Earlier today I headed over to my cousin Josh and his wife Heather’s house to photograph their brand new baby boy, little Jacob.  Now, the Krause family is really close knit and Josh and I grew up next door to one another so I think of him more as a brother than a cousin.  And his wife Heather has been part of our family for a very long time, so I treat her just like I treat one of my own sisters.  Now, I know that little Jacob is technically my cousin, but I think of the latest member of the Krause family as my nephew and will refer to myself as Auntie Gugs from here on out.  

Little Jacob made his arrival into this world a few weeks early and when he was finally here, word spread quickly through our family.  I received 3 phone calls within about 6 minutes announcing his arrival!  Besides being a new and precious baby for our family to love on, there is another reason I look at him and smile.  You see, back in January, our grandmother became very sick.  One week she was fine and the next, well, she wasn’t.  Our family gathered in the hospital that week and stayed there until Grandma passed.  Well a day or two after Grandma was admitted Josh and Heather found out they were expecting.  They told all of us, including Grandma, the good news.  Now Grandma couldn’t communicate with us at that point, but she understood what Josh had told her and her eyes lit up.  Another great grandchild!  Their news brought a little bit of sunshine to our family during a very dark week.  It was just as it should be…one life was leaving this world and another was coming in.  And now little Jacob James is here and he is perfection…and I am sure Grandma Merle is smiling down at him saying “that is the most beautiful baby that ever lived”…because all of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren were the most beautiful children that ever lived.    And in Jacob’s case, it is the truth.  He is beautiful.  and perfect.  a perfect little someone to carry on the Krause name.

 Congratulations Heather and Josh and welcome to parenthood.  I can’t put into words what this experience will do to you.  It is hand down, the best and more rewarding thing you will ever do in your life. xoxo Gugs