So it's time to take a little break.  We continue to add to our family, I continue to add to my professional plate and this blog has sadly taken a back seat.  My hope is that someday...things will be a little less crazy so I can pick back up.  For the time being, I'm going to be taking a little blogging break!! 

GLEN ELLYN PORTRAIT PHOTOGRAPHER

I have been shooting this beautiful family since their sweet little girl Emma was inside her mama's belly.  Love getting to watch these kiddos grow.  And also a lot of fun when you can be fun of some VERY important announcements!!

My nephew has arrived!!!

NAPERVILLE NEWBORN PHOTOGRAPHER

This has to be my favorite blog post since posting about my own littles...meet my NEPHEW ...the one and only Declan Dean!! This baby boy looks SO much like my brother Dan when he was tiny...and also an uncanny resemblance to his namesake, our Popo (my grandpa on my mother's side).

More photos to come of this sweet boy!!

Introducing Baby Charlotte

Spent the morning with this gorgeous baby girl and her positively adorable brother and sisters a few weeks back.  A stunning family all around, and this baby girl was just a peach throughout the session!!

Baby Mason 5 days new

Chicago Newborn Photographer

Got to shoot this sweet bundle a few weeks back.  Teeny tiny and oh so precious, he was a total doll to work with!!

Welcome to the world sweet Penelope!

CHICAGO NEWBORN PHOTOGRAPHER

How gorgeous is this tiny little one?  Penelope Cate was just about 4 days new for our session and was just so sweet to work with!  After her newborn session we got a few shots in with her big brothers.  I love to shoot this family because they are all so darn good looking and the camera just adores them :)  Congrats to the entire Bennett family on your sweet baby girl!

Welcome to the world Baby Beckett!

Oak Park Newborn Photographer

This sweet little guy was just 5 days new when we shot his newborn session at his parents home in Oak Park...he was such a little doll baby!  Congrats Jen and Jason on another beautiful little boy!

Happy Birthday Baby Abigail!

Chicago Portrait Photographer

I have had the pleasure of shooting this sweet girl since she was just a few days old. Hard to believe she is already 1!!  She gets cuter and cuter, more smiley and animated every time I see her...such a joy to be able to capture these milestones along the way!  Thanks to her Mom and Dad for allowing me to document this first year!

Portraits in the Lou

St. Louis Portrait Photographer

Spent a morning in Tower Grove Park and the Botanical Gardens in St. Louis with this gorgeous family a few weeks back.   They were such troopers...given that we managed to pick the hottest day of the summer!  As you can see...playing in the fountain by the end of the session was absolutely necessary!  Have known Mom and Dad since college and it was so fun to see their big beautiful family.

Welcome sweet Harper!

Bolingbrook Newborn Photographer

This tiny one was such an angel during our shoot.  Barely stirred the entire time...really just such a dream to work with!  And big brother and sister were so sweet with her!  This is one very loved little girl!  Welcome to the world Harper James!

Happy 2nd Birthday to my heart!

I had THE BEST day with this little girl.

Wish daddy could have joined, but he was tied up with work.  So the two of us set out to have a very special birthday day, complete with balloons and picnics in the park...all of her favorite foods...playing in the pool and of course ending the day with Birthday cake once daddy came home!

How does time pass so quickly? She was our tiny babe like...a moment ago...and now...she is this toddler who talks non-stop, loves to sing songs like "You are my Sunshine," "Do Re Mi" and "Happy Birthday"...insists on holding the dog leash when we take walks...runs to give me kisses anytime she hears me say ouch, even if it's all the way from the other side of the house (because---of course, kisses are what makes boo boos better).  She has already learned the art of stalling (before bedtime especially), bartering ("How about just one more piece of cheese?") and so many other tricks I have lost count.

I have to say I adore this phase. Toddlers can be tough as hell at times...but geez do they know how to grab hold of your heart in a way that you just cannot possibly prepare for!  Happy Birthday sweet girl.  Daddy and I love you to the moon and back.