Okay- admit it- you are totally smiling right now, right? I mean, look at that little grin!

I love to capture families just as they are. First thing in the morning, pajamas on, in the bed snuggling wrestling. It doesn’t get much better than that. Years from now, these are the times you are going to want to remember the most. The moments with all the giggles and smiles and boundless energy.

Of course, it is always a plus if you clean up nicely and we can get a picture of your gorgeous family outside too.  And this family cleaned up nicely!

I love boys being boys! Aren’t they handsome? I think Katy’s phone is going to be ringing off the hook when they hit the teenage years.

This was one of the first images from my session with the gorgeous M family, and I knew right when I took it that it was going to be a fun session. Mr. J and his sister Miss H were full of energy, and come on- have you ever seen such a gorgeous family? Magazine cover material- I’m telling you!

I had so much fun chasing following the kiddos on the trail at Creekside in Gahanna. I love catching moments like this one, because mom is always amazed that I got them to stay still. Toddlers are fast, but I am faster!

Are you feeling the love? Because I am! I love this one:

I always love when families are up for something a little different. The next image is one of my favorites from the session:

And of course, since we were at Creekside- we had to go splash in the water. This one is another favorite:

Even when she wasn’t smiling, she still stole the show. Look at those gorgeous eyes!

We even let her lovey join in the fun!

I will be doing a session with Miss June’s family in August and I can’t wait!

2. Wes has been officially crawling on his hands and knees for over a week now. He is using his prowess to get in to everything and climb and pull up on things. I am in for it!

3. My poor teething baby is getting 2 top teeth at the same time. He chews on everything and now willingly takes the tylenol he used to spit out.

4. Evan is now completely potty-trained. He declared one day about 2 weeks ago that he wanted to wear underwear, and we never looked back. Even overnight! I am so proud of my big boy! When he sets his mind to something there is no stopping him.

5. The best sound in the world is hearing Evan encourage his little brother. “You can do it Wes! Great job, Wes- I knew you could do it! Way to go little buddy!” It actually brings tears to my eyes to type that it makes me so proud.

6. Before his naps and before bed, Evan always asks what we will do when he wakes up, and what we will dream about. He always remembers too, so I have to be careful not to deviate from the plan.

7. Evan has been starting conversations with everyone lately. “So, what did you dream about Mommy?”, “So, Daddy- how was your lunch today?”, “So Omi, what are Grampa and Molly doing today?” I don’t know where he gets this from… certainly not me…

8. See that picture? That is on Father’s Day at North Star Cafe. Chris is telling Evan not to tell anyone that we just let him have a chocolate cookie for breakfast. (He had some sausage too, don’t worry.) I love the way Chris and Evan interact.

9. At that same breakfast, Evan declared “Mom, I just peed in the urinal and it was AWESOME! I’m gonna ask Santa for a urinal for Christmas!” This got a few good laughs from the adjacent tables.

10. Speaking of urinals, I got to see the one at Target today after Evan refused to go to the bathroom in the ladies room. Bless the nice man who made sure the coast was clear for me. Oh, and if you wanted to know- it was surprisingly clean. I guess I always thought the men’s room would be stinky!

It is still hard for me to believe that Wes is 8 months old already. The time has flown by. So, what should you know about my littlest man?

1. His favorite song is “Three Little Birds” by Bob Marley. It always calms him down. If you try to sing anything else- he cries.

2. He just got his first two teeth last week. I will miss his gummy smile.

3. He is just discovering the joys of being mobile and I will often catch him army-crawling as fast as he can towards any object he is not supposed to have.

4. His hair is sort of blond- especially in the sunlight. I am not sure where that came from, but I love my blond-haired blue-eyed boy.
‘
5. When I hold him on my hip, he pat-pat-pats his little hand on my chest. It makes me melt.

6. He has slept in my arms every night since he was born, and I wouldn’t have it any other way. There is nothing better than waking up to your sweet baby in your arms.

7. Sometimes he laughs in his sleep. It makes me wonder what he is dreaming about.

8. He is not crazy about food- but he loves to drink water from a sippy-cup.

9. When he gets excited- he lifts up his arms by his head and shakes them. It is like he can’t contain the glee!

10. He is such a calm, laid-back baby. It is impossible to be around him and not feel at-ease. In a family full of high-strung first borns- he is a welcome edition!

I know I shouldn’t play favorites- but I can’t help it! I just love photographing Miss Maggie and her family. I did her mom’s
maternity portraits, and then got to photograph Maggie as a newborn. I didn’t think it was possible for Maggie to get any cuter- but she did! I just loved everything about this session- from their clothes to their smiles- it was a photographers dream! Thank you for letting me capture your beautiful family!