Back in the dark ages, before facebook, instagram, and digital, there was a thing called film.  In order to see your pictures you had to print them (What? craziness you say!  Nope, true story.).  It doesn't seem that long ago when moms carried brag books and news brides took their wedding albums with them to show for a few weeks after getting it back.  My mom's wedding albums consisted of about 25 8x10s.  My two best friends got an album with 4x5s and 4x6s.  Things have come a long way baby!  Not only are images projected around the world through social media, but albums are works of art.  To see your wedding day laid out in a storybook held in your hands is way better than any facebook album could be!

The album company I use (Finao) is a green company.  The do everything they can to be responsible and sustainable.

Well, I didn't really do one for this week.  We were way too busy with birthday celebrations.  Here is one that I did snap this week that put me in mind of a thirst for knowledge.  Ada and another baby checking each other out.  It's funny how little kids are curious about each other.  If there are two little ones around, especially if they are new to each other, they always have to check out the other one.

At this exact moment last year I was in the hospital.  The next day our Ada was born.  It's hard to comprehend that she's one year old.  Boy, what a year!  My friend Carrie recently blogged about how your life changes when you become a parent....not just the no time, can't do what you want to stuff, but the things you don't realize fully until you're a parent.  Yep, there's those cliches about how your going to be exhausted, how schedules change, you won't sleep....they are cliches for a reason.  We've had sleepless nights, in those early days we've had no time to eat, we're home before 7pm most nights, the house is messier than it used to be, we don't have time to devote to our hobbies or work near as much, and on I could go.  Let me tell you though, it's SO worth it!  Ada is so, so, so awesome!  She's funny, she loves books, she loves funny noises, she likes to dance, she thinks clapping is so exciting, she loves clothes on the hanger, she hasn't sit down since she learned to walk (9.5 months for first steps--proud mama!), she gives the best hugs, she thinks her daddy is funny, she is a mommy's girl, she loves okra and watermelon, her laugh is the best sound in the world...I could go on and on!  I'm obsessed with her.  This year has been full.  Ada fills us with joy.  We just love, love, LOVE her!!!  I am so proud to be her mommy.  We've learned a lot about being parents (much more to learn).  It's been very exciting to see her grow this year, to see her accomplish new things, to get to know her and see her personality develop.  I'm nervously anxious about her growing up...there are so many things in this world that I don't want her to witness.  I pray everyday that we are the parents God wants us to be.  I'm so very blessed to have Ada as my daughter.  Happy birthday to my beautiful girl!!!


More one year pictures to come later.

Isn't this little guy a super cute six month old?!  And, boy, does he ever have some good expressions.  Wesley is also the first baby with cloth diapers (besides Ada) I've been able to photograph...I think they're so much cuter than disposable.  This was Wesley's first time in the grass....so far so good, right?

Let me introduce my friend, Paxton.  Oh, he's so cute!  He's so perfectly made.  I just love him and his family.  I don't care how many time I see a newborn, I always forget how teeny they are.  This fella weighed about what my Ada did, but it's been over eight months since she was that small.  The way this little boy is packing it in he'll be Ada's size faster than we can imagine.  We went to Paxton's house to do his portraits, and I took Ada along so she could meet everyone (that's not something I normally do, but it was a little different since we're friends...I also took Jeff).  Ada managed to chew about three inches of their coffee table in just under four seconds....yeah, I won't take Ada again until she learns furniture is not a teether.












 

Remember this little guy?  It's Ada's friend, Brady.  Oh my goodness!  I was so excited for this session.  I couldn't wait to see Brady again.  Ada was excited too, but unfortunately fell asleep at Grandma and Grandpa's house for her afternoon nap right as Brady woke up early from his.  I really wanted to get a picture of Brady and Ada together...maybe next time.   Jeff and I met up with Brady and his beautiful sister at the Burt-Stark house.  I don't know if it was the short nap, or the fact he got all dressed up, and Ada didn't show, but Brady wouldn't give me many smiles.  Miranda did some smiling for me, though.

Oh goodness, how cute!  Hayes may already be proving to be a go-getter, it's gonna be my way is THE way little boy.  He surprised everyone and showed up four weeks early, he's already rolled over, and he peed on my wall (hilarious!)  I was so excited to be able to do his newborn pictures.  See his mom and dad are the first of the wedding couples I've photographed to have a baby.  His mom is also awesome in all things hair, and used to cut mine when I didn't live in Greenville.  I know Michal is already a terrific mommy, and John is a great daddy...I do believe this boy really has his dad in his palm.  They are all so sweet together!