
{click on photos for larger view}
Last Sunday we were photographed by a dear friend of mine, Tara Whitney.
She sent us the online gallery today and as we looked through each magical photo, tears welled and my heart swooned and my breath was taken away. I told her that seeing each of these photos...the three of us standing, cuddling, embracing, truly solidified for me that we are a family.
You know, there are a myriad of emotions that come with adoption. For me, so much of it has felt surreal and dream~like that I still wonder if it has really happened. I wonder if he knows we are his parents. I wonder if this joy will stop as I am not that used to it. I was used to longing for him when he wasn't here. I still wake up in the middle of the night and for a split second I wonder if I am waking from a dream that we have a son.
But watching our story unfold through Tara's photography just confirmed it all. We have a son. We are a family. We are a "three"...and oh how she captured us so perfectly in and near our home. How she captured our connection, our whimsy, our love.
Tara...you wrapped up our hearts in a cushy package of beauty that day and now, now...we have it forever. Thank you.
Here are some of my favorites...













{per the request of some commenters...Cedar's clothes are from LovedBaby, his red hat from Everyday Beautiful and leaf elf hat from Elephant Sauce...yummy gifts from friends who know my taste so well.}
Absolutely breathtaking ... you got me in tears o.k. missy!
ReplyDeleteCarla :0)
gorgeous! i love how happy and serene you all look! i love the last one, and the ones of both you and boho boy holding boho babe by yourselves. babe's face when dad's holidng him is amazing!
ReplyDeleteam wondering also where you got all the gorgeous handknits.
I've got a huge smile on my face that has been there from the first picture onward. Wow. What love emanates from each picture. Your love for Carsten and your collective love for Cedar. He is adorable and looks so peaceful and happy, surrounded and enveloped in so much love from both of you.
ReplyDeleteComing from an adoptee...Yes. He knows you are his parents. You all look so wonderful.
ReplyDeleteok, these are all incredible!!!! I love Tara.
ReplyDeleteBut that one, I think the 9th, where your nose is brushing him and he is about to squeeze your finger??? Swoon....... love love love
Oh my, oh my. Amazing!!!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for sharing.
sealed with a kiss
ReplyDeleteLove to the Boho Family
CaroleXXXOOO
I got goosebumps looking at these photos. The three of you are gorgeous (really!) and Tara is just amazing!
ReplyDeleteI am truly so happy for you, Denise.
breathtaking...what these images capture is something wholly holy. blessed be.
ReplyDeletebig love,
gem
I am wrapped up with my six month old son right now, tears streaming down my face as I read your stories and look at your pictures. Thank you for being a beautiful family, and for sharing.
ReplyDeletebeautiful threesome!
ReplyDeleteabsolutely beautiful**
ReplyDeleteI love how in the second photo his big toe is sticking up. I adore baby feet. Happy holidays LOVEly boho family!
Beautiful!
ReplyDeleteAnd then you were three. You are a family...
ReplyDeleteoh, that special tara magic. :::sigh::: tara magic + boho magic = extrasupercalifragilisticexpialidociousfamilymagic :-) love to you guys!!!
ReplyDeleteoh wow.
ReplyDeletebeautiful.
xox
BEAUTIFUL! Dreams do come true....
ReplyDeleteTrish
patriciadolan@comcast.net
These photos are swoonalicious!!! They are heart tuggingly beautiful and so real with emotions!! Your face has such a charming serenity to it - you elicit calm just through your image.
ReplyDeleteI have to say my favorites are Cedar sleeping in the long knit cap and the one of the three of you close up outside - Cedar at your chest, C behind you!! It could be an album cover!!!
The worlds greatest gift 2 people can receive.
Happy Holidays to the THREE of you!
XOXOXOXO
The ones in the field are my favorite. Wishing you a happy holiday!
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely breathtaking!
ReplyDeleteYou look all so sereen, Tara made some very nice photos of the three of!
Happy Holidays!
And thanks for sharing these beautiful photos.
just the way it's meant to be.
ReplyDeleteperfect.
xo
beautiful!
ReplyDeleteI wish I had enough money to pay a photographer. I love Taras work very much.... and if I lived in California.... who knows....
Is Tara maybe coming to Germany?
love,
Maike
P.S.: Is boho boy from Germany? Because of Cedars "Omi" :-)
Gorgeous photos, Boho!! :)
ReplyDeletea wonderful window to a dream come true; thank you for letting us peek at your beautiful family. ((dm))
ReplyDeletehappy sigh... So wonderful! My heart is split wide open for you three! Yay!
ReplyDeleteincredibly beautiful deni --- so so happy for the three of you... enjoy your first of many holiday seasons together...
ReplyDeletexxoo g
Such a beautiful family. She captures the magic perfectly.
ReplyDeleteShe's done a wonderful job of capturing the beauty of your family. It gives me goosebumps to write that! It's been a long journey but well worth the wait. Thank you for continuing to share with us!
ReplyDeleteThose are amazing!!! Lovely...simply lovely!
ReplyDeletei'm all teared up!!!
ReplyDeletethese are so stunning and its so beautiful to see your family! they are all beautiful but it was when i got to the ones in the field that the tears started flowing!
thank you for sharing them!
so lovely!!
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely stunning!! The joy and love is palpable! xoxo
ReplyDeleteohhhh....that tara is a good one, isn't she ??
ReplyDeleteI love'd them all....especially the one with the oversized hat...so sweet !!!
i'm swooning like crazy here!
ReplyDeleteSo perfect.
ReplyDeleteLOVE the pictures! They are wonderful!
ReplyDeleteThese are fantastic!
ReplyDeletesimply gorgeous.
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely magical.
ReplyDeleteThese are seriously gorgeous images you have a beautiful family and are truely blessed.. ( and I keep forgetting to tell you love the name you chose Cedar is awesome )
ReplyDeleteYou all look so peaceful, comfortable and delighted in each others company.
ReplyDeleteA beautiful family.
ohhhh denise, you make me feel so good inside! i love you guys! :)
ReplyDeletethose photos are just wonderful fabulissimo -- so beautiful -- wait til people start telling you which one (or both) of you he looks/acts like -- it is the coolest...happy holidays to your blessed family...
ReplyDeletethese are so beautiful...happy new and wonderful year to you all.
ReplyDeleteExquisitely captured moments - the love shines out of every one!
ReplyDeleteThis session is so amazing! She seems to have a gift to bring out the lovely in everyone. With your family she didn't have to look far!
ReplyDeleteI love, love, LOVE these pictures! Congratulations!
i am back for the umpteenth time -- i just cannot get enough of the magic in these pictures...
ReplyDeletethese are so beautiful, what a fun relaxed session :) you are going to cherish these forever i am thinking :)
ReplyDeletexo
These take my breath away and bring tears to my eyes. Gorgeous and ethereal beauty.
ReplyDelete*tears*
ReplyDeletehow truly, truly beautiful is your family.
GOREGEOUS family. What beauty and peace she captured.
ReplyDelete