I hadn't seen Union Station. "We'll have an adventure!" she said.  

I must admit, when I think of Kansas City - I think of flat fields.

But there's so much more than corn and empty space...

Not only does it span two states, but it has gorgeous skylines, epic architecture, and beauty at every turn.

Not to mention amazingly historic epicness.

So with my awesome tour guide (thanks Emily!)....

And my camera in hand...

We wandered into restricted areas...

Odd Irish shops....

Hiked up mountains...

(Ok, so it wasn't a mountain, but it was hot. And the hill was huge.)

And celebrated our tour with lemonade.

And there's still more I haven't seen.

This is Melissa. She's my sister.  

Melissa and Jose are about to have a little baby boy.

Or... as my family says it, a little "milk-dud"....

You see, Jose is Dominican, and since Melissa isn't extremely blond either.... we've decided they're going to have a little "Mexican" boy.

With lots of curly black hair, dark skin, and radical blue eyes.

At least... that's what  I'm imagining him to look like (can Mexican's even have blue eyes? Oh wait... he's not Mexican)...

Maybe it's just the blue dress.

Anyway, when I was in town for Jeremy and Rebecca's wedding I carved out some time to take her maternity photos.

We went to a friend's farm and roamed the barns, fields, and wood piles.

And while I had elaborate plans to do multiple outfits, crazy awesome poses, and intense baby close-ups... I kind of realized something.

These pictures are just as much for Melissa, as they are for the adorable baby bump.

A time for her to feel like a woman - pampered and beautiful. Time to let the intense reality sink in - she's carrying a new life.

'Cause really... who feels extraordinarily beautiful and special and filled with awe when they're 37 weeks pregnant? (That's a legit question, I wouldn't honestly know!)

But she is. Extraordinarily beautiful, special and filled with awe.

Don't you think?