Last week I had adorable Phoebe back into the studio for her 6 month session. (She's on my Watch Me Grow Plan) Phoebe has gotten so big since last time I saw her, but still just as cute! Although she wasn't really into me taking her picture, she was certainly a happy girl in mommy's arms!! And it all worked out because the images of them together in black and white are my favorite!! They are classic, timeless, and really show off the connection between mother and child.

2016 has truly been a year of boys, and I couldn't be happier! Every little boy I've photographed has been super adorable and most of them have been phenomenal sleepers, including this little one. Meet baby Shiv, 8 days old. He wins for the best head of hair and best lips!! He also wins for the funniest moment. Errrr, moments. See below-

Each of my sessions start out with posed shots on the beanbag with usually 2 or 3 colors, then we move onto props, and end with family shots. Usually babies end up peeing or pooping at least once during the session, some much more. But, if they haven't gone by family shots, I forewarn the moms and dads that they are likely in the accident zone. Well, baby Shiv didn't want to prove me wrong, so he decide to leave mom a present, not once, not twice, but 3 times! And then again one more time on my rug while we were cleaning mom up. Each time it happened RIGHT after I got them both situated and stood up to take the picture. It was hysterical! So, instead of the one shot where mom, Ami, is laying on the ground with her hair out holding baby Shiv taking a couple of minutes, I think it took us well over a half an hour when all was said and done. But, as you will see, little Shiv TOTALLY made up for it by giving her smiles in the other pose. So, in the end, it was completely worth it!!!! Gosh, I love my job!!

All bonnets, plus blue outfit and mohair wrap by The Tiny Blessings Boutique
Beanbag backdrops by Fancy Fabric and Props

Last week I had this cutie pie in the studio when he was only 6 days old. I remember when mom first booked back in December and how excited she was! Finally, after months of waiting, the day was finally here and I was so excited to meet them all. And baby Nolan did not disappoint. He was a rock star for his very first photo shoot! I don't think I've ever had a baby give me this many smiles or been so expressive in their sleep!

Gray short overalls by No. 2 Willow Lane
Blue mohair wrap, outfit, white pants, and all bonnets by The Tiny Blessings Boutique
Other wraps by Manly and Pretty Little Things
Fabric Backdrops by Fancy Fabric & Props

I had the pleasure of meeting this sweet family last weekend when little Dominic was only 4 days old. And he is as adorable as he is strong! I've never seen a newborn with such awesome strength and head control. He is definitely going to be a boy on the move and a go-getter! Love it!! Although my hands were on him most of the time since he wasn't really into the whole sleeping thing, I thought for sure he was going to roll himself over at 4 days old! When I finally did get him to doze off, he was an excellent little model! He definitely loved being warm, cozy, and swaddled! And of course we had to sneak some Notre Dame and Pittsburg Steelers items in there for his family.

Bear bonnet and blue mohair wrap by The Tiny Blessings Boutique
Cream and blue striped wraps by Manly and Pretty Little Things
Black sheep hat and gray fox hat/tail by Flaxy Planet

Parenting is hard. I don't think anything can prepare you for the sleepless nights or how hard it is to watch your child be sick and can't do anything to help except give Tylenol. Disciplining a child is tough, as is sending your child to daycare or school for the first time. Being completely responsible for a tiny human, making sure they stay alive, and thrive, and grow up to be a kind, smart, responsible adult is a big task! It is by far the hardest job in the world!! However, it is also the most rewarding. Watching that tiny human grow, learn at an astonishing rate, and have their own personality, there's just nothing like it. My children are my world and even though I love watching them thrive, I really do want to freeze time. We are done having kids, and I will miss seeing a smile for the first time, hearing my baby's first laugh, being excited over their first words and steps. Today, Lila turned 19 months old, which means she is closer to 2 years than 1, and it makes me so sad to realize that I really don't have a "baby" anymore. That's hard. Blake is now 4, and he has learned how to ride a big bike, write his name, count to 30, identify all his letters, zip, unzip, and unbutton his clothes, and so many other wonderful things! But, before I know it, he will be in school full time, then a moody teenager, and he won't want me to read him stories before bed, or cuddle on the couch. Hard. Parenting is amazing, and rewarding, and gives you all those warm and fuzzies, but it's tough too. Tough to watch them grow so quickly, and the years go by faster and faster every year. So for now, I'll try to capture all these wonderful memories so I can remember my babies as they are. Fun. Sweet. Curious. Energetic. Smart. Perfect.