17/52 - The 52 Project

Hello,

It has been amazing to me, throughout the 17 weeks of this project, to realize just how different my life is from the life I had nearly 10 years ago, when I was a carefree, unencumbered college student, traipsing about our gorgeous little town (we still live here!) in bare feet, a long, flowy skirt, with my beautiful friend Abbie by my side, with our prized DSLRs jammed into our faces, taking photos of absolutely anything and everything that caught our fancy. When I was in college, I lived and breathed photography. I was never without my camera, and was constantly uploading and editing hundreds of photos. Photography was as natural as breathing back then, and it has just been an experience this year, literally forcing myself to pull out my camera on a weekly basis and to spend that time following my darling baby around, trying to capture just one somewhat respectable photograph to post. It has been harder than I ever thought it would be to commit even to a once-a-week posting, but the result, even after only 17 weeks, has been just so unbelievably worth it!

This week and last week, I have been playing around with my 50mm lens, and I'd forgotten how much delightful depth and life just changing a lens can breathe into my images. The up close and personal images of my boy are almost always my most treasured, and well, the image below is my case in point ;).

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

Oh, my precious boy. Today, you were fascinated by the sight of your bare little baby belly in the mirror, as you sucked it in and out, in and out. For some reason, the sight made you smile and giggle, and this mommy almost couldn't handle the cuteness. Lately, it seems your bent toward deafening tantrums and defiant pushing of all boundaries and your nonsensical commitment to wreaking havoc and destroying everything in your path has abated (at least for the moment), and the last few weeks have been delightful. Without your constant need to screech at the top of your lungs at the least provocation or disappointment, we've been given a wonderful glimpse into the little boy you're becoming, and it has been a beautiful sight. Both mommy and daddy have enjoyed taking you places and just loving your sweet (tantrum-free!) companionship. We love and adore you no matter what, but your contented, happy, precocious, chattering, singing, movie-quoting, affectionate, loving, giggling self delights us more than we ever thought possible. You're amazing, Teague Jackson. Our lives are immeasurably richer with you.

The 52 Project - 16/52

Hello,

Slightly more on time this week :).

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

Oh my baby. I feel I have nothing to add to this photo. It's just you. Perfect, gorgeous, happy. My treasure, my precious baby boy.

The 52 Project - 15/52

Well, this is officially the latest I've ever posted a photo, but I really want to keep up with this, even if it kills me haha! This is will have to be another phone camera shot, but sometimes I feel as though I can capture more candid moments with my phone, with the pressure off me to get that perfect DSLR shot, and the pressure off my boy, as mommy's face isn't obscured by a big black camera :).

Anyway, without further ado, here is this (well, last) week's photo:

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

I often think how lucky and blessed we are, to live in such an absolutely gorgeous neighborhood. It is nothing short of magical, the moment we step out the door. It has been such an ongoing joy to share my beloved little town with you, sweet boy. From my daily (sometimes twice daily) walks with you wiggling in my belly, to now, watching you dance happily ahead of me on this beautiful sidewalk we've walked so many times before. I am just so grateful Spring is finally here, and we can bask in all the beauty and joy to our hearts' content once again. I can't believe how big you are, little guy. This is a shot from our first attempt at a little walk around the block *without* a stroller, and even though you listened much better than last Spring (my rule is: stay on the sidewalk at all times, and stop when the sidewalk stops), the amount of heart-attacks this mommy experienced made me think another summer in the stroller might be best for all involved! It is mind-boggling to think that I am carrying yet another wiggling baby on these walks, and before I know it, I'll be introducing another child of mine to this town I love so much. And, this time, you'll be there too, to help me show our happy outside world to your baby brother! It is almost too much joy for this mama to hold in her heart. All I can do is breathe a prayer of thanks, and soak it all in.

The 52 Project 14/52

Hello!

I seem to be getting later and later with these posts, which is sad, considering this photo was taken and edited on Sunday afternoon! Oh well, I will try to do better next week :D.

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

My sweet little boy, I absolutely adore this photo of you delightedly watching a tiger playing on YouTube. I am also excited that I caught such a great expression at f3.2 1/20 sec! 

The 52 Project - 13/52

Spring is finally here!! We're still not sure it's not just toying with us, but we will fully embrace any hints at warmth and sunshine. My little boy just couldn't resist the huge circle of ice still floating in his baby pool on our porch. Yes, it's pink. But it was cheap ;).

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

So, I absolutely could not decide between these two images. The sunlight, your ridiculously fluffy blonde hair, the gorgeous pout of those lips. I find myself taking more and more photos of you lately, as I watch your baby-ness just slipping away. I'm so unbelievably proud of what a sweet and wonderful little boy you're turning into, but I'm grieving for the baby you used to be. Thankfully, you still love to climb up on mommy's (rapidly shrinking) lap and throw those chubby arms around my neck and press those downy soft cheeks against mine. You make this mommy so happy.

The 52 Project - 12/52

Well, it snowed this morning. This mommy was not happy. This lil boy was unfazed.

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

Teague Jackson, I absolutely love when you sit on the couch like a big person. You climbed up there yourself, tucked your little foot under, and delightedly watched some Toy Story. We've had a rough couple of weeks, you and I. Mommy is just so tired and sore and pregnant, and you are...well, you're two, my darling. Tomorrow you officially turn two and a half, and you're simultaneously furiously pushing mommy away with both tiny hands and ferociously and shockingly loudly clinging to me at the least suggestion of separation. All day, every day. We can spend an entire day at odds with each other, and when the time finally comes when daddy gets home and mommy can escape for a few moments of peace, you still fling yourself down in a screaming, crying heap of protest, sobbing out, "Mommy!" in the most pitiful, broken-hearted tones I've ever heard in my life. I both love and hate this stage, my baby. I get so excited capturing shots like this one though, just to freeze you in time. To freeze you in that pose, completely natural and relaxed, and YOU. Still-tiny toddler toes, pudgy, puffy baby hands, but such a big-boy pose on that couch. No matter what, I adore you, Teague Jackson, and I love being your mommy.

The 52 Project - 11/52

I am so excited that this week's photo is outside!! We are daring to hope that the horrible subzero temperatures that have been relentlessly plaguing us might actually be gone for good! Crossing our fingers!! 

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

Teague, my darling boy. I finally bought you a pair of rain boots, so of course, the moment the temperature rose to 40 degrees, we had to go try them out in your very first mud puddle! I loved that at first, you just ran through the sloshing ground, back and forth, over and over. But then you had an inspiration, a moment that connected you with millions of children and mud puddles before you, and you started jumping and stomping and dancing in that mud puddle. No one had to show you how, no one said a word. You just knew. I just couldn't believe how...kid-like you are becoming. How few traces of that chubby baby are left, and how proud I am, just watching you grow.