somewhere in the middle…
of the celebration of a first year…

and the mark of of a new one…
lies a little thing we like to call a half-birthday.
although just half a year, we are very whole in our joy of another six months.
if eighteen years makes you an adult, what does eighteen months make you?
it makes you spilling personality and humor.


it makes a simple look of your face melt the innermost cells of my being.

it makes your little soul draw even closer to mine, for with every turn of every page in the book of your life comes a magnetic force between everything that makes me “me” and everything that makes you “you”. i think it’s called love.
it makes a little area in our hearts set aside for the pride we have for your accomplishments grow a little bigger.

it makes the wings that will someday grow strong enough to carry you off to the big world where you will make your mark start to become evident.

it makes a brighter, clearer window into the person you will be. the talents you will use to make the world a little more beautiful. the words you will find to inspire others. the achievements you will make to strengthen your confidence. the ways you will discover to spread love. because i know you will. it’s your name.
it makes the ache inside our hearts throb a little deeper.
it makes you a toddler. our toddling, waddling, running, kissing, giggling, comforting, soul-sparkling little you.
eighteen months of loveliness. lainey loveliness.
that’s what eighteen months makes you.
at the half-way point to the big deux, she….
…says “ow” if anything barely touches her. sleeps with her mommy and daddy. could seriously make baba drinking a competitive sport. makes a “scrunchy face” on command. likes to sing karaoke in the stereo microphone…and dance…naked. can be found several times a day in her rocking chair in the corner, reading books. has a secret hiding spot where she retreats to go #2. gives the best kisses in the history of mankind. loves hats and shoes and pretty things. likes to carry two purses, one on each shoulder. whines to push the buttons on the debit machine at the grocery store. likes to be held in the morning for a good half hour after she wakes up. can clean off the grocery cart with a germ wipe by herself…because she is her father’s child. can milk her daddy for all he’s worth. can milk her mommy for all she’s worth. can milk her brothers for all their worth. can take the dogs out, holding the leash, all by herself. can spot a stain or a dirty spot on the floor from a mile away and will whine until it’s been wiped clean.
…and a few thousand other things too.
happy eighteen month birthday, little love.
…enjoying the half-birthday things. ~k
oh, wait. this is a twofer. a two for one special. i did my first senior shoot tonight and it was just fabulous. a new place. a new face.
meet julie…fabulous and fun.


i didn’t have to worry about her wardrobe as she’s got the fashion thing down on her own and chose fun, photogenic outfits…not to mention wicked shoes.





oh, and did i say photogenic?


julie, you are fabulous and beautiful!

oh, and i guess i should mention i’m open for senior business now.



I love this 2 for 1 happy hour! I feel happy reading about two different 18 year olds!
This is very symbolic that you posted about LL at 18 months and an 18 year old.
Can you say foreshadowing?
Can you say PRO?
Can you say FOUND?
Can you say PRO….FOUND!!!
i knew u could.
Two beautiful babies–one whose parents already know will someday walk away and the other, so close to flying from the nest. You captured the serendipity of both lovely ladies…exquisitely. Well done, paparazzi princess.
Kelle,
What great work you are doing! I’m so proud of you. When you are ready to do real “seniors” – John and I are ready for our photo shoot! Love and miss you lots. Roberta
ditto what kell’s bells said.
these are beautiful photos kell! simply beautiful. you are a natural. love the one of her on the red bench with the red wall sooo much. and the shoes-lovin’ the shoe shots!!
happy half-birthday lainey love!!!
xoxo
Great Pictures. They made me smile. It is wonderful that the internet can connect me to these things.
They turned out great! I’ll book Gracie’s senior year now…you have a few years!
BRAVO!!!!!!
they’re STUNNING!
Oh, the TEAL BENCH!
she’s beautiful!
I KNEW you’d ROCK IT!!!!!
(I need this song. need it bad on my blog. i might steal it. just so you know. )
aren’t 1/2 birthdays so fun?
it’s all the sentiment without the hype.
i adore that eyelash picture of lainey.
and those shoes on the senior portraits! i wish i would have been that fashionable in high school!
they are both gorgeous girls…thanks for sharing!
When did we stop celebrating the 1/2 birthdays…when did another 6 months of savoring life stop being celebrated. It’s all good…first steps and weary wandering…every moment of this journey is so rich and such a blessing…even when no one takes photos of our eyelashes or shoes…there is still wonder and joy, giggles and grandeur. Thank you, God…keep it coming until it’s done…and even then, we’ve just begun!
Save the date for April 17th!!!!
I’ll be 34 and a half.
Party on.
Happy Half Birthday Lainey!!
And those are awesome senior pics!!
Reading your blog back to front… and just wanted to say, I am inspired. Right about now your photos are going from “Nice, that’s a good photo” to “Wow, that’s an awesome photo”.
I’m off to book myself into a photography course… my little one is about 2 weeks older than Nella and if I can do for her, what you do for Lainey and Nella, I will be so happy.