baby yawns | Cleveland baby photographer

My sweet little one will be 3 months old on Friday. I heard something the other day... "The minutes drag while the years fly by." I think that just about sums up motherhood.

Happy Monday, friends.

Ella, age 2 | Cleveland Child Portrait Photographer

Meet Ella. She's darling. She has the prettiest eyes I've seen in a long time. I met Ella and her mommy almost 6 months ago at a water park. We started chatting while our kids were playing and we found out that we had some mutual friends. Before leaving I gave her my information and since then we've been trying to schedule these photo's. The stars had finally aligned and the result are some images that I'm completely smitten with.

Casey, I hope you love these as much as I do. I can't wait to capture your whole family later this Spring. 

Playroom | Cleveland Area Photographer

When we built our house I had a vision for each room. We were certain that our home projects would be minimal in a brand new home. We were wrong. While we haven't had the same problems that our century home had given us, our new home lacks the incredible character and charm that our previous home boasted.

One room that I've been trying hard to accomplish is the playroom. While it's still a work in progress (beautiful design takes trial, error, and cash), I've made some improvements on the cookie cutter room we were given. We (my husband) added our own wainscoting using this tutorial. And I (me... yep, just me!) painted the remaining walls a beautiful shade called Arrowroot from the Martha Stewart line of paints at The Home Depot. Her paints are all color coordinated so they create a harmony in your home from room to room. Decorating made easy. I love it.

I've been searching for artwork to adorn the walls.  I found the sweetest little etsy shop called Sarah Jane Studios. She's had over 8,000 sales so I suppose it's not exactly a little store. I love her prints. They're perfect. I'm hoping to make a few more purchases for the rest of the wall space but I'm having a tough time deciding which prints I like the most!

A few months ago I found Ana White. I love her. I do. She's incredible. On her page she had plans for a similar design of Land of Nod's Elementary Table. My husband built this table in a few hours.

The garland was inspired by Land of Nod, but I made it using some fishing line and the glittery snowflake ornaments from Target. They've been packed away since this photo was taken. I'll use them again next Christmas.

Photo's are great. They only allow you to see what's been captured. On the wall to the left of the table are some crummy beat up bookshleves that are home to tons of toys. I have plans for building pretty toy storage eventually.

Snow

Last year I  found out that snowflakes really do LOOK like snowflakes. I had never actually looked closely at them before. I'm embarrassed to admit that... but maybe you never knew that either? Maybe there's a Texan who's witnessed snow only once or twice?

Next time you catch the snow falling around you, make sure you take note of how beautiful snow really is. It's incredible.

And... just because she's growing before my eyes, here's one of Felicity.

The R Family | Rocky River, Ohio Newborn Photographer

It was bitter cold when this momma invited me into her home to capture her newest addition. Baby B was bright eyed nearly the entire time I was there. She was heavenly. Calm, snuggly, wrinkly, sweet, just... amazing.  I am in love with newborn photography. It's probably one of my very favorite subjects to capture.  I adore capturing all the sweet little details of new life... how a mother holds her newborn and seeing how gentle new dads are when giving little kisses to their child. Having a baby is so life chaning, so magical and should be captured. There is so much that you forget about those first few days at home with a new baby. In fact I'm a little foggy for the first 3 months after bringing home a new one. (Should I have admitted that seeing as though my newest still isn't quite 3 months?!) 

Can you handle how tiny she is in daddy's hands?

Everyone knows I adore the baby feet. How can anyone NOT love them?!?

Seriously... she's perfection.

Did I mention that this little lady has THREE older sisters? Three very loving, adoring, and funny big sisters.

She  finally fell asleep so we slipped on this sweet little knit hat from Lil Owl Knitts.

Congratulations, "R" family. I hope you enjoy this little peek from our session. Again, thank you SO much for inviting me over. I adore your family.



Madeline is FOUR and very very fancy | Cleveland Children's Photographer

My sweet Madeline turned four yesterday. She walked downstairs in the morning and she asked me if she was four yet. I replied with "yes. how does it feel?" to which she said "it feels amaaaaazing."

Madeline asked for a Fancy Nancy party. Feathers, glitter, sequins, flowers, sparkles... I could do this. I cleared out the Christmas stuff and started decorating straight away. We've been living amongst pink and sparkles for weeks now. I have a 2 month old and I really wanted Madeline to feel special. Her birthday party is SO close to Christmas and she has 2 younger siblings, I didn't want her birthday to get swept away in all the craziness we've been going through. I felt that decorating early would be a good idea so I could accomplish everything I wanted to. It wasn't just a good idea it was a GREAT idea.

Also pictured on the table are wallflowers created using a tutorial on MADE. 

Each little lady had a butterfly mask, Glittery crowns, a giant diamond ring, a pink feather boa, a sweet little tutu and ring pops.

I made bakerella's cake pops. They were a big hit. Candy coated cake? Yes, please! I made Meg's rainbow cupcakes. Except they weren't exactly rainbow. They were pink, lavender and turquoise. I don't think I captured a photo of them but they were YUMMY!

I wish I could have invited all my friends. But again, I wanted this party to be special for Madeline so the guest list was entirely her creation. She invited all of her very best friends. It just so happens that all of her friends have great parents so we all had a good time.

 The little girls (and Madeline's little brother... sorry Jack) all dressed up and listened to Madeline's grandma read Fancy Nancy.

 All the little ones then had their nails and make-up done. Sparkly pink lip gloss, blush, and sparkly pink nail polish. Very Fancy.

Then they sat down for a special tea time. Without tea. I just wasn't sure if her friends would enjoy tea. So we had pink lemonade with heart ice cubes in fancy wine glasses. (How cute is Jack up there sitting with all the ladies in his hot pink bow tie. He's such a stud. And his birthday party will be ALL boy. Poor little guy.)

Doesn't Jack look super cute in his bowtie? I had a custom order through Dooties Booties on etsy.

 Next... came PRESENTS!!! Her friends were VERY generous. And they all seem to know her so well. Each gift was PERFECT for her. She has an amazing time.

Below is Miss Chloe. It was also her birthday. Her momma is my very dear friend Carrie. She's ever so crafty and makes THE COOLEST baby and momma goodies over at Maternal Nest.

And lastly my sweet little Felicity. She's sportin a super cute headband I made before the party started using THIS tutorial. She needed to get fancy, too.