Personal Peek: Feeling Such Gratitude

Today's blog post is a bit of a personal peek into our little lives.  The other day, Miles, Avah, and I were driving home from preschool.  I told them I loved them.  (Because I do, but also because I absolutely love hearing Avah say it back now that she can speak in some little sentences.  And she says it SO cute.  "I love YOOOOOOU, Mommy!  I love YOOOOO, Milesey!")

Miles said, "Mommy and Avah, I love you girls so much.  You are just perfect for me."  And you know my little Mama heart melted.  Right then and there.  I love hearing sweet words coming from his heart because he is so loving.  (And also because sometimes (especially since turning 4), his words can be a little sharp around the edges at times.)

Fall is crazy season for photographers.  They say it is like tax season for accountants, and I know why they say that.  I have had the pleasure of working with so many sweet families, kiddos, and babies this year.  And late the other night while I was in the middle of an editing marathon, I started thinking about what Miles had said.  And then about the fact that every little kiddo on my computer being edited is so perfectly placed into their family dynamic.  I love how God perfectly, purposely, and without error weaves families together.

Last month, Miles of Smiles Photography celebrated our 3 year anniversary.  And OH how far we've come since those early days in 2010.  Back then, it took countless hours of work, planning, praying, and more planning, but I could not be more thrilled with where Miles of Smiles Photography sits today.  And that is thanks to God and my ahhhhmazing clients!

I am so very grateful for my business, the incredible families that I get to work with and serve with photography, and the fact that I get to help them create custom artwork for their homes and freeze little memories in time.  And in the process, I also get to see a whole lot more of my own babies than I did when I worked full time outside of the home.

I hope you all know how grateful I am for each and every one of you.  Whether you're a client, a Facebook fan, a Newsletter reader... who ever you may be.  Thank you for letting me do what I love and see who I love for a living.  Much love.  xoxo

~Sarah

What I've been up to...

The last 10 days have been nothing short of intense, life changing, amazing, sleep deprived, and did I mention amazing?!  This is what I have been up to...

Mama Mondays: Introducing Baby Avah

I am feeling tired, but overwhelmingly, I feel so incredibly blessed.   My sweet baby girl, Avah, was born on Sunday.  She is such a reminder of God's love, and we are already so in love with her.  Labor, delivery, and our hospital stay went perfectly, and we are home safe and sound.

I feel so incredibly blessed.  

Blessed to be married to this wonderful man.

Blessed to get to watch him be a father to this little guy and this baby girl.
Blessed to get to be a mother.  Especially a mother to these two beautiful little souls.

Blessed to have my own mother here from 1,100 miles away (she even got to be there during delivery to witness Avah's birth and meet the granddaughter whose middle name is her own namesake).  And grateful for the help, encouragement, and love that she gives me that is so appreciated.  

Blessed to get to hear this little boy tell his sister (unprompted) that she is "beautiful and sweet."

Blessed to have a job that allows me to use the creativity, color, and things I have in my brain and bring them to life through photographs.  It is such a cool way to freeze special moments in time and the reason I do what I do. 

Blessed to have a God who gave his life for me and who gave me so much to live for.

Thank you all for being part of what makes my life feel like it does.

Mama Monday: I Can Hardly Remember... But I Can't Imagine

(Written a few days ago...) 

I am writing this after a night where I probably spent at least four of the seven (should be sleeping) hours TRYING to fall asleep.  You see, Baby Girl has been making me work hard for her this pregnancy.  I have not slept through the night without being awake at least 5 times each night since August 3rd.  AUGUST 3rd.  For those of you doing the math, that is over 23 weeks... or 160+ consecutive days of not sleeping through the night.  (And not being able to take naps during any of those days.)  Ouch?

But as I was lying there this morning at 4:30am trying to fall asleep between the major punches, kicks, and acrobatics that she was doing, I couldn't help but think these things in my head.  And to try and remind myself how lucky I am to even get to have this experience, and have it be a healthy one.  And I thought they might be good for this week's "Mama Monday" post, as well as a good reminder for myself about the miracle that is pregnancy and growing our family.

Dear Baby Girl,

I can hardly remember what it is like to crawl into bed and cuddle up to my husband - instead of the five pillows I have to carefully position all around me in order to (hopefully somewhat) sleep at night.  **But I can't imagine what it will be like for us to cuddle up with you fast asleep our chest, to stroke your smooth baby skin, and to call you "our little peanut."

I can hardly remember what it is like to make it through a day without sighing several times and saying under my breath, "Oh my goodness" when you do something in my belly - or when my body aches - and have Miles hear it and say with a sweet look of concern, "Oh, Mama - What's your problem?"  And I reply, "Oh, my belly just hurts."  His response, "Mmmmmwah!  I kissed it.  It's all better, Mama!"  **But I can't imagine what it will be like to have your beautiful (most likely blue) eyes look up and kiss me one day - just like your sweet big brother does now.  Or what it will be like to watch your big brother Miles care as lovingly for you as he does for me when I hurt. 

I can hardly remember what it's like to sleep through the night, and I know that by the time I do, it will have been almost a full year of not doing so.  **But I can't imagine what it will be like to watch you sleeping in your bed, swaddled with love, and know that you are my daughter... a gift from God... to cherish for as long as I live.  I know how special the bond I have with my own mother is, and I cannot wait to share and experience that with you. 

I can hardly remember what it's like to feel like my body was "mine" or "normal."  **But I can't imagine any greater thing than knowing that God has created YOU... a perfect little life inside my body - that I get to grow, nurture, and protect for 9 months - and then raise and love you for the rest of my days here on this earth.  Although your kicks and punches can rock my body, it is truly a miracle.  YOU are truly a miracle. 

I can hardly remember what it's like to not have "Mama Brain."  But I don't want to remember what it's like... because this "Mama Brain" includes so many incredible life lessons, memories of joy, milestones, and family togetherness with little Miles and your daddy the last 2.5 years, and I can hardly wrap my brain around the idea of being so blessed to get to experience all of the love I feel for Miles - for YOU, too.  My eyes cry tears of joy just thinking about it.

So although my body and mind are tired ~ my heart is full, my belly is growing by the minute, and I know God is perfecting your sweet life inside of mine.  And I cannot imagine the joy and happy tears I will experience when I hold you in my arms for the first time in a matter of weeks.  It will make all of the once challenging "I can hardly remembers" into the most magical of times to cherish forever.

Mama Monday: First Day at New School

I am going to start something new this year... and do some "Mama Monday" posts on, you guessed it, Mondays!  Here is today's.  Enjoy!

We have been SO incredibly blessed with Miles' daycare provider and teacher the last 2+ years.  She is not only an incredible teacher, but she is a true encourager, artist, and educator.  And as sad as we were to be losing her as his teacher, I couldn't be happier to know that she is now one of my dear friends, such an artistic help to my photography business (see that pretty banner at the top of this blog and at the top of my web site?  Thanks, Miss J!) and I couldn't be more excited for her to be starting her own family this summer with the arrival of her baby.  (He/she will be one lucky kiddo!)

So today was the day that little Miles started his new school. 

As I was getting Miles ready for his new school this morning, I couldn't help but think back to my first day back to work after he was born.  And HOW much he has changed since then.

I know we hear it all the time, "Kids grow SO fast."  But that statement is even more true than I ever thought it could be.  I cannot believe that just 2 and a half years ago, I was sitting at this same computer with little Miles in my belly.  And now he is such a big boy and such a fun, caring, funny, smart, and sweet part of our family.

Here is a pic from my first day of work when he was 10.5 weeks old.  (You can see a little redness in my eyes, because I had to sit in Austin traffic after 10.5 hours of being away from my baby for the first time and just wanted to GET home.)  :)

And here is a picture of his first day of his new school this morning.  He did great and loved it!  I am a proud mama...

For Moms: What Would You Tell Yourself?

I ran across this video while visiting the web site of a photographer that I met at the WPPI Road Show convention last month, www.momentsfromtheheart.com.  Thanks, Sandy!

I wanted to share it, because I know first hand how challenging and rewarding motherhood is, and how much I appreciate (and need!) little "encouragers" along the way.  Well worth the watch.

What would YOU tell yourself?  I would love to get a discussion going in the "comments" section on my Facebook page post about this video!  It could be a great "encourager" for other mamas who might just need a little warm fuzzy.  Post away.  Thanks!

Mother's Day Surprise! Part I...

I cannot tell you how excited I have been to post these!  But I couldn't do it immediately, or it would ruin the Mother's Day surprise that these little gals and their daddy gave their (very) hard workin' mama!

I wish that I could have been a fly on the wall in their house when she opened her photo presents on Mother's Day! 

Mother's Day Surprise... Part II

Here is part II of the twin's Mother's Day surprise.  Are these gorgeous little girls or what?

Believe it or not, but with much practice and daddy's hands, we got six feet to stay still for this shot! :)

Mother's Day

I hope that all of you hard workin' mamas out there had an incredible day today!  You certainly deserve it.

There was a moment today when I was holding my son close and looking at him - just amazed that two years ago, I only knew "of" him... I didn't know him.  (It was hard not to know "of" him because of all of the kicks and punches he was throwing in my belly!)

And tears of joy come to my eyes when I think about the incredible amount of laughter and love that little Miles has added to our lives.  And all of the countless ways that he has - and continues to inspire me. 

I am so very lucky to be this little guy's mama.

Kissin' Cowboy

I love capturing moments like this on my camera for mamas!

A Sweet Reminder

I feel like I am reminded daily about how quickly time passes since I became a mother. And photos like this are such a reminder of how tiny and fresh life is when it begins. (And how it is so perfectly placed into a mom and daddy's hands.)




I talked to this mama today, and she said it's been a month already since sweet baby "C" came into this world and we did this shoot. I cannot believe she's already a month old!




Just like I could not believe I was already converting my son's crib into a toddler bed over the weekend. It seems like not long ago, I had a nice round belly, Miles was doing kickboxing classes in there, and I was just putting that crib together.


Time flies. Just another reason to cherish every sweet moment...

A Mama's Love {Austin Baby Photographer}

I am quite sure there is nothing sweeter than a mama's love for her baby. Wouldn't you agree?

I just started editing photos from sweet pea "C's" session last weekend, and they just make my heart melt. Here is one of my favorites so far...

More to come soon!

Baby Love... Part II {Austin Maternity Photographer}

I love photography for so many reasons.

It is such an incredible means to capturing those special moments in life that make hearts flutter. And I am so excited to be able to freeze those moments in time for my clients to enjoy for years to come.
Sunday's maternity shoot was a great reminder of what love should look like between a couple, especially one that is about to welcome a baby any day.

As the baby was kicking his mama during the shoot, it reminded me that just 18 months ago, I, too had a baby boy in my belly and was anxiously awaiting his arrival. Talk about a love like no other... I am excited for what they are about to experience.

Here are more photos from our shoot. For additional images, visit my "Miles of Smiles Photography by Sarah" facebook page. Enjoy!

So Tiny

The best gifts so often come in tiny packages...