Lucas is ONE!! ~ Chicago Suburban Family Photographer

When we last met Lucas he was an adorable six month old, not yet on the move. Now he is an entire year old and off and running. Lucas was full of smiles when I met up with him, Mom and Dad at Cantigny Park. And who wouldn't be smiling when you have two parents who obviously love you so VERY very much?

Happy Birthday, Luke! ~ North Shore Lake County Children's Portraits

I have had the very great honor of photographing Luke for an entire year now. I first met him as a newborn and then at six months old, and now he is a busy and bustling one year old. And what better way is there to celebrate being the big O-N-E than with a nice messy birthday cake? After Luke made a sizeable dent in his cake, we headed outside, dodged the rain, and let Luke test out his new walking legs. Sounds like a great way to spend an afternoon, right?

Thank you to Luke and your Mom and Dad for the honor of capturing Luke's first year, and Happy Birthday to Luke!

For more information on Baby's First Year packages, e-mail me at Katie@KathrynShoresPhotography.com

Spring Special ~ Northern Illinois Children's Photographer

Happy Easter from the Boy's Section ~ Chicago Lake County Children's Photographer

Any mom of boys knows what I'm talking about. You walk into your favorite children's retailer and are immediately confronted with a store full of precious little dresses, tights, skirts, and ruffles. Oh and then there's the boy's section back there in the corner. For some reason little boys always get left out when it comes to fashion. No thank you, I do not want another t-shirt with a cartoon dragon on it, and please don't get me started on skulls. (Seriously, why should a three year old be wearing pants covered in skulls?)

At Easter, though, a creative mama can stretch her legs a little. If you're willing to look beyond the traditional argyle sweater vest, some really cute stuff awaits! I had a blast putting together the boys' Easter outfits this year, and I got lucky that Max was ready and willing to let me take his picture. Cooper not so much, but he's still in training. (Store info at the bottom!)

And to all those who celebrate, I hope you had a wonderful Easter filled with the glory of the resurrection!

On Max

Vest: The Children's Place

Pants: Old Navy

Shirt: Old Navy

Tie: Petite Peanut Boutique

Shoes: Gap Kids

On Cooper

Shirt: Baby Gap

Tie: Petite Peanut Boutique

Suspenders: Petite Peanut Boutique

Pants: Hand Me Downs :-)

Tuesday's Top Five (instagram style) ~ Grayslake Family Photographer

I know, I know. It has officially been forever since I posted a Tuesday's Top 5. But that doesn't mean I can't ever post one again, right? And the fact that I'm posting one again does not necessarily mean that I'll be posting one every week (so much pressure!) but every once in awhile is better than nothing, so here goes:

The Top 5 Things I've Learned From Having A Second Child

5. Sleep is for the weak. And sometimes I'm weak.
There was a time when I first went back to work that I fiercely counted the hours of sleep I was getting each night. If only I could get five whole hours of sleep (not straight through, we're talking cumulative), I could make it through the day. Okay, maybe four and a half. That time has long passed. Not because I'm getting a good eight hours (not even seven. six on a good night), but because I have evolved. I am no longer a creature in need of eight hours. I am a super human mommy type, able to sustain herself on as little as five hours a night. That's a lie, of course. On the odd Saturday morning when Adam senses that if I don't get some more sleep I will probably eat my own young before lunch time, I surrender to the sleep monster just like any mere mortal and revel in my own weakness.


4. Balance. 
No, I don't mean I've learned to balance the whole working girl + mom + wife + business owner + super hero thing. If you figure that one out, let me know. I'm talking more like balancing a bottle under your chin so you have a hand free to brush your four year old's teeth (left handed). Or balancing a baby on one hip, the phone under your ear, a pair of mickey mouse underwear in your hand, and a bottle of apple juice under your arm while you pour into a cup being held "steady" by the four year old, trying to avoid the spit up dripping down from your shoulder. You thought your balance was good after one kid? Have a second. You'll be ready for the tight rope.


3. Sometimes there's just no substitute for a mommy with two free arms and time to cuddle.
Four year olds and four month olds alike are not impressed by my amazing balancing act (no matter how proud I am that I finally got to wash my hair and shave my legs during the same shower). Sometimes there is just nothing like some uninterrupted, undivided mommy time. The blow dryer will have to wait, I guess.


2. I am irrationally bothered by comparisons between Max and Cooper.
This is me being crazy but when the fifth person in a day tells me how much Cooper looks like Max it takes every last ounce of sleep-deprived will power I have not to freak. Look alike?!?! But Cooper has hair! And it's kind of red! And his eyes are lighter. And his face is squarer. And his eyes aren't almond shape like Max's (and mine). And one of his ears is kind of pointy like an elf ear. Don't you see these things? But, of course, I don't say these things. Because 1) they do look alike and 2) it's generally frowned upon to let people know how irrationally crazy you are. Unless it's in a blog post, where no one believes you anyway. (And if you're one of those people who has said how much they look alike, please don't feel bad. I know it's true. That's just me being crazy).


1. There is room for both.
You know. In here. ♥