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!

baby john sneak peek

Today was baby John's "official" newborn shoot.  Seriously... is this not one of the most gorgeous newborns you've ever seen?!  He's adorable!  And such a sweet, happy boy.  Today was also his big sisters second birthday!  Lots more fun pictures to share...

Oh happy day! John's birth story

Everyone should have a friend like Emily.  She is the most sincere, true blue friend you could ever ask for. Anything we do together is fun, and I know that if I ever needed anything, no matter what it was, or what time of day I called on her, she would make it happen.  When she asked me to be a part of her birth story, I jumped at the chance.  Having been on the receiving end of her never failing thoughtfulness so many times, I was thrilled to get the chance to repay the debt in some small way.  Being able to be there as she brought her second baby, and first son, into this world was an honor... and I felt like even though I had entered the room with the intention of giving her a gift, being there during that time was much more of a gift for me than my pictures could be for her!

As you will see, little baby John has been welcomed into a family who is overjoyed to have him.  His birthday was such a happy day!  Johnny and Emily smiled through her quick, almost painless labor (thank you epidural!), smiled through the birth, and haven't stopped smiling since.  

There is something magical about the first moments of a baby's life.  It's a time when the distance between heaven and earth seem nearly non existent.  They're almost in the same place at one time.  The first time you finally get to see the face of the little baby you've carried for 9 months... magic.  The look on the face of the daddy as his eyes fall so tenderly on the woman who gave him another baby... magic.  The look of satisfaction on mommy's face as she gazes from the hospital bed over to where her husband waits for the nurses to complete their monitoring of the baby, to scoop him up, and take him to his mommy... magic.  The first time the family comes to embrace the baby who has joined their family, adorned with smiles and giggles, and arms eager to hold and love the little baby they've been anticipating for so many months... it's all magic.

I'll let the video tell you the rest of the story.  But what a happy day this was!

John's Birth Story from kelsey crowder on Vimeo.

Baby John's Birth Story Sneak Peek

I'll let the sneak peek tell the story for now, until the full post and birth story video are up... but I will say this: it was a happy day!  This birth story is full of smiles, and excitement, and you can just feel it as you watch... Can't wait for the full post of this sweet baby's magical birth!