I take a lot of pictures in a year. From weddings to families to lots of little projects in between, I am constantly photographing other people at some of the happiest moments of their lives. When Willow came home to be with us just a few short weeks ago, it was finally our turn. I kept thinking in my head, "Is it really us this time? Are we the ones taking family pictures? Is this even real?"
Yet it was and it is, and every day it gets more real to us. We are a family of three.
We took these just three days after Willow came home, on an afternoon that was one of the hottest on record so far. She was a trooper but only lasted about 20 minutes before we had to call it quits. Yet I knew we would not regret capturing these first few moments with her at home. She has already grown so much it's hard to believe she was ever this tiny, but these are memories I will have forever.
To add to the specialness of this time, my best friend Chelsea Anderson Photography, who was about to move across the state, drove to a park near our house to take these pictures. It was a dream come true, and one I never thought would happen after she and her family announced their upcoming move a few months before. Yet my best friend got to meet my daughter, see me as a mom, and photograph my family just like I always wanted. I am truly grateful.
Each day is different and difficult and beautiful. We are learning Willow, who is constantly changing and growing. We are learning each other as parents. We are learning ourselves during the biggest transition of our married lives.
This is a time I never want to forget...and now, thanks to these images, I never will.
Note: We are not allowed to post pictures of Willow's face publicly until she is legally in our family, which will happen in a few months. We have so many beautiful images of her face but for now, they will have to wait.
