New Year...New Baby...Welcome Ian! DC/ Alexandria/ NoVa, Family/ Child/ Newborn Photographer

Ok, this photo session happened almost 2 months ago.  My sister gave birth to her first son, Ian.  He was born exactly on New Year's Day!!  I actually drove up 4 hours just so I could photograph this little guy.  He was so tiny.  I actually forgot how tiny newborns are.  He was a dream!!!!!!  I know I've only photographed a handful of newborns, but he was seriously the best!!  He never once cried, which made me want to never stop, but his mom wanted him back eventually.  I hope to see you again soon Ian!!

Mom refused to take pictures, but I twisted her arm to take this one.  

Hunter + River (6 months) - DC/ Alexandria/ NoVa, Family/ Child/ Newborn Photographer

Lately, I've been reminiscing about Hunter's infant stage.  As I've been organizing all our home videos, now that we have two kids, I have been looking through a lot of Hunter's baby videos.  I had no idea how much he has grown and how quickly time flies.  This reminded me that I must take a lot more pictures and a lot more home videos of our kids.  B/c I don't want to miss out on a single inch of growth and development.  Here's to our kids!!

Hunter at 2 yrs and 3 months

River at 5 months and 3 weeks
River has actually started saying Mommy in Korean (umma)!!  But she only says it when she's distressed and needs me to come to her.  She also started crawling around this time but it's more like a belly flop.  Her grandfather named it the "butterfly stroke" because that's exactly what it looks like. 

This girl just loves to laugh and I'm so glad that I have pictures of her beautiful smile! 

It's Christmas time...DC/ Alexandria/ NoVa, Family/ Child/ Newborn Photographer

I love this time of year, but I always feel pressured to come up with something new for our family photos.  And even though I take the photos myself, I'm always behind schedule.  After taking these photos, I had so wished they had remote controls for the 5D.  Either that or a longer timer.  By the end of our session, I was dripping in sweat from the running back and forth.  

Merry Christmas!!

And finally our Xmas card:

Cox Farms - DC/ Alexandria/ NoVa, Family/ Child/ Newborn Photographer

Though I miss California very much, one of the great benefits of living on the east coast is being able to see my family whenever I want...well, as long as I"m willing to do the 4 hour drive. But I can still convince my family to drive down and visit us too now. So my sister and her family stayed with us during Thanksgiving, and we visited Cox Farms in Centreville, VA. I took Hunter here during their Fall Festival which is AMAZING!!! And though their Christmas Corner Market doesn't compare to the Fall Festival, we did have fun roasting marshmallows on an open fire, stuffing our faces with the most yummy kettle corn my taste buds have ever tasted, and bringing home a Christmas tree. Aaah the Holidays!!

Hunter just loves his older cousins.

 

River at 3 months...almost - DC/ Alexandria/ NoVa, Family/ Child/ Newborn Photographer

Everytime I say my daughter's name, I start singing that old gospel song, "I got a river of life flowing out of me..." It's become her theme song. haha She just puts a smile on my face. I know all parents say that, but considering it's hard to get me to smile, that's a huge feat. I hope seeing these pictures will make you feel the same way. I wish I could fast forward 2 yrs so I can see what her personality will be like. I'm already planning the many shopping trips she and I will take together. She is my precious little jewel.

 

Baby Ru - Maternity Photos - DC/ Alexandria/ NoVa, Family/ Child/ Newborn Photographer

This lovely couple is my sister and broter-in-law. They are expecting their first child in December. I am so happy for them and can't wait to meet their little one.

Happy 2nd Birthday Hunter!! DC/ Alexandria/ NoVa, Family/ Child/ Newborn Photographer

This little guy brings so much joy and laughter into my life...albeit it comes with a lot of pain and heartache too.   ;)  Seriously though, I am smitten by him.  When he's awake, I'm counting down the hours to his naptime, but then when he's finally napping, I miss him and hearing him laugh and watching him torture our dog, Zoe.  I love this age.  Especially now that he is slowly growing out of his terrible two's and becoming more and more of a grown boy.  I'm still always worried that something I've done will have scarred him for life.  Luckily, he will have Jesus in his life to undo all the damage.  haha  Happy Birthday little guy.  I hope I make you as happy as you make me and I hope you felt especially loved on your birthday!!