WHAT’S IN A NAME

Filed under: baby barden,bardenisms,family,just because,my family,word of God — admin at 11:18 am on Tuesday, April 17, 2018

Over the weekend – Dave Fitzgerald was visiting!

And I don’t think I’ve gotten a REAL picture with my REAL camera of Fitzy and his namesake!

I had to make sure to get at least ONE! Of course – Enoch wanted in on the photo too!

People have said to me – I can’t believe you let your husband name your child after his friend.

Why did you name your kids what you did?

When I was in middle school – I knew what I would name my kids – Christopher and Sierra and Bailey  – I know I had another boy name – but I can’t remember it right now – certainly NOT Fitzgerald and Enoch.

When we were pregnant the first time we talked about Clark for a boy since that is Jared’s mom’s maiden name. I LOVE Clark for a girl too!

But then we miscarried that baby and decided to name him Enoch – because –

When Jared had lived 162 years, he became the father of Enoch. After he became the father of Enoch, Jared lived 800 years and had other sons and daughters. 20 Altogether, Jared lived a total of 962 years, and then he died. When Enoch had lived 65 years, he became the father of Methuselah. After he became the father of Methuselah, Enoch walked faithfully with God 300 years and had other sons and daughters. Altogether, Enoch lived a total of 365 years. Enoch walked faithfully with God; then he was no more, because God took him away. – Genesis 5

We named the baby we lost Enoch – because God took him away – he was no more.

And then we waited and tried and cried and gave up hope – and really 18 months isn’t all that long at all – except when you’re waiting and hoping for a baby.

So when we got pregnant with Fitzy – we waited to talk about names and dreams and hopes.

We flew to Florida to visit Dave and his wife Christy for Thanksgiving that year – and I felt Fitzy move for the first time sitting on their couch. We got talking about names and I said – if it’s a boy we were thinking Fitzgerald – and Dave said something like – okay. right.

When we found out he was indeed a boy – I thought for sure we would have a girl – we decided that YES – let’s name him Fitzgerald Derek Douglas – and call him Fitzy.

If we had a girl – we would have named her Fitzie Samantha.

And I can’t IMAGINE him being named anything other than Fitzy!

Six months before we got pregnant with Enoch – Dave told us that God had given him a Word for us. That we would have a baby to complete our family. He would be a boy. We would name him Enoch.

Call me crazy. Call Dave crazy. HOWEVER – I believe that God speaks to people – and right when we were about to give up – we got pregnant – with a boy – and while Enoch was not the name I would have picked – God told us to. And how many times in life do we ask God for direction. A sign. SOMETHING. This was one of those times.

I love their names (now) and what they mean and the stories behind them! I love that God impressed it upon us to name him Fitzy and then used Dave to share His promise for our family in the birth AND naming of Enoch.

So – I ask you again – why did you name your kids what you did?!

*R* TURNS ONE!!

Filed under: . babies . babies . babies .,babes,family,just because,kiddos,lifestyle,parties — admin at 12:04 pm on Monday, April 16, 2018

*R* is the happiest baby in the WHOLE ENTIRE WORLD!

AND SHE’S ABSOLUTELY ADORABLE AND SO SQUISHY!!

HOW ON EARTH IS SHE SO BIG!

My sister and Ericka have developed quite the friendship over SNAPCHAT! Samm was in town for the weekend – so she stopped by!

And this little thing – she’s TOO adorable!!

This kid – he LOVES his cake!

She was quite the tired little girl!

*R* – I’ve said it before – but I’ll always say it! YOU ARE SO LOVED BY SO MANY PEOPLE!!

*C* FAMILY

Filed under: . babies . babies . babies .,babes,family,just because,kiddos,lifestyle,portraits — admin at 11:51 am on Saturday, April 14, 2018

Can you see his little shoes – on the opposite feet!

Sometimes there’s a miscommunication – especially over messenger and text – and sleepless mommas.

So the location wasn’t what I was thinking it would be for this time of day with the bright sun and harsh shadows – but isn’t life about the bright mountains and the dark valleys?

I ADORE THAT SHOT! ABSOLUTELY LOVE!!

That top shot – I knew it was going to be a good one when I snapped it!

And that smile – pure joy! That’s what I love capturing your families!

She is such a FANTASTIC big sister!

And sometimes you crack heads with your brother – but that’s also real-life!

FRECKLES!!

THOSE MOMENTS – those are my favorite! Things you do everyday and never really think about it – tying your son’s shoes. Seemingly unimportant moments.

MY FAVORITE!!

LOVE LOVE LOVE!!

LIFE WITH LITTLES!!

ADORABLE!! ABSOLUTELY ADORABLE!!

LOOK AT THOSE EYES!!

LOVE LOVE LOVE – especially that black & white!

I actually love the shadows in that one!

Did I mention she’s a GREAT big sister?!

Sometimes it doesn’t work out the way you imagined – but life is EXACTLY like that.

*M* NEWBORN

Filed under: . babies . babies . babies .,expecting,family,just because,kiddos,lifestyle,newborns,portraits — admin at 10:58 am on Wednesday, April 11, 2018

My cousin Courtney had a sweet little baby girl in March!

She has the sweetest little face!

Her big sister was SO excited to hold her!

LOOK AT HER LITTLE HAND – holding right on to her sister!

LOVE LOVE LOVE that shot!

These little moments are the BIG moments! They are my FAVORITE to shoot!

I LOVE THAT LITTLE FACE!!

BLACK & WHITE! CHUBBY CHEEKS! Some of my FAVORITE things!

LOVE LOVE LOVE!!

SQUISHY BABIES and LOTS and LOTS of elephants!

LOVE LOVE – absolutely LOVE that last shot!

Courtney & Tim – and Debbie (she’s the smitten grandma) – thank you for asking me to take pictures of your sweet little girl!

WE LOVE YOU!!

*R* FAMILY

Filed under: family,just because,kiddos,lifestyle,portraits,spring — admin at 10:59 am on Tuesday, April 10, 2018

I met my friend Erica through the playgroup at our local YMCA! I invited her to walk with us in the summer – and we grew close!

She happens to make DELICIOUS cakes! Especially delicious dairy-free cakes!!

I highly recommend contacting her if you need a cake for ANY occasion!

We had a tricky February and March – it snowed one day and melted the next. JUST LIKE APRIL!!

We had a random beautiful day and Erica asked if we could squeeze in some pictures!

She’s a shy one – even though I’ve known her for a couple of years!

She did manage to give me a smile – or two – EVEN THREE!!

I LOVE THAT ONE!!

BLACK & WHITE – MY FAVORITE!!

Erica & Ryan – thanks for trekking around your property with me!

Erica – I am so thankful that we are friends!!

*K* TURNS ONE

Filed under: . babies . babies . babies .,babes,family,just because,kiddos,lifestyle,my family,parties — admin at 11:00 am on Thursday, April 5, 2018

I seriously CANNOT believe where the last year went! I feel like I was just getting a text that Vanessa was pregnant and now her little girl is ONE!

And she just toddles around like she owns the place. Like she’s ALWAYS been walking.

I love how she crosses her little ankles!

Those little red curls!!

She’s always on the move!!

Little girl clothes – BE STILL MY HEART!!

She REALLY did not like that tutu!!

She also did NOT like her hands all yucky!

That’s my mom’s sister – my sister looks so much like her!

I couldn’t decide between black & white or color – so you get to see both!

Vanessa – I love watching you as a momma! WE LOVE YOU BOTH SO MUCH!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY SWEET LITTLE *K*!!

 

SWEET BABY GIRL

Filed under: . babies . babies . babies .,babes,friends,just because,kiddos,lifestyle — admin at 11:48 am on Wednesday, April 4, 2018

My friend Ericka is a working single momma – she’s brave and strong.

Sometimes – when school is cancelled or her sitter for her sweet little one is closed – she needs someone to watch her girls!

We had a snow day a while ago – and her girls came over!

It’s really a shame that this little guy won’t be a big brother! He ADORES babies!

This guy does too! Especially sweet chubby ones!

She is the happiest baby on this earth! I promise you!

*R* – you are loved by SO MANY PEOPLE – you little sweet thing!

AND – TODAY happens to be her birthday!!! HAPPY BIRTHDAY YOU SWEET LITTLE CHERUB!!!