2023- A Year in Review! I have done a year in review post for the majority of the past 7 years, and I am one day away from missing it this year! I made it my goal during nap time today to make a post about wonderful 2023. As a small business owner and a stay at home mom, there is not much recognition for accomplishments and so I try to make a point to stop and remember all that I did in a year and how proud I am of it all! This was my first full calendar year as a stay at home mom/ photographer. Last year, I taught and was on maternity leave for almost half of the year. Running a business full time when you are 100% in charge of a toddler’s life is no joke AND I am so thankful this is what I get to do! My #1 priority is making my daughter’s life amazing. I dreamt of being a stay at home mom for years when I spent almost half a decade trying to have my daughter, so when it was finally my turn to be a mommy I knew I would not take a second for granted. Most of my days are spent at story times, fun toddler classes, play dates and learning through play with my daughter! I was still so proud to have offered 64 sessions in 2023 on top of all that I have going on as a SAHM. I am so thankful to still be able to run a business and live my dream as a mama.

In August, my husband and I went back into the world of IVF and attempted an FET in order to give our daughter a sibling. Luckily for us, it worked! We are thrilled to announce that we are expecting our second daughter in May! We know that IVF is not the answer for everyone and our hearts are always with our friends battling infertility and loss.

As far as 2024 goals, I am keeping my list very realistic as I know that I will not only be having a baby next year, but will also be learning to manage SAHM/small business owner life with a 2 year old and newborn.

1- Personal Goal: As most people in the new year, I want to be more organized. My husband and I have to create a room for a whole new human, so lots of stuff has to go & lots of stuff needs to be stored in an orderly way! We will also be combining office spaces, so that means our office will get a little makeover! (Which I am so excited about!) My husband works from home full time and will occupy the majority of the space while I will have my (very well organized and aesthetically pleasing) corner! 😉

2- Professional Goal: I would love to do more work on my blog. I always WANT to get on here and share the beautiful photos I capture after every shoot, and somehow it always makes bottom of the list. In my time on maternity leave, I would love to do more website and blog work so that I can showcase the amazing families I get to photograph!

3- Mom goal: Continue to help Lucy (and new baby) thrive in toddlerhood! Signing up Lucy for classes, keep researching what is out there for her, and making sure to always make my girls my #1 priority. We are going on 7 years of infertility and loss (being pregnant via IVF does not change that) and it has all given me perspective on motherhood. I view this as a huge gift and will not be taking a second for granted. ALSO, I would love to try to bake a new recipe for my girls to have as a snack each week. It helps me give them healthy snacks AND makes my house smell amazing, so why not try! 🙂

As always, I am SO THANKFUL for all of my amazing clients for booking with me this year! I would not be able to live this dream with my girls and husband if it were not for you trusting me with your family memories! I will continue learning, growing, and keeping up with the latest things to continue giving you the BEST possible experience I can as your photographer! I am also so thankful for my amazing husband who has encouraged me in motherhood to continue to grow my business and has always given me the opportunity to do whatever I needed to do with photography. He has come to mini-sessions with me to help out, taken time out of his work day to watch our daughter if I have a shoot that conflicts with our schedules, gives me extra time to work and edit when I need it, and is always rooting for me! <3 Here’s to an amazing 2024 and to the year I become a girl mama x2!

Some personal photos taken this year by our favorite Whitney Gremaud Photography! Thank you, Whitney, for capturing these moments for us!

Finally, a few of my favorite photos that I took this year of my daughter!

Until next year, friends!