This gorgeous mama has been a real saving grace these past several months. Katie and I first met when I photographed her daughter over a year ago, and over these past 8 months of pregnancy and adventures in toddler-hood, she has been a major touching stone in so many ways. Having a friend to raise your child with is amazing, but having a friend to raise your child with that is also expecting...no words.

I often comment to my husband how smart societies that raise their children together as a group are. The joy, relief, knowledge and love I feel when surrounded by women and our babies is so brilliant, I don't know how I'd survive without it. So to all my loved ones, they know who they are, I can't thank you enough for the thread you are weaving into my life. Each of you are among my greatest treasures.

As Katie nears the end of her pregnancy I feel a shift...the birth of her daughter will mean my own child is not but weeks away, and with this so changes everything I've come to know. I feel my palms grow sweaty and my heart beat faster, there is so much to be excited and nervous for. But right now, today, I am thankful. Thankful for the second heart beating in my body, thankful for the blessing of my growing family, and thankful for Katie and the wonderful bond we have created in our pregnancies together. Here are some of my favorite images from her maternity session last month, and forgive me, there are quite a handful.