J Cooper Photography

Four has been hard. I have no idea why they call it the “terrible two’s” because at our house four seems to be the year where my sweet-natured little ones turn into toddzilla. I love this little one so fiercly. But I could definitely do without the mood swings and general grumpiness that seems to permeate our days together. I will never understand how she can be so utterly adorable and mischievously defiant at the same time. But when she makes up her mind to be happy…she is such a joy. So full of life, and giggles, and make believe. And when she tells me “you’re the best mommy down here…and Mary is the best mommy up there (as she looks heavenward)”…my heart sings! It’s good to know your place in the world

I love that she is still a bit toddler and a bit big girl. We’ve finally broken the thumb sucking habit and that seems to have catapulted her into the realm of little girl. She’s still a princess through and through but she now claims brown as her favorite color and often states “mommy…that’s so stylish!”

I love her crazy language. How she can’t wait to get on her “ballerina-tard” for dance class. And how she uses “hani-tizer” to clean her hands in the car. She talks incessantly about “Hawagii” even though we’ve never been there and thinks you have surgery at the “hostibal”.

I love how she can get lost in a wonderful world of make believe where everyone wears a tiara and knows how to make a magic potion.

I love that she is so expressive and isn’t afraid to speak her mind. Even when all I hear is “this is the worst day ever”…I know she is still learning how to sort through all those dramatic emotions she is feeling.

I love that she loves her sister whole heatedly. I love that she tries to emulate her best qualities and makes sure that everything at our house is fair and just.

I love that she will spend an hour in our backyard waving a large stick at passing aircraft…trying her darndest to cast a magic spell on the passengers inside.

I love that she is silly and funny and has a Brooklyn accent even though we live in Kansas.

I love, love, love this crazy four year old….and someday when she minds her manners and doesn’t claim every day as “the worst day ever”…I’ll look back on this year with a tender smile. Keep growing little one…you are almost there.

Just popping in to give a sneak peak of this sweet little thing. While I can’t say I completely won her over during our mini session (what can I say…she loves her mama!)…she was pretty darn impressed with the gigantic lollipop that I used to bribe her to sit in my new leopard chair And yes…that chair is made out of an old whiskey barrel. And it has an ottoman too. And I know you are dying to get one for your own living room aren’t you?


If these eyes don’t melt you heart you are made of stone!

I promise to share more about the daily happenings at our house. It has been one of THOSE weeks. Please tell me you have those too? And I’m getting ready to send my other half, half away around the world on a missions trip…so I’m squeezing in those late night Target runs while I still can.

The weather here has been glorious and we spent the entire afternoon outside. The moms on our cul-de-sac literally burst through their front doors as soon as the kids were home from school and converged on our driveway. Out came all the yard toys and we spent several blissful hours soaking up some much needed vitamin D. I didn’t take any pictures as I had a 20 pound (YES I SAID TWENTY POUNDS!) baby on my hip exasperating my already sore lower back. Blissful indeed.

Thanks for the encouraging words on my previous post. I called “The Writer” yesterday to chat about some life changes she is trying to make. And I tried to use my heroic decision to quit ebay as an example for how she should really take hold of her life…yeah….not the best example maybe. But I do feel like I have broken my utterly horrible ebay addiction. Today I went to TJ Maxx and didn’t look through the children’s shoe department for inpiration for my next clothing design! Baby steps….

Photos of my sweet Jules in a day or two!

It is time to say goodbye to a dear friend….time to throw in the towel. It has been a long and satisfying road. Many ups and downs…an opportunity to learn, create, and express. But today my life is full to the brim with other good things…and something has to go. A few months ago my decision to leave ebay and clothing designing would have been difficult. But over the past month I’ve realized that closing this door will allow me the time and energy to run full force in other directions. And I feel free.


I’ve been on the computer now a full hour…sorting through thousands of photo files. I’ve realized that my love for photography was always there…simmering in the background…documenting the little (and sometimes big) changes of my sweet girls. I’m so thankful for the years of photographs that I have and the wonderful people I have met. The time has been so fleeting…when I see my girls and how they have changed. I feel a twinge of regret for how they have grown…and an excitement about the beautiful children they have become.



It amazes me how photographs can stir your heart. How seeing an image can conjure up the laughter of a child and the feel of damp grass in an abandoned field. If I could just stare hard and long enough…I could bring back those tiny hands and toothy smiles.



But my girls are growing up. The chubby hands are long and slender…and writing love notes to eachother. My babbling toddlers have grown into little girls who are full of questions and silly secrets. I’m so fortunate to have all of these gentle reminders of how much they have changed.


I’m excited about the changes life has brought. I’m excited about the chance to document the next years in a new light.

Life is changing. Life is good.

I had a marathon day on Saturday playing with babies. The best kind of day you can have. These two little guys were battling it out for the prizes of “Most Awake Baby” and “Champion Pee-er”. I’ve never had so many backdrops, blankets, baskets, etc. hit in one day ever. But it was sooo worth it. I’ll forgive them a thousand times over…they were both so squishy and sweet!


This sweet boy was such a champ. He worked up quite the appetite putting up with all our antics!

And this little guy had the most amazing nursery. So fun, bright, and cheerful I almost jumped for joy when we walked in thinking of the possibilities! I don’t want to spoil too much for his mommy…but I’m thinking some of these fun stripey pictures will end up in a storyboard!



And I loved this final image (the last shot of the day before they ran out to church!) Those bigger tootsies belong to one very lucky big sister!

More to share soon!