Lovely Lorelai {Marin County Newborn Photographer}

This beautiful baby girl has captured her Mama's heart. It was so sweet to watch their connection. A little girl after two little boys and this little girl is already fully stocked with handmade headbands and hats and all the pretty things that boys have no interest in.

These first few days are so precious and gone too quickly. How I wish I could turn back time and be captured like this with each of my own children, what I wouldn't give for photographs of my Mom and I. The pure love and devotion that a mother feels for her child is so hard to sum up in words, but a photographs can capture so much, when words fail. Don't be afraid to be in front of the camera, because, sadly, we cannot turn back time. This is it.

Congratulations again Beltran family. She is gorgeous!

52 Weeks of 2013 - Week 47

52 Weeks of 2013 - Week 46

I love to see my kids reading. I still love to read TO them, but more and more they can get lost on their own. Sometimes they will even read to each other and that blesses me beyond belief. For the older two to take the time to read to their little sister, without me asking or telling them, is pretty special.

Reading opens one to knowledge, to adventure and excitement, to emotional roller-coasters and dreams. What an amazing skill, a gift in the truest sense, that keeps on giving.

52 Weeks of 2013 - Week 45

Childhood is so fleeting. Before we know it, those helpless babies are crawling, walking, then all too quickly running. The cries become words then sentences and all of a sudden there are full, two-way conversations. Time speeds by and we cannot stop it, try as we might.

A little girl was feeling sad this day. Her older brother and sister and cousins had taken off without her, up a steep, loose gravel hill and try as hard as she could, she was unable to follow them. She sat forlornly, fighting back the tears and I felt a little helpless. Had I not been wearing flip flops, or had two dogs in tow, I may have attempted to make the treacherous climb with her, but given those circumstances, it was not an option. I know she loves me, but in that moment she would rather have been exploring with the big kids, than hanging out with her Mom.

She didn't want consoling, she was trying to be strong! I know these instances are growing further apart and happening with lesser frequency. All too soon they'll all be off having their own fun, as I watch (and cheer) from the sidelines. That moment, was one more for me to just be with her, to turn the sad into a smile, to create something special, for just the two of us. So we went on a little treasure hunt, searching for conkers. It was our own little adventure and she was so proud. I guess 'conkers' isn't really played over here, but she knew exactly what I was talking about, she'd seen it on a Kipper episode. She was excited and happy...and so was I.

As mothers, our role is constantly changing. We go from being the be all and end all, to a helper, a teacher, an encourager, having finally to release, to be a cheerleader and supporter and hopefully in the end a friend. Each stage so far has been so sweet and as I see my role needing to change it continues to be bittersweet, but I hope to cherish each one and to keep depositing into those memory banks.

52 Weeks of 2013 - Week 44

On a hot day, after running laps to raise money for your school, which would YOU rather have? A full sit down meal or a delicious, cold ice cream? Well for our amazing kids, the answer was, of course, ice cream. It was definitely well deserved and very much enjoyed.

No need for a pose, or to ask this one to look at the camera, just a snap at the right moment as she relished the coolness. Love it!