Monday, May 3, 2010

Capturing Your: Laughter

IMG_2637-copy When I found out I was pregnant with Travis over 4 years ago, I couldn’t WAIT to enroll in a Child Prep class. Although I had a lot of experience handling newborns, it was just so much different having my own. Plus, I really wanted to find out all the gory details of what to expect during labor… everything… as in… please don’t hold back. Plus, I was looking for friends who were going to through the same CrAzY experience that I was about to embark on. Misery loves company. That’s when I met Melissa, Emily and Aaron’s mommy. Our class was pretty small, only about 10 couples, so it was really easy to connect and quickly become friends with all the other frightened mom’s to be, while the dads curled up in a corner after watching numerous births on video. I am not sure who was more traumatized, us who were about to GO through that experience, or the dad’s who had to watch the experience?

All of us ended up having our sweet newborns within weeks of each other, and Emily and Travis were just 5 days a part. We all continued to hang out after the birth by going on walks along the beach, meeting for breakfast, or at the park, and just really loved sharing our stories of sleepless nights, poop, vomit, and swapping stories to help us all survive through this transitional stage. For their first Christmas, we all took the kids and to Sears and had their pictures taken together….it was quite the experience and lots of fun! Like I mentioned in a previous post, I am so grateful for Facebook because it has allowed me to keep in touch with friends, no matter the distance that separates us. I was pretty bummed when we moved because I didn’t want to lose touch with our friends from our child prep class. They all hold a special place in my heart because we shared a rather special time in our lives together. Luckily, we have managed to stay connected, and on our visits back to L.A, have met up at Chuck E Cheese for playdates, and other fun spots that the kids enjoy. This past visit, I was able to meet up with Melissa, Emily and Aaron for a fun photo shoot for Emily’s 4th birthday.

Let me say, Emily is truly a sweetheart. She is probably the most POLITE child I have ever met….seriously, ever. She was such a trooper, and cooperated and smiled, even when it was a bit chilly outside. She has the cutest giggle ever, piercing blue eyes, and absolutely adores her brother Aaron. I had such a fun time hanging out with all three of them, reminiscing, hearing cute stories from Emily, and hearing both kids sing along to their favorite songs in the car. Too precious for words! Happy 4th Birthday Miss Emily! May this year be filled with many blessings and lots of laughter!

IMG_2653-AL2 IMG_2688-copy IMG_2690AL2 IMG_2696AL2 IMG_2697BW IMG_2699AL2 IMG_2709-copy IMG_2711-copy IMG_2759-AL IMG_2762AL2 IMG_2766-copy IMG_2772AL IMG_2783BW IMG_2794AL IMG_2795L2 IMG_2800AL2 IMG_2822AL IMG_2859AL2OS This is the spot that Chad proposed to me when we lived in Redondo Beach. NEVER in a million years did I think I would be doing a photo shoot in the same location. It only makes this spot extra special! IMG_2909AL2IMG_2900AL2 IMG_2923-copy IMG_2932-copy IMG_2957-copy IMG_2963-copy

4 comments:

  1. Loving those umbrella shots! What a fun candid shoot! I loved the spirit of all the pics!

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  2. Melissa (E and A's Mommy)May 4, 2010 at 8:36 AM

    WOW Michelle- they look so much more adorable when I'm not the one who took the pictures!!! You are GOOD, girl!!! THanks again- you captured their essence and I can't wait to show them to our family across the miles!!

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  3. That first shot is TO.DIE. FOR. Oh, and the blue door makes Emily's eyes POP! So cute! Great shoot Michelle! :)

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  4. Darling kids! They have such spectacular smiles!

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