I write this post with a lump in my throat and blinking back tears. This last year went by entirely too fast.  Exactly a year ago today, at 4:49 pm, I was staring in to this precious face….

I knew I had a pretty baby.  This whole year I have been stopped out in public MANY times over by strangers commenting on her hair, her eyes, her mouth, anything…. What I am super-blessed with, is how amazing Audrey is.  She really, truly is such a happy, jolly, and cuddly baby.  She tries to share her thumb with me.  She doubles over laughing at her brothers.  She loves to sit in my lap and snuggle in.  And. I. Can’t. Get. Enough.

This first photo is my entry for the 52 week project.  The next 2 were taken within the last couple weeks.

This last photo is my favorite.  I can’t get enough of it.  It’s the one going huge on the wall next to her brother’s first birthday portraits.

amazing headband can be found HERE.

Off to bake her very first cupcake.

Normally I would never, in a million years, show a horrid photo of myself online. But, in the importance of story telling… here I go.  Mind you, I did just give birth.   361 days ago, Nate and I were bringing our long-awaited princess home from the hospital.  Out in front of our house the big tree has just dropped all of it’s beautiful pink petals…. and Nate quickly snapped this photo for me….

I remember thinking, I can’t wait to do Audrey’s first birthday portraits in next year’s petals.

So then, there was a year of growth and changes…

And all of a sudden I noticed the tree out front was pregnant with blooms.  Surely, not yet.  Just please wait….  but no, the world kept turning, and those petals dropped.  And in one sunny afternoon, between rain storms I was able to freeze these moments….

My polka-dottie girl in her pink-petal glory.   Full circle, one year of days.

This past weekend was south of crazy.   One bright spot?  I got to meet and hang with Katharine.  What a serious beauty, a quick to laugh, and a gentle soul.  College is lucky to have her this fall!

Love the edgy nail polish in these!

don’t let these photos fool you.

the oldest one calls the younger his “nemesis.”

But who does he go to, to play with?

who is he whispering his boyhood secrets to, in the dark of night?

wrestling partners

rascals times 2

forever brothers.

1. There is a little miss in this house who is fast approaching her First Birthday.  I am trying not to become weepy, but it’s inevitable.  I’ve always had a hard time with the “first birthdays” and knowing this is our last first birthday, has me blubbering at everything.  A big party is being planned, and gifts are being bought.  Among her loot will be, a Lisa Leonard necklace, a tea set, a dollhouse, a Wheely Bug, and yes… even a kitchen.   Our princess is spoiled.  Lol.

2.  Because of Audrey’s birthday, I’ve been busy creating more pages for her scrapbook.  Here are a few of my recent digital pages.  I am having them printed 8×8 at ScrapbookPictures.

3.  Something non-related…. I have registered for my first full marathon… the 35th Marine Corps Marathon.  Held on Halloween, I am a big mixture of excitement and fear.   It’s a big race of 30,000, and it sold out in just a few days.   I’ll be starting my hard-core training early in the summer.  My goal is to finish the 26.2 mile race in 3:45.  Hopefully.  Maybe.  (gulp)

an impromptu stop by the side of the road

5 minutes of shooting a few photos

and I have a piece of magic that makes my heart sing!

I am printing this HUGE on canvas, you’d better believe it.

I had the great pleasure of spending a little time with Melan a few afternoons ago…. ya’ll should keep an eye out on your TV screens, b/c this girl is gorgeous and going places! Melan needed some headshots for her acting career, and I’m so tickled she chose me!

What a gorgeous smile, and she was so fun to hang out with!  On related news, it looks like a local Child Modeling and Acting agency has hired me to work with their students and clients and shott their headshots!  This is going to be a very fun venture, and I look forward to creating and working with those little guys!

a self portrait

well… kind of.

it’s been a hint of summer all week long,

I’ve really enjoyed wearing my red ballet flats this week.

This little man stole my heart last weekend.  He’s seriously one of the best babies I’ve worked with in a while.  He’s 3 months young, and already his family’s treasure….

Did he steal your heart too?

Happy Easter from our family to yours!