while at a lunch in Rio, around a table full of designers, i happened to be seated next to the quietest of them all. at one point my neighbor spoke up, "we may build our buildings, but our buildings build us." 

yesterday, i took a break to head outside while working downtown. i adore this city's parks & public places. without them, i would be without a never ending backdrop. i am proud to live in a city where both the old & young can play together. 

barefoot, i'm in with my camera playing. within two seconds someone taps me on the shoulder. "is your camera good enough to catch the rainbow?" turing around i see a couple, perhaps in their 80's, sitting on the bench staring & smiling. i want to hear them, so i take a seat next to them. we are all here to do the same. watch & enjoy. but not one word… not one. they laughed out loud, just once, breaking their never ending smile with an open mouth. then without saying a word to each other, stood up & walked away, hand in hand.

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working together with Joelle Gowryluk-Knapp. she is the brains behind chicago's nest help. this resourceful entrepreneur has built a baby planning business from the ground work of being an efficient nanny for many years prior. she fell into this work also, due in part to the recall on toys with lead paint a few years back – causing her to wonder, what else is out there? 

many people have asked me in the last few weeks what a baby planner is – a baby planner is like a wedding planner : helping you & your family get ready, not only for the day of delivery, but for what to expect before and after; fitting your family needs into a timeline that is manageable according to your own life & desires for your expected child. it's a way to strike a healthy balance, and this healthy balance is where Joelle exceeds. Joelle has the expertise of extensive research in baby & home products that do not contain harmful toxins. she also knows where to go for local items/services concerned with sustainability. while having dinner with her last night, i didn't realize that my husband, Conor, had no clue that a simple "run of the mill" bib can be harmful, with all its chemicals… and children put everything in their mouth! take a look at the video below to get a better idea of what exactly is in our homes & in our children's toys! 

so needless to say, i'm quite honored that i get to capture Joelle going through the experience of having her first child. last week we had a blast during her baby & belly session. here are just a few selected pieces to share. one of my favorites is of her cat, expressing his apprehension & curiosity towards what is growing inside of Joelle…

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