I kinda don't even know where to start with this blog post.. because... there are no words to describe how I feel.. I'll give it a try, though.  :)

Back in 2000, I graduated from college and moved down to Virginia from Massachusetts.  I started teaching Math at Spotsylvania High School where I met a lot of amazing people... students and teachers alike.  ONE of those amazing people was Tracy Graham (at the time).  The next year, I moved into a house with Tracy, this guy named Steve who Tracy thought was pretty cute, and another girl!!  It was quite a year... Tracy and Steve started dating, fell in love, and got engaged.  I got engaged too, that year, actually! :)  Somehow, after we all moved out... we lost touch mostly.. I don't know why, or how.

Fast-forward to 2009... I ended up finding Tracy on Facebook only to realize she has just started Tracy Kropp Photography AND has a baby the same age as one of mine.  And so begins one of the most amazing friendships ever!  Since we have reconnected, we have both added to our families... My new guy just turned 1.. and hers was just born! I was honored when she asked me to shoot little Graham's newborn pictures!  So.. we got together on a VERy dreary, almost-rainy Sundays and ...

When I got there and started setting up, I noticed this...

it must help Steve make it through the first days of having a newborn at home.  Those are tiring days!

While Tracy was primping, Graham was sleeping on and off on my beanbag with a nice warrrrrrrm heating-pad underneath!

But he soon woke up and was not ABOUT to sleep for his photos.  So, being a Sunday, he got some nice daddy time while listening to the Redskins on the radio on the deck.  (I think the ice cream was melting at this point.. poor Steve).

And some time with big brother Tobin.  The thing about Tobin that was SO cute was that he actually seemed a little nervous about holding his new brother.  He MUCH preferred to look at that sweeeet face.

And speaking of sweeeeeeet face... as Tracy and I were trying to schedule which day we were going to do this session.. she kept saying "Just you wait!  He is SO adoreable".  She could NOT get over the cuteness of Graham.  And neither could I, and neither could my HUSBAND who kept saying "Wow... he's REALLY cute" as he was looking through the pictures last night!!! 

I love these... love them.  Especially the one where Graham is crying.. because Tobin had NOT touched him.. and seconds before, as you can see, he was super peaceful!  :)

So... we headed off to some land that Tracy's dad owns (and lives on) for some family pictures... but, of course, Graham had crashed on the 4 second drive there.  So, I laid him right down in the field and shot away!  Isn't this SO cute!

And these... ahhhhhhhh...peaceful!

Apparently, Tobin LOVES Me.. but, when we are together.. he either acts like I'm not there when I talk to him, OR he just looks at me funny!  I think he thinks I'm weird.  So I was a little nervous.. because I typically can win toddlers over pretty easily... but Tobin gave me a run for my money!  I did eventually get him, though!  And then he was willing to take my lead... like when I asked him to give Tracy some flowers so he would go near her instead of traipsing though the field (MUCH more tempting for a 3 year old than posing for pictures).  This is the result...

We got some family pictures...

and one of Tracy with Graham!!! 

Then.. the rain REALLY started moving in.. but NOT before (or at least, not torrentially, I got this image.. which I think, pretty much sums it all up!

Welcome to the world, Graham!!!  I will never call you Graham Cracker again, and I know your mommy doesn't like it!  I know you will have a fabulous life... because you have one of the most sensitive, loving, giving moms on the planet.  One who I am MORE than happy to have in my life.  One who supports me.. as a mom, as a photographer, as a friend.. one who pushes me to be a better person, a better business-girl, and ... just all around makes my life happier than it would be if she was not in it!

CONGRATUALTIONS, Kropp family!  I love you all!

Stacy :)

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