Baby Brady (+ Connor, Becca + Norm, with a Toby cameo)

I’ve been writing and rewriting this post for awhile, with the ultimate goal of doing justice to this beautiful family.  It’s no small feat, trust me.

The Weitzel family is warm, inviting and gentle, and filled with a love that suffuses every inch of their home.  When Becca asked me to come photograph their newborn, I was thrilled and excited, particularly because I’ve found there is a certain ease that comes with a second child that is fascinating for me to watch, and I had a feeling Momma Becca would possess it in spades.  I was so right, and I could have spent hours just watching Becca’s gentle sweetness around her new son.  Norm, too, has an relaxed nature so infectious that even with an excitable 2.5-year-old running (and jumping, jumping, jumping!) around, the house still felt calm and welcoming.

I am so uplifted by good, strong, loving families — perhaps because they remind me of my own.  And I am always honored to photograph them.  So, without too much more rambling on my part, let’s meet the star of the show: Brady Owen!

I called for a caption contest for this photo, and, thanks to the timing of world events, a casually pepper spraying cop may or may not have found his way into it.

I know it’s really popular to wrap up newborns in crazy blankets, bows and hats and stick them into various baskets, suitcases and bookshelves, but I tend to think those photos are more about the props than they are about the babies.  Sometimes a wee one in a newborn diaper is all you need.  Plus, in the context of mom and dad’s bed, you’re reminded of just how teeny tiny they start out!

Meanwhile during a feeding break, Mr. Connor was mesmerized by a certain honey-loving cartoon bear.  Gosh, I love pictures of kids just doing what kids do. :)

Fed, changed and happy.  I admit I sometimes wish for an adult-size sheepskin rug.  Sometimes. :D

Remember that sweet gentleness I mentioned earlier?  Proof:

BABY EYELASHES!  I never get tired of this shot!

I love that the whole family’s focus is on the new baby here.

Plaid moose.  Enough said. :D

Okay, so now for some backstory.  Becca is married to Norm, whose twin brother, Neil, is married to Jacqui.  ‘Round about seven months ago (and with no prior collusion!), Becca and Jacqui both discovered they were pregnant with boys due just two days apart.  Twin brothers having “twin” cousins — what are the odds?  At any rate, Jacqui and Becca wanted to commemorate this fleeting time with some photos of the two boys together.  If I remember correctly, Brady (left) is five days old and Toby (right) is three days old.

Ladies with overactive ovaries, I apologize in advance for this, my most favorite newborn photo of all time:

Brady and Toby, I apologize to your teenage selves when you bring your first girlfriends home and these photos come out.  We couldn’t help it. :D

What a difference a pound makes!  Check out the cheeks on Toby (right)!

Becca, you are a gorgeous woman, inside and out.

Then we headed outside for some family photos!

I LOVE the one on the right!  Favorite #2 (I saved the best for last).

PERFECT!  FAVORITE!  I sincerely hope this ends up framed on your walls somewhere, Weitzels! :D

Thank you, you beautiful family-of-four, for letting me invade your home for the day.  Photographing all of you brought me some serious joy, and I sincerely hope you cherish these new photos of your changing family.  xo, M

November 29, 2011 - 9:09 pm

Debbie Oh my God!!! I LOVE these. The shots of the two boys together are priceless.

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