This is such a bittersweet Tucker update! On one hand, it's packed with so many fun "firsts" — first time playing in the snow, first (and second and third) park experience, first spoonful of ice cream and his first wagon ride. On the other, it's the last update on life with my infant — because in two short weeks, we'll have a toddler! This year has flown.

In January, he started standing by himself and climbing the stairs like a pro. By the end of February, he had taken his first steps in the kitchen floor. He also got his first two teeth in February, and now he has a total of four. 

Another major milestone is that he's started napping in his crib — which means mom and dad get so much more done during the day! He mostly sleeps through the night, only waking up once or twice. 

We also had another big first this year, but no photos: his first ambulance ride. At the end of January, our suspicions were confirmed that he has a peanut allergy. He did so great with the whole scary experience (I think he actually enjoyed the ambulance and gurney ride), and we've loved trying almond butter and Nutella. 

Each month really does get more fun than the last, but I'm hanging on tight to these last few days before toddlerhood.

9-month photo

First trip to the park!

He did not enjoy his first swing ride...

...but loved the slide!

He basically ate all my ice cream.

10-month photo

Learning to walk with Dad's golf clubs.

11-month photo

First wagon ride!

I'd like to say that Kristina and Gary traveled all the way from New York City just to have me do their engagement photos, but that's not entirely the case, haha.

Kristina and I have been the best of friends since meeting our freshman year at JMU. Over those four years, we've shared so many pee-your-pants laughs, adventures coast to coast, two apartments and even a cell phone for a short period.

Since graduation, I've loved watching where life has taken her — from meeting Gary and moving to New York to seeing her take on amazing jobs, and now watching her become a wife.

Her engagement to Gary was something I'd been looking forward to ever since her move to NYC in 2016. Then in January, on the last night of their vacation to Barbados, he proposed!

These two are such an amazing, fun couple. They love traveling, music festivals, obsessing over puppies and trying new restaurants.

As Kristina and I planned our session, she told me she wanted a very green location. I was up for the challenge of finding somewhere that would look lush in March!

​When I suggested the Hahn Horticulture Garden at Virginia Tech, it was a done deal! Not only did she love the look, but she was born in Hahn, Germany — so it was basically meant to be!

I am so in love with how their session turned out. There's something about it that doesn't feel at all like we were in the New River Valley, and certainly not part of a college campus. Maybe it's the greenhouses, Kristina's gorgeous floral dress or the tropical bouquet she arranged herself.

​Either way, Gary and Kristina totally rocked their session, and I can't wait to see them become husband and wife! Love you guys!

Sometimes you forget just how small "newborn" is, but then you watch a smile come across their tiny lips, or you boop their button nose or laugh quietly as their arms flail sporadically in the air. And then all the memories from those early, early days wash over you — and you long for them, no matter how hard or exhausting they were...

Before busy season fully takes charge, I wanted to take a minute and share my top five goals for LRP, in the hopes that if I make them public, I'll feel more pressure to meet them!
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1. Spend more time at the hospital. Yes, you read that right. I have completely fallen in love with Fresh 48 sessions, which document your newborn before you head home from the hospital — because once you're home, life takes on a whole different speed and your baby changes with each passing day. 
2. Grow my email list. While I love seeing new faces pop up on my social media, Facebook and Instagram make it so hard to consistently reach your followers. Emails, however, offer guaranteed delivery. My email subscribers get first looks at giveaways, blog posts and announcements. The sign-up form is located at the bottom of my website. (If you're already subscribed, you can help me out by inviting your friends!)
3. Book more lifestyle sessions. As someone who once lived and breathed journalism, I have such a heart for documentary-style photography. No posing, no fancy outfits. Just you and your family genuinely having fun in the comfort of your own home while I snap away. Trust me — these are the photos you'll treasure the most years from now.
4. Offer special edition Christmas sessions. I had a few requests for these last year, so I'm going to try to make them happen, friends! I'm thinking Christmas tree farm, old-fashioned tree lights, what else...
5. Finish my home office and host my first client meeting there! My little office has come a long way since we moved into our house, but it still needs some love. My goal is to create a welcoming space where I can hold client meetings. Don't worry — I make a pretty good cup of coffee!  

Back in January, I felt a tug to start offering Fresh 48's — special sessions that document your newborn at the hospital within 48 hours of their birth. There's just something about capturing the time and place where you brought your child into the world, where you became a family.

Earlier this week, I finally took on my first one! This Fresh 48 was nothing short of amazing, cozy, peaceful, refreshing, perfect ... the list goes on! 

Baby Stella was born just before her due date, on February 27. I was so excited when I got the text from her mom that she had arrived — and after only TWO HOURS at the hospital! Our session took place when Stella was just 30 hours old. 

I still can't get over all of her sweet expressions, tiny smiles and her head full of beautiful strawberry-blond hair! This little girl is such a gift to her parents and big brother. 

I hope these photos bring Stella and her family so much joy for years to come. I hope that when her parents look and her and think, "She's growing up way too fast," they can turn to these photos and feel the clock pause, if only for a moment.