Hide and Seek... (4/52)

This particular week's offering is supposed to to be inspired by  Rollover by Cedecea. I applied the theme, by processing this portrait in B+W. :)

Hubby and Muffin were playing Hide and Seek. Let me tell you that my little one isn't really the best at this game. He doesn't want anyone to truly hide nor does he want to be truly hidden. He even goes so far as to tell you where he is going to hide! It makes me laugh; because this particular form of Hide and Seek really feels like our special family thing. Hubby hid behind a sheer white curtain in front of the patio doors. Muffin went through the steps of pretending to search for his dad. Finally, the big reveal occurred. When I saw my husband's huge smile and Muffin's tickles, I knew I had capture a truly special moment. 

Recuperation + Fun | Everyday Beauty (3/52)

Let me first start by saying that I am taking a class called, Everyday Beauty. The instructor's name is Ginger Unzueta, and I adore her Lifestyle Candid images. Her portraits are filled with heart, stories, and so much joy. When I had the opportunity to work with and learn from her, I absolutely jumped at the chance. I feel so full of excitement, curiosity, and joy. Though this class doesn't directly relate to my professional specialization (Commercial Wedding Photography), it speaks to my personal joy (capturing Muffin's childhood). This series of portraits are for her workshop.

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I am so very, very, very happy to report that you are feeling much better. :) You are still running out of steam fairly quickly, so we are just taking it slow.

 I started off the day by peeking into your room, before you woke up. Since you've fallen ill, my body just wakes me up. I can't settle back into bed without checking on you.

I love listening and watching you say Grace. I never want to forget that.

The Party Wall is the gift that keeps on giving. It's always good for an impromptu picture or smile. How in the world are we going to get rid of it? Those streamers can't stay up forever. Can they???

The most peculiar thing happened with Blue Jay. Around the same time that you started feeling unwell, Blue Jay started feeling sick. Here you are taking care of your "birdie baby,"

Daddy was telling you a story, and I kept rewriting the story with infinitely funnier plot twists. 

You Started feeling a bit down, again. We set up camp Get Well Soon on the couch.

 Since you were sick, and I'm a softie, I gave your your special hat. You are going to wear it on Hat Day!

All in all, it was a tough few days. Still, today was a great day. It's so comforting to see you playing and getting stronger.

Love You Forever and Ever,

Mommy

A Difficult Road (1/52)

Thursday, January 15 through Monday, January 19 proved to be fraught with difficulty. On Thursday you dislocated your elbow. Mommy cut up an old T-Shirt and quickly fashioned a sling. Daddy and I rushed you to the doctor. Luckily, the process of fixing you up wasn't too awful. It ended up popping back into place, when you had your X-Rays. Here you are the morning after.

As fate would have it, you developed a super high fever Thursday night into Friday morning. You were actually hallucinating! We made the first available appointment for you and set out to bring that fever down.

Finally, we brought your fever down. You felt markedly better.

Unfortunately, the respite did not last long. Once we got to the doctor, you were diagnosed with the Flu and Strep Throat!

We spent the next few days cuddling on the couch.

Snow Day!

Today, I woke up with your little toes rubbing my arm. You looked at me, asked for some blanket and turned over. Imagine our surprise, when Daddy popped into the room. He had a 2-hour delay from work. You both watched the snow and hoped for a full on Snow Day!

I'm positive that my climbing on the bed disturbed your trance.

Finally, we got the official word. Schools were closed. We wasted no time getting ready!

We had a blast...

But we didn't let you off too easily...

These nice young men were going around and cleaning off people's cars! They were doing it for no other reason than to be kind. :)

 Before we went in, we all squeezed in for a Family Selfie. Mommy was thoroughly impressed with her cell phone camera. I also thought it would be fun to share our video from the day.

Love You Forever and Ever,

Mommy

Good Morning Love...

You are the reason that I keep my camera on the nightstand. If I didn't, I would have missed this gorgeous morning face. You are totally going through a Sneak into Mommy and Daddy's Bed phase. I consider the pictures your cost of admission.

This is you attempting to avoid your fee. 

Here's one final peek at each other, before we went back to sleep. <3

Love You Forever and Ever,

Mommy

Best Faces!

I Heart Faces Best Face Challenge Entry

Mommy decided to enter her very first contest, today. It's called the Best Faces Challenge from the I Heart Faces website. Although I've never attempted a contest, your faces were just so very, very, very awesome! I couldn't live with myself if I didn't give it a shot. Although I chose the portrait of you rough-housing with Daddy and Daffodil, it was a super tough choice. I had a ton of portraits to choose from. You can see the Runner Ups here!

Love You Forever and Ever,

Mommy

Best Faces Runner Ups...

After reading and rereading the contest rules, I  came across a little nugget of information. It mentioned that winning photos must be the only photo included on the blog entry. With that in mind, I transferred the runner ups to their own page.

I thought about sharing this portrait from your first school field trip. You were so very contemplative and brave. I know how much the Straw Maze scared you.

 You looked so sad, when you thought Daddy forgot to take you to run errands.

I remember how cute you were in your Mommy-Made sheep costume. You were not excited about your original Nativity play lamb costume. 

Honestly, this portrait could have been taken on any given day. You are always lounging in the grownup bed with a a friend.

I really wanted to share your first hike through the woods, but it didn't feel quite right.

This is the portrait that I know you would have chosen. This was an outtake, but it is so you! It ended up being the one we framed for your room. 

Finally, I really considered sharing your Birthday Portrait. You started age 4 with the best faces ever!

In the end, I decided to go with the Daddy, Muffin, and Daffodil (the little doll) portrait. It makes me my heart smile, just like you do. :)

Love You Forever and Ever,

Mommy

Simple Sundays... (2/52)

It is a cold, foggy, and rainy day. We are still on the hunt for a new home church, but still haven't found the right fit. We stayed home, watched a service on TV and then lounged around the house. Recently, you developed this habit of sniffing things. You don't just take a quick whiff. You like to literally create a suction with your nose. Yup... You're going through a weird phase.

The easiest way to get a good laugh out of you is to tell you to be serious. Here's Daddy giving Daffodil a big smooch.

I decided to come back to Week 1 of the challenge. This portrait was inspired by Week 2,  Pleasure by Corinne Bramwell.

Here's another "Be serious" portrait. You're a bit of a portrait rebel, and I love it!

You tried your very best to secure Daffodil to the top of your RC car. Daddy is making the car chase you, in this picture. You laughed so hard, that your eyes started to tear up. :)

Love You Forever and Ever,

Mommy

Haircut Day!

Let me begin by saying that The Party Wall, from New Years Eve, is a total hit. You've made it your personal mission to ensure that it remains intact and in our bedroom. ;)

We started the day super early. It's the best way to move the process along and not get stuck waiting. Although you are not in love with the process, the haircut itself doesn't scare you. The noise of the "Happy Clippers" startles you. Eric, your barber, has a way of taking your mind off of the process. He knows things about you (like your passion for birds and cars) and makes sure to keep the conversation going.

Side Note: I began cutting your hair at 8 months old. Even then, you were very uncomfortable around loud abrasive noises. I found the most quiet set of clippers possible. We had a whole day of playing with the clippers, and I named them Happy Clippers. I thought it would make the whole process a little more Muffin friendly. :)

After Eric finished, he turned you around and asked for your stamp of approval. You waited several moments to answer, while you thoughtfully examined your hair. If everything is a go, you shake Eric's hand and say, "You did a great job!" Today, you requested some additional styling (it is still crazy to me that you have hair preferences).

You mentioned that you wanted your curls to be even curlier. With that request, Eric set to work meticulously grooming and shaping your curls. You are an absolute enigma, sometimes. It usually takes a lot of convincing to get you settled and at ease for a haircut. Still, you are very sure of what you like (style wise) and will sit in the chair as long as it takes to achieve your desired look. I would think that you would want the quickest possible haircut. 

There are always plenty of smiles, at the end of the visit. :) 

We usually do a bit of shopping, after the Barber shop. You fell in love with this owl lamp.

Your favorite part of Haircut Day is the Mommy-Muffin grooming. I washed your hair, gave you a deep conditioning treatment, and moisturized your hair. There is a warm up period between you and the blow dryer. At first, you are timid and nervous. After a while, you take over. It always makes me chuckle. 

Love You Forever and Ever,

Mommy

Happy New Year!

 Each year, I spend Spring and Summer capturing the most important day of many couple's lives. I photograph their families, the details of their wedding day, and their love. I absolutely love and adore my job. It is a blessing and an honor to share in these moments with some of the most amazing people.

The downside is that having a photography career can make it a bit challenging to capture your own family. I am so grateful for the moments that I've taken the time to preserve for my family. It makes me feel a bit remiss that I don't make preserving our own memories more of a priority.

This year, my goal is to make documenting my family a regular habit. Not only do I want to take pictures regularly, I want to create a set process for preserving those memories. This desire gave rise to The Remembering Place. The Remembering Place is a space for me to share with an older Muffin and an older self.

Here's a bit from our New Year's Eve!

You were a bit sad, because we didn't hang lights outside of the house. Of course, I found out that outside decorations were a necessity on December 30. With that revelation in mind, Daddy and I planned a surprise. I covered your ceiling in Twinkle Lights!

Every year, on New Year's Eve, we create a family photo booth. We bring in the new year with love, fun, and each other.

You begged and pleaded to stay up all night. I smiled and hugged you, because you looked so sincere in your request. You made it to 11:00 pm. :)

Daddy and I stayed up a bit longer to eat ice cream, play Madden, and watch the ball drop! All in all it was the perfect ending to 2014 and a perfect beginning to 2015

Love You Forever and Ever,

Mommy