13

It's officially official - we are parents of a teenager. How did that happen?

I'm actually really enjoying Drew growing into a young man. Our conversations are more complex and his personality, which has always been strongly evident, adds so much to our family.

This is of course the "I'm really too cool to stand here while you take my picture look, but what you don't see is the part of the thirteen year old that I really love; the part that likes pajamas days, to watch little kid shows with his brother, to be tucked in at night, and still lets himself be silly.

With these beautiful blue eyes, his heart of gold, and his confidence, it won't be too long before a girl tries to steal him away from me. TRIES, I said. It's a good thing I have three so when one leaves the nest I'll still have two baby birds to take care of. Even with a newborn, I am seeing the end to this stage one day.

Sometimes it feels like I can't wait to have free time, sleep in, and work without interruption but when I actually think of the house being empty - without their laughter, fighting, matchbox cars hitting the hardwood floor, footballs and basketballs being thrown in the playroom, hugs on the knees and neck, little voices asking for something to eat, saying "I've got to go pee!" and just generally calling "mom" all day long, I know I can wait.

How can you not love a kid who just wants a personal sized watermelon, rootbeer floats, a silly string fight in the snow, and to be allowed to stay up late to watch a bowl game and sleep in a tent in the basement for his birthday? With a birthday the day after Christmas, it's fun to do things differently.

The whole world in her hands

Isn't that the truth. It's what it feels like holding your little newborn baby in your arms. For awhile, the outside world melts away; or atleast you want it to. These fragile little people count on us for everything which can be overwhelming, but Amanda seemed to have it down pretty well with her calming voice and mom intuition with baby Claire.

Congratulations Amanda & Jeff!

My McCoy ; One month old

This smile melts my heart. It's a little less sharp then I would like, but with that bobble head going up and down and side to side and Roman right on top of McCoy and myself the whole time I was trying to get some shots, I was just really happy to catch this. He has such a sweet demeanor and I could look into these eyes forever (cross eyed and silly, or not).

Two weeks old............

No time for words; just pics. My McCoy - two weeks old this past Monday. We're getting to know each other, and we're pretty sure it's love.

Alex P.

Well, if you're a sucker for blue eyes, get a load of Alex. Killer baby blues at only one year old. Just a quick post - trying to catch up on all of the sessions from the last several months that there just hasn't been time to share.

One Week Old Today

It's hard to believe that it has only been a week since he was born, but also hard to believe that we are already at one week. We can't go back to the first hour or minute so I'm soaking up all of the small stuff along the way. Too tired to think straight, but none the less in awe of what we have. I hear his little noises now, wanting to eat; will soon turn into the desperate newborn cry we all know. Roman is concerned that his hat his not fully on his head to keep him warm. He's my caretaker.

FOUR!

Our Roman is four today! These faces, this personality, this little man makes our house full of happiness everyday. He is sensitive, loving, charming, silly, active, helpful, independant, obsessed with trains, cars, trucks, his big brother Drew and now his little brother too. My Roman Pie Pie, my middle child................. my family.

Yes, I spelled my own name incorrectly above-------need more sleep.

My McCoy

This year has brought many changes for our family, but the one we have been waiting for arrived this past Monday. My little McCoy weighed 9 lbs. 6 oz. He's soft and beautiful and smells fantastic. We love him, love him, love him.

Roman holding his little brother's foot. He is completely in love and calls him "My baby".

More to come after a little rest and recovery. We've got another Birthday boy tomorrow as well.

Zacch

Seriously, the last time I saw Zacch, I'm pretty sure he about a year old running around his backyard playing with his mom Patty and his Aunt Amy. Patty, Amy, and I weren't too much older than he is now. I grew up with their family as well as mine, and spent probably far too much time at their house; camping out in the living room and the back porch, helping Amy clean the house after school, getting ready for school or church in the mornings with all of the girls fighting for space at the bathroom and kitchen mirrors and taking turns with the curling brush to get our bangs perfectly feathered, poofed, and sprayed in place. I couldn't tell you how many Sunday after church meals I've eaten at their table as well as many other days of the week.

It was great to be able to do Zacch's senior session and get to hang out for awhile. Check out these blue eyes!

I'm working on his cousin Bethany's session that we did last week so her beautiful face will be here soon as well.

I hope it isn't as long until I see you all again.

Maria

This makes me so happy because it's how I feel that we moms want to see ourselves with our children. The little quiet moments together, the snuggles, the warmth; the peace that comes with having them close to us. Such a favorite image. A lot of these are Maria with her mama Kelly. So glad to have this job spending time out in the grass on beautiful days with great people. :)