Family Photos by Nicole Coleman

For years I’ve been wanting to get some family photos shot of Trent, Lu and I, and for years I’ve put it off. Why? No idea. Probably a combo of money + time + convincing Trent to do it, but for whatever the reasons, we’ve always held off. So when my friend Nicole moved to KC a year ago, I knew I’d be asking for her services. You see, Nicole is a real photographer. In the very sense of the word. Not only is she super-talented and endlessly creative, she has been crafting her skill forever. You know that awesome picture of me as a modelesque 6-year-old that’s on my About Me page? Yeah, she took that.

So one ridiculously hot day in June we got together to shoot some family portraits. Except it was a Friday, Trent was grumpy after a long week of work, Lu was grumpy after a long week of school and it was (no lie) 107 degrees outside. And humid. Gotta love Kansas City.

The shoot was done in parts of the River Market area downtown, and then out at our favorite pizza joint by our house. And although it was so hot that Lu really wasn’t the sparkplug she usually is, I almost like these pictures better because of it. Nicole captured the serious Lu, which I just don’t think to photograph much. And I may be biased (obviously), but this kid, she is just gorgeous.

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A few other favorites from the day:

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I wish I could post all 50 photos so you all could oohh and ahhh like I’ve been doing, but instead I’ll just link to the Flickr set of the shoot here. Nicole is going through a business redesign right now, but you can find her old website here, and you know I’ll be linking to her new one once it’s completed. (It’s so good, y’all, you have no idea. Just wait.)

Thank you, Nicole, for capturing our family of three before everything changes. Thank you for making me look skinny. Thank you for dealing with my grumpy family. And of course, thank you for that lovely photo of 6-year-old me. It has nothing to do with this shoot, but is so awesome, you deserve heaps of praise.

Happiness Squared

Happiness Squared

(From our family vacation to Charleston, South Carolina)

Coming This Christmas….

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Just so you all know, no one is getting presents this year. I’m gonna be a little busy.

Baby Project 2.0 is due on December 23, 2010. Here is a picture of it at 10 weeks old, looking remarkabley blob like, just as Lucy did at that stage.

A Beautiful Blob

(You can see Lulu at around the same age here. She’s more of a “I’m way cool and just hang out in the corner” kind of girl, while this one is all “BACKFLIPS!!! I AM ALL OVER THE PLACE WOOOO!” At least, sonogram-wise.)

Luckily for you, the morning sickness phase passed a few weeks ago, so you won’t see gems like this one this time around. This pregnancy is different from mine with Lucy in so many ways, it would be idiotic to list them all here. All I can say is we are thrilled and excited and Lucy has set aside her old tricycle for the new baby. She also gets on Trent daily to build out our new room in the basement so the baby can have the one that’s currently his office.

Really, kids are great for assisting in the household nagging duties. You should get yourself one. Or two.

OMIGOD….two.

On Dads and Kids and Happiness

To all you dads out there, I hope your weekend is full of golf, bourbon, a beer or two, maybe even fishing on a lake. I hope your kids tell you how much you are loved. Because you totally are. Dads are the best.

To the dad in our house, Lucy is so lucky to have you. And she knows it. And so do I.

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Family resemblence

Goofballs

Kids

Off Roading

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Lu + Dad Trying to Catch a Fish

And to you grandads out there, you have a good one too. May your day be full of homemade cards and envelopes full of special rocks (to the grandpa’s pictured, I hope that doesn’t spoil the surprise). I never knew either of my grandfathers, so watching Lucy with her THREE grandpa’s has been quite an experience for me. Seriously, this kid is ridiculously lucky.

Driving the Boat

Grandpa Lee Reads Old School Cinderella

KPPA + Lu

Four Years Old (WHAT?!)

Dear Lulu,

Today you turn four. FOUR. As in, FOUR YEARS. I know, right? I can’t believe it either.

I know back when you were a baby and we had all the time in the world (hahahahaha…sorry) I would spend hours writing these birthday letters to you. And now, you’re lucky if you get a post with an obligatory photo. Speaking of…

Birthday Girl!

Maybe it’s because now you’re getting to a point where you will actually remember these times. Right now your grandpa and grandma are staying at our house for a few weeks, and I told them recently that I remember going to the hospital to visit your grandpa when I was a kid. They told me I was four when that happened. And I remember it so vividly. Driving all the way to Topeka, going to the hospital, and then heading to White Castle afterwards for burgers.

Thinking of that really made me realize that the life you’re living right now, in this moment, could be remembered forever. I don’t need to write it all down, instead, you’ll be reciting the stories to me. The tales of how we went to Brooklyn and you worked in a garden there. Or how you played tag at school. Or how your daddy made you laugh and laugh. You remember it all, and sharing it is definitely one of your talents.

This last year was pretty uneventful for us, considering how eventful years past have been. We spent our first full year at our new house, tackling projects, building walls. You spend a good amount of time playing in your room, building forts out of all your books, taking care of your baby dolls, reading to yourself. But you love company. Like, LOVE it. You are already part of a little girl clique at school, and you spend most of your waking hours loving those kids. You have a boyfriend too, or so you claim, which is both worrisome and totally hilarious.

You have grown and changed, Lulu, but your personality has not been altered too much. If anything, it’s just been multiplied. You are dramatic, loud, excited, strong, smart, quick, clever, mischievous, funny and introspective. You get shy rarely, but when it happens it’s full on. You don’t do anything at a low level. Anger, happiness…it’s all expressed at a 10.

I am excited for this year Lulu, in ways I can’t even express to you yet. You’ll start Pre-K in the fall, and before we know it you’ll be in Kindergarten. Which, let’s face it, is totally insane. KINGERGARTEN! Holy moley. This year is going to be full of holy moley moments, but I’m certain you will accept it all with grace and charm, even if I have to bribe you with ice cream to get there.

I love you, wild girl. Happy birthday, to both of us.

Much love,
Mommy

She's Four Today

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