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I was so excited (as I always am) when I get an email or a call to do newborn photography.  This time I had a connection with momma, Melissa.  I had never met Melissa before but we went to the same grade school and high school.  She, too, married her high school sweetheart and I knew him as he was in my brother’s class..not well, but I did know him…however, his older sisters I knew very well.  (Waving hi to Tami and Leslie!)  I also realized at this session that Melissa and I are a lot alike.  Our personalities are similar and our birth stories were very similar, too.  (Both these things make us who we are.)  She, too, gave birth at the same hospital and also had problems with her epidural making recoveries for both of us much harder than most (unplanned) c-section patients.  Melissa was still having a hard time getting around (bless her heart — I totally understand!) but Hudson was so very cooperative for us and even gave a few glances of his beautiful eyes.  I think babies sense when us mommas aren’t at our best (although she looked GORGEOUS and I so wish she’d allow me to show you some of her and Hudson..hint, hint).  And…as you will see, his parents (especially his daddy!) loooooove the St Louis Cardinals.  Another way Melissa and I are similar.  I love the Cardinals, too (but my hubby loves the Cubs.  Eww).  It was so cute….Melissa came in with a bag of St Louis Cardinals props for me to work with.  It was so fun!!  I hope daddy cherishes the shots forever.  Especially if, heaven forbid, he turns to the Cubbies.  Thanks again, all of you, for choosing me to photograph Mr. Hudson’s handsome self.  Melissa, hope you are recovering well.  Take care and keep letting Rob spoil you!  Being a momma is hard, but even harder after having major surgery.  Lots of love and gentle hugs to you.

You may have seen Paisley’s debut this morning and here are more of the sweet 5 lb 8 oz baby girl with the prettiest name.  She’s the first daughter of Nicole and Brent, whom I met a few years ago when I shot their wedding.  I can’t say enough how much I love being a part of these families as they bloom and grow.  It always makes me giddy when I get an email or a phone call from past brides and grooms wanting newborn portraits.  I asked Nicole if there’s any special pictures she wanted and the most important one to her was one with her favorite stuffed animal as a little girl…Snoopy.  (Aww, she’s sentimental like me!)  So when they arrived on this April morning, they had not just thee special Snoopy but several.  I had no idea you could even find Snoopies anymore!  (But oh yes you can!)  So the most unique photos from this morning were with Paisley and her old new friend, Snoopy.  Snoopy is literally the same size as Paisley!!!  Anywho…thank you, Brent and Nicole!!  And thank you, Miss Paisley Isabella!  It was an honor to meet you and an honor to do your first portraits.  Lots of love ~ Val

A few weeks ago I got the opportunity to do a bridal session of Hao and Joy, an adorable couple from Singapore.  In June they will be going back to Singapore for their wedding ceremony at a church followed by a lunch reception where they will have a traditional Chinese tea ceremony.  I asked Hao if he would tell me more about it.  Wikipedia explains it well:

In the traditional Chinese marriage ceremony, both the bride and groom kneel in front of their parents and serve them tea. That is a way to express their gratitude. In front of their parents, it is a practice for the married couple to say, “Thanks for bringing us up. Now we are getting married. We owe it all to you.” The parents will usually drink a small portion of the tea and then give them a red envelope, which symbolizes good luck. Another variance is for the to-be daughter-in-law to serve tea to her to-be parents-in-law, symbolizing that she is to become a part of the latter’s family.

Too bad I can’t go along to Singapore and photograph the ceremonies!  But since I can’t, I am satisfied because it was an honor that I got to spend an afternoon with Joy and Hao and all of Joy’s very sweet and helpful friends.  (Thank you, friends!) We had a ton of fun here on the University of Illinois campus. Huge thanks also goes out to Micah, who assisted me for the day.  Micah, you did great and I look forward to future events that we do together.

Once Joy and Hao are back from Singapore, they will reside in Boston.  Joy just got her PhD in Biochemistry and Hao is a doctoral student in Chemistry at Harvard.  Doctors!  What an accomplishment for both!

All my best to you, Joy and Hao!  I have a feeling you are on your way for an adventurous ride together!