About a month ago, I had the opportunity to hang out with sweet baby Cadence Jane for her first official photography session. Her parents, Chad & Janemarie are no stranger to my camera, as I’ve had the opportunity to capture a number of milestone events of their life together over the last couple of years. So, it was only fitting that it was time for Cadence’s debut!

Coming up with her name wasn’t an easy task for Chad & Janemarie. When they first found out they were expecting, they quickly developed a love for the name Caden. After finding out their baby was a girl, they started tossing around girl names, but never could agree on the same one, even though they knew they wanted her name to begin with the letter C. Once they came across the name Cadence in a baby book, they were hooked. Cadence’s middle name, Jane, was a no brainer. Since Janemarie was a little girl, she knew she would give her daughter the same name, after her grandmother, she was named after. Her grandmother was the sweetest person and everyone who was fortunate enough to know her knew how caring, generous, and how full of life she was. Even though baby Cadence never had the opportunity to know her great grandmother, her spirit will live on through her name.

Baby Cadence is the perfect combination of both Chad & Janemarie, and doesn’t really favor one more of than the other. Her eyes and lips seem to resemble Janemarie, while her overall face and shape look similar to Chad’s baby pictures. She definitely inherited her momma’s long toes though! In fact, it was one of the first things Chad noticed about their daughter when she was born, and even calls them her “finger toes”!

No matter how many parenting books you read, there are always unexpected things that first time parents experience. For Chad, he’s surprised by how much sleep they are actually getting. They’ve been very fortunate with baby Cadence, as she is already sleeping well through the night. For Jane, she is most surprised by the immediate bond they have developed with their daughter. Even though the connection between mother and daughter started longer before they ever laid eyes on her, to see and feel the connection since her birth has been unreal. Cadence recognizes her parents voices, and lights up with a smile and “happy eyes” when her daddy comes home from work. Even after a long day of taking care of her, Janemarie is comforted by the love and life they have given her. Although that might not be unexpected, the feeling is much more amazing than she ever expected.

Here’s a little glimpse at life with sweet baby Cadence Jane! I have gotten to know her parents, as well as rest of her wonderful family over the last couple of years. She is surrounded by so much love in her life, and even though she doesn’t realize it yet, she’s one of the luckiest little girls in the world.

When you're a little girl, you often dream of what your life will be like: grow up, meet prince charming, get married, become a mother, & live happily ever after. The thought that your reality could be any less than perfect never enters your mind. Even though life doesn't always play out exactly the way you planned, some people never let the obstacles in their life stop them from getting all they've ever wanted. Kimberly, is one of those people.

When Kimberly was nine years old, she was faced health issues that you never dream a child would have to encounter. She began showing signs of trouble with her kidneys, that over time, progressed into chronic kidney disease. While the cause was never identified, she spent the next eleven years managing her health until it was necessary to start dialysis, a process that performs important functions for your kidneys when they are unable to do them on their own. Finally, at the age of 22, Kimberly received a kidney transplant from a family friend who lived just down the street. And because of that amazing gift, 7 years later, she is expecting her first child with husband Joe.

Kimberly, always wanting to have children, wasn't so sure her dreams would become a reality. Throughout her medical ups & downs, she would always pause to wonder, "Can I even have kids?". However, by being diligent about taking care of herself and working with her doctors, she was able to conceive and carry her little girl, who is due to join us in July 2016.

For many, overcoming such tough circumstances would likely get the best of them, but when it comes to Kimberly, you'd never know all of this when you meet her. It's not often you meet someone who doesn't let situations like this over power their life; as she refused to let her illness define who she was. While it isn't always easy, she maintains such a positive outlook on life and truly keeps things in perspective. She's attributes what she's been able to accomplish in her life to the awesome support system of family and friends that surround her every day. In her work as a registered nurse, she is constantly reminded that not everyone is so fortunate, and is incredibly grateful for the blessings she has been given.

Check out some of these sneak peek images from Kimberly & Joe's maternity session, as we patiently await their little girl! We visited The Law Quad, on University of Michigan's campus in Ann Arbor, Michigan, on gorgeous Sunday evening in early June. This is a popular location among photographers in the area, and I totally understand why!

Congratulations to you, Kimberly & Joe! I can't wait to meet your little bundle of joy!