“This is a holy moment
Now something of heaven touches earth
Voices of angels all resound
We join their song”
-Matt Redman
Nicole has been one of my closest friends for the past 16 years, and last week I had the honor and privilege to be present as she became a mama for the first time. The day was full of happy tears and first breaths, which make for a beautiful combination. Nicole truly made labor look easy, something I didn’t think was possible! We sat and chatted for about 3 hours, she pushed for 15- 20 minutes, and then Miss Eva was here. A perfect 6 pounds 2 ounces, with the sweetest disposition, and a big bow on top of her head already! This baby girl already has SO many people wrapped around her little bitty finger, and is more loved than she will ever know. Make sure you check back next week to see Eva’s official newborn portraits! Nicole and Dan, I’m honored you would even consider having me photograph Baby Rod’s birth day. Thank you for letting me share in your joy that day and letting me snuggle your girl for a few minutes! Can’t wait to watch my sweet little “wonder niece” grow :)

xoxo, jessie

“Oh, the comfort, the inexpressible comfort of feeling safe with a person, having neither to weigh thoughts nor measure words, but pouring them all out, just as they are, chaff and grain together, certain that a faithful hand will take and sift them, keep what is worth keeping, and with a breath of kindness blow the rest away.”
– Dinah Craikman, couples who laugh together make me so very happy :) we lucked out with the most gorgeous evening for their engagement session this past weekend! a favorite for sure: 

Bill and Krista are kicking off my 2014 wedding season in just a couple weeks, and I can’t think of a better way to start the year! Can’t wait to see you guys again so soon!

“After all,” Anne had said to Marilla once, “I believe the nicest and sweetest days are not those on which anything very splendid or wonderful or exciting happens but just those that bring simple little pleasures, following one another softly, like pearls slipping off a string.”
― L.M. Montgomery, Anne of Avonlea

Miss Isabelle was so happy to be out in the sunshine and warm weather for her 8 month photos this weekend! :) two of my favorites! we found a few gorgeous cherry blossom trees that provided a perfect backdrop :) apparently Elle has already decided where she’d like to go to school one day ;) look at those two little teeth! scrunchy nose smiles are the best :) does anybody else see this photo and envision it as a big canvas?! :) 

To go back and see Isabelle’s 4 month photos click HERE! Happy Monday :)

There is such a special sweetness in being able to participate in creation.
- Pamela S. NadavSo thankful to have this little lady in front of my camera again :) and even more thankful that I get to hang out with their family for this next year as we document her baby brother coming in June!love these next two! ooooh that face! ha! i think this was Jilli’s “mama, pleeeeease?!” face :) tickle, tickle! another favorite for sure! and just incase you were wondering, this was the last time I saw Jillian for her first birthday session! so crazy to see how much she’s grown!

I’ve said for a long time now that I would be perfectly happy to live somewhere that stayed between 50-80 degrees year round. I don’t need the summer heat, and I can do without the snow. This year Virginia seems to be experiencing the winter that just won’t end. It has officially overstayed it’s welcome, so we decided to head to Florida for a few days in search of some sunshine and good friends! Thankfully, we found BOTH! Mom, Katie, and Cedar Belle went down to Orlando last week and had lots of fun visitors and we even got to introduce Cedar to Mickey Mouse! The weather couldn’t have been more perfect, and it was so nice to have some florida sunshine, especially since Virginia welcomed us home with more snow! c’moooooon SPRING! i’m ready for ya! :)

for now, here are a few photos from our trip! We have family and good friends in florida, and over the course of the week we got to see a few of them! the first night my cousin Laura came to hang out, and Katie’s roommate from college stopped by too! the next day we heading to find a little disney magic! OH my good gracious, have you ever seen anything cuter than a baby in Mickey ears?! Cedar Belle literally stopped traffic all. day. long. as people would want to oooh and ahhh over how stinkin cute she looked in her mickey ears and tutu :) it was an exciting day for Cedar Belle :)
she seriously kept those ears on all week long! it made me so happy! she LOVED all of the rides! she was so enthralled with all of the sights and sounds of disney and was so wide eyed the whole time.  i’ve heard people say there’s no point in taking a baby to disney, but Cedar clearly loved all of the disney magic, and it was so sweet to watch her experience it all! apparently there was a little too much excitement for her, because she just couldn’t keep her eyes open any longer! everyone Cedar met was truly smitten with her, even when she’s snoozing!
Sleeping Beauty: “Oh my goodness, I have the SAME problem! I just can’t seem to stay awake!” Sleeping Beauty left her mark ;) I’m so glad that Ingrid was able to join us for a couple days! She and my mom have been best friends since middle school, and she’s one of my favorite people to spend time with :) it took Cedar Belle all of 5 seconds to warm up to Minnie Mouse :) I think Minnie could have hung out with Cedar all day, she didn’t want her to leave! can’t say i blame her :) so many kisses! bahaha! this is one of my favorite photos from the week :) while it may look like she’s saying “hold it right there, mouse…” i think what Cedar really meant was “hey! you and Minnie have the same size nose, and it fits perfectly in my hand! get over here!” Katie has a photo with these rascals from when she was about Cedar’s age, so we needed to track them down for an updated photo :) and of course, Cedar Belle needed to meet Belle herself! (even if Belle didn’t get the yellow dress memo, hopefully she’ll get it right next time ;) )and a few little sunset portraits to end the day :)oooh how i love these girls! be still my heart! my other favorite photo from the week :) the concentration in her eyes just kills me! better luck next year, CBelle ;) and this was how we ended our days :) anybody want to go back next week? :)