My friend Ericka – she’s a ROCKSTAR of a momma! She asked if I would photograph the birth of her second sweet baby – OF COURSE!

We had this crazy idea that she wouldn’t make it to her due date – April 4th. On April 3rd – she came over for dinner with her older daughter. We ate and laughed and watched that little baby move around. And then. She said – I think maybe I’m leaking? Maybe. I’m just not sure!

It’s absolutely crazy to me that each birth can be so different and we can forget exactly what happens each time!

So – she texted me around 10 that night and said – she was going to the hospital. And OH! Her water was breaking – so be on baby watch!

I took my phone to bed with me and went to sleep. And waited.

Around 4 AM I got a text saying that she was progressing! So – I figured I would go over and HOPE for a baby before morning when Jared had to go to work! I ate breakfast in quiet. Got a shower real quick without checking on kiddos. And left my driveway at 4:30 – getting a text from her saying she was 5 cm. I made it to Wellsboro – about 20 minutes away – and parked at the ER – got my bags – and went to the desk. Where she told me that I had to go back OUT to the car and drive AROUND the building and go in the back entrance and ask to be let in. ARGH! SERIOUSLY!

So – I got in the room – at 4:51 and that sweet baby was born at 4:49 – YOU HAVE GOT TO BE KIDDING ME!

I was so sad. And mad. And then sad again.

BUT – a baby was already born and she was beautiful!

So I took some pictures!

THAT LITTLE FACE! I can’t even deal with her!

AND – she was born on her due date!

Little *R* – you are loved. You are wanted. You were prayed for. You will do wonderful things.

Ericka – YOU are strong. YOU are beautiful. YOU are brave. I LOVE you dear friend!

Ericka and I were pregnant for the first time together! I didn’t know her then but she knew me from my photography and read my blog. We lost that first pregnancy – but she didn’t! Her daughter *J* is exactly the age our first child would be today!

She wanted another baby. And we prayed for years and years.

And then life happened and things changed. But – she IS having another baby! A little girl! Well – she’s already HAD that little baby – but we all know that I’m playing catch-up!

I LOVE THOSE SHOTS!

YES! DO NOT EAT WATERMELON SEEDS!!

I’ve already let Ericka know that as long as this little baby sleeps through the night – I will help her out in ANY way I can!

But not staying up all night with sleepless babies. Did I mention that?

Ericka. You are strong. You are beautiful. You are loved!

That first year seems to FLY BY! And that’s just from my perspective on the outside looking in to capture the milestones!

Katie & Chris hired me to photograph their wedding and then we met up again when their little guy was born – and again at 6 months!

And NOW – he’s ONE YEAR OLD ALREADY!

This child – he is GORGEOUS!

We took his newborn photos on this bed – so I knew we had to go back and take his ONE YEAR photos there too!

That curl! Those blue eyes!

I LOVE LOVE LOVE THOSE SHOTS!

SO HAPPY!

OH MY WORD!

I LOVE LOVE LOVE THAT LITTLE SMILE!

Those CURLS!

Dancing with momma!

Katie & Chris – thank you SO MUCH for asking me to capture the memories of this little guy’s FIRST year! I am honored!

My cousin Matt is a HUGE part of our lives – he’s basically the older brother I never had! For the past 20 years he has lived right down the road from my parents! The boys LOVE him!

The boys were “patiently” waiting his arrival!

I LOVE MY MOM! She’s SO FUN!

And then Matt showed up and ALL WAS RIGHT IN THE WORLD!

Matt – make us a restaurant! Carry me around! Play robbers! Let me play drums on your head! Make me into a sandwich! You name it – he plays it!

OH MY WORD! I LOVE THOSE SHOTS!

My parents are laid-back. Relaxed. Chill. And I spent YEARS of my life obsessing over neatness. Tidiness. Order. Perfection.

I love this picture – this scene of their cozy kitchen!

This next shot – my FAVORITE! Exactly how I want to remember that moment. And all the moments at my parents house actually!

This is my new favorite way to document life – completely just a day in your life – no matching outfits – no agenda. No posing and making sure everyone is smiling and looking! JUST BEING!

Matt – we LOVE you! G & Pa – we LOVE YOU GUYS!

If you’re interested in complete lifestyle sessions – message me! I’m so thankful I decided to get my camera out and document the day!

I take a ridiculous amount of pictures on my phone of our daily lives – but in terms of actually picking up my camera – I haven’t. In a LONG time!

My mom had some health issues going on since Christmas – it was scary and hard to adjust to! We hadn’t been able to visit them as much as we normally would – and the boys were certainly bummed! My mom was having a good day and we drove over to spend the day with them! I kept my camera out and took pictures throughout the day – AND I LOVE THEM! I took a ridiculous amount – so this is only part ONE of the day!

I found GUESS WHO at Aldi’s! It’s been a HUGE hit! I need to look for my original GUESS WHO!

Enoch missed his Pa!

Why yes – those ARE matching mommy-and-me leggings on my little boy! My dad’s eyebrows were QUITE raised!

I went to visit my cousin Vanessa and her new baby for a little bit – and came home to DIFFERENT PANTS on Enoch!

I said – Pa REALLY didn’t like those leggings HUH! Turns out – his diaper was just a little too full!

LOOK AT THOSE CURLS!

I MEAN – SERIOUSLY!

He is such a little sweet thing!

Focus is TOTALLY over-rated!

I LOVE THOSE SHOTS!

THAT SWEET FACE!

I ABSOLUTELY ADORE THAT SHOT!

FEE FI FO FUM -

Tomorrow – the rest of the evening!

I already posted her newborn session – OOPS! But I did go see here really quick when she was JUST born!

My cousin Vanessa was born when I was 15. She was the cutest – roundest – sweetest baby! She had curly blonde hair and the biggest smile!

And now – 20 of the fastest years later – she’s a momma! Her baby girl – *K* – is a redhead! And hopefully inherited her momma’s curls!

Thankfully her first birth was a quick and smooth process for Vanessa!

Jake & Vanessa – she is SO BEAUTIFUL! I am so happy for you both!

In February – Jared’s cousins made a quick visit to the northern tundra!

My boys and their – cousin – I can never remember what the relation is – but Jared’s cousin’s son!

Jared’s mom and her great niece!

ISN’T SHE THE SWEETEST BABY!

OH MY WORD!

The boys!

With crazy kiddos – that’s the best we could get!

Enoch & Fitzy LOVED their little baby girl! They both said she is the cutest baby EVER!

Alyssa & Zeke – it was SO GREAT to see you! WE LOVE YOU!

I met with *L* last year for her 2 year photos – and she was NOT having it! Not a smile was seen – only tears!

BUT – this year! SMILES GALORE!

OUTSIDE – in NORTHERN PA – IN FEBRUARY!

ADORABLE!

We met at the PA Welcome Center – but the main part was closed due to the holiday! Thankfully – this little thing makes my job pretty easy – WHEN she likes me!

Those CHEETOS! She was eyeing them the whole session!

SO CUTE!

DO YOU SEE THAT EYE ROLL!!

I MEAN – SERIOUSLY!

I LOVE LOVE LOVE those shots!

She was reciting the Pledge of Allegiance! THE CUTEST THING!

And sometimes – when you smile for your whole session and are just the most adorable thing EVER – you get those CHEETOS you were eyeing!

Arica – thank you SO MUCH for asking me back into your lives over and over again! I can’t WAIT to see you this summer!

Vanessa spent one night in the hospital and then took her little bundle HOME!

I spent the morning with her only 4 days after she was born! SO TINY! It’s so crazy how easily you forget how small they were!

Vanessa is my first cousin – which makes *K* – my first cousin once removed – if you care about the actual relation!

I think she looks JUST like her daddy!

SO PRECIOUS!

I absolutely LOVE that shot!

Such a sweet moment that you so quickly forget!

MY FAVORITES!

I ABSOLUTELY LOVE those two shots! SIGH!

Baby girl – you are so loved and so special! Vanessa – thank you for letting me snuggle with her and capture her teeny tiny baby days!

I know I say it a lot – but it’s still hard for me to see you any older than about 8 – like the little flower girl in our wedding!

Watching you as a momma – you are certainly a natural!

A friend posted on FACEBOOK about her FREE trial of BLUE APRON!

I messaged her and asked her how you go about getting one! Her friend is a member that uses it and had a few free trials to give away!

The first night – we made tempura fried cod and thai rice and salad! I don’t love fish – I’ve only ever liked it when my brother made it with about a stick a butter! But – it was YUMMY!!!

The second night – lamb and beef and mushroom stew with parmesan potatoes! Fitzy made most of it – and everyone but Enoch – ate every single bite!

The third night – grilled chicken and couscous – and I took some photos to document the process!

Fitzy wants to be a chef someday – so I encourage him to cook as much as he wants!

While the boys didn’t love the couscous – everything else was a thumbs up! And it was ALL a thumbs up for me!

BLUE APRON – we are LOVING this whole process and idea!

While I don’t think we will be weekly subscribers – from time-to-time we will probably sign up for deliveries!