Crista Acosta Photography »

Sweet Girl starts her first day of second grade today.  She woke up early, and I could tell already that she was a little nervous.  She’s had so many changes in the last year, and starting a new school is (hopefully) one of the last.  So this morning after everyone was all dressed, I put tiny hearts on all of our hands (well, except for the tiny guy who was too busy playing to be bothered) in a pledge of solidarity, so that if S.G. is feeling a little scared or unsure, she can look down at her hand and know that we’re all right there.  Supporting her, and loving her.

We all walked down to the bus stop together, butterflies floating around our tummies.  When the bus pulled up, she squished into C’s arms for one last big hug of encouragement and then bravely climbed up.  We waved goodbye and I choked back tears… hoping and praying that her first day is nothing short of amazing.  As we walked back home, L.A. looked up at me and said, “Mama, are you gonna cry when I get on the bus to go to kindygarden?”  Yes, yes little guy… I sure am.

The string of beautiful pregnant mamas that I’ve had lately have now started to produce some adorable newborns.  I’ve been busy snuggling, rocking and photographing lots of brand new little ones, and loving every minute of it.  Here is Lydia, who decided to make her arrival while we were away on vacation.  I was a tad worried about the timing of her newborn session, but in the end, on a super rainy day, she slept like an angel for me.

Monkey baby, Monkalicious, Monkamonk, Monkabear, Monka Monka burnin’ love, Monkamoo.  I love this boy, and I am so grateful that I’ve had this summer to watch him grow.  From my shy little snuggle bug, to this boy suddenly exploding with vocabulary and personality, I am blessed.  Blessed to have had these last few weeks where a combo of vacation and daycare being closed afforded me a ton of time to spend with the kiddos.  Sure there were days that were stressful, and there may or may not have been a day or two that I felt I was just a horrible mother who wasn’t cut out to do this whole parenting thing… but here we are on the other side of that, and they’re back to their lives of part time daycare, and I find myself missing them.

This little dude especially, he has changed so so much since the spring… This little face is more and more boy and less and less baby.  Lucky for me, he has yet to relinquish his title as the house snuggler, and I’ll hang onto that as long as I can.  Man, it goes by too fast.  (and yes, some day I know he’ll despise all my ridiculous nicknames for him, so for now I’ll live it up.)

Every so often I am blessed to walk into the home of a new client as a stranger, and walk out feeling like I’ve known their family forever.  Camryn’s parents and adorable older brother were exactly that mix.  Though I only spent a few hours with them, I called C on my way home and gushed about how wonderful they were.

Camryn was the absolute picture of perfection, just happily snoozing away.  K & M – congratulations on your beautiful little girl.  I can’t wait to see her as she grows over the next year!

When my friend and fellow photographer Jacob Bergmeier whispered to me at one of our networking meetings that his wife was pregnant and they wanted me to do their newborn pictures, I all but squealed in delight.  It’s always an honor when another photographer chooses to have you photograph them, but in our circle it’s even more so.  There are a ton of amazing photographers in Connecticut, with Jacob being among some of the most talented.  He could have absolutely done Lillian’s newborn pictures himself, and the fact that they chose me to capture their baby girl was very sweet.  Though she tried to give me a run for my money, I soaked up all those baby snuggles until she fell fast asleep.  Congratulations Jake and Diana, your daughter is beautiful and your love for one another is amazing to witness.

I hadn’t seen Zoe since last fall when she was still just a tiny peanut, and here she is at almost a year old walking all over the place and joking around with the sweetest little personality you could ask for.  I’ve said it before, but it needs to be said again – I LOVE my Baby Planners… getting to watch a child grow and change within that first year of their life is such an incredible honor.  Surely it seems once you have children the years fly by far too quickly, but none is as special or notable as that first year.  To think a mere 12 months ago she was just a few pounds of squishy newborn love.  D & L, thank you so much for letting me share in Zoe’s first year!!

Sweet Bree with the sparkliest blue eyes I’ve ever seen in my life!  I absolutely love this little girl, and can’t wait to see her again when she’s a year old!

This is hands down one of my favorite families to photograph.  I’ve been photographing big brother Will since he was just days old, and it’s such a pleasure now to see him take on the role of the older brother with such gusto.  He loves little Henry, and how could you not – with those big sparkly eyes and kissable cheeks?

Just for laughs (and because I know his mama has a good sense of humor) – to all you moms out there who worry during our session that your children aren’t cooperating after you’ve carefully chosen their outfits and set aside the time for pictures… I promise that I will find moments of beauty in between.  Here’s what I’m pretty sure Henry really thought of me.  Any guesses as to what the thought bubble above his head would have said?