9/52

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

Chloe, yet another picture of my sweet little one in the bath. It wasn't my intention to post another bath picture so soon but I cant help myself, I'm truly in love with these two photo's of my daughter. Those long lashes, her sweet little hand, I see so much beauty when I look at her.

And as far as my favorite 52 portrait from last week, well that would have to be of Danielle's beautiful little one, Lotus.

Linking up with Jodi for the 52 project.

Around The Web

Today is the first day of March, which means spring is right around the corner! I don't think I have ever been so excited for spring as I am now. I miss the warmth of the sun against my skin and I miss spending my days outside playing with Chloe. There is just something so incredibly beautiful about watching everything in nature blossom at the same time.

---------

Here are a few links around the web that I wanted to share.

-- These pictures from Sarah of her trip to the Big Sur are truly breathtaking. I keep coming back to look at them!

-- Love these pictures of the talented Britt Bass in her studio, they are simply beautiful. I am constantly amazed and inspired by Paige Maitland's photography.

-- I saw this video about bullying on Melissa's blog, Dear Baby and thought it was well worth sharing again. It is extremely powerful, touching, and a message that NEEDS to be heard.

-- Last week I wrote a post about nursing my 20 month old and finally coming to the decision to wean her. I have heard so many wonderful things about Dr. Jay Gordon's approach to gentle night weaning. Mike and I decided that the next time he has a long weekend off from work we are going to start the process of night weaning Chloe using this approach. I'm excited, scared, nervous, but very much ready! 

-- I really loved this post about skincare on Courtney's blog. As a person who still struggles with acne I understand her frustration completely.

-- And as far as skincare goes I have been really enjoying this face wash and moisturizer  from Acure Organics and this body lotion by Jason is amazing stuff.

-- A few new favorite blogs I've been reading lately, those who love, Ruby Hoppen, Three Twenty, and alight.

Three Years

It was exactly three years ago today
in a small church surrounded by our friends and family
there we stood, across from one another
 his hands tightly wrapped around mine
our eyes welled up with salty tears
as we proclaimed to each other
" I do "

What a beautiful three years its been. I love you so much hunny, more now then ever before. Thank you for being my husband, for your unconditional love and support. Thank you for taking care of Chloe and I each and everyday. You mean the absolute world to us both. I look forward to spending all my days with you, forever and always.

Love, your wife

Adventure: Chicago Children's Museum

On Saturday the three of us ventured out into the city to spend the afternoon at the children's museum. I couldn't believe how much there was to do and see. We spent most of our time splashing and playing in the water room, catching fish and going down the big slide in the tree-house, running wild and free and exploring butterflies in the big backyard, doing a little grocery shopping in kids town, and inspecting all the little treasures in Michael's museum. We had an amazing time together as a family and Mike and I loved watching Chloe play and explore, I cant wait to do this again with her in the near future!

8/52

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

Chloe, " baby, baby, baby, amimals. " I love hearing Chloe sing along to her favorite children's songs, it's truly one of the sweetest things to hear and see! 

Linking up with Jodi and so many other wonderful bloggers for the 52 project.

Featured On: Disney Baby

We've been featured!

Lacy, a wonderful writer over at Disney Baby featured my latest portrait of Chloe in her most recent article on The 52 Project hosted by Jodi from Che and Fidel. I feel so honored and thrilled that Lacy contacted me about being featured on Disney Baby and am so excited to be sharing that link with all of you now! You can also find Lacy over at her personal blog, Living on Love to learn more about her and her sweet family!

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!