We arrived at the hospital only to have the nurse tell me that I was too small to be having a baby.  She checked and checked and finally after about 2 hours I was admitted and put on pitocin.  I have this wonderful photo of me smiling joyously and unexpectedly in the hospital before I went into full labor (I am sparing you details).  Six hours later and lots of this wonderful drug called pitocin, our beautiful 4 pound baby girl was born.  We gushed over her teenyness and beauty.  We oogled over whose features she had and then she was whisked away to the NICU.  At that moment I had not realized how premature our baby was.  Although she was the biggest in intensive care, there were other issues that we dealt with in the next 4 weeks of her life.  This amazing motherly bond was bread within me during those weeks.

I relived those first weeks today as Lydia started her first day of school.  “Where did the time go?” my husband asked me.  I always knew it would go fast, so many people had told me, but today a fresh wave of that motherly bond hit.  As we walked out of the parking lot, I realized afresh that she was not my little baby anymore, and would never be.  What had been done to prepare for this day and days to come had been instilled and she was ready.  Probably more than I was.

Seven hours later, I waited with the other parents in the parking lot.  She beamed when she saw me and said “Mom, I love school.  But I love you more!”  Just the words I needed for today.  A glimpse into the heart of my baby…

I get the wonderful privilege of holding them, cuddling them, smelling them and then… handing them back.  I am thankful to get my baby fix through other people.  Having 3 of my own I realize what a precious time it is, and I am thankful to capture the priceless tininess that only lasts for a short time.

Mia was no exception.  She was so sweet and wonderful.  And as she drifted to sleep we got the most wonderful photos.

Here’s to more babies!  ( I have 2 more shoots this week of newborns!!)

And after the ceremony I took the entire wedding party to Highland Hills to do some photos in a park location.  Again, beautifully stunning!

Thank you Joe and Jamie!  It was an honor to capture your day for you!  Best wishes for the future together.

This is not just any fair, it is the GREAT MINNESOTA GET TOGETHER!

Every year Kevin and I go back and forth.  He thinks I am completely crazy to want to spend an entire day with thousands of other people roaming through the sheep and horse barns, eating anything on a stick, AND bringing my 3 kids along with me.   AND I am even crazier to pay over the top prices of food that will most likely clog my arteries and take over a week to burn off because of the calorie content.

To be honest, I really could care less.

Growing up, the fair was not just about the rides, the animals or the people, but more like a turning of the season.  It meant that summer was officially over and fall had to begin.  Back to writing papers, a routine, and a change in the weather.  It meant that snow was about 3 months away rather than 8.  It meant no more sleeping in, and a rigid day of schedules.  Quite frankly, it was something I despised and loved all at the same time.

This year it had the sme affect on me, but in a different way.  I am not the one going back to school, but my daughter.  She starts next Wednesday and I can not figure out if I am so excited or ready to break down and cry.  It is the turning of another season, another corner in my life.  One that I am ready to embark on, but scared at the same time.

So I’ll take those cheese curds, and ice cream and overpriced apples as long as it helps me to face the reality of a turning of the season.  (It just might take a few more trips to the gym this week to burn it all off!)  Happy Friday.

But in the midst of it all, I have been able to connect and reconnect with beautiful families.  I photographed Val and Steph’s extended family last year (HERE) and was able to see them again this year.  It is always a joy to see the kids grow and actually remember you!  They were all such extreme troopers, it was a 90 degree day and the parents did an amazing job at entertaining and keeping the kids smiling.  While running after the kids, I was dripping by the end of the shoot, but it was well worth it for some of the photos we got!  Thanks val and Steph, again, it was an honor and blessing to shoot this valuable time of your lives!

So my internet has been down all weekend….ahhhh.  I am no tech genius, actually far from it, thus the late posting.  But here is a sneak from my weekend.  Gorgeous bride and groom!  I can not wait to show more!