Story Sneak...

Here's a sneak of Rachelle and baby Kade's emotional birth story.  Luckily the pictures tell the story all on their own, because I don't think I'd be able to find the words to describe it if I sat here for 3 weeks.  I don't think the words exist...

JD and Katie

This shoot was so emotional for me... from conception to the finished product.  Katie is as close to a sister as you can get for me, and we've known each other for our entire lives.  The journey to her getting pregnant has been a long, tumultuous, and often tear-filled one.  We have all been silently rooting and waiting (along with many others) for this time to come for both JD and Katie.  When she finally told me her news I could hardly believe that this was it... the time was now!  And then when she told me that she was having twins, well, I cried like a baby.

Their road was littered with painful tears for so long, but now the joyful, thankful tears are taking their place. It feels like the whole world is excited for JD and Katie and the lucky girls who will get to call them "Mom" and "Dad" in just a few months.  And those two truly couldn't be any luckier... Not only will they have the most wonderful, fun loving, patient, and humorous dad... They'll have a beautiful, tender, nurturing mother to love and guide them through this crazy life.  The best part of all is that those girls are coming to a family to be loved by two parents who love each other so much.  JD has always adored Katie, always bringing a smile to her face, and a laugh to her belly.  She still glows when he's around... I can't imagine any better setting for two little lives to begin...

JD and Katie-

I know there were questions about whether or not this was in the cards for you... lots of prayers were prayed on your behalf, and tears shed for the pain you felt while you waited.  Even as we all imagined what this time would be like if it came, I don't think any one of us thought it could be this good.  The love, the thankfulness, you feel for your sweet girls is palpable.  The happiness is tangible.  Happy is an understated word.  Because "happiness" when it feels like this... to be so happy... that is rare, and it is wonderful.  This is a blessing of everlasting proportions, and one that I, for one, cannot wait to enjoy along with you.  I can't wait to watch you embrace your roles as parents, and to laugh your way through the bumps together.  The time is here... enjoy every little piece of it.  You were made for happiness like this!

Kelsey

Claire

This little peanut was such a sweetheart!  She was very awake and aware for most of the shoot... just looking around, and trying to find Mommy and Daddy's voices while we moved her around and snapped about a million pictures of her.  She was so tiny!  And her hair had a hint of red in it... I hope that when I get to see her again I'll see that it stuck around... so adorable!

Congratulations Andrew and Beth!  She is sooo perfect and sweet!  Enjoy her this tiny because, as I'm sure you've already heard a million times, they really do grow too fast!

Jared and Rachelle

My wonderful brother in law, and sister in law are pregnant with their fifth, and final baby.  Rachelle has never taken maternity pictures with any of her previous babies, so she wanted to go out with a bang!  Now she is kicking herself for never doing something like this before, but I am just glad she did it for at least one of her babes.  She is such a beautiful woman inside and out, and truly one of my dearest and best friends. She and Jared are a hand in glove pair, and after 12 years and five children still love and adore each other.  That was extra fun during the shoot, because so many of the shots were just them composing themselves by doing what was already so natural to them. And I have to give props to Jared who was such a wonderful sport as we made him trek all over, dressed to match his wife, and take pictures for a couple of hours... What a guy!  But seriously, who could complain about having to snuggle up to this HOT MAMA?!

Rachelle and I had so much fun collaborating together about what she would wear, how we would style, and where we would take these pictures.  We shopped, and seached, and conspired for weeks so that everything would be just right.  You have no idea how hard it was to narrow down all the amazing things we captured to just this few!

I love these "three" so much!  I cannot WAIT for sweet baby Kade to get here in a month!  In the meantime I could not be happier about these "treasures" for his Mom and Dad.  Pregnancy is such a special thing each and every time you do it, but I think especially so when you are trying to breathe in each moment of it, knowing it will be the final time you get to experience it.  

Soak it in, my friend!  Savor the kicks, and the wiggles, and even the heartburn, and the aches and pains.  You are about to close one chapter, and forge your way into a new one.  I can't wait to watch you conquer being a mother of five children... each and every one of them lucky to have been born to a woman who lives to be a mother.  I have no doubt that you will take it all in stride, and continue to amaze all of us who get to watch you nurture and raise your family.  I love you!

My Best Work

A month ago my baby turned 4 years old.  I have been promising her a special shoot of just her with Mommy for a while now, and she has been so excited.  A few days ago was the day, and I couldn't believe how much fun we had together.

She had been drooling over her outfits which had been hanging in her closet for weeks... always asking me, "When can I wear my dress with no sleeves?  The long one like yours, Mom??" She is such a girly girl, and wants to be just like her mama, so a long dress like this was a dream come true for my little sweetheart.

*I* personally couldn't wait to get her in this outfit... those red cowgirl boots were my favorite!  She looked so "4".  

Kamryn-

It feels like time is moving at warp speed these days... that I blink and you are another year older.  You were my first, and the one that made me a mama, and for that there will always be a special place in my heart that only you can fill.  I am so glad we got to go out and capture all of your little faces in pictures that your Daddy and I will treasure forever.  I love your sweet face, and your tender heart, your desire to make everyone you love happy, and everything special and wonderful that makes you you!  You, and your brother, are my best work by far.  I am so proud of you and all that you are already at 4 years old.  I love you times a million, my sweet baby! 

Love,

Mommy

Bailey

A few weeks ago I this little angel and I had an afternoon date.  Her parents were so kind and friendly... the type of people who you meet and instantly like.  When they took me in to meet their sweet new baby girl, Bailey, I was not disappointed.  She clocked in at 9 pounds at birth, so was the perfect sleepy, chubby, adorable subject.

She woke up at the beginning of the session to look around and try to figure out where all the clicking was coming from, before drifting off to sleep.  She was a wonderful sleeper, which made for an easy job for me!

Every now and then she would stir, and her sweet new mama would be right at her side cooing to her, and patting her back to lull her back to sleep.... Such a natural!

{Don't you just want to kiss those pouty lips!?}

Brent and Jamie you have a winner on your hands!  She is perfect in every way.  I enjoyed every minute of our afternoon together, and have no doubt that Bailey hit the jackpot getting parents like you!