Our Family Adventures Part 1 | Redlands Family Photographer

One of my absolute favorite things about being a family storytelling photographer is turning the camera on my own little family. Being able to document our adventures and our every day moments brings me so much joy but I realized I’ve never shared them with you! So here is to my effort to get caught up on our year, even if it is already July, and share some of our life and how I document our love.

So starting with January and February, 2018. These months were full of trips to the zoo, her first snowfall, park dates and unfortunately, a battle with pneumonia.

Our walls are filled with images of Annalise playing with her daddy, partly because I am the family photographer, but mostly because my heart skips a beat every time I see them enjoying their time together. He is such a present and committed daddy. He relishes play with her. We stumbled upon Marina Park right on the water in Newport Beach and it didn’t take long for them to jump right in.

I love how he gives her some space to roam and explore but is never far behind, his shadow ever present. Also, going back in time through these pictures makes my mama’s heart twinge a bit. She no longer needs to crawl and standing to watch her is impossible as she is at a full run, just a mere 4 months later.

If you haven’t been to the Orange County Zoo in Irvine I highly recommend it, especially with littles. It is small and the animals come right up to the gate, plus they have a petting farm/zoo area that Annalise loved. A new baby lamb was born a few weeks before we came which made the visit all the more special and check out those lion trainers!

Annalise became enamored with pushing the stroller instead of being pushed in it. Makes going on walks and out around town super interesting these days.

We experienced snow fall in Yucaipa which was amazing. The whole family got out to play in it, which didn’t last long but we were all bundled in jackets and laughter.

Unfortunately, many of our adventures came to a screeching halt in mid-February. After a few days of terrible fevers that spiked at night, Annalise was diagnosed with pneumonia. My bubbly 11 month old was replaced with a lethargic, sick baby. So many tears were shed by her and I, medicine fought over and breathing treatments delivered. I was never more grateful to be living with my parents, especially my LVN mom. It was a scary two weeks and we had to cancel her first birthday party. But we emerged stronger than ever. We spent days in the rocking chair and as hard as it was to see my baby girl so sick I am so grateful to have these images.

We did get to celebrate her first birthday in a super low key way. Some balloons in her crib to wake up to and donuts with family was a perfect way to close out her first birthday.

As we finished our first year of parenthood with our precious baby girl I am in awe of all that God has done. I have grown in ways I could never have imagined. Our marriage has been strengthened as we adjust to a new normal. I have learned to embrace a complete change of identity and shifting of priorities. And I have lived life with this tiny, magical being who continues to grow and blossom into a beautiful, and very opinionated, toddler. May the journey continue.