Life with Sam and Harper

My Boy

2011-11-05T23:04:00.003-04:00

Last night before bed Sam asked me to carry him upstairs. I rarely get to hold him anymore at 5. I can remember Sam at 3 as I was watching my good friend with her son at 5. He was so grown up. Such a boy. I couldn't imagine being there. I am now.

As I carried him up the stairs with his head on my shoulder he whispered in my ear, ' Mommy, it still makes me feel better when you hold me.'

Watching your children grow up can be so very bittersweet.

Lost

2011-09-23T21:37:00.015-04:00

This family blog has been a bit lost for quite some time. I want to update it but life is just so busy. I always used this as a personal journal more than anything to remember the little things about the kids that I know my memory will forget in time. I'm not ready to let that go just yet.

Five and Three. I cannot believe that is how old my Sam and Harper are. The days and weeks and years just fly by right before my eyes.

We are happy. We are so close. At the end of the day we have fun. Always. I try every day to be present in each moment with them. Listen. Teach. Guide. Love unconditionally. Be patient. Laugh. Snuggle. Protect. Let go. All at once.

My Sam at 5. He is my heart. I see so much of me in him. I get him. His feelings and reactions and fears and his struggles were and are still all mine. He wears his heart on his sleeve. He cares so much. He is so silly. He protects. He loves deeply. He is so intuitive and perceptive. He is a mamas boy. You can't help but smile when he does.

My Harper at 3. She is my heart. She challenges me every single day in my parenting. She is strong willed and so independent. So very smart. So funny. She can be shy. She relies on her brother so much to show her the way and loves him so much. She is full of opinion. She throws her head way back when she laughs. Her laugh is deep and contagious. She is all girl. I see so much of me in her too in very different ways. She is a bolder and fearless version of me. I love that.

I do a wonderful job documenting my children with my photography. I am going to come back here to do it with my words.

Recent Photos...

2011-07-19T07:10:00.005-04:00

Lazy summer...

2011-06-27T07:31:00.003-04:00

Pictures...

2011-05-22T20:21:00.003-04:00

My poor neglected blog I promised to update. I have been so bad about not updating. I want to I just never seem to find the time. I need to :)

This picture I took of Sam last week reminds me so much of pictures I have seen taken of my dad in college. I think it's Sams' longer hair and the way it is brushed. I wanted my mom to see it so I am posting! I'll post another cute one of Sam and Harper!

Beach...

2011-04-11T06:43:00.008-04:00

My Muse!

2011-03-07T21:21:00.000-05:00

Harper

2011-02-23T18:23:00.002-05:00

Lost

2011-02-23T17:39:00.004-05:00

I feel like this personal blog is getting a bit lost. I am much better documenting our lives with my photography- and this blog has such tiny pictures compared to my new blog. That is my business blog though, and I am careful not to put too much of my family on it.

So... I have decided to commit to one post a week here. I want to write about the kids. The silly things they say, our crazy schedules and chaos that will one day be gone and I am sure I will miss. I want to write every little thing down to go along with my pictures to not forget...

Happy New Year!

2011-01-01T06:52:00.002-05:00

Christmas Day...

2010-12-26T21:37:00.003-05:00

Gingerbread Tester!

2010-12-22T21:44:00.001-05:00

Christmas Card 2010...

2010-12-21T21:43:00.004-05:00

Most of my Christmas cards have gone out... and if you haven't received it I'm sure it's on it's way!

I'm here...

2010-12-05T15:01:00.010-05:00

Oh blog you have been so neglected. I have been so busy with doing holiday photo sessions my camera has barely seen my own children. I have been barely keeping my head above water but loving every minute of photographing families!

Here are a few of Sam and Harper I took yesterday as we were decorating for Christmas!

2010-11-06T14:10:00.000-04:00

Halloween Fun!

2010-11-01T21:53:00.006-04:00

?/365...

2010-10-31T15:10:00.006-04:00

I'm here!! I have been so busy with sessions that I have neglected this blog. Really busy... which is good! This morning we carved pumpkins and I grab my camera to take pictures of my own family for a change!

298/365

2010-10-25T20:54:00.000-04:00

297/365... Pumpkin Patch Outtake!

2010-10-24T21:53:00.002-04:00

295 and 296/365...

2010-10-23T20:44:00.003-04:00

Today we went to the Halloween Spooktacular event at Sea World. We had so much fun. We started the day at the Sesame Street character breakfast- which both kids really enjoyed. All the characters came around to the tables and put on a cute show. We did some trick or treating, decorated some cookies and met Abby from Sesame Street which made Harper's day.

Harper had her face painted for the first time. She sat perfectly still and loved it. She was sad when we had to wash it off!

294/365

2010-10-21T21:38:00.001-04:00

Harper has been asking for these 'squinkies' she saw on TV a few weeks back. I have been unable to find them anywhere. We found them tonight at Target! She was so excited... Here she is asleep with her squinkie gum ball machine;)

293/365...

2010-10-20T21:45:00.002-04:00

I absolutely love Sams' new school. Everything about it. He has learned so much in the 2 short months he has been there it amazes me. He is so excited about learning and so motivated and proud of his work. I could not be happier we decided to put him in Montessori school.

He made this really cool project and was so proud to show it off today. It is colored rice that make up the planets. He also has a pretty adorable song to go along with it:)

292/365

2010-10-20T20:42:00.002-04:00

Dear blog,

I feel like I am cheating on you with my new photography blog. No hard feelings please. I just have a lot going on. I'll be back soon!

291/365

2010-10-18T19:10:00.001-04:00

2010-10-18T07:26:00.002-04:00

We stopped by the pumpkin patch to pick up pumpkins for school projects the kids both have this week! This is my best sibling shot... at least Sam is looking at me! Hoping we have better luck next week when we meet up with friends for some pictures:)

290/365...

2010-10-17T19:08:00.005-04:00

Head on over to my photography blog to see a few more of my sweet girl today!

289/365

2010-10-16T20:49:00.003-04:00

Our Sam with his new pirate costume and new pirate name 'Ned Shipmonk' at Disney today!

288/365

2010-10-15T21:47:00.000-04:00

287/365...

2010-10-14T21:12:00.002-04:00

No picture again... I'm slipping! Harper has been really sick this week with croup so I have been a little checked out and busy! I also feel like I am neglecting this old blog a bit for my new blog... I will get back in the swing of things soon...

286/365

2010-10-13T21:14:00.002-04:00

286/365, originally uploaded by Sam&Harper.

My poor sick baby girl resting on the couch today...

Erin Miller Photography, Orlando

2010-10-12T21:36:00.007-04:00

No picture again! I do have something exciting to share though if you click below...

Erin Miller Photography

A work in progress!! Erin Miller Photography, Orlando!

284/365...

2010-10-11T21:15:00.001-04:00

... No picture today. We had a super busy but fun weekend which included the kids 1st trip to Disney and holiday mini session photo sessions for me! I am busy editing and trying to get my photography blog up and running- while taking care of two sweet kiddos and working my 'real' job. I'm exhausted typing it!!

283/365

2010-10-10T22:19:00.003-04:00

Loved this session today with my friend Amy, her kiddos and her two sisters in town visiting! Lots more great pictures to edit:) Here is a sneak peek...

282/365

2010-10-09T21:53:00.001-04:00

281/365

2010-10-08T21:25:00.002-04:00

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2010-10-07T19:32:00.000-04:00

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2010-10-06T19:32:00.001-04:00

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2010-10-05T21:01:00.001-04:00

278/365, originally uploaded by Sam&Harper.

Iphone picture... don't judge;)

Sam at his school's open house tonight so proud to show us his 'lessons'. He loves school and his teachers had such wonderful things to say about him. We all had a great time...

277/365

2010-10-04T20:30:00.001-04:00

277/365, originally uploaded by Sam&Harper.

A little yoga after nap!

276/365

2010-10-03T21:19:00.001-04:00

275/365

2010-10-02T21:01:00.001-04:00

275/365, originally uploaded by Sam&Harper.

Daddy's Little Girl...

2010-10-02T20:16:00.005-04:00

Logo...

2010-10-02T13:31:00.005-04:00

At the risk of sounding geeky- this is so exciting for me. My logo/marketing set was completed and here is a peek at my watermark. I love it! Next up- photography blog!

274/365

2010-10-01T17:54:00.001-04:00

273/365

2010-09-30T17:08:00.001-04:00

273-365, originally uploaded by Sam&Harper.

Princess

2010-09-29T21:49:00.007-04:00

The afternoon light in our house upstairs is amazing. Harper was running around after nap upstairs in her new "princess" nightgown having so much fun. I caught some of it with my camera...

273/365

2010-09-29T20:00:00.001-04:00

273/365, originally uploaded by Sam&Harper.

271/365

2010-09-28T19:26:00.001-04:00

270/365

2010-09-27T19:29:00.001-04:00

269/365...

2010-09-26T14:20:00.001-04:00

My most recent session at Leu Gardens. Loved this family- loved the location!

268/365

2010-09-25T21:29:00.003-04:00

267/365

2010-09-24T21:04:00.002-04:00

Well...it's 9 o'clock and I didn't pick up my camera for a picture today. I have been so busy editing pictures and making albums tonight I let the time get away from me!

Hmm... I'll have to take two pictures tomorrow to make up for it:)

266/365

2010-09-23T17:59:00.002-04:00

My girl...

2010-09-22T20:37:00.000-04:00

265/365

2010-09-22T18:54:00.001-04:00

265/365, originally uploaded by Sam&Harper.

My first try at some quick newborn shots today for my friend Lauren's one week old Molly Cate. She is adorable:)

264/365

2010-09-21T21:34:00.000-04:00

263/365

2010-09-20T21:10:00.001-04:00

263/365, originally uploaded by Sam&Harper.

Sam dressed up as an injured light saber carrying Robin!

GySgt Floyd Holley Memorial Service

2010-09-19T21:06:00.004-04:00

262/365

2010-09-19T20:25:00.003-04:00

A sneak peek from my session this morning. What a sweet family and a great morning capturing them! Lots more pictures to come...

261/365

2010-09-18T22:32:00.005-04:00

Today I photographed (with the help of Russ) a high school classmates memorial service. He was killed in Afghanistan last month. I have been busy trying to edit the pictures and almost forgot to post here. It was a beautiful service and so great to see so many friends I had not seen in... 17 years! We all came together to celebrate his life.

260/365

2010-09-17T20:28:00.000-04:00

Never mind the picture... look at that light!

259/365

2010-09-16T16:34:00.001-04:00

One more!

258/365...

2010-09-15T19:56:00.001-04:00

Yummy light!

257/365

2010-09-14T19:40:00.001-04:00

256/365

2010-09-13T20:49:00.002-04:00

255/365...

2010-09-12T19:53:00.001-04:00

254/365

2010-09-11T15:48:00.012-04:00

253/365, originally uploaded by Sam&Harper.

First Haircut!

Haircuts...

2010-09-11T15:48:00.011-04:00

She's not so sure about this haircut... but no tears!

253/365

2010-09-10T21:53:00.004-04:00

I decided I'm not picking my camera up today but instead taking the time to write a bit. I have loved my 365 project but it has taken up the time I use to write a bit about our lives... so today I write.

Sam and Harper are both adjusting so well to school. It was a rough couple weeks for Sam but he told me he couldn't wait to get to school today! I was nervous about him switching schools but I know we made the right decision. It feels great. I love this age. He is so much fun... and so silly. He is learning so much at school already. I enjoy our time together after school... he is my buddy.

Harper is... Two! I think we have entered the 'terrible twos"! She can be determined and strong willed and can test my patience some days. I struggle more parenting her than Sam. I get Sam. He is a lot like me and I see of much of myself in him. I get the how and why of his reactions. The good news is Russ gets Harper so it works well. She is fearless and silly and so smart. She amazes me every day.

I am starting to get busy with my photography with a steady stream of clients. I love it. My logo design is almost completed and then next will be designing a blog. I am so excited!

252/365

2010-09-09T20:48:00.003-04:00

251/365

2010-09-08T16:47:00.001-04:00

250/365...

2010-09-07T17:20:00.002-04:00

249/365

2010-09-06T20:35:00.003-04:00

248/365

2010-09-05T19:13:00.002-04:00

247/365

2010-09-04T15:40:00.001-04:00

246/365

2010-09-03T19:50:00.002-04:00

245/365, originally uploaded by Sam&Harper.

245/365

2010-09-02T20:52:00.001-04:00

244/365

2010-09-01T20:22:00.002-04:00

Kite flying!

243/365

2010-08-31T19:54:00.002-04:00

242/365

2010-08-30T21:08:00.002-04:00

241/365, originally uploaded by Sam&Harper.

241/365

2010-08-29T19:14:00.003-04:00

My most recent session. I loved the images we captured of her cute belly and her sweet family.

240/365

2010-08-28T19:26:00.003-04:00

239/365

2010-08-27T21:57:00.001-04:00

Maternity Session Sneak Peek...

2010-08-26T20:02:00.004-04:00

I was able to photograph my friend from work and her adorable family tonight. She is due with their second baby in 2 weeks! We captured some great shots.

238/365

2010-08-26T15:26:00.001-04:00

237/365

2010-08-25T21:20:00.001-04:00

Nope, we didn't go to the beach today. I can't upload the photos I took today because Sam 'hid' the usb cord to my camera. Funny thing is he can't remember where he put it! I am sure it will turn up tomorrow!

236/365...

2010-08-24T17:45:00.001-04:00

235/365

2010-08-23T14:36:00.001-04:00

235/365, originally uploaded by Sam&Harper.

Off for his 1st day of school in his new class!

234/365

2010-08-22T19:12:00.001-04:00

233/365

2010-08-21T19:19:00.001-04:00

233/365, originally uploaded by Sam&Harper.

The fun involved in trying to get a good picture of a two year old!

2010-08-20T19:13:00.001-04:00

232/365

2010-08-20T18:01:00.001-04:00

232/365, originally uploaded by Sam&Harper.

Meet the teacher today for Harpers' two day a week two year old program. She picked out this outfit- along with her light up hot pink sneakers!

I look at this picture and wonder when this happened. When did she turn into such a little girl?

2010-08-19T20:14:00.003-04:00

231/365

2010-08-19T18:39:00.003-04:00

230/365

2010-08-18T20:00:00.000-04:00

229/365

2010-08-17T17:03:00.004-04:00

I ran upstairs to get dressed this morning and Harper decided she wanted a box of unopened cereal. In the few minutes I was upstairs she ripped open the box. Who needs mom anyways?! I love her determination...

228/365

2010-08-16T20:02:00.001-04:00

226/365

2010-08-15T19:46:00.001-04:00

226/365, originally uploaded by Sam&Harper.

My Love

2010-08-14T18:28:00.007-04:00

225/365

2010-08-14T15:41:00.001-04:00