Pigtails, Playsuits and Frisbee Games...

After a few very hectic weekends we spent yesterday doing nothing but enjoying the sunshine, playing with the kids and catching up with family.
It was bliss.
The next few weekends will be busy but I think I am a little more organized now. I think.
And I am certainly not stressing like I was a few weeks ago.
I'm not sure why I did in the first place but after my complaining everything just fell back into place.
Even Mr Corey is a happy chappy again.

Have a happy day

Ange xx

Graduation!

My baby goes to big school next year.
Really??  Oh my where did the last five years go?
Last night we had her graduation at Pre-School.  The kids danced, sang, and showed how grown up they are now.
Watching Lilli was heartbreaking.  I cried.  I sobbed.
She sang the National Anthem and I lost it big time.
Her teachers Jo and Katie have done an amazing job building Lillis confidence.
Maybe a little too much.
She has gone from being the child that hangs on to her mum to the leader of the pack.
In fact watching her and her little friends last night made me think of the movie "Mean Girls"
Not that they are mean to each other but the way they talk.
About their dresses, their hair and their little American accents.  I think Lilli may watch Barbie dvds too often and I blame it on that.

I know she will love big school and she will continue to thrive but the thought chokes me up.

Have a happy day.

Ange xx

Motherhood + Work = Guilt

I know I'm not alone here.
There are millions of mothers out there that do what I am trying desperately to succeed in.
Work full time. Run a household. Be a loving wife.  Be an involved mother.  Take time out for myself to ensure that I am healthy inside and out.
And I am sad to report that I am failing.  Terribly.
The first six weeks of me working full time, the household was running like clockwork.
Things were done.
Family was happy.
I had some me time.
The last two weeks it has all fallen apart!
The house is neglected.  We seem to never be able to catch up and we are planning to renovate our bathroom, flooring and kitchen.
The kids aren't pleased.  Corey especially is starting to show signs of unhappiness.
And I am actually worried as there are mental health issues on his fathers side.
Something we are watching closely but not sure how to handle.
Something that breaks my heart as I don't understand it and it hurts to see my little boy so unhappy.
Something that I'm not sure if it's just ten year old attitude or something more serious.
And I cant remember the last time I went to the gym or spent some alone time with my husband.

And I know many of you are reading this thinking "that's my life" and yes indeed it is life.
But how do we, especially us mothers, live it without being awake all night feeling so guilty?
Guilty for working, the house being untidy, not having enough time to play, for not being able to make it to assembly at school, for being tired, for running out of milk and bread and only realizing at 10pm?

Here's the boy - too serious and sad lately.
But still amazing beautiful.

Have a happy day.

Ange xx

Baby Lilly - Four Weeks Old {Picton Newborn Photographer}

The weekends are over way too quickly now days.  With working full time I try to fit in as much as I can including photography.
On Saturday morning I had the absolute pleasure spending a couple of hours with Kristy and her little Princess Lilly.  I could have spent all day there capturing the beauty of the love between mum and daughter, not to mention Lilly is just adorable and so expressive.  At four weeks old I swear she was trying to smile into the camera.  Sleep wasn't high on the list of priorities with this little sweetheart and she probably only slept for a total of 20 minutes, in short intervals.  It was just enough time to snap a couple of shots before she woke, changed positions, outfits and Kristy would settle her back to sleep.
It was a relaxing and fun session.
Kristy and Lorne thank you for letting me photograph your beautiful baby girl.
Too many gorgeous photos to choose just a few so here are lots!!
Enjoy your sneak peek Kristy x

A very special outfit, hand knitted by a loved and missed great grandma.

Mum totally relaxed, not even her screaming baby girl flustered her :)

Check out Lillys expression  !

Have a happy day

Ange xx

Happy Birthday Princess Lilli

I kissed her last night and hugged her extra long.
I laid there for a long time listening to her breathe and smelling the strawberry shampoo in her freshly washed hair. Yesterday was her last day of being four.
This morning she woke at 6.30.
Sleepy eyes, messy hair and FIVE!
She really hasn't changed all that much over the last 12 months.
Yes she is bigger.  And much smarter.  A lot more confident.
But she is still our silly, beautiful and clumsy girl.

Her favorite colour is still pink.
She loves Barbie, her baby, Polly Pockets and Littles Pet Shop.
She could colour in for hours and hours.
She has a huge crush on Justin Beiber (or Justin Beaver as she calls him)
And her request for dinner this birthday is sausages, pasta and vegetables. (last year it was prawns)

So Happy Birthday my beautiful Lilli Angel.
May you always wake up happy with sleepy eyes xo

Have a happy day

Ange xx

Beautiful Baby Scarlet - 14 days old {Picton Newborn Photographer}

How slack have I been?!?!?!?
Now that I work full time I barely have time to do what needs to be done let alone do all the extra things that I love but are just a lovely bonus in my life.
Like my photography and blogging.  Both have had to take a back seat for a while till I settle back into full time work.  Something I haven't done since I had Corey ten years ago.
But I'm pleased to report that I'm loving my job and both me and the family are adjusting well to the big change.
Anyway enough about me!

Meet baby Scarlet.  I photographed her and her family a few weeks ago and she was just 14 days old.
Tiny, beautiful and awake for most of the indoor session.
After almost two hours of trying to get her to sleep, a couple of feeds and not much luck we headed out to the beautiful surroundings that were blooming with Spring!
That seemed to have worked and Scarlet was sound asleep.
While I snapped Scarlet, Daddy fussed over his older Princess Lilly!  He was throwing her up in the air and gifts of freshly picked flowers made me smile to now end.

Here is the very overdue session :)

Have a happy day.

Ange xx

Third Time Lucky! {Picton Maternity Photographer}

Meet Kristy.  Gorgeous.  Expecting baby number two.  Unlucky with the weather!
She was telling me that every special occasion she has ever planned has always been rained on.
Engagement - rain.  Hens night - rain.  Her son's first birthday - rain.
Her maternity session - first appointment cancelled due to rain.  Second appointment - beautiful sunny day till time for session where it poured!
So this was third time lucky. We tricked Mother Nature by making the session in the morning.

This was such a lovely relaxed session :)
I loved it and Kristy I hope you had fun too.

Have a happy day.

Ange xx

Lilli and Her Ways...

My darling little girl has been a little jealous of the photos I have been taking lately of clients.
She will come into my office while I'm editing and rest her little arms and head on my desk and just stare at the pc.
Asking such things as "Who's that?"  "Is that at the beach?"  "Why are you colouring them in?"
And the most sweet question "Why haven't you taken photos of me in a long time?"
Simple answer to that is because every time I do she insists on funny faces, silly faces and I usually just get a shot of her back. So on this particular day I said to her "Come on, we'll go take some photos of your pretty hair"
She lets me braid it only so she can have this mop of wild fuzz she loves to shake and whip back and forth.

Even on this day, when she pleaded and insisted on photos being taken of her she wouldn't sit still.

Till of course she got bored and tired.  She sat still for this one.  It was literally a split second before she ran off squealing and dancing.

Have a happy day.

Ange xx

Gorgeous Much??...

Through the week I did a quick mini Family Session.
Not just any family. A ridiculously, amazingly good looking family.
And a family that has beautiful heats too.
The mum is one of my fantastic trainers. She is awesome, funny and so supportive. And she is one of the reasons why I am healthy and smaller.
The dad is Josh's and Corey's trainer. And is equally awesome! And the reason why my husband got into a kick boxing ring and fought. Hmmm.....
Their kids are so sweet and beautiful. The little man is getting Christened next weekend, hence the reason for the lovely shoot.
And their daughter! Oh my she is absolutely gorgeous!!  She looked into my lens and my heart literally melted.
Good luck with the teenage years Mum and Dad :)

Have a happy day.

Ange xx

PS - Happy Fathers day to all the dads today!!

Life Begins in The Bump {Picton Maternity Photographer}

A week ago I had the pleasure of photographing this sweet family.
They are expecting baby number two. Alison, Steven and little Lilly are expecting another little princess!
For some reason I was really nervous coming up to this session. I always get nervous but more so this time.
And as always when I do feel nervous, as soon as I get to my session and meet my lovely clients the nerves disappear. And this was no different.
They were warm and sweet and so calm and relaxed. And Lilly was loving her photos taken (it must be in the name)
Anyway enjoy your little sneak peak Alison and Steve!

I cannon wait for the newborn session!  I do love squishy babies :)

Have a happy day.

Ange xx