miracle monday, augusta georgia newborn photographer

My sweet friend Ashleigh Dees asked me to help her with a session this weekend with twins. I was so excited when she told me and immediately began thinking of sweet little newborn twin ideas. Later as we talked Ashleigh mentioned that the twins were 7 weeks old. I was so sad. Generally, newborn sessions need to be done within the first ten days of life to get the best "sleepy baby" results. I had settled in my mind on shots of the babies awake, and to my sweet surprise, there was a miracle in store for us. These two beautiful girlies let us get several shots of them with their big beautiful eyes open, and then, out of the blue one sister fell right asleep as we took pictures of her. We posed her and played around, but still never thought that sister number two would get to sleep too, and even if she did, we never thought we could get them BOTH posed! Well, praise the Lord, both girls slept as sweet as little newborns and we had so much fun posing them and playing with fun props! 

Thank you so very much Brooke and Sean for letting me join in on the fun. 

All four of your girls are gorgeous!

Happy Miracle Monday everyone! I hope you all have a great week!

I am Sam

“Would it be fair to say that as a parent, you’ve felt confused from time to time, possibly overwhelmed on occasion, even though you’re a wonderful mother? I know there have been many moments as a parent where I’ve felt I’ve made huge mistakes - mistakes that are huge. And I’ve had to admit them to myself. My husband. Those moments that every parent I’ve ever spoken to has - moments when you’ve felt the task is so unbelievably challenging that you feel retarded, disabled in some way. Moments when you feel everyone has the key but you.”

Michelle Pfeiffer, I Am Sam I am Sam is one of my favorite movies. Maybe it is because I love the story, or because I have a love for people with special needs. Whatever the case, I specifically remember the quote above and I remember  hoping that I would never feel that way as a parent. There are so very many things that I am not good at. I always hoped that being a parent would be the thing I would be really good at. All of my life I just wanted to grow up, get married and have babies.  There are days that I feel like I am a great Mom. I love my babies and play with them, but there are also days like yesterday that make me feel like "I've made huge mistakes-mistakes that are huge". We stood in the dentists office and I nearly broke down in tears as the dentist told me that my baby had an abscess and would need an extraction along with a mini root canal and two crowns! She asked if he was an on demand nurser when he was little. She explained that the pattern on his teeth was typical of an on demand nurser who nursed through the night or drank juice during the night. She was not hurtful, just matter of fact, and the clear fact of the matter was that my babies mouth was hurting and he was about to go through so many painful procedures and it was all my fault. I felt sick to my stomach and knew right then and there that I had already made huge mistakes. It breaks my heart to realize that I am not, nor will I ever be a perfect parent. I try so very hard to be perfect for them, but I need to give myself a reality check. I am not saying that I am off the hook, quite the opposite. I am ashamed, embarrassed and so very heartbroken that my baby will have to endure all of this because of me. I am embarrassed to tell my husband and our family members what my mistake has caused, and I am pretty certain that I will feel ashamed every time I look at the three silver teeth in his mouth. Okay, I am done wallowing in my self pity. One of my favorite quotes for this past year has been, "Learn to look at inconveniences as opportunities." Without a doubt this "inconvenience" will serve as an opportunity for me. This will be an opportunity to show Carson what it looks like when a grown up makes mistakes and to show him what a sincere apology is. I will go ahead and wean Charleston from night time nursing so that she doesn't suffer from the same dental issues. I will cut back on the amount of junk I let my children eat, and floss their teeth more regularly. On an even happier note this was an opportunity for the Lord to show me that he provides even when I doubt. This has been a crazy month for us financially with Adam needing new tires, Charleston having a double ear infection that won't seem to budge and caused us to visit the doctor 4 times, Adam needing a new medication that was expensive, and myself having a doctors visit in the mix as well. I thought to myself, "Lord, how in the world are we going to make this happen? I worried and worried and began to question the Lord. Would you believe that this morning a friend called an offered me a job for a few days that should make a decent income? I could have just buried my head for my doubting... just call me Thomas I suppose :) I am amazed at how many times the Lord proves HImself to me even when I am so very unfaithful.

legacy: Augusta Georgia family and children photographer

Ashlyn and I met through our hubbies who are longtime friends. It is amazing to think about how different we all are from when we first met. We were all young and in love and now we are grown with families. I can't believe how time flies. As I edited these images I kept thinking about the Nicole Nordeman song, Legacy. The chorus says, "I want to leave a legacy. How will they remember me?Did I choose to love? Did I point to you enough to make a mark on things? I want to leave an offering. A child of mercy and grace who blessed Your name unapologetically, And leave that kind of legacy."

The women in these images are absolutely gorgeous, but far more than that, they are beautiful on the inside. I have only met Ashlyn's mom a few times, and this was the first time I met her grandma, but the sweetness just oozes from these ladies. I truly enjoyed the time I got to spend with ya'll. Thank you so much for allowing me to capture these sweet moments Ashlyn! I hope you all love them!

Brantley Family- Christina Anderson Augusta, GA family and children photographer

This sweet family was sooo much fun! I can't say enough how much I love it when kids have their own ideas for sessions. These two were very well mannered and added lots of silly fun to our session. Their new baby brother will be so lucky to have such an awesome family to welcome him home :) Thank you Nicole for letting me capture these sweet moments for your family. You guys are precious and I look forward to seeing you again in the next few months!

..and on a personal note, I told Nicole that I was having a hard time weaning Charleston since I knew she was my last. Jonathan leaned over and told me that I might wanna watch out because that was the same feeling Nicole had with what she thought would be her last baby! :)

Miracle Monday

This past week or so Charleston has struggled with ear infections. One of the medications she was prescribed for the infections caused her to have a rash, so we switched to another and finally ended up with a series of three painful shots. I was informed that the shot a had a numbing medication in it to ease the pain. I was a little nervous because my hubby is highly allergic to certain numbing medications. When he was given the medication as a child his throat began to swell and he could not breath. Luckily, he was at the hospital and they were able to reverse the effects of the medication. More recently he had surgery for a broken nose and the nurse was about to give him his i.v. when I asked her what exactly she was doing and she responded that she was giving him the numbing medication before starting the i.v. I was shocked and informed her quickly that he was allergic to that medication.  She apologized and went ahead with the i.v. without numbing meds. Right after she got the i.v. settled my hubby went stiff, his whole upper body turned yellow and his eyes rolled back in his head. He began to have what looked like a seizure and I freaked out! A few nurses rushed into the room, but none of them were doing a thing! They all just stood there! I told them that I needed to go get a doctor or something because we needed some help! In the long run he was fine, just had a reaction from the fear of needles, and possibility of being injected with something he was highly allergic to, but it was one of the scariest moments I can remember in my life.
Back to Charleston..The doctor suggested that she and I hang out in the office for a good 15 minutes after she received the shot just to make sure that she was fine. She received the shot and then sat in my arms and she nursed for a good 15 minutes (yes I am still nursing my 16 mth old ;)). It was a little scary watching her little chest go up and down, making sure her little lips stayed pinkish red, and praying that the Lord was taking care of her. There are so many times as a parent that I try to control my children's lives. I try to shelter them so much. I want to keep any trace of evil out of their earshot or view. I want them in the best schools, a safe neighborhood,  and protected from anything that may hurt them. As I sat in the doctors office I could not help but remember who is actually in control of my children. No matter how hard I try to protect them, no matter how many things I do, the Lord is in control of my babies lives. That is so very hard to surrender to. I know in my head that He has them in His hands, but I so often, still live like their lives are in my hands. Each breath that they have is a miracle, each moment I have with them is an amazing blessing. Today I will surrender my worries, and my striving for control to the truth that Jesus is in control. I am so thankful for the beauty of life. Each phase from conception through pregnancy, birth, and each amazing developmental milestone of their lives has fascinated me. I think of Abraham and Isaaac. Abraham was willing to surrender his child to the Lord even up to sacrifice. I have clung to my children like little jewels that I want to hide away in my own personal treasure chest, but deep in my heart I want them to have a passionate relationship with Jesus. I know that my relationship with Him grows through trials and my goal is to trust the Lord with them, pray for them, guide them, and give them God focused counsel. I want them to have the opportunity to go through struggles with their Mom and Dad close by to help guide them, and I never want to forget the little miracles they are :)

 I love this section of scripture from Genesis 22

 ⁹ Then they came to the place of which God had told him; and Abraham built the altar there and arranged the wood, and bound his son Isaac and laid him on the altar, on top of the wood. ¹⁰ Abraham stretched out his hand and took the knife to slay his son. ¹¹ But the angel of the LORD called to him from heaven and said, “Abraham, Abraham!” And he said, “Here I am.” ¹² He said, “Do not stretch out your hand against the lad, and do nothing to him; for now I know that you ^[b]fear God, since you have not withheld your son, your only son, from Me.” ¹³Then Abraham raised his eyes and looked, and behold, behind him a ram caught in the thicket by his horns; and Abraham went and took the ram and offered him up for a burnt offering in the place of his son. ¹⁴ Abraham called the name of that place ^[c]The LORD Will Provide, as it is said to this day, “In the mount of the LORD it will^[d]be provided.”

Murray Family- Augusta, GA family photographer

I was thinking about offering a few mini sessions for Martin Luther King Jr day. I was wondering if anyone would want to get out in the cold when Katie called me and asked for a session on that day! Katie, thank you for starting a fun day for me! Your kids were fabulous again, and I am pretty certain that your Avery has a little piece of my heart. She is a photographers dream with all of her sassy poses, Jack was so helpful in getting the others to cooperate, and Grant is just so cute! I really enjoyed meeting "the cousins" and getting to know more of your family. Thank you so very much for allowing me to capture the fun these cousins had together! Oh, and happy early birthday to Sophie, and a special thank you to Connor who had some fabulous posing ideas ;) Thanks you guys!

On a side note, thank you to Mommygrams and More for providing such precious applique shirts. They were super helpful in aiding my ability to remember everyones names!

night and day, the final comparison

You always hear people say that you love your children he same amount, just in different ways. 

That was one of the many mysteries in life that left me so confused. I was so confused by the idea, that I cried like a crazy person the night before I had my sweet baby girl. I was terrified that I would not be able to love two children the same, and that one of them was certain to end up hating me. 

Of course, I found out quickly that what everyone said was true. I just didn't realize how totally different  my babies would be! I know I am not supposed to compare them, but I cant help myself. So, I will try to write it all here and stop talking about it so often. 

He is a perfectionist from head to toe. He takes his time and does things just right. If things are not just right, he starts over and tries again. I really wish he could rub a little of that off on me :)

She lives to make messes. Okay, maybe that is unfair to say since she is not even two yet, but I swear she gets into way more stuff than he EVER did. She has written on the walls and loves to open cabinets just so that she can throw everything on the floor. I didn't even think about putting 

locks on my cabinets when he was little. 

He is a thinker. From the time he was born his little brow stayed furrowed and he just stared at people when they tried to make him smile. When we enter a crowd he sits back for a little while and takes everything in. She typically runs into a crowd, walmart or any other place she might find someone to chat with. She tries to catch the eye of anyone who walks past her and she draws them in with a big smile or wave... and an occasional "no-no" while she points her little finger at them. 

He is a rule follower and people pleaser. He has gone through very clear phases of testing me and learning his boundaries, but with consistent consequences he tends to get right on track and do his best to obey. She seems to get some silly pleasure out of doing things that she knows are "off limits", hitting everyone is one of her favorite past times. He never crawled and didn't walk without holding out hands until he was very well balanced. He almost never fell down. He was content to be right with me wherever I was. She crawled all over the place and began to wobble around as soon as she could get her self up on those little legs. She wobbles and falls quite often.

 He takes a while to loosen up and even still sometimes doesn't like me to watch him while he dances or sings. He blushes easily and opens up slow. She commands attention wherever she is and loves to be drooled over. He is reserved with his affections and they come on his terms, mostly only with myself and his dad and occasionally the grandparents. She is happy to kiss random strangers and runs around the house hugging and kissing everyone on the arms legs, feet, whatever she can get to. 

Somehow, I love them so differently, but the amount is exactly the same. 

The same intense, give my life for you kind  of love. I can't explain it for the life of me, but its a love I am so thankful to have, and I know my heart is so full because of both of my beautiful little blessings. 

..and because a post never feels complete without pictures, these give a good example of some of their little personalities. These were taken at Children's Museum in Atlanta last week (it is awesome and I highly recommend it). 

This was the soccer activity at the children's museum. Carson raised his hand to play first, I was totally  impressed with him. Carson completed slowly and perfectly, and he happened to finish far slower than the other kid who rushed through, but the guy in charge let all of the kids run through the finish line together in a "tie". 

...and after being crowned he was a little embarrassed by all of the attention so he hid out in this little hole for a few minutes :)

..but I came over and called him "Prince Carson" and he could not hold back the giggles about that!

If you read the post you already know that she was just itching to have a turn up there. She ran and giggled and you could see the sparkle in her eye as the "crowd" cheered for her! I had to fight her to get the broom back for the man ;)

.. and they both lived happily ever after ;)

Lifetime baby plan

I love my clients, but I have to be honest, I love this little fella more than the rest! Baby C is my nephew and I have been so lucky to help capture his first year in  pictures. I look forward to capturing his whole lifetime actually ;) Happy first birthday baby C, Aunt Chris loves you very much! I can't help myself... I have to reminisce. First birthday shots will be at the end, and I will start with his birth ;)

Miracle Monday

 This little fella makes my seventh and final newborn for the year. Each time I do a newborn session, I think that I might catch "the fever".  As sweet as each of them have been, I still feel like my little family is complete, praise the Lord! 

Banks' family and ours go to the same church and we are in the same lifegroup, so I got to see his Mama regularly as her pregnancy progressed. I am so excited about the precious, handsome, little man he is. I am even more excited about what a little miracle reminder he is. He is a reminder of the Lords ability to knit babies together in a mothers womb (Psalm 139:13), and even more than that, he is a reminder of the Lord's miraculous power to sustain marriages. Amanda and Trey's marriage is a testimony of the Lords healing (mine is too!), and a direct result of that healing is this handsome little boy. Thank you Lord, for giving couples the strength and courage to stay together with their focus on You, when giving up would be such an easy way out and thank you for the blessings that come from obedience to Your word ;) Trey and Amanda, I hope these pictures remind you of the sweetness of your baby boy forever, and I hope that they remind you of the miracle and blessings the Lord has amazed us with! Thank you so much for letting me be part of your lives!

This lucky little guy has two gorgeous big sisters too!