Letters to our Sons | August

Each month, I am sharing a personal post with a letter to my son. A group of mothers and photographers joined together for this project to preserve memories and share our love for our little boys.

Dear Abram,
The end of summer is always a bit heartbreaking. This year especially as you head to Pre-K, and I realize just how big you are getting. We squeezed in as much fun as we could during the last weeks of summer, though.
We went to three homecomings for the parades and carnival rides and enjoyed time with several friends. Compared to other four year old boys, you are apprehensive about trying new things like the ferris wheel. You are no daredevil, instead choosing to be very careful about climbing on the playground equipment or jumping off rocks. You aren't shy, but you definitely want to choose who to talk to and when on your terms.


You wouldn't go down the big slide on your own, so I got to ride with you. Even though you loved it, you weren't ready to try a second time on your own.

You decided to brave this roller coaster. I was surprised, and you were beaming when you saw me and your dad waiting afterward.
And even though I was sad our together time had to end, look at how excited you were on your first day of Pre-K!


I love you, Sweetpea. You're the best.
Mommy
Please continue to follow the circle and visit Tracey Bohland | Tracey Bohland Photography to read her letter!

Letters to Our Sons | July

Each month, I am sharing a personal post with a letter to my son. A group of mothers and photographers joined together for this project to preserve memories and share our love for our little boys.

Dear Abram,
There are many things I hope I won't forget about you as a 4 year old. A few that really make my heart melt:

1. The way you talk.
I know the quirks to your speech will soon be lost. I love hearing your little voice turn "here" into a 2-syllable "heeyah", how you went to see a movie at the "movie-ah-theatah", and how so many of your sentences end with an abruptly loud "OKAY?!?"

I caught a "heeyah" or two on video:

2. The sweet things you do to show you love Mommy.
At more than one teeball game this season, you just couldn't contain the need to show me how much you love me. When you were supposed to be on the field. Once it was, "I have a flower for you, Mommy!" and you running off the field immediately to make sure I got it. Another time it was, "I want to give you a kiss!" and you strutted right off the field making kissy faces all the way and plopped down on my lap when you reached me. And then you ran the bases with a flower you found at 2nd just to get it to me. Here you come with a big smile and clover squeezed tight in your right hand:



3. How you play. And play. And play.
I could offer you just about any activity, any day, and you would say, "No, I just want to play." Or you would want to confirm with me, "And play???" This would be your answer if I asked if you wanted to go buy new toys, go to the pool, go to the park. Even if it sometimes drives me batty, I love that you LOVE to just play. You pretend superheroes and characters from movies most. You shove toys about a centimeter from my eyes and force me to take them and be who you see fit. When you play, you are always right and you know all the rules. If I try to add something in to the story in your head, you look at me like I am just trying to be silly and quickly direct me on the RIGHT way to pretend.
Try not to grow up, little boy.

Iloveyou, SweetPea.
Mommy

Follow the links to view the other posts in the circle this month. You can begin by checking out this post by Mango Mahalo Photography by Michelle Anderson featuring some adorable photos of her little boy.

Letters to Our Sons | June

Each month, I am sharing a personal post with a letter to my son. A group of mothers and photographers joined together for this project to preserve memories and share our love for our little boys.

Dear Abram,

Your imagination never stops. The words I hear from you most are "I love you!" and "Do you want to pretend?" And since you have been sticking your tongue out in nearly every posed photo I try to take, I decided to take you out and let you have it YOUR WAY for photos. Pretend!





And sometimes you jump right in front of the camera and give me a sweet smile with your dimple!



I hope you will remember me as a mommy who wasn't afraid to be silly and pretend with you. Maybe you will remember playing together when we chase around like monsters at the park, use sticks as magic wands in the backyard, and circle the stairwell over and again finding super power mushrooms and getting unfrozen. And as much as you love to imagine you are someone else, remember that the best thing to be is you.

I love you sweet pea,

Mommy

Continue to read from the blog circle by visiting Mango Mahalo Photography by Michelle Anderson.

The P family part 2! | Troy, IL family photographer

So it wasn't just a family of 3, but TWO families of 3 together for this photo shoot. Another mom, dad, and gorgeous little girl made this extended family session twice as nice.





And these cousins weren't thrilled about taking photos together. Still cute, but not happy with their mommies OR their daddies!

Letters to Our Sons | May

Each month, I am sharing a personal post with a letter to my son.  A group of mothers and photographers joined together for this project to preserve memories and share our love for our little boys.

Dear Abram,
You are getting so big. This month you had your first tee-ball game, full of moments I am glad I didn't miss. You are #11 and were so excited to strike up a conversation with #11 on the other team when he made it to first base.

After a few tries, you got your first hit. Nothing could have taken the smile from your face on the run to first base!


We took a few family photos this month. I think your personality shows a bit here.


And you and Daddy got me a new Lensbaby for mother's day this month. You were giggling like crazy and running in circles trying NOT to let me get a photo of you with it.



I think I got some keepers, my silly sweet pea.
Iloveyou.
Mommy
Follow the links to view the other posts in the circle this month. You can begin by checking out this post by Jen Smay featuring some adorable photos of her little boy.

The P family | Troy, IL family photographer {Session at Oak Knoll Park}

Looking for a photographer in Troy, Collinsville, Maryville, Glen Carbon, or Edwardsville, Illinois? I offer family, baby, maternity, and newborn photos on location. Photo sessions can take place at your home or at any of the beautiful parks in the area: Drost Park, SIUE Gardens, and Willoughby Heritage Farm are some of my favorite places to shoot. And I would love for you to introduce me to your favorites, too!


I love to photograph families of three. The parents focus on the baby, and three is a magic number, of course. Look at these sweet shots of Mom, Dad, and baby girl!

Gabriel {6 month portraits} | Troy, IL family and baby photographer

An hour long family session gives plenty of time for a variety of family portraits, sibling poses, and photos of your children on their own. When you opt for a family session with Carrie P Photography, I will document milestones like baby sitting independently and memories of your whole family as baby grows.
I was excited when this family invited me to their new home for family portraits and to document their son turning 6 months old. Not only do they have a gorgeous new house, but they just happened to own the PERFECT piece of land for photos.


From the moment I walked in, Gabriel was all smiles and ready for the camera! Check out this adorable little boy wearing a fedora and getting a bit distracted by his pup grazing:

I didn't want to stop taking photos of this guy and his cute faces.