Once upon a time, a pregnant photographer received an email from a soon-to-be second-time mama asking to book newborn photos for her son’s arrival, which happened to be a few days after said photographer’s own due date.  The photographer knew she had to decline shooting the newborn session, but after finding out that both babies were to be delivered at the same hospital so close together, she offered to bring her camera with her and take some “lifestyle” photos of the family in their hospital room.  Now the second-time mama knew that the photographer was just being ridiculously naive and even if the dates magically lined up and they happened to both give birth on nearby days there would be absolutely no way that photographer would be up for taking any pictures.  But she didn’t let on and continued to let the photographer think she’d actually be able to pull this shoot off.  Obviously, that photographer is yours truly and thinking about how crazy and downright stupid Ngoc probably thought I was for coming up with such a ridiculous scheme is mortifying!  But I’m happy she didn’t tell me how miserable I was going to feel after having Leo and that I’d horrify any person that saw me and my drugged up self in the hospital after labor. Although I’m not sure if Ngoc ever felt or looked miserable.  I picture her giving birth to both babies in five minutes flat, looking absolutely gorgeous with her hair in perfect long waves and probably getting up immediately after to arrange the fresh flowers that were sent to her room in a fashionable new pattern.  Because although she will try to deny it, Ngoc has it all together.  We reconnected when our little boys turned one and Ngoc got back in touch to get some lifestyle family photos, which just happens to be my favorite type of session.  She explained that while having her second child only 19 months after her first, she also was building and managing her brand new home and tending to every building and decorating detail, and to me, that makes her Superwoman.  And this house–I can’t even begin to explain how gorgeous it is.  Even in my wildest dreams I wouldn’t have imagined something as drop dead amazing as this house and I’ve already informed Ngoc and Josh that I’m moving in.  The space is stunning, but her decorating is absolutely flawless and I can see why she wanted to capture her family there.  Heck, I want to capture my own family there!  But even more wonderful than her home, is her little family.  Her husband, Josh, was so welcoming and friendly and up for absolutely whatever Ngoc and I came up with.  And their two kids?  Ugh.  I can’t.  Little Sophie greeted me at the door in her adorable little fluffy bathrobe with her sweet little smile, and Luke and his chunky cheeks and gummy grin are just too, too much.  It would be really easy to be jealous of Ngoc for having it all–but she is just so so so incredibly nice that I wasn’t even jealous at all!  I was just happy I got to spend time with her and her family.  From her first email, I felt like I was corresponding with an old friend and not someone that I’d never met and I’m so glad we were able to reconnect a year later and hopefully many times to come.

So let me introduce you to my new roomies…

Just the guys.  Hi Lukey!
Josh, you are in for it with those big brown eyes and that sweet little smile!
We did a little cooking (and a little bowl licking) because a kitchen this gorgeous is too pretty not to shoot in!  And let’s get real, I love cake!
The taste testers just waiting to lick the bowl.

Looooooooovvve.

I just love the pic on the left.  So real.

Ngoc, Josh…thank you for letting me document your little family in your new home.  I hope you’ll look back on these pictures someday and smile at your new beginning!  Now, when should I start moving in? (And I’m not kidding.)