The S Family | Toronto Family Photographer

My adorable neighbors :-) How lucky did we feel when we found out that we had moved across the street from these two!?! Shortly after Robin was born, they showed up at our front door with some freshly baked ginger cookies (which just happen to be my favourite) and after spending the night chatting and enjoying some wine (I think I spent most of the time vigorously bouncing Robin), it was easy to see we'd be friends. At the time, Lesley and Naveen had probably just found out that they were expecting. And now here we are, approximately 9 months later, and Robin has a lovely new friend, Luke, and we have another set of "new-parent friends" that we can spend hours discussing feeding schedules and sleep training with.

I am so excited to watch this family grow. xx

The G Family | Toronto Family Photographer

I posted on FB earlier this week that this family makes it look easy, "it" being parenthood. Life with a baby is hectic and often quite loud. Gone are the days of sleeping in, relaxing on a Saturday with a book, and enjoying long leisurely dinners. Replaced by a stream of never-ending diapers, feedings and crying (for no apparent reason!?!) when they first arrive. Which is followed with babbling (high-pierced yelling in our case), the start of solid food, the clean-up of solid food, diaper changes that are more like wrestling matches, and crawling (followed by panic baby-proofing). Life certainly changes with a new baby. But it's all worth it when you have moments like these – deliciously sweet cuddles with your little one  (seriously, you feel like you could eat them) and the joy of watching them grow and discover the world around them.

See!?! I told you they make it look easy... and wonderful and dreamy, pretty much perfect. xx

Cooper | Toronto Family Photographer

I LOVE this family... and their love for one another. Other than my niece and nephews, I think Cooper was the first little guy that I started taking photos of (his mom graciously offered him up as a model for me to practice). Since then, we've done photos each year and it's amazing to see how much Cooper is growing and changing. He loves his hat, trucks, mom & dad, and on this particularly warm evening, his socks and shoes (he could not be convinced to wear sandals). It's obvious that Cooper's parents adore him (and it's easy to see why!) but what's more endearing is the way Cooper adores them right back. After a long day, the family was so happy to be hanging out and spending time together, and unless I instructed them to look at me, it was as if I wasn't there at all. They started the evening off with some football and it ended with some cuddles. Perfect.

This one makes me melt.My favourite shot of the evening. Golden hair in the golden grass.

Who doesn't love (and isn't fascinated by) their belly button?

Did I mention that I love this family!?! xx

Toronto Family Photographer: Three little ladies...

A sister is a little bit of childhood that can never be lost. --Marion C. Garretty

A few weeks ago (the day before Mother's Day to be exact!) I spent the morning with three very busy, but very sweet little ladies, their lovely parents and their dog George. What a beautiful family! It was sunny and warm so we headed outside for a walk around the neighborhood. I had so much fun watching these girls interact so lovingly with one another – an impromptu dance on the front lawn, running up and down the sidewalk, and picking flowers.

Family Vacation 2011

While working on this post this morning, I looked outside and for a brief moment we seemed to be in the midst of a mini-blizzard! The sky darkened and for a few minutes it was difficult to see anything but the large, fat snowflakes blowing around in the strong wind.  I heard on the news yesterday that the groundhogs may have been wrong about an early spring and we may actually have a few more weeks of winter left. Although I'm tired of this cold weather and starting to feel ready for spring, I have to admit that I've actually really enjoyed winter this year. Partly because I have been very distracted learning the ropes of motherhood, attempting to organize my house, and taking a photo here or there when I have a chance. But mainly because I have been very busy getting to know my beautiful daughter. She seems to be doing something new every day and I just can't get enough of her smiles and cuddles. I even find myself constantly sniffing her – sticking my nose in her neck and deeply breathing in her smell. (A few people have given me weird looks out in public. But I can't help it. It's addicting). So the last few months have gone by in a blur and my once tiny, sleepy, sweet newborn (with her adorable alien-like stretches) is now a bubbly, drooling 4- 1/2 month old with lots of smiles, grunts, giggles and a deafening high-pitched squeal. She's growing up too fast. So, today's post is very special.  Back in January, we were feeling adventurous and decided to take Robin on vacation at just 12 weeks old. We travelled south to the warm and sunny Dominican Republic, with Dave, Melissa and Kate (good friends and regulars on the blog), and we definitely did not regret it. It was a fantastic way to spend time together as a family and it was so nice to be outside in the sun and warmth. I loved dressing Robin in cute summer outfits and she loved hanging out in her diaper. We spent the whole week admiring her lovely little toes and chubby knees and elbows, which are normally hidden. Towards the end of the trip, Melissa and I decided it would be fun to take some photos of each other's family down at the beach and I'm so glad we did. Taking the time to do this produced some of the best photos of the whole vacation, and definitely a family portrait or two that I will always cherish. I think we may have started a tradition.

And below, one of my favourites of my two loves.

Nick, Kathie and Veronica

Robin and I had a lunch date with Kathie and Veronica today and I was so excited to pass along the photos from their recent session. Veronica is so sweet and I look forward to taking many more photos over the years as she grows. Enjoy! xo