When Miss Raistlyn came to my studio a few weeks ago, it was a big day for her.  Not only was she still in her very first week of school, she had recently lost her first tooth, and it was her 5th birthday.  And she was ready to work it for my camera.

Being the fashionista that she is, she hand-picked her outfit.  And the accessories to go with – cowboy hat, pink boa and all.  As we rocked out to Britney Spears (her favorite music), mom stood quietly in the hallway and had a moment.  Her baby girl was growing up so fast.  And by now another tooth is probably well on its way to filling up the gap the baby tooth left behind.

At the risk of sounding cliche, I’m glad we caught that first gap-toothed smile.  Because even though time goes faster than we wish it would, the five-year-old Raistlyn and all of her giggles are perfectly stored in these photographs.

Happy Monday (and Happy Halloween)!