"Waiting..."

I eluded to this a few weeks ago, and the time was never quite right to follow-through with our big news. But for some reason I feel compelled to share our fabulous news with you tonight and the wait is officially over:

We are adopting!

I know, I know...it's heady stuff. I get the chills every time I type those words. It feels so official putting it out here in bloggy land.

I've been keeping a little blog dedicated just to our adoption journey, and you are welcome to bookmark it, comment, and follow along as we turn our little family of four into a party of five.

There hasn't been a lot of action to this point, just lots of paperwork. We've selected our agency (not that there was any real question of who we would work with), attended orientation in February, and have completed our home study. We are waiting for our background checks to come back, and sent off for our fingerprints yesterday. Which means we are still at least three weeks away from being approved.

But, for whatever reason, tonight feels like the right time to say those three little words.

We are expecting.

We are waiting.

We are thrilled.

We are petrified.

We are adopting.

When Matthew Smiles...

The whole world smiles with him!
This morning was Matthew's 4 month baby plan session. His mommy combined our 2 session "Sweet Beginnings" package (maternity and newborn) with our 3 session "Sugar and Spice" baby plan (3 sessions in the first year). This means I get to see a LOT of Matthew, and I look forward to it like crazy!

For one, his sister Caroline is the munchkin that prompted me to create a baby plan in the first place.

For another, she looks forward to seeing me as much as I look forward to seeing her. I've known her since she was just 4 months old, and there is nothing more special than seeing these sweet babies grow up, learn to sit, crawl, walk, talk, and then become big sisters and brothers to new babies.

It's a special thing, this job I have.

So anyway...Matthew.

He smiles.

A lot.

And I don't mean just with his mouth or cheeks...He smiles with his entire body. Take a look:
And here:
Admit it...you're smiling now too!
He is just a joy! And a bit of a chunk...I can't wait for his next session when we get to showcase all those rolls as he sits up like a big boy!
And when Matthew cries...he cries with his whole body too.

Nash...

Remember that cute little baby bunny from last week? That is baby Nash, resident little brother to the superstar that is Hopper, and hands-down the *easiest* newborn I've ever had the chance to photograph.

I told his mommy more than once to tell me her secret, because I have NEVER EVER worked with an easier little one.

Hopper, however, kept me on my toes. He's a fast one!

Their mommy casually mentioned that they just happen to have this gigantic shell...could we incorporate that?

This is me = Giddy.

Their silk curtains were the perfect backdrop. And again...he slept!Just to prove that Nash really does know how to cry...this is the one time that he expressed dissatisfaction.
And then he rolled over and did this:

Seriously...easiest kid. Ever.

In the immortal words of Lighting McQueen...

"Kachow!"

Here ya go Tracey...take that!

97 words

Speedtest

(I have *seriously*t a life)

Hoppy Easter!

One quick sneak from today's newborn before I head out the door to Houston (because seriously...how could I *not* post this little guy?).

I'll have more in a few days. And they are ALL gorgeous...just get ready for newborn cuteness overload!

Have a great weekend everyone!

ETA: The adorable hat was purchased by this little guy's mom HERE

Spring Break

I have a few posts to create, but this past week has been filled with fun that can be best described with just one word: Tamiflu.

And that, my friends, is all I think I need to say.

On top of that particular brand of family togetherness, this week is spring break, and I have just survived (by the skin of my teeth) spending the entire day, inside, with two stir-crazy kids, as the rain POURED down, while watching the world's slowest clock tick-tock until bedtime arrived.

Tomorrow I'm heading to Houston with my two little ones, and we'll be back late Sunday. To better illustrate the fun that shall be had as we drive for hours-on-end, with just Mommy to torture...take a look at this peek into the life of a sister and brother. Bliss!
When I get back I have an inspiring post about Heroes, a cutie pie newborn to share, and A BIG OL' SALE to announce (It's spring cleaning time!).

Stay tuned!

Until then....here's a little peek into Spring! Before the plague struck our house, we had a great time at the Arboretum...there's nothing as fun as rolling down a grassy hill, dontcha think?
(also a peek into the world of evil color casts...my child is turning into a leprechaun!)

Work it, Wyatt!

This morning brought a special ray of sunshine into an otherwise dark and dreary morning. Mr. Wyatt talked his parents into coming to see me, all the way from College Station.

Okay, so his Mommy is my little sister's best friend. And he is exactly 2 weeks older than my darling nephew.

And those little "in's" are exactly what talked me into dragging out (and dusting off) my studio equipment on a nasty day like today. Add a bright strobe to a little guy that's not used to the this Daylight Savings time-change-a-ma-jig, and I was *shocked* at how much we were able to get.

He was just a supah-star!

I think he looks like a little green pea-in-the-pod on this brown blanket:

And best of all, he only peed twice on my stuff!Okay, so once on my camera...but really, who's counting?

Beck + Ella

A little souvenier (or two) that I picked up in Mexico for the babies...it's such fun to see these finally being worn.


Ella is what her Mommy and Daddy like to call "High Maintenance". And with that-I am EXHAUSTED! Twins are most definitely twice the work. Once we got them to sleep, they were as cooperative as they could be. It was the nursing to sleep and KEEPING them asleep that was the challenge.

I am just so happy for Debbie and Brandon. She even mentioned coming back to work soon...and it took all I had to not fall at her feet and thank her profusely. I think she can tell that I miss her. :)

Andrew...

This morning I had the chance to finally meet this fun little guy. His Mommy has been the recipient of a few gift certificates in the past, and today she cashed them all in for her sweet little man.

We covered a lot of ground in the time that I was there. Andrew was up for anything...exploring the backyard:

Cuddles with Mommy:


Forcing Puppy to cooperate for pictures:


And even cruising down the halls on his tractor (I guess Puppy was the navigator). This is one busy, happy, well-loved little guy!

When Dad suggested we incorporate his guitar, I was all over it. And when Andrew picked his little guitar up and started *strumming* (no lie-this kid can really strum!)-I was shocked! I love this sweet little father/son moment:
And in the end, we did a little swinging (anything to fight off those naptime blues...which could be a song! On the little guitar! Get after it guys...).

Gold Medal (times TWO!)...

Remember this little gem from last year?

Well, Saturday night it won two gold medals at the annual Parenting Publications awards ceremony for magazines with a circulation of 55,000 or more (as in, the largest cities in the US) .

Interior Photography (Original)
Gold: Dallas Child, "A Portrait of A Modern Birth, February 2007," Jennifer Weintraub, photography;
This tremendous piece of documentary photography puts readers in the birthing room. The immediacy and emotion of the images come through, and it is clear that the photographer gained the subjects’ confidence. The images and the text hold together as a tight package. This is a wonderfully strong story.

Feature Layout (Black & White)
Gold: Dallas Child, "A Portrait of a Modern Birth," Jennifer Weintraub, Photographer;
Elegant photography and typography enhance the beauty of the topic of childbirth. The designer uses plenty of storytelling devices to guide the readers through the package and to invite them into the stories of these two families.

Click HERE for the pdf version

Big, huge, I-owe-you-one thanks go out to fellow photographer and awards ceremony attendee Waynette for calling and texting the night of the ceremony to let me know the piece was not only submitted, but WON GOLD. TWICE!!! I would still be completely unaware that anything had happened if she not recognized my name. XOXO Waynette!!!

NILMDTS in the News...

The Today Show featured a beautiful segment showcasing this amazing charity. I am so proud to play a small part in the work that is done through Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep.

A reunion of sorts...

Today we had a fabulous, fun-filled family session (say that three times fast) with a client that I am always proud to say is one of my favorites. This little one has conquered great odds, and the fact that she is here today to even have a session is no small miracle.

I first heard about Audrey through Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep. Her mommy's best friend contacted me before she was born to see if I would be available to photograph her at the hospital should she not survive. Of course I said yes.

I never did get to do this session, something for which I will be forever grateful.

Instead, a few months later she was home, and to celebrate her life we arranged a session

This is still one of my favorite prints of all time, and one that I display with pride in our viewing room. I plan on always having it up, to remind me of this small miracle.

A few months after that we met, yet again, to turn her precious face into one of the cutest billboards in Dallas.

I was bummed to not have been able to squeeze them in during the Christmas rush, but we made up that today.

And boy, Audrey sure has come a long way since that first time I met her. For starters, she is no longer the sleepy, cooperative newborn. This girl has some spunk!