Here is little Hattie- 10 days new, adored my her parents and big sister Maelynn.

Hugs,

Kelsy

I started my “Maternity Leave” in January after a little bout of preterm labour which put me on some modified bedrest. Violet arrived over a month over early so I was prepared to have Maeve pretty much every day after 35 weeks. However, Maeve is a very relaxed, chill baby and she didn’t decide to arrive until she was only 2 weeks and 1 day early. I took the “extra” three weeks to throw a 2nd birthday party for Violet. Over the past year her favourite things in the world were ice cream and balloons so we took that as a party theme and had an ice cream social. My Mom’s spectacular husband made his world famous fresh organic ice cream for the party and we had a delicious ice cream sundae bar. I am still dreaming about it!

Our extended family had some exciting news in January as well! Three weeks before Maeve was born my brother in law and his wife had adorable twin boys. I shot a little mini session for them even though I literally could not get up by the end. Aren’t they sweet?

10 days before Maeve was born I finally got around to shooting Violet’s 2nd year Portraits. My good friend Blake has a fanastic studio which we used to get my little wild child’s pictures. Getting her to sit still for more then a minute quite the challenge  The girl is bursting with energy and personality but she honestly could not be any sweeter or funnier. I’m such a lucky mom.

I also took the opportunity to have Blake photograph a few quick maternity images for me. I loved being big and round, feeling Maevey kick and move, and eating at 2am with no one raising any eyebrows Even after 3 months of queasiness ( aka all day morning sickness), the uncomfortable waddling, and the back pain, pregnancy is still the coolest thing I’ve ever done.

We are loving having Maeve as part of our family and from the minute she was born it was like she’d been our daughter forever.  When they put that little baby in my arms the very first thought that filled my mind was “It’s you, it’s always been you”.  I looked at her all naked and wide-eyed and my heart was filled with the strongest, purest love possible. When you have your first child you wonder how you can stretch you heart any more for your second child,  but from that moment I locked eyes with little Maeve my heart only got bigger. She was born strong and healthy, ate like a champ from day one and is already sleeping so well. We couldn’t be more blessed.

We spent the next month adjusting to having Maeve in our home and developing a new routine. We had wonderful newborn pictures taken by my super talented friend Andrea when Maeve was 10 days old. I know you don’t get those first days back so it’s wonderful to have them captured by someone who can see your family’s love and connections together.  Violet was little timid of her sister (especially at our newborn shoot) but is loving her more and more each day, When Mazey (Violet’s adorable nickname for Maeve  from the day she was born. It’s grown on us and now we all refer to her as Maze or Mazey most of time) is sleeping Violet wants her awake and when Mazey is crying Violet does everything she can to make her happy again. We are so proud.

Over the last three months we enjoyed walks in snow together, naps together, lots of books, playtime and just chilling as a new family. I mostly kept my camera down and my eyes on my beautiful daughters….

I am so lucky I got to take some time off from shooting and sitting at the computer to enjoy my daughters. Thanks everyone for your patience with emails and a empty neglected blog. I am back taking commissions now and I am slowly working up to shooting my full day weddings in June. If you are interested in a Lifestyle Family Session, please let me know as I am booking up for the summer and fall. I’m taking a very limited amount in order to make sure my clients and my daughters (and my husband!) all get enough attention.

Thanks all for your messages of love and well wishes. I really appreciate you being here and your support

Hugs,

Kelsy

Enjoy a small sample from their chilly day,

Kelsy

So I’ll get back to regular blogging and meetings and work later….I’m rocking my baby and babies don’t keep

Hugs,

Kelsy

Miss Maeve on her one month birthday.

Enjoy some snapshots of the newest little miss!

xoxox,

Kelsy

Just a reminder that I’m taking a bit of a “maternity leave” for a few months here to enjoy our family of four. I will be trying to answer emails and messages a on a regular (but probably sporadic) basis. Thanks for your patience

Ophelia and Austin were my last session of 2011 and now it’s all about our new addition around here. I’m busy getting everything finished up for my clients and getting a new little nursery set up for our little one. 2012 is bringing so much good all ready!

Congrats again Ophelia! I wish you an easy labour and no pain (So I wish you  magical labour. Haha. But hey, one can wish right!)

Cheers,

Kelsy

Marily didn’t stop laughing and smiling all day. Mike was obviously smitten. Perfection.  You were both a joy to photograph and your easy going relaxed nature made the day so enjoyable for everyone there. The late afternoon oceanside ceremony was followed by a stunning 5 course meal with the reception lasting into the wee hours of the morning. I think every guest was out shaking it on the dance floor by the pool. I actually I know every guest was out dancing because I have a lot of photographic evidence of the fact

Because of the timing of the day we woke up early the morning after the wedding to get a few more images of the couple. Marily and Mike had ventured out to Lover’s Beach” (could that name be more appropriate ?? ) on a previous visit to Cabo and had loved it.  I have to say that any groom that wakes up at 7am the day after that party for more pictures for his wife must be a seriously good catch.

Thank you Marily and Mike for helping me finish my 2011 wedding season with a bang

Hugs,

Kelsy

So while the rest of Edmonton was enjoying a mild snow-free winter, Sandra was busy praying for a snowfall on her wedding day to go with her wintery theme. Well, she got her wish and a beautiful blanket of snow fell the morning of the big day.  Other then being incredibly slick to walk and drive on, the snow fall made the winter wedding complete. Sandra was nothing but giddy all day over how perfect everything had turned out. I have to admit, I loved being able to shoot in the pure white snow and enjoy the company of two awesome people on their incredible day.

Like others said before me, it was the best Star-Wars-Christian-Scottish-Wedding I have ever attended The mutliple referencces to Star Wars at the ceremony (including a light sabre exit put on by their numerous nieces and nephews), the visits by some pretty funny characters and some kilts and Scotch made this wedding uniquely one of a kind. Thanks so much for having me there to take it all in.

Hugs,

Kelsy

Thank you to Carla for toughing the cold and helping me out on this special day!

I hope you are enjoying these first weeks with her and taking in every minute of her littleness. I’ve said it a million times but it all goes by so so fast.

Hugs,

Kelsy

Cheers,

Kelsy