35/52

"A portrait of my child once a week, every week, in 2013."

Lucy: wearing overalls I used to wear. So glad my mom saved them. 

Change is good. I keep telling myself.

I'll be returning to work, parttime, next week. A 3-day schedule. I couldn't be happier about that. A wonderful childcare situation has landed in our lap and I am so grateful. Lucy is starting to become acutely aware of my presence (and absence) so I think this is just the right time to transition to new faces. It melts me when I hear her search out for me, but I know it will be good for her to be comfortable when I have to be away (short periods only, please!) 

My biggest hope is my time away from Lucy will make me an even better, even more present, Mama when I am with her. It's going to be hard. Really hard. I actually surprised myself how little I missed working. But then again, we've been keeping ourselves busy. Seeing co-worker friends will be fun. Hopefully motivating, too.

And as if preparing myself to go back-to-work hasn't been busy enough, I've been staying up late nights working on a new design and organization for this site. Simple stuff really, but excited to share! Feeling energized about new projects and I just really love that feeling. It's been awhile. Life is good.

(Linking up the 52 Project at Che and Fidel Blog). 

34/52

"A portrait of my child once a week, every week, in 2013."

Lucy: i just love you so much. 

This girl. I just can't get over our wild child. She's a fearless monkey who isn't afraid of a head bump or a bruise. We're in for it (wouldn't have it any other way...) 

33/52

"A portrait of my child, once a week, every week, in 2013."

Lucy: happy half birthday. 

6 month stats // 13lbs, 9oz // 25 in

We're calling her our "baby toddler." She's crawling. Determined to get wherever she sets her sights. And willing to tantrum towards anything in her way. She's brave about her movement, pulling herself up to standing, lots of downward dogs, and is happy to tumble and start right back again. We've had a few bumps and cries along the way, but (thankfully) nothing a good cuddle can't calm quickly. 

We celebrated half birthday with "avocado cake", Lu's first foods. This girl loves her avocado. I've had anxiety surrounding foods, but found it pretty joyful to experience her first reactions. 

Lu's finding her voice and becoming quite the chatterbox. We're hearing more and more giggles out of her and loving every minute.

(Linking up the 52 Project at Che and Fidel Blog). 

32/52

"A portrait of my child, once a week, every week, in 2013."

Lu: the world is extra magnificent with you in it.  

We're back from a really, really good trip. We spent time with family (lots of cousins!) and then made our way back home slowly and spontaneously. It was really perfect. Lots most photos to share this week!

(Linking up with the 52 Project, over at Che and Fidel Blog). 

31/52

"A portrait of my child, once a week, every week, in 2013."

Lucy & Beasley: she has become a big fan of her puppy dog. 

We moved into our house a few months before Lucy was born. It's a rental and there are times I find myself already nostalgic for when we'll have to move. This is where so many memories are being made. I'm so glad for this project and the inspiration to capture simple evenings sitting in our backyard. Knowing I have these photos to take with us will make moving on just a little bit easier (when that time comes!) 

(Linking up with the 52 Project at Che and Fidel Blog). 

30/52

"A portrait of my child, once a week, every week, in 2013."

Lu: quite smitten with your tongue these days. 

I was so motivated to document a pretty summer BBQ at our friends' house and managed to take this single photo before realizing I'd left the camera on and battery was dead... It happens. The night was really lovely anyways :) 

Favorites this week // Monkey & Squirrel catching up on a few weeks, girls playing in the dirt over at she had us at hello blog.   

(Linking up with the 52 Project at Che and Fidel blog. Thanks for the mention this week!) 

29/52

"A portrait of my child, once a week, every week, in 2013."

Lu & Mama: a portrait from Dad this week.

Lu: perfecting "crunges" (crawl/lunge). 

Lots of quality time with my little lady this week. Jason worked long shoot days and was pretty much gone by the time we were up and home by the time we were down. Lucy spoiled me with happy faces, but we missed having our main squeeze around! 

There's so many wonderful photos in this project, I find myself so inspired each week I have time to look through them! A few that caught my eye this week... Alice being hosed down (a good reminder you do not need a fancy pool for summertime fun!), this nap photo and these kids outdoors over at Yellow Finch blog.

(Linking up with 52 Project at Che and Fidel Blog). 

28/52

"A portrait of my child, once a week, every week, in 2013."

Lu: so smitten of your footsies. This picture makes me want to jump in the hammock with you and eat them up. 

We had a really nice week. This is the first time I've come home from vacation and not had to go to "work" the next day. I'm treasuring my time off with Lu so much. I'll be starting a 3-day a week work schedule in September. Feeling excited and anxious about discovering the right balance for me, and for Lucy. Until then, soaking up these awesome summer days with favorite side-kick. 

Love the portraits from it's the little things blog - such beautiful, intimate moments of her baby girl and baby bump. 

(Linking up with the 52 Project over at Che & Fidel blog).

26/52 + 27/52

"A portrait of my child, once a week, every week, in 2013."

Austin Edition. I'm so proud of Lu's adaptability. We put her through a lot this week while on vacation... plane rides, different beds, hot days, lake days, lots of new faces (squeezing her cheeks!). She thrived. So curious to explore her world. We're honored to be (one) of her vessels. 

Week 26 // Lu: those cheeks! Where did they even come from?! You spent a LOT of time in water this past week. Little tan lines evident in new baby chunk rolls. It's officially summertime (on this side of the world, at least!) 

Week 27 // Lucy Elle: happiest on your feet, facing outward, pushing forward. 

Some favorites of recent... the family portraits over at Little Green Shed, such beautiful light and a realness I loved. Ruby's Casper stomping in puddles. Flower Market finds, glad to have found Oana's blog. 

(Linking up with the 52 Project over at Che & Fidel Blog.) 

25/52

"A portrait of my child, once a week, every week, in 2013."

Lu: we got you this blow-up pool for about 4 bucks at the grocery store. Your Papa boiled pots and pots of water to make it just the right temperature for you to splash around in. Homemade backyard jacuzzi. You adore it. Thank goodness you're turning out to be a water baby! 

This past week was tough. Lu is teething and with it, showing her baby will (thankfully, her sleep remains in tact!). She's learned to arch her back and show more signs of frustration. Those bright beautiful smiles of hers were a bit fewer and far between. I'm reminded to slow down. Build and adapt our days around her mood. Soothe her best I can and be patient with myself when it seems I can't right away. And soak up the quiet moments she falls peacefully asleep on me. Smiles. Almost-sort-of-I-think-laughs. Be present. 

My favorite portrait last week... a boy and his bubbles. Such a great capture! 

Linking up with the 52 Project, here. 

24/52

"A portrait of my child, once a week, every week, in 2013."

Lu: is 4 months old this week. Oh, my. Time flies. 

23/52

"A portrait of my child, once a week, every week, in 2013."

Lucy: we fall more and more in love with you everyday. 

We ended a really good week in San Diego with family and friends. Time at the beach, time at the park, time at a favorite coffee shop (twice!) Feeling very lucky to live this life right now. xx

Some recent favorites... Stanley in the meadow last week, on my! And Cinnamon Girl's portrait from 2 weeks ago pretty much makes me want to move to Maine. 

The 52 Project

22/52

"A portrait of my child, once a week, every week, in 2013."

Lu: you can hold a stare like no other. 

The past 2 weeks have flown by. Doing my best to pause. Soak it all in. Turn / tune devices off and make silly faces at my little one. She's sooooo close to giggles, her Dad and I are working hard to encourage them! Let-the-most-favorite-funny-parent-win.

(Linking up with the 52 Project over at Che and Fidel). 

21/52

"A portrait of my child, once a week, every week, in 2013."

 Lucy: summer has arrived and this girl loves the sand. Happy Memorial Day weekend. 

(Linking up with the 52 Project). 

20/52

"A portrait of my child, once a week, every week, in 2013."

Lu Elle: that silly monkey! 

(Linking up with the 52 Project here). 

19/52

"A portrait of my child, once a week, every week, in 2013."

Lu: Spring baby. 3 months old and full of happy faces and big eyes. 

(Linking up with the 52 Project by Che and Fidel Blog). 

18/52

"A portrait of my child, once a week, every week, in 2013."

Lu: loves being in the park. 

On Saturday we ventured across town for a change of scenery. Visited new eateries. Explored new parks. Shopped. It was an awesome day being a family. Ahhh family. It's impossible to put into words how much we love this little baby. Hanging with her. Seeing my husband interact with her. Watching her add new "tricks" to her baby repertoire daily (hands?! these are MINE?! they GRIP THINGS?! are you kidding?! how awesome!!!). Life, it's a pretty amazing thing to witness.  

My favorite of last week came from Lamb Loves Fox. New baby, ahhh the sweetness.

(52 Project, started by Che and Fidel). 

17/52

"A portrait of my child, once a week, every week, in 2013."

Ahhhh Lu! 9 weeks old and soaring. Morning smiles are seriously the best. 

Lucy's Good Morning Song:  

Good Morning, good morning, good morning to you

Your eyes are just opening

The sky is SO blue! 

The birds, they are singing

A song just for you! 

Good morning, Good morning

We love you

Sweet Lu. 

(Part of the 52 Project, started by Che and Fidel.) 

16/52

"A portrait of my child, once a week, every week, in 2013."

LU: Bathtime with Daddy. 

I love Rebekka's 52 Project. Her eye is wonderful and every portrait comes with a story. Glad to have discovered her art too! 

(Part of the 52 Project started by Che and Fidel). 

15/52

"A portrait of my child, once a week, every week, in 2013."

Lu: Ahhh you are 2 months old! Remember THIS PHOTO?! My how that Teddy Bear has shrunk. At 2 months old you weigh 10lbs, 2oz and are almost 23 inches long. The most common question people ask us is "how is she/you sleeping?" You sleep extraordinarily well. Doing your nights as they say. We feel very grateful and hope it continues! The most common exclamation people make when they meet you is "look at that hair!" Your hair just keeps getting thicker and thicker and it's pretty awesome. Your eyebrows are very expressive. You make the cutest faces and smiles at us now, you coo to yourself at random times during the day. You love, LOVE when we stand you up to look around. You make this face of 'oh-look-at-me-I'm-so-accomplished-the-way-I-can-stand-and-puff-my-chest'. It's so cute. You're so cute. See: photos below (I-can't-stop-taking-photos-of-everything-you-do). 

I didn't have much time to look at others' portraits this week, but so glad to have stumbled upon Malt Memories. Such beautiful photos and life and baby girl. My mind immediately goes to an older Lucy and the way I hope to continue capturing her. She is growing SO quickly, I want to freeze time. And yet, I'm so excited for her to sit-up, to crawl and walk and run. And what her first word will be and what it will feel like to have our first conversation together. I really, really love being her mama. 

(Part of the 52 Project, started by Che and Fidel Blog).