Little Riah,

Today you turn 5, and I catch my breath.  Where have these years flown?  I look at this picture below, and remember the most sweet pregnancy.  I felt happy, energetic, and at times forgot I was even pregnant.  You would scare me at times with how calm you were.  I wondered during those nine months if it would be a direct reflection of who you would be.

You joined our world, you enhanced our family.

We took a week and a half to name you.  It drove people crazy.  Since you loved to be swaddled constantly, we lovingly named you, “Burrito Joe” for that first week.  :)

After much time and consideration (and nearly going insane on my part), you were named Xavier Yuriah Zwolinski (XYZ).  We wanted to call you Yuriah (light/flame of God), and we did for the first couple months.  Since Adin was two, he could only say “Riah.” It kinda stuck.

You had this amazing black hair that usually stood straight up.

We were all so crazy about you.

I found this photo archived and it was titled, “family chaos.”

Having our new “3z” was a new dynamic, but you made it seem so easy.  You were mild mannered, calm, and loved to sleep- which was the exact opposite of your older sister and brother.

I spent a lot of time in prayer…thanking God for his mercy.  :)

Did I mention that we fell in love with you?  We did.  Madly.

This is the day you got the nickname “chip.”  Moments after I took this photo, Priya held you, and then accidentally dropped you.  Your front tooth still has the little chip in it.

And now….

you are still the same baby to me.

Happy, sweet, carefree (with a dash of rambunctious.)  And I don’t know that I would call you “calm” anymore….maybe “bouncy” would replace that.  :)

You have such a generous heart….always wanting to give, rarely making a fuss about not getting the same as someone else.

Your best friends are your family, and they love you just as much.  And even though you are third in line, you always seem to teach us a lesson or two.

You are a permanent smile, and a walking sunshine.

I can’t tell you how many days your simple smile has changed my outlook on life.

You are an incredibly special boy.

Happy birthday to you Riah, my 5 year old sweetie.  My prayer is that you grow up with the same sweet spirit, compassion, and loving smile that you have today.

love you,

Mama

I love this sweet little family!  Not only are they good friends, but they have been long time supporters of studio3z, and for that, we are so incredibly thankful.   If they look a bit familiar, you may have seen them on the blog a few times…actually MANY times!  *hold on a minute….*  Ok, I just went and counted back to when they first started with us in 2006, and this was their 9th session with us!!!  (Thank you guys so much!)

Here are a few recent sessions:

Asher’s newborn session (which has one of my FAVORITE family photos I have ever taken!!)

Family when Asher was  in the belly

Meet Jessica and Michael….they have been making babies at warp speed, and with how flipping cute they are I don’t blame them!!  :)  From oldest, to youngest we have Alayah, Jade, and sweet little Asher.

This shoot was mainly to focus on Asher, who is 6 months old now.  Of course we had to get his sisters and Mom and Dad in on the mix as well.  We had such a good time, and shot the whole thing in our backyard.  :)

Mr. Smiley.  He is about the most precious little guy ever.

Holding Daddy’s hand….

This child is beyond BEAUTIFUL….I told Jess he is too pretty to be a boy.  ;)

Standing up like a big boy!

And then with some help from Daddy.

Editing this photo, I realized you can see Brett taking this shot, with me dancing in the background- in his eyeball!!

He loved grabbing this grass.  :)

Then Alayah and Jade jumped in!  Alayah is 4, and Jade is 2.

Sweet little family!!

Mama with her Asher boy!

He looks like such a big boy here- very independent.

I LOVE this!!

(Sorry Jess, tattoos are showing….but it is sooo them.)

Alayah had a laughing fit!

Love the pat on the head….  :)

Oh!  Let’s stick the baby in the rusty pot!  Of course!

Jade’s a sweetie.

At the end, they were jumping in the car to leave, and the sun decided to peak out as it set….I made Jess + Michael hop out, so I could grab a couple of the two of them.  :)

Jess said, “Ok, make us look like all those cute couples on your blog!”

Jess, no need to “make” that happen.  You guys are adorable.

Here are some behind the scene shots- Brett was taking feet shots, like the one at the top of the blog.

I love how Jade is “turning” her brother’s head.  :)

Even Priya took some shots!!  (I’m getting this family business started YOUNG!)

Jess and Michael, thanks again for allowing us to capture these beautiful times in your lives.  We love your little (but bigger than last year!) family.  ;)  Can’t wait to watch your kiddies grow.