He or She? What will it be?? | Riverview Family Photographer

I have a confession.  I really, really love gender reveal sessions! Like LOVE.  

I was so honored when the S family asked me to capture their reveal.  It's one thing when we are doing a special session to reveal the sex of your unborn child to your family & friends, but when you hire a photographer to capture the moment YOU find out takes it to another level.  It's so special.  J wanted to be surprised at her session, so she had her ultrasound done & brought me the results... WITHOUT PEEKING!!!! I don't know how she did that!!! 

The rest was up to me.  They didn't have any specifics... they just wanted to show up & find out!!! 

I'm kind of in love with the way it turned out.  Just sayin.  

IT'S.... A... 

BOY!!!!! 

Baby Boy #2 is on his way!!! 

  

Congratulations S Family!!! XOXO!!!

Grounded | Tampa Childrens Photographer

"My heart grows every day through struggling and love of my kids.  It helps balance everything else - the work and the world.  It helps keep me grounded and in perspective of what is really meaningful to me. " - Kathryn Erbe

This month's theme over at TWELVE BY TWELVE, chosen by the talented KRISTIE SERRA PHOTOGRAPHY,   is "grounded".  I had been struggling to decide what I wanted to blog about for this month... and then it came to me. 

Five years and one week ago, I gave birth to the most beautiful, 8lb 10oz bundle of pink you've ever seen in your life.  My sweet Kalia Reese.  And in that moment, I was a mom.  

And then I blinked... and she turned FIVE.  I am so proud of the amazing girl she is growing into.  She is kind and thoughtful and adores her friends.  She is scared of the dark and hates carrots.  She wants to be a paramedic and a zoo keeper when she grows up.  She loves school and has recently started sounding words out and reading on her own.  She loves makeup, getting pedicures and wearing maxi dresses.  Her favorite color is Pink.  And Lavender.  And Frozen Blue.  

This year I took my sweet, sea loving mermaid girl to the beach for her birthday pictures this year.  It only seemed fitting for her right now.  We searched for mermaid treasure in the mangrove trees and picked sea grapes.  We played on the boogie board and counted the snails crawling on the driftwood.   I love watching her explore and find new things.  I love that everything is so magical to her.  I hope that never fades.  She is the silliest, the sassiest, the sweetest and the smartest girl.  She's an incredible big sister and loves her family so hard.

Becoming a mom has been the most incredible, the most difficult, the most REWARDING thing I have ever done in my life.  I have never been so happy... or so tired.  And one thing that I can always count on both my girls for, is keeping me grounded.  

Next up in the Blog Circle is the incredible TIFFANY WALENSKY PHOTOGRAPHY.  

40 Years and Counting | Riverview Extended Family Photographer

It was such an honor to meet this gorgeous family visiting Florida from Canada to celebrate their parents 40th Wedding Anniversary.  I met up with them at one of my favorite locations & we hung out for a couple hours.  They all made my job easy peezy! They were so sweet & laid back and these kids were just the best!!! So full of fun!!! It was so wonderful meeting you all!!  Enjoy!!

L Turns One | Tampa Bay Childrens Photographer

There is something super exciting about being pregnant with one of your best friends.  Until they up and move several states away.  It's still exciting, but not as exciting as it would have been if they had STAYED 15 minutes away from you.  ::insert sad face here::

Fast forward about a year and a half & THEY ARE BACK!!!! Not 15 minutes, but BACK IN THE STATE OF FLORIDA!!! WOOT WOOT!!! 

I wasn't around for their maternity pictures, or their newborn pictures.... but you best believe I got sweet baby Logan for his ONE YEAR pictures!!! Big brother Canon was one of my very first cake smashes years ago!  Since it had been a few years since we shot some family pictures, we met up at the beach before the cake smash for some shots.  Poor baby Logan was feeling a little under the weather and we weren't really able to get him on his own (at the beach)... but you best believe we got him smiling and on his own once we put a cake down in front of him! 

These cake smash blog posts make me so hungry.  

I'm off to find a snack somewhere. 

Enjoy!!! 

that face.  ugh.  I just want to eat him up.