New Year = New Baby

Okay, first off - not my new baby. (exhale, mom)

Meet Sam. This little guy was an early Christmas present for my friends, Lana & Bobby, and after a false start due to a technical issue a few minutes into our first session attempt (apparently my flash equipment decided to take it's own holiday break), Sam was ready for his big debut in front of the camera. In fact, he was so excited that - after a little fussing, a little food and a few impromptu bathroom breaks - he slept through the whole show.

Enter big brother Max. He was more than ready to step in for some play time while little Sam was on break. Max has some of the most beautiful big, blue eyes you'll ever find. Watch out ladies. And he's a ton of fun, too!

Here's a sneak peek of a few images from our afternoon play time. The last image is possibly my favorite fun image from the session. I think Max is touching his brain.

The NEW Reagan Era

The baby wagon made a stop at Michael and Amanda's last week and dropped off a brand new, shiny little girl. I got to meet miss Reagan Adelle Styer last weekend when I was back in Ohio for a little getaway, and let me tell ya, she's a keeper. She's beautiful, likes to eat all the time, needs lots of attention, and loves to sleep... truly a girl after my own heart. Watch out mom and dad... this one's gonna attract a lot of interest from the boys when she gets a little older.

What a blessing that she was born into such a solid family. Schrode and Amanda are wonderful people, and Reagan will never lack for love and guidance. Grandma and Grandpa Styer were there for a bit when I stopped by this weekend, too, and you could just tell they're hooked on this little girl. In fact, when grandma heard I was stopping by and had my camera with me, she hinted that baby Styer was billboard material. Too sweet. You've got it good, Miss Reagan.

Well, it took a little while for her to warm up to the camera (literally I think she cried every time the camera came out for the first 30 minutes), but after a couple new diapers and a little food, Reagan finally found her happy place and fell right to sleep. Here's a few images we stole while she was napping.

As always, click images for larger previews.

Party of 5, please...

Okay, actually it's 7 if you count mom and dad, but when you've got that many, who's counting? Over Memorial Day weekend, Kylie and I stopped in to visit Rob and Emily Wright, a couple of friends of hers from Indiana. Rob and Emily are the proud owners of 5 brand new, shiny, beautiful babies. Yes, 5... as in quintuplets... as in ohmygosh... as in "Uh, honey, what do we do now?"

When we stopped in only 3 of the little ones, Peyton (named after who else? - a little-known Colts quarterback and Super Bowl MVP), Sydney and Ethan were at home. Landon an Jenna were still at the hospital until they get a little bigger and a little stronger, but they should be joining the rest of the party in the next couple days if they haven't already.



Now, I know plenty of families that had 5 or more kiddos, but none of them all at one time. Can you imagine? How do you even keep them all straight?? Even with just 3 of them home when we were there, it's a round-the-clock operation with volunteers coming in at all hours of the day and night to help feed, change, do laundry, bathe and just generally pacify & entertain these rookies. I was blown away by the whole scene. How cool, though, that they live in a town with so many people who are willing to help out and do whatever is needed. That's what community is all about... people helping people.



God bless and best wishes, Rob & Emily... just think of all the presents you'll have coming your way on Mother's Day and Father's Day in the years to come!