Welcome to my world...

Mahwah Children's Photographer: I'M IN LOVE WITH CAROLINE AND KATIE!

2011-11-28T17:31:00.001-05:00

I have a habit of falling in love with my clients. All of them. But Caroline and Katie are a little different. A little special. First of all, they are mini models in the making that I have watched grow from year to year. But it's more than that. I've watched as this family, through strength, love, and unlimited generosity, have been rewarded with a family unit that most would marvel at. I've watched as two sisters have formed an unbreakable bond. I'm always excited to see what will be next. Caroline continues to evolve into a lovely swan who knows how to work the camera and Katie has become strong and independent... and can work it equally as well.

Yes, I am in love with Caroline and Katie. And I'm in love with watching them grow into fabulous young ladies. Thank you, Kathy and Kevin, for bestowing me with that precious opportunity year after year.

To see more of Caroline and Katie, CLICK HERE!

Ridgewood Family Photographer: Melissa, Chris, Sean & Kate

2011-11-27T16:47:00.001-05:00

It had been a year since I had seen Melissa, Chris, and Sean... and so much had changed since then! A new, beautiful house and a new, beautiful baby had been added to their family in the past year. I had so much fun catching up with them, exploring their gorgeous home, hanging out with Sean, and meeting Kate for the first time. This is a family that captured my heart three years ago, and every year around Thanksgiving, I am reminded exactly why.Thanks for having me, again! It's always a pure pleasure.

It's so hard to pick, but here are some of my favorites of the day...

To see more of Melissa, Chris, Sean, and Kate, CLICK HERE!

Hudson Valley Event Photographer: VILLA BORGHESE BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION

2011-10-11T19:40:00.001-04:00

I've never been to The Villa Borghese before and as I headed over there to shoot the celebration of Jasmine and Mavi's first birthday, I was obsessing about the fact that it was chilly, had been raining non-stop for days, and wouldn't be conducive for outdoor shots. But, when I entered the magnificent lobby of The Villa Borghese, I stepped into the most perfect indoor shoot location I've ever seen! I fell in love with the site instantly.

And when the guests began to arrive, oh my goodness! This couldn't possibly get any better. The sun broke through the clouds and everyone was beautiful, colorful, and sparkly! The celebration was limited to family members due to the sheer volume of this huuuuuuuugggggggge family and the women were warmhearted... the children, adorable... and the men, rockin'! They made this an event that I was excited to be part of. Here are some of my favorites of the day!

Happy first birthday, Jasmine and Mavi. Your are both so sweet and with family like this, your futures are the brightest!

Thank you all for sharing this slice of your lives with me.

Happily,

Terri

New York / Pennsylvania Children's Photographer: HELLO, ABBY!!!

2011-09-24T13:00:00.000-04:00

Every time I am driving to a location I'm not familiar with for a photo shoot, I wonder if it will be a landscape that amplifies my inspiration for the shoot. So, when I drove out to meet Jessica and baby Abby for a shoot on their farm in the country, my excitement skyrocketed when I pulled onto the dirt road that leads to their property. I'm from Franklin Lakes (Housewives, anyone???), but I am a country girl at heart who wholly appreciates the splendor of a dirt road leading to your own parcel of acreage that envelopes you like a cocoon. It's home; it's peace; it's safety... and it's where I now choose to live as well... so I INSTANTLY knew the magic that was in store for me... and I was NOT disappointed!

If that wasn't enough inspiration, ten-month old Abby couldn't possibly be any more adorable than she already is. When I met her, she played the shy card at first, for a moment. Literally... a moment. Then she was all business and for two hours strutted her stuff, played like it was her job, cooperated through numerous wardrobe changes like a top model (except for that small fashion faux pas having to do with the demolition of a hair clip that we then had to attach to her hair with a safety pin), and never once did she tire of me or my Nikon... all in all, a pretty amazing feat for a ten-month old!

Jessica, come be my stylist for shoots, okay? I've never experienced a more prepared mother who, with the help of her mom visiting from Arkansas, had all kinds of props and outfits ready to pop in and out of the settings I was creating. What a team! Two hours flew by like nobody's business and I was sad to leave.

Jessica, Goggie, and Abby... thanks for sharing a slice of your lives with me! TO VIEW MORE OF ABBY'S PHOTO SHOOT, CLICK HERE!

Minerals Resort Great Gorge Wedding Photography: AMBRIA AND JAHN

2011-09-19T19:25:00.000-04:00

Ambria and Jahn are like cookies and milk. Period. They just go together.

Like PB & J.

Like night and day.

With one, you have the other. Without one, something is missing.

I knew this the very first time I met them and it was reaffirmed the day they became husband and wife at the magnificent Minerals Resort and Spa at Vernon Valley/Great Gorge, NJ.

While the men, children and guests enjoyed the pool, Ambria and her mom, grandmothers, and bridesmaids gathered in the Granite Room to have their hair done by Sam Alba Salon and makeup by Bella Trucco.

Ambria's Casablanca wedding dress had exquisite tulle detailing highlighted by gold threading. Nina Bridal Shoes, Tiffany Jewelry, and Bridal Rings by MS Jewelers completed her ensemble. Her bridesmaids wore Jim Hjelm.

Jahn and his 11...you heard me right... ELEVEN groomsmen looked fabulous in their Ralph Lauren tuxedos from Men's Warehouse.

Dykstra Florist created gorgeous bouquets, boutonnieres, wrist corsages, and table centerpieces.

Ambria and Jahn opted for a first look and we found a private area bordering Minerals Golf Club for the occasion, with the rest of their portraits taken at the Pro Shop.

As a side note, thanks for being such a sport, Ambria, as I navigated the golf cart at full throttle to our destination. On the road, it just putted along, but the corners were exciting!

We followed up with a quick stop to the pool to make some pictures with Arthur, the ice cream man.

(Please let me segue for a moment to say, Arthur... you are BEYOND adorable and I think I am secretly in love with you.)

A beautiful outdoor ceremony was performed by Lee Stein

and was followed by an opulent cocktail hour...

...and one hell of a party! As soon as Octavius fired up the first tune, the dancing began...

and didn't stop all night.

As a side note, I found Rodney Bednarek of Generation Video Productions fantastic to work with. Ambria and Jahn can now enjoy a video production of their day along with their photo gallery of more than 800 images.

A special thank you to Danielle Serpico of Minerals Resort, who orchestrated each detail of this fabulous event, including personally applying every flower to the wedding cake.

Something tells me I know what this look means...

Good call, Jahn!

Danielle took such great care of Ambria, Jahn, their guests, and their vendors. I loved working with her and her magnificent team, who were all top-notch professionals.

Ambria and Jahn, you and your families and friends were a delight to photograph and all epitomized the LIVE, LAUGH, LOVE theme of your wedding to a T! Meridith and I loved being a part of your wedding day. Thanks for having us!

TO VIEW MORE OF AMBRIA AND JAHN'S WEDDING, CLICK HERE FOR THEIR SLIDESHOW.

PA Children's Photographer: A DAY WITH THE ROYALS

2011-08-04T12:16:00.001-04:00

Introducing the Queen of Scotland...

and the Queen of England.

These two queens first met four years ago when they were only a few months old at Gymboree Class, which turned out to be the start of a sisterhood of sorts.

There is no question that they are best-friend-sistas!

They laugh together like sisters...

Sometimes they fight like sisters, but mostly they love like sisters...

And then, there is the Prince, who may at first glance look a little like a sumo wrestler...

But is actually nothing but cute, cute, cute...

I'm talkin' about 'eat him with a spoon' cute...

and 'is there anything cuter than a baby in a hat' cute...

'I need to bite those cheeks' cute...

and finally, 'my sisters got me all wet and I'm just here to tell ya' cute...

Okay, okay... I've gone overboard, but really, who can blame me?

Scranton Wedding Photographer: Hannah and Matt's Lackawanna Station Wedding

2011-07-27T19:22:00.009-04:00

Hannah and Matt are probably the most adorably in-love couple I have ever had the pleasure of photographing. They were almost bite-able. Yes, I really did just say bite-able. Somebody stop me! Anyway, BECAUSE of their bite-able-ness, making pictures with them was waaaaay too much fun!

The beautiful historic lobby of Scranton's Lackawanna Station Hotel was a perfect backdrop for Hannah's fabulous Alfred Angelo dress and Graceland shoes.

I made a quick detour to check in with Matt and found him enjoying an introspective, relaxing morning... as opposed to his bride, who was delighting in the process of transforming from gorgeous to oh-my-goodness-is-it-even-possible-to-become-more-gorgeous-than-THIS gorgeous with her mom and best girls. Thank you, Enchantment Studio for beautiful hair and make-up.

I loved that Hannah and Matt opted to see each other before the ceremony for a First Look.

Because they were looking forward to sharing the sight of each other in their wedding finery for the first time privately, they were able to express what the magnitude of the moment really felt like without hesitation.

We scheduled their first look early enough to be able to take our time making amazing portraits afterward.

Oh, my goodness. You two are killin' me!

Thank you to Kildare's Irish Pub for a spectacular backdrop for some of our pictures.

A unique element of the day was the fact that Hannah and Matt actually got married last July just before Matt's deployment to Iraq. Nonetheless, the fanfare of the wedding of their dreams was emotionally charged and over-the-top exciting. Maybe even more so, given the circumstances.

Hannah's wedding rings came from Kay Jewelers and they are seriously romantic and exquisite.

Their ceremony was beautifully officiated by Jane Hess and there were plenty of smiles and tears to go around as Hannah and Matt renewed their vows.

Magnificent floral arrangements and bouquets were fashioned by McCarthy Florist in Scranton. Linens and overlays were supplied by Tron Enterprises of Kingston, PA.

The Lackawanna Station Hotel's Banquet Manager, Mary Mullen, was a joy to work with and fastidiously oversaw every little detail of the event with a staff that offers top shelf customer service from start to finish... and beyond. Thank you for taking such good care of not only your guests, but of us also, Mary.

WJOY DJ's provided music and wow... look at the lighting!

Matt looked awesome in his Joseph Abboud Tuxedo from Sarno and Son Tuxedos. Shake it, Matt!

Thank you, Minooka Pastry Shop for a stunning wedding cake. Hannah and Matt looked equally as stunning in fondant.

Hannah and Matt, you are beyond special and I can't thank you enough for honoring us with the privilege of photographing your wedding. Your love for each other is contagious and I wish for you a world of happiness, health and good fortune.

Happily,

Terri

TO SEE THE SLIDE SHOW OF HANNAH AND MATT'S WEDDING DAY, CLICK HERE!

Hudson Valley, NY Wedding Photographer: SARAH & PETER'S SPECTACULAR WEDDING!

2011-07-07T15:57:00.002-04:00

I think, quite possibly, that being a wedding photographer is the best job on the face of the earth. How lucky am I to be honored with the rare experience of capturing all the happy, poignant, amusing, unique, and extraordinary moments of a couple's wedding day and creating a collection that tells their story and memorializes it forever? This alone is enough to get me out of bed in the morning, but when it just so happens that your bride and groom are fabulous people that you can't wait to spend the day with, all the better! And on top of that, when you find that their mothers and fathers, brothers and sisters, aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews, and closest friends ALL turn out to be amazing, caring people... not only individually, but collectively as a supportive group, then you know that this couple is blessed and you have somehow had the remarkable fortune of being asked to pay tribute to a force of nature that is rare and very special.

This was exactly the phenomenon that Diana and I encountered on Sarah and Peter's wedding day. As circumstance would have it, their intense joy was mixed with an underlying current of stress and worry as the events of the day unfolded. When many couples would fall apart, Sarah and Peter stood strong and dealt with the wide spectrum of emotion that their day had come to bear. Sarah's family became a nurturing cocoon; Peter's family supported them all; and their friends kept them focused. I have never seen a group of people pull together all at once so cohesively and without a thought or word to coordinate efforts. It was simply a natural occurance to maintain the levity of the day before them despite the scare of a health risk that could have toppled the balance at any given moment.

Sarah and Peter... you are incredible. Your families are incredible. And you have the best friends in the world. Enjoy your Croatian honeymoon and the journey of life together as a married couple.

Happily,

Terri

I can't end this post without taking a moment to express to Sally, Whitney, Jamie, and Chris what extraordinary people I think you are. I also want to thank Jacquie, Bill, Linda, Ron, Paige, Sarah and Peter's extended families, their guests, and Erin, Meredith, Liz, Cassie, Lindsay, Tim, Ian, Matt, and Bret, and most importantly, Sarah and Peter for welcoming us and sharing their day with us. Diana and I were honored to capture this slice of your lives and thank every one of you for the experience.

To see more of Sarah and Peter's Hudson Valley wedding, feel free to CLICK HERE to view a slideshow!

Also, special thanks go to group of spectacular friends and vendors that facilitated Sarah and Peter's vision:

Venue / Wedding Manager: Phyllis Montelone, Eldred Preserve, Eldred, NY
Wedding Coordinator: Jill Hopler
Officiant: Bret Witter
Florist: Potter's Cottage, Jeffersonville, NY
Baker: Kristal's Konfections
Hair and Make-Up Artists: Veronica, Bianca, and Brenda from Apple Day Spa, Honesdale, PA
Brides Dress: Winne Couture
Groom's Suit: Seersucker Suit by Jos. A. Bank
Bluegrass Band: Roger Brinkerhoff, Dan Brinkerhoff, Randy Wright, and Chip Forelli
DJ: Mark Peters, Brooklyn, NY

Children's Photographer: PAIGE'S SEVENTH BIRTHDAY

2011-06-02T11:48:00.000-04:00

This past weekend, Samantha and Martin had a small family get together for Paige's seventh birthday. Paige was the only kid present, and that was actually a good thing! All that attention concentrated solely on her... does it get any better than that? Happy birthday, sweetheart! Here are a few of my favorites from the day.

Skytop Lodge Wedding Photography: Terri and Ken (That's Me!!!)

2011-04-01T22:01:00.018-04:00

If I've shot your wedding for you, then you already know my amazing second shooter, Diana Links. Not only is she a dear friend; she is family. So, when Ken and I got married this past weekend at the gorgeous and fabulous Skytop Lodge in Skytop, PA, Diana was there to share in our joy... AND we had the added benefit of her talents in memorializing our special moments throughout the weekend. On the day of our wedding, her second shooter Lenee Gordon joined us, which was thrilling for me because Lenee shares the same vision and style as Diana and I do, so between the two of them, what a perfect fit for me! I love, love, love their work and thank them both from the bottom of my heart.

While these images are surrounded by my logo, with the exception of a very small handful of images, they are all about Diana and Lenee capturing a slice of MY life. I am forever grateful and excited to share with you a sampling of their spectacular talent.

The Skytop Lodge is an exclusive resort property that takes your breath away, at first aesthetically, and then repeatedly by their benchmarking details and customer service. What a gorgeous place!

After struggling to come up with a "something blue" idea, I settled on a glittery blue pedicure from Shannon at the Apple Day Spa in Honesdale, PA. Shannon also adorned me with a shellac french manicure and Van worked her magic (as usual) on my hair. Thanks, girls!

Ken got ready for the wedding with his son and grandson and I got ready with my daughters and granddaughters, which was more special than I can say. Part of that special-ness was being glamorized by Christine, a gifted and extremely professional make-up artist from Make-up By Christine. Coordinating with Angel to set the session up and sitting in Christine's chair was completely delightful from beginning to end!

(Does anyone wonder for a moment where Celia get's her moxie? First, Melanie strutted her stuff at our impromptu rehearsal and then hammed it up after Christine finished her make-up.)

The multi-adept Diana also created the bouquets for Melanie, Paige and Celia out of silk flowers so the girls would have them as keepsakes... and they handled them as if they were handling gold. Their dresses were crafted by Wonderful Dress and their satin/organza flower headbands by MS Unlimited.

Wedding details are a favorite to shoot, from Ken's Lucchese boots and my gold BeBe Bailey III pumps...

... to my Givenchy bracelet and Nadri earrings and necklace (and very glittery gold shoes for Paige and Celia)...

... to the hand-painted enamel pendent that my grandmother gave me for my First Communion so many years ago and my custom satin wedding gown created in Singapore and tailored once it arrived in the U.S. by the ultimate tailor, Louis Citarelli...

... to our wedding bands and engagement ring, designed, casted and fabricated by a creative master artist, Tim Jones of E. Timothy Jones Jewelry Design Studio in Hawley, PA

... to our invitations and place cards from Wedding Paper Divas, with elegant lettering of the names of each guest penned by Paige Cotter of Skytop Flower Shop.

A few last minute details and we were off for some portraits in the courtyard.

Ken looked incredibly handsome in his John Varvatos suit and Nordstrom's orange silk tie... and yes... he walked down the aisle! (If I had to, he had to!) A special thanks to my beautiful daughter, Samantha, who brilliantly officiated.

I cannot say enough about Skytop Lodge and the magnificence of their staff from the gentleman at the valet to every last employee on site. I would choose this venue again and again for any event I wanted to host. I had a vision of exactly what I wanted in my head and every single vision was perfectly executed to the last detail.

Kate Lewis and her fabulous team of florists (Paige Cotter, Lori Carriere, Elizabeth Marchegiani, and Debbie Stanton) in the Skytop Flower Shop created the table of my dreams, from having the gold sequenced overlays specially made for me, to sourcing the most beautiful white tulips, ranunculus, phlox, and hydrangeas, which were carefully placed into square vases and highlighted with glass candlesticks of varying heights down the center of the 24 foot table. They also placed votives on the mantle for our ceremony and on top of the bookcases around the perimeter of the library. Wherever I looked, it was stunning thanks to this group of very talented women.

Also, I want to thank them for making changes to my bouquet at the last minute to nothing but long stemmed white tulips adorned with ribbon and my First Communion pendant. They were incredibly elegant and went beautifully with the small silk bouquets that Diana made for the girls. And let me shout out to Lucy of Lucy's Special Purses for the spectacular custom designed purse.

I had chef's aprons embroidered for my granddaughters to keep their ivory dresses ivory! The Apron Place did a magnificent job.

For our reception, I switched to a more comfortable dress; a custom silk dress, once again crafted in Singapore and fine tuned here by Louis Citarelli, coupled with a pair of fabulous Christian Louboutin pumps.

It was necessary to change into an 'eating' dress so I could overindulge on the lavish feast designed by Skytop's Executive Chef Stevan A. Sundburg and executed phenomenally by Sous Chef Bill Seitzinger and his amazing culinary team. Unfortunately, there are only a couple of shots of food... a martini intermezzo of lemon sorbet splashed with gray goose vodka and rack of lamb. From the deluxe seafood bar and butlered hors d'oeuvres, to the roasted quail, to the NY strip steak and Chilean sea bass, and to all the sumptuous fare in between... no pictures!!! I guess you could say this is a huge compliment. We were waaaaay too busy enjoying the fruits of their labor rather than shooting pictures!

Pastry Chef, Christa Kuhar and her team created their fantastic Chocolate Obsession dessert along with a Viennese table of pastries, confections, a chocolate fountain and a flambe station with cherries jubilee and crepes suzette executed by Flambe Chef, Anthony Gabriele.

Jon's birthday had been on Wednesday and Kenny was celebrating his birthday the day of our wedding, so candles were implanted in their desserts and we serenaded them with a rousing version of Happy Birthday!

A fun time was had by all, and I thank firstly, Matt the bartender for that. Your drinks were superb! Secondly, I thank banquet captain Feliciano Mueses, who kept everything running smoothly and on time.

MORE THAN ANYTHING... AND MORE THAN ANYONE...

...Our heartfelt thanks and undying appreciation to Eydie Fonti, Danielle Rohaly and Jennifer Babaz, Skytop Lodge's Very Special Event team that made our dream wedding a reality. I loved that Jen and Danielle communicated with walkie-talkies to coordinate the start of our ceremony... I felt like the President!

Alongside the births of my children and grandchildren, this day was the most special of my life and it was because of these three wonderful women and our families who celebrated with us. Thank you all so very much!

Skytop Lodge exceeded our expectations...

...again... ...and again ...and again.

A terrible picture of me, but I include it because Danielle is so damn cute!

CLICK HERE TO ENTER OUR WEDDING GALLERY

THE MANOR Restaurant Wedding Photography: HELEN AND ART

2011-03-21T19:25:00.001-04:00

You saw the sneak peak... now the rest is ready! Helen was very laid back about her wedding, yet it went off without a hitch at the beautiful venue, The Manor Restaurant in West Orange, NJ. It was such a joy to photograph the beautiful families of Helen and Art on one of the most important days of their lives.

Congratulations, Helen and Art! Thank you for the opportunity to document this very special event.

TO SEE A SLIDE SHOW OF HELEN AND ART'S WEDDING DAY, CLICK HERE!

A special thank you to the following vendors:

Venue: The Manor Restaurant, West Orange, NJ
Wedding Planner: Alex Soufanati, The Manor Restaurant, West Orange, NJ
Cake: The Pastry Shoppe, The Manor Restaurant, West Orange, NJ
Florist: The Emerald Garden, Millburn, NJ
Officiant: Rabbi Dennis Tobin, Maplewood, NJ
Brides Dress: Jacqueline's Evening Wear
Engagement Ring: Nancy Stone of Nancy and David Fine Jewels, Millburn, NJ Wedding Bands: Rena's Jewelry, East Hanover, NJ

Helen & Art's Wedding at The Manor Restaurant, West Orange, NJ: SNEAK PEAK!!!

2011-03-11T19:29:00.000-05:00

It all happened so fast! One week I heard from Helen's daughter that Helen had not retained a photographer for her upcoming wedding; the next week I was there shooting it! Spontaneity was the name of the game and I was so happy I was able to do it. Helen and Art chose the Clifton-Ward Room at The Manor for an intimate dinner with their family and closest friends and it truly was a special event. Here is a sneak peak of their evening, with more to follow soon...

ECLIPSE

2010-12-22T10:28:00.004-05:00

One of the more awesome sights I have seen in my life. God, I love it here!

Even if I really didn't have the right lens and had to use my face as a tripod.

North Jersey Children's Photography: CAROLINE AND KATIE... AGAIN!

2010-12-10T15:24:00.001-05:00

I love visiting with Caroline and Katie. They're energetic and fun, and it's always great to see how much they have grown up since I last saw them. I met Caroline and Katie a year ago, when I spent a few hours documenting a small slice of their lives.

Then in the spring, Caroline received her First Communion, and we met at St. Paul's Church to commemorate the occasion. It was nothing short of awesome shooting pictures of Caroline all alone in the sanctity of a church.

And as inspiring as that was, I didn't get to see Katie and I missed her! So, seeing how much Katie had evolved in a year's time when I visited them last Saturday was incredible.

I wanted to set up a play-acting scenario where they each played the part of the other's best friend and when I asked Katie who her best friend was, she announced without missing a beat that her best friend is Caroline.

And Caroline's best friend is Katie.

Which is exactly as it should be.

I always enjoy seeing you girls. I can't wait till the next time!

TO VIEW MORE OF CAROLINE AND KATIE'S PHOTO SHOOT, CLICK HERE

Ridgewood, NJ Family Photography: MELISSA, CHRIS & SEAN

2010-12-02T17:54:00.001-05:00

I was totally stoked for my photo shoot with Melissa, Chris and Sean last week. I had first met them when Sean was not even three months old and couldn't wait to see how much he had grown in a year. An angel as an infant, now at 16 months he is still just as sweet as the day he was born.

I had so much fun with them, I almost didn't want to leave! You guys are amazing and gorgeous! Thanks for sharing a slice of your life with me.

TO VIEW MORE OF MELISSA, CHRIS & SEAN'S FAMILY SHOOT, CLICK HERE!

Boston Family Photography: NICOLE + PAUL + TWINS = BLISS!!!

2010-11-20T16:16:00.013-05:00

Nicole and Paul are two of the sweetest people I know. To me they are the definition of soul mates and naturally, with this great connection they were determined to create an amazing family. Yet this one gift of life seemed to elude them. As their friends became parents, Nicole and Paul kept smiles on their faces and they tried that much harder, but year after year passed without a pregnancy. Deciding to put science aside for a while and take some time off from their long and arduous journey toward parenthood, out of the blue Nicole became pregnant. With twins. With one beautiful boy. And one beautiful girl. And just like that, God granted the gift of parenthood to two incredibly deserving and loving people.

Amen.

Nicole, you're beyond gorgeous with a baby in your arms.

Our main objective during the shoot was to capture some Christmas pictures with which to announce the arrival of Justin and Liliana, who had just turned two weeks old. Nicole told me that for years she had a vision of babies in Christmas stockings, so that's exactly where these babies landed!

(Call home.)

Justin is a sleeper, but Liliana serves as watch while he slumbers. They're a great team.

And you guys make a truly awesome family. Thanks for spending time with me!

TO VIEW MORE OF NICOLE, PAUL, LILIANA & JUSTIN'S FAMILY SHOOT, CLICK HERE!

HUDSON VALLEY FAMILY PHOTOGRAPHER: DANIELLE, BRETT & AVERY

2010-11-12T12:06:00.005-05:00

as.ser.tive adj. Inclined to bold or confident assertion; ambitiously self-assured.

Meet Avery.

Avery is a 16-month old who can define exactly what he wants, when he wants it, and how he wants it. But what's most unbelievable about Avery is his astute ability to precisely communicate what those expectations are...

... and whether you're adequately fulfilling them or not!

And while it's not beyond Avery to let you know if you are not quite measuring up, he is sweet. He is cute. And yes, he is content.

And he is also a bundle of inquisitive, almost non-stop energy!

By the same token, Avery is smart enough to insert a little down time into his busy schedule.

Because round two is not far behind!

Thank you... Danielle, Brett, and Avery... for sharing a slice of your life with me. You are an adorable family and way too much fun!

TO VIEW MORE OF DANIELLE, BRETT & AVERY'S FAMILY SHOOT, CLICK HERE!

Hudson Valley Family Photographer: HELLO, BABY DREW!

2010-11-04T09:07:00.005-04:00

Victoria and Greg are an awesome couple. They're both teachers and athletes who have dedicated their time, energy, and hearts to the development of dozens of kids. So, now that baby Drew has come along, it looks like he will have some serious training to do to keep pace!

But for now, he is just the little sweetie who has stolen all our hearts.

Welcome to the world, Drew. You have made your mom and dad incredibly happy.

Which makes me happy!

TO VIEW MORE OF VICTORIA, GREG & DREW'S PICTURES, CLICK HERE!

CHRISSY & NICK'S WEST POINT WEDDING

2010-11-01T10:34:00.008-04:00

Chrissy and Nick's marriage was the last shoot of my wedding season, and what an awesome wedding to have as the season finale! Both active duty soldiers stationed in Texas, they had a small window of opportunity in which to pull off what to some might have seemed near impossible, but Chrissy planned and organized a West Point wedding with only six months notice while Nick was away serving in Afghanistan. His parents were an enormous help in facilitating details that she couldn't handle from afar, she was able to obtain a fabulous Gavin Michaels gown through the generosity of Brides Across America, and despite the fact that many military couples are forced to forego the wedding of their dreams, Chrissy found ways to work miracles. I think what she whispered to me before I left their reception at the end of the night sums it up. "I just love him so much," she sighed. And it was over the top obvious that he just loves her so much, too!

If you missed Chrissy and Nick's First Look pictures, CLICK HERE.

Thank you, Chrissy and Nick, for sharing your special day with us. You, your families, and your friends were a pleasure and a whole lot of fun to spend time with!

And a special thanks to the following vendors:

Dress Designer: Gavin Michaels
Shoes: Toppazz Leopard by Steve Madden
Hairstylist: the fabulous Hair by Amanda Munro, New Windsor, NY
Florist: Tracy Beach, Shamokin, PA
Makeup Artist: Meredith Hayman, Yorktown Heights, NY
Limousine Service: A.N.N. Transportation, LaGrangeville, NY
Cake: Homestyle Desserts Bakery, Peekskill, NY
Entertainment: Music by Frances and Danielle, Highland, NY
Rehearsal Dinner: Brotherhood Winery, Washingtonville, NY

CLICK HERE TO ENTER CHRISSY AND NICK'S WEDDING WEBSITE.

Ginny... May God hold your soul in the palm of his hand.

HONESDALE FAMILY PHOTOGRAPHER: STACEY, JAY & ROCCO

2010-10-31T20:03:00.001-04:00

Stacey and Jay live close enough to us that when I met them for their family shoot, I placed my gear in the front basket of our ATV and four wheeled there! As if that wasn't fun enough, we traipsed through field, stream, and forest for their shoot. It took a little convincing to get Rocco to get with the Nikon, but in the end, Rocco ROCKED it!

WEST POINT WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY: THE MAGIC OF CHRISSY & NICK'S FIRST LOOK

2010-10-14T15:56:00.018-04:00

I always, without exception encourage my wedding couples to opt for a FIRST LOOK on their wedding day. As such, I spoke about it with Chrissy and she loved the idea. She approached the subject with Nick, who was serving in Afghanistan at the time. He was not at all interested in the concept. When he arrived home months later, Chrissy was all ready with a mental list of why the first look would be a great idea for them and she broached the subject once more, completely prepared for the debate. But before she could extoll its virtues, he surprised her by agreeing to do it.

Chrissy and Nick elected to have their first look at Trophy Point on the beautiful grounds of the United States Military Academy at West Point before their ceremony there in The Post Chapel. He appears to be very pensive before Chrissy's approach.

For those of you not familiar with the first look, it is the new tradition in which the bride and groom see each other for the very first time in their wedding finery and share their emotions of that special moment alone together before their wedding ceremony, as opposed to having their first look at either end of an aisle, where they don't have the opportunity to share anything but a smile.

The reality is, that it is oftentimes the only chance they will have to spend time alone on their wedding day. That moment is carved out just for them… away from guests, details, and things that can distract their attention from the gravity of the moment.

It also gives them the advantage of taking a breath before their ceremony. Instead of constantly running from one thing to the next… from hair and makeup, to getting dressed, to the ceremony, to the reception (naturally, they would be a no-show at their cocktail hour without a first look, as they would be spending that time with their photographer)… there is time built in for the two of them to relax and enjoy what is happening to them TOGETHER.

From my prospective, the best pictures of the day usually come out of the First Look because I am capturing candid personal moments full of pure bliss and love; not nerves.

Chrissy and Nick also decided to have their family and bridal party pictures taken before their ceremony to free all of them up to start celebrating immediately following the ceremony.

Sometimes couples worry about forsaking the emotion of seeing each other at each end of the aisle by having a first look. Especially men. They're afraid the first look will spoil the special moment when they see their bride moving down the aisle towards them, which is just how Nick felt when Chrissy mentioned the idea to him long distance from Texas to Afghanistan.

Let's ask Nick how that worked out for him.

What could possibly be more romantic than that?

MOORE STATE PARK PHOTOGRAPHY: SHANA, JON AND MADDIE

2010-10-11T17:37:00.012-04:00

I proudly live the life of a juggler. I've been juggling ever since my first child was born and with each passing year, another ball seems to mysteriously get added to the mix. Now that I am a grandmother, you can imagine how adept of a juggler I have become. When I have all my balls up in the air, that is a great day! So when I met with Shana, Jon, and Maddie to shoot family pictures at Moore State Park in Paxton, MA one misty morning, I was delighted to find that we were all in sync, if only for an hour, even if the weather was not.

Jon had a small window of time before he had to leave for a fundraising golf tournament, Maddie is a pre-schooler who played hooky for a photo shoot, and if that's not a handful already, Shana is an independent consultant for Arbonne personal care and wellness products, which keeps her pretty busy. And then there's Abbie...

As if Shana, Jon, and Maddie aren't gorgeous enough, will you just look at that soulful face?

Whether Abbie was in the pictures or not, she was the cutest little angel.

Hmmmmm... maybe not. Sorry, Abbie. Maddie wins that contest hands down!

I had so much fun spending the morning with them and even though my hair morphed into an embarrassing spectacle in all that drizzle and haze, the light and mist was fabulous for photos...

And when it comes to photos, it just isn't about me anyway!
To see more of Shana, Jon, and Maddie's photo shoot, CLICK HERE.

FULL MOON RESORT WEDDING: LUCY AND JOE'S PROOFS

2010-10-06T18:17:00.007-04:00

Lucy and Joe are a perfect fit. I suspected this immediately when I initially encountered them together for their "FIRST LOOK" and it became more and more evident as the day went on. Lucy's Yin curls up to Joe's Yang. Her moon softens his sun. Their ceremony was performed by Lucy's brother, Gordon, and it was tranquil, yet at the same time powerful. You got the sense that one cannot exist without the other, while each remain strong in their own right.

So, would you believe me if I told you they met through speed dating?

It's the beat on the street people... Lucy and Joe are a testament to speed dating! It CAN and DOES work!!!

Lucy and Joe's destination wedding at the Full Moon Resort in Big Indian, NY was stunning. Just outside of Woodstock, NY, it is like a little slice of heaven in the Catskills and the weather and colors couldn't have been more beautiful.

Work it Lucy and Joe! You're both way too gorgeous and cool!

Lucy and Joe really know how to rock a wedding, all the way from their choice of flowers and venue...

... to their choice of band (CloudNYne, which was over the top awesome!)

And the friendly, fun, and just plain classy friends and family members that came to celebrate with them.

Diana and I were in awe of you all and thank you for including us in your day.

To see more of Lucy and Joe's Full Moon Resort Wedding, please CLICK HERE for a slideshow.

Special thanks to the following vendors:
Venue: Full Moon Resort, Big Indian, NY
Wedding Planner: Melanie at Full Moon Resort, Big Indian, NY
Florist: Elderberry Design and Flowers, Woodstock, NY
Dress Designer: Alvina Valenta by JLM Couture
Shoes: Something Bleu by My Glass Slipper
Grooms Suit and Shirt: Alton Lane
Cake: Sweet Nothings by Linda Laestadius, Woodstock, NY
Entertainment: CloudNYne, Hudson Valley, NY

delightfully,
Terri

FULL MOON RESORT WEDDING: LUCY AND JOE'S FIRST LOOK SNEAK PEAK!

2010-09-21T20:21:00.015-04:00

There isn't too much that can be considered more exciting than a "first look" on your wedding day. Ask Joe. As he waited in front of the barn at the Full Moon Resort, he became almost giddy when he could hear his bride's voice behind him. Seriously. It was only one of many endearing moments I enjoyed with this captivating couple this past Saturday.

I hadn't had the opportunity to meet Lucy and Joe before their wedding day, and as I walked with Joe to the spot we had all agreed would be ideal for their first look, I asked him if they were the type that would be fierce and bring it to me. Joe swore that he and Lucy were incredibly fierce and would definitely bring it.

After the excitement of seeing each other for the first time all dressed up and ready to exchange their vows, Joe relayed this information to Lucy, chuckling and admitting that he wasn't exactly sure what that might mean for them! Yet he and Lucy definitely were fierce...

And more than brought it to me.

Again...

And again...

And again!

Stay tuned for more of Lucy and Joe's beautiful destination wedding just outside Woodstock, NY.

MICHELLE AND CALVIN'S HUDSON VALLEY WEDDING

2010-09-17T00:30:00.015-04:00

It had rained for days. Not just any kind of rain, but dreary, nasty, I-don't-even-want-to -get-out-of-bed kind of rain. Michelle and Calvin's wedding day was quickly approaching and this weather just wasn't quitting. But these two must have done something right, because on their wedding day, there was not a cloud in the sky. It was bright. It was sunny. And it was HOT!

This was my first time shooting at The Fountains at the Wallkill Golf Club, and the scenery and venue are both beautiful. But not quite as spectacular as the bride and groom, who stole the hearts of everyone on this special day.

Diana met up with Calvin and his guys at the golf course for some pre-wedding shots.

While they were baking in the hot sun, Michelle spent the morning at her mom's house with close friends and family.

As I was taking the detail shots of Michelle and Calvin's wedding rings, Michelle's Grandma pointed out that Michelle's engagement ring features a diamond that has been passed down in her family from generation to generation, and had once been worn on her own hand as a new bride as well.

Once at the venue, last minute preparations were under way...

...and toasts were shared.

And then the festivities commenced!

Michelle and Calvin... you are awesome! Thanks for letting Diana and I share in your magical day.

CLICK TO VIEW MORE PICTURES OF MICHELLE AND CALVIN'S WEDDING

Special thanks to the following vendors:
Venue: The Fountains at the Wallkill Golf Club, Middletown, NY
Wedding Planner: Danielle at The Fountains, Middletown, NY
Florist: Absolutely Flowers, Middletown, NY
Hair Stylist: Ida-Marie Hufcut
Cake: Lady Fingers Bake Shoppe, Monroe, NY
DJ: Evan Eskew of Infinite DJ Entertainment Service

Sneak Peak: MICHELLE & CALVIN'S WALLKILL GOLF COURSE WEDDING

2010-09-01T14:19:00.007-04:00

I fell in love with Michelle and Calvin on Sunday. Seriously. They are so in love and Calvin, who is the definition of 'machismo,' blew me away me with the romantic gestures he bestowed upon his new wife all through the day.

Michelle and Calvin, have an awesome honeymoon in St. Kitts. And for the rest of you... here is a small taste of their very special day.

Stay tuned for the complete wedding gallery coming soon!

A FOND FAREWELL TO AN ICON: IRINE FOKINE'S SCHOOL OF BALLET

2010-08-26T11:34:00.002-04:00

Dear Miss Fokine:

I wish I could be with you at your open house on Saturday to bid farewell to an era; an age; a dynasty. I grew up in the studio. It was my second home and you were the matriarch; bigger than life.

I learned so much more than dance there. I learned about life. I painted a bathroom orange and led an unsuccessful strike for higher 'Nutcracker' wages. What ever was I thinking?

I will always love you and be grateful to you for shaping me into who I am today. You were one of the most influential people in my life and in the lives of so many before and after me. What a very special person you are.

Whenever I happen to notice my tiny fingers (my pinkies, in particular), I will think of you fondly and smile.

With much love and appreciation,

Terri Kovler McCabe

VICTORIA'S BABY BOY... ALMOST!

2010-08-10T17:40:00.007-04:00

I've known Victoria since she was a little girl. Melanie and Samantha were in day care with Victoria and her brother in elementary school, and then in middle school, Melanie and Victoria both ended up playing for Hudson Valley United Soccer Club on a travel team that ultimately resulted in college scholarships for each of them. Melanie went to school in New Hampshire; Victoria on Long Island, and their friendship never wavered. Growing up, Victoria lived at my house as much as her own. She is my third daughter. And now, she is pregnant with a son of her own.

Victoria's mom and sisters-in-law had a huge baby shower for her, which we went to in July.

There were different games that were played during the shower and one was to avoid saying the word, "baby." If someone heard you say the forbidden word, you had to forfeit your sticker to them. So, when a cute three year old comes up to you and whispers, "Are you going to say the word???", how many people do you think can resist?

Needless to say, Celia won.

Congratulations, Victoria and Greg. We are perched on the edge of our seats waiting!

New Canaan, CT Wedding Photography: AUBREY AND NICK'S WAVENY HOUSE WEDDING

2010-07-27T19:33:00.013-04:00

Waveny House is a "castle" that sits on 300 acres of fields, ponds, and trails in New Canaan, CT. It was built in 1912 by Lewis P. Lapham, one of the founders of Texaco, who spent summers there with his family for many years. It was at this majestic location that Aubrey and Nick vowed to honor and cherish each other forever, becoming husband and wife in front of a gathering of family and close friends, and where they danced into the night and dined on lobster tails accompanied by fine liquors.

Aubrey and Nick's wedding party consisted solely of their beautiful sisters. Aubrey's sisters, Grace and Abigail were bridesmaids...

... and Aubrey's sister, Teresa and Nick's sister, Amber served as Maids of Honor; Teresa as Aubrey's and Amber as Nick's.

I was shooting with Eric Hegwer of Austin, TX. He handled the formal group shots and I worked with a couple of them at a time for more intimate portraits, while keeping an eye out for great candid opportunities along the way.

Back in the house, there was a little time to relax and refresh upstairs before the ceremony.

... and then it was time.

It was a lovely day and I was thrilled to be a part of it. Aubrey and Nick, you are awesome and gorgeous! Here's to life!

CLICK HERE TO VIEW MORE OF AUBREY AND NICK'S WAVENY HOUSE WEDDING.

THERE IS SOOOOOOO MUCH MORE TO SEE!

Northern Jersey Photography: ES•TRO•GEN POI•SON•ING (ˈestrəjən ˈpoizəning) n.

2010-07-21T09:52:00.029-04:00

Es•tro•gen Poi•son•ing (ˈestrəjən ˈpoizəning) n. A condition contracted by the solitary male in a household teaming with women, causing him to walk around for many, many years with an expression on his face like this:

We all know what causes such stunned, confused expressions.

That's right. The daughters. In this case, Keri, Kymm, Liane, Lora, and Syndi.

But as you can see, the daughters have grown up. They have children of their own, and lo and behold, some other males have been introduced into the mix.

The estrogen poisoning has taken a turn for the better; almost eerily so...

Would you please look at the grin on Carmine's face?

He's smiling because he is the father of five amazing girls who arranged a wonderful surprise wedding anniversary party for him and their mother, Bonnie, his wife of 50 years.

Keri served as lookout...

... but they somehow snuck past her diligent (uh-hmm) watch.

and entered through the back door.

Those confused looks seem a little familiar, but they were erased within a moment by sheer surprise and happiness.

There was food galore, most of which the sisters had prepared themselves.

Family came from near and far to celebrate.

Many came with their cameras to document the occasion.

Then Kymm read the funniest list of memories from their lives growing up.

We made our way outside to get some family pictures... first of Bonnie, Carmine, and Carmine's sister Rosemarie...

Three cousins: Mike, Carmine, and Ken...

and then Bonnie, Carmine, and their girls.

Syndi and Paul are recently engaged and I couldn't let the opportunity for a few engagement shots get by, and Keri decided to show them how it's done.

They needed no help. These two are definitely in love!

I asked them to walk away from me...

and they were really good sports, given that the rest of the family were mimicking hecklers!

They rocked it anyway!

And speaking of rocks...

Nice ring, Paul!

Liane wanted a picture of everyone before we left, but there were as many people standing on my side of the camera, so here's who was left (most of whom were completely over the photo op at this point)!

Congratulations, Bonnie and Carmine. You have a beautiful family.

And Bonnie... by the way... Carmine told me that you have been the BEST wife and mother, which made these past 50 years the most wonderful ever.

Awwww!

NEW JERSEY PHOTOGRAPHY: Some Perrone's Farm History in New Milford

2010-07-13T17:46:00.054-04:00

Ken comes from a long line of farmers. His grandfather came to the US from Italy in 1898 and settled in Queens, where he eventually leased a piece of land to farm and sent for his wife and children. Ken's mother, Theresa Leanora Perrone, was born at home in Queens in 1907 and grew up on the farm. Her life revolved around attending the schoolhouse at the end of their road and working in the kitchen to help feed and otherwise care for the family and farmhands. When the Perrone kids walked home from school for lunch and again at the end of classes, their father would watch from the front gate to be sure there was no procrastinating. There were chores to be done and no time to waste.

The girls went to school only through the 8th grade and then attended trade school. Theresa was quarantined with scarlet fever at the time of her 8th grade graduation, so her sister Mary stood in her stead to receive her diploma. After recovering, she had the traditional graduation portrait taken. The picture hangs on the wall of our house today and her diploma is also in our possession.

On the right is a picture of Theresa's maternal grandmother, who came from Italy with the rest of the family and lived with them. It was taken in the same photography studio as Theresa's graduation picture around two years later and I can't help but wonder what the fascination with posing next to a podium was.

In the mid-1920's, the family had saved enough money to purchase their own farm in New Milford, NJ and they moved there lock, stock, and barrel. It was this very farm that Ken and I visited at the end of May to pick up some of the starter plants for our own small farm in northeastern Pennsylvania.

Ken's cousin Mike and his son Steve operate Perrone's Farm in New Milford now, and while some of the land had been sold off by his father and uncles (Theresa's brothers), this is quite an extensive operation with specialty items that reach out to various market segments in the area.

Ken and I have a few pictures from Perrone's Farm from the 1940's, after Theresa and the rest of the Perrone kids were grown and had families of their own. Here is one of Theresa's mother with her grandchild, Mike... and a picture of Mike when we were at the farm in May.

When you look back at the pictures, you get the feeling that the farm itself really hasn't changed all that much since the 40's, despite the vast improvements made through the years, like a garden center and a dozen plus greenhouses. But the summer kitchen, pictured on the right below, which is now used for storage...

... was used truly as a summer kitchen back in the day, where family gathered and the Perrone men took their breaks.

And the sheds that stored equipment back then, like this one that Mike and his parents, Tinny and Jennie are standing in front of....

...still store equipment now (and this is the exact same shed).

Perrone's Farm sells plenty of annual flowers and hanging baskets and of course, we stocked up while we were there!

Plants were just beginning to pop up and other fields were just being planted.

Maybe it's all the stories that Theresa told us that wrap us up in family history when we're at the farm and make us think for a minute that despite all the changes, it's the same. Whatever it is, we love visiting and it is always a pleasure to see Mike.

I'm already looking forward to the next time we can go!

MASSACHUSETTS WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY: Sarah and Justin's Lexington / Stow Wedding

2010-07-06T17:00:00.005-04:00

I first met Sarah and Justin on their wedding day when I agreed, pretty much last minute, to shoot with the seven-month pregnant (with twins, no less!), Lisa Davenock of Worcester. I met Justin at his family's home for some quick shots of him with his parents and his guys, and then headed off to the First Baptist Church of Lexington, where the ceremony took place.

There is no balcony in this church, but there IS an attic, accessible through a narrow door from the lobby and up an equally narrow circular stairway, where of all things, their ladders are stored. Try navigating THAT laden with 30 pounds of equipment! Once I located the lights and had maintenance unlock a padlocked door, I was rewarded with finding the windows that overlook the interior of the church. I hung out this window to capture the processional.

What an awesome church... right??? It was a lovely ceremony officiated by the bride's uncle.

Afterwards, we moved on to Stow Acres Country Club in Stow, MA.

While Lisa got the formal shots, I helped by gathering the people we needed for the shots and capturing a few candids and details along the way.

This was the best orchestrated wedding I have ever seen. Between the country club's amazing wedding coordinator, the rest of their staff, and the most magnificent DJ I have ever had the pleasure to work with, this wedding flowed like a well-oiled machine.

Let me give a shout out for the DJ I mentioned before. His name is Chuck Noel and he's located in Bristol, NH. This wedding was in the Boston area and he apparently provides services throughout New England... although, I've gotta tell ya... I would SOOOO get him over here to PA if I was having an event! He was THAT good. Let me put it this way. I was really, really tempted to put down my camera and start singing and dancing... something I don't do very often. Okay, I do, but definitely not in public!

It was quite a wedding! Thanks for having me shoot with you, Lisa.

CLICK HERE TO VIEW MORE PICTURES OF SARAH AND JUSTIN'S WEDDING.

LEHIGH VALLEY CHILDREN'S PHOTOGRAPHY: Paige's Chuck E. Cheese Birthday

2010-06-28T19:24:00.008-04:00

Paige's birthday landed on a Friday this year, so her birthday celebration lasted well into the night. To start the festivities, Samantha, Martin, Paige, Ken, and I piled into our cars after Paige got home from school and headed out to Jordan Park with Italian subs and soda's in tow to enjoy the beautiful weather with a picnic and a little frolicking in Jordan Creek.

Then it was off to the local Chuck E. Cheese for a pizza party. Paige has awesome cousins and friends and a fun time was had by all!

... and then Paige swirled and rode off into the sunset! Happy Birthday, sweetie!

CLICK TO GALLERY FOR MORE OF PAIGE'S BIRTHDAY

Boylston, MA Family Photography: TOWER HILL BOTANIC GARDEN

2010-06-23T17:45:00.008-04:00

I've wanted to do a photo shoot at Tower Hill Botanic Garden for a while now and the perfect opportunity arose when I booked a shoot with this Massachusetts family. I headed to Tower Hill the day before to scope out different locations and I left there completely excited with what I was envisioning for the next day. So naturally, the following day it started to sprinkle shortly after I met with Family W. It progressed pretty rapidly into a downpour and we had to abort the rest of my location plans and sprint for cover inside.

You know what they say about the best laid plans. But despite the bad weather and the fact that eight out of ten family members were far from being fans of having their pictures taken, we achieved a level of sheer awesomeness anyway! I discovered quickly that this is a very connected family that are so much fun to photograph because they totally enjoy each other and that just pours over into their pictures.

So, thank you Family W, for sharing this small slice of your lives with me. Here is a sneak peak of your Tower Hill photo shoot. I hope you enjoy it!

Worcester Baby Photography: INTRODUCING... THE LONG AWAITED WILLIAM!

2010-06-21T14:21:00.004-04:00

I have missed you all! Ten days without Internet access was almost like living without my left arm for ten days, but it was well worth the sacrifice to be present for the arrival of William and to spend time with my brave daughter, her devoted husband, and the ever increasingly lovely Celia, the very proud big sister.

Melanie labored for four days. She was firm in her resolve to avoid a C-Section delivery like she had with Celia and all that resolve and incredibly hard work was rewarded at 4:59 pm on June 15th with this little fella. So, without further ado, I proudly introduce to you in his Internet debut, the newest addition to our family. At the ripe old age of two hours, here is the exquisite William!

Hi, little trouper! What took you so long? We were waiting and waiting!

William joined his family at home less than two days later and Celia proceeded to enjoy ALL the babies in her life.

At three days old, our little guy started shedding a layer of skin, but he STILL is adorable!

Looking at these pictures, you can't really tell how very tiny he is, but if I placed the heel of my hand on his chin, my fingertips would rest on the peak of his head. Any of you who know me and my stubby, small hands can appreciate what I'm saying, which for those of you who don't know me and my stubby, small hands, is that William's head is approximately the size of a small grapefruit!

Cute little fella... isn't he?

WHERE'S WILLIAM?

2010-06-09T10:09:00.004-04:00

Melanie was due to deliver the newest addition to our family on June 4th and since then we have been perched on the edge of our seats waiting. We are not sleeping at night, because we KNOW he is coming. Telephone calls are limited to three minutes each, lest we miss the "I'm in labor" call. We are finger-twitching, toe-tapping, fidgeting in our chairs... waiting.

And STILL, no William. Where IS William?

Someone asked me if Melanie has begun "nesting" yet, which in many minds signifies a hormonal triggering of labor. I thought about it for a moment and realized that Melanie is a natural nester. Even at age three, she was a nester. She is ALWAYS nesting, even when she isn't pregnant.

What does that do to this theory?

WE'RE ROUTING FOR YOU, WILLIAM!!!

Worcester Children's Photography: TURNING THREE IS SERIOUS BUSINESS

2010-06-03T12:31:00.005-04:00

If you were thinking that turning three is all about fun parties and undivided attention, think again! Granted, it is a little bit about that; okay... it's a LOT about that, but as you will see, after Celia's awesome celebration at the American Girl Doll Store, there was serious business to follow that would earmark her third birthday as one to remember forever.

The serious business I refer to is the momentous occasion of "giving up the bah." Don't know what a bah is? How about a paci, or binky, or nuk, or soothie? I'm talking about those colorful plastic (or better yet, rubber) plugs that soothe your baby to sleep and are touted to play a role in SIDS prevention. (As a side note, make sure your babies pacifiers are BPA, PVC and Phthalates free.)

For weeks before her birthday, Melanie prepared Celia for this first major sacrifice in her life and Celia selected the option of burying her bahs in a cuddly stuffed bear from Build-A-Bear. So, when we finished with her party...

... we headed to the Build-A-Bear Workshop and started the process.

Celia chose her bear and headed to the station to have him stuffed, and then the moment arrived to insert her beloved bahs.

One after the other, the bahs went into the bear and then it was time to give her bear a heart.

As I soon found out, there is a rather extensive "heart ceremony" ritual to bringing your bear to life.

It involves rubbing the heart between your hands to warm it up...

Putting it on your tummy, so he never goes hungry...

Rubbing it on your head, so he will be smart...

Rubbing it on your ears, so he can hear your secrets
...on your lips, so he won't tell your secrets
...and on your eyes, so he'll watch out for you.
...On your cheeks, so he will have plenty of smiles
...and on your nose, so he never gets sick.

Jumping gave her bear's heart energy and then spinning around while doing a little jig (yes, I see a little butt shaking going on there) made him playful.

Then she placed his heart over hers (sort of) and made a wish (sort of)...

... and that warm, cute, smart, healthy, energetic, and playful heart got placed very carefully inside her new friend.

Before you knew it, he was all stitched up and ready for his first hug.

But wait... that's not all! Then we moved on to the bathing station, where her bear received a bath!

And then...

Oh my goodness; a girls dream come true! it's time to dress her bear...

...and all of a sudden, he morphed into Cinderella.

We headed over to the computers to make the name official...

...and long story short, Celia successfully eliminated her bah habit relatively easily and got a great new friend in the process!

Good deal!