And it made me happy. I don’t do it as much as I used to, but when I do, it makes it that much more refreshing.

What? You don’t already follow me on Instagram? Well, you should because you never know what might happen on there. For example, back in December, as part of my 12 days of giveaways, I gave away some spring Mommy & Me wildflower mini sessions to some of my clients. And let me tell you, the wildflowers this year have been so amazing, it could NOT have been a better prize ;-). Beautiful mommies doing what they do, beautifully!

And now, all these years later, she teaches my little girl. I LOVE having a connection like that to someone! And it was so much fun to get to meet her family (especially her little boy who was born just before my own daughter). You guys are beautiful, Heather!

They drove in from Houston to do their session and we had big plans of working outside in colorful, downtown Austin. The weather, however, had plans of its own. Thank goodness they happened to be staying in the ultra fabulous W hotel and we were able to get permission to shoot in/around the hotel. We tried…we really tried to go outside for a few minutes. The wind that day was crazy and their beautiful spring clothes didn’t do much to save them from the chill so we had to move indoors. No matter. These guys are a pretty FUN family and we found plenty of ways to keep ourselves entertained even while in a little hotel room. Mom’s dress, by the way, um…LOVE! Also, HERE’s what every mom should do at least once with her children ;-).

I first met 2/3 of this trio on a super sweltering day last August for her official engagement photos. I’m so glad the weather was much kinder to us as we kicked off bluebonnet season together (AND, celebrated her birthday) with her Mom and her sister. I know that years down the road, when life has changed so much, they will be so very happy they chose to do a session like this together. And whenever they see wildflowers, they will giggle to remember their mom rolling around in them like a child. She even had ME cracking up!!! Beautiful and confident group of women here!

This beautiful mommy and I go waaaaayyy back…like before we were even actual mommies. Our session this year was fabulous…full of all things happy and sunshiney and colorful. In fact, I’m thrilled we were able to squeeze in one final photo session featuring the Airstream the day before it was hauled off for a complete renovation. And hey…isn’t this family gorgeous??? Wow! Happy kids and happy parents make me happy!

…we tried to give him cake, lol! Oh, he was priceless, even when he was totally confused by the whole cake thing. Those bright, sparkly eyes and that charming smile…oh my…he’s a living doll! He has certainly blessed his parents with being one of coolest little dudes ever! It was an honor to celebrate your big-oh-one on your special, special day! Also, loved mom’s expert dodging of the cake at the end ;-). Too funny! (Another sailboat FAV!)

I love it when I get the chance to work with families year after year and follow how they and their children grow and change. Since before even big sister was born, I’ve photographed this beautiful family, and now they’ve added a sweet little red-headed angel to their nest. Congratulations, you guys! She’s so perfect! [See one of these images with a change in focus HERE.]

It has been such a pleasure to follow their family through expecting #2 and now all the way through the arrival of #3. They are so blessed with three adorable children and take everything in stride. I know life isn’t always easy with three littles, but they sure do an excellent job of parenting with grace and love. A big congrats to you two on your beautiful family of FIVE! (You can see their most recent pregnancy portraits HERE). Another version of the bassinet image HERE.

Ever since this article ran on The Define School blog, I’ve been struggling. Well, I was struggling before that…obviously…that’s why I wrote the article in the first place. But then, when my much loved 365 album arrived, I began to teeter on my resolution to stop taking so many pictures of my personal life. Over the past three months, I’ve taken considerably fewer pictures of our daily lives…even fewer iPhone snaps. Yes, I am happier to be able to have the freedom to live in the moment more, but I am still mourning the loss of images I didn’t ever take. I don’t think I’ve quite struck the right balance yet. I have a double standard, my friends. Especially in light of how I talked my sister in to letting me take a couple of maternity pictures for her in the hospital yesterday.

So, I took a picture today. I took it just because I wanted to remember this part of my girl’s life and for no other reason. I got her the “artistic” shirt as a gift because it’s SO HER and she’s been wearing it for days, lol. She sat down and painted a series of canvases all on her own. My husband and I watched her, so gracefully perched in the chair as she thoughtfully worked for hours. This particular canvas, she gifted to her oldest brother because he is sick right now. Drawing and painting the way she does is something that I always did myself as a girl and I longed for my boys to do the same, but they never were interested. But she just loves it. She has blue paint all over her hands and marker/paint is usually permanently embedded under her fingernails. There are flecks of paint on her new shirt as well as in her hair. I imagine (hope!) that this will simply be part of her for the rest of her life and that she will always wear the marks of an artist.