It’s no secret that I basically won the neighborhood lottery when Craig and I got married. Only now it feels we are busting at the seams of our little house. We flirt with the idea of moving to a new home but the thought of packing this house up— or trying to keep our house full of living creatures realtor ready— makes my head spin. Then my friend Laura tells me, “So, the baby’s here! And we bought a new home. Can we do pictures there?” And I wonder what in the world my excuse really is!

So Friday I packed up my camera and headed over to see Laura’s gorgeous new home, meet her handsome new baby boy and memorialize this chaotic exciting time for their family.

I arrived at their stunning new home to find 2 sets of grandparents and an aunt and realized she and Garvin are absolute geniuses. Coordinating moving around the birth of a new baby (and residency graduation) ensures the calvary will arrive to rescue you amidst the craziness. (I’m only kidding! Clearly, Laura and Garvin aren’t “sit back and wait” people.)

Anyways- Laura told me the front porch of their home was perfect for portraits and she was so right! It’s the porch dreams are made of. Truthfully, the entire yard is like a Secret Garden and I may be experiencing some yard envy. I can imagine her sitting on the steps watching her kids run around the front yard catching fireflies and playing chase.

I got to experience a little of it while this spunky girl showed me her favorite parts of the yard and played with her mama. She was so fun and expressive to work with. My camera loved her!!! I don’t think she gave me the same smile twice. Her personality is killer.

Their hansome little guy snoozed almost the entire time. All my kids were paci babies and it made me a little nostalgic watching him chomp away on that paci while the world around him went a bit wild. Clearly we weren’t bothering him too much. (And maybe nostalgic isn’t the best term since Sikes hasn’t actually let his paci go yet.)

It’s such fun to watch children become siblings- the way they are instantly in awe of the new baby and quite protective, but simultaneously a little jealous, too. I got tickled at big sister asking Laura to let someone else hold the baby so mama could hold her.

It’s the best and the worst of motherhood, isn’t it? Being wanted by all your children. Sweet but also exhausting. Tender and treasured but also a little claustrophobic. For me, at least. Laura, on the other hand, was a gem throughout the entire session, laughing when everyone wanted only mama.

And doesn’t she look amazing? 90 degrees and a few weeks post partum, 5 days into the moving process, a house filled with guests— and still her smile is brilliant and her eyes are sparkling. Whatever she’s putting in her coffee needs to go in mine! (If only I drank it…)

Thank you, Laura and Garvin, for inviting me into your new home and your story. I am so excited to watch from the sidelines as you enter this chapter. Also- I’ll be back in the fall to see your yard in all it’s fiery fall glory!

(PS- CONGRATULATIONS to Rome’s newest Physician, Dr. Chandler!)

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