Party of Five

Lauren and I have been friends since our oldest kids were about a year old.  Simone and her daughter Amelia were in the same Kindermusik class.  5 years later, they still loved to play and Lauren and I had begun enjoying some "kid free" lunches and coffee here and there when the kids were at school.

Imagine my surprise when I asked her to meet me for lunch one day and she replied with, "Umm...well...see..I'm sort of on modified bedrest for a little bit.  I'm pregnant with TWINS!"

What?? TWINS?? WHOOHOOO!!!!

On March 5 they welcomed two beautiful sons, making their "party of 3" a "party of 5"

Introducing Grant Allen ~ 7:56am ~ 6 lbs 7 oz

Introducing Owen Michael ~ 7:58am ~ 6 lbs 15 oz

In many ways they are your typical newborns.  They SLEEP.  A LOT.

They cry (not TOO much according to Mom and Dad)

They hang out with their happy, wonderful, and much bigger family!

They have a very proud and protective big sister who will teach them ALL the ropes!

They gaze lovingly at Mommy

Daddy too!

But with twins....there's more.  I've always loved the squishy features of newborns, their powdery baby smell, their softness, etc.  However, in no way was I prepared for double the heart melting.  With twins, you see the love and the chemistry BETWEEN them.  It was amazing.

They seem to always be touching at one or more places on their bodies.  Sometimes it's while sleeping

Or cuddling

Or plotting to take over the world together (or maybe how to steal Amelia's toys in about a year)

There's always someone to chew on if you get hungry for a mid-morning snack (this CRACKED ME UP)

And if your parents are going to dress you in silly outfits, at least you're not alone!?

Congratulations to your entire family!!  I was so happy to meet the newest members!

Welcome Kostas!

Time flies when you are having fun shooting, learning and practicing!  I am coming up on my one year anniversary of starting this blog.  My very first post is of my neighbor Andreas.  He turned 2 and I had fun with him and his parents Kevin and Irma over in their yard.  I wasn't totally happy with the results, so I attempted a second shoot about a week later and felt better about them.  Well, he's almost 3 and now he is a proud BIG BROTHER!  Kevin and Irma welcomed baby Kostas Athanasios on June 14, 2011.  Irma finally has her "Greek Baby".  We laugh all the time because she is one big dominant DNA helix and yet Andreas looks like Daddy!  She was always telling me that her babies should look like my Simone.  Well, now she has her dark skinned, dark haired little boy.  Enjoy!  He is absolutely perfect!  We love our new neighbor and we look forward to lots of fun with him in the years to come.

Awake, content, and bright-eyed for his first photo shoot.  What a pro!

At 15 days old, Kostas wasn't quite as "moldable" as a sleepy 4-day-old, but we still got him all snuggled up

Mmm.....I like this nice soft blanket, Miss Dana!

He is enthralled with his Mommy.  Aren't all babies?  Mommies are the best!

Even though he is darker like Mommy, I think he looks like Daddy here!

Irma said I was going to yell at her since Kostas is 15 days old and she has taken NO pictures with him.  Well, here we go - you have now remedied that situation.

This is my absolute favorite image of the day.

Left: I'm DONE!  ~ Right: Oh?  I can snuggle Mommy?  Ok, then you can take a few more.  I'm all good now.

Nope, I'm done! (And every mom needs an adorable screaming baby shot)

Welcome Baby Mia

You've met Chloe on my blog several times.  She is the super awesome daughter of my friends Beth and Mark.  Last week, the family welcomed a brand new princess into their lives!  Welcome Mia Caroline.  I'm so glad to have met you today!

Life as you know it will never be the same.  Welcome to being a family of four.  Enjoy every single minute!

My favorite shot of the day.  Pure newborn sleepy bliss.....

Left: GIMME THE MILK, MOM!  Right: Ahhh....much better...

This was one laid back little girl.  She slept 99% of the time.  This was the best I could get of her opening her eyes.  I may have to go back in a week once she starts to really wake up!

Mom and Dad are clearly smitten

Baby chub is the best ever

Beth has always been gorgeous but being a mommy of two beautiful girls makes her even more radiant.

Mark may have his arms wrapped around Mia now, but I have a feeling it won't be long before he's wrapped around her finger instead!

I love baby toes!

Just beautiful

Welcome Clare!

Back in late January, I attempted my first maternity photos.  Julie and Steve were nice enough to come and let me practice on their baby bump!  Now.....less than a month later, we have a new neighbor on the street! 

Welcome to Clare Kathleen, born on February 17, 2011 at 10:35am.  Kudos to Julie for giving birth to her since she was 9 lbs 3 oz and 22 inches long!  Holy big baby, Batman!

Before and After - Julie looks amazing 13 days post partum and even more in love with her daughter!  I love the eye contact between the two girls in the after picture.

I arrived at the house at 9:30 and Clare was super alert and happy.  500 flashes later, not so much ;)

Awesome head control for 13 days, and like most newborns, totally in love with her mother.

Clare was happiest all swaddled up in this blanket.  She was completely "chill"

Sweet little girl

Oh sure, stick your tongue out at me cutie!  I got back at her by making her work as a model for an hour and a half.  By the end of that, she was completely sacked out.

The "ring on the toes" shot was very important to Steve and Julie.  Steve even left his wedding ring behind today so that I could capture it.  Talk about pressure!

<3

 

 

I asked Julie's permision to post this one, because...you know....every parent needs a picture of their new one flicking off the camera!  I didn't even realize she did it until I looked throught the RAW images.  We'll pair it with a perfectly angelic sleeping Clare so that we show her "Miss Manners" side too!

Thanks for letting me come over today, Julie!  Congratulations on having the newest kid on the block!