Greta + Piper : Minneapolis/ St. Paul Newborn Photography

Remember this fabulous family of three that I visited earlier this year? You can see them (pre-babies!) here.

Only a few weeks later, they added TWO sweet-as-sugar baby girls to their family! When I got the note from their Mama announcing their arrival, I shrieked with delight and happiness. Greta and Piper are utterly adorable and their personalities were already apparent at two weeks when I met them for the first time. Greta is more quiet and reserved, while Piper definitely lets you know she's around! As her Daddy said, "she's a Piper for sure!"

Although I knew I was about to see two girls instead of the usual one newborn, my heart still skipped a beat when I approached their crib and found TWO babies in it! LOVE LOVE LOVE. I couldn't wait to get my camera out - I was ready!

These girls stole my heart instantly - this first image completely inspires me and reminds me why I love this "job" so much: the first love we know in life comes from our family. Greta and Piper will forever and always be linked to one another and as daughters, sisters and friends, they'll always have the other around to love and to grow with. My heart soars when I think about all that lies ahead for them. And I'd be lying if I said I wasn't partially jealous - I always wanted a sister! (but to cover my bases, I really really love my brother!)

Greta is already such a willing subject and excellent listener - she fell asleep almost instantly, while Piper kept an eye out for me and proved to be pretty sneaky! Kate and Tom will definitely have to be on their toes with these two around :) And big brother Will? Adorable as always and you can tell he loves his baby sisters so much, even if he wasn't quite able to tell them apart just yet.

To Greta and Piper - thank you for being my first-ever newborn twin clients! You're gorgeous and sweet and I can't wait to watch you grow into lovely young ladies. Watch out world - this is an unstoppable team!

xoxo,
syd.
sydnee@sydneebickett.com
612.293.9096

twenty-two : personal

Twenty-two years ago, I wished for a sister. I got a brother instead. 

We took you home to stay on Mother's Day and Mom always said that that day was one of the best of her life: our family was complete. Husband, daughter, son. Four. The ever-fabulous four.

I tried as hard as I could, dressing you in bows and pink frilly things meant for my playtime dolls, but you were still all boy. Mom said you'd get me back someday and you did. A lot. She always reminded us that we should never go to bed angry at each other, that someday, all we would have would be each other. At the time, I was totally bummed because I never would get that sister I had hoped for. But now? I'm completely thankful every day you turned out to be you instead. 

Even if I was (and still am!) the big sis, you've always amazed me with your ability to include me and really, look out for me. When I was too scaredy cat to sleep downstairs alone, you said it was okay for me to sleep on the bottom bunk upstairs in your room. We played together, made silly games out of pushing Danny down the metal slide on the swing set and rode bikes together (only to the fire hydrant and back!). You always included me in your birthday party guest list and thanked me during high school plays and coronations. 

There's no one else I'd rather walk through this journey with than you - no one I'd rather turn to for a comedic remark, an encouraging text, a "you got this, Syd." Our support of each other's dreams pushes us to be the best we can be.

Your dreams are coming true. You're totally making it and taking the world by storm. From your athletic prowess to your dedication to fitness to your political arguments to your sportswriting skills, you've got what it takes to make things happen. Watching you grow from a little dude who only wanted to wear matching sweat suits with dinosaur light-up shoes to a pre-teen in the cutest wire-rimmed glasses you ever saw (Harry Potter, eat your heart out) to this high school athlete who suddenly was a foot taller than me and had to put his head on my head when he hugged me has been one of the greatest blessings of my life.

Our parents taught us to persevere through challenges, to walk the walk and live out our faith daily. There have been several times in our lives when these lessons came in handy and none more evident than last fall. You faced one of the hardest challenges you'll probably ever face and you did it with this grace that only God could have given you. You witnessed to your friends, to your classmates, to people who didn't even know you... to us. I know Ricky is so proud of you, buddy. You've honored him in the way you've continued to succeed, to push through the challenges and to now graduate with honors. There's not a doubt in my mind that he'll continue to be watching you, reminding you to stay strong and probably have a little fun once in a while too.

I realize this post is a few days late, but you've always on my heart and in my mind. I am so proud of this grown up man you've become and I can't wait to see where the rest of your journey leads you. 

Go big or go home. Thanks for putting the A in awesome and remember that your big-little sis always loves you.

xoxo,

syd.

sydnee@sydneebickett.com

Happy First Year, Julian! : Minneapolis Portrait Photography

I first met Julian when he was still in his dear Mama's belly - and after a wild ride of a birth where that Mama was oh-so-brave, little Julian made his grand entrance into the world. And frankly, this family (and me!) haven't been the same since. Big sis Rowan was convinced she was getting a brother and good thing too, because these kiddos are attached at the hip. I love spending time with this family - filled with love, compassion and always teaching about kindness and imagination.

It's been an honor and a privilege to watch them grow - and it's my prayer that with whatever changes life brings, they may continue to grow closer and stronger together.

Here's Julian, in all his one-year, wild boy, crazy hair, curious, mover and shaker-ness:

xoxo,
syd.
sydnee@sydneebickett