New: coming or occurring afresh; further; additional, fresh.

Post-edit to add: Check out little Emily's parent's company online here. Paul and I MUST have their loose tea every morning. So very delicious. A few of our favorites: Almond Biscotti, Chocolate Cake, and Lemon Chiffon. (They taste just as great as they sound!)

More of sweet new Emily, only two weeks old at the time of her session. And meet her sweet mother. Carolyn & crew, it was so nice to be able to spend a bit of time with you. Thanks for welcoming me and letting me into a piece of your memories.



And now, for the best part:

The progression of a newborn yawn.









Cutest toes.

Look at this rosebud mouth:


























Welcome to this world, Emily Carol.

"If one feels the need of something grand, something infinite, something that makes one feel aware of God, one need not go far to find it. I think that I see something deeper, more infinite, more eternal than the ocean in the expression of the eyes of a little baby when it wakes in the morning and coos or laughs because it sees the sun shining on its cradle."

-Vincent van Gogh

Note regarding newborn sessions: I've had a number of inquiries from new or expectant mothers regarding scheduling photo sessions for their babies. The best time to schedule the session is between 7 and 14 days old. This allows for relaxed, pliable babies who "cooperate" well. Just ask Emily-- she was placid and enjoying every moment. :) At this stage, babies still sleep quite a bit, and that makes for some of the sweetest photos. I recommend scheduling before the baby's due, and then we can change the date/time as needed, but that way you are able to get a confirmed spot. If you have further questions, feel free to contact me: betsy@betsyjophotography.com.

Baby in a Basket. Sneak Peek.

I know of a certain new mama who may be anxiously awaiting this post. There are many more images to show, but without further ado, here's a glimpse of a tiny sweetheart, with a lovely little name.

Meet Miss Emily:






I'll end with a little quote that has meaning for me. When I had given birth to Joel, Paul didn't get me flowers, but instead bought a music box depicting a mother and baby. On the front was written this quote:

"It is not a slight thing when they, who are so fresh from God, love us."

-Charles Dickens - celebrated English novelist (1812-1870)

Day 291.

'Cameo' apple on our kitchen table. Happy golden light streaming through the little windows on our front door. Late afternoon.


For info on my little 'Days' project, click here.

"It is remarkable how closely the history of the Apple-tree is connected with that of man."

-Henry David Thoreau, Wild Apples

Have your Cake.

~

School vacation. Crock Pot cake.

(5 happy words.)





CROCK POT CAKE

1 package chocolate cake mix
1 container of sour cream (8 oz)
1 cup chocolate morsels
1 cup water
4 eggs
3/4 cup vegetable oil
1 package instant chocolate pudding mix

spray crock pot with nonstick cooking spray.
mix cake mix, sour cream, chocolate morsels, water, egss, oil
and pudding mix in a bowl by hand.
pour into crock pot.
cover and cook on low 6-8 hours or high 3-4 hours.

(*We used vanilla instant pudding mix instead of chocolate. Only because we had no chocolate in the cupboard. It was still delicious. And moist. And really chocolatey. And moist. And tasty. And rich. And moist.)

Please do enjoy. We did.

Another.

Day at the library. This time with my 3 adorable nephews in tow.

It was a happy little memory from our busy week.

" A library is not a luxury but one of the necessities of life."

-Henry Ward Beecher- social reformer, abolitionist, clergyman
1813-1887