a wonderful gift

Earlier this year, right before Mother’s Day, I received a text message from Gregsby. He wanted to chat with me about a special Mother’s Day gift for his wife, Katie. He explained to me his idea, and I was immediately excited. I knew that Katie was going to absolutely adore this Mother’s Day present!

“I was thinking about a session that would capture what she and Emeline do while I’m at work. It would be cool to capture their alone time and the fun things they do during the day, so she can have a way to remember what their time was like. I really want to do this before the new baby comes and the routine changes.”

Um… Yes, please! This sounds like the best present ever! So we worked out the details, and after much arranging and re-arranging, I finally spent the day with Katie and Emeline (and a bit of time with Gregby, as a bonus) earlier this week. I arrived before they were even fully ready for their day, and I left in the evening, just before dinnertime.

Katie sent me an email just before her session… I always ask my moms to share with me some of the things that they always want to remember about their children at their current stages… Katie prefaced her email with these eloquent thoughts.

“I often find myself wondering if every mom is in love with her child the way that I am. How many times did I hear from my own mother, “Do you know how much I love you?? I don’t think you’ll e-e-e-ever know.”? And while I thought I did, because I was sure I loved her as much as she did me, I find myself saying the same to Emeline because it’s most certainly how I feel. It’s just the coolest thing to realize how much love you can have for something like your own, isn’t it? :) I marvel at my love and at how much she’s grown in these VERY fast two and-a-half years. While we have made sacrifices right and left, there is not one thing I’d rather be doing than staying home with her and watching her grow. I’m so thankful and blessed to have Gregsby who shares those sentiments and allows me to stay home with her. Every now and then, if I’m sitting close to her, she’ll reach her arm around my neck, pull me close and say, “Mama, you’re my be-e-e-e-est friend.” Not sure where she heard that (since we all know she’s a parrot in human form), but I couldn’t care less – it makes me feel like the most important person on the planet and melt into a puddle of mush. SO, all that being said, I’m oh-so excited for our session tomorrow so we can document the amusement, joy, frustration, patience-testing, love, and never-a-dull moment day in the life of Emeline and me. Thank you to you and Gregsby for the great idea to do it … as I know our lives are about to take a major turn – and we can’t wait!”

After reading that… I could hardly wait to get to their house and document their day.

I’m a serious fan of pajamas. I think they should be appropriate for everyday, all day. I was excited that Baby Emeline (not going to be able to call her that for much longer at all!) was still in her “jamas” when I arrived.

This is what Emeline’s “noculars” look like. She was trying to see what she could see…

I had arrived bearing gifts of Starbucks… next time I’ll know to bring Emeline her own. She commandeered Katie’s almost immediately… and she had very little intention of ever giving it back up!

It was a work from home day for Gregsby… I love how this image captures that dynamic.

As soon as Emeline is dressed, she likes to put on a modeling show. Her parents oblige her by putting on their very best amazed faces, and repeating over and over “Oh how gorgeous!”. It’s a ridiculously cute ritual.

Emeline loves to be read to. She also loves to “read” to herself. She seriously is a little parrot, and has a couple of her books completely memorized. She sat down and read to Katie and I, complete with perfect copies of her mother’s inflection. One of the funniest things I have heard in ages… I loved it!

Katie is pregnant with baby boy… so Emeline is going to be joined by a baby brother in a few months. It was pretty exciting to see how much she loves playing with her “Baby Sharm00″. She was so loving and gentle with her. I cannot wait to see how she reacts when her brother arrives.

In the middle of an impromptu Mom and Daughter tea party, Emeline suddenly decided it was time for some snuggling. They exchanged butterfly kisses… the cute factor was sky high.

Then Emeline kicked us out of the playroom. I guess she wanted a little time to herself :) I love how she looks so little… and so big… all at once.

It was time for a costume change… Baby Emeline wanted to show off her recently learned dance moves. (Please note the “How gorgeous” face on Katie as Emeline models her outfit… again…)

She has two amazing dance instructors. I’m not sure which one had better form… What do you guys think? ;)

After the recital was over, Emeline put her famous skills of negotiation to work on her mom. She reeeeaaaallly wanted to watch Cinderella, and when her first attempt was met with what appeared to be a potentially negative response, she decided it was time to turn up the charm.

She said, “How ’bout we snuggle and watch Cinderella, Mama?” while smiling ever so adorably. Seriously, who can say no to that? If Katie had managed to say no, I’d have caved… and happily snuggled while watching Cinderella!

I have a very soft spot in my heart for thumbsuckers. My Addy was a thumbsucker, and I kinda miss it.

Then it was lunch time, and the negotiations started all over again. Emeline wasn’t thrilled about stopping her movie, but her parents are almost as persuasive as she is. She finally caved :)

Our lunch destination was Tony’s… one of my very favorite places to eat in Chattanooga. Seriously, yum. Emeline donned her ridiculously cute sunglasses, and we were ready to go.

Lunch was perfect, as always.

After lunch, we headed back to the house, where Emeline successfully conquered the potty prior to lying down for a nap.

She gets to have M&M’s as a reward… and this is also something she negotiates for. She’s so funny!

A bit of rocking and singing, and it was time for Emeline to have a rest. At one point, Emeline turns to Katie and says “Let’s turn off the light.” So they get up, and turn off the light. Katie starts to put Emeline in her crib, and she said “Can we sing some more?” So they head back to the rocker, in the dark, with me in the doorway, camera still in hand. Before Katie can start, Emeline looks hard at me and says, “Can Amber shut the door?” Katie and I laughed… she was obviously kicking me out!

After around an hour and a half of working and talking and resting, Katie and I headed back upstairs. Emeline was awake :) I love that she wakes up in a good mood. That has to make Katie’s life a bit happier.

More negotiations as Emeline asks for her afternoon snack.

Even though it is insanely hot and humid out, playing outside is still one of Emeline’s favorite things to do. Katie and I headed outside with her, and Gregsby joined us soon after. I think we were having too much fun for him to be able to keep working :)

After we had had enough of the heat, we headed back inside. Gregsby hadn’t had the opportunity for much snuggle-time, so we remedied that for him.

And then he wanted to show-off a bit… He and Emeline have created quite the gymnastic routine. She loves it, and it is absolutely hysterical to watch!

Whew. Hard work. Exhausting.

We headed downstairs so I could pack up and head out for the evening… and suddenly Emeline decided she needed to show off just a tiny bit more. Katie had mentioned that Emeline was obsessed with making Katie “lay down and take naps”… and all of the sudden Emeline was insisting upon exactly that!

And then there was a bit of tickling…

And Dolly-the-horse riding…

And more ridiculous cuteness. I finally had to just put my camera away… because I knew if I didn’t, I was never going to be able to make myself leave :)

Wow. That might be the longest post in the history of the world :) Hope you guys survived it. Katie and Gregsby, there is an even longer slideshow here… Hope you guys love it! Katie, you’re an amazing mom… Happy Mother’s Day. Gregsby, wives all over the country are guilt-tripping their husbands because they didn’t get anything nearly this cool for Mother’s Day. Well done :)

Love you guys lots. Can’t wait to meet Baby Boy!

xoxo

-amber