Ryan is turning one in just a few short days, and I got to spend some time with him and his beautiful parents this week. Poor little guy is working on some teeth, and despite our best efforts wasn’t so sure of my big ol’ camera. He’s super cute though, so it didn’t even matter!
A kiss and some snuggles with mom was the best way for us to end this session. Check out his sweet little tummy showing.. I just love it.
I’ve been wracking my brain all morning trying to think of the best way to describe this family to you. A family that is so incredibly special to me, and to so many others. A family that loves each other fiercely, and plays together… truly enjoying their time with one another. A family that gives of their time so generously and opens their home to so many. A couple that still look at each other with as though they’re in the early stages of dating despite having 12 years of marriage under their belts. A husband who calls his wife “Rubia” with the sweetest inflection in his voice in reference to her gorgeous red hair. A woman who I admire as a mother, a teacher, a christian and a friend… who I trust so completely with my children, and whom I am ridiculously lucky to have in my life.
I realized that no matter how I phrased it, my words wouldn’t do them justice, but I hope that these pictures do. This family is beautiful, in every sense of the word.
I mentioned the word beautiful, right?!?
Sometimes in life, the focus has to be on the kids
and sometimes it has to be on each other.
Francisco and Jennifer know that though… you see what I mean about the way they look at each other? The way their arms are so gently intertwined… and then in the next minute the way they laugh together.
Oh, and PS – they get an A+++ for family outfit coordination. Perfection!
C and I are lucky enough to be part of a great group of friends who are sort of all in the same place in life… either pregnant with #2 or having just had our second. It’s wonderful to have people who really understand where you are and don’t bat an eyelash when your toddler throws themselves on the floor in hysterics for the third time that day. Not that *my* child would ever do that (yes, I’m rolling my eyes as I type that).
Kate is one of the newest additions to our little circle of friends, and I got to meet her the other day and hang out with her mom (who I adore!).
Love her little smile here…
and lastly… Kate on a plate. I couldn’t resist. ;)
This little guy made me work for it… I had the white noise machine blaring, despite the shushing and patting, and nursing breaks, he wanted nothing to do with his sleepy newborn shoot. A few hours, lots of snuggle time with mom, the heater on blast, and he couldn’t fight it any longer. He finally fell asleep, and oh was it worth the wait.
tiny parts… I love that little big toe sticking up in the air.
The past week has been rough in the Acosta household. In three days time, we went to the Dr’s office three times and the emergency room once. L.A. had croup, and P2 had a fever so high it had me sweating. We were scheduled to go away for a long weekend, and Thursday night that seemed like it might be a possibility, as L.A. appeared on the mend. Friday afternoon rolled around though, and it became clear that P2 was now the sick one, and L.A. really wasn’t doing as well as we’d thought. As I lugged both kids out of the Dr’s office for the third time, I was frustrated. With the situation, with the Dr, at the fact that we were missing out on a big family reunion we’d all looked forward to, with L.A. for throwing a fit as we walked out of the office, but most of all frustrated with myself for not having as much patience as I thought I would as a Mom.
I finally got both of them in the car, poured myself into the front seat and turned the car on when my eyes welled up. I tried to hold back the tears, but they came. I cried quietly for a moment and then wiped my tears away and glanced in the rearview mirror to see L.A. with the giant sticker he got as we walked out stuck to his ear. Despite his comical appearance, his face was studying my reflection intently, and with concern.
“Mama, Boo-Boo?” he asked. ”No honey, Mommy’s okay”, I answered with a smile. And the truth is, in that moment, I was. For every bad day as a Mom, there are 10 good ones. For every moment where I’m sure I could pull my hair out, there are 300 of joy. In that moment that I realized my child has learned empathy, and that matters to me a whole heck of a lot more than my frustration.
I spend countless hours crouched over other peoples brand new babies with my white noise machine blaring, the heater on high, shushing, and patting their backs to try to get them to sleep in this position while I’m photographing them. My little guy? This is how he prefers to nap… on his belly in his boppy with those little hands tucked under his chin.
For the photography buffs out there… this picture was taken in my nearly pitch black living room at ISO 6400. Lovin‘ the new 5DMII.
All babies are special, and all babies are an amazing gift, but there’s something so moving about meeting a new baby whose parents waited and longed for. To see Olivia’s mom holding her in her arms with such a content smile was wonderful. Olivia is a dream, and I must have said “I love her” no less than 700 times. Usually, when I’m putting together a sneak peek, I pull out 3 or 4 images that I really love and get them up here. I just couldn’t choose this time, so here’s almost half the gallery! S & T – congratulations on your little girl, you are going to be wonderful parents!
I have long believed that when someone passes, they take on important roles in heaven. This quote is from a song that Olivia’s grandmother used to sing to Olivia’s mom when she was young, and though her grandmother isn’t here today, I’m certain that she has cradled Olivia in her arms. I love how Olivia stretches her little arms and legs up here as if to agree, “I AM an angel from above”.
I got to meet with this beautiful family Saturday Morning at Elizabeth Park, one of my favorite locations to shoot at this time of year. Despite the fact that there was a marathon being run through the park, we were able to tuck ourselves away and grab some great pictures. Thank you so much for spending the morning with me!
Will was not so sure about me or my big black camera, but I managed to snag a few of his cute face despite his best efforts at avoidance!
The love these kiddos had for their Grandparents was sooo apparent!
The only one that was really interested in getting her picture taken was Miss Emma, who was quite the ham!
…and one of my favorite impromptu moments of the day…
