Campbell | Fort Worth Baby Photography

"Being a parent is learning about the strengths you didn't know you had, and dealing with fears you didn't know existed."

This was a happy session...a happy day....a nice warm sponge bath, freshly combed hair, and lots and lots of cuddles. You can see the love this mommy and daddy have for their son radiate from every inch of them. But I still struggle with what to say when sharing a beautiful baby's first session in the NICU. Because there is no way I could ever understand what this couple, and all NICU parents, have felt on any given day. Their precious son is thriving and growing, and they radiate courage and joy and faith. But I can't imagine it has been an easy journey. Fortunately these sweet parents seem to know that easy is not what God designed us for. I don't know that I live it out nearly as well.

Psalm 66:10 says "For you, God, tested us; you refined us like silver." And as I watch these precious parents, that is the visual that keeps surfacing. Two strong, faithful people who have been made even more so through the refining of trials. I think parenting does this to everyone to a certain degree...you truly are allowing your heart to live outside of your body. And that's scary. But I imagine it is amplified to the Nth degree when spending your first few months of your child's life in the hospital. If you couldn't tell, I am completely inspired by these guys, and so invested in baby Campbell, and cannot wait to see them again--at home!--very soon.

August Gray | Aledo Child Photography

Spending the day with August and his family was exactly what a one-year session should be. There is a cute little park right outside the front door of this family's home, but because of the rain (if you are anywhere near Texas you know that it just has not stopped.) we were limited to the indoors.

Which, truthfully, is my favorite place to be with babies. It's sometimes a hard sell for parents, when I suggest holding their session indoors, but this family was completely great with it. Getting to watch and follow and play with their little ones in their comfort zone makes for the most enjoyable, sweet, real sessions.

So, we toddled, and read, and played, and giggled, and crawled, and climbed, and played some more... even had a few tears from a bumped head, but went right back to playing after some hugs from mom. The morning was totally up to him (with the exception of a few shots in his one-year bday outfit, but that didn't phase him).

His mama is a friend of mine, but this was the first opportunity I've had to spend an extended period of time with August, and it is amazing how much they open up in their own environment. He didn't at all seem to mind me following him around. And when I say follow, I mean follow. This boy can move. Makes me both so excited, and so fearful, for this upcoming stage in my daughters life. ;)

I've gotta learn to keep up.

Mary Elizabeth | Newborn Sneak Peek

Here's a peek into my morning with this sweet family of four ;)