Sophia and the Tangerine

Sophia and her mama, Erica, met me at a local park on Wednesday for some two-year-old birthday photos. In our correspondence before the session, Erica said that there was just one shot that she had to get -- Sophia standing on a bench looking at a tangerine. Erica's grandmother has a shot of her as a child doing the same thing, and it has become a bit of tradition that they are hoping to uphold. Sure, I thought. How hard could that be?




How hard? Well, we spent our entire session chasing that shot or a variation of it and still didn't come close. Oh, we have pictures with the tangerine, all right. Sophia grew strangely attached to her round little friend and carried it everywhere. But would she stand and look at it? Not a chance.




On the bright side, we did manage to capture lots of fun two-year-old shots. Everything from tears to laughter. I just hope Erica doesn't mind the bit of orange in most of them. I had been warned that Sophia can be slow to warm to strangers. She stayed close to mama for the first bit, but isn't that part of being TWO? Gorgeous eyes checking me out.

Is she giving me a thumbs up here?

We swapped the tangerine for a flower. Sophia had fun exploring the different plant textures.

Big smile!

More flowers to touch. Sophia's schoolgirl outfit is adorable.

One of my favorites from the day. See the path of tears? I love that mama is there in the background comforting her. This is a shot I wish I had with my kiddo(s). (Don't worry, she gets happy soon after this.)
See?

Killer lashes. One lucky girl.

We wore mama out with this shot, but I think it was worth it.

Running free.

Gorgeous light, mama, and daughter. This says love and security to me.

Happy 2nd birthday, Sophia! I hope you and your tangerine had a wonderful day. Thanks for a fun morning, Erica. It was great to meet you!

Almost Two

Abigail will turn two on July 14th, but I'm expecting to be a little busy/heavy then, so we're bumping up Abby's birthday festivities. On Thursday we went out for some "almost two" birthday pictures. Yes, I'm including a lot, so you'll just have to indulge a proud mama.

We started out at the beach by the Edmonds ferry (a favorite spot of late) and I realized quickly that this shoot was going to be HARD for my nine-months-pregnant body. Here Abby stops to smell a flower.
Grandma French gave Abigail this adorable halter dress.

I've been feeling a little left out of Abigail's documented childhood, so we stopped and let Trevor take some pictures of mama and babycake. I'm really happy with the light in this one and think it's hilarious that we have the same expression on our faces.

Abby, Mama, and Wally!

I took the camera back and Trev gave Abigail a few tosses into the air. WAY into the air! Man, I love that smile!

"Seriously, mama?"
Abby's fabulous lashes.

Wardrobe change. Mid-stride with her shadow close behind.

The cheeks that make people exclaim over how much she looks like Trev. Oh, so kissable.

Trying out the water. It's COLD!

Kisses for Daddy.

After rinsing off our feet we headed to the car for part two of our session. But a train was coming, so Trev and Abby stopped to protect their ears.

Back into her dress, we picked up an ice cream cone (Abby's first whole one to my knowledge!) and sat her down on Main street to enjoy.

I'd say she liked it!
There was no trying to contain the mess. We just intervened a couple of times when it looked like the ice cream was going to plop onto the sidewalk.

With the ice cream gone, she started right in on the cone, eating everything but the very point, which she kindly gave to mama.

As Wally's birth draws near, I've found that my time with Abby has grown increasingly precious. We stay in bed longer nursing/cuddling/reading books. I hug a little more tightly and kiss whenever she comes near. I watch her sleep for an entire ferry ride home. She's such a little PERSON now. When I'm down on the floor or weeding or trying to put on my shoes, she'll come over and put her arm around my neck and press her cheek to mine and just hold me for a minute, like she knows I need a little Abby-love. She's amazing.

Happy almost-Birthday, Babycake! Mama loves you!