The Bella Blog is slowly catching up to current Sessions – soon I’ll be posting this beautiful child’s six month photos, which I just captured last week. But before I do, I have to show you what she looked like when she first met her big sister and felt the loving embraces of her mommy and daddy.

I can’t believe the difference a coat of paint makes. We needed to update the colors in our home, to compliment our fabulous new kitchen! Neighbor after neighbor recommended Anthony Heath – a painter who doesn’t even need to advertise. All of his business comes from word of mouth, so you know he’s awesome! He and his team were SO professional, competitively priced, and their attention to detail is phenomenal. Moreover, they’re great people that you can trust in your home, whether you’re there or not. Keep his phone # handy: 678-933-1135.

His wife also works on the team, and I LOVED seeing her on the days that she worked, because she would bring their sweet baby girl, Nazara. She was so quiet and entertained herself so wonderfully while her mommy and daddy worked. I fell in love with her eyes and sweet gentle spirit, and so I couldn’t help but steal her away to grab a few shots. Anthony, these are for you. Thank you so much for doing such a wonderful job. I’ll recommend you to everyone I know!

I always love seeing how much the sweet babies that I photograph change and grow during their first amazing year. Remember this little angel?

Here he is, a year later – growing up big and strong, just like his big brothers!! Happy Birthday, Sean!

Julie, thank you for the honor of capturing Wyatt since the moment you welcomed him into your loving family. He has become very special to me, a little boy with a tremendous heart and a smile that is bigger than life. I have loved watching him grow, documenting him at 4 months, 6, 9, 12, and now 18. I have loved witnessing how he adds a special warmth and light to your family, and how Roman has become more than Wyatt’s brother; he’s his friend and protector.

We had a blast during this Session, ending in Duluth’s downtown fountain. It was the perfect way to wrap up the hot, steamy morning with a cold blast of happiness.

Photographing babies is always so touching to me, and having the opportunity to work with twins makes it that much more amazing and special. Jack Owen and his sweet sister Lucia were so precious to work with. When one got fussy, we would just snuggle them together, and they would settle right in, happy and comforted by one another’s presence. Their connection is so strong and beautiful. The last image shown just wipes me out.

Now that all three boys are back in school and the renovation project is settling in (still not done but getting there!), I’m finally able to focus on catching up on the Bella Blog, and I’m so happy to finally share so many of the Sessions that have touched my heart over these past several months!!
The first posting will answer what is now the age old question of which color the dots in the nursery would be (Pink or Blue?). Meet sweet Gavin.

I knew Cole was happy when he plopped down after his snack Monday afternoon and told me all about his day. He added a simple question that summed up exactly how little he still is. He asked if he could go back to Kindergarten again tomorrow.

Here are pics from his first day. I drew a heart on his hand so that if he missed home he could just look at it and remember how much we all love him. I smiled when I noticed that he closed his little fingers around the palm of his hand while we walked to the bus stop. Grant stepped up as the Big Brother – stayed with him on the bus and brought him to his classroom all week. It was great for him to be the biggest brother for once – I’m so proud of the way he helped Cole feel comfortable at his new school.

It’s going to be a great year.

Tomorrow my baby turns 5. He’ll still have his adorable animated smile, I’ll still be able to carry him when he’s tired, and he’ll still ask me to sing him a song before going to sleep. But his baby years will melt into boyhood. My heart will soon want to return to the time when I was the most important person in the world to him. When he would tell me I was the most beautifullest girl ever. Yes, he told me that not long ago and I wrote it down so I’d never forget.

We weren’t sure we would (or should) have a third baby. Our older two were born a little early. Not terribly early, just 5 weeks with the first, 6 weeks with the second. Chris was afraid the third would come much sooner. I thought everything would be fine – it’s the way I am. I thought, I’ll take it extra easy this time. It will be fine.

I went into labor 14 weeks early.

I was put on bedrest and learned how to inject myself with a constant drip of medication that never did stop the contractions but made them much less effective. For 12 weeks I held on, with a 5 and 7 year old home for the summer. We had to hire a nanny, which we were not financially prepared to do. But we did, and I held on.

Cole was born only 2 weeks early. The strongest of the 3 boys. He was the only one I was able to come home from the hospital with – the other two were held back in the NICU. We were so lucky, and I count my blessings every day.

It seems like a lifetime ago, because I honestly can’t imagine life without him. But at the same time, it seems incredulous to me that he’s turning 5 already. He’ll start Kindergarten in just a month from now. And my heart will break into millions of tiny pieces. I’ll miss that one-on-one time with him. More than even I can imagine right now.

So tonight we brought him out for ice cream. He wanted “Superman” ice cream, because it had lots of fun colors. And that’s what he has brought into my life – colors that are brilliant and sparkly and light up my life.

I love you, Cole. Here’s what you looked like yesterday, with your best friends at your Birthday Party:

And here’s what you looked like on the last day that you were 4. Happy Birthday, Buddy.

Okay guys! I’m getting back on track after months of distraction with this overwhelming kitchen project. Thank you for your patience with me!! I’m so excited to share Blog posts of Sessions from the first half of this year, and it begins with a special Newborn Session: Baby Troy III. A beautiful family and a long line of tradition. I am so honored to be chosen to capture this precious child. Here are some of my favorites:

Stay posted – I’ll be sharing a posting several times a week until I’m all caught up!

Kristin Arndt has:

a. Dropped off the face of the planet
b. Quit Photography
c. Quit Blogging
d. None of the above

Yes, when in doubt, choose D.

Those who know me know exactly what I’ve been up to these past several months. Still photographing, still loving every moment, but crazy (well, I’m always crazy – so put some afterburners on that one). My focus has been on editing projects, running around with my 3 awesome boys, and oh yea – completely gutting the heart of our home!!! The kitchen has been something we’ve been dying to renovate for 13 years. Don’t get me wrong – white formica countertops that um… yes – wrap up and become a fabulous backsplash has it’s benefits. What is it again? Oh yeah – it stays shockingly white even after 13 years. The cabinets? Not so much. Started out white, faded to a dull yellow over the years. Oh – and the laminate was literally peeling off. Drawer bases totally sagging. Hinges giving out. So when our oven heating element caught fire (for the second time since we’ve been here) – the idea of renovation wasn’t just a vague “we’ll get around to it someday” kinda thing. No – it became an in-your-face-lets-get-to-it-and-make-some-decisions-already kinda thing. Because I was just not going to fix the oven, just to wonder if it would go up in flames yet again. Gotta buy a new one. But this clickin’ mama happens to LOVE to cook – always dreamed of a wide oven, 6-burner, fabulous stove so I can cook like the big guns (hey – I’ve got 3 growing boys!!). And does a 36″ 6-burner fit in my current cabinet design? Uh, Nope. And so the nightmare project began.

I’ve been without a stove now since February 25th. And it’s Mid June. And yes, we have a family of 5. It’s been a nightmare.

But it will be worth it in the end.

Thank God for Maureen DeRosier. She is my kitchen designer, and so patient with me as we waded through design option after option. Relocating appliances, adding all the special touches that I wanted. Shelves for my cookbooks. An extra pull-out pantry. Cabinets that go all the way to the ceiling. She’s AWESOME. Such a professional – works nonstop to make her clients happy. I can’t say enough wonderful things about her.

March into April – kitchen designed. End of April, kitchen gutted – down to the subfloor. First half of May new Cabinets installed. Last half of May into first half of June, kitchen breakfast area extended, trim work done, sheetrock mudded and sanded. New hardwoods on main level go in this week. Then the backsplash goes in, and THEN we can get our new stove!!!!!!

We’re gettin’ there.

Thank you for your patience with me! Soon I’ll be back to just my everyday crazy old self. I can’t wait.

xoxoxo Kristin.