That sweet, chubby, smile-all-day, roll-everywhere, drool-on-everything stage.
The newborn softness is fading, but they’re still small enough to curl up in your arms.
Still need you in the middle of the night.
Still giggle at your face like you’re the best thing that’s ever happened to them.
(And to be fair—you are.)

It’s such a tender in-between.
They’re no longer brand new…
but still so very little.

Every day they’re learning something new.
And every day, you’re letting go of something you didn’t realize was ending.

That’s why I love this stage in photographs—
The dimples. The drool. The way their whole face lights up when you say their name.
It’s pure magic, and it passes too fast.

What do you miss most about the baby stage?
Or if you’re in it now—what are you trying to soak in while it lasts?

The backpacks are emptied.
The papers have been recycled (well… most of them).
And just like that—school is out, and summer is here.

There’s something about this time of year that feels a little nostalgic before it even begins.
The slower mornings. The barefoot afternoons. The sticky popsicle faces and late bedtimes.

I know the days will be loud.
Messy.
Full of moments where I wonder how we’ll make it to bedtime.
But also… full of wonder.
Of real connection.
Of time I don’t get back.

I’m not trying to make it perfect.
I just want to be present.
To laugh more.
To pause when I can.
To soak in this short season before the backpacks return.

Here’s to the magic of summer—
And all the ordinary, beautiful moments waiting to unfold.

What are you looking forward to most this summer?

One year.

One whole year of firsts.
First cries.
First smiles.
First steps toward becoming who they are meant to be.

But also—your firsts.
Your first time hearing “mama.”
Your first sleepless night that ended with a sleepy smile.
Your first glimpse into a kind of love that leaves you undone—in the best, most sacred way.
.
This birthday isn’t just for your baby.
It’s for you, too.
For the mother you became, the strength you found, the softness you allowed.
.
Because while your baby grew…
So did you.
.
What’s one thing you want to remember about this first year?

I’ve photographed all three of her babies—maternity, newborn, and now her baby’s 1st birthday.

She won’t be able to attend our Celebrating Motherhood event this year, so during her session this week, I gave her a little piece of it—a quiet, private version, just for her. Before the cake came out and we celebrated one year around the sun, we took a moment to celebrate her.

And I’m so excited to see what next week brings as more mommas come through for this year’s event.

This event is my way of saying thank you to the mothers I’ve had the honor of photographing in the past year. Some years, the schedule is packed. Other years, it’s just a handful of moms who can make it.

And honestly? There’s something really special about those quieter years.
When it’s small, we slow down. We breathe a little deeper.
There’s space to truly soak it all in.

It becomes less about the hustle and more about the heart.
And those are some of my favorite moments of all.