My mom used to teach Jill in Sunday school. She was in my brother’s grade, and she played on my softball team (I think we were the Pink Panthers, am I correct??) I was so incredibly excited when she contacted me about doing a Smilestone (baby’s first year) package for their daughter. First off, I had no idea that she and her husband were in Kansas City… nor that she was expecting!
It was a snowy day when I arrived at their house in Overland Park. I was greeted by a rambunctious, sweet-faced malti-poo mix, named Tucker. We became fast buddies. I still smelled like Wendy’s chicken nuggets, so maybe that is why. haha
Anyway, Lauren was the reason I was there. She came into the world last Friday, at 8 lbs, 9 oz… At not even a week old, she was not the sleepiest of babies like so many new-to-this-world beings are. But she was super sweet, and easy to shoot. AND CUTE. Plus she had the most unique cry..I wish I could have recorded it.
Even more notably…she gave me my first baby hickey! That’s right. While holding her, she latched on to my bicep…and it HURT! haha Needless to say, I handed her over to her mama immediately after I got her detached.
Being around Mike & Jill, it was clear that they had brought a little girl into a loving home. And a well-decorated one! 😉 Mike and Jill have a history…Jill and Mike’s sister were close friends through high school. They went as prom dates Mike’s senior year, but that was it. They were both beckoned to different colleges, not really keeping in touch through those years. But somehow, they ended up in Kansas City…AND Mike’s softball team needed another female, so he had heard through the grapevine that Jill was in town. Having honed her softball skills since the days she played with ME, she ended up being a valuable asset to Mike’s team and it wasn’t long before they hit it off out of the dugout, too. And look at them now! They are married and have a darling daughter and one of the most well-behaved dogs.
Please enjoy some of my favorite images from our afternoon together.
Beth Worrall - Darbi you did an amazing job, like always! Lauren is adorable! By the way, you must have been on my softball team also because I was a Pink Panther with Jill! I’ll have to find a picture and bring it to the wedding.
Darbi's Mom - What a beautiful little baby girl! Jill, you are so pretty! Love these pictures. Definitely alot of love in this house. Darbi,you did a beautiful job as usual!
Robin Black - Great photos Darbi, boy did Tucker have you fooled, lol.
margo miller - Jill and Mike-What an absolutely beautiful little girl Lauren is! These pics are a real treasure. What a fabulous idea to capture your new arrival so quickly-babies grow so fast. A sincere congratulations for a job well done-she’s a beauty!
Jill - Darbi – Thanks so much for capturing this awesome time for us! You were so patient with us and made us feel comfortable and it really shows in the shots. Even Tucker was on his best behavior (he put on quite the show for you :). I love these more and more each time I look.