5 minutes - Kinetic Sand | Cleveland Lifestyle Photographer

Truth be told, I never in a million years would have given Kinetic Sand a second glance. I mean, sand is amazing as is, why would I need kinetic sand? That is, until the temperature dropped into the negatives and I had to occupy two 5 year olds. Thanks to an amazing aunt and uncle, these kids were occupied for the better part of the afternoon...

A Morning with the H Family | Cleveland Lifestyle Photographer

 

After about the 38th time of fetching his toy from the hallway, Maverick brought it back into the nursery and joyfully tossed it about. While Oggie was busy getting belly rubs, Maverick had somehow managed to toss his duck  directly under the bassinet. Just as quickly as he was to retrieve it, he dropped to the floor and slowly, cautiously inched his snout underneath. With only the grace of a lab, he gently pulled the toy out and away before pouncing back into play mode, ready for Erik to throw it, yet again, down the hall. 

It really is amazing to see how well animals adapt to little ones being introduced into their packs. I am sure it is in their nature, to a certain point, but I definitely attribute it to excellent parenting as well. While, sadly, some pups get pushed to the side once kids are entered into the mix, I think it is safe to say that Oggie and Maverick were anything but. They dote upon little Sonny just as much as their parents dote upon them. All in all, this is one love filled home.

And on a side note, toward the end you may notice the moment they realized that Sonny got his first tooth!

Meeting Hazel | Cleveland Birth Photography

You may remember my post, Introducing Hazel Elizabeth, from a month or so back. Hazel was born in the wee hours of the morning, which meant her brother, Arlo, wasn't there to meet her right away. So, about 14 hours later, I came back and was able to capture Arlo's response to having a baby sister. Mind you, they are barely 18 months apart.

Truth be told, he was a little less than thrilled - or perhaps the best way to put it was that he was completely uninterested. Nevertheless, this is still one of my all time favorite sessions from 2014. The interaction, the lighting, the family, it was perfect in my book. Plus, while I frequently get called in to capture the first moments for first time parents, photographing such intimate moments for children beyond the first is usually an after thought, which usually comes too late. So to be able to capture this first day was extra special. Danny and Amanda have the whole parenting thing down, are far more relaxed than any other set of parents I have ever met. Adding a second seemed so natural, and aside from the fact that we were in fact in a hospital room, it felt like this was just another day in the life for them. Again, such a perfectly beautiful family....