Baby Tessa

It's interesting how life works out.

Decisions we make today are the building blocks of tomorrow.  Some are big, some are small.  Some are difficult, some are easy.  Some don't turn out the way we planned, and some turn out to be better than expected.

When Lindsay moved away from Michigan in 2005, as a friend, I was sad to see her go.  She's one of the most easy going, empowering, sincere people I know.  But I was proud of her braveness to make a decision that took her to Charlotte, NC to love and teach kids who were hard to love and teach.  It was a big first step out of college, but it was also a step that would take her into the life full of all she has now.

A move to Nashville.
A job that allows her to use her gifts.
A welcoming house.
A loving husband.




And now, a beautiful baby girl.

One of the best parts about growing older is the additional life you get to experience.  It gets richer, and with age comes appreciation.  I do a better job these days at being mindful of thankfulness.  Of all the blessings I have, and all the experiences I get to be a part of with the people I care most about.  In April, my friend Krista and I made the trip down to Nashville to visit Linds and her family.  The trip can be filed under "decisions that turned out better than expected".  It was a visit filled with way too much Bravo TV, the best tortilla soup of my life, and passing sweet baby Tessa from one snuggle to the next.   It was the best.

And naturally, no visit from Auntie Em would be complete without a pint sized photo shoot of the beautiful babe.

It was such a joy to meet you, Tessa Marie!  I'm thankful your mama and daddy keep me up to date on all the growing you're up to, and stories of how much they love you and your sweet personality.  I'll be back to see you soon!

Send your sweet mama my love!  I have no doubt that she is loving you with that easy going, empowering and sincere love all her friends from Michigan know so well.  I'm glad you have her to love you like that.  You're one lucky little babe.  

xoxo, 

Auntie Em

Molly - Waiting For...

You know that Gandhi quote that goes, "be the change you wish to see in the world"?  That's Molly.

Molly is a world changer.

She really is.

Equipped with a big heart, and surrounded by countless people who support her mission, Molly is lightening the load of childhood cancer for kids in Metro Detroit.

Years ago, she saw an opportunity to give, and in a natural progression of events, started Camp Casey - A non-profit that uses love, intentionality, and horses to give kids battling cancer a bit of joy and empowerment in the midst of fighting terrible disease.

Molly has spent years loving kids.  But in the next month or so, she's going to add a new dimension to that love.

Molly and her husband, Nick, are expecting their first child.





                         



Molly is determined, yet easy going.  Two traits helpful in both motherhood, and outdoor modeling in the middle of winter.  :)  Beautiful snow, paired with a beautiful mama to be, made for some lovely outdoor picture opportunities.  


                             



                          

                          

It always feels good to spend time with Molly.  She knows what's important in life, and she lives giving purposeful attention to those things.  And when her little boy arrives next month, he's starting life out with the best of 'em.  Specifically, with a mama who has spent a good chunk of her life loving kids well, and has a beautiful and contagious love for life.




I can't wait to meet that little cowboy.  

- Emily Arden

Baby Isaac

Baby Isaac was born a week early, on Saturday.  He is so sweet, I'm excited for you to meet him.  

Those are some of the words his mom had emailed when they got home from the hospital.

She was right on -- even with being his biased mom and all.

he is so sweet.

When I showed up at the Cole house to take Isaac's newborn pictures, Allie carried him down the stairs to greet me.  He was wrapped up the way winter babies in the Midwest should be -- bundled tight, and being held close.  Tiny and new, content as can be.  The house was warm and ready.  Ready for a sweet baby boy to have a photo shoot to show off his sweet, newborn self. 

"He's such a good baby", his parents told me.  At a few days old, he already had his parents won over. 

I love the exaggerated ways of newborns. Their outstretched arms, the way their faces scrunch so tight, their tiny toes, and big, big yawns! it's the best. 

that face!

                          

As always, it was such a privilege to capture such a special and fleeting time in the lives of new families.  Newborns are so special, so small, but full of so much big, big love. 

The Taboh Family

She slept for most of our time together.  Her sweet, newborn face relaxed in perfect rest.  After all, it's hard work growing strong and healthy, and all along doing so with a newborn grace.

At the time of our photo shoot, Lily had only been a part of this big world we live in for a mere 3.5 weeks.  And in that short period of time, she had already managed to have her parents fall completely in love with her. 

There's a pure perfection in newborn babies.  10 little fingers and 10 tiny toes.  Adorable rolls, that make them as Mary Poppins would say, "practically perfect in every way".  I'm constantly in awe of how the existence of each newborn is a true miracle.  The probability of each one coming to be, making them truly unique.  Each one, perfect. 

As I mentioned in the beginning of this post, Lily slept for most of the shoot.  Luckily though, she woke up just long enough for me to get a few pictures of her beautiful blue-grey eyes, animated face, and of course, pink accessories. 

It's always a delight to spend time with new families and their little miracles.  Babies grow so fast, and it's such a gift to be able to capture those brief tiny moments to have to look back on down the road.  Growing up is inevitable, but memories can be forever.  

But for now, Lily is focused on the growing part. 

The Warner Family

There is so much to love about Fall.  The seasonal shift that transitions Summer into Winter. The richness of the colors, the crispness of the air, the crunching of leaves.  Weather that invites you to wrap yourself in warm sweaters, and spend some time outside. So much to see, so much to take in, so much to explore.  Especially for little ones. 

Those sweet kiddos belong to my high school friend, Amy, and her husband, Justin.  In high school, Amy and I were on the pompon team together.  These days, leading a team, and counting "5-6-7-8" look a lot different to this mama of two.  :)

I met with the Warner family on one of the best Fall days Michigan had to offer this year.  And the little ones had fun. 

I think one of the reasons I love Fall so much is because I love how evident and beautiful the change is from one season to the next.  And for me, a similar type of love comes along with reconnecting from friends of the past. I love the opportunity to see love and family grow, and the chance to see how evident change has been from one season of life to the next. 

                              
                            

Thank you Amy and Justin! Your family is beautiful and sweet, and it was my joy to take these pictures for you all. 

And one more for good measure.  Because seriously, I can't get over how cute this little outfit was on Ashlyn! 


seriously.  those tights. that skirt. the socks.

  Thanks again!