Back in October when I photographed Ellie for the first time, I said she’d probably be all grown up by the next time I got to see her. Not quite, but darn close!

My cousin and family were back in town for a bit so we met up in Hudson to do some updated photos of Alex and Ellie. These are two active monkeys, lemme tell ya.

Not only did it rain, but there was a bulldozer on the beach where we were going to shoot. We still managed some brief time on the waterfront in between the hauling and the thunder.

Then we headed back to Grandma and Grandpa’s to check out the toys and read some books.

Everyone doing their surprise face. :)

The last time I met Jacob, he was still baking. Having reached 8lbs and 21 inches, he was ready to meet the world and I got to see his cute little self last week.

He was a happy little burrito.

Not so much into modeling hats, though. ;)

I have been jonesin’ hard to do some newborn photos lately so when my cousin brought her one month old to town when she came for her brother’s wedding (more on that later!), I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to photograph this tiny little one. Even at a month old, she was practically pocket-size.

I’ve photographed big brother (who is now much bigger and who I just might sneak a few more photos of in a few weeks when they all come back) before but before my blogging days. You might recognize him from my main website though.

You think blue eyes run in the family much?

It took a few attempts before she really wanted to fall asleep. Poor me, I had to hold her a few times. A tragedy really, all curled up tiny in my arms, falling asleep. The life of a photographer, I tell ya. And after she fell good and sound asleep, I put her down and took all her clothes and blankets off! There’s no justice in being so little…but I love how easy they are once they’re asleep. :)

Little baby rolls, so cute!

And my favorite for last. How could you not love little baby loaf? What a peanut.

I was so, so sad when they had to leave (we did this session on their way to the airport). She’ll probably be all growed up by the time they come back in six weeks. :(

On Sunday, I photographed the March of Dimes’ March for Babies. Early weather predictions had me a bit nervous as they were calling for rain and storms on Sunday. Then it got colder and colder and snowed on Saturday. Thanks to the craziness that is living in Minnesota, the windchill was below 30 when I was getting ready Sunday morning. But thankfully there was no precipitation of any kind and even a bit of sun here and there.

The St. Paul walk was held at Phalen Park which was quite beautiful despite the colder temps. I arrived at 9 as the volunteers were setting up the registration tables and the sponsors were preparing and the mini-donut truck was smelling oh-so-delicious. (Sadly, I had not brought any cash!) The walkers started arriving around 10, kids and strollers and dogs in tow.

The purpose of the March for Babies is to raise money to fund research to help prevent premature births, birth defects and infant mortality. Many of the families there had heartwarming stories about their NICU graduates and others had heartwrenching stories of little ones that they had lost. This is the daughter of this year’s ambassador family who was born weighing little more than a pound and is now doing quite well.

And a mother who led us in the National Anthem whose daughter had a similar story.

The walk route was around Lake Phalen, 3.1 miles. Most people welcomed the opportunity to warm up. I felt slightly annoyed at the weight of my camera bag until I saw many mothers toting (lugging is probably even a fair word) toddlers in their arms around the lake.

After the walk was more mini-donuts and hot dogs and the hokey pokey and St. Paul Saints mascot Mudonna and lots of playground time. And for me, lots and lots and lots of photos to look through!

At thirteen days old, Gavin was the youngest baby I have photographed. He was so cute and tiny…and not sleepy! He just wanted to eat and eat and eat and poop. His mom was looking for photos for a birth announcement – think this is what she had in mind?

Probably not. :)

What is this lady doing to me?!

So we did some family portraits. I thought maybe I could trick him into sleeping while being snuggled between Mom and Dad while I snuck in some shots. Nope – but look at his adorable face in this shot!

But I warned Gavin that I could outlast him. One of the benefits to working with me is that there’s never any rush. So Mom fed and fed and fed and Mom and Dad took turns bouncing and burping and changing and finally he couldn’t resist anymore and Mom was able to rock him to sleep.

So we snuck him back into the studio.

By that point, I was even able to unwrap his blanket and take off his onesie and diaper. Finally some shots of those cute little naked baby parts!

I didn’t really want to let Gavin go home but Mom and Dad kind of wanted him back and I figured I’d better just stick to photo sessions rather than waking up every 2 or 3 hours all night long. But I’m so ready to photograph some more little ones!