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Most new families begin long before a human child is brought home from the hospital.

I remember growing up hearings stories about Rhea, Charlie, and Sunny. Charlie and Sunny were my parents’ first babies… “the cats.” Burmese cats to be exact. I speculate that once my mom & pops got comfortable enough with “the cats,” they moved up the ladder of responsibility to “the dog.”

Enter Rhea, the fluffy aloof afghan. Once they thought they’d mastered “the dog,” along came “the baby.” (that was me!!)

Imagine being the baby of the family, and then your parents, er, masters bring home a new smelly loud creature that gets 95% of their energy, cooing, care, and doting. Sure, there’s still time and love for you, the FIRST baby, but now it’s the NEW baby that gets to ride in the car all the time.

So, this post is dedicated to all of the “first babies” out there, and my sincere apologies go out to the long-ago-passed-on Rhea, Sunny, and Charlie for being the stinky loud attention hog! I will ALWAYS be the 4th child to you, even if my parents considered me their 1st!

If you know me personally, you know I have A LOT of favorite things. It really doesn’t take much to make THIS girl happy (Can you see me pointing to myself with my thumbs? Yep, I am!)

But I just have to share something a little sappy and personal- when I receive an email or text from one of my wedding clients (or THEIR parents!), announcing their newborn babe, sharing the first few precious images of their little miracle’s life…. it just makes me squeeze out a coupla tears of joy. I am so happy for all these new mamas and papas this year, and absolutely cherish the idea that they include me in their new found joy.

Cheers to Rebecca & Glenn, Bre & Jesse, Megan & Ian, who have each welcomed a baby boy into their lives within the last couple of months (and hours!!!!). And to all of the soon-to-be’s and parents of toddlers! Just way too many to list, but you guys know who you are. Congratulations, and THANK YOU for making me feel special, by including me in your inner circle when you have exciting, life changing news to share.

These are a couple of sweet frames from Bre & Jesse’s session just the other day. It was so great to meet wonderful little JJ!!

A sweet moment between mama and babe.

Even with baby JJ pelting it out at the top of his lungs, Jesse couldn’t be happier in this moment. Maybe he’s hard of hearing in his left hear and it was only me and their pup that heard the blood curtling screams. I think it was feeding time (yet again. as if feeding time 5 minutes prior wasn’t good enough. Babies. Can’t live with em, can’t live without em!). Congrats you guys!

When an artist throws a party, you KNOW it’s gonna be good.

Tarot cards. Espresso. Burlesque. Food. Music. A night full of art, in honor of the artists.

The art of her guests adorned the walls of her historic Tiffany blue home. Rooms and rooms and rooms of art. Scary art, whimsical art, beautiful art, thoughtful art, funny art. Even a nude picture of OJ bearing all, hanging in, of all places, the guest bath. It was like visiting a real, life Alice In Wonderland home. Not the “Sugary Silly Disney” version, but the real, “Alice Is On Acid” version. Pure eye candy, and we were lovin it. And then I got lost in the twisting maze of staircases and rooms. Maybe if I was real quiet, they’d never know it if I moved in ;)

Donna, our lovely hostess, is the designer behind Elsie Katz Couture and has recently been spending time working on costumes for AMC’s Mad Men (OH to own an Elsie Katz Original. Mark my words, blog readers, I will! Oh yes, I will!). Bean, her camera shy main squeeze, is of LA’s world famous KROQ’s Kevin & The Bean.

The fantabulous Ms. Shannon Lassen was hired to design all things visual for this “Party Just Because,” to keep up with Donna’s colorful, eclectic style, and boy did she NAIL it.

DANG these ladies were hot. I WISH I had as much talent! Each act had a little story and a lotta humor. The costumes were all made by them (one of the gals came out with panties made of live roses!), and the dancing was quite entertaining (i.e. what GOOD burlesque is).

Meet my future husband (sorry Jonny!). This is Nathan Gaunt, a soulful singer/songwriter from Australia. Check out his music here. You can even catch him at SXSW this year! Congrats dude (and please don’t tell anyone about my turtle fall, mmm kay? It’s supposed to be our little {{embarassing}} secret).

Chef Kaspar’s creations. DANG that salad rocked my socks off.

The night ended with a play along jam session with everyone singing along to The Rainbow Connection performed by Nathan and one of the guests (on a ukulele!!!). This party will go down in history as one of the most creative ones, no doubt! Thanks everyone!

Event Planning and Design: Sublime Events

Decor: Aria Style, AA Party Rentals, Pedersen’s Rentals, Choice Linens, Totally Tabletops

Lighting: Hardcastle Entertainment

Catering: Chef Kaspar Donier for Kaspar’s, Espresso Elegance

Valet: Butler Valet

Tarot card reader: Cynthia Sees

Entertainment: Atomic Bombshells, Nathan Gaunt

I am so excited for Kelly and Chris- I’ve known this girl for what, 6 years or something? We’ve grown our businesses side by side- she’s a fabulous wedding and event planner in Texas that I met while working a corporate shoot up here in Seattle waaaay back.  And now she has a baby!

In the end of April, she and Chris welcomed Carson into their lives, and I was just itching to get a peek at the little guy (after all, he’d HAVE to be cute if Kel and Chris were his ‘rents!).

In the end of June, they made the trek up to Seattle to visit family, friends, and show off their new bundle.

Thanks for coming up, guys, and thanks Carson for christening the new couch! A baby boy photoshoot isn’t a successful one ’til the baby pees, after all! (I think this is the third time I’ve been peed on…so no worries guys, REALLY, it’s OKAY!!! That’s why god made Chlorox wipes!  We should call him “Shooter” from now on….)