.....I already know that it will be impossible to top these Valentines photos for my post next year.....Sara delivered again and at least I have a year ahead of me to get creative....I haven't had real pictures taken of my three babes since the week Brody arrived in April, so I thought the day of love was a great excuse to buy some fantastic threads and strike a pose.....
.....or lose your threads and let Momma smother you with Valentine's kisses.....
....threads or no threads, these three had me giddy during the photo shoot.....It was the most fun I have had while shooting in Sara's studio probably because I know by now to enter the event without a lot of expectation that my three will all cooperate simultaneously......
.....but Sara always delivers several shots I love.....and this time was no exception....
.....I enjoy watching the little personalities of my three shine, especially when they get the backdrop all to themselves......so in honor of Valentine's Day, I only thought it only made sense to showcase the reasons I love each of them with the pictures I love.....
.....My oldest of 4 ripe years, Elsie, certainly loves the camera......
....she's my girl who shies away from too much attention, but secretly, she actually loves the attention.....I will catch her (daily) standing in front of a mirror practicing poses, rearranging her hair, admiring an outfit she put together or standing an inch away from her reflection to really inspect her teeth, her eye lashes or the necklace she is donning.....she is proud, confident, meticulous of details, has an eye for style and appreciates everything around her......
....and I must say, the camera loves her too.....
....but she is light hearted, yet serious.....she aims to please, is distraught if anyone is upset at her......she's considerate, giving, compassionate and feels every emotion so deeply.....she is my responsible helper and I cherish our conversations because they are sincere, meaningful and thoughtful.....and her sweetness devours my heart......
.....Callie is my extraordinary, lively, witty, energetic, bold and fearless wonder....
....who is accident prone, yet delicate, petitie and graceful simultaneously.....
.....she lights up our home.....and this year, despite the crazy schedule with two in preschool at opposite times, it's my mornings with Callie that have been so rewarding.....Brody naps for the duration of time when Elsie is at school and Callie and I have had some special mornings.....she has an imagination that awes me and behind her assertive style is also a soft and sensitive sweet girl who can actually be quiet, pensive, and introspective.....
.....she loves to love and her affection can stop me in my tracks.......she's unexpected, spontaneous, thoughtful and like Elsie, she is beautiful inside and out.....
.....and after being blessed with two girls who are so alike in some ways, but so extremely different in others; God gave me a son.....I ask every Momma I know who has a boy and a girl if they think there is a difference between the two and it is an emphatic yes......
....I purposely don't wear too much lipstick because if I did, he would have lip marks everywhere.....I think Brody's first word may be kiss because the three ladies in the house smother him with them hourly.....and Stefan isn't too far behind....he's smitten as much as we are.....
....Brody is always smiling.....he is a social baby who wants to make sure he is always near the action.....he'd rather give up sleep and stay for the party.....he's affectionate, joyful, enthralled by his sisters, enamored by any man who has a good presence in the room, especially his Daddy.......but at the end of the day, he loves his Momma and wants my comfort.....
....and the chaos of the home could be in full force or the ceiling could be on fire and I will drop everything to pick up my baby when he needs it most......he makes me more grateful, more trusting and more faithful that God knows what we need when we need it.....Brody has made this home so complete and we all love him for that.....
.....but that's not a disclaimer that a fourth isn't ruled out.......
.....none of our children would be possible without my true, one and only Valentine; but I will save my words of love for his Valentine card.....it's been a tradition since we started dating that we make a fabulous meal together in the kitchen and leave the going out for other occasions.....we write letters to each other and he is usually the one handing me something with a red bow.....he is a keeper; a man who adores his family and my steady hand when I am whirly......
.....but on this day of love, my children will eat as much candy as they did at Halloween, they will come home from school with all sorts of trinkets and gadgets and cards that bring them joy.......Brody and I will be connected at the hip, literally, listening to all of the excitement of the day and when Stefan arrives home, we will make some quiet time to make an ordinary Tuesday feel special.....
.....and at the end of the day, we will check on our three babes and retreat to our nest knowing that outside of the candy, chocolates, cards and red bowed covered boxes; we have already given each other the best gift......
....Happy Valentine's Day.....
....now go get your love on.....
Photography by Sara Blackburn Photography