Let’s be real for a minute. When Ella was born we had a whole lot going on. I basically went from knowing how to parent one child to parenting three (overnight). Our niece came to live with us when Ella was twelve weeks old and my life was turned upside down. I managed to take all of the “milestone” pictures of Ella but I was not doing any personal blogging at that time. I was overwhelmed with my photography business and three kids. Whew, just thinking about that season stresses me out! Needless to say, I did not blog barely any pictures of Ella during her first few years of life. I did take lots of them, I just wasn’t sharing them with the world. So they have just been sitting on our server and I have been longing to share them with the world. She is four years old and it’s high time I start sharing some of the glorious pictures I have of our sweet Ella. Considering she turns five in about a month I better get on it!
Let’s start at the very beginning. Here is a link to her birth and newborn photo session. I was pretty ambitious and thought I could take her newborn pictures, no problem. It was a terrible idea. I was so unprepared just a few days after delivery to take my second daughter’s newborn photos. We got some sweet moments but it was incredibly difficult and physically exhausting.
When Ella got to be three months old, I was embarking on a huge adventure. She hadn’t even started sleeping through the night. That is when my niece came to stay with us. I was back at working since is was the busiest time of the year (fall family pics). I have since learned my limits, but this was a season in my life where I felt like I had to say yes to everyone, every client, every friend and so on. So here are some special pictures of Ella, all of her first milestones (mostly cell phone pictures).
Meet Ella, and her first cry.
First time meeting big sister Kat.
First bow.
First hat.
First bath…she was so little!
First Saint Patrick’s Day.
First time working with mom.
First Easter.
First time camping.
First doctors visit with sister.
First Mother’s Day.
First pool day.
First pair of sunglasses (and check out those bottom teeth).
First time picking strawberries.
First Fourth of July.
First Halloween. She was Tinkerbell and it was freezing so we had to put a hat on her and cover her hands with socks.
First time at the pumpkin patch.
First Thanksgiving.
First Christmas.
First time visiting Santa.
First snow!
First Valentine’s Day.
My precious Ella, you must know I enjoyed every second of your first year. I was tired, busy, and overwhelmed but I still remember it like it was yesterday. You brought so much joy into our family and we love you forever. In my next few blogs, I will be sharing your milestone photos (3, 6, 9, & 12 months old).
