Lots of Babies!

I've been attending this mom's group since I was pregnant with my little Brienna. I know I speak for most of us when I say this group is my lifesaver! Being a new mom has a lot of challenges. Especially when you are operating on little or no sleep... It's hard to manage when you can't even think clearly. These mom's are always there for new perspectives, ideas and of course lots of encouragement!

Many thanks to Donna & Patty, our wonderful group leaders!

We had our Christmas party today and I was able to capture a few of these cute kiddo's!

 

 

There's more! Just go here.

3 V 3 Orlando Tournaments

We were at the UCF 3v3 Tournament for Orlando soccer players on Saturday! It was huge.. In fact it was way bigger than I even imagined! Next year I'll be bringing some fellow photographers with me to capture more of the days events. So neat to see so many families together watching their kids and cheering on their teams! For those of you who attended if you would like to view and or purchase prints you can do so here.

Our Family Thanksgiving!!

I believe we would all agree to say Thanksgiving is our favorite holiday. Well except for the kids. I'm pretty sure they would say Christmas is their favorite. The smell of Thanksgiving as it pours out of the oven and off the stove. Turkey, stuffing, gravy, corn fresh from the stalk and pies galore! The rumbling of laughter as family comes together. The stories we tell as we reminisce on the last months we have been apart. Warm hugs and embraces. The holidays have begun!

 

This year was even more special to me. My brother usually only comes home for Thanksgiving and Christmas. This year he not only brought his girlfriend Amber, whom we all seem to love!

but he met Brienna for the first time! I expected him to act 'manly' but he scooped her right up. I've got to say that is a side of him I am just not used to. Maybe it's Amber who has helped bring this caring side out of him..

Cute right..!

I think the only near silence we hear is when we have all sat down to eat. In which case you may hear a lot of 'chewing' and 'um this is so good'.

 

This is Brienna's first Thanksgiving. She was very spoiled today. Held, rocked and kissed all day long.

It seems to be a tradition. I have to admit. I look forward to it just to hear Jason and Eddie laugh. We all sit down to watch 'Griswold Family Christmas'. At every turn of the movie Jason states, 'This is my favorite part" as he quotes it.

 This year my mom bought a gingerbread house for the kids to work on. I'm pretty sure they ate more icing then what made it on the gingerbread.

This was their beautiful creations.. Although I'm pretty sure none of us will eat them. Those fingers of theirs were probably licked more times than I can count, and I don't recall them washing them... hahaha

Good job guys!

Holidays take on a whole new meaning now that little Brienna has joined us. I believe she had a great first Thanksgiving. After loosing our first baby through miscarriage I am ever so thankful for our precious gift from God. Besides the gift of salvation, family is the most important thing to me. Every single one of them has a very special place in my heart. Onward - Christmas!

Baby Luke

Congratulations Ryan Hilary and big sister Wendy. Luke is here!

Hilary was my doula and was pregnant when my little Brienna was born. It was great to finally meet Luke!

He is 3 weeks old and already has so many expressions!  

I had so much fun taking pictures of him! When we arrived he was so cozy in his little swing. I almost didn't want to bother him... Almost... He is so cute I couldn't wait to get my camera out. He doesn't like to be bundled up. Every time we tried to put him in the cocoon he would try to stretch right out of it!

 This is what he thought of the sling.

 Wendy, Luke's big sister is so adorable. I was taking a few test shots when she squeaked, "cheese'. She loves taking photo's and being around her baby brother. Of course she tries to crawl all over Luke. Hilary told her she could go take a bath. In which case she got extremely excited and started yelling, "bath!" What a good dad Ryan is. He scooped her right up and took her for her bath. I didn't hear a squeak out of her after that.

This is my favorite! I love baby feet.

YUP! You are reading his onesie correctly. Luke was born at home with the help of a midwife.

These were taken by my amazing assistant Miss Kaylee!

 

Happy Holidays?... already!?

It will be here before we know it! And before some of us are ready... The holidays! I LOVE the Holiday Season. The cool crisp air, family gatherings, the smell of Christmas trees! These are a few of my favorite things.

Holiday Promotion!
You will get a portrait session and 50, 4x8 Holiday Greeting cards with envelopes for $100.00.
Book before October 24th and receive an additional $25.00 off!
Here are a few cards that you will be able to select from!

Hey Baby!

Its been a wild adventure that has brought us to this point! We are so excited to say that Brienna Elise was born June 28th at 12:30pm. She was 8lbs and 20 1/2 inches long. She was stubborn to say the least. After three days of labor and a few complications she decided to finally join us.

Eddie and I after much consideration and research decided to have a homebirth. What an amazing experience. In the comfort of our home with the help of a midwife and a doula I did what I thought was going to be impossible... Labor.... We've all heard it so many times, but now I truly understand. 'It was worth it.





Brienna is already 2 1/2 months old. Her smiles melt my heart and her goo's are music to my ears. I couldn't love her anymore. I've kissed sleeping and hot meals goodbye. I see my mom and sister in a different light. They are my role models. My inspiration.
I always knew Eddie would be an amazing father, but he has taken my breath away. He is my team mate in the crazy thing called 'parenting'.
I never realized the joy that comes with parenting. I look at Brienna and tell her she can do anything her heart desires when she grows up. And I mean it... I heard that so many times from my mom and dad, but I don't think I truly understood them. She has an amazing life ahead of her. We will beam at her accomplishments and pick her up when she falls. As of now I couldn't be more proud of her. She smiles, talks, and holds her head up. Funny how these little things bring us so much joy. I can't help but think of all the other things we will be proud of her for. The fun is just beginning!

Kevin & Katie

I have had the privilege and joy to get to know Katie before her wedding day. It was such an honor to photograph their wedding.
Kevin and Katie are one of the cutest couples I have met in a long time. On their wedding day its all they could do to stop gazing at each other. So filled with joy and excitement to be able to share the rest of their lives with each other. It was unmistakable the love that they shared!
Usually during the wedding day we are telling the bride and groom to kiss for this photo or that... NOT Kevin and Katie.. They couldn't stop kissing! We had to tell them it was ok and that's exactly what we wanted. lol! What an amazing day. Congratulations Mr & Mrs. O'brien.

Here is a sneak peek!



Love beach pictures!




They were so much fun!


This one is definitely one of my favorites!