Ava- 3 months

Charlie- One Year

The morning started out a little rough. The alarm went off way too early for my liking; I rushed around getting my kids ready for soccer; and finally I zipped off to the place Charlie's mom, Angela, and I had agreed to meet. When I got to Lake Accotink, which I had assured her would be lovely, there was no lake! I discovered that they had drained the lake to work on the dam; so instead, I stared in disbelief at what looked Desert Accotink. I thought of calling Angela; but when I reached into my camera bag, I realized I'd left my cell phone. The title of a favorite childhood book popped into my head. Do you remember "Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day"?!

But before I could start feeling sorry for myself, my day took a turn for the better when Charlie arrived with his parents. Thankfully, they found the humor in our lack of a lake situation, and we were able to make it work beautifully! Charlie was super good-natured, completely adorable, and dressed to the nines. As you can see from some of the pictures, Charlie is also due to be a big brother before the year is out!

With 25 different comments within 5 days on this blog post, Charlie's mom and dad will get to choose a free 5x7...so start those comments coming!!

Julia- {growing}

When I arrived at Julia's house, she was snuggled on the couch, sucking her thumb and clinging to her blankie. I have a special place in my heart for the cuteness of a thumb-sucker since ALL four of my baby's have been lover's of the thumb. Julia was sweet and vivacious, and took thumb breaks at the rate I take coffee breaks.

She also was a tender little momma, often stopping to hold her baby or push it on her tricycle. And like any good 17 month old, she kept me running! Besides Miss Julia, the other thing I was smitten with was her mother's handiwork in the form of a knit tea and cupcakes set. (Joan, if you ever start selling them, I'll be your first customer!)

So here is the blond-haired, blue-eyed tiny beauty they call Julia...

As always, Julia's parents will receive a free 5x7 of their choice if you leave them a little blog love. They just need to get 25 different comments in the next 5 days to be eligible.

Kerri- Maternity

When Kerri contacted me awhile ago, her husband was stationed in Iraq; and she was determined to hold off on her maternity portraits until he arrived home. Sure enough, Kerri made it to our photo shoot just two weeks before she was due to deliver her baby and just one week after her husband Thaddeus had made it safely back into her arms.

Being able to use my lens to capture the images of a soldier freshly back from serving his country, his beautiful wife blossoming with their first baby, and a perfect sunset over the bay on the edge of Fort Belvoir- priceless. I love my job!

If 25 people comment on this post within 5 days, Kerri & Thaddeus will be able to receive a free 5x7.