This Tucker update is way overdue! Day-to-day life still looks the same (busy and tiring), but we are loving every minute of watching Tucker figure out his little world. Pretty soon, I think I'll have a great photo assistant!

These days, he's a rolling pro and is well on his way to crawling. He has the best sense of humor (and an equally awesome smile) and gets a kick out of us barking at him and making up songs. Basically, Tyler and I act silly 95 percent of our awake time. 

My favorite development, though, is the long-awaited open-mouthed kisses he gives. Tyler and I have been talking about these since before he was born! They're a mix between sloppy, wet dog kisses and a leech attaching itself to your face. It's the best.

Comparison of July, August and September (3, 4 and 5 months old). I look forward to the fourteenth of every month, so we can take our mirror photo!

July was a big month for mouth bubbles. 

Just before he turned 4 months old, he began rolling from his back to his belly. (Look at all those arm rolls!)

4 months old! 

I love that his big 'ol toes still curl in. 

He clasps his hands so often that I started singing, "If you're Tucker and you know it, clasp your hands! ... If you're Tucker and you know it, then your hands will surely show it!"

One of his favorite toys, which Tyler and I named Mr. Ellie. 

He never stays on his blanket more than five minutes. Before I know it, he's almost made it under the ottoman. (Not quite crawling, but he can definitely move!)

We gave him his first taste of solid food at the very end of August (not this picture), and we have yet to have any success with him liking anything. So far, we've tried avocados, bananas, sweet potatoes and carrots. My guess is he's not quiet ready. Alternate guess: We're completely doing it wrong. 

Basically sums up our whole experience with solid food.

We took these on my birthday, and of course I made us all wear fall outfits.

Our 5-month pictures didn't go as well. This little meltdown came out of nowhere!

His first documented tear.

It only lasted a minute. 

This past weekend, we went to the Harry Potter festival in Staunton, and let me tell you – if you ever want to feel like you did a great job making a baby, put them in a costume and take them to a crowded place. I can't tell you how many compliments Tucker got! (For all you Muggles, he was dressed as the Gryffindor Lion).

I mean, come on.

Then on Sunday, we went with my family to the Peaks of Otter for a picnic. These were some of my favorite shots!

"Who is this tall, curly-haired BOY running toward me?" I thought as got out of my car at Carvins Cove. 

I'm not sure what I expected when I met up with the Foutz family again the other weekend but a not-so-little Harrison wasn't it. The last time I saw them was last October, when their sweet son Harrison had just turned 1. He was shy, serious and not yet walking — much less running and dancing all around the parking lot! I knew then that this was going to be such a fun, laid-back evening in one of Roanoke's most beautiful settings.

My favorite thing about their summery Carvins Cove session was hearing Harrison's deep, rolling belly-laugh for the first time. I swear you can almost hear it in some of their photos! It's amazing how much personality kids develop in such a short amount of time. I loved watching him explore, take in the water and play with his parents. 

At the end of our session, I took some time for just Mom and Dad, who are celebrating their fifth wedding anniversary this month. Zach and Heather — I'm so thankful I got to document a little slice of your love story!

I've been waiting since May to meet Nara and Thiago's baby boy, Bruno — and now here he is, just as sweet and handsome as I thought he'd be.

It was such a joy to be in their home on a cold, rainy afternoon and document them as an official (and beautiful) family of three. Their session was especially meaningful because both Nara and Thiago's moms were visiting from Brazil, where Nara and Thiago grew up together. (Read about their awesome love story on their maternity session post.) Bruno is surrounded by so much love!

During our session, I was reminded so strongly of those early, early days as mom. The days when everything is new. The days when you carry the Rock 'n Play downstairs every morning and upstairs every night. The days when the cry of your newborn makes you feel anxious and sometimes helpless. The days when you're so tired, but so in love (actually, that feeling probably never goes away).

Hope you enjoy these highlights from their lifestyle newborn session!