Category Archives: family

Waiting for Baby

Posted on by under family, maternity

One of my favorite things is getting to spend time with people at various points along life’s journey. Of course, bringing a new gift from God into the world is one of the absolute best. As a mother I recall the feeling of anticipation. The excitement, the joy, the changes, the questions, the anxiety, the exhaustion, the discomfort, the waiting, the prayers, the waiting, the prayers, the waiting, the prayers.

I’m blessed to know new mama-to-be Sofia in more than one capacity; I get to know her as a coworker and also as a coach of my daughter. I can tell you one thing I know to be true — our lives are richer because Sofia is in it. I also know this — this baby girl will learn to be strong, confident, intelligent, a little feisty, funny and fearless. Now that I’ve gotten to know Sam a little more, I can also tell you that these two parents will bring this baby girl into a home of love, of faith, of quiet presence, and of a solid foundation.

No one can know exactly when a first child will make his or her appearance. On a Friday night I watch Sofia coaching along the sidelines of a basketball game. In those moments when the refs make a bad call, the team misses a free throw, or a ponytailed young player sinks a three, Coach Sofia is on her feet and in it. She’s rallying around her girls. She’s defending them like a mama bear. And she’s taking them aside to impart words of confidence and grace. I am thankful to know women like her – strong, fearless and passionate.

Baby girl, I also know this for a fact – you will be like warm sunshine in the face of your loving mama and daddy. You are already so loved.

twice the love

Posted on by under babies, families, family, lifestyle, newborn

I bet if you ask any head football coach what he’s thinking about in late July and August, it’s the excitement of the upcoming season – the work, the grind, the joys and the battle on the field. The coach knows his role and is ready to tackle (see what I did there?) anything that comes his way. However, I bet that I know one football coach whose focus is a bit more, well…divided…this season.

Two weeks ago, in the middle of Kansas Shrine Bowl coaching prep (#GoWest), the twin daughters of Jordan and Bailey Echer decided it was time to meet the world. Never mind that there was an upcoming game to coach and green apparel to don, these two were ready. Sweet McKinley and Kennedy already have their parents wrapped around their tiny fingers, and witnessing the way these gifts of cuteness have shifted the universe for their parents is enough to make this mama heart burst and bring tears to my eyes.

One of my favorite aspects of lifestyle photography is exactly what the name suggests – it’s about life and how we live it. There were football helmets and diapers, sneakers and headbands (many, many headbands because you can never have enough headbands, right Jordan?). There was the way a father stroked the side of his tiny daughter’s face to calm her, and the way a new mom and dad looked at their precious gifts.

In true Echer fashion, we laughed throughout this lifestyle session. Like any session with brand new babes, these two did not disappoint and their individual personalities are already strong — Kennedy “Peanut Butter Cup” Harper is a child of wonder – wide eyed and observant, while McKinley “Gummy Bear” Rhyan is a perfect juxtaposition with her calm, peaceful demeanor. These two, nicknamed by their father, are perfection. Thank you to the Echer family for inviting me into your home – it was such a gift to be able to capture this moment in your lives.

henry, you are a gift

Posted on by under babies, birth, documentary style, family, lifestyle, newborn

It dawned on me today that I haven’t been faithful to my website or my blog. I cannot explain why, other than the downsizing of my photography business and all of the ways that my life has changed over the past handful of years. So today, as I was thinking about sharing the photos of this blessed event, I realized that it was time – time to share and time to start writing again.

I was blessed to be invited into the pre/post-op hospital/delivery room of my baby sister and her hubby. (Yes, I still call her my baby sister and I probably always will. Not sorry.) We all knew that it was going to be a c-section delivery and that this baby probably wouldn’t wait until the scheduled date because that was the trend that was started with their first born – he arrived (breech and ultimately delivered via c-section) three weeks prior to his due date.

So, it really was no surprise when my phone rang last week late at night, a full week prior to the scheduled date. It was my sister. Her water had just broken and they were headed to the hospital to deliver. A few minutes later we jumped in the truck and headed out on the 90-minute drive to York, Nebraska. I hoped that I’d catch some shots before they took her back to the operating room, but I was about five minutes too late (luckily, my mom snapped some of those).

We arrived as the proud daddy was prepping – putting on his fancy booties and hat. It wouldn’t be long before baby made his or her appearance and we were all excited! Another blessing was the presence of my sister’s high school best friend – she is the ob director at the hospital. It’s not very often that one of your closest friends gets to be a part of your baby’s delivery and newborn care. (She told me later that she even teared up a little in the O.R. because it was such a beautiful life moment.) It was truly an amazing memory to cherish.

Now, I cannot leave you without explaining the biggest surprise of the night. Everyone – almost every single person in their lives – just knew that it was a baby girl. We were sure of it. I was ready to buy bows and pink clothes. We chatted about how this pregnancy was different from her son’s and I would have put money on it being a girl! Well, it’s a good thing that I didn’t…because baby girl was definitely NOT a girl. Even his big brother was surprised! (You can see the moment that the truth was revealed to the grandparents and their expressions are priceless!!)

To my sister and her hubby – thank you, thank you, thank you! I know that you think of this as something I did for you, but it has done so much for me in return. Anytime I get to capture memories like this and be in this space – this moment – I am reminded of God’s grace and the gifts He has granted to me. I love you all so much. And to Henry – welcome to the world, sweet boy. Your name means “house ruler,” and I have no doubt that this is exactly what you will be.

lux

Posted on by under babies, family, lifestyle, newborn

There is no way you come into the world with a name like lux and people don’t fall in love with you.  This is absolutely true for this tiny girl.  I’ve done many newborn sessions when the new mama has been confident in her precious bundle’s ability to sleep through anything….that is, until the camera comes out.  Babies (and toddlers) must possess an innate sense of when they are wanted to be still, to be quiet, to be sleeping — because they typically do the exact opposite.  However, this was not the case with lux.  She was a perfect, little angel – sleeping and “mold-able” and adorable.  There isn’t much more that you can ask for from a newborn!  Thank you, again, to her parents jake+libby.  I have loved being a part of your journey together!

the bristol family

Posted on by under families, family

Personality. Spunk. Giggles. Charm. Freckles.  Just some of the words I could use to describe the three gorgeous children of Shane+Kelsey!  I have been blessed to work with this family a few times and every time it just gets better!  I know how parents are – trust me, I have four kids – they want that pinterest-inspired, perfectly-posed shot of their family.  A photo that captures every smile and wisp of hair perfectly placed.  But let’s be real…those shots are few and far between.  And besides, they can be pretty boring!  I’d rather see the personality of a family – the way they laugh, and talk, and are naturally around one another.  One of my favorite shots (though Kelsey might disagree) is the last one on this blog post.  It shows just how hard a family photo session can be.  Be sure to check out the facial expression of each child as mom and dad smile and hope for the best.  Priceless.IMG_9592_2IMG_9624_2IMG_9419_2IMG_9539_3IMG_9501_2IMG_9480_2IMG_9599_2IMG_9371_2IMG_9375_2IMG_9450_2IMG_9701_3IMG_9687_2IMG_9672IMG_9703_2IMG_9752_4IMG_9718IMG_9522_bw2IMG_9334_3IMG_9397_3IMG_9344IMG_9435_2IMG_9652_2IMG_9649_2IMG_9582_4IMG_9439_2IMG_9319_2IMG_9606_3IMG_9574_2Please tag Calico Creek Photography in all social media posts.  Thank you…and thanks for choosing Calico Creek Photography!