The word grateful doesn’t seem powerful enough for the feelings abounding my heart these days.
Friday night I opened a brown paper package. Inside I found something wrapped in a clothing pattern and a tiny black and white ribbon. What was inside the wrapping blew me away. Be still my heart. Beki knitted Sloane a sweater! The detail, the time that she must have spent on it, the perfection, the softness and sweetness (I wish you could feel it – it’s 100% cotton and already pre-washed)… mind-boggling that someone I’ve never met face-to-face was willing to spend so much time on something for my daughter… thank you Beki!!!!
Saturday morning Marla invited us to participate in a photographer gathering she hosts every year. She organizes a five day get-together, this year there were twenty-four photographers who came for the event. They share creativity, business advice, and tricks-of-the trade. They eat at fabulous restaurants, shop, drink lots of coffee, and go the the beach. Sounds like fun, doesn’t it!? She offered us a newborn session, Sloane being the star of the show. I hope we didn’t outwear our welcome, it took Sloane awhile to get into the modeling-mode.
(photographers above from left to right: Dawn Roberts (Sacramento), Amy Smith (Orlando), & Brandy Anderson aka Fresh Sugar (Calgary, Canada))
(photographer above: Amy Smith (Orlando))
(photographers above from left to right: Amy Smith (Orlando), (standing) Amy McTeague (Geneva/Chicagoland), Ruth Williams (Dallas), Stacy Wasmuth aka Blue Candy Photography (Indianapolis), Marla Carter (Santa Rosa Beach))
(photographers from left to right: Amy Smith (Orlando), kneeling Amy McTeague (Chicago), touching my arm Nichol Krupp (Michigan), kneeling on right Stacy Wasmuth Blue Candy Photography (Indianapolis), standing in green tank Erica Ledrowski (Chicago))
This fabulous house (with great lighting) is one of two that Marla rented in Rosemary Beach for the photographers to stay during their visit. It was such fun to be surrounded by creative women. I know Marla had a blast with this group while they were here. Thanks to everyone for their patience and for sharing your passion and creativity with me and Sloane!! I’ll share some of the photos soon… I snapped a few, that I’m sure pale in comparison to the pros, but they are still pretty darn sweet. If you live near any of these talented photographers - I hope you will look them up, they are amazing!!
Sunday we had visitors. Friends, neighbors, and family… all of whom we love dearly. Grandaddy is the only great-grandparent who has met Sloane. He loves her dearly. He has three daughters of his own… and Sloane’s middle name, Chancy, comes from Grandaddy’s last name. I think it would be safe to say Sloane is smitten with the great-grandaddy.
Auntie Leah & Uncle Bayn, and Beba & Papa came by too… I should have put on some makeup (new moms are allowed to look tired, right?)
My Mom is here and for that we are so very grateful. She can get Sloane to burp when Chance and I have exhausted all resources. She talks to Sloane as if she understands every word… which warms my heart. She helps in the kitchen and changes diapers… we are so appreciative. Sloane loves her too!!!
Chance and Sloane spent a little time outside yesterday afternoon… my heart overflowed at the sight of them together…
