In the very beginning of this crew it was just two silly folks. Kristin and Ryan. Although thirteen years have passed by and the house has more than doubled, sometimes when I watch them, and it’s still just Kristin and Ryan. Almost four babies later they look the same and I’m pretty sure that another ten years will go by and I will be writing the same thing. The arrival of baby Lorelei fills their home with so much excitement and wonder. Everyone is wondering who Lorelei will look and be like. The baby of the house… what will she add to this bunch of cute kids? One more baby for Ryan to sling around his back. Another girl to play dress up with and drink pretend tea with. If you hadn’t already fallen in love with the girly-best-friend bond Kristin and Lilly share seen here and here, there’s more on this post to make sure you end up saying you want a daughter too. I love these folks so much and cannot wait to see them again when Lorelei arrives. Here are more pictures from our weekend together.
“I really do enjoy everything about being pregnant, I’ve always had fairly easy pregnancies so being pregnant really is an enjoyable time for me. There is so much I love about it. But If I had to pick my absolute favorite moment of a pregnancy is that very first moment of when you pick that pregnancy test up from the counter and see those two little pink lines. I don’t think there is any feeling like that in the world. To know that I have a little “mini us” inside of me is the most incredible feeling. It’s a moment that I wish I could relive over and over again. To start the dreaming of who he or she will be and what’s to come is just the best.”
“… I’m going to enjoy every last minute of it. I hate that this will be our last baby but I’m also looking forward to the future watching them all grow. I love getting to know all their personalities. It’s amazing how they’ve all come from the two of us, raised all together but are so different. I am so anxious to see what Lorelei’s personality will be like, who will we be adding to our crew. I can’t wait for next year to find out!”
“My favorite part of the day is bedtime. They just get so calm and sweet. They melt like butter lol. Luke gets very snuggley. He can’t get enough kisses and hugs. Lilly is just the sweetest to rock and tell stories to. And I love to stand in the hallway after they have all been tucked in and listen to them. The boys sleep together and they talk after Ryan and I leave the room. Their conversations are so precious. I love to listen to Lilly telling bedtime stories to her teddy, who she has developed an entire personality for, she loves that teddy!”
“There really is no love like the love a mother has for her children. I feel like you really understand so much more about life once you have children and you have that deep unconditional love for this little person. But to feel the love in reverse, the love that this child has for you, their mom, it’s just indescribable. On a day you never made it out of your pajamas or brushed your teeth and to have them look at you at think you are the most beautiful person and to hear them say I love you throughout the day and give you kisses is ❤️. For my boys to think my chicken noodle soup is the best and the most gormuet thing anyone has ever made is a wonderful feeling. To hear the excitement in Lilly’s voice as she screams “Daddy is home” and to hear those little foot steps running toward him is the best. And all their little notes of “I love yous” and “you are the best mom in the world” are things I cherish. Sam wrote me the sweetest card for our last anniversary. He gets one of the thank you cards out from the desk, scratches out the “thank” on the front and writes Love to make me a “love you” card. I just love the excitement and love they have for Ryan and I, it’s the sweetest thing in the world.”
Playtime at home the second day quickly turned into another session of its own. I couldn’t help but love the soft light that was coming through these beautiful windows. And with willing subjects like Kristin and Lilly who were okay with snapping pictures until the very end one must take advantage. These next sets of K & L are just a little too much for my achy-sentimental mommy heart. Such beautiful little moments frozen in time forever.
“We’ve always said that Lilly has so much love inside of her to give. She brings so much joy into our lives, so much more than we ever thought possible. We always knew that Lilly was never meant to be the baby. It’s just something about her that we knew those little arms needed a younger sister or brother to hold. Watching the boys relationship with each other has always made me wish Lilly could have a sister. I still can’t believe it’s actually going to happen. I CAN NOT wait to see her with Lorelei. Going through this pregnancy with her has been so fun, her constant kisses on my belly and her continually asking the doctor at my appointment if the baby is ready to come out is so precious. I am so very thankful that she got her “pink baby”. We feel so blessed and our so very thankful to Jehovah for these precious gifts of children.”
Every time we get together I leave so inspired, whether its to push my clients to allow me to document them this way in a very natural at home way or with my own children… to take lots and lots of steps away from the computer and work and enjoy these little treasures that grow way too quickly. Thank you both for always trusting me to work some camera magic and flying me to spend time with you. I love it each and every time.
How sweet! Loved everything about these pictures. What a beautiful family. They make me want to definitely have a second child … and third and fourth and… children are so incredible. I want a whole tribe of them. 😁
Oh Patty, I think you and I are cut from the same cloth. 🤗