my lovey | dallas child photographer

my little girlie just turned 12.

our labor and delivery was not smooth. it was a bit rough, actually. in fact, i was in so much pain and goofy from the medications that i didnt hold her for hours...until she finally landed with me. i remember holding this itty-bitty bundle and feeling such a warmth in my heart knowing that she was mine...for a minute...it was kind of scary how much i loved this kid.

she snuggled right into me and we seemed to have stayed that way ever since. you know how you hear people say' "oh, she's a daddy's girl?" well, this is my girl. we seem to have this connection. i love that.

she has changed so much. the blonde curls, cute lisp and chubby cheeks are long gone. but the night she turned 12 i snuck into her room while she was sleeping. she was snuggled under her mound of blankets, surrounded by her stuffed animals and clutching her baby. in the dark i could still see the baby she was. i could also see who she is becoming. i am excited for her journey. i am sad for the time that has passed.

i dont know. 12 seems...big, old, independent. she is such a wonderful person. i just hope that as she outgrows her "kid stuff" she just doesnt outgrow the need for a mom hug.

{sniff, sigh}

i love you lovey!!

shy | dallas child photographer

this guy was so shy...but what amazing eyes and an amazing soul. he was so very cute.

hunka chunka man | dallas child photographer

this little guy was so funny. if he was awake, he was eating. if he wasnt eating he was trying to sleep...but that only seemed to work if his mom was holing him. i could have just held him all day and smelled his head.

LOVE the smell of a newborn head :)

(the significance of the box...his family name is johnson...go figure)

growing like a weed | dallas child photographer

isnt she the most adorable little bug? i first met her when her mom called me for a newborn shoot...my first ever! she was the longest baby and simply refused to curl up into a tiny ball. we had this little nest, and it was quite spacious...till we tried to put her in it. we had to settle for her oozing out the side. HA!

now look at her. she is so big now. she makes me chuckle, though. she reminds me a bit of my little gracie - sweet as can be with a touch of mafia.

love you lulu!

cool man | dallas child photographer

i just love when i get to photograph boys. especially at this age. they are just waaay too cool to have their pictures taken. they act like it is such a chore; they are doing you a favor if they look at you...then it happens! they start to enjoy it. this cutie-pie started "helping" me figure out where to take the next shot...how he should stand, etc.

LOVE that...

an open book | dallas child photographer

kids are so funny to me.

if they are happy, they show it. if they aren't...well...they are not shy about letting you know. this little bug had the sweetest smile and the cutest scowl. she is definitely her own "woman" and knows what she wants - and doesnt want. :)

love | dallas child photographer

i fell in love with this little boy. even though he refused to look at me. even though he repeatedly tried to turn his back on me in protest. i LOVED this kid. he had, quite possibly, the sweetest face and the sweetest smile and the sweetest disposition.

his sister...she is the 3rd kiddo that i have photographed lately that reminds me of my little niece who lives far, far away. so...she immediately felt special to me. her mom warned me that she may be a tough customer but i kid you not, the moment she hopped out of the car we were friends. goof ball friends...which is waay better than BFF's.

thanks guys for making me smile!