Thursday, September 27, 2012

Isaiah's one year photos.

 I took these photos a few weeks ago but it has been a busy time of year photo wise so I am just getting around to posting these, Isaiah's one year photos. I spent most of my time chasing him around trying to snap a shot of him actually looking at the camera, and when we were finished I was not feeling like I'd gotten very many of those... so I was pleasantly surprised once I went through them! 





This boy. He is always on the go. Into everything. Toddling around like a drunken sailor. teetering on one chubby ankle before landing on his bottom, over and over again, getting back up usually with a grin on his face to go again. Climbing everything, just because it's there. He's like a tank, so broad, so solid. 



 There's an ornery little grin for you right there. 


He's got at least six words that are clear right now: mama, dada, pup-pup (for zion) hi, buh-bye (said like a little southern boy), and more (always in reference to food!) He says moo for cows, and makes car and horsey noises. He started making a "cheese" face for pictures within the last week or so. He understands me when I talk to him, the other day I asked him to go pick up his sippy cup on the other side of the room and bring it to mommy. No hesitation, he did just that. That night I asked him to go sit in his little chair so I could take a picture. He went and climbed in his chair and turned to me with his "cheese" face. It is so cool seeing him respond and communicate. 

Such Joy!! 
Love those little toes



He was not a fan of hats. 

Those blue eyes and perfect little lips! 


Going on an adventure. 


This is a typical posture for him, he always crosses his ankles when he sits. When he gets mad or frustrated he grabs his one foot and pulls it up to his chest. 

More adventures. 



Love my little explorer. 

These two shots are probably my favorites from the day. They were the last few we took, and I almost gave up before we got these smiles. (I'll show you the first few shots below) I remember when I was younger I hoped that if there was one word people would use to describe my life someday it would be passionate. I'm not sure if that's what people would say about me or not, but it's definitely a good description of Isaiah. He experiences every emotion to the extreme. If he gets his little feelings hurt he will lay himself down on the floor, sprawl his arms and legs, and cry like the world is falling apart into the carpet. But 30 seconds later he will be fine, a little bundle of joy and energy again. He has the highest pitched shriek, we have nick-named him pterodactyl. 
He loves to be chased, he loves to play with the big boys, he likes to play "where's Isaiah?" and be tickled. He likes to be held but not necessarily snuggled... Only when he's tired will he lay still in my arms. He loves remotes and phones and anything electronic. He likes to rip things apart, empty things out, knock things over... but I see a more intentional quality in him coming out now too. He loves books, turning pages carefully, examining things in his hands before throwing them. And his little chair he got for his birthday is "his" spot... He lounges in it like a little man. And he tries to push Drew out of it if Drew sits in it. 
Speaking of pushing, if he wants mommy and I am holding him and anyone else gets too close he will push or wave them away. He hugs my neck now. He is my little chubby sweetness. 
I love this boy. He is much more difficult and requires much more energy than Drew did at his age,  but  I would never want to reign in his little personality that is so unique and outgoing. He says hi to everyone as we go through the grocery store. He is un-inhibited. He is a mama's boy. He melts my heart. 

And now for a glimpse into those emotions I talked about earlier : 



And then a couple shots later I had those sunbeam smiles. There's my passionate boy for you. 
:)


Tuesday, September 25, 2012

Darren & Steph: Engagement Bliss :)

Darren and Steph. So perfect for each other. 


My brother in law, Darren, asked me if I'd do their engagement photos someday before they were even engaged. So I'd been brainstorming for awhile :) What I loved about this shoot was that they were basically on a date and I was following them around capturing their love and interaction for fun. I gave them a little instruction here and there, but I mostly just let them go with it and tried to be invisible. :) They did amazing. 

I think part of what makes their relationship so special is the long road they have walked to get to this point. They fell in love back in 2008, but living on opposite sides of the country can make it hard. Besides that, God had a lot of things to take them through individually before they would truly be ready for each other. But in the back of their hearts and minds they never had completely let go of each other, and still held a piece of each other's hearts. Three years would go by before their love would become official again. But this time all you had to do was see the look on Darren's face when he talked about her to know that she was the one. Distance wouldn't hold them back this time. One time Steph told me that after years of knowing Darren, whether being in a relationship with him or not, he was always consistent. She said finding a guy with a heart of gold is rare, and that's what he had. She got this faraway look in her eyes when she talked about him. It was so sweet. 
They know that it is God that brought them back together. 
They know that they are committed. 
They are thankful they are not missing out on this once in a lifetime love. 
They are beautiful together. 

No one ever said love is easy. They just say it's worth it. 
SO worth it. :) 



beautiful golden sunlight 





sweet contentment. just being together. 


Gorgeous Girl. Handsome Boy. 









Love this one :) Checking out her bling together :) 










Playful :) 






These two! They could model! 


Blue. Brown. 

It's just real. :)

Wedding date carved into a tree :) 







We had a perfect evening for these photos, and every time I go through them I just get giddy over how genuine and real each photo feels... because it is. :) Darren & Steph, I am so excited for your wedding, for your life together to begin, for you to experience all the awesome ways marriage will change you and draw you closer together and closer to Jesus. I love you guys!!!