If my memory serves me correctly, “bella” means beautiful in some language. Even if it doesn’t, it should, because this baby girl is just that….beautiful!

I got to meet and reconnect with a sweet family today. My husband knew Carrie a couple of years ago, and I was able to meet with her today when I got to capture her, and her husband Dane, and their 5-month-old daughter, Isabella. She was a wonderful model and very compliant! Thanks for sharing your morning with me and enjoy your mini-preview!

Oh, and nice choice of outfit, Aunt Kristina!

When Mike & Rachel asked me photograph their engagement shots, I have to admit, I was a bit nervous! I’ve checked out Mike’s work as a graphic artist and he’s good! But two little birdies (named Laura & Bert) told me that Mike & Rachel were super fun and very easy to work with…and they were! We had a great time at Patterson Park in Baltimore and then moved on to some side streets. They were pretty much up for anything I asked them to do, and had a lot of great ideas as well. Mike said taking photographs was kind of hard for him, but I think as you’ll see, he did a great job. It also helps when your fiance is as photo-fabulous as Rachel! Thanks you two for letting me drag you around and for showing me a place I’d never been before! Enjoy your preview!

Today I got to visit Baltimore, which I know barely anything about. I can usually count on my brother-in-law Bert to find awesome spots to photograph his family. My niece Mackinzie recently turned 3 and her mom asked if I’d take a couple of shots of her for this glorious occasion!

Okay now, my sister-in-law, Mackinzie’s mom, Laura, dresses her daughter so cute! These fuzzy boots she was wearing were adorable! These boots were so awesome that two total strangers walking behind us starting singing, “Apple bottom jeans…boots with the fur…” (if you know the song, you know it, if you don’t…sorry!).

Mackinzie is also a testament to how great a child can be for a few Skittles! Thanks Bert, Laura, and Kinzie for sharing your afternoon with me! Enjoy your preview!

Many of you may have read about my sister, Maggie, in a previous post.  Well, she finally had her baby, Leah Beth, yesterday at 11:16am.  We are glad she’s finally arrived, but she isn’t completely healthy just yet.  Leah was born quite quickly and has some fluid in her lungs that she needs to get rid of in order to breathe completely on her own.  She is currently in the NICU at John’s Hopkins in Baltimore, and is being given oxygen to help her breathe.  This situation is completely dejavu for me and my family because about 16 months ago we were in almost the exact same situation with our youngest daughter, Brooke.  She was born with a birth defect called Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia and was in the NICU for one month and then in another hospital to learn to feed for an additional month.  At the time of her hospitalization I wondered what God had to teach me through all of this.  He taught me a lot, but now, especially that my baby sister is going through a similar situation, I’m glad I am able to offer her support in this unsettling time.  So, if you’ve been trying to get a hold of me, or waiting for me to return your e-mails, I have been slightly preoccupied with my newest niece.  Enjoy a few pictures of Leah…


If you are interested, you can keep up on updates about Leah on my family blog by clicking here.

Christmas? Thanksgiving? Fall? Winter? You plug in “whatever” (as my 3-year-old says) and it’s fast approaching! Halloween is over, the leaves are turning glorious shades of orange, yellow, and red, and it’s getting a wee bit nippy! Don’t forget to reconnect with loved ones near and far this Christmas season. After all, it is “the most wonderful time of the year!”