This little one is my second cousin and she is so darn cute!

As long as I can remember, my cousin Hilary has always been very motherly. I even remember one summer when I was about seven, so we’re going back like twenty years here, she played house with us younger kids and we had real food that she prepared…I think it was cereal? Anyway, that was a big deal to have real food while playing and my cousin made a great pretend mom.

And now, she’s a real life mom. And I can tell she’s very, very good at it. We talked while posing her new little girl, S, about her easy pregnancy, delivery, and newborn. Some woman are just born to do this, motherhood is truly their calling. And it is amazing and wonderful to grow up with a little girl and then watch her become an awesome mother to her little girl.

I love this Shrek hat that her Aunt Coleen made! (Photographer friends and blog readers, Coleen has a business of her own and can make all kinds of knit hats for your needs, so check her out: Fare Feathers)

Samera was fourteen days when we photographed her due to my travel schedule, which is right at the edge for newborn photography, since the babies start to become more active and less sleepy. But S. was a great poser!

And she LOVED being swaddled. So adorable.

Hilary, enjoy this first holiday season with your little girl! :) Thanks so much for letting me photograph her first days!