Baby Maggie… and her big brother Will.

Friendship is a funny thing. Sometimes you have to work at it. Sometimes it’s expected. Sometimes there are expectations and demands.

And sometimes… sometimes it just happens.

That’s how I feel about Sally and Stephen. When I met Sally at her sister Katie’s wedding in July of 2006, I had no idea I would one day adore her. I had no idea we would love these sisters like our own family. I had no idea we would form a relationship that goes far beyond photographer/client. Katie and Gregsby were married (on the hottest day of the year) in 2006, and Nathan and I found ourselves with a giant crush on their whole family. Baby Emeline was born late December 2007, and after spending a few hours with the Gregsby and Katie the day of Emeline’s newborn session, I realized that I wanted to be more than just a photographer to this family. Gregsby and Katie have an easy way about them. They were so friendly and open and real… I found myself drawn to them.

And to their family.

I finally had the opportunity to reconnect with Sally (and Stephen and Will!) in the middle of 2008… It only took about 3 minutes inside the Ratterman household for me to know I was hooked. I feel so blessed that I have been allowed into this family… that I have had the opportunity not merely to know them on a professional level, but on a personal one, as well.

Nathan and I are so excited to call Sally and Stephen and Katie and Gregsby our friends.

Almost 8 weeks ago… I got a middle of the night text message from Katie, letting me know that Sally and Stephen and rushed to the hospital. Will was about to have a baby sister :) Nathan and I headed over the next day to meet the new addition to the family, and while we were there, I grabbed a picture or two. Somehow those images never made it to the blog, so I thought I would share a couple of them today :)

Baby Maggie is just beautiful, isn’t she?

(side note: Isn’t Sally one of the most beautiful people you’ve ever seen? I seriously adore her.)

I can’t even begin to express my excitement when Sally told me that she and Stephen had decided that they had to have a baby’s first year for Baby Maggie :) Friday evening, I headed up to Signal Mountain to photograph their first session.

Beautiful baby Maggie.

Adorable big brother Will.

And Sarge.

Maggie was starving when I arrived…

Check out these adorable toes!

Will wanted to hide from my camera… but he realized quickly that I wasn’t going to give up and leave him alone :) So he gave up.

I LOVE these images of the family reading… Watch Will as he inspects his sister. You can tell he is crazy about her already!

If this doesn’t make you say “Awwww”… something’s wrong with you.

Will REALLY wanted to go outside and play… so outside we went. He showed off a bit of his serious football skills ;)

While Stephen and Will played, Sally and Maggie got in some much needed snuggling.

We headed back inside for a bit of family time in the master bedroom. Maggie looked so sweet in her bassinet, and Will… well, Will was all boy :) He always reminds me to make use of motion blur :) He’s just a ball of energy!

Sarge stood guard to make sure I wasn’t bothering his family :)

A rare quiet moment…

A final snuggling shot… Will is just about too big for this ;)

Love you guys. Enjoy your slideshow…

xoxo

-amber