When I was a first-time mama the crusty umbilical cord stump gave me the willys. I didn’t want to look at it, touch it, be near it. I don’t think any new parent is quite ready for all of the new bodily functions and sights they will be privy to until they are in the thick of caring for their new one.

I tell you this because in a few weeks my oldest will be 8 years-old. Don’t ask me how it happened. I am convinced I closed my eyes while rocking him to sleep in the middle of the night and woke up to this handsome, quiet, compassionate giant. Sometime after he lost his cord stump, I lost my aversion to them. The stump is the last remnants of the journey of pregnancy and new life. I find them beautiful now.

It is an honor to photograph newborns. They are so precious and pure and I don’t think I will ever get my fill of being around them. I had the pleasure of luxuriating in newborn time with Logan. I had a whole morning devoted to getting photographs of him and snuggling. It was amazing.

He is a champ. Champion of sleeping through photo shoots. Champion of silky, sweet newborn hair. Champion of his parents hearts the moment he was born. This is the last photo I made of him*. I had my hopes set on it but left it for last because I knew it might upset his sleeping. I got a few shots and he finally had had enough. (*I promise he wasn’t in any danger of falling off. I used photoshop magic to hide the cushy bean bag below him and his mama’s hand on his back while on the chair lift.) Don’t you just love that they have this ski lift chair for a front porch swing. I want one!