Happy 1st Birthday Maisie Lu.

She was born one year ago today. On my moms birthday. Happy Birthday Grandma!

Today, is our girls first birthday. You had one, I had one. We don't remember it. But I bet our parents do. I bet they remember bringing us home. Sleepless nights. Being unsure if they were doing everything right, or wrong. I bet they remember our first cries. Our firsts. I bet they do.

I can assure you, I will never forget the day my girl was born. I don't think you can quite describe it, quite ever really know... until you know. It is the greatest journey. The most incredible story. The most beautiful masterpiece. That just keeps changing and growing and changing you all at the same time. In so many ways.

I love you my sweet girl. May you have countless more firsts. May your life be full of joy, and love and endless happiness. May your sorrows be meaningful and profound and may you have the wisdom to see them as lessons. May your entire life be infused with depth and compassion and good health. May you always look for the sunshine, and see the beauty in the rain. May you dance like it's nobody's business and cry big juicy tears when you need to. May you be able to feel every emotion, the good the bad and the surreal. May life shower you with as many blessings as possible. May you have a free spirit and a light heart. Maisie Lu may your life be amazing, even in the ordinary moments. In every moment.

Happy first birthday Maisie Lucinda. You have all of me. Effortlessly.

So much to say.

When you travel to Mexico on your own (for a fabulous wedding). There is a lot of time for reflection. When you travel to Mexico the week before your baby's first birthday, nostalgia is inevitable.

Inspired by the light and a desire to get a feel for my surroundings and possible wedding locations, I set out unaware of what I might find. Camera in hand. Heart full of warm and fuzzy wonder. I wandered through the foreign complex, marveling at beautiful structures, shapes, and reflections. I followed the sound of the crashing waves and was led into the enchanting Los Cabos sunset.

I thought about how much had happened in a year. I thought about all of the firsts. Hers, mine. Ours. I thought about what we had come through, what we had been through. What joys, what moments. I was full. Full. Overflowing.

Tomorrow is her first birthday. I have so much to say. But for tonight. No words.

Maisie Lucinda. Almost a year.

It's fun. It really is. My baby is almost one. She walks, waves, smiles, yells, claps and dances her way through entire Cirque Du Soleil shows, concentrates on threads poking out of fabric, eats anything on the ground, cries when things aren't going her way, and laughs... mainly at my brother. Our baby is almost one. I'm becoming increasingly aware of the past year. Increasingly nostalgic.

It hasn't really gone by fast. I know where every moment is. I look back, and I could say "where does the time go". But, if I really look back, look through the photos (yes, the countless photos) I have a huge smile on my face, and tears dripping out of my eyes. In one year, so much as happened. So much has changed. Life is richer. Life is better, more full, more beautiful than before. More challenging, more alive, more meaningful even. There were/are sleepless nights, there were domestic disputes, there were moments of uncertainty, instability, turmoil and fear. But there were also moments of clarity, serenity, profound awakening, of insight and intense beauty. In all honesty, it was likely the most incredible year of my life.

Our girl is growing up, and I'm loving every moment. I've been photographing her constantly lately, (like probably in an OCD sort of way). To me, it's been more than just dressing up my baby and taking photos. Our rhythms in our daily life. As normal as getting dressed in the morning, or eating breakfast. Today, it was 4:00 and we were supposed to be getting ready to go out for 5ish. I was putting Maisie's clothes away, saw her adorable romper from Auntie Heathers wedding, and before I could even blink... we were in the studio together, laughing and having a studio photoshoot. Unplanned, unorganized and unpredictable. But inspired. That's just how we roll around here.

Lately I've been feeling like photographing Maisie, might be my most important photographic project ever. Documenting a life. A life of a girl named Maisie Lu. I've got a new project on the horizon that is really exciting, it's called "Letters to Maisie". Where I'll try to separate my obsessive Maisie photos a bit from this blog, but for now, because I've just got to share. Here is our studio girl. Eating some snacks and trying hard not to look at mommy.

Auntie Kwall is 21

There are few people in the world that I love like my baby sister. Like, only one person in the world. Her.Around our house, Auntie Kwall is a VIP. Ask, Frank... Maisie... BC... we all love her. We just wanted to send her a little love this morning and wish her the very best birthday ever. We also, just want her to know, that she is loved. So deeply, profoundly loved. By us. All of us.

Love you so much my baby sister. There is nobody like you in the world. Anywhere.

I hope your year is full of adventure, joy and endless opportunities. You are 21. 21.... Anything is possible. I love you so much, it's not even normal. xoxo