I met with little Ms S under the white cherry blossoms in QE Park in March for a chilly but fun morning of shenanigans with her lovin’ mama.  I photographed Ms S when she was a little scrap of a thing, down at Second Beach, and it was such a pleasure to see how she has blossomed.  She is very much a fan of doing her own thing, and just full to the brim of rambunctious energy. In an hour, I think she expended about the same amount of energy as, say, all the grown-ups in a gym working out do. Combined. Such a fun little kiddo, and she has invited me over for tea, which I will be certain to take her up on.

Our charity for the month of April is GIrls’ Rock Camp.  Please be generous and leave lots of comments on this post and others, because each and every one is worth $1 to them up to a monthly total of $200. Help send a girl to rock camp this summer. You do have to leave an email to leave a comment, but I don’t collect them for anything, promise.

Above is Ms J, 9, aspiring actor. Can you believe she’s only 9? Can you say gorgeous? I just loved her spirit and open-hearted displays of love.

I was tickled pink to make images of Ms J and her family in the studio recently. She has a new baby sister and is head over heels in love, and who wouldn’t love little Ms N? She is the prettiest, most agreeable baby! It was late in the day (4 pm!) and she still held up for us. I imagine she’d be awesome in a session just of her own, all fresh in the early morning.

You have a new little baby, Ms N, joining her big sister, Ms J. How soon did you tell J when you were pregnant? Was she thrilled?

We told Ms. J about the baby when I was about 4-5 months pregnant, we took her out to dinner at The Old Spaghetti Factory. She might have sensed it before we even delivered the news, as when we went to the washroom she asked me: “Mom, you are not going to have another baby, right?”. She was jealous at first, started crying, but after we explained that we will love her just the same, she was fine. Now she loves her baby sister so much…

How was your pregnancy this time around? Can you compare it to your first one?

Pregnancy wasn’t much different from the first one, although 9 years apart. I expected it to be more difficult, but it wasn’t.

How soon did Ms J get to meet her new little sister? What was her reaction?

Ms J met Ms N at the hospital, just few hours after birth. She thought/hoped the baby was a boy, as we did not know in advance if it’s a boy/girl. Ms J came prepared with a gift made by her for the baby and when she found out it was a girl, she was a bit disappointed, but got over it quickly and then gracefully welcomed Ms N by saying: “Enjoy the world, N!”

Ms J tells me she wants to be an actor when she grows up (and wow, was she a ham in the studio! Love it); does she get the acting bug from you?

I don’t know if she gets it from me, but I believe she has talent. At school plays, she always manages to get the main character, stirring jealousy amongst her friends.

What is Ms J’s favourite colour? Favourite food? Favourite TV show? Favourite sport?

She loves black now, pizza, Seinfeld and hockey.

What are Ms N’s favourite foods so far? How old is she now? Is she sitting up unassisted?

Ms. N is 7 months old, I believe she loves mommy’s milk the best. And yes, she is sitting up unassisted.

What is Ms N’s favourite thing in the world?

Our hugs and kisses

What are your dreams for J and N as they grow?

I want them to be happy.

I just love love love this family pic for its spontaneity.

He is just too cool, and only four years old! What a good and easy kiddo…took direction surprisingly well for someone of such a squirmy age. Kid sis, though…well, she was just motoring through the pix on her way to do very important business.

I’ve photographed the T family before…I shot Ms S before she was able to get away on those ready-to-rock legs of hers (at 9 months or so), and then I shot her mom and her mom’s mom as part of my “Mirror” project (you can read about that under Specials Etc above). It’s pretty special to spend so much time with one family, getting to know the generations. it was a thrill for me to finally meet the male side of the family.

Here’s some words from mom:

Mr K was your first baby. How did it feel, this act of moving from a couple to a family?

It definitely brought us even closer together. We both laugh about how we felt like people would start serenading us from their houses when we went for our first walk with Kai in the stroller after he was born. But of course while our lives had been utterly transformed, it was business as usual for everyone else.

What is your favourite thing about Mr K?

I love his laugh. He puts his whole body into it. It’s infectious.

Tell us about moments with Mr K that just slay you.

It always amazes me how he can weave through a crowd to rescue his sister from getting into trouble.

How did Mr K react to the news he would be a big brother?

He was afraid. He said, “I’m scared of sister.”

How does he get along with his little sis now?

He can’t get enough of her. He always knows exactly where she is. But, it’s hard for him to give her some personal space sometimes. This can be a bit of a struggle.

What are your wishes for Mr K’s future?

I hope both my kids will know compassion. And I hope they will both strive to make the world a better place for everyone. I wish them “courage to change those things they can, serenity to leave those things they can’t, and wisdom to know the difference” in their life journeys.

Anything you would like moms to know about this fraught and joyful thing we call parenting?

Children are who they are. We shouldn’t be too hard on ourselves when things don’t work out exactly as we plan. And I always keep a chilled bottle of Chardonnay in the fridge. I rarely drink before 5pm, but just knowing it’s there helps me keep my cool.

Remember, as always in 2009, your blog comments earn food for Vancouver’s Food Bank, so keep ‘em coming. Also, comments from friends and families can earn families complimentary 8″x10″ prints…yup, as many as you want. One print per 20 comments from different computers, and comments from other photographers don’t count!

The adorable Ms I swept her way into my studio (and my heart) recently with her devoted French mama et papa, K and G. Only five days old (and two weeks early) she had been up all night partying with her parents, in particular her mama, and so she hit the heat of my studio and was putty in my hands. Mama conked out too for part of the session, and we tiptoed around hoping against hope that she could catch up on her sleep a little. Papa G is an engineer who has worked with MSF, and he was an incredible assistant…for some of these shots, I needed his skills! Put part A here, top with part B, and move part C over there.

Here is what mama had to say about her new little girl:

Congratulations to you both on becoming parents! You weren’t quite full term when you delivered. Tell us about your labor.

A. was two weeks in advance. The first contraction started at around 6 am on Monday. G was with me the all time and a Doula came at home around 8 am. She was really amazing, helped me a lot through this amazing experience and without her I don’t think I would have coped so well. By 10 am we were in the hospital and I asked for a waterbirth. Two hours later A. was born and at 8 pm we were back at home. I don’t think I could have hoped for a better labor.

What is the thing that amazed you the most about becoming a mom?

I feel it is very natural and it is like she has always been here.

Have you been getting much sleep?

We are a little tired but so far I think we are managing well. A. is a calm baby but very hungry so she need to be breastfeed very often.

How was G’s first Father’s Day? (Congrats, G!)

It’s very nice. I am not sure I have yet fully realized all the thing it implies but I can’t wait to get hand made, imaginative gifts!

How did your family in France react to news the baby had arrived?

There are all happy for us and very excited. They live far away and can’t wait to be able to take her in their arms. The webcam is nice but it is not the same especially for grand-mothers. Both are coming during summer, not too long to wait.

What is the best thing in your life with Ms A?

We love having her in our bed in the morning and watching her little face when she sleeps.

It is a little hard to imagine that Ms A will be walking in 12 short months, isn’t it? What are your hopes for your first year as a mom?

I want to enjoy my time off with her as much as possible, as I am sure it will go very fast. We are hoping to take two months of vacation to relax
together and also watch A. enjoying her first year.

Please, everyone, do take the time to leave a comment for the parents. They just love to receive them, and I donate $1 to Vancouver’s Food Bank for every one!

I call the first photo “Calling Gramma.”

This little punkin’ came in to the studio full of good cheer. Isn’t she just the most precious thing? Looking at the kids on my blog, I just imagine parents’ hearts melting into one big puddle of goop. How not to swoon and faint? These children are seriously beautiful.

Please leave comments for Ms I here on the blog. Her family would love to hear from you! And if you’re one of Ms I’s lovin’ family members, leave a comment too! Your comment engenders a $1 donation to Vancouver’s Food Bank. Help feed the hungry!

Here’s what I’s loving mama has to say about her:

How old is Ms I now?

9 months

Did you have an easy labour?

It was quick & easy until the end – she was stuck & I needed a c-section

What was the most surprising thing about becoming a mom?

It is amazing to be a mom but also the most challenging thing I’ve ever done

When did she start sleeping through the night? Did that change things for you?

She has always been a good sleeper and started sleeping through the night at 6 months – yes, extra sleep made things easier

What is your favourite thing about being a mom?

I. wakes up with a big smile for me every day

Your least favourite?

Diapers, diapers, diapers!

What are your hopes and dreams for Ms I as she grows?

To be a bright shining star in the world and to follow her heart’s desire

This uber-cool dude, Mr K, 4, is the big bro of one of the little girls I photographed in the studio back before she could walk (and man, she is smokin’ fast now!). More on Mr K to come later… This is the spring’s first urban shoot which I never got around to putting up here. Me, I’d never shoot anything but urban sessions outside if I had my druthers, ’cause I lerv me some urban. To that end, folks, check out the smokin’ summer hot deal under “Specials Etc” above. Let’s take to the alleys, folks. It’s a wonderful, memorable look. Mr K, you and your family are just so much fun to work with!

Please leave Mr K some lovin’, won’t you, in the form of a comment below, and help feed the needy, as each comment means a $1 donation to Vancouver’ Food Bank.

This cute little video came to my attention today and I thought folks might love it. I have no clue who this little boy belongs to, but he is soooo cute. I think every parent can identify. I gather this one’s gone a little viral, so excuse if you’ve already run across it.

I have been keeping this card/work of art around for a while now, and it shows! We have a kooky cat, Sophie, who likes to eat paper (yes, this has on occasion caused TV WEEK bowel obstructions and long visits to the vet) and she nibbled on this a bit. Apparently it wasn’t yummy enough to do the full chew. The little girl who made this artwork (and who chose the chocolates) is Sofie, who coincidentally has the same name as the cat who nibbled her art, and who won the chance to model for Sandy Puc in Seattle. And wow, mom brought over the images to show me, and they are fab, fab, fab! That Sandy Puc…she’s good. Anyhow, Sofie, four, knows her alphabet, and can also write Pen, Sofie, Mama, Papa. Pretty impressive, huh?

Isn’t Ms M adorable? You’ve seen her here before, and not too long ago. She was the little woman with the long long long lashes wet with tears several posts ago. Well, we had her back in because…well…who can resist this face? We all thought it would be fun to see if she could manage a session without tears…and she could! I hope I get to photograph Ms M for the rest of her childhood. Sigh. Wouldn’t that be awesome?

Please leave comments as they’re worth a $1 donation at the Vancouver Food Bank…each!

And one with Mommy, so you can see where the gorgeous Ms M comes by her great looks:

Yummy, yummy, yummy. Do you know how much I love getting flowers?

You have to be fairly intrepid to bring me blossoms in the springtime, because to get to the front door you have to pass through what is a pretty wonderful (and very intensive) flower garden! Just on the weekend, two women stopped by as I was plunking in some faltering aubrietas and said they’d driven across town just to have a look. It’s worth it, I’d say… It’s in the June issue of Fine Gardening magazine (last page), and it’s been there three or four other times too. It was nominated for Vancouver’s Best Front Garden.

Anyhow, the lovely Ms B who won the Giving is Awesome session brought me this pretty bouquet on behalf of her family and the nominator’s family, and I was really touched. Her note said, “Jane, we hope these flowers make you as happy as you have made us. Thank you so very much for the beautiful gift. We will cherish it forever.”

Sweet, huh? Could just about get a girl to weeping…

Here is just one pic:

And our house, from some prior year: