One of my favorite little nuggets is back on the blog today. I spent Sunday night with her and her mama traipsing around Berry College, snuggling and giggling and giving a few stink eyes.

I VERY vividly remember Whit’s sitter session, also at the Ford Buildings at Berry College, when my smiley, personality-filled child opted to stare at the camera for the entire session and never crack a smile. She did give a few raised eyebrows and RBF’s- but nary a smile to be found. I intended to use one of those portraits for our Christmas card s0, yeah- we had a very JOYFUL card that year. But I learned my lesson that day. One thing my kids have always loved to do is throw me off my game!

To be fair- Elyana was probably just sick of all the changes. We planned her session for a week ago and it turned out to be FREEZING with wind alerts… in April. And I just couldn’t bear to make this sweet girl miserable in her little lemon bubble. So we tried again Sunday, only to arrive at our chosen location to find it was closed to the public for filming- but LaLa and Elyana are troopers and they just rolled with it (and me). I’m so glad they did! Although I’m pretty sure Elyana wouldn’t recognize me without a camera in front of my face.

You know what I’ve found? The portraits I skipped out on with my own crew have become some of my favorites to photograph. We didn’t take Mommy & Me portraits when mine were little- and taking them now with my 3 is slightly akin to the clown act in a circus, but don’t think I won’t be trying!

But enough about me and on to these 2. I know- I’ve gushed about LaLa in the past because she is simply amazing to my family… and the rest of the world. And I am just so proud of and amazed by her as she closes out her first year of nursing school. But mostly I’m excited for the summer ahead where she can be “just mom”.

I know- I know- I know. There is nothing “just” about being a mom. I promise I know because I live it, too. But Laura has  split her time between her baby girl and school and clinicals and studying since days after she became a mom. She’s had to say a lot of no’s to really good things- and she isn’t a no person. So this is her chance to say YES! Yes to play dates and pool days, sleeping in and picnics and spontaneous day trips. (It’s possible I’m also a little excited because I get to insert my family into a few of those days.) But mostly, she gets to say yes to slowing down, to being there when Elyana learns to crawl (consequently realizing her house is not actually childproofed, after all!), to drinking in the simple moments that are fleeting and just enjoying her little girl.

Elyana is at my very favorite age (so far!). There is something so special about a little one that follows you with her eyes and lights up every time mom looks at her. I remember that stage vividly with my own. It wasn’t a stage anyone told me about and I never got tired of the giant grins and giggles that were waiting on me when I made eye contact. Don’t get me wrong- 1 year olds are fun with the wonky run that zigzags across your house. 2 year olds are sneaky and 3 year olds are hysterical. 4 year olds have a million opinions and 5 year olds are suddenly miniature people that reason and talk to you like a human (And that’s as far as I am into this parenting game!). But a sitter that is still immobile but genuinely happy to see you EVERY TIME you look at them is just hard to beat.

Thanks so much for dropping in! I would love to know your favorite stage of parenthood if you’re there yet!

 

For more pictures of Lala and Elyana- or to see more of Studio Kate’s work find us on Facebook or Instagram.