Blog

measure her life in love

2009-11-30T04:59:11Z

It's no secret how much I love and miss our wee sprout of a daughter (whom we lost at birth due to serious brain malformations). And it's in this dull, throbbing ache of missing her that kindness is the only thing that makes sense anymore.

Please know that I'm sharing this without any expectation--simply because I know that many people look for ways to reach out to others during the holiday season. My husband and I felt the Pajama Program was the perfect, tangible way for us to celebrate Sarah's birthday with our son...and also share the sweet spirit I so deeply sensed during our brief time together with as many children as possible. ♥

i remember way back then when everything was true

2009-11-23T22:36:43Z

Oh, how time slips through our fingers. It really does. In the midst of the diapers and the oh-it's-naptime and the dribbly spoonfulls and the rhythm of the day (and night).

Every time I looked over these images, I was moved to one utterance: OH FOR CUTE! Because, really? How can you resist three of the most darling little girls who, because they are all 20 months and younger (yes, please send all sanity vibes to Mom and Dad), still have that delicious baby chub? The CHEEKS. The THIGHS. The pudgy, kissable LIPS. Again, I offer: OH FOR CUTE!

I loved spending time with this family so very much. While Mom and Dad had very broad intentions of how what kind of images they were hoping to get, I was able to play with them enough to get photos just enough off the beaten path. And I about stood on my head to make Katie, their eldest, smile at me. She made me work for it! This little one is truly in the "it has to be her idea" mode, as the nearing two-year-olds often are. Trying to get her to dance was hysterical! But then? When she did? Ohhh. Just oh. Such sweetness and tenderness, as you'll see. It was really almost too much for me to bear.

Thank you so very, very much, Max and Jiling! Your sweetiepies are such a treasure. I hope I was able to slow down the moment enough for you to take a breath and take stock of just how blessed you all are. But the lovely thing is, I know that you already know. ♥

The sun risin', dangle in the golden and fair, in the sky

2009-11-23T08:36:01Z

Kelly and Brian have very classic and sophisticated taste...and three vivacious boys in their midst. So, to put a photo session together that suits their style, it amused me totally to see the moments unfold with each of their sons last weekend. Their silly, whimsical nature spoke to my heart. Kelly, not to worry, there are plenty more frame-worthy images in your gallery. But I just had to highlight my favorite moments!

(Can you believe the boys' photo above on the left was THEIR OWN idea!?! I was impressed. Little stylists in the making!)

Thanks, Brian and Kelly, for having me out and enjoying your family again!!!

this bit of yellow could be a leaf or a beam of light

2009-11-19T04:17:20Z

Truly, it astounds me when two people can get together and create such a beautiful family. Marlene and Chuck have managed to not only raise three positively gorgeous girls, but watching them from a distance on the afternoon of our session, they STILL have a twinkle in their eyes for each other. Still! ♥ I just adored spending time with all of them. And their girls are as beautiful on the inside as they are on the outside. Just made me beam...

Chuck was adorable when he watched the girls gather for this shot. "Who's the Mom in there?" he jested. Truly, Marlene blends right in with her daughters. I loved it. He is a lucky, lucky man.

In the midst of switching off for individual portraits, a neighbor's pup came to join us. Does Gracie not look in total bliss to be doted upon? I couldn't help myself.

Marlene and Chuck, thanks for allowing me the chance to revel in the midst of your amazingly wonderful family! ♥

how the heart approaches what it yearns

2009-11-16T04:33:07Z

A huuuge thanks to my clients for being patient with me as I lived through the flu and resulting bronchitis. Goodness knows we've all had our share of bugs this fall, but it's these moments when I would downright kill to have an assistant of some kind, as I don't like anyone having to play the understanding card!

That said, I'm geeked to share with you one of my returning families...one whole year older! Patrick, Kelly and JT were such loves with me that Saturday morning. And although their parents weren't counting on being featured in their session highlight, I just had to include these moments I snuck. They're so endearing to me and speak volumes about their family. It's not going to be very much longer that all three kids will be able to pile into Daddy's lap (and so spontaneously!)...

(I just loved the moment below. Kelly was waiting oh so patiently for her brothers to pay attention to her reading a story. Do I see a major in education in her future?)

and i long for this mirrored perspective

2009-11-05T04:36:39Z

I couldn't help myself. Had to post. ♥

right past the fireflies that sleep in my heart

2009-11-04T05:03:34Z

Kaitlyn is sheer brilliance. I'm certain she'll blush when she reads this, but any girl who can have the personality she does, combined with a killer intellect (she's graduating a whole semester early) and has intentions of going pre-med deserves such regard. She's just on fire, that one. I am certain she has made her parents puff out their chests. I had such a spectacular time with her that afternoon at Cantigny. Here are some my favorites moments...

i'm just in awe of what's in front of me

2009-11-02T08:49:32Z

Taffi and Chris are inspiring. They're full of that verve and spunk that certain couples in love have that just makes you wistful and yearning for the days when everything felt so bright and so new. Truly. Their enthusiasm for life is contagious. And the wit! Eeep! I am certain a Sunday afternoon at home is nothing close to boring with them, simply because their engaging hearts always seem to happen upon something new to treasure. I just wholeheartedly enjoy being around them and I cannot wait for their wedding next June!

And this post was supposed to have made its way on here on the 1st (which I'm just a few hours past now...), so my apologies to Taffi. I hope you had a most fabulous birthday, girly!!!

the world is alive now, in and outside our home

2009-11-01T18:33:57Z

In the midst of this late fall chill, these sisters are like a cup of cocoa. I had a very hard time whittling down the amount of photos to share from this family session. These girls just warmed me so. They were (and are!) the physical manifestations of happiness and whimsy. And their parents had such a gentle, knowing way about them...tender and affectionate. Yet again, I struck gold when Mom and Dad *understood* the fact that I like to play with children before we do anything even remotely resembling a posed portrait. Kate and Julia were so much fun! Whether it was "ice skating" on the parquet floors with their blankets or pointing out our locale on the US map painted playfully on the playground or being lovey with their parents with a snuggle or a soccer ball, they just represented pure joy.

wherever you're going, i'm going your way

2009-10-28T04:46:07Z

Back when I held the crazy drawing for a free lifestyle session, I had dreamed up meeting some fun, new client who I would have never had the chance to connect with if it hadn't been for the word-of-mouth of friends. Never did I imagine that, through the magic of Facebook connections, one of my oldest and dearest nursing colleagues would snatch that accolade and send me spiraling down memory lane. Jessica and I were brand new nurses when I started all of those years back...all doe-eyed and full of spunk on the postpartum floor with all of the new mamas and babies. She became my partner-in-crime and one of the main reasons I made it through my first year out of school with a smile on my face. After we left for Ann Arbor for a few years and then I wandered back to Chicago focused in labor & delivery, we'd see each other from time to time, but it was always a game of email catch-up and not the long, knowing hug and big, long update we truly wanted to have in person (I'm sure you're all familiar). Until a few weeks ago!

It was such a thrill to see her email address and connect it with the winning number and know that I would finally get to meet this handsome husband of hers and dote on her darling little girls. Adrian, Maya and Laney just seemed the perfect constellation of love for Jess. It was so great to see her relishing family life...she truly has just lapped it up! It was a great stretch of the morning and I can only hope she enjoys her preview as much as I enjoyed reconnecting. What a brilliant little family! ♥

(I just love how engaged Jess is...this is totally her!)