Remembering Our Days: A Photo Journal

Tuesday July 23rd, 2013// A day I never want to forget.

Precious moments of connection, just the two of us, twirling and dancing on our bed, eating juicy saturn peaches, quietly watching the world go by just outside our bedroom window. After a whirlwind of emotion and stress these past few weeks, a moment like this with my daughter is utter bliss. Feeling so grateful for day's like this one!

Dear Chloe: Two Years Old

-- Decorating a card for Daddy on Fathers Day and watching for him out the window! --
Dear Chloe,
My sweet girl, its hard to believe two years have already passed since you made your way into this big, beautiful world, a day I will never, could never, forget. Holding your little body in my arms for the first time felt so perfect, instantly I fell completely in love with you, my daughter. Over these past two years you have enriched our lives beyond imaginable, so much beauty, and love, and joy all because of you. Your Daddy and I love you so very much, and are so proud of the little girl you are becoming.
You are so full of life and energy, your desire to discover the world around you is intense, at times you can be so stubborn and wild, desperate for independence. In the same sense you are just as sweet as can be, always so caring and compassionate towards others,  you love giving hugs and kisses, cuddling with your Daddy and I, and you are so thoughtful too, always so eager to help me take care of the little baby at work. I love every little detail that makes you, you, Chloe, every little detail!
Because I never want to forget this time in your life....
You Love // spending the day outside, running, jumping with both feet, being naked, throwing stones at the beach, good music, giving and receiving kisses, backpacks, animals, the Fresh Beat Band, your family, dancing, painting, laughing, bubbles, shoes, playing dress up, being independent, standing on chairs, helping your Daddy and I cook in the kitchen, books, balloons, smelling flowers, chocolate, and singing along to your favorite songs.
You Say // baby, shoes, beats, coat, socks, feet, hands, head, nose, neck, water, here ya go, where did it go, oh no, I'm home, that's you, he, she, Grandma, Uncle Will, Aunt Becky, Faith, cheese, Shout, Twist, Kiki and Marina ( all characters from the Fresh Beat Band ) bubbles, go, watch, no, banana, hello, bye, balloon, bless you ( when you hear someone sneeze ), pretty.
You Know // the names of all your body parts and where they are all located ( your favorite is your nose ), can count to five, how to get undressed and also put on clothes ( including your shoes ), how to help me empty the dishwasher, sweep, and throw garbage away in the trash can, you walk, run, jump, and dance, use utensils when eating, know the names and sounds of many different animals, and can recognize the people you see the most in pictures and videos.
Happy Birthday sweet girl, I look forward to watching your grow more and more each and every day!
Love, Mama

Mothers Day: The Chicago Botanic Garden

On Sunday Mike took Chloe and I to the Chicago Botanic Garden to celebrate Mothers Day. The garden was truly breathtaking and so much bigger then I imagined it would be. We walked around exploring each section, breathing in the beautiful aroma of spring in full bloom. I could have spent an entire day there, slowly taking in the beauty and magic of this place. I couldn't have asked for a better Mothers Day.

I feel so humbled and honored to be called a Mother, thank you my beautiful, sweet Chloe for making me a Mom, you my dear are my greatest treasure. There is nothing I love more then spending my days with you and your Daddy!

Happy Mothers Day to my own Mother, you are a beautiful woman, thank you for you constant love and support!

11/52

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

Chloe, I could never, ever get sick of her beautiful smile and the sound of her sweet laughter. When I look at my daughter, and I mean really take the time to just stare at her, my eyes well up with tears. She is so special and perfect to me, so full of love and wonder. To think, this beautiful, little soul came from her Father and I's love, I can think of nothing more incredible, more humbling then that. 

My favorite portrait from last week are of Tahnee's three beautiful children, simply stunning!

Linking up with Jodi for the 52 project!

On Breastfeeding and Weaning

Chloe, 20 months old, nursing to sleep.

When I was pregnant with Chloe it was my goal to breastfeed her until she was at least one year old, and then she was born and everything changed. As I held her tiny, warm body in my arms and nursed her for the first time I fell completely in love with her, my beautiful daughter. As each month passed and my daughter grew older, breastfeeding her become such a natural part of our lives. It was during those first few months as a new Mother when I came to the decision that I was going to nurse Chloe for as long as she liked, whether that be before she turned one or after, it was simply going to be up to her.

Now here we are, Chloe is 20 months old and still breastfeeding every single day. In my experience breastfeeding a toddler is much different then breastfeeding an infant, its harder, at least to me it is. Chloe is heavier, taller, stronger, and constantly moving, and naturally with age she has become more stubborn and strong willed, and is able to voice her opinion much easier then before. When Chloe was an infant I could easily roll over and nurse her in the middle of the night without even really waking up, but now those nightly feedings have become uncomfortable, painful, and disruptive to my sleep. Besides waking up multiple times a night to nurse Chloe, I feel like I am constantly nursing her throughout the day as well. These past few months I have often found myself feeling completely overwhelmed by Chloe's constant need to nurse. I miss having my body to myself.

I feel torn, Chloe loves nursing, and since the day she was born it's been a huge part of her life. On the other hand, I know if we continue on this path with no resolution or change Chloe and I's relationship is going to suffer. I never knew how difficult the decision to wean my daughter would be for me, but it is an incredibly hard and emotional one. I'm ready though, and I know that with time and love and patience Chloe will be ready to move on as well.

I've done a little bit of research on gentle weaning and know that this process can take many months, for which that I am grateful for. Our plan at this moment is to start cutting out all of the unnecessary feedings and eventually, I would love to be nursing Chloe only three times a day and none throughout the night. There is so much I am unsure of though, like how to night wean Chloe, what to do in those situations when she's crying and screaming for milk and nothing else will calm her down, and how to get her to enjoy eating solid food more. It's all a little overwhelming to be honest but I know that with love, time, and patience everything will work itself out in the end.

If you have gone through the process of weaning your child, or are currently going through the process, your stories, tips, and advice would be so gratefully appreciated!

Dear Chloe: The Sweetest 17 Months

Dear Chloe,

Yesterday you turned 17 months old! 

It's so hard for me to believe that in less than a month you my dear will be 1 1/2. It's truly unreal how quickly you are growing up, one minute you we're this tiny, sleepy, newborn baby in my arms and then the next you're this beautiful, smart, adventures, wild toddler. You Daddy and I love you so much sweetheart, since the moment we found out you we're ours our life has been filled with so much love and beauty! Since I've been completely awful about keeping up with your monthly updates I just wanted to share a few fun things you've been up to these days.

:: You have become such a little helper, you'll hand me a diaper when its time to change you, you love helping me empty the dishwasher, and you'll even help me put away the laundry!

:: You love giving your Daddy and I kisses! and a kiss from you is the most sweetest thing in the world!

:: You are such a talkative little girl!

:: Your obsessed with playing with the kitchen utensils.

:: You climb on everything, chairs, tables, the piano bench.... just to name a few.

:: You still love music and now you even sing along to your favorite songs!

:: If you hear everyone laughing you always make sure to laugh along too, it's so funny.

You run and jump and kick and throw and dance and are just such a delight to be around. You can light up a room with your beautiful smile and sweet laugh.

We love you so much Chloe, always and forever

Mommy and Daddy

The Simple Things

It's the simple things in life that make everyday so beautiful, like watching my sweet daughter play and splash and float around on her belly in the bath tub happy as can be.

Sweet Angel Face

Always My Baby

It was 16 Months ago today my precious, sweet Chloe made her way into this big, beautiful world. What an incredible gift and blessing this little girl has brought to our lives, because of her we will never be the same. Always and forever she will be my baby, no matter how big or old she gets. 

Breastfeeding At 15 Months

Those quite moments curled up in bed with my daughter who's sweetly nursing away have become my most favorite moments of the day. When the world is still and calm, and its just me and my baby laying side by side. I feel so completely grateful for this wonderful experience, 15 1/2 months and we are still going strong. I know one day this will end, and so I'm trying to take as many pictures as I can to remember this beautiful time in my life.

These Are The Days

This poem is so very sweet and has reminded me just how special and beautiful breastfeeding my daughter is to me. 

Mother's Love

These are the days of laughter and love
smiling faced cherubim sent from above
snuggled at my breast full of warmth and rest
brings meaning and purpose fulling destiny
creating, nurturing the solar plexus
of radiant energy transformed
in your smile.

- Charisse Goodyear

Future Chef

Instagram photos @ beforeverlovely

It's no secret that my daughter is obsessed with all things kitchen , and these days her all time favorite "toys" to play with are big ladles, and this spatula. Chloe also really loves to play with the pots and pans, she'll scatter them all across the kitchen floor banging on each one as if they were drums. I personally think it is pretty darn cute and it's important to me to let Chloe discover the world around her by letting her play with other things besides her toys (as long as its not dangerous).

And who knows, maybe all this playing in the kitchen will inspire Chloe to be a chef one day!  Either way I'm going to do what I can to ensure Chloe has the best childhood possible, even if that means extra cleanup for me.