It was chilly and rainy outside the day I came to play, kind of a bummer for a spring time toddler shoot.  But if I’ve learned anything from the four hundred times I’ve read The Cat in the Hat aloud over the past few months, its that you don’t have to go outside to have fun.  (Not to gloss over some very valuable lessons about leaving your children unattended or allowing strangers into your home : don’t plan on eating the cake you baked and your fish will likely need therapy, among other potential mishaps and dangers.  But let’s focus on the indoor fun part of the book.)

Tracy and Pierre give Thing 1 and Thing 2 a run for their money.  As I wrote to Pierre in an email following our session, every kid should be so lucky when it comes to the parents they inherit.  Tracy and Pierre are, without a doubt, one of the most dynamic duos I’ve ever had the pleasure to witness and document.  Its no wonder that Julien is such a loving, inquisitive and intelligent child.  He’s learning from the best.

Music is a big part of this family’s life and so is family band time…

Not to mention dance parties…

One of Julien’s favorite things to do is play run-around-the-kitchen-island, I love how every family makes up their own unique games.  Here’s the gist:  one parent chases Julien around the kitchen until he dives into the lap of the other.  It sure looks fun and I’m pretty sure the parents win that game every time.

Don’t forget hide-and-go-seek…

And yes, fellow photogs, I was aware of the garbage can in these photos.  But if I had moved it, what would Julien have hidden behind?  I think its OK to throw out the rules sometimes, no pun intended.  Well… maybe it was.

We tried to get outside, we blew some bubbles on the back porch…

We also hit the playground across the street though it was a rather short lived visit.  Julien told us it was too cold for him and there was no arguing with that.  At least there was enough time for me to see some mad soccer skills!

It was such a fun day.  Here’s a slideshow with my favs and to see all the fun, check out the gallery with all the goodness I couldn’t quite squeeze in.  My hope is that these photos spark a little something in  you.  I know its been a lousy day at work and I know how worn out you are feeling at the end of the day.  But when its time to go home tonight and shed your heels or tie, cast your weariness off along with them and make the time to play.  The turn-off-your-phone and throw-it-in-a-drawer kind of playing.  Go outside, throw a ball, blow bubbles, make up a new game, dance a dance, draw a picture, make a music video singing into wooden spoons while playing air guitar.  Silliness is the free gift thrown in with the commitment of parenthood, you are allowed  - encouraged – to be a kid again.  So do it up, full throttle.  It might just make tomorrow a better work day, especially when your coworkers find your music video up on YouTube.  (Free bird!)

Eli, has it really been a year already?

If there’s any measure of how much can change in a mere year, its a baby.  Look whose walking…

And awesome at high fives…

White and yellow lanterns still hung from the ceiling on the first floor of the house, decorated for his party the week before.  A banner that Amber made along with a beautiful antique high chair that she painted yellow just for the occasion remained as well.

We decided to take that chair with us on an adventure so we packed up the car and went off to the local arboretum to get this shot:

I was happy to get these shots of our little nature boy as well:

While my trip began bittersweet (my last shoot for Eli’s first year documentary, sigh), the end was just plain delicious.  On our way home from the gardens we stopped and grabbed cupcakes for the purpose of reenactment.  Everyone was very enthusiastic about this particular photo project, especially Eli…

I was the lucky recipient of a cupcake myself and scarfed it down with comparable enthusiasm before I could even pull out of their driveway… there was no way it was surviving the drive.  Sweet, indeed.  To Amber and Justin, thank you so much for sharing this very special year with your adorable son.  And to Eli, Happy Birthday to you and I hope to see those baby blues again sometime soon!  Here’s a slideshow and the gallery too…

Tina and Duncan had the quintessential Richmond wedding.  The day began at the Linden Row Inn where everyone got ready before heading to the stunning Cathedral of the Sacred Heart for the ceremony.  Before the reception we stole away to Libby Hill Park for a few photos before meeting everyone at the beautiful and historic Bolling Haxall House where the reception was held.  And after a bubble send off, everyone including the couple walked back to Linden Row for an after party, undaunted by the rain.  Somehow these two managed to pull off a wedding that was elegant, classic, personal, fun and laid back all at the same time.

Every detail was so lovely from the bridemaids’ champagne colored dresses to the peonies in a hue of deep pink I’ve never even seen before.  But it was Tina and Duncan themselves who really drew us in with their joy.  Talk about two of the nicest, easy going and gracious people we could ever want to shoot for, they had us at hello.  And we weren’t the only ones feeling the love that day but I think the pictures tell it best.

So here you go, the slideshow with some of our favs… We love their song and only wish it was longer so we could cram some more imagery in!  But you’ll get the gist.  And if you would like to be notified by email when the gallery with all their images is available for viewing, click here.  Congrats, Tina and Duncan!

It seemed more like summer than spring when we met up at Maymont to take a walk amidst the pretty flowers.  Tulips should have been in bloom but it seems that everything these days, with the exception of me, is ahead of schedule.

I can’t believe how much wee little Lucy has grown!

First, Lucy struck a pose.  Then Trey decided to join in…

Then there was a little peek-a-bench…

I have such a soft spot for Trey, he’s so sweet and curious and he loves trucks almost as much as my boy.  OK, probably just as much.  And like my son, he’s still getting the hang of blowing bubbles.  I asked him to blow so many that he ran out of wind and had to sit down for a few minutes to catch his breath!

Luckily, he had a buddy to sit with.

We found a shady spot to sit, play, and enjoy the buttercups.  Trey wanted to count them all but decided to play ball instead.

Trey is such a good share-er:

In fact, there was just a whole lot of love all over the place…

It was such a great day with such a great family, here’s a slideshow set to a perfect song and here’s the gallery if you would like to check out the rest.

Baby Palmer is just four weeks old here but already so loved within his kingdom.  Big sisters Anna and Lauren are amazing with him…

These two photos epitomize the world in which sweet Palmer was born into: girls with frocks and bows and nail polish and princesses on their walls.  It will be so much fun to see trucks and trains and airplanes join the mix, finally these well dressed lady dolls will have access to various modes of transportation!

Sisters are funny.  These two photos are taken in the same place in their backyard but at two different times, neither prompted, just a pose struck when they looked back and saw me holding a camera.  I feel like I get just a little more insight into who these two little girls are each time I take their picture.

While the girls played outside I got to steal away a little time with the proud parents and their newest addition.

I enjoy each visit more and more and hope to see this crew again soon.  Here’s a slideshow from the day and click here to see a gallery with all the photos.  Congrats, Chrystal and Rick, on the arrival of your very beautiful son!

Simply put, the story of Adem and Sue inspires me.

We all internalize the song as children.  The one that goes, “First comes love, then comes marriage, then comes so-and-so with the baby carriage.”  First we use the lyrics to taunt and embarrass our friends.  Then we grow up and realize that the great enterprise of life doesn’t always process our requests in a timely fashion or in the order they were received.  Its a song that knows how to sting when it wants to.

Sue knew she wanted to be a mom but the road twisted and turned.  It took years of crushing disappointment and heartbreaking decisions before it wound its way to Utah, where this beautiful baby boy was born.

She was chosen by Adem’s birth mother and she was there the day he was born.  When Sue walked into the hospital room five months ago, Adem’s birth mother handed him to her to hold.  Sue sends her updates from time to time, they still stay in touch.

There is no greater gift than Adem is to Sue and Sue is to Adem.  I think you can see that in these photos.

Sue’s pups have taken Adem right into the pack, I loved watching them dutifully follow Sue as she carried Adem around the house.  Wherever she sat, they sat.  Even Scout, the oldest of the pack, has a crush on Adem.

One word describes Adem: dreamboat.  Or is that two words? Dream boat?

If only I could buy mascara in the color Adem:

I’ve heard of bedroom eyes but this kid has bathtub eyes…

Sue gave me a list of songs to choose from for her slideshow and I went with “These Roads Don’t Move” by Jay Farrar & Benjamin Gibbard.  The chorus is, “These roads don’t move.  You’re the one that moves.”  Could the answer to questions so close to my own heart be just that simple?   Perhaps destiny isn’t about blessings or curses, lucky or unlucky.  Perhaps destiny isn’t dished out.  Perhaps its something we travel towards, stumbling awkward as a drunk on a Saturday night.  Perhaps its something we earn somehow.

A big, huge, congratulations to Sue and Adem both!  Adem’s adoption becomes final in just a few short weeks.

And if you are considering adoption for your family, Sue is happy to share her experience (holler at me and I’ll get you in touch) and wanted to share the following resources:

http://c2adopt.com

http://www.adoptionadviceandguidance.com/index.html

Our Chosen Child, LLC (a service for preparing adoption profiles)

The Adoption Center of Choice

And here’s a link I wish to share as well, written by a friend about 5 things you can do when doors are closing. (P, I have read this more times than I can count.  Thank you.)  May you find your open window.  Even if you don’t think you can squeeze your rear end through it, I’ll bet you can.  I’m rooting for you.

Its not often that I combine a paid gig with an event on my own social calendar.  But when it comes to the lovely parties thrown by the Williamson twins, you simply don’t turn down an invitation.  Not when you come home to find it hanging on your doorknob!  (Sam is going to hate me for posting this, we’ve been talking about replacing our front door for years, but what a craft-tastic idea!)

So we followed the signs…

And found the most lovely refreshments awaiting us on her back porch.  Carolyn and Catherine made baskets for each of the children, complete with a plush bunny, bug finder and egg shaped sippy cup that my son tore into way too fast for me to photograph.

As a group, we jointly made two observations: 1.) the Easter egg sippy cup looked more like a friendly hand grenade and 2.) Michael’s jacket made him look like a game show host!

The kids waited patiently for Carolyn to open the gate to the courtyard and then the games/adorableness began!

The youngest of the hunters was also the smartest.  Just wait for the other kids to do the work and then steal their baskets!

The fun wasn’t over once the eggs were collected, a playhouse to color sat in the backyard along with big bouncy balls, bubbles and trees to climb.

And a few impromptu family photos!

Even one of us…

Such a fantastic way to spend a Sunday morning with neighbors and friends.  We hope your spring has been every bit as hippity, hoppity, and happity so far…  (Oh, and I did make a slideshow!)

Remember these two?  Well now they are three and as I pulled up to their home to meet two week old Piper for the first time I was greeted at the door with a cheerful sign made by neighbors:

Even Gibson seems to approve…

Piper’s lovely nursery is now complete.  The cast Ali made of her pregnant belly sits beside the rocker and became a piece de resistance as I took pictures.  It always seems so impossible to believe that this tiny little person was living in there, and in this instance not but three weeks prior!  What a difference a mere three weeks can make in life.

Ali and Michael are already such pros, they have taken to parenthood with admirable calmness and confidence.  Michael has already mastered the football hold for fussy moments…

And Ali has the magic comfort touch, Piper just melts into her.

I thought we could do a few spring time shots in the backyard as Piper napped.  I couldn’t help but juxtapose young, budding plants with weathered, rooted trees.  Cliche?  Yup.  But pretty and sweet still featuring a shade of green that only spring can truly deliver.

My favorite place to shoot though, crazy as it may sound, was their kitchen.  The wooden windows were all thrown open, bathing the white walls of the room in late afternoon light.  I think a lot of families knock down walls in their kitchens to achieve the feeling inherent to Ali and Michael’s kitchen: airy, inspiring, inviting, a hub.

As you can see, the kitchen worked its magic:

Gibson, once again, was ready for his close up!

Newborn shoots are the best because all I really have to do is watch parents as they watch their babies.  As a new parent,  you just can’t stop looking into that face, studying it, you can’t believe that its real and so pure.  Works for me!

I know that newborns can’t, physiologically speaking, see very much but Piper has the aura of seeing everything.  Or maybe she just knows how to take it all in.

Ali asked me if Beyonce’s Halo would be a weird selection for the slideshow but, as you can see, it couldn’t be more perfect – just like Piper.  Here’s a gallery with all the stuff I couldn’t squeeze into the show.  Congrats, y’all.  Thank you for everything you share and I can’t wait to see y’all again soon…

What a great way to kick off our 2012 weddings!  Carter and Andrew were married at the fabulous Science Museum of Virginia which took over Richmond’s former Union Station.  One very unique feature of this venue is the ability to pair a soft, vintage feel (matching the exterior) with vibrant, fun color (matching the interior):

The ceremony took place on the mezzanine underneath a lovely lace chuppah.  We snagged the couple directly following the ceremony to make use of the remaining daylight before the sun set.

When portraits we finished we found the atrium transformed into a wonderland:

The amazing Windy Jennings designed the event and stayed handy on deck to make sure everything went off without a hitch.  We love that girl…

Despite the beauty of the event itself, it was Carter, Andrew and their families and friends who made this so memorable and truly stole the show.  Who could ask for more?

Here’s the slideshow with our favs from the day and if you would like to be notified when all the photos are available for viewing, click here. Congrats, once again, to you both!

(I’ve had permission to share this for a long time but its taken months to find my voice.)

Dearest Reyna:  The leaves danced in the road the day you were born.  The sun was warm on my shoulder but the air was brisk.  We had waited for your birth day to come for so long, so much longer than nine months.

Your mother asked me to come over and take a few pictures before she and your dad left for the hospital that morning.   I am so grateful for these pictures but they were hard on me.  Hard to see my sister so swollen and uncomfortable.  Hard to see the wall she put up to protect herself as she protected you crumble as hope, joy and gratitude rushed in through the cracks.

Your mother is so very strong.  If there’s one thing she didn’t appear to be feeling during our shoot or at any other point during the day, it was fear.  The fear was over and done with.  She and your dad were just so ready to meet you.

Your room was prepared and everything was packed: you’ll learn this but your mother and I are so different!  She’s so organized and on top of everything… me, not so much.  But we’re both sentimental.  I was especially touched by the words she chose for your walls and the things your father hung in your room and carried with him to protect you.

This is what it was like in the hours before you were born.

The day had been chosen by the doctors, completely arbitrarily.  Your mother insisted on saying this to everyone she knew for fear someone might think she deliberately chose a boutique birthday like 11-11-11 when all she cared about was your safe delivery.  Turns out, it was written in the stars even before the doctors had a say.  It was two Christmas’ ago when your parents lost their second baby, this one at 17 weeks, to an incompetent cervix.  In the darkest weeks of grief and confusion that followed their loss, your father remembers your mother saying to him, “Its weird but every time I look at the clock it says 11:11.  Morning, night, it doesn’t matter, that’s always what it says.  Don’t you think that’s weird?”  He did, because it was.  Everything was weird and nothing was right, nothing was just and nothing made sense.  He remembered this strange detail and he reminded your mother of it when she came back from her doctor’s appointment and told him the day they chose.  Your parents kept that part of the story to themselves until you were born.

I don’t know all of what it took for your parents to get to 11-11-11.  The medical records reflect a myriad of procedures and new surgeries.  Through my eyes, though, it was a journey made up of one act of love after another, one leap of faith to the next.  Step by step, hand in hand on a tight rope.  I think this is why your middle name is Joy.

The rest of your family stood on the shore waving them on but feeling helpless.  We didn’t have a map or a GPS or anything to offer them except for our hope.  We tried our best to be a ballast.  The last time we had gathered as a family in the waiting area of the labor and delivery ward at Fairfax Hospital was truly one of the saddest, hardest days of my entire life.  It went without saying that we would all gather in the same place again for one of the very happiest days.  You have no idea what it meant for us to be together again in that place, waiting for you.  While I was disappointed that I wasn’t allowed in the delivery room to photograph your arrival, I am glad I was with the family to witness their reactions when your father texted your first picture to us from the delivery room.  I’m only sad that you can’t see my own reaction… it was hard to pick up the camera when all I wanted to do was pull the cell phone towards me and gawk at that picture of you!

Your grandfathers cried:

Your grandmothers exclaimed how big and strong you were!

In short, we were completely and totally freaking out…

The first photos I took of you were hurried, a nurse was drawing blood from your foot and trying her best to shoo me out.  They needed to take you to the NICU but we were determined to get just one glimpse before they did.  I couldn’t believe how much you looked like your cousin the day he was born.

And as for the outpouring of love… I don’t think they’ve ever had so many happy people packed into one room in the postpartum ward!  I was sure they were going to kick us all out!

Of course I will share more pictures of you here and everywhere.  Never forget: miracles happen because you are a miracle.

Here’s the slideshow I made them.  Fun fact: your parents saw Andrea Bocelli perform this song live on their first date night after you were born.

For families who are having difficulty conceiving, have experienced miscarriage or infant loss, are considering transabdominal cerclage for their next pregnancy or have a baby in the NICU, my sister and I want to share the following links.  This is hard but you are strong and you are definitely not alone.

http://www.iamtheface.org/

http://www.abbyloopers.org/index.htm

http://www.ivfconnections.com/

http://forums.fertilitycommunity.com/vitro-fertilization-ivf/

http://www.shareyourstory.org/

And if you know someone who might find this story hopeful, please pass this link along.