MELANIE & MAKAYLA

It is with great excitement that I present the first mother and daughter pair of the year! Melanie lives in West Hills, California with her 2 year old daughter Makayla, her husband Michael and dog Max. She is currently a stay at home mother who enjoys spending time with her family. Upon meeting with Melanie and Makayla, I could immediately see the close bond they share. Sweet and welcoming yet pensive and independent; that is how I would describe Makayla. Some of the most beautiful moments with them were simply observing how mutually inspired they were by the other. 

(Video interview following photo gallery.)

"Having Makayla seriously made my dreams come true..." - Melanie

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It's the little moments...

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The playful moments...

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"I've always wanted to be a mom..." - Melanie

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The look of pure joy...

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Who needs a jungle gym when you can climb up Mommy?

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"She is just the best child ever...so sweet and smart, and I love her to the moon and back." - Melanie

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"I love how she imitates me..." - Melanie

Yes, daughters are watching...mirroring...

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"She has new experiences every day..." - Melanie

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Just a quick game of hide-and-seek!

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Candidly tender moments...

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"She's literally, definitely, the best thing that's ever happened to me, my whole entire life..." - Melanie

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Makayla's curiosity is apparent...

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"I just want her to always know that her mom and dad and her family, we love her to pieces...and want her to feel secure and be a confident woman, and be smart and loving and share with people and just be a good person..." - Melanie

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"It's a very special, special bond..." - Melanie

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"It's the kind of love that you can't even describe..." - Melanie

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"She's so innocent and sweet and loving..." - Melanie

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"She continuously amazes me with her vocabulary." - Melanie

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"I love seeing the world through her eyes..." - Melanie

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ATCHOO! Bless you, Makayla!

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Max made an appearance and appears to be Makayla's special friend...

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Daddy...well, Daddy's hand, also made an impromptu appearance that day!

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Thank you so much, Melanie and Makayla, for taking the time to be a part of my project. Thank you for being so warm and welcoming and for sharing an afternoon in the life of a mother and daughter. Your connection is true and Melanie, along with Makayla's independent spirit, I can see that she also counts on you. I know you will cherish the moments.

 

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A Claire View of Montreal: APRIL & MAISIE & DARBY

A Claire View of Montreal and another childhood friend! April and I grew up on the same street, on opposite sides, two houses apart. Fast forward to today and she is mother to Maisie, 8, and Darby, almost 7. She has been married for 10 years and was a working mom turned entrepreneurial stay at home mom. One of the things she discovered is that she loves to travel, and would love to show her girls the world!

(Video interview following photo gallery.)

"I wish that they never give up on their dreams, and that they realize that once their dreams materialize that they can dream again." - April

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"I wish they put themselves first." - April

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"I wish that they're not afraid of anything...just not afraid to push their limits...to reach for the stars and get everything that they can out of life..." - April

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"My wishes for my girls...I wish they never have issues with body image. It took me up until the time that I had two girls to realize that everyone is born with a different body type. Some people are naturally lean, some are not and they should appreciate the strengths that their own body has." - April

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"I wish they don't wish to be someone else; they are great just the way they are." - April

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"I wish that they grow up to have great childhood memories..." - April

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"My wish is just that they do the best that they can do...and that they come out okay in the end..." - April

 "I wish they do not fear the unknown. I wish that they will just do it." - April 

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"I wish that they always dance like no one is watching..." - April

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April, what a treat to reunite after such a long time! Thank you for sharing your time, humor and insights. I am so lucky to call you a lifelong friend and am so glad I had a chance to meet your girls! Keep doing what you're doing and I look forward to seeing them soar! Thank you...

Remembering Anita Claire

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