Penny: One Year Session

For those of you who have been following my blog for about a year, you know that I've been documenting little Penelope every three months since she was born. I can't believe that she is already over a year old! It's been amazing to watch a little tiny newborn grow into a happy baby with tons of personality.

For Penny's birthday shoot, we not only had a handful of outfit changes, but yet again, she sported a tutu! This shoot was extra special because she got to try her very first cupcake! I could barely shoot I was laughing so hard. Penny seemed so unsure of the cupcake at first, and then once she realized that it was delicious, she shoveled it into her mouth with no expression at all. She just stared straight ahead and shoved each little crumb into her mouth like it would be her last. She was literally in a sugar trance and her mom and I couldn't stop laughing. Oh, how I love this baby girl...

My Cure for Narcolepsy

I can finish a scarf in about 3 or 4 hours, the exact time it takes to make it through a football game on TV. Note the word "make it". Nine times out of ten, I end up falling asleep about 15 minutes into a football game...it's literally like taking a sleeping pill.

I feel bad about my football-induced narcolepsy. Douglas loves football and his Atlanta friends don't watch it, so I sit with every intention of watching it with him. I never make it. The sleep takes over. So I decided to start making scarves while I watch. It keeps me awake and I can fly through a whole scarf in the time it takes to get through the fourth quarter. Let's just say I have A LOT of scarves and so do my friends. Here's what kept me awake between watching Super Bowl commercials earlier this month.

Alison & Logan: Children's Session

Alison and Logan were so much fun to photograph a few months ago. Alison is full of personality and energy, and Logan is the cutest little nugget of a baby. Despite freezing cold weather and Logan getting over a cold, we had a great time taking photos!

Laura & Erik: Engagement

She would always ask, "Well, how do you really know?" And my response was constantly, "You will just know. I can't explain it, but you will just know." Laura, my sister, follows her heart without a second thought, and as a hopeless romantic, would dream of the day she would get engaged. She would call me up, worried, "Well, what if I don't know if I'm making the right decision? What if I marry the wrong guy?" And I would assure her, that she would know when it was the right person.

I'll never forget the day she called me and said she met the person that was going to be her future husband. We both laughed, because at that point, she had been admiring Erik from afar and had only talked to him once. With blushing cheeks and nervous chatter, their one conversation was not the most romantic of exchanges, but both Erik and Laura felt something they had never felt before.

Over the course of a few months, they got to know each other and fell in love. I had never heard Laura talk about someone the way she talked about Erik. She was smitten and adored his goofy sense of humor and rosy cheeks. She loved that they both had the same outlook on life, goals for their future, and passion for God. Erik added fuel to her fire for life and showed her what it was to love and be loved.

Growing up, we loved The Little Mermaid, so it was appropriate that my nickname for Erik soon became "Prince Erik". After all, I had always told Laura that it would take someone really special and prince-like to not only keep her interest, but also be her perfect match.

The day Erik proposed to Laura, she called me and said, "Nicole, you were right. There is no doubt. I just know that he's the one." And over Christmas, as I watched my sister try on wedding dresses, I thought that she looked like a princess...the perfect compliment to her long-awaited prince.

Laura and Erik, I couldn't be more happy for you two. I not only get to see my sister the happiest she has ever been, but I also get a brother. Your love and devotion for each other is beautiful and I'm so excited that you will be spending the rest of your lives together.

Major: Newborn Session

This New Year's day was spent not only shooting my first session of the year, but also photographing my first red-headed newborn! Little baby Major just melted my heart and he was so sleepy and perfect for the whole shoot. What a great way to start 2011!

Coping with Cake

We chatted while melting chocolate over a double-boiler and zesting limes. These conversations and moments remind me that a friend can lift your spirits and convince you that everything will be ok, even when a dear family member is in intensive care during Thanksgiving.

Ryan, thank you for being there for me when I needed to cry on someone's shoulder. Eating Nigella's chocolate-lime cake and watching trashy reality TV was just what I needed to give me the strength to get through the rest of the week.

Although I didn't get a chance to take a photo of our chocolate cake, the last time I visited Ryan we made this delicious trifle and it reminded me of my sick relative. Trifle is his favorite dessert and his is the best I've ever had.