cara walen photography

My little boy ~ April

I am thrilled to be participating in my very first blog circle for the next few months with some fellow members of the Light Inspired Forum. Although I have only been a member of this forum for a couple of months, it has quickly become a favorite since the themes are inspiring and it challenges me to look at my life from a different perspective. All too often life moves at too quickly a pace, and I just miss things. I miss moments. And sometimes I miss joy.

The theme for this blog circle is our Little Boys. I jumped in to this circle because duh - I have a three-and-a-half year old son. Who won't pose for me willingly. But is 10000% boy and this challenge is to capture who they are, dirt and all.

I am also married to the Athletic Director at Towson High School. So it is safe to say sports plays a huge role in our lives. Our family time is dictated by it, the kids activities are largely influenced by it, and some kind of sporting activity occurs every day.

He is, like most little boys, completely obsessed with whatever his father does, and that includes baseball. My husband still plays competitive baseball for an over 30 baseball league. So from April - August, every weekend involves a baseball game where my kids see daddy pitch.

All of the above means that Luke spends an awful lot of time in our backyard playing baseball, 'trying' to emulate his father's wind-up. His stance. His throw. His delivery. Complicating matters is that while dad is a lefty, Luke is a righty. We spent most of last summer trying to explain how a righty wears his glove on his left hand and throws with his right; it was complicated because dad threw with his left and wore his glove on his right hand. But alas, I think he's starting to understand that part.

Sometimes he makes a pretty good throw. Other times, not so much. He's only three after all. Sometimes he gets confused and will pitch wearing his batting helmet. Sometimes he will bat with his lacrosse helmet on. At times you will see him bat with his lacrosse gloves on. And that's OK. Sports can be confusing, with all that strange gear and whatnot. A three year old doesn't know that he shouldn't bat with his pee wee tennis racquet.

Sports with my son (and my daughter, for that matter) will be an amazing journey.

Be sure to check out Felicia Mcternan Photography for more amazing work!

The Perfect Pair • Twins John and Leah • Baltimore Newborn Twin Photography

There are just some sessions that are like gifts from God. This was one of them. On a bright February day, I packed up my sweetest boy/girl newborn goodies and headed to Kristen and Steven's home to meet their newest additions - 10 days old John and Leah.

They say that twins have a connection that can't be explained. Something innate. Maybe it is genetic - something that is the result of spending nine months together in the womb. Whatever it is, I saw it first hand with John and Leah. These gorgeous babies slept so soundly and seemed to be more content actually cuddled with one another. You literally saw them relax when once was touching or near the other. It was remarkable.

Big brothers Matthew and Joseph are absolutely in love with their new twin siblings. What an amazing session, and a blessed family of 6!

Cara Walen Photography Newborn Photography Baltimore Newborn Photography Baltimore Twin Newborn Photograpy

Early Arrival • 15 day old baby Avery • Baltimore Newborn Photography

Let me preface this post by saying that January - April are typically slow seasons for me. The rush of the holiday photos are behind, the New Year's festivities are a thing of the past, and the cold winter weather encourages hibernation. Its family time...downtime.

Or so I thought.

There was a steady stream of newborn inquiries from expectant moms right around the beginning of the year. Due dates? Oh February through March. I tenatively booked and waited for the exciting news.

Marjie and Jim were no different and contacted me around the beginning of their third trimester and we planned a tenative early March date for their new baby girl. Low and behold little Miss Avery decided to come a bit early and arrived in early February!

Once everyone was home and settled, we picked a date and I headed to their home in Canton, to meet this sweet little thing and her adoring big brother, Colin.