Taking time to smell the flowers.

I got to meet 3 of the cutest little blondies last week for a fun family session.    Beautiful blond curls, pretty blue eyes and lots of spunk – makes for some great photos!  It was so great to finally meet you, Stacy.    You have a gorgeous family!   Here are just a few of my favorites.  Enjoy!

Because big brothers are so funny…

The sound of silence is never good when you have a busy toddler in the house… it can only mean one thing.  Something is up.

Miss Maddy found the soap and decided to wash her hair with it… the bar soap, smooshed between her hands and toes and all lathered up.  I love how it looks like she’s saying  “oh no… what have I done?”

Yes,  it’s true… she loves Starbucks.  After our playdate this morning, I look back to see a very happy Miss Maddy enjoying her little smoothie treat.  There are so many things I love about this “technically imperfect” shot.   Her big giggly grin, the elbow dimples, and those chubby little baby feet…

Our day seemed extra long today.  A certain little sweetie I know decided there are many more exciting things to be doing in this world other than napping.  After a looooong battle, she gave in and took a much needed snooze.  So, after dinner we headed out for a bit.  Being outside can always put a smile on her face. We took a little walk down at the river tonight to pick blackberries.  She definitely did more eating than picking, even robbing Will’s bowl a time or two.

Someday, she will probably be mad at me for this.   To me, there is just nothing cuter than a chubby little baby bum.  She had just finished her nightly bath and was watching for birds out the window.

Sorry, sweet girl… mommy just couldn’t resist sharing this one!

Each day when I go to get her from her nap, she is holding her dear bunny to her face for one last sleepy nuzzle before reaching up for me to take her out of her crib.  Bunny is her best buddy, her lovey, her source of comfort.   “Munny” as she calls him, goes everywhere… dragging behind her.   Someday, he will be forgotten in a toy box somewhere but for now, he is loved.  So loved. Even his weekly washing (it should be daily!)  is a challenge…  you should have seen the horror on her little face when she once caught me tossing him into the dryer!

I wanted to capture this single quiet moment, when  she looks at me with those eyes, holding her bunny … such sweetness.

I looked at my baby today and realized she is not a baby anymore. Time is racing and as much I want to reign it in, I know I can’t.  So, I want to try and freeze those little moments with my photos.  All too often, I try for the “perfect” shot…when really it is the little moments that tug at my heart.

I was inspired to take on the Photo-a-Day challenge by a friend and fellow photographer.  I hope that the little moments I capture of my sweet Maddy bring a smile to your face and remind you to pick up your own camera and capture the simple, everyday joys of childhood.

So, for the next 30 days I will be posting a photo of Miss Maddy each day.  Her world.  The joys, the smiles, the fun and maybe even the fits  (she’s almost 2 remember?)

Day 1 – running around in her footie jammies.  Oh, how  I love the footies… I wish she would never outgrow them. I love the chubby little toddler bodies squeezed in and zipped up tight.   Snuggly and warm…

There is something about photographing seniors that makes me a bit sad… maybe it’s because I’m a mom and I know that these beautiful kids are soon to be all grown up and heading out on their own in the world. Maybe it’s that I know in the blink of an eye I will be watching my own son and daughter graduate from high school. Or maybe it’s just that these young, amazing, beautiful kids just make me feel old!

Meet Whitney, class of 2010. We had a great time last week during her session with lots of clothing changes, an awesome location and my favorite kind of sky – dark and moody. I had a hard time choosing which to post here because you truly take amazing photos, Whitney! I hope you enjoy your sneak peek! And don’t cry Mom… I know she looks so grown up here. *sigh*…

And just a little schedule note, my senior schedule for this fall is completely full! So sorry everyone!  Those of you wanting photos in spring be sure to contact me in January so we can get you on the schedule.    Thanks!