These have got to be the CUTEST kids on the planet - seriously!  Everytime I see them I just want to gobble them up.  Little Audrey, now 6 months, is the spitting image of her brother Daniel when he was her age.  She is just so chunky and squeezable.  I could photography them all day and twice on Sunday.

This family is so dear to me.  They are the sweetest, most fun people and it shows through in their incredibly happy children.  I'm so blessed to know them and have them in my life.

CLICK HERE FOR A SLIDESHOW OF THEIR SESSION!

It was Valentine's evening.  I came home from a client consultation to a homemade, candlelit dinner.  My adorable husband was the head chef, there were 24 gorgeous red tulips, and a shrimp pasta dish that almost looked too good to eat.  My eyes skimmed the perfectly set table, adorned with garlic bread, salad and a red card that said, Wifey.  The only thing it was missing was my card to Mark, so I added another red envelope to the table.

In this moment, I couldn't think of anything else in the world that I truly wanted.  I was so happy and so in love with this sweet man who would do anything in the world for me.  We enjoyed dinner, laughed and talked about the next chapter in our lives.  And when I just couldn't wait any longer, I ripped into the bright red envelope.

As I read the card - it was so funny - because it sounded eerily familiar to what I had written in my card.  Had he been reading over my shoulder??  How was this possible?  I looked over at Mark as he read my card and we both started laughing.  Everything we had written in there was the absolute truth - it must have been - because we both wrote it.

While our lives have been consumed lately with preparing for our new arrival - we both wanted to make it perfectly clear - that if everything had been different, if there were no baby, if there was no nursery - our lives would be just as joyful and just as full.  Contentment is a beautiful thing.  And that's what Valentine's Day is all about, right?  Loving the one you're with?  After reading the cards we locked eyes.  I knew that I would cherish this Valentine's Day forever.  It wasn't because of the pasta (although it was amazing) or the gorgeous red tulips - it was because of him.  And I learned in that moment what true contentment is...and THEN we went a saw a really horrible movie called ironically - Valentine's Day.  So as well as feeling the joy of contentment that night, I also learned that www.rottentomatoes.com is hardly ever wrong.

I don't know why, but I find it so fun to point out the obvious.  I'm sure most of you know...it is indeed Wednesday.  I've always liked Wednesdays.  Maybe it's just because I'm comfortable in the middle.  I was a middle child (without the syndrom - I think), I always go for the middle brownie and I like being in the middle of the action.  But, now that I think about it, the "middle" can mean other things too - like being (oh-I-detest-this-word) average, or settling for second best or just skirting by...no, that will NEVER be me!   Oh, Wednesday!  Look at this query that you have me in...!  Hmpf!  Maybe I don't like Wednesdays afterall.  

Lately, my life has been completely consumed with wedding albums.  Lots and lots of albums.  I think I've ordered around 15 albums in the past week.  Ordering albums is a tedious process and makes me a little edgy - come on photographers - who is with me?!?!?!?!  I just want everything to be perfect.  There are so many teeny, tiny details.  Not only do the spreads need to be perfectly aligned down to the millimeter (I'm a perfectionist, isn't it annoying?), there are an infinite number of different covers, colors, fonts, bindings, end papers AND AND AND I could go on, but I won't.  Let's just say I've been dreaming of cowhide, euro leather, designer leather and japanese book cloth for the past week.

One thing is for sure though.  It is ALWAYS worth it.  I get my books made at Leather Craftsmen and they are complete eye candy - I'm telling you!  Knowing it will be passed down from generation to generation makes me all kinds of warm and fuzzy inside.  It really is something that will be treasured forever and that makes it all worth it.

**Photographers - you should really check out the Leather Craftsmen new Companion Album!  Great little book!  Plus, Leather Craftsmen is just so great to work with.  I love my rep Ira.  He makes me laugh...and sometimes it's just what I need.  So, thank you Ira.

Here are just a few of my favorite spreads, o.k., so more than a few.  ;)

I don’t care what anyone says – pregnancy is amazing.  O.K., sure, it’s kinda hard to tie your shoes and you might get the undying urge to make tuna noodle cassarole (don’t ask me why, it just happens), but honestly – it’s all worth it!  

Just when you think your belly can’t get any bigger – it does.  And just when you think the kicks won’t get any harder – they do.  And just when you think you couldn’t love this tiny, sweet idea one ounce more – you do.  And you just can’t help it and it’s the strongest, purest sense of love you will ever know.  

I already know that I am going to miss being pregnant.  It’s like having a built in imaginary friend.  I rub my belly, I talk to it in complete sentences, I serenade it with my favorite ballads and the best part is…I never feel stupid laughing hysterically to myself.  I know Baby Strong must be laughing right along side of me.  I am not alone.  I am not crazy.  Really!

I have tried to cherish every moment in the past 8 months.  It is such a precious process.  And what’s crazy is that with only 5 weeks left – I still don’t think it’s completely set in.  I’M GOING TO BE A MOM!!!!   I’ve heard that it doesn’t really set in until the baby is in your arms and you make eye contact.  And then.  Then…you’re in love.  It’s forever.  And you’re a mom.

I can't wait.

These are just some fun photos that we took on our walk the other day - all done on our point and shoot...kinda cool, huh? :)

I am still on a high from this past weekend!  My mom and bestest friend Amy put on the most amazing shower for Mark and I.  It is times like these that I realize just how blessed we really are...  A few of my best friends from colllege came out and surprised me - it was truly surreal!  And...my-oh-my have we come a long way from being Theta's together at the University of Colorado - but no matter how much we grow up - some things never change.  :)

We had a delicious display of food, we laughed so hard I almost went into labor, we opened presents and decorated onsies.  We also had a little contest to see who could guess how big around I was - in inches.  Any guesses?

Thank you mom and Amy for the most amazing day!  And thank you to everyone who came that made it so special and so much fun!  WE LOVE YOU and are so thankful that you're in our lives..!  

And all I can say is - this baby is one spoiled baby...already...