baby jack | austin newborn photography

We got to meet sweet little Jack when he was just days old. We sat with his mom admiring each little finger and toe and whisp of hair. Her little boy was just perfect! He has such a sweet disposition and proved to be the perfect fit to the wonderful family we've come to adore.

He slept quietly while his big brother showed off his new giant stuffed penguin for us and softly patted his new brother's hair as mom and dad looked on with smiles. It was beautiful to see how much love and joy had expanded in this family with Jack's birth. Everyone was more full and more loved because of the new addition. It's a beautiful picture of family.

Baby P! | Austin Maternity Photographer

I think when I was being created, somebody spilled their great friends portion into mine. Whether it was a mistake or not, I'm pretty sure that I have the best friends in the world...No really.

I wish it were possible for me to adequately articulate how blessed I am to know Julie Prothro...though I may not have given her a choice about being my friend all those years ago. With only mutual friends to attach us, I approached her at camp and nearly strong-armed her into joining The Forge that year. It's almost overwhelming now to think back on what only the Lord knew then.

Those of you who know the other half of Everest Road Photography know that she is one of the most intentional people you will ever meet. From the way she plans meals to the way she loves people, Julie does nothing without calculation. Being loved that way by someone will change your life. I am a better version of me because of her.

When Julie married Evan, the world looked on with awe...and not only because they're both so beautiful. These two were made perfectly for one another. Their marriage is an example to anyone who's even heard of them of God's covenant to us. The way Evan faithfully serves his wife looks like Jesus. Julie's humble support of her husband challenges me constantly.

When she told me she was pregnant, something in me leaped with joy! I've been looking forward to this moment for years. The child (whose gender I'm beside myself to find out in a week or two) in Julie's super cute belly has no idea what they're getting themselves into. One thing is for sure though, his or her life has and will continue to be an unbelievable adventure...

and I'm just really glad to have a good seat.

How about you? Do you have a guess at the babies gender? Want the Prothros to know how excited you are about their baby? Or maybe you just want them to know how beautiful their son or daughter will be. Let them know in the comments.

 

 

WWW | 21 Dresses

In my home growing up the mantra was always quality over quantity when it came to clothes. Though this is likely the best approach as far as stewarding your resources well, I was the black sheep of our family in this arena. Mom used to always joke that I went through clothes like candy...and not because they were worn out, because I quit liking what we bought only a month later. What can I say? Call it my passionate make-up, but I fall hard and fast when it comes to a new outfit and unfortunately sometimes I change my mind almost as quickly.

That said, for today's edition of What to Wear Wednesday I'm gonna take you to a spot that's kind of become a lifesaver for my wallet - Forever 21. I've got to have Forever 21s in my life so that I can make rash decisions without breaking the bank every once in awhile (ok...maybe a little more often than once in awhile).

Forever 21 has so much variety. Though their stores keep getting bigger and sometimes feel overwhelming, I almost never leave with nothing. So today I wondered over to there web home and looked through the plethora of summer dresses they offer. It was so much fun to flip through the hundreds of adorable summer styles they had...and even more fun to see that in almost every case the price was under $30.

So I'm listing some of my favorites, specifically that I think would be just fab for a summer shoot below. Let me know what you think in the comments.

   

Vera Ann | Austin Newborn Photographer

As I drove up to their first home, the one I've stopped by several times on my way into Houston the last few years, I was overwhelmed with excitement for my dear friends, Amanda and Zach. Having watched these two fall in love and be married within the last several years, getting to meet their first born, the life that God created from their combined DNA, overwhelmed me with excitement.

Amanda and Zach have become close friends of mine in the last five years, and watching the Lord challenge and grow them together has been an honor for me. Seeing this "godly guy" from college become a mature pastor of Godly men, leading his church in worship for the last several years has blown me away. And watching his bride support and encourage him along the way, all the while perfecting her gift of teaching and managing their household well has made me so thankful to call her a close friend. These two are a real life model of what walking with Jesus on this planet looks like.

So to hold their precious Vera, like meeting so many of my close friends kids lately, nearly brought me to tears. This beautiful baby girl stayed wide awake for me as I spent the afternoon with them. Though mom might have liked some sleeping photos of her, I think Vera knew that those beautiful blues are way too fabulous not to show off.

Amanda did a SPECTACULAR job on Vera's nursery. Complete with a homemade quilt and bird mobile, I think this baby's got it made! 

 

And because Father's Day was just a couple days ago, I thought I'd do a montage of great daddy daughter pics to honor all those dads out there.

She's got his feet and his heart.

Rachel & Charlie | austin maternity photography

My friendship with Jessica really started when we became roommates after college. One of the very first things I learned about her, aside from her utter disgust at anything rubbing against carpet, was that she's fiercely loyal. It was evident even in how she spoke of her friends, always saying "my Brookie" or "my Claire". She knew people deeply, carried their burdens willingly, protected them fiercely and loved them well. With her family, the loyalty was multiplied exponentially.

When I met her family, it was easy to see the loyalty was a family trait. They all loved each other deeply and well and it was especially true of Rachel and Jess. I guess it's the bond between sisters. In the time I've known Jess, few people can encourage, challenge and love her the way her sister does. It makes me adore Rachel so much. I think it is a loyalty trait I've learned from their family, you love people who love your people well. It's a nice way to live. You end up loving a lot more people.

Spending the afternoon with Rachel and her husband Charlie was so great. They don't take life too seriously and were cracking  jokes at each other the whole day. Between the jokes though, there was little moment after little moment showing just how seriously they loved each other. She would catch his eye and then unintentionally break into a small contended smile, he would gently take her hand and help her walk down rocky paths, sweetly sympathizing with the challenges of pregnancy. Their marriage is marked by that same fiercely loyal love and their sweet Maggie Beth is going to be so blessed because of it.

I can't begin to think of what wonderful parents you will both be, and I am so excited to meet your sweet little girl!

 

Rachel, you are gorgeous!