We just sat at dinner (on the 22nd) reciting to the kids how Elise's arrival happened. It was 26 hours in the making, thus it started the day before her birthday. So to me, the commemoration of her birth is a multi-day celebration: It was the day I anticipated with great hope after not being so sure we'd be granted a second baby. It was the day I turned into a southern belle complete with accent while screaming out "Sweet Jesus" as I labored. It was the day God gave me a girl.
It's fitting that we photographed Elise for her third birthday in Ithaca during our family vacation. The last time we shot in this location we were a family of three. Another photographer captured us with Ryan at the same milestone. It's where I wanted to bring our wild thing to try and capture all of her departing "two-ness" and upcoming "three-ness." She might not have been a fan of mommy with her camera on this particular day....
Reluctant at first, Elise did not want her photo taken. But in truth, in everyday life her emotions are as varied as the expressions in these shots. She was torn between wanting to be the center of attention and the need to tear off with her dad and brother to look at the fish in the channel.
This series optimizes our little girl to me: curious, free-spirited, brave (she's saying "Be Gone" to the monsters from the book, Where the Wild Things Are) and a bit fickle.
We are so blessed to have this Wild Thing in our lives. She's a surprise every day. And we wouldn't have it any other way.
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