Alert…Baby Hailey | {Puyallup Newborn Photography}

When this beautiful little baby arrived, she was soundly sleeping in her car seat and after chatting with her parents a bit, we headed to the studio. They got her out of the car seat and she woke up – what a sweet little one and her outfit…was ADORABLE!! We started right in with photos with her and her parents and awake was perfect for these!! Mom, Shari and dad, Jason are both elementary school teachers and it was obvious that they both totally ADORE this new little daughter…oh, how I love seeing first time parents with their babies…it is one of the best things in the world, so heartwarming!! Little Hailey was great during the photos with her parents and we even managed to capture a few smiles…in between the little cat naps during this part of the session. After that, Hailey nursed and then we were ready for her to be the “star” of the photo and figured she would sleep after her feeding. It’s funny, how babies have minds of their own…they don’t always go along with the plans we have for them…and on this evening…Hailey was in charge!! It’s funny, at two weeks old, she was awake for nearly all of the session, sleeping maybe 20 minutes towards the end…and she was happy and very observant of all that was going on. One thing we learned quickly…she did not really care for hats…we snuck a few on her while she was asleep, but other than one other time…she made it clear she didn’t want a hat on her head. I can tell this little beauty is going keep her parents on their toes and as active as she was…once she starts moving, watch out, there won’t be many restful times when she’s awake! It was great to visit with and get to know Shari and Jason and I loved hearing the stories of teaching…I admire both of them…our schools need lots of great teachers like them…so I applaud them for such a noble career and congratulate them on their beautiful new daughter!!

I couldn’t resist sharing this first photo with you…I’m sure that this is just the beginning of fun and games with dad and Hailey!!As I said, ALERT…she was very awake and observing what was going on…as you can see, by her beautiful, sparkly eyes!!

LOVE…the little bits!!!This blanket and matching baby giraffe were SO soft…oh, how I’d love a blanket to cuddle up like this one!!

Such a beautiful bond…mother and child…there’s nothing sweeter!!OH…so much hair…how lucky is she…seems like usually the boys get all the hair when they are born!! Can you see the “swirl”  of hair on the right side of her forehead …good thing she’s a girl…and can manage that callac!!

This face…isn’t it the cutest and her expression…oh, what a charmer!!She did like sleeping, all snuggled up in the baskets!!Hailey is probably thinking…”why in the world did they put this hat on me…it’s already warm enough in here!”
So, Hailey is a quick learner…sticking her tongue out after her daddy showed her how!!

Super cute hat…it was a gift and I’m so glad they brought it with them! They’ll have to work on her wearing hats when she’s awake…as this is too cute not to be worn a lot!!

Beautiful and glowing new mom…how lucky is Hailey!!!Maybe a tad tired….not really, it was just a teaser!!!

Shari and Jason…how wonderful to capture some special memories of your beautiful daughter for you…I’m excited for you to see the rest of them…enjoy every precious moment and cherish each and every day!!

Family time…with the Perry’s | {Tacoma Family Photography}

While I’m on a personal and slightly biased roll with the blog…here’s one more to share with you! This stars our beautiful daughter, her husband and Emma…all such incredible people and we love them all! With the amazing fall weather we had (until this past week)…it was obvious that an outdoor session was in order to commemorate Emma turning six months and get some new family photos for her parents! Of course, they all are very used to the camera (maybe not always liking it!!)…so this was something they know, but this was the first session with them having a little one who maybe challenges or should I say, changes, some of the ideas for the session. Emma was a rockstar and did great throughout the session and LOVED playing in the dry grasses…and naturally, trying to eat or at least taste some of it. The curiosity of a baby is SO fun to watch, but it also means you have to watch them closely…which we did as she explores all sorts of new things this afternoon. With helpers and entertainment along, the session was a success and I am so excited about what I captured and will be updating their family photo in our living room…now to just figure out what one!??!! I must say that watching Jessalyn and Sean as parents is wonderful…they are both loving, caring, dedicated and so happy with their new family. Even though the beginning wasn’t quite what they had pictured when Emma arrived…spending over 5 weeks in the hospital, I believe helped form part of just who they are as parents and how thankful they are for their beautiful daughter. Now, healthy, happy and doing everything she should…Emma is amazing and wonderful and I’m very proud to share with you these photos…of a beautiful family!!!

I think if you looked in Sean’s (aka…daddy) eyes, you’d see a reflection of Emma…she truly adores her and loves playing with her…as you can see!!

I LOVE the photo on the left, seeing how Emma takes her mom’s face in her hands and plants a kiss on her…so sweet!!

Aren’t they a beautiful young family?!!!

This little grin looks a bit mischievous to me…I’m sure that in time, she’ll be testing her parents…once she’s mobile!Beautiful mother and daughter… L O V EDaddy is showing her just what she can do with the grasses…she quickly figured it out! Can you see the little piece in the corner of her mouth!?!Oopsie…balance is not 100% yet, good thing daddy was there to catch her!

Oh, this smile and those eyes…they are amazing!

All because two people fell in love…I’m so happy they did!!!

Getting a bit tired…upside down usually helps with distracting!!

Couldn’t resist sharing this photo of our daughter, Jessalyn is a beautiful woman, amazing mother, loving wife, GREAT teacher and more…we are so proud of her…and Sean…they are such great people and we are so blessed they are part of our family!!

Precious Emma | 6 Months Old

“Time is free, but it’s priceless. You can’t own it, but you can use it. You can’t keep it, but you can spend it. Once you’ve lost it, you can never get it back.”  ~Harvey Mackay~

This quote says a lot, but one part of it really strikes a cord with me…”it’s priceless”…because that is what you can make of your time with family, friends, life…it’s all about what you take from your life/time. The past six months have flown by…our youngest granddaughter is now 6 months old and it seems like just last month she was born, but here she is…smiling, cooing, laughing, rolling, learning to sit up, sticking EVERYTHING in her mouth that she can get her hands on…and oh, so much more! This time IS truly priceless and such a joy to observe a new life becoming a little person. Although Emma arrived early, she’s doing great and is right on track. She may be petite, but that doesn’t stop her from what she wants…or wants to do and I can only imagine in the months ahead, she will push even more to get where she wants to go and get what she wants! I love watching her just play…with this age, it’s so simple, yet such a great stage for learning…they are so inquisitive and want to see (and taste!) everything possible. Any new sights or sounds will catch their attention…the rate of learning at this age is incredible and amazing and oh, how truly priceless it is!!

Naturally, I’m photographing this little cutie all the time, but to be able to mark her “milestone ages” with some extra special photos is a gift to me and hopefully, some day to her. I know that her parents are LOVING every minute (well, maybe not every…like the middle of the night when she’s awake!!) of watching their daughter…she’s a gift to them and to the rest of the family and we are all so thankful and happy…to see her as such a beautiful and happy little one!!

This ADORABLE Sock Monkey Hat was made by Adorable You, along with the leg warmers…I recommend you check out her website…she makes some beautiful things…for props, gifts or just to have!!As I said, everything goes into the mouth…it’s part of the learning at this age…

Aren’t these legwarmers adorable!!

Our oldest granddaughter, Jayden, joined in for a couple of shots…she sure loves her cousin! I love how both their faces light up when they see one another…it is priceless!

And, even the toes go in the mouth…one of the cutest things about this age…I just can’t imagine how I’d get my toe in my mouth…not that I would want to!! LOL

Beautiful Emma…such a sweetie and she lights up my life and is truly a gift to all those who she’s met…her smile can’t help but make your day brighter!

Stay tuned in the next day or two…when Emma shares the spot light with her parents…another session that I LOVED shooting!!!!