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

Sometimes there are photos that simply need no words, to me this is one of them. 

Joining in with Jodi for the 52 project.

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" A portrait of my child, once a week, every week in 2014 "
Chloe, my darling girl so full of beauty and emotion. She is officially three years old now. Life has truly been a million times better since she has graced us with presence! Joining in with Jodi for the 52 project.

23|52

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

Chloe, always drawn to music, even while playing at the park.

Joining in with Jodi for the 52 project.

22|52

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

Chloe, enjoying the simple pleasures in life. Swinging at the park, wind blown and warm sunshine.

Joining in with Jodi for the 52 project.

21|52

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

Chloe, almost three and full of so much attitude! 

Joining in with Jodi for the 52 project.

20|52

" A portrait of my child, once a week, every week in 2014. " I cant believe how grown up Chloe looks in this photo I snapped of her yesterday. In less then a month we will be celebrating her THIRD birthday! She is a truly a little girl now, no longer an infant or even a toddler. I am so proud of Chloe, she has such a beautiful heart and soul. I thank God everyday for choosing me to be her Mother! Joining in with Jodi for the 52 Project.

Spring | An Easter Egg Hunt

Saturday, April 19th, 2014 | Front yard Easter egg hunt

I cant believe how late I am posting these pictures, It's been almost a whole month since we celebrated Easter. Life just has a funny way of getting in the way sometimes! 

On Saturday April 19th we had planned on taking Chloe to a community Easter egg hunt at our local park in the town we live in. Chloe was so excited and looking forward to it all week! There was going to be face painting and balloons, and even a few jump houses. We got there a few minutes before noon, but to our surprise when we got there we found out that the event was over and that they had already had the Easter egg hunt a few hours before. Somehow we had gotten the times mixed up. We were so bummed and Chloe was so upset that she wasn't going to be able to put little candy filled eggs in her basket. We packed up our screaming child back in the car and headed to the store to buy Easter eggs for our own hunt in the front yard. Chloe ended up having such a fun time as her and Mike searched all over the front yard for the eggs, she still talks about it even to this day! I am so glad we were able to create a wonderful memory for Chloe to cherish.

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" A portrait of my child, once a week, every week in 2014. "
I have taken more pictures of Chloe on our front porch then any other spot in our house. It's our favorite spot to sit and watch the world go by.
Joining in with Jodi for the 52 project.

17|52

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

Well it's official! Chloe hasn't worn diapers in a few weeks now, I think it's safe to say my little girl is completely potty trained! I am so proud of her, it amazes me how quickly she "got it" once she became 100% ready to use the potty on her own everyday. 

Joining in with Jodi for the 52 project.

Remembering Our Days | A Photo Journal

Wednesday April 9th, 2014 | A day I never want to forget.

It was a beautiful spring day, full of endless possibility, the sun warm against our skin, a steady yet soft breeze combed through our wild hair. We had no where important to be, no work or appointments or errands to run, just an open schedule, such a rarity for us these days. With nothing to do Chloe and I headed to the beach. We spent the afternoon playing in the sand, searching for rocks both big and small to throw out into the vast cool water. I cherish moments like these with my daughter, though they might seem small to some, they mean the world to me.

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

" Loooook " Chloe exclaimed with pure joy and excitement as she found another Easter egg under the big pine tree in our front yard.

Happy Easter friends, hope your day is filled with joy and beauty!

Joining in with Jodi for the 52 project.

15|52

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

I took Chloe to the beach a few days ago to play in the sand and throw rocks in the water. She absolutely loved it, we both did! The weather was beautiful and we had no where important to be, just me and my sweet Chloe, truly one of the best days I have had in a long time.

Joining in with Jodi for the 52 project.

14|52

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

Chloe, cautiously crossing the bridge at the playground. After being stuck indoors all winter long my once fearless daughter is rediscovering how to play again.

Joining in with Jodi for the 52 project.

13|52

" A portrait of my child, once a week, every week in 2014. "
Chloe, my darling girl sleeping so peacefully as we wait for her cousins to arrive in the parking lot of a nearby park. I love watching her sleep, a gentle feeling of peace washes over me, and everything in the world just feels as it should in that moment.
Yet again I have fallen behind on this years 52 project. Our life has become busier. There is always so many things I want to do and accomplish in a day, but there is simply not enough hours to do so. More then ever I desire a balance in my life, between the things I know I must do and the things I want to do. Our future is bright, I can see it, and slowly but surly things are coming together for my family and I!
Joining in with Jodi for the 52 project.

12|52

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

Chloe, enjoying the warmth and sunshine, a pleasant surprise on the first day of spring. I am truly beyond excited that spring has finally arrived, after a brutally cold and long winter, my soul yearns for the change in season!

Joining in with Jodi for the 52 project.

Daydreaming of Spring

-- Photo's from last June, The Butterfly Garden at Brookfield Zoo. --

Daffodils, by Mark R Slaughter

I fell in love -

Taken by the innocence of

child-faced daffodils.

Their perky April fanfares -

Clarion calls from yellow-ochre brass bands

Presaging, rejoicing, calling us.

" Here we are! Here we are! "

three/52

-- three favorites from the 52 project --

Chloe,

17/52: She loves to play dress up, twirling around in front of the mirror admiring her own beauty. I smile as I watch her play, mentally trying to take it all in. These precious moments with my daughter are truly so fleeting. One day, sooner then I even know, my little girl will be all grown up.

23/52: Our first trip to the beach this summer. She loves the way the sand feels in between her little fingers. Watching Chloe discover the world around her is one of the most beautiful, humbling experiences of Motherhood.

26/52: Refreshed after an afternoon nap, reading books in her Daddy's lap as the early evening light pours in through our bedroom window. A perfect, simple moment indeed.

It's hard to believe we are already halfway through this project. So much has happened and changed for my family during these past six months. With open arms we have welcomed the change in seasons from winter, to spring, and now summer. There have been new jobs, promotions, family adventures, holidays, birthdays ( Mike's and Chloe's ). We have grown, and loved, and laughed, and cried, and yelled. So many beautiful, simple memories I want to cherish and keep forever. I feel incredibly grateful for this project, it has helped me share the story I am most proud of, the story of my daughter, of my family. I feel so honored to be among so many inspiring woman, Mothers, photographers, and bloggers, and I can truly say I feel like I have grown as a photographer and storyteller through this project.

Joining in with Jodi for the 52 project.

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

Chloe, in her Daddy's arms, so completely mesmerized by the beauty and magic of the butterfly garden at Brookfield Zoo.

Last Sunday the three of us ventured out to Brookfield zoo to celebrate two joyous occasions, Chloe's 2nd birthday and Fathers Day. Though it was unbelievably hot that day and very crowded at the zoo we truly had a blast together as a family!

So many inspiring portraits from last week, here are just a few of my favorites, pomegranate and seeds, the bostrom blog,  Endearing Life, and Monkey & Squirrel , 

Joining in with Jodi for the 52 project.

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

24/52

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

Chloe, bathed, pajama's on, teeth brushed, and ready to sleep in her very own toddler bed. Such a huge milestone reached for us this week! My darling girl turned two years old yesterday! Happy birthday Chloe, you have brought so much joy and beauty and love into our lives! We love you you so very much and are so proud of you.

Portraits that inspired me from last week, Hello Sisilia, blog a la Cart, Jane Mabel and The Stork and the Beanstalk.

Joining in with Jodi for the 52 project.