I met Shalane on the interwebs somehow – FACEBOOK probably! She has always submitted a family for BEAUTIFUL and has the sweetest of souls.

They’ve been married for 15 years and she’s been on my mommas in wanting list since I’ve known her.

AND NOW – NOW they have their own little baby in their own little house!!

I’m always amazed at how teeny tiny newborns are – even though I’ve had two of my own!!

When I told Shalane that her baby shower gift was a session – she said she would LOVE an “hour in the life” session once their baby boy was home!

That might be my FAVORITE shot!!

LOOK AT THAT LITTLE MAN!!!

I LOVE THAT – his momma can’t get enough of him – holding that tiny little hand!!

Stay tuned for the rest of their session – because – as usual – I took TOO many photos!!

JUMP!!

JUMP!! JUMP!!

I LOVE THOSE SHOTS!!

Maybe – MAYBE we’ll get ONE shot!!

LOOK AT THAT – EVERYBODY is looking in the same direction!

Cindy – THANK YOU so much for asking me to photograph your family year after year!!

I’ve been taking pictures of Cindy and her family for a few years now!

We met on a beautiful April afternoon and captured their family exactly as it is!!

I ADORE THAT SHOT!!

Stay tuned for the rest of their session!!

The boys could not WAIT to meet the little miss!!

Well – Fitzy couldn’t wait! So – we took Missy & Cody lunch on a Sunday and spent the day watching cooking shows and snuggling that sweet little thing!

I have a SERIOUS problem!!

BABY GIRL – you’re such a sweet little miracle!

MORE OF EVERYTHING PLEASE!!

BABY SHARK DO DO DO DO DO!!!

I just LOVE his expressions!!

OUTSIDE IN EARLY JANUARY!? YES PLEASE!!

HAPPY HAPPY BIRTHDAY *G*!!!

RAWR!!!!

That guy – he’s DARLING!

That guy – that’s his aunt he’s hugging – his aunt before she’s a momma herself – that SPECIAL bond!!

I CAN’T EVEN DEAL!!

ONE MORE PARTY POST!!

Can you believe that I’ve known Stephanie for TEN years!? I really can’t!

I also can’t believe that her biggest little guy is SIX!!

*G* had a JURASSIC PARK party – so I had to show him my tattoo – because it’s also my ABSOLUTE FAVORITE!!

Stephanie was an aunt to this sweet girl before she was a momma to her own kiddos – and it’s such a BEAUTIFUL bond!

BEST SHIRT EVER!!

Stephanie may have opened up her little guy’s gift to build it – BEFORE the party started!!

It’s VERY dangerous to have a baby around me when I have a camera – birthday parties – weddings – you name it – I WILL FIND THE BABY AND TAKE ALL THE PICTURES!!

Stay tuned for MORE of the party!!

I spent the afternoon with Missy & Cody about a week after Grace was born – getting baby snuggles and taking some pictures!!

WOULD YOU LOOK AT HER ROLLS!!

I mean – honestly – LOOK AT THAT FACE!! ANGELIC!!

Hey baby girl – you better get used to the clickity click of that camera!!

ABSOLUTELY DARLING!!

Grace upon grace upon SO MUCH grace!!

THOSE SQUISHY LIPS!!

I just can’t stop!!

Those shots – MY ABSOLUTE FAVORITE!!!

BABY GIRL!!! YOU ARE ACTUALLY HERE!!!!

THIS!!! THIS MOMENT!!!

Watching Missy bring this sweet girl into the world was one of the most impactful moments of my life so far!

I’ve walked the past 7 years with her. There has been so much pain and heartache – followed with so much joy and grace – and now – GRACE! It was overwhelming!!

Those are my favorite shots!!

Birth tricks you – you have your baby and it’s AMAZING – but then you remember that it’s not over!

THIS PHOTO – SO MUCH in this photo!!

LOOK AT THOSE FAT LITTLE FEET!!

AND – AND I GOT TO CUT HER CORD!!! SERIOUSLY – such a beautiful moment!!

OH BABY GIRL!!! I just can’t even deal with how much you are loved!!

SO CLOSE TO 8 POUNDS!!! WHAT!!!

Cody – holding his baby girl!! After she was born – I turned around and hugged him while we both SOBBED – SO MUCH GRACE in this picture!!

CODY & MISSY – I know I’ve written it so many times – I know I’ve told you SO MANY times – but thank you!!

THANK YOU for letting me walk so closely with you. Thank you for asking me to be there for her first breath on Earth!!

You guys – I LOVE YOU SO MUCH!!!

I spent 18 hours in the life of Missy & Cody – 18 of some of the most intense hours in anyone’s life – and we still love each other – AND – AND – I didn’t miss it!!

Missy was able to rest (as best as you can while in labor) for a small chunk of the evening into the early morning.

Cody, Missy’s mom, and I were able to drift on and off in the hospital chairs as best as you can imagine …

But then it started!

And she says baby … it’s 3 AM and I don’t want to push out this baby!

December 27th – 3 AM – let’s start pushing. I say us like it’s a group effort!

So tired – so very very tired – and so close to meeting her little girl – but it still seems so far!

There’s not much I feel like I can do to help. She’s going to be in pain no matter what. That pain WILL end.

BUT until then – I CAN get cold washcloths!

And it REALLY starts!

These photos – this part was hard for me.

I don’t have much sympathy and empathy in general – but watching my dearest friend be so close to meeting her daughter and feeling the contraction come and knowing that she has to push but doesn’t really want to … ooooh – that was hard to watch!!

AND THERE SHE IS!!!

AND I very seriously got so wrapped up in the emotion of the moment – that I forgot I was taking pictures!

The focus isn’t where I would love for it to be – but I think you can still feel the emotion in this moment!! In fact – I KNOW you can!

OH MY HEART!!! She’s here – after 2 hours & 18 minutes of pushing – about 33 hours of labor all together – and 9 years (yes – years) of waiting for this little girl – SHE IS HERE!!

That tiny tear – that FRESH baby – that beautiful MIRACLE!!