Second Time Around

We saw finger, toes, a little nose, and…It’s a boy!  We were told at 12 weeks that it looked like a boy, but we got confirmation today that Charlotte is going to have a “Baby Brulluh!”  I am learning a little more about how this second pregnancy works.  Since most of the newness wears off with your first, the second time around is just so different and sometimes makes  you feel a little guilty.  But today, seeing a glimpse of this baby boy in 3D, hands covering his face, curled up in a little ball, I couldn’t help but imagine that he is going to be my cuddle buddy.  And he became real.  A baby in my arms.  That will cry for me in the night and quiet when I sing his favorite song.  Listening to one of my favorite songs on the way home, I was reminded that, “Change comes slow, and sometimes you don’t notice the twilight into darkness, the sunrise into day.”  As the tears fell, I couldn’t help but believe that each of the kicks I’ve felt for the past few weeks has slowly been opening the door to my heart that is growing to make room for this sweet babe.

Becky - May 16, 2012 - 4:56 PM

Oh Sarah, I am beyond thrilled and excited for you. You are going to be such a good boy momma and Charlotte will be the best big sissie. So happy for you and Andrew and your parents – love them!!! Hugs for you my friend.

Erin - May 16, 2012 - 5:48 PM

Congratulations Sarah! I’m so happy for you and thrilled that you’ll be getting a little boy in October! Charlotte will love him!

Katy Jett - May 16, 2012 - 10:08 PM

Congratulations Sarah & Andrew!! – - and also to Big Sis Charlotte! We are so excited for you. Now Charlotte can be a big sister just like you were!!

Michelle and Gracie H.

I’ve been looking at pictures of Gracie while I sit in the chair at the salon for years.  Gracie’s mama, Michelle, is one of the most sought after hairstylists in Knoxville. Seriously, you don’t cancel an appointment because you won’t get back on the books for months.  She is that good :)  I was so glad to finally meet her sweet pup.

She seriously posed for me the whole time.

As did KC, the cat.  Seriously, have you ever seen pets pose for the camera?!

The treats in my pocket may have encouraged the posing :)

Michelle, Gracie is a beautiful soul.  Thank you for letting me follow you two around to capture these shots.

Ami - May 14, 2012 - 1:50 PM

Puppy!!!!!!!! Love these!

Matt and Alana | Sister’s Perspective

So it might have been a little fun to be one of the few family members to have all the inside access on the wedding day :)  From exchanging gifts, to getting ready, to the first look – I was lucky enough to witness it all.

Seeing Alana open her new diamond earrings was a highlight.  And Matt was worried if she would like them!  Ha!  Of course, she put them on right away and wore them all day.

I knew these boys would be a hoot despite the heat.  They provided a few laughs for the day.

My favorite part of every wedding – the anticipation of the first look!  I love it!

Just to give you a glimpse into the love these two share – on the ride to Sampson’s Hollow, we asked Matt if he was nervous.  When he said yes, Mom asked him what he was nervous about.  Do you know what he said?  This all-grown-up-little-brother of mine said he just wanted everything to go as Alana had planned so she would be happy.  Ugh!  They are so good to each other!

And they happen to love my sweet girl lots :)

She started out really sweet giving Papaw a quick leg hug, but things turned ugly really fast when the crowd laughed as she walked down the aisle.  She did not like that one bit, and she immediately threw her pomander to the ground sending orange roses flying.  There’s no pictures of that because I promptly grabbed her and drug her to Mimi who was stocked up with candy and chocolate milk.

It was such a sweet moment when Papaw Jim read Corinthians 13.  I thought he would be facing the crowd for the reading, but it was really special for him to read it directly to them.

This must have been just before the chocolate milk induced fit that caused Dada to pack her up and head home :)

All the little girls wanted to go see “the Princess.”  They seriously followed her around like it was Disney World :)

Couldn’t resist a quick shot of Lucy in the field.

Or of Denver dumping rocks on his head.

This was the first time Mom’s whole family was in town since my wedding nearly 8 years ago.  What are the chances we could convince the whole Buchanan family to up and leave Colorado?  Charlotte has been asking for Uncle Mark, Sofie and Bella since you left :(

This shot showing the scars from Alana’s wreck is so symbolic of what these two have been through and how they have grown together because of it. 

If I had to share anything about my experience photographing their wedding, it would be that it is obvious theirs is a forever kind of love.

Who knew Dad would have to be the one to convince this group of guys to do a little dance for the crowd?!

We should have guessed Matt would pick a Garth Brooks song, but still, it just about did us all in when “It Was Your Song” started playing.

The happy couple is now back from their honeymoon in Hawaii, and I can’t wait to hear all about it at tonight’s first official party of 7 Cole family dinner :)

Melissa - May 8, 2012 - 6:28 PM

LOVE LOVE LOVE it Sarah!! From the great shots of the kiddos to your mom hugging him (Im still tearing up w/that one ;)to Charlottes white cowgirl boots!!! She looked so sweet :) …..great pics :)

Sarah C - May 8, 2012 - 9:05 PM

Thanks, Melissa!

Donna Stromatt - May 9, 2012 - 10:14 AM

Sarah,
I love the story line. And you are so right, theirs is an amazing love story that will last a lifetime. The pictures are beautiful.

Sarah C - May 14, 2012 - 11:23 AM

Thank you, Donna!

Katy Jett - May 16, 2012 - 10:16 PM

Sarah – these are awesome, but you did have some wonderful subjects to photograph. I’m loving the white cowboy boots and the serious look on her face holding the flowers. Great job!!

Matt and Alana’s Wedding | Photographer’s Perspective

Selecting images to blog a wedding is a feat in itself.  Add to that the fact that it’s my brother’s wedding, and it’s nearly impossible to choose!  So we’ll have installments :)  This installment includes my favorite images from the photographer’s perspective.

A backlit bride in a field of wildflowers surrounded by the Smoky Mountains.  Hello perfect wedding day!

Lovely florals from Leah at Flourish.

Sorry, Dad.  It’s just the angle that makes you look taller than Matt in this one ;)

My absolutely favorite moment of the day.  What a guy :)

The one on the right is going up on Charlotte’s wall of favorite people ASAP.

You may have guessed that I was squealing over all the soft, sun-flarey goodness.

The sister’s perspective is altogether different and will be coming later this week.

Melissa - May 7, 2012 - 12:37 PM

These are great Sarah!!! Alana looked beautiful and LOVE LOVE the cowgirl boots idea ;)………my fav has to be the black/white one…..you know Im a sucker for black and white…lol

Kristi McCord - May 7, 2012 - 4:49 PM

So romantic and beautiful!! I can’t wait to see the “sister’s perspective” on this wedding day! What a treat for them to have someone who loves them so much, to capture such beautiful memories.
As always… you do awesome work :) Glad Mother Nature was everyone’s friend that afternoon!

Katy Jett - May 8, 2012 - 11:34 AM

These are wonderful Sarah!!!

Sarah C - May 8, 2012 - 9:05 PM

Thank you to each of you!

The Smiddy Family

The Smiddys.  Some of my favorite people ever.  They always nail the wardrobe, and they show up ready for some photo fun.

Carson wondered why I was taking so many pictures and decided it’s because I like to look at pictures of him :)

Miss Chloe’s first ever eyelash shot.

Toddlers are always on the run, but I catch them every now and then for some close-ups.

I mean, really.  Could they be any cuter?

The kids were off, well, somewhere while we shot a few of mom and dad.  It’s good to have a reminder of what started the family in the first place :)

Let’s call this the Porch Series.  Some of my favorite brother sister photos to date.

This is a new all-time fave.

Yay for a fun family portrait session.  They showed up looking good, had fun, and let me capture it.  Thank you Smiddy Family!

Sheila - May 3, 2012 - 8:21 PM

So, so ,soooo cute! You’re right. I don’t think they could be any cuter! Those kids are naturals in front of the camera! Not to mention mighty fine work behind the camera as well! I almost want to order some myself!!!

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