42/52 - The 52 Project

Well, I absolutely cannot believe there are only ten more weeks of this project!! I am about 99.9% sure I am going to recommit to this same project for 2015, as, even though I am not pleased by how many cell phone photos have cropped up this year, or by the fact that I missed two weeks in there (the OCD part of me is incensed!), I am more than grateful for the photos and the memories I've compiled...now to figure out if I want to do some sort of physical album with all the photos and what I wrote about each one...hmmm.

Anyway. Once again, only one baby got a "real" portrait this week. One guess which baby ;). But I am IN LOVE with this face!! The fuzzy hair, the huge eyes, the impressive 90 degree head-holding-up position, the chubby arms and dimpled hands--I love it all!!

Vincent Arthur - You kill me.

Teague Jackson - I'm so sorry I haven't gotten a "real" portrait of you in quite a few weeks! But you move too fast, my love! You're always in motion, and between you and your tiny brother, I barely think to feed myself, much less think to pull out the DSLR to capture you and your crazy-ness. But you are sweet and adorable, and these silly photos of you being delighted with the forward-facing camera on my phone will have to do for this week. I love you, sweet boy, and I will do my best to get a proper portrait of you for next week!!

"A portrait of my sons, once a week every week in 2014."

Linking up with Jodi at practisingsimplicity.com.

41/52 - The 52 Project

Wow. Well, I'm sad that I missed two weeks in there :(. But, I'm here now I guess :). We have been *insanely* busy. Besides this whole learning how to be a family of four thing, we decided to throw first time home-ownership into all the crazy life-altering changes happening in 2014! It's 100% beyond time for us to finally make the leap from renting to owning, and we couldn't be more excited and happy, but my goodness, the added stress and busyness!! We don't close until the 29th, but we hope to actually move in on the 30th-31st, so we have a LOT of packing/cleaning/loose-ends-wrapping-up to do between now and then! Lots of stress, but lots of joy :).

Speaking of joy, my tiniest boy is nothing but pure joy and delight. I am SO excited to have non-phone-camera photos of him for this week :D. Someday, I will capture my big boy as well, but getting a three-year-old to sit still enough to actually photograph is much, much harder than a three-month-old ;)! It's still my goal to take portraits of both boys with my real camera every week again, but I am content with ANY photos of my babies for now :) :).

Vincent Arthur - You are beyond delightful, beyond delicious, beyond anything and everything any mommy could ever ask for. You're perfect, I love you, and if I ever worried (I totally did) that I wouldn't be able to love another baby as much as I love your big brother, well let's just say those worries were completely and totally unfounded :). You arrived on the scene just three short months ago, and already I can't even imagine life without your unbelievably adorable grinning, squealing, sweet-smelling self snuggled up against me. There are no words. You're pure wonderful.

Teague Jackson - Oh, my big baby. As much as you've been having a bit of a hard time lately (apparently being newly three is universally rough on all little people) and mommy's been a little short on patience, I miss having all the time in the world to hang out with you and your adorable awesomeness. I miss working with you on your letters, watching you paint your gorgeous artwork, and just having time to sit and read and snuggle and enjoy you and your suddenly long, skinny limbs, your ever-expanding vocabulary, and your blossoming sense of humor. I know we'll have that time again, slowly but surely, as your little brother's naps and night times get less erratic and unpredictable, but I miss you, little guy. Giving you bathtub paints and watching your joy in creating only intensified the missing, but it was nice to get a little glimpse :). I love you, Teague Jackson. You're an amazing kid, and I'm so glad you're mine.

"A portrait of my sons, once a week every week in 2014."

38/52 - The 52 Project

So I know this is a week late, but I did pick the photos I wanted to post--I just never got around to posting them!

Teague Jackson

Vincent Arthur

"A portrait of my sons, once a week every week in 2014."

37/52 - The 52 Project

Delighted to have captured both my boys with my DSLR this week.

Sweet Vincent, your adorableness is beyond comprehension. 

Teague Jackson, you went from a toddler to a preschooler in the blink of an eye. I adore these photos of you with that impish grin, and cracker crumbs on your face.

 I don't know how two baby boys could be any better-looking or any more incredible. I love you both so much!

"A portrait of my sons, once a week every week in 2014."

36/52 - The 52 Project

You guys, this project is proving to be much, much harder than I ever though it would be. Photography, or anything remotely artistic, is on pretty much the lowest rung of my to-do list, along with things like "going out with my friends" and "wearing makeup." Life with two babies is...well, I truly don't know how to describe it. The only way I can think of at the moment, is to say that with one baby, the constant tandem bike ride of the most intense love I've ever felt and the most intense stress and worry and fear...is now doubled. Actually, I might even say tripled, as the relationship between my two babies is now like a third child in my life :). I chose just one photo. One of the two of them together. I adore it...and I adore them.

Teague and Vincent. No words, my darlings. I love you so.

"A portrait of my sons, once a week every week in 2014."

35/52 - The 52 Project

Well, I accomplished half of my goal :). I got *one* of my babies with my "real" camera! As much as it seems pulling out my DSLR to capture my babies is redundant and unnecessary when my phone camera is so quick and so easy, I'm always reminded how completely worth it it is! All those details, his sweet chubby baby eyelids, every darling baby lash, and the reflections in his humongous baby eyes...no phone camera (that I know of!) can even come close! Even more motivated to capture both babies with my DSLR this week!

Vincent - you bring me more joy than I ever thought possible. 

Teague - I love this photo, phone-camera-rific as it is. You have absolutely zero fear. You left mommy and Vincent standing on the sidewalk without a thought, sprinted down the lawn, and swung out into mid-air on the guard rail. There is actually quite a sizeable drop from the first lawn down to the second (hence the guard rail, I'm sure!), so as much as I love your independence and fearlessness, I fear you're making me old before my time :). As much as I'd like to curb your craziness sometimes (your energy surpasses any two-year-old I've ever known!), I love your adventurous spirit and unbridled joy. You're perfect and I adore you.

"A portrait of my sons, once a week every week in 2014."

34/52 - The 52 Project

Hi again, 

Well, my goal of being able to take actual portraits of my children with my "real" camera, every week, through all the change and transition and taking care of a newborn-ness of our lives right now is rather unattainable :). But, I think the mere act of selecting a photo even just from my phone of each of them, and taking the time to reflect on each of them, every week, is still extremely valuable to me. I think I can see a light at the end of this tunnel, though--and am looking forward to capturing my sweet babies with my real camera every week again soon :)!

Vincent - Where has my scrawny little newborn gone?? Where are those skinny lil chicken legs, that soft, wrinkly, loose skin, that floppy, squishy, foldable body? Who is this chubby, round, wide-eyed person who greets me every morning with more expression and alertness than the morning before? Who will stop fussing when mommy comes near, and will give mommy happy, crooked grins and wonderfully long strings of baby conversation? Who can actually be distracted from crying by playing with daddy, or being laid on the floor for some tummy time? I can't believe how quickly you've changed from a newborn to a baby, my love. You are joy and a wonder, and we are just so lucky you're ours.

Teague - You are officially too big for the biggest size of diapers out there, before you even turn three!! You were insanely excited to be wearing "Bus Ightyear" on your new pull-ups, and didn't stop checking yourself out in the mirror for about fifteen minutes! We hope to start potty-training soon, but for now, we're just thankful pull-ups exist!

Well, you and I are still working out this whole "you're not my only baby anymore" thing. Mommy is slowly learning that her attitude almost 100% controls how our day goes, my dear. If mommy's grumpy and short-tempered, so are you. But if mommy does a heart-check and focuses on what's really important, we're both infinitely more cheerful and willing to help each other through the day. You're still my precious boy, Teague Jackson. You amaze and delight me, and I am so thankful you're mine. 

"A portrait of my sons, once a week every week in 2014."

33/52 - The 52 Project

Well, I am quite late this week, and I am using two photos from my Instagram, which I don't prefer, but we had a very stressful week, what with tiny Vincent hitting his 6-week growth spurt *hard*, and my sweet Teague finally starting to show signs of the stress and frustration of sharing mommy for six weeks. I was exhausted from lack of sleep, and the near-constant nursing of my growing little boy, and from worry and guilt over my oldest baby's hurt and sadness. But, we survived. Vincent jumped a clothing size, seemingly overnight, and mommy and Teague are working on finding each other in the midst of all this craziness and change. It's been rough, but my two boys are unbelievably precious, and I wouldn't trade this experience with my very own babies for anything in the world! Except maybe sleep ;).

Teague - You are precious and darling, especially when you're so proud and delighted to be eating your very first bowl of cereal. Mommy needs to remember this when she is sleep-deprived and your brother is screaming, and you just want some attention. Even when that comes in the form of you joining in the screaming yourself :).

Vincent - I can't even stand your luscious wonderfulness. You filled out so much this week--I can't believe my scrawny little floppy newborn is all but gone! You officially gave us real, happy, huge, crazy baby smiles this week, along with some ridiculously adorable coos and babbles. Every day, you look bigger, cuter, more amazing. I love seeing these tiny glimpses of who you are in there, I just want to know you!! Oh, and the fact that your little baby face looks rather uncannily like MY baby pictures is just icing on the cake :). Your wispy, silky newborn hair still looks red in the sun or under a lamp, so we are hoping that stays! But no matter what, you are our sweet, amazing baby, and we couldn't adore you more!!

"A portrait of my sons, once a week every week in 2014."

32/52 - The 52 Project

Vincent - I still can't get enough of your adorable sweetness.

Teague - I couldn't believe how much my heartstrings were pulled as I watched you getting bowled over and over down the slip 'n' slide by your daddy. Your elation & delight were intensified by the sunlight highlighting your grins and laughter, and your huge blue eyes framed by your sopping wet hair. You were so tiny, so happy, so brave...and yet you suddenly seemed so old. Like you'd suddenly grown up and I'd missed it. How I felt all this simply while watching you play, I don't know. But I know I love you fiercely, and I'm so proud of you it hurts.

"A portrait of my sons, once a week every week in 2014."

31/52 - The 52 Project

Delighted to have finally successfully shot both my babies this week with my DSLR :).

Vincent: You just keep getting sweeter.

Teague: Looking suddenly like a seven-year-old on your brand-new bike. You haven't figured out how to actually pedal it yet, but you're only two, after all! And you look good on there, baby. Breaking mommy's heart.

"A portrait of my sons, once a week every week in 2014."

30/52 - The 52 Project

Vincent.

Teague & his extremely good-looking daddy.

I don't have much time for words this week, so I will simply say that this week has been much like these photos, quiet moments of clarity while my tiny baby sleeps, and crazy, happy, swirly moments, watching my husband and big baby play together. This is life for me right now, and I am just soaking it up.

29/52 - The 52 Project

Teague: my fearless boy. Absolutely nothing the playground can offer scares you. This mama has to chuckle when other kids, much bigger and older than you balk and scream and cry, terrified to swing on the big swing or go down the big slide or slide down the fireman pole. Then your tiny, bold self pushes through and dives right down, giggling happily all the way. We want you to be fearless, sweet boy. To trust your body to be strong and agile and sturdy to take you wherever you want to go, whatever you want to do. Though this bravery comes with its share of skinned knees and bumps and bruises, you are happy and confident, and we wouldn't want it any other way.

Sweet brothers.

Vincent: Oh my baby, once again, I find myself at a loss for words. You are amazing in every single way. You are a treasure. I still can't believe how lucky we are, that you are ours. 

"A portrait of my sons once a week, every week in 2014."

28/52 - The 52 Project

Teague - We are considering hiding your "fireman boots" from you. You insist on wearing them everywhere, all the time, and since you can put them on yourself, you tend to get your wish. With the arrival of your tiny brother, you suddenly seem HUGE. You impressed us beyond our wildest expectations the day we brought your brother home and you knew exactly who he was. Your comprehension that this tiny red-faced being is a part of our family was just so...awesome. Your adoration of him (and subsequent slightly dangerous toddler displays of ardent affection) amazes us. And even though sharing mommy and dealing with all the changes that have come over our home in the past two weeks have been a challenge for you (and us!), you are adjusting. We love you, Teague Jackson, & are so proud to call you ours.

Vincent - How to put anything I feel about you into words? You are perfection from head to toe. The easiest, happiest, sleepy-est baby in the world. The cutest, the snuggly-est. I already can't remember life without your warm little baby body in my arms. You are darling, you are incredible. And we just adore you.

"A portrait of my sons once a week, every week in 2014."

27/52 - The 52 Project

Vincent.

 Teague & Vincent.

 Teague & Daddy.

"A portrait of my sons once a week, every week in 2014."

26/52 - The 52 Project

Late this week because of this.

Vincent Arthur. There are no words. We're just so glad to finally meet you.

Teague Jackson. My favorite prenatal checkup buddy. Waiting so patiently for our wonderful doctor on my due date. Little brother came two days later :).

"A portrait of my sons once a week, every week in 2014."

25/52 - The 52 Project

Hi everyone,

I couldn't choose between these two images this week. The first was taken earlier in the week, of my amazingly intelligent big boy, connecting the word puzzle game he plays over and over with real life. Sooo cute. And the second is my amazingly energetic big boy, literally climbing the walls at my prenatal checkup this morning. I am just in awe of this tiny ball of constant movement and noise that we created together, who amazes us on an hourly basis, and brightens the day of everyone around him with his contagious delight and joy.

I am in the last few days of my pregnancy, and I am grateful for my overwhelming peace and serenity, and for the delightfulness of this darling almost-3-year-old boy.

"A portrait of my son once a week, every week in 2014."

Teague Jackson, you bring this hugely pregnant mama so much joy. I'm so glad you're ours. 

24/52 - The 52 Project

Hello everyone,

So, I finally pulled out my DSLR this week, and I was just so glad I did.

"A portrait of my son once a week, every week in 2014."

Today, we took a nice long walk through all the intimately familiar places in our tiny, much-loved little town. Our beautiful friend Abbie came along with us, one of the only people who feels the same about our gorgeous town as I do. She feels the magic. I loved watching you soak it all in, my sweet boy. Even if you were in a balky, cranky mood almost the whole time :). I can't wait to walk all our favorite routes with your tiny baby brother in my arms and not in my belly. I know he'll love it all as much as we do.