enJOY it

an archived personal and craft blog from Elise Blaha Cripe.

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Towards the end of July, my little family had the pleasure of being photographed by Tara Whitney. I already loved her, but now Paul and Ellerie are big fans too. Turns out in addition to being magic with the camera, she's a baby whisperer.

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The original plan was to have these photos taken when Ellerie was brand new. But we were in the hospital longer than expected and because Paul was leaving, it made more sense to me to wait. And I am glad we did. Five weeks in, when these were taken, we were so much more settled. While my transition into parenthood felt awkward and bumpy, Paul's was the opposite. He's an absolute pro at being her dad. It's been so fun to watch him in this role. How awesome it will be to watch their relationship develop as she grows.

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When I look at these photos, all I can really think is that it's nice to be home. It's nice to have all my family members under the same roof. Sometimes, when Paul and I are drinking coffee in the chairs in front of the window or having dinner at the dining table or I am picking Ellerie out of her crib it all feels so surreal. I rattled around in this house by myself for so long getting things prepared. It is wonderful to just enjoy all of that preparation now.

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I am thrilled we get to live here for the next four years and glad that we have these images to remember this special, delicate, upside-down time in our new lives. It's messy but beautiful and I am happy to be living this sweet adventure.

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Thanks Tara, for capturing us as we are in our home. You're awesome.

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65 responses to “it’s nice to be home.”

  1. Brittany @ kitchen::candid Avatar

    Just breathtaking!!! It’s amazing how photogenic your family is!! 🙂

    Like

  2. Armalite Avatar

    Paul might not be good at taking pictures, but he’s excellent at posing! Your little family is gorgeous.

    Like

  3. Ruth Avatar

    Gorgeous photos! So glad you are all together!

    Like

  4. Leah Avatar
    Leah

    Wonderful.
    That instagram wall – have you shared that on the blog before?! How does one go about making that?

    Like

  5. Pink Ronnie Avatar

    Seeing this photos make me so happy….
    Ronnie xo

    Like

  6. Tinkster Avatar
    Tinkster

    Omg. So awesome. How will you choose which ones to display??

    Like

  7. Sera Avatar
    Sera

    Gorgeous! so happy for you guys 🙂

    Like

  8. Shana Norris Avatar

    Tara did a fantastic job with these pictures. I really love that they’re taken in the context of your home.
    I always enjoy looking back at my own baby pictures and seeing all the vintage 70s decor in the background. It really anchors the photos and gives them such a feeling of time and place.

    Like

  9. Robin G Avatar
    Robin G

    Beautiful, beautiful photos! What a blessing!

    Like

  10. Ffion Avatar

    These are breathtakingly beautiful! Tara seems a real genius. You all look so happy and peaceful!

    Like

  11. alaina Avatar

    these pictures are amazing! they instantly make me happy 🙂

    Like

  12. a touch of domesticity Avatar

    Oh Elise they are lovely photographs. Ellerie is of course beautiful but the best thing is how the pictures capture the love that you are both looking at her with and holding her with.
    Every time I see that triangle quilt I am desperate to make one, but when on earth I’ll get the time I don’t know! I’ve just checked & I pinned it 25 weeks ago, ha ha! Still, the reason I’ve not started one is my little boys, so I can’t complain.

    Like

  13. Martina Avatar

    She did it again – these are just beautiful. I can’t wait to see which ones you’re planning on hanging up in your home. I have my favourites for sure!
    Martina

    Like

  14. Cady Avatar
  15. Karina K Avatar
    Karina K

    Such beautiful pictures!!!

    Like

  16. amanda dawn Avatar
    amanda dawn

    these are lovely. 🙂

    Like

  17. Sian Avatar

    Absolutely gorgeous photos! I couldn’t help but giggle at the penultimate photo, it brings to mind the opening scene of the Lion King!
    Such a cute family! 🙂
    Sian Xxx

    Like

  18. Lori Avatar
    Lori

    Right?! I was thinking the same thing…She’s been holding out on us! 😉

    Like

  19. Lori Avatar
    Lori

    Well, if I got teary looking through these photos, I can’t imagine how emotional and joyful you must feel when you see them! They’re just gorgeous; a treasure for sure. I think my favorite is the black and white of you and Paul in “your chairs” with Ellerie. It’s just perfect.
    My newborn photo shoot was a tough one (lots of nursing breaks, fussy baby, c-section recovery, in-laws at the house, etc.). Although every single photo I have from that day is a treasure to me now, it was, um, a long day. 🙂 Good choice in waiting I say. 🙂

    Like

  20. Fiona Avatar

    Gorgeous photos, of an adorable family. You’re all looking so well and happy. I love those first shots we had taken of us as a family. I’m also curious about your Instagram wall!

    Like

  21. kelly lanley Avatar

    Love them ALL, but especially the b/w of the 3 of you! Tara captured complete joy in that pic 🙂

    Like

  22. Theresa Avatar
    Theresa

    Wow! Love the photos…what a beautiful little family you all are! Thanks for sharing.

    Like

  23. lauren Avatar

    beautiful, beautiful photos of an amazing time in your life! 🙂 *

    Like

  24. Whitney Avatar

    Oh these are so gorgeous! I just stumbled upon your blog recently and have been hooked. I love the way your portray motherhood. It makes me so excited for when our family grows! 🙂

    Like

  25. Carla Avatar
    Carla

    Beautiful pics!

    Like

  26. Jeni B Avatar
    Jeni B

    Beautiful! How to choose?? Just love the ones with the sun rays coming down over you!

    Like

  27. Kathleen Avatar

    Gah these are amazing. You look beautiful!

    Like

  28. Danielle Avatar

    Awwww it’s my dream to have my family photographed by Tara! I love all of them!

    Like

  29. Danielle Avatar
    Danielle

    I’m pretty sure it’s part of a workshop/class elise is doing, I think i remember her saying she would share when the workshop was over 🙂

    Like

  30. Carrie K Avatar
    Carrie K

    elise! these are truly lovely! your joy and contentment just pour out of these…i especially love the sunspot ones and of course the full length shot of you with e and the quilt…so much of your heart showing!

    Like

  31. Debbie Avatar

    BEAUTIFUL!!!

    Like

  32. Stephanie Mathena Avatar

    beautiful photos of your little family. x
    http://thewearwithal.typepad.com/

    Like

  33. nicole prather Avatar

    They are magical. I am so jealous !! How do you decide which ones to make big for your house. They are all amazing !!

    Like

  34. Tiffany B. Avatar

    Wow! Is all I can say. She did a great job and you guys are so awesome. Thank you for sharing your family with us.

    Like

  35. Constance Avatar
    Constance

    Great photos! What a treasure!

    Like

  36. Mindy Avatar
    Mindy

    love these, but i think the very last one is my favorite 🙂 you both look so happy!! thank you for sharing these!!

    Like

  37. Jessica Rodarte Avatar

    Beautiful pictures. I like Paul’s smile in the 8th picture when he is looking at Ellerie. It looks so genuine… so sincere.

    Like

  38. Nicole Underwood Avatar

    Gorgeous family moments, captured forever. Lucky you! Such a beautiful family.

    Like

  39. Jess Avatar

    holy cuteness, these photos are adorable!! I’m so happy for you and your beautiful family elise!
    blog love from across the pond.
    Jess x

    Like

  40. Leah Avatar
    Leah

    Ah hah! Thanks! 🙂

    Like

  41. Skye Avatar

    Absolutely beautiful! And so great to have these taken in E’s first home – I bet she’ll love looking back at photos of herself as a baby and being able to see glimpses of her first home.

    Like

  42. jodi Avatar

    oh, mama, these are all SO beautiful.

    Like

  43. Suzanne Avatar
    Suzanne

    So very lovely Elise 😀

    Like

  44. Henriettae Avatar
    Henriettae

    Love them!
    Will you only stay put for four years? Or is it possible that you might stay longer?
    I just though I’d share a funny thing as well. I’m Swedish, and in Swedish, “Blaha” means “meh”. So whenever I read your blog, I read it as “Elise Meh” before I realize it’s probably your last name. 😀

    Like

  45. Larissa Avatar
    Larissa

    oh, i love these. they’re perfect. i love that you have your beautiful house as the background for so many of these. it’s perfect and it just MAKES SENSE. so happy for your little family. i can’t imagine how great it feels for you to just have the things you’ve been looking forward to, in the here and now. looking so good, mama!

    Like

  46. Jenny Avatar

    These are just perfect and capture you three beautifully. Paul is a natural, as I’ve said a dozen times, but you do indeed seem at peace with all three of you at home. You are immeasurably blessed and Tara captured that in her normal perfect fashion! Can’t wait to see how you display these.

    Like

  47. elise blaha Avatar

    ha! that is funny. 🙂 and yes, Blaha is my maiden name. We are for sure in this house for four years, but not guaranteed any longer because Paul is military and this tour will be up summer of 2017.

    Like

  48. Cara Avatar

    Oh my goodness. I am in love with your little girl. xo

    Like

  49. Stacy Avatar
    Stacy

    Love.

    Like

  50. Kate Avatar

    These are absolutely BEAUTIFUL!

    Like

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