Water splashes and plane rides: a first year at home

Oh…  I adore these guys.  That mama right there?  We’ve got some history.  Good pals since middle school.  I call her Rad (my kids call her “Aunt Rad”), and she calls me Vic – nicknames that we’ve had since middle school – made from our last names (maiden) because we share the same first name.  Seeing her marry the man she loves a few years back, and then watching them start this beautiful family of theirs… goodness.  These amazing moments in their lives have been highlights of my life as well.  I am so very happy to have shared in this first year with them.

Little man was born during a blizzard.  Like a full-on, cars-piling-up-on-the-side-of-the-road blizzard.  And just as content and happy as can be.  I was honored to be able to visit them at the hospital.    Then their newborn session was at home, like all their sessions were.  He was born just before Christmas, so they couldn’t help dressing him up as the cutest elf EVER.  And the faces this kid makes.  They are awesome.  Since he was a newborn!  His sitting up session was in the summer, and we were so happy to include their gentle, sweet dog.   And.  We got to play in the water.   The love!!!If you have hair and have ever been around a baby, you can relate to this next one.

Little man loves to sit on this bench and watch the cars go by.  This is his “CAR!” face.    By this last session, he really had some big personality going.  He’s had plenty of great faces (since birth, really!), but at this last one, I got to see his soft side, his wild side, his laugh, his dimples, his angry face, and so much more.  I love this kid.  This next one went something like this (the stairs are just on the other side of that grey wall): “WHY?  Why can’t I plummet down the stairs, Mom?  WHYYYYYY????” And then, on his way to Dad, “Do you see this?  This saving-of-my-life she does again and again and again?  WHY can’t a boy just fall down the stairs?”

And the snuggle time.  The love that these guys all have for one another is so beautiful.Rad and Jeremy, thank you.  Thank you for letting me be a part of your amazing year.  I feel truly honored.  I loved watching you become parents and watching this little man of yours blaze through all these stages!  He’s incredible and so loved.  And so are you, friends.