For a long time (nearly as many years as I am old – and I’m not giving that away) I’ve had to live with spelling my name to people. Not because it’s an unusual name, for those here in Australia anyway, but because it’s an unusual spelling. And I’m led to believe it’s all my dad’s fault, because he failed to check the baby names dictionary before he filled my birth certificate in. Much like my red hair I’ve spent most of my life pretending it’s an annoying fact of life I just have to live with, while secretly I’m extremely pleased there’s something about my name that makes me just a little bit different from all the other Narelle’s out there. Just like I’d reluctantly confess, though only in private, that I’m grateful for my red hair. So when someone takes the time to make sure they spell my name right it absolutely makes my day – because I know they’ve paid a little extra attention to one of the most important things about me – my name. It’s always one thing I’m conscious of when corresponding to people, because I know first-hand how valuable and important it is to spell a person’s name the way it should be, to them. In fact it’s such an important tool when dealing with people that Dale Carnegie devotes a section to it in How to Win Friends and Influence People.
That’s why I was petrified of writing this post, and scared enough of spelling Dejan’s name wrong that I went back through my emails with his mum, and quadruple-checked just to make sure. Not that Dejan would be too bothered about it at this point in his life – he’s proably more concerned about whether his toes still taste the same as last time he checked, or how to roll the other way, now that he’s onto his tummy and can’t figure out how to get back. But it’s important to me that I get it right, because his mummy and daddy put a lot of thought into his beautiful name, and it’s a big part of who Dejan is, even at this age.
And there are so many wonderful things about Dejan – even at this age. His parents clearly adore him. Rightly so. I could have tucked him under my arms and run out the door several times. Instead I lay on the floor and stared at him through my camera, clicking away each time I saw something that made me smile inside. I took a LOT of photos. My insides still hurt from all the smiling.
It was such a joy and privilege, Keri and Stephen, to capture this stage of your little guys’ life. It was worth every silly noise I had to make, and every crazy face I had to pull.
How seet is this outfit? Seriously!
And I could just munch on these…
Hello gorgeous
I love this image of their beautiful little family
And I love the love in these ones
And check out the little milk blister – awwww – something I vividly remember from my own children
Dejan really was so good to me. While he napped we actually got to pose him like a newborn. Then we got some more beautiful shots of him, wide awake, totally sweet, and cheeky.
It was so wonderful meeting you all, K & S. Can’t wait for your Together session now.
Narrelle x