Happy First Birthday, Rowan Arya!

One of the worst parts about living away from family is that you miss out on moments. Family moments. Growing up these were always the moments where I imagined the family together. Grandparents, great-grandparents, cousins, siblings, parents, etc. all huddled together to share joy, comfort, support...I certainly never imagined giving birth or celebrating birthdays without my family right there by my side, but that is our reality for now. And sometimes it really sucks.

Last year I was on the phone, instead of standing in the hospital hallway, anxiously awaiting the first cries of our new niece, Rowan Arya. Rowan is our fourth niece, but the first from my side of the family. She's the first granddaughter on my side, and the first born of my baby brother, Storm. 

She is also Michael and my first Godchild! 

10 years ago I never would have imagined being over 2,000 miles away when my brother's first baby came into this world, but it's where we were. And it sucked. But if there is one thing I have learned over the years, it is that you really can share in that joy, no matter where you are. Especially with all the technology these days, it might not be quite as good as being right there, but it's pretty darn close! 

And my family certainly knows how to make the best of what we have. I might have had to be pretty far away for most of her life so far, but my family has made sure that we get to experience the big moments too. I am so very thankful for that! 

Today, Rowan turns one year old. We might not be there to eat cake with her, but we are there in spirit. And, thanks to my amazing Grandmama, we got to experience the event right along with them. It was almost as good as being there.

Almost.

Happy birthday, Rowan! I hope you have an amazing day, and I can't wait to see you again very, very soon! We're sending all our love from Colorado! (Tell Mommy and Daddy that they will have to come out and visit sometime next year! Budget for it!)

With Daddy and Cousin Alex!

 Rowan with Daddy and Mommy.

My mind is completely blown that she could possibly be one already! I imagine she'll be dating before we know it. (Don't tell her Mommy and Daddy!) 

Because of the amazing birthdays we have in August, I'm a couple of weeks behind on Gender Prediction Project posts, but I will have the next one up soon. Remember to go and vote with your prediction at our online baby poll too. Be a part of the system. ;)

Nine Weeks of Joy

Miss. Rowan is nine weeks old today, and Auntie-Godmommy got to babysit! We had so much fun. So much fun, in fact, that her cousins started sobbing passionately when it was time for "Baby Ro" to go home. Parker even passionately declared that it was his fear that he would never see her again. Oh my. Talk about dramatic. I can't imagine what it will be like when we go back to Idaho.

If the boys are enchanted, it must be said that Rowan is equally adoring of her older cousins. When nothing else can make her happy, Parker and Sebastian come to the rescue with songs, toys, and funny faces to have her smiling again in no time. In fact, in this weeks pictures, any picture with her looking off to the side is her giving one of her adoring looks to either one or both of her cousins. 

They are all in love. So am I. How could I help it, really?

Eight Weeks, and I Have A New Title

Guess who got to take Baby Rowan's eight week pictures? If you guessed that it was this very excited Auntie, you would be right.

This very excited Auntie and Godmother. :) That's right, the very same night we arrived in Ohio, my brother asked if Michael and I would be one of Rowan's two sets of Godparents. Needless to say, I very enthusiastically accepted for the both of us. 

Rowan was very agreeable to pictures this week, studying this strange new woman behind the camera with an amused politeness the whole time. She was a little more enthusiastic about the two little boys peeking at her and giggling over the photographer's shoulder. I think it is safe to say that my son's are smitten with their newest little cousin. I quite understand the attraction.

Here she is! Baby Rowan is eight weeks old, and will be officially two months on the 8th of October. I look forward to many more weeks of photographing this beautiful little Miss.

Five Weeks of Rowan!

Yeah. She's five weeks old today, and I'll be able to gobble her up in person in just a couple more weeks! In case it wasn't obvious, I am really looking forward to it!

Until then, I will happily pour over her pictures and imagine how much I can spoil her, and what amazing pictures we can get of all three cousin's together, when we are finally in Ohio!