Bankes/Melchior Family
What is a better gift than the gift of memories?! Documented forever. What a lovely Christmas gift to give their parents.
They had this exact same photo taken many many years ago. Same pose, just more mature. 🙂
I love Charlotte crawling on the bench!
Hunter. 1 Year Big.
A trip down memory lane…
Belly…
Newborn…
6 Months…
And this pretty girl had THE BEST PANDA themed 1st Birthday on the PANDA PLANET!
Crystal Jo Foto representing! Love!
Grab a pair of panda ears and join the pandamonium!
You ARE ONE!
Kaylea, you are such a beautiful Momma. Â The party was a HUGE hit. Â You had EVERY PANDA detail down to panda paw stickers leading people into your home! Â This little girl is SO very loved! Â XOXO, sweetie!
Here are a few fun fact about this beautiful little girl…
What is your favorite memory during your child’s first year of life?
So hard to think of just one! — maybe all of the trips we’ve taken with her! And seeing her love the pool and ocean.
What age/month has been your favorite and why?
They have all been so different! She was such a good baby that the first few months were so special, but as we’ve seen her personality emerge more and more and she has become more interactive and shown her personality she’s become even more fun. Each stage has been wonderful.
One word to describe your baby is…
Fun! Everyday with her brings something new and fun!
What is your child’s favorites…
Animal: Â Panda
Food: Â Pasta
Toy: Â Anything in the water! And books.
Song or Book: Havana by Camila Cabello, makes her dance! And That’s Not My Panda Book. Our favorite to read together is The Wonderful Things You Will Be.
How was your experience with Crystal Jo? Â Do you have any moments that were your favorite over the past year with Crystal Jo?
We have loved working with Crystal Jo. She makes magic happen and we are so grateful to her for capturing this whirlwind of a first year and being a part of Hunter’s life and our memories.
Gabe. Â 18 Months Big.
We captured SOOOO many faces at Gabe’s session!
XO, funny guy!Â
Eleanor. 7 Months Big.
Throw your hands up in THE AIR!
Happy Mother’s Day to this gorgeous Momma. Â You’re doing such amazing Momma work with these two, Amanda. Â XO!
Amelia Grace. Â Newborn.
Some bunny special right here…
Pretty in pink and lace.
Clearly big sister Aubrey is excited. Â Ha, her expression on the left!
Here are a few fun facts about this little beauty…
Tell us about that first moment when you saw your baby.
There is nothing quite like the moment you lay eyes on your child for the first time! So many emotions and such an instant love. With all three of our babies, we chose not to find out the gender of our baby. We already had a girl and boy, so with this latest baby in particular, it was so exciting finding the gender of the baby, and when we had a baby girl, we were shocked! We couldn’t be happier or feel more blessed. Our daughter was convinced we were having a baby girl throughout the pregnancy. She said the baby told her she was a girl. So, she was so excited to say the least. She is so in love with her little sister and has been the best big sister.
What was your baby’s birth weight and length?
6 lbs 12oz and  20.5 ”
Is there a story behind your baby’s name?
We named her Amelia Grace and just liked the name. We both liked the name and thought it was a beautiful and timeless name.
Give us the scoop. What has surprised you the most about parenthood? Are there any funny stories or firsts that you’d like to share?
We truly enjoy the parenthood journey and the different stages and milestones with each child. We are looking forward to enjoying all the firsts with Amelia and cherishing each moment because we know how fast time flies and how quickly our little ones grow up. It’s hard to believe our oldest is almost 5. It seems like yesterday she was a newborn, and we were holding her in our arms. We see so much of our oldest daughter in Amelia, and can’t wait to see her little personality develop.
What did you like best about your experience with Crystal Jo?
We really enjoy Crystal’s fun, outgoing personality and how she makes each session so enjoyable and is able to capture such special moments with our children and family. We cherish all our pictures, and they have so much meaning to us. We have used Crystal for over 5 years now and love her personality and style.
Rizor. Â 6 Months Big.
Wearing Daddy’s hat from high school. Â The same hat he wore at his newborn session. Â Love!I adore this family SO MUCH! Â I’ll see y’all soon! Â XO!
Blair. Â 3 Months Big.Best expression ever! Â Is it the weekend yet?!Session fave! Â Love that excitement!
Corbin. Â 7 Months Big.
He’s cracking up here!
And we headed inside for some photos of handsome Fitz in his Easter best.
My daughter Lucy can’t keep her hands off of him! Â I’m sure she won’t be the only girl for this!! Stealing hearts, Corbin! Â Mine included.
Baby Hugh. Â Newborn
Those baby toes! Â SWOON!
Mommy and Daddy are members of the Shamrock Club. Â Hugh is sure to be a BIG HIT there!
Wearing Daddy’s Irish hat!
Tell us about that first moment when you saw your baby.
I had a c section so they immediately took him to the warming table to make sure his lungs were clear. The first good look I got of him was when they held him up so Rolla could get a picture of him next to the weight. I was just so relieved he was normal. I was on medication at the beginning and didn’t realise I was pregnant until I was almost through the first trimester. Relief is not a strong enough word!
What was your baby’s birth weight and length?
Hugh was 10lbs 5 oz. and 21 inches long. I gave birth to a toddler. They had to rock him to get him out of the incision.
Is there a story behind your baby’s name?
Not really. It’s an old family name from Rolla’s side. His middle name, William, is after my mother’s father. I never got to meet him, he passed away before I was born, but we shared a birthday. Rolla really believes in the idea of name sakes, it was fun listening to all the old stories of my grandfather while we were picking the name. Rolla decided we could do much worse than an ornery hillbilly from WV for a middle name.
Give us the scoop. What has surprised you the most about parenthood? Are there any funny stories or firsts that you’d like to share?Mommy: I was really worried about having a connection from the beginning with him. I’ve never been terribly maternal, but he’s just so damn precious I can’t help myself.
Daddy: He is a champion eater. He latched about 13 minutes after being born and hasn’t stopped since. Mom and I got a really good laugh about how excited he is over getting a boob. He goes after it with gusto!!
What did you like best about your experience with Crystal Jo?
I love Crystal Jo. I’m so glad Rolla got the package he did. She was wonderful with Hugh and I always enjoy our visits.
And here are Rolla and Molly’s lovely snow maternity photos…
I adore you guys SO MUCH! Â XO!
Tell us something fun or unique about your relationship.
How did you find out you were expecting?
What’s your favorite thing about being pregnant? Least favorite?
Did you find out your baby’s gender?Yes, we are having a baby Hugh William. Hugh is a family name from Rolla’s Scottish side of the family and William is after my mother’s father who passed away before I was born. He was a wily, ornery hillbilly from WV, we also share a birthday. Rolla is a huge believer in namesakes and that the name carries traits of that person. Over Thanksgiving he got to hear some stories about William and fully approved. ÂIs there a nursery or shower theme you’d like to share?

It’s a little different but the nursery is going to be done in Calvin and Hobbes. My brother and I LOVED the comic series when we were younger. I love the creativity and the kind of sarcastic and ironic undertones of the humor. My brother managed to find a “Hobbes” for Hugh. There is also an underlying tone of loving nature and the very obvious theme of being adventurous and fearless, things I hope our little boy will embrace. ÂA baby is coming! What are you looking forward to the most?
That he will stop trying to crawl under my ribs.
The McCarley Twins. Â Miles and Madden.
I love the way Lil’ Meg is looking up like, “Thank you, God, for my awesome family!”
These photos CRACK ME UP. Â Needless to say…they DID NOT WANNA WEAR THE HATS!
Baby bests. Â Swoon!