Another year, and my sweet niece Mackinzie is another year older.  I took a look back when I photographed her four-year-old photos, and I just cannot believe how much she’s grown!  *sigh*  Take a look at how much she’s changed!

My niece Leah is turning in to such a sweet toddler.  She’s moody, she’s fussy, she’s got an opinion.  But hey, what two-year-old doesn’t?  What I LOVE LOVE LOVE about her is when she says, “Aunt Manny……”  Melts my heart!  It means I’m in, I’ve made it, I’ve been accepted in to her limited circle of people she loves.  Getting acceptance from a toddler is a big deal to me, people.  It’s hard stuff!

She was down in the area a couple of weeks ago and I grabbed her for her two year old photos.  She actually turned two in November, but this child has a busy schedule.  Her people took too long to pencil me in, so I just stole her.  Don’t worry, I’ve since returned her to her family.  Check out Leah’s 2 year session in the wonderful Downtown Annapolis.  And, in case you’re totally in love, her first outfit is from A House in the Wood‘s shop on Etsy.  Tell her I sent ya!

For the past four years I have been photographing my nieces annually for their birthdays.  I started doing this with my daughters as a way to officially document their growth.  Now granted, I take photos of them almost weekly, but these once a year photos are a great idea for any parent to look back on and reminisce – and cry (*sniff sniff*).

Yesterday, in between the trickles of rain, I got to play in Downtown Annapolis with my youngest niece, Delaney.  She has recently reached the incredibly fun & energetic age of two!  I can not believe it’s passed so quickly!  She can run, jump, sing, dance, babble about everything, name colors she sees, & do just so many things!

When she wasn’t jumping like a crazy girl, I managed to get her to give me a few quick glances.

And I also talked her mommy into popping in to Nostalgia Cupcakes on Main Street for a celebratory birthday cupcake!  It looked yummy – I say “looked” because Delaney liked it so much that she would NOT share!

Since her mommy put her in the same outfit that her sister wore during her two year pics, I couldn’t resist putting together this little collage of the two of them.  Don’t cry too much, Laura, because I know I want to!

Mackinzie is my niece…in case you didn’t know.  And every year since she was two I’ve taken her out around her birthday for her yearly pictures.  When she was two we went to Downtown Annapolis.  When she was three we visited Canton in Baltimore.  This year, we were supposed to visit Annapolis again, but it began to drizzle!  So, on a whim, her mommy & I decided to visit Westfield Annapolis Mall.  Oh, and we went on Thanksgiving so the mall was closed!  Never fear though, Mackinzie & I found lots of cool places outside our newly renovated mall to shoot.  And the best part is you can’t even tell it’s the mall, unless you have a super extensive knowledge on what the outside of the Annapolis Mall looks like.  So here is Mackinzie, or Mack-Crazy as we sometimes call her, on her four-year-old debut!

**Oh, and if you’re a Gymboree model scout, yes, Mackinzie is available to grace the cover of your ads with all her sassy & sweetness.  Have your people call my people.

My husband’s sister, and my lovely sister-in-law, Laura and her husband Bert welcomed their second daughter into this world yesterday.  Delaney Mae, or “Maeby,” was born shortly before 8pm yesterday, April 13, 2009.  And she is precious!  She has a full head of hair, weighs 7lbs. 7 oz, and is 20 inches long.  Laura’s water broke Monday morning around 9 and she labored most of the day until Delaney made her debut.  Since Laura had a fever before delivery, Maeby was born with one as well and subsequently is having some difficulty with her breathing.  As you can imagine, she is going through a multitude of tests.  If you have time in your day, please remember to keep Maeby, Laura, Bert, and big sister Mackinzie in your prayers.  We’ll keep you updated on her status.  Here are some photos of my first shoot with her…hopefully one of many!