It was 4 in the morning and I hadn’t had the chance to sleep yet.  The night nurse came in with my motrin and asked the baby’s name.  “Grace”, I told her.  We had just decided that afternoon.  She glanced over and saw the photo of Giuliana framed on the table across from my bed.  “And your other daughter?” she asked, motioning towards the picture.  “Giuliana” I answered.  “Both princess names” she said matter-of-factly.  I hadn’t thought of it.  I couldn’t help but smile.

2 weeks after princess Grace was born we made it into the studio for a photo session on a sweltering 85 degree afternoon.  I was reminded of how hard it is to get out of the house with a new baby; trying to shower with 2 kids crying, haphazardly applying makeup while Dora the Explorer babysits, sweating at the slightest thought of jumping in a few photos with spit-up in your hair and pants that don’t button, realizing you never packed the diaper bag, hoping by some miracle the baby sleeps for you, wondering if your 3-year-old will cooperate and how much you’ll need to bribe them, wishing you had taken the time to plan outfits and get everyone’s hair cut before the baby was born.  I felt for my clients!  Then there was the predicament of being the photographer and the mother during the shoot.  A hungry baby girl trying to eat my fingers every time I posed her.  Nursing every half hour in between sets.  It was definitely a challenge!

Thankfully I had the help of our amazing team at the studio.  I couldn’t have gotten a single photo without their help.  Though I was exhausted at the time of taking these, I’m so happy that we did it.  I’m just in love staring at all of them.  It’s like I get to gaze into Grace’s perfect little newborn face forever now :0)  Bliss!

One week after Grace was born the peonies bloomed.  Peonies have always been a favorite flower of mine and any fan of them knows that they don’t last very long.   I was thrilled to incorporate them into our shoot during the short window of their blooming.  My mom cut bunches of them from her yard and dropped them by the studio just before we started.  I wasn’t sure how I was going to use them, so we decided to just scatter them around and play.  Here are the first images of Grace with her big sister Giuliana from day one at the studio.  My two princesses and lots of pink! <3