“Men are what their mothers made them.”

– Ralph Waldo Emerson


It seems like literally yesterday that I photographed the wedding of my oldest nephew, Derek (he likes to tease me that he is my favorite!) and his beautiful wife Ashlee.



And now here they are awaiting the arrival of their first child and son.

With a due date of June 1st, Derek's birthday on June 3rd, and Ashlee's on June 5th, this could be interesting!


Ashlee has always had a pet theory that you have the gender baby of your first pet.
When Derek and Ashlee first moved in together they adopted their male cat Thor; Derek said he was stacking the odds in his favor of a son one day!
There you go Derek!!



Derek and Ashlee hope to raise their son to be a brave and kind animal lover like his mama and a funny, athletically inclined, hockey player, like his daddy.

Baby boy Rusin will come into this world surrounded by instant best friends when he joins his cousins ranging in ages from 3 weeks to 6 years.
And his grandmother, my sister Wendy, has been waiting her whole life for this first grandchild moment!
Be prepared to be loved and loved baby boy Rusin!

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Derek and Ashlee had to cancel their baby shower but they were still overwhelmed with beautiful gifts and even did an online opening of their gifts to share with their friends and family.
 

And though so many plans have had to be changed for all of us, I was determined to make sure Derek and Ashlee at least got to have beautiful images of this crazy, and yet still wonderful, time in their lives.


Congratulations to my nephew Derek and his glowing gorgeous wife Ashlee on the upcoming joy their baby boy is sure to bring them.

Much love to them and to my grand-nephew!!
Love, Nancy Roxanne