{New Life} Lil’ Lydia

Two years ago, Neil and I visited a new church here in the Kansas City area, seeking a place that would let us grow, modify and explore our faiths and those of others, without any dogmatic parameters. Without taking this blog post too much down a personal path, suffice it to say, everything we  had been looking for in a spiritual community was found at Shawnee Mission Unitarian Universalist Church. I had no idea such a truly welcoming and open-minded church existed. We were struck immediately with the feeling that we were home, and much of that had to do with the minister, Rev. Thom. He was approachable, incredibly well-versed in all religions and political issues, genuinely personable and his sermons from week to week really hit home with us.

It was perfect timing, as we soon after discovered that we were expecting our first baby. And when Rev. Thom and his wife, Anne (who is perhaps one of the most sweet people I’ve ever met!!!), announced a few months later that they too would be stepping into new roles as parents for the first time, I was very excited.

Thom had me shoot his headshots for the church web site and wall … and they called on me a few weeks after baby Lydia was born to document their new family of three. Incredibly honored, I showed up in November and was immediately enamored with their daughter. Her hair! Her round, alert eyes! She looked like a mini- Anne…as you’ll totally agree. And might I add, she was THE chillest baby I’ve ever worked with. I don’t even know if I ever heard her cry the entire time I was there.

Here are some of my favorite images from our time together. I am so lucky that I get to see her grow up too because she just gets cuter and cuter and cuter and cuter. And you don’t think it’s possible…and then I see her the next Sunday and her lil’ gummy grin gets me all over again!

Although this is late in posting, once again…congrats to Thom & Anne for being part of the most rewarding and challenging club ever–that of a parent! 😉