The story goes like this, Nikole said: When it was time to let their family know that they were having a girl, Nikole and Arun wanted a special way to break the news to her father. They searched and searched for a pink soccer ball for her former pro-soccer-player dad. When they couldn’t find one, they bought a white one and painted it pink. Then they gave it to him and, upon seeing it was a soccer ball, he declared, “It’s a boy!” To which Nikole explained, “No, it’s pink. It’s a girl!” Her father’s rebuttal? “Girls don’t play much soccer.”

Giggling, Nikole half-shrugged as she told her story. With her eyes sparkling, she laughed, “I was such a disappointment!”

Soccer aside, Nikole and Arun said their whole families can’t wait to meet Alani — the first granddaughter for both sides of the family — when she arrives later this spring. Add me to that list! Nikole and Arun were our first 2012 couple to get married last year, and our first couple to tell us they were starting a family. Earlier this week, they became our first couple to step back in front of the camera for a maternity session. We visited Ormond Memorial Garden and Rockefeller Garden — the same places where we shot their engagement session just over a year ago. This time around, there was plenty of laughter — again. Plenty of Nikole and Arun’s super-good-looking-ness that’s sure to produce an adorable daughter — again.

And I would venture to say there was even more love than before.I asked Nikole and Arun what they’re most excited about when they have Alani. And I asked Nikole — wink-wink — what she’s most nervous about in regards to Arun becoming a dad. She just smiled said said she isn’t worried about a thing at all. That he’s handled her pregnancy even better than she has in a lot of ways, and that she can’t wait to watch him settle into being a father. And then I melted into a puddle of mushy happiness.Can you tell I was really loving the black and whites from their session? So soft and romantic and nostalgic.Does this spot look familiar? They looked just as adorable in that exact spot at their engagement session.

Then we headed just a block west, to wrap up the beautiful spring evening on the river. It was absolutely beautiful.
Oh, you two, come on! I showed Nikole and Arun where I wanted them to stand, then as I walked away to frame my shot, I called back, “Since you’re such pros by now, you can pose yourselves.” And they just cozied up into each other’s arms so perfectly.See what I mean about even more love this time around? See even more in their slideshow:

Nikole and Arun — we are so incredibly excited for you two, for your family, and for Alani who is coming into this world to two parents who love her already, and love each other so sincerely! We can’t wait to see what this next stage of your life holds for you!

~ Laura