Natalie and her little guy stopped by for my Christmas minis!

Isn’t he BEAUTIFUL! Natalie – thank you SO much for stopping by!

Nicole is a strong strong momma. I was so thankful to get to see her and hug her and her babes.

I ADORE that shot! Absolutely beautiful!

Nicole – I LOVE YOU. I’ll see you soon!

I held Christmas mini sessions in my backyard – thankfully we got a reasonably mild day!

My BFF Johna and her sister brought their daughters!

Of course – Fitzy had to get in the picture with his favorite friend *M*!

Aren’t they GORGEOUS!

I love you all DEARLY!

Megan is a great friend and fellow photog! We take pictures for each other when we need them – which works out FANTASTIC!

*J* is such a sweet (and really funny) kiddo!

Oh! That shot on the right. A momma’s love. There is nothing like it!

And again in black and white – just because it’s beautiful!

She needed some shots for a Christmas card – and to document their growing family!

After I took their Christmas pictures – we went back to their house for their gender reveal!

Another sweet boy or will there be a baby girl in the picture?

It’s another BOY!

Megan & Seth – I’m so happy for you guys! You are dear friends and we LOVE you!!

My mom and Enoch. He’s so cute. I can’t stand it.

On Easter – Victory Church in Troy asked me to come take some shots of their service for the website! I was so excited – and nervous!

My parents and Jared’s parents came with us to watch the kiddos. Fitzy is pretty easy – but Enoch is very attached to me – so we had to have a lot of hands ready!

Oh that boy! He is such a darling!

Sigh.

May 1st was the last time I blogged – I’ve NEVER been this far behind! But I WILL catch up!

Fitzy is three (and a little bit at this point). I am now the momma of a three year old. That’s crazy!

We had an easter egg hunt with some of his friends from playgroup and MOPS on Friday morning. It was SO fun! 10 boys! They ran around and hunted eggs and painted pictures and opened presents! And I didn’t take a single picture. Because I’m trying to enjoy and not be behind the lens all the time!

On Saturday we had a family party with an easter egg hunt and some painting again!

5 months. He is 5 months old in this picture. Insanity. He’s SO huge! (He’s only gotten bigger!)

He LOVES LOVES LOVES guys. We separate them into piles. Good guys. Bad guys. Girls. Little guys that Enoch would choke on. All day. Every day.

Nailed that cake right? It’s a beautiful hot mess – that Fitzy made. He is all about doing everything himself. So he does. And it’s awesome!

Our attempt at a family picture. Ha.

Wait – maybe this one?

Well – at least we can get one of us!

Aunt Sammy!

I assure you – he does cry!

Samm’s hubby Xavier made the trip home this time! Enoch LOVED him!

On Fitzy’s actual birthday – I took some photos of the boys.

OH MY WORD!

I might have to get a canvas of that shot on the left! Sweet sweet boy!

Fitzy is fantastic with Enoch! And Enoch adores Fitzy!

Fitzgerald – you are an amazing kiddo! You help me to calm down. You have a giant heart – just like your daddy. You sing and dance. You are the silliest boy I’ve ever known. You are my kind-hearted boy. I love you. So much.

As I sit here and type this blog – a can feel the tiny little movements of a baby inside. Just the little flutters that make you realize there is indeed something in there.

We find out whether this addition is a boy or a girl on July 10th. Either way – this will most likely be our last addition. I love being pregnant and would be thrilled to have at least 4 children. But I have to remember that we have 5 – and for all eternity – we will celebrate with them! I love being a momma – more than anything I’ve ever done. Jared keeps reminding me that kids are WAY out of his comfort zone – although – he is a FANTASTIC daddy to Fitzy. While our hearts are so happy with this little miracle and Fitzgerald – we still hurt from time to time. I don’t have a great history of staying pregnant. And while I don’t want to live my life in fear – I DO want to enjoy what I have been given. It’s a hard decision to make – thankfully – we have time.

But especially with the 99% chance that this will be our last baby – I want to enjoy every precious minute I can.

I took a maternity leave with Fitzy . Kinda. Sorta. Not really.

And while I loved taking your pictures – I did miss that little baby.

So this time – I will be taking 6 months off. Seriously. From November to April – I will not be scheduling any sessions or weddings. When I do return – it will be on a 1 wedding a month limit – with a handful of sessions (most likely current clients) each month. I am still trying to decide what to do about new referrals outside of seniors – since they are mostly always new clients. And this might be the norm from here on out – until my kiddos are all in school.

I’ve known one thing my whole life – I want to be a momma. And God knew. And He heard. And He gave. And He gives. Again.

SO – if you know that you want a session next year once May rolls around – it’s not too early to let me know. I already have one wedding in September and an inquiry for May. And if I’ve taken pictures for you before and you need some done while I am off – email me – and I will recommend some great photographers to you!

Thank you all for your love – your support – your prayers. It means so much.

We were with my parents for Fitzy’s birthday. He requested eggs for breakfast.

So he got eggs. Of course. I say that jokingly – he really isn’t a spoiled child. Except with love. Just a good one. He is helpful and excited and appreciative.

He loves to help feed the baby cows – so we fed the baby cows.

And sat on Pa’s shoulders.

Oh that face – that chubby little face – it’s changing. Too quickly. I could have edited out the spots on his face. The red and the dirt. But I wanted to remember that moment just as it was. Perfect.

He was NOT in a picture mood that day – but I took some anyway.

Truly my FAVORITE pictures EVER. Oh – that smile and that laugh. And he just adores his Gramma. Both of them!

This was his – I’m serious momma – NO MORE PICTURES – face.

We went to the airport to pick up Jared’s parents and all ate brunch with my parents at Friendly’s for his birthday. He wasn’t too excited. The fountain at the mall was much more interesting. Fitzy was MORE than excited to spend the afternoon with Gramma Barden – since they had been gone for two weeks! He went to sleep at 5.30 that night – with a little stirring here and there – but slept till 5.30 the next morning! Living on the farm TIRES HIM OUT – but he loves it!

On Tuesday – the 30th – Gramma Barden made a little cake for our new two year old!

And I discovered that he can drink out of a cup. WHAT! I had no idea!

He LOVED blowing out the candles – he talked about it for days!

Cards and some presents – a puzzle and a train – perfect for Fitzy!

He’s in LOVE with his numbers puzzle! He carries around his birthday cards proudly!

Fitzy’s birthday party will be at my parents at the end of May – so until then – this was a wonderful way to celebrate our favorite little boy!

I’m quite a holiday grinch – by most people’s standards – I’ll write more about that later.

While my mother-in-law doesn’t go over the top for holidays – by any means – she does have her traditions she would like to continue with Fitzy – just like my parents!

Fitzy did LOVE his first Easter egg hunt!

I found myself tearing up as I edited these pictures. I don’t usually do that with pictures of Fitzy. But the emotion overwhelmed me. The smile on his little face. How much he adores his grandparents. How blessed we are to have him.

Thank you Grandma Barden for carrying on your traditions with Fitzy! The love you have for him blesses us so much!

Happy Easter dear baby! I can’t wait to share in years to come what we will do to celebrate Easter – new life in Jesus!

I love photographing families while they grow! I met Lauren & Dan when *L* was still in her belly and now he’s 18 months old!

*L* – these are the best smiles you have EVER given me!

Lauren – thank so much for asking me to get a few shots in his Easter best! Can’t wait to see you this fall!