Happy Father's Day

We had a very Happy Father's Day yesterday!  Not only did we get to celebrate my husband's second Father's Day with our little guy (he was just 9 weeks old last year), but we also had the grandparents in town for a quick visit, too.  Our sweet boy has the most devoted, loving, and patient father a boy could ask for.  My husband's own dad has set a solid example of a loving and devoted father, for which we are both grateful. Looking at the photo below, I'm not sure who is more smitten: Papa or grandson?  I think it may be a tie!

Thank you, honey, for being such a wonderful and loving father to our boy.  We are both lucky to have you in our lives!

Welcome Beautiful Little One | Los Angeles Newborn Photographer

I love documenting maternity and newborn sessions.  I feel so lucky to get a glimpse of the excitement and anticipation of the parents-to-be while they are waiting for the arrival of their new baby.  The wonder and awe is very real and yet indescribable.  But the best part is when they proudly introduce me to their bundle once they arrive.  A new level of awe and wonder abounds.  I could not have been more excited to share in this awe and wonder with my brother and sister-in-law. I had the priveledge of photographing my brother and sister-in-law a few months ago while they were still expecting.   I also had the honor of documenting their sweet little Olivia once she arrived.  She is perfect in every way, I love her like my own, and she was so precious that I could have cuddled her all day long.  Sean and Melissa are already amazingly loving, devoted, and giving parents and she is so blessed to have them.  I'm so excited for our kiddos to grow up together being friends like us.  Without further ado, here are several favorites from when she was just five days new.

Melissa is already an incredible mother and you can tell that this little one is so content to simply be in her mama's arms.

I love this new-dad-look-of-awe that my brother has while gazing at his beautiful daughter.

You melt my heart, little one.

Being this cute is pretty exhausting work, as you can see. ;-)

Happy First Birthday to My Baby Boy

Wow. One year old today. I keep asking myself where an entire year has gone.  During the newborn stage time was creeping by and I was in constant state of sleepless, mommy-fatigue.  Once he started interacting with us {and sleeping a bit more} time started flying past at high speed.  I can't express how much I love my little guy.  He helped me become a mother.  It has not been an easy journey, but it has been so meaningful and amazing. I enjoy that right now we are having a lot of fun laughing together.  He's developing such a funny sense of humor and he's my little sidekick. Happy first birthday, Little One, I will love you forever!

Thanks to the amazing Melissa, of Melissa Lyn Photography, for capturing these fun cake shots and family portraits to document this first year of our little one's life.

Happy Easter!

Happy Easter from our littlest Easter bunny!  We brought our little one to hunt for Easter Eggs this weekend at a family event at the park.  Poor little guy is cutting his first molars, but that didn't stop him from getting in on the action.  Note all the pictures of him chewing on things... he was trying his hardest to cut those teeth!  It was so funny to see the little babies sharing their Easter eggs with each other.  Some took eggs out of his basket and others dropped their eggs into his basket.  I think he was the most pleased to find the stick to play with and then deposit it into his basket.  Yes, he's all boy!  Between his auntie and his granna, he was all decked out for the event with his bunny outfit and special basket.  I keep thinking about what a difference a year makes.  Last Easter I was in labor about to give birth and this Easter we have a cute little bunny who is one of the biggest joys in our lives.  We just snapped these pictures on our iPhones, but I think we still got some cute ones to remember the day by. Enjoy!!

Weekend Getaway

We recently took our first vacation as a family of three and we had a wonderful time.  Some of the highlights of our weekend trip to Santa Barbara were taking our little one to the zoo for the first time, the best guacamole and margaritas at our favorite local Mexican restaurant, an evening stroll on State Street with Starbucks in hand, the gorgeous weather (of course!), picnicking with some of our dear friends and their little one, and mostly getting some much needed quality time with my two favorite guys. Isn't this view of Santa Barbara Mission beautiful?!

Little hands were very intent upon helping daddy read the map.  It was so cool to be able to see the animals close up - and for this reason, I LOVED the Santa Barbara Zoo.

The blooming flowers at our hotel created a delicious scent to let us know that Spring is on it's way.  I loved the smell of Jasmine wafting through the air!

Exploring our patio... and then trying to taste it all. :-)

I adore this little face who just woke up from his nap.  He's such a sweet, cuddly little guy - especially when he first wakes up.  I can't get enough of him, even with his silly bed head and paci leftover from his nap.

Escaping from the hum-drum of the day-to-day was just what our family needed.  Thank you, Santa Barbara, for being the perfect hostess!