Saturday, February 28, 2009

Growing Up

It feels like just yesterday that I was taking this beauty's newborn pictures... 4 months later here she is, so grown up!  
















It was really fun hanging out with you guys this morning.  Little miss I think actually enjoyed being photographed this time, MUCH more than when we were taking her newborn pictures!  :)
Hope you enjoy your little teaser gallery - the rest will be ready shortly! 



Wednesday, February 25, 2009

My Other Kids...

Tonight my sister came over with her gorgeous kids that I can practically call my own.  I love these little goobers so much.  


Here's tootsie celebrating her 9 month milestone.







Aren't her lashes to die for?







Then there's big stuff who just turned 2.  He looks like he's up to something doesn't he?










Had fun with you guys this afternoon! 

Tuesday, February 24, 2009

Birthday Babe

Here's birthday girl!  I got to help this peanut celebrate her birthday on her birthday!  Little Miss turned 1 yesterday and let me tell you, she had better ideas than getting her pictures taken!  She was moving ALL over the place and kept me on my toes through the whole session.  It was fabulous to meet you little lady!











Pretty much the only thing that got her to sit still... cake.  I don't blame the girl, I was temped to dig into the leftovers!




More to come in the gallery!

Monday, February 23, 2009

Unfortunately

Unfortunately I cannot show you the darling pictures of the birthday girl that I photographed tonight.  My computer is being stupid.  Instead please enjoy a picture of one of my darlings until my computer decides to be nice to me again.  





Birthday pictures to come tomorrow night... I promise!

Saturday, February 14, 2009

Be Mine

Happy Valentine's Day to you and your loved ones.  Why you ask are there only white and pink candy hearts in Rylee's hands?  Those are my least favorite so I end up usually throwing those away.  I first eat up all the purple ones, those are my favorite.  From there I usually eat the green ones next, followed by the orange and then finally the yellow.  Mmmm... nothing better than Valentine's candy.  



Wednesday, February 11, 2009

Awakening

The other day while setting up for an upcoming session, Trey decides to crawl in front of my camera and model for me.


At first he was acting goofy and loving the camera - dirty face and all. Notice the scratch? An answer to why he's got that at the end.



Then he started to give me the stink eye.



He started to perk up some more and like the camera again.



After that, it just turned to pure boredom.











That felt good.




It's been a rough ride over the past few months with our little "Punky" (that's my new name for him). If you have absolutely no idea what I'm talking about, refer to this post a couple months back.

When we got the wonderful news that our Punky does not have the Chari Malformation, we were relieved. At the appointment to find out that wonderful news, the neurosurgeon did however find another marker that could suggest a form of Spina Bifida. Right before Christmas we headed once again to Spectrum for another MRI, this time of his lower spine. It was much easier this round. Punky swallowed some magic liquid that put him in a deep sleep within 10 minutes. They whisked him away and a half hour later he was in my arms again. Much better than last time. December 22nd I received a phone call that the marker that they saw was just that, a marker. Punky does not have what they were looking for. I was literally a wreck for the 3 months while all the testing and research was being done to him. I was thankful that we could at least enjoy our Christmas.

This experience has really changed my outlook on life. Punky is developmentally delayed. He is almost 17 months and he finally learned to crawl the correct way last week. It's been really hard for me as his mom to not compare him to other children his age and see where he should be at. I found myself often wishing he was further along developmentally than he was. At the place where we worship, they have child care in the infant years associated with the child's development. There are the newly born, the non-mobile, crawlers, and an 18-24 months section. I always felt the need to explain why Punky was still in the non-mobile room when he was 14 months old. It was heavy on my heart that Punky wasn't where he should be at... he wasn't "normal". I was at Mary Free Bed last week because Punky needed his helmet adjusted and checked. While sitting in the waiting room I met this adorable little 3 year old boy. This little buddy came right up to me, held out a book with his crippled and withered arm and asked me to read him a book. He sat right on my lap while I read to him. It just melted my heart and at that moment, I had an awakening. This child was happy, and that's what I want for my Punky. Just because Punky is behind doesn't mean that he will suffer in life - for all I know, this just might be our bump in the road and 10 years from now he will be considered all caught up. I realized that I need to let go this feeling of always explaining and feeling sorry for myself, that I have a beautiful, happy boy that doesn't see life any different and that I have a lot to be thankful for.

Today Punky is continuing therapy sessions at Mary Free Bed and he is finally reaping the reward of his hard work. Last week he started crawling the correct way, on all fours. Before he was doing this weirdy little shuffle that was way harder than crawling the correct way. He also discovered that he could crawl up the stairs. Before I was dreading that stage with my kids (that makes for a busy mama), but I have never been so thankful for seeing my son do that in my life. There were tears of joy seeing the happiness of his accomplishment on Punky's face. This week Punky's now pulling himself up to stand, on everything. Chairs, the couch, his toys, my leg, everything - and it's awesome. Lots of falls along the way (hence the scratch) but I am so proud of him for working so hard. I'm blessed to have my Punky and that he is mine - no matter where he ends up in life.

Monday, February 9, 2009

Miss Sunshine

Little Miss Lady and I spend the morning together taking her 3 month pictures (even though she's really 4 months.  Shhh....).  Isn't she a little doll face?  I just wanted to squish those chubby little cheeks!!  Her mommy is another high school friend that I haven't seen basically since high school - it was great to see her again!  Miss Lady's daddy has a fantastic voice and is very talented.  Someday he's going to be famous and I will be famous just for taking his gorgeous daughters pictures... or something like that.  Check out his voice here, or here.  You'll love his music! 









Piercing blue eyes.  I'm so jealous!







Thanks for coming over with your beautiful little babe!  I'll be in touch when the rest are ready!  

Sunday, February 8, 2009

Do You Think They Would Notice...

if their children went missing?  These kids were so adorable I just want to keep them!  I spent the afternoon photographing these two lovies.  Sister and brother are 17 months apart and boy are they busy!  Little buddy just wants to move.  Miss lady could move, and was fast!  It was great to be reconnected with a high school friend and his beautiful family.  Hope you guys enjoy your small sample of what's to come!  





 









Friday, February 6, 2009

Perfect

I haven't checked to see if I've used the header "perfect" yet but I don't really care.  This baby was close to, if not, perfect.  She was such a good sleeper, let me mess with her and didn't even pee once! 

Isn't this new family just gorgeous?  They looked like they've gotten a full nights sleep! 







Isn't that hand on her head just adorable?












Congratulations to this new little family - you guys were wonderful to work with and I enjoyed so much meeting your new little addition!  Hope you guys have enjoyed your sneak peek!  


Blog readers, keep checking back.  I'm going to be a busy little beaver in the next few weeks. Lots of sessions and I have to update you on some good news that has been going on in the Siereveld household.  Over and out... 

Monday, February 2, 2009

If This Doesn't Make You Smile...




well than you've got issues...  

Sunday, February 1, 2009

It's a Landslide!

Remember this contest? Well congratulations to the family of photo #2.  You are the lucky winner of a mounted 11x14 of that picture!  


I just love how competitive everyone got - it was pretty messy, you people don't mess around! Keep checking back, I'll run more of these favorite photo contests and maybe you can have your chance again to win a free print.