Happy 3 Month Birthday Kennedy
Dear Kennedy,
I wanted to tell you a little bit about your name. We decided on your name early. It was on the drive home from an early ultrasound we did at 14 weeks. I wasn’t getting too excited that you were for sure a girl since it was so early, but Daddy and I were discussing our favorite names. We knew we wanted something Irish. Something that wasn’t too feminine (I like boy names for girls). And something that would look good on a resume when you were older (that was important to Daddy). As soon as I said Kennedy your Daddy loved and it just felt right. And then once we told your brother it was over. Even if we wanted to change it we couldn’t because you were Baby Kennedy and that was that. And we’re Democrats. So it works 
Your middle name is after my Grandma. Ann. My Grandma and I were close. See, from the time I was born she was always alone. And I felt it was my job from a very young age to make sure she never felt lonely. She was my best friend and even six years later I still miss her every, single day. I knew if I ever had a little girl I would name her after my Grandma.
My Grandma was strong. She lost my Grandpa when she was pregnant with your Memaw. She was out in California all alone and somehow made it through the rest of her pregnancy and decided to stay out here rather than going back to Ohio. I don’t know how she did it. But, I’m thankful she did because neither you or I would be here if she would have left. I hope you inherit some of her strength.
My Grandma was stubborn. Much like myself. And I hope you’re a little stubborn too. Because being stubborn isn’t always such a bad thing. It means you won’t ever settle.
My Grandma loved to give. Her car would be piled high with Christmas presents for your Uncle and I. We would open presents for hours. She took me to the Hello Kitty store when she picked me up from preschool. She always made sure we won the top prizes for school fundraisers. She never came to a dance recital without flowers. And when I was in college she would send me money to go out and buy myself and my roommate dinner. I hope you inherit some of her giving heart.
My Grandma loved unconditionally. She didn’t like it when someone would mess with one of her family members. She wrote me notes from a secret admirer when I got bullied in high school to make me feel better. It did make me feel better, but I always knew it was her. You did not want to get on my Grandma’s bad side. I hope you love with your whole heart.
My Grandma was a little crazy. She loved playing “scratch offs”. She called KFC Kentucky Colonel’s. She is the one who got me addicted to Coke from McDonald’s. We played Bingo together. I even had my own pink dotter. I could tell her anything. I called her every, single day. Sometimes more than once. We liked to watch Jeopardy and Wheel of Fortune together. I spent the night at her house even after I got married. I hope you have a very special relationship with both of your Grandmas.
I know she would have loved you. She would have worried about you too, because that’s what she did best. Worry. But, I know she will live on in you and I’m so proud to have named you after her.
I love you, Kenny Ann. You make me happier than I ever could have imagined.
Love,
Mama
*** She was not in the mood for a photo shoot this month
About DrewB
I’ve started this blog as a way to connect with other moms who love photography. Whether you are a professional photographer who is looking for advice on how to manage your own business and your family or if you are a mom who is looking for tips on how to take better pictures of your kids, I hope that you can find some good information and be inspired!
this made me cry.
i want to be your grandma someday.
jeannett´s last [type] ..The Happy Day Project {Day 2: Handwritten Note Day}
Beautiful posts. I would love to be able to express how I feel like that in writing, but somehow it just doesn’t come out the same. One day.
Love your site, you are beautiful photographer. I bought your Mom Tog camera manual, but still haven’t finished it. So far, I love it but wish I had an auto focus lens rather than my manual lens…it would be much easier to master
However, I love it!
Lindsay V´s last [type] ..wordless{ish} wednesday: teeth
That made me cry! Grandmothers are a wonderful gift, especially for little girls!
Such beautiful words. My hubby and I are trying to have another baby and I hope and pray we are blessed with a girl because I want to name her after my grandma that passed away a couple years ago. She was very special to me. Your sweet words will be a treasure for your daughter her she’s older.
Oh Drew what a sweet post! You made me cry! I love when middle names mean something. The twins are named after our grandmothers, Brady is after the Dodgers
and Lucy is after my mom. I think it’s amazing to see how proud my children are to have names with real loving meaning behind it. Also Kennedy is beautiful!!!
Paige´s last [type] ..thanks
Ahhh love the name story…..Happy 3 Months Kennedy!
Julie {Angry Julie Monday}´s last [type] ..Wordless Wednesday: Messy Moment Flashback
so beautiful. my Grandmother sounds a lot like yours. xoxo
Andrea´s last [type] ..Ava’s Eighteen Month Photos {Children’s Photographer, Phoenix, AZ.}
Gorgeous. Reading this made me wonder how I would feel about having a daughter and how the emotions are so different than hoping your sons may one day be as phenomenal as their father.
Leah Fontaine´s last [type] ..Libby & Jason Wed | Minneapolis-St.Paul Wedding and Portrait Photography
wow what a wonderful tribute. My own grandmother was widowed while pregnant with my uncle. She had many other difficult things in her life, is now 98 and never complains! My expect-everything generation (I”m 36) could learn a lot from women like these.
That first picture of you and her in the mirror is SO gorgeous! I looooove it! Love how you choose to name her after your Grandmother…. and of course I love her first name, seeing how I have a Kennedy myself
and I too love boyish names for girls! Hey, I am preggo again and need a good girl suggestion, got any?!
Bobbie Brown´s last [type] ..Miscellaneous Monday
Gorgeous pictures Drew! I LOVED your letter to Kennedy this month. Your grandmother sounds like an incredible person.
Melanie´s last [type] ..Bloom Fifty-Two ~ Week 44~ Make-Believe/Magic
Really really nice. Love it.
This is a beautiful post! I have a daughter named Kenadee also, Kenadee Aspin. Your daughter is beautiful and I’m sure your grandmother would be so proud!
It’s so good to see both of you beautiful girls! Congratulations Drew! Love Kennedy’s face is so expressive! The pic with her and the dog on the floor is fun!
OH Drew, those memories of your grandma are beautiful! They made me cry! But happy tears. What a wonderful story for Kennedy to read and what a wonderful lady to name your beautiful daughter after!! Thank you for sharing it! xo
Drew,
Your daughter is simply adorable and will cherish that fact that she is named after such a wonderful and strong woman.
As an aspiring photographer and mommy to a (nearly) 5 month old I have recently started following your blog and I must say your photography is amazing. My husband is Active Duty Army and we are in the middle of a deployment so capturing those special moments of my son feels even more crucial. I hope to someday take pictures as beautiful as yours. I recently purchased your Unmanual and found it very helpful! (I’m also tickled pink to know you are a democrat!)
If I could request a post topic I would love to hear tips and tricks on getting yourself into pictures. As the only one that ever wields a camera I have a hard time getting any of myself… let alone nice frame worthy ones. You do such a lovely job and I’d love to hear how you juggle tripods, timers and incorporate yourself so flawlessly. Thanks!! (apologies if you’ve already blogged about that and I’ve simply missed it.)
Wishing your beautiful family the very best,
Samantha
So charming! I wish I had a girl and really call her Max like my father . you picture post tells of everything a mother could give: love, attention and care. Just love it, you should place this a big picture frame on her bedroom.
fyangz´s last [type] ..first date conversations starters
Wow these are some amazing photo’s I love that she is crying then smiling and then not sure
I did a lovely photoshoot with my Joshy for a review/giveaway, I’d love for you to check it out x
Come and win 5 Funky Giraffe Bibs !
http://ourfootprintsontheworld.blogspot.com/2011/11/giveaway-funky-giraffe-bibs.html
Kelly-Marie´s last [type] ..Giveaway {Funky Giraffe Bibs}
What a touching letter to your beautiful daughter!!! Grandmothers are such a precious gift to little girls:) Reading this reminds me so much of my relationship with my Granny growing up. I still miss her so much 14 years later but I now love watching the bond between my Mum and her grandchildren:) I also had the same question as Samantha. My third child is turning 5 months old and I have many beautiful shots of her so far but not a single one of me with her. This makes me sad. I’m not sure if I should invest in a tripod, remote etc and how to master setting my camera up etc. Any tips/advice would be amazing! I love your blog and so glad I stumbled upon you!!
Oh my goodness. Cue the waterworks! I was already fighting back tears from reading your random acts of kindness post, then this one just completely did me in! This has to be the sweetest, most beautiful thing I’ve ever read!