Just like traditional family portraits, Birth & Life Photography documentary photography is perfect for capturing those fleeting memories – but it captures the memories many find we miss most after our children grow up – the REAL life.

For the Argo Family, that plan hasn’t changed at all. Lindsay’s request for her birthday every year is a Life As We Know It session. While so much is the same as last year, so much has changed. Even though she is still a little bitty one, Cara has grown so much. She’s walking and testing all the boundaries, trying new foods.

With all the newfound abilities of an almost two-year-old, playtime is much more fun.

The day began as Saturdays do, with Lindsay and Ryan sneaking into Cara’s room to wake her up after seeing her stir on the monitor.

After cuddles and getting dressed for the morning, Ryan, the professional chef, begins to make the most amazing breakfast – banana pancakes and spiced bacon with loads of delicious real maple syrup.

Today, Ryan topped the pancakes with a new treat for Cara – coconut whipped cream. To say she was a fan was an understatement as she proceeded to eat all of Lindsay’s coconut whipped cream after she finished her own.

After breakfast, the Argo’s went for their walk through their neighborhood at Walsh Ranch. This adorable community has set up wonderful amenities for its residents, from a great playground to fitness and art centers – and most importantly, a friendly coffee trailer, Rodeo Coffee Co., with delicious roasts and breakfast treats.

After chatting with a neighbor and grabbing cups of Joe, the Argo’s made their way over to inspect the community garden to see what had been planted and then headed to the playground.

Swings and slides and lots of fun things kept Cara entertained for a good 20 minutes, a record when it comes to toddlers under two.

From the playground, the Argos wandered through all the new builds. They enjoy seeing the changes that develop each week for their houses and the choices the future homeowner made for their home.

On their walk today, they were trying out a new carrier their friends had given them – preparing Ryan AND Cara for its use on their upcoming travels. With every step Ryan took, Cara swayed, which slowly rocked her to sleep. On the way back home, Ryan and Lindsay took a photo in a lovely patch of bluebonnets with Cara fast asleep in her carrier, just for giggles.

Once they arrived home, it was time for bath time! This may be Cara’s favorite time of day, but it’s mine, too! The combination of bathroom window light and water fun make bath time photos for little ones some of my favorite to shoot.

As Cara splashed and played, Lindsay poured water over her head – Cara’s favorite part of bath time. She reached for the whirlpool buttons because who doesn’t love bigger bubbles at bath time?

Ryan and Cara have an after-bath ritual – daddy-daughter spa time! They snuggle up in the recliner to trim and file Cara’s nails and comb out her hair. Cara was very independent this day and chose to comb her hair herself.

As Lindsey gets Cara’s clothes ready, Cara loves to explore the bathroom drawers. There are lots of fun things in there like makeup brushes, lipstick, and other fun things to play with and Cara plays with them all.

After a few tickles on the bed, everyone piles into the car to head back to the bluebonnets. Because as everyone knows, when you have a great bluebonnet season like we are this spring, Texas babies must be photographed in a giant patch of those gorgeous state flowers.

It had been a long morning of fun, but it was time for Cara’s nap. After rocking and snuggling in the dark, despite how hard she tried to fight it Cara’s eyes fluttered closed. The day was over with lots of memories captured.

Because they’re only this little for a moment.

Next year, Cara will be three, full of energy and new words, and lots of independence. I can’t wait to photograph the next few years of real life with them.