Drew B Photograhy

I think my parents are going to get their babysitting privileges revoked.  My kid does not wear dorky outfits like this…

This is how Brayden was returned to me this afternoon.  In a dorky cowboy outfit complete with cowboy boots.  See. Brayden is not happy about it! He doesn’t want to be a cowboy!  He doesn’t like cowboy boots.  If I didn’t like my freedom so much on Saturday mornings I would not let my kid hang out with them.

Here is a picture of a much happier Brayden

It’s so much fun now that he’s starting to smile, laugh, and really respond to us. He started smiling at 5 weeks, but at 6 weeks I knew for sure it was a real smile. He laughs and talks to himself. I think he really likes me and I’m starting to like being a Mom!

Is everyone sick of pictures of Brayden Bittel yet? Well, here is a whole entire post of pictures without him. Not that I didn’t try to take one of him during this shoot, but he was sleeping the whole time

Todd and Robin are good friends of ours who live up North. Chuck and Todd grew up right next door to each other and Chuck’s best (and really the only ones he remembers) childhood memories involve Todd and his sister Katie. Todd and I went to high school together too, but he was the cool senior football player and I was just a dorky, little freshman. I didn’t get to know him until Chuck and I started dating at the end of high school. When Todd moved up north to become a fireman he met his wonderful and beautiful wife, Robin. This past November they adopted little Robby to complete their family. Robby is just the cutest baby! He is a big boy with gorgeous blue eyes. And his personality is so cute! He’s super laid back and so interested in what is going on in the world around him. It’s pretty cool that Robby and Brayden are so close in age. I just wish we lived closer so they could hang out!

Below are some of my favorite pictures from their family session and here’s a slide show. Thank you to my friend Trista for letting me know where this super secret location is

Brayden is very excited that he was born in time to see his favorite team play in the NCAA tournament! We’re just getting ready for the UCLA game to start and Brayden wanted to do a little photo shoot in his designer UCLA onsie. It’s from Chip and Pepper.  How fancy!

This is Brayden’s “Whoa! Did you see that dunk by Love? He’s my hero!” face.

This is Brayden’s “My team is tougher than your team” face.

This is the face Brayden will make if we lose (which we won’t!).

And this is Brayden’s “Oh! You’re so funny Mommy!” face.

Go Bruins!!!

When I was pregnant every mom I met told me to enjoy my baby because they grow up so fast. I didn’t believe them. Especially during the first couple of weeks that dragged on and on. But now I realize they were so right. I honestly cannot believe my little guy is already a month old. He has already gotten so big and strong. At his doctor’s appointment last Friday he weighed 10 pounds, 10 ounces! That’s close to 3 pounds in 3 and a half weeks (he weight 8 pounds, 3 ounces but then went down to 7 pounds, 9 ounces the day after he was born). His personality is really starting to show too. Here are some of Brayden Bittel’s likes and dislikes:

Likes:

His big brother Hauggy

Walks in his stroller

His UCLA mobile

Tummy time with Daddy

Reading

Peak-a-boo

All his grandparents

Kisses from his Mommy

UCLA basketball

Dislikes:

Diaper changes

Getting his picture taken

Nap time

Baths (although he did have his first bath two days ago where he didn’t cry!)

Anything USC

I don’t want to jinx it, but I think we’re starting to get him on a schedule! I’ve been working really hard the past couple of days to implement it and although we’ve had some tears I think it’s going to make Brayden a happier baby and Chuck and I happier (and better rested) parents. Last night he only woke up to eat twice and didn’t cry or fuss at all! That’s a huge accomplishment!

So happy birthday to my Brayden Bittel! I love my little guy more than words could ever express and I can’t wait to see what life with him brings next!

I bought this chair at an antique store this past weekend. I’m going to be taking Brayden’s picture with it every month to see how much he grows!

Since I haven’t been shooting, a little piece of me has been missing. Sure, I take pictures of the baby everyday and that’s fun. But, it usually ends up with Brayden crying and with me covered in pee or spit up. I needed to take pictures of people. Big people. Who take direction and smile because they are happy, not just because they have gas. So when my good friends Kyle and Johanna came into town this weekend I had to shoot their engagement session! No, I’m not technically supposed to be shooting for two more weeks, but I’ve been feeling really well so I decided to give it a try.

Kyle is one of our closest friends. He was Chuck’s roommate senior year of college and one of his best men as well. He met his beautiful fiancee Johanna at Yale while they were both studying to become Physician’s Assistants. I feel like I’ve known Johanna for years. She’s so sweet and thoughtful and makes the best chocolate chip cookies I’ve ever had! I really can’t remember Kyle without Johanna. They are a perfect balance for each other and I’m so glad that Kyle FINALLY proposed to Johanna last summer They live in Arizona now and we don’t get to see them much. Hopefully they can move back to California soon!

Kyle and Johanna are getting married in Ohio this October. I love Ohio so I’m very excited for their wedding. There’s going to be barns and hoe downs and square dancing! So fun! The amazing Jessica Strickland is shooting their wedding so I know they are in good hands. I just get to sit back and enjoy. Although, I’m sure I’ll be bringing my camera along!

Kyle and Johanna, thank you for letting me take your engagement pictures! You know how much we love you guys and we are so excited for you two to start your married life together! Here’s your slideshow!

What have I been doing with all my spare time now that I’m on maternity leave (Haha!  What spare time?)? Working on wedding albums! A lot of photographers don’t like to design albums, but I actually like it. I especially like it when my couples give me the creative freedom to design the albums with the pictures that I think will work best. Albums are heirloom pieces and the design should really stand the test of time. I know when I got married I jammed as many pictures as I could in my album. But, 2 1/2 years later, I really wish I would have gone with a more simple and clean layout. My albums definitely still have a couple of pages where I will cram in a bunch of pictures, but I want the overall effect to be as timeless as possible.

Here’s one of my favorite albums that I’ve designed lately. It’s from Rita and Scott’s wedding in Puerto Vallarta! What a fun wedding! Check out the whole design here!

Yes, my baby is a spitting image of his father. He looks nothing like me. But, the one thing he got from me are his feet.

Many of you will remember our awesome maternity session with Jessica Claire from December. She did such an amazing job that we asked her to shoot our first family pictures as well! I was a little nervous because every time I try to take Brayden’s picture he either cries or pees on me, but Jessica was very patient. It also helped that our house was about 90 degrees so he could be comfy in his birthday suit, but Brayden really loved her! And yes, I still got peed on during the shoot, but it was worth it! Thank you so much to Jessica for capturing this special time in our lives. We will treasure these pictures!

Right before I got peed on…

Brothers! My favorite picture! Also, a huge THANK YOU to Vivian Tran from All Made Up. She is the one responsible for making my hair and makeup look so fabulous! It’s not easy to find the time to do your hair and make up when you’re a new mom so I really appreciate Viv fitting me in so last minute. If you need your hair and makeup done for your wedding, engagement shoot, or any other special occasion book Vivian! Not only is she super talented, she’s also one of the nicest people I’ve ever met! Thank you Viv!