Crista Acosta Photography »

There are some couples that are just meant to be together… and there are some couples I was just meant to meet.  Ashley’s mom lives across the street from C and I, and if I’m being honest, she’s pretty much the reason we bought this house.  We had looked at about 20 different homes, but as we were looking at this one she came over and introduced herself and told us all about the neighborhood.  It was exactly what we were looking for, and more.  So when she contacted me back in January about possibly photographing her daughter’s wedding I was thrilled.

When I met Charlie and Ashley, it went from thrilled to over the moon.  These two are so kind and sweet, completely in love, and gorgeous to boot.  When we met on Tuesday night at Elizabeth Park, Ashley said “we’re not models or anything…” Um, honey – I beg to differ.  I CAN’T wait for your wedding this September!!

L.A.,

I can’t count the number of times your thoughts and expressions have caught me off guard in these last few weeks.  When you were first born I held you in my arms and marveled at how incredibly perfect you were.  I watched cautiously as you took your first steps, and I silently cheered you on as you learned to speak in sentences – often times repeating the same word over and over as your brain worked at warp speed to catch up with your mouth.  These days though, you’ve got most things working together.

You run laps around your Dad and I, and love when we chase you around outside – dissolving in a fit of contagious laughter when you’re caught.  When you want to play monsters and I feign being afraid you completely stop the game to come put your hand on my shoulder and look deep into my eyes with concern saying “It’s otay Mommy, they nice monsters.”  You’ve developed such an amazing sense of compassion.  Though it’s painful, I actually love when your little feet pitter patter into our room at quarter to 5 in the morning and you say in your tiny voice “Hi Mommy!  I just waked up” as you climb up into our big bed, kiss my forehead and sling your arm over me before you fall back asleep.

I’m not going to lie, there are mornings I wish our door had a lock.  Your new obsession with super heroes, while cute, is a little unnerving when you decide you should try to jump and fly on our bed (at 5am).  Yesterday your brother was napping and I ran to the post office only to come back and find you and your Daddy running around and climbing all over our back yard.  When I pulled in the driveway you stopped for a second to look over at me and shouted “Look Mommy!  We’re SUPER DUPER!!” with a squeal of delight.

You’re not afraid of anything, you’re headstrong and stubborn, you hate to be told that you can’t do something, and you always want to run with the big kids.  Despite all of that, you have one of the sweetest little hearts I know.  You continue to amaze us every single day.  I just hope many years from now that you always remember that you’re Super Duper, little guy.  I don’t want anyone or anything to take that away from you.

All my love,

Mommy

PS – Do me just one favor though?  Let’s stop trying to jump down the stairs/off the rock wall/into the pool when your parent’s heads are turned for a second?  I admire your sense of adventure, but I really don’t want to end up in the hospital. Okay?  I love you.

I shouldn’t blog it aloud, because Murphy’s Law says if I do, then I’m in for it.  However, I have had such a string of perfectly sleepy and adorable newborns lately, I just can’t get over the luck.  Caitlin was no exception.  Born into a beautiful family, I met her at their gorgeous home for her newborn portraits.  It was about a bajillion degrees that day, and I’m certain it helped this sweet girl sleep like a dream.

She’s here!! When I first laid eyes on this little munchkin, I could NOT get over how much she looks exactly like her little brother did at his newborn session.  Genetics are a pretty amazing thing, I swear if they aren’t labeled the baby pictures for these two will get mixed up twenty years from now.  K & D – you make some beauuutiful children!

I spend a lot of time behind the camera, rare are family photos that include me, and even more rare are photos of just C and I.  When one of my photographer friends, Amy Ro of Amy Ro Photography in RI announced she wanted to expand her portfolio, I half jokingly replied to her.  Several emails later we set it up, and here they are!

I am so in love… with my husband, with these images, and with the emotion that she captured.  Thank you Amy!!!

There is something so special about those last few weeks before your first child is born.  Those remaining days where it’s just the two of you, and everything is still unknown.  It’s in the way your husband places his hand in the small of your back in a gesture of quiet protection.  The way a mother glows with love when talking about meeting her new baby.  These two high school sweethearts fit that role… having dated for ten years, they’ve very much grown up together.  In a moment of down time during our session, Rich was telling me their story and he said “I just got really lucky… I met the most amazing girl when I was a junior in high school and I knew then that I had found it.”  That’s so remarkable, and I wish you guys nothing but the best as your prepare for your little guy’s arrival.  See you in a few weeks!

Oh sweet boy.  Sweet little sleep fighter.  I didn’t think Ryan was going to fall asleep at all at his session.  He was bright eyed and checking out the world.  When he finally did though, he was so cooperative.  It just takes a little patience!