and look whose picture I saw? Congrats to the D family! She is indeed a beautiful little cherub.

I just got done telling her mom how babies between 6 months and 3 years NEVER wear hats. Mom thought that would be the case with baby girl as well. Turns out, we were so very wrong. We couldn’t get the hat *away* from her!

We had such a fine time this afternoon. I give you Exhibit B:

 (I apologize for the camera shake…I was laughing too hard to pay attention to technique by this point.) 

Congratulations to Amy F. and her hubby for winning the Helping Hearts romantic photo session with Lyndsay and I! Can you believe that within a week’s time, this movement raised $1,200 for the American Red Cross to help with the recovery effort in Haiti? That is simply incredible.  To make your donations even more valuable, Lyndsay and I have decided that we’re going to match them, so now $2,400 will have been given!

It amazes me that people can jump to action so quickly to help others in need.  But don’t stop giving just because this contest is over. These people will still need our help long after donation drives have ended. Thank you all again for your generosity and, Amy…we’ll see you soon!

Okay, before we bombard you with any more cuteness, have you been to Baby Coco in Austin before? If not, do yourself a favor and go. Cheyenne does such an amazing job with her creative and shabby chic decorating. Every time I walk into the store, I see something new and cool.  For example:

Um, I’m sorry, but if *I* could fit into that crib, I would be waking up in that every morning. Truly a beautiful touch-n-feel-n-experience kind of store. And it’s a great place to find unique baby shower gifts, too!  Now back to your daily dose of adorableness, Baby Q, the new face of Baby Coco. This girlie has got it goin’ on!

And what about that insane Christmas tree??????  To the ridiculously talented artist that created the tree, I’m planning to sneak into the store one night and confiscate it. If you would like to keep me out of prison, please tell me how I can get such an elegant and stunning tree like that for my baby girl. Thank you very much for allowing me to continue raising my children. ;-) (More from our amazing time at Baby Coco here and here.)

I figured while we’re waiting around for you to pop, I could at least show you the 8×10 prints I had made for you!

P.S. Xpressions sessions are going faster than I thought, so if you want one this spring, book soon.

This was the stunning and perfectly peaceful scene when I walked in to photograph this homebirth. Seriously? So beautiful.

And the end result? Just as beautiful. Just as peaceful. All is right with the world. Congratulations again on your new arrival!

As I continue my proofing, I have to sit here in anxious anticipation, phone by my side, camera at the ready for the next baby to hatch. Who’s going to be first? All bets are off when it comes to predicting labors and the suspense is killing me. Here’s to many safe, quick, and [relatively] painless deliveries any day now!

(If you are in the Austin area and would like to learn more about hiring a professional birth photographer, please see this link.)

I love this moment caught where mom pleads with her son to relax a little and show us his beautiful grin. He negotiated with us and agreed to participate in the session only *if* I let him take a picture of his mommy. I can’t believe this, but I agreed and handed him my camera [photographers across the world groan in disdain]. And after I saw this shot from him, I quickly wondered if I had just put myself out of business. ;-)

A little "behind the scenes" for you while I’m working behind my computer.

[Several families have already taken advantage of this special offer down here. There's still time for you, too!]

I’m always so honored when I’m asked to photograph a family again. I love to see how everyone has grown and changed.  Plus, there’s none of that "getting to know you" stuff…you can just pick up where you left off.  But most of all, when the kids jump out of the car and run up to me and say, "Michele! Michele!" excitedly…wow. Now that will get ya. 

This is only a small peek for you guys, but the whole session was awesome! 

[And to the blogstalkers: if you haven't arranged a 2010 session yet, don't forget about the special offer this week.]

Thank you for pushing us to do this. It only took us a year to make it happen, ha! I hope this is close to what you were looking for. We had a wonderful evening with you guys!

[embrace the grain. embrace the grain.]

And although you can’t see it just yet in these pics, thanks so much to Modern Muse for the outstanding make-up (would totally recommend her!).  And now, the awesome pics from the other side!

(Be sure to scroll down to the bottom to view the Pinkle Toes Photography 2009 Year in Review Slideshow)

[UPDATE 1.13.10 - We've had votes pouring in and the race has gotten *even* closer. Incredible!]

I can’t even believe it is time to finally select our first ever Pinkle’s Pic of the Year Winner! Each month in 2009, I have chosen an image (or images) that moved me. But now, it will be YOUR job as the Pinkle Toes Blogstalkers to decide which of these was the best image of the year.

The winner will receive an 11×14 canvas of their winning image and—this just in—a $500 Pinkle Toes gift card (up from $200) to be used on a Premium session in 2010–and of course, all the glory of being the first Pinkle’s Pic of the Year Winner! Two runners-up will each receive a $100 gift card and the Grand Prize winner gets to choose a 3rd runner-up, also to receive a $100 gift card!

Some fine print:

• Voting will run January 1st-15th (ending at midnight central time)
• Voting is monitored by IP address, so no multiple voting.
• Results will not be shown, but I will announce winners on the blog Saturday, Jan. 16th.
• I reserve the right to disqualify entries or terminate the contest if necessary.

Okay…let’s get voting!!! I’m very excited to see what you decide…I truly have no idea which image will win. Oh, there is a link on the bottom to share with friends/family, too!

(Click on the images to view larger if needed)

Looking back at all of these entries, there is a huge flood of emotion and memories. I feel so fortunate to make these lifelong connections with each and every one of my clients. It always makes me giggle when a returning client calls and says, "You might not remember me, but…"  OF COURSE I remember you!!!!!  Gosh, if I had enough time, I could easily rattle off an anecdote about every single session I’ve ever had since I started Pinkle Toes Photography three years ago (anyone wanna test me?). But here’s the thing that gets me the most: families are as much the same as they are different. For as unique and as diverse as any family unit might be, we all have that connection, that love, that sparkle, that desire to do good for those we love, and the relentless need to cherish and remember the things that are most important to us forever.

Thank you, thank you, thank you for an incredible 2009 and I hope 2010 is chock full of wonderfulness for you!