A Year of Sundays

As the resident photography buff, I am the one behind the lens in most of our family shots.

To remedy this, we decided to document Rain's first year of life by having Mike photograph Mama and Baby every Sunday.

We missed a couple weeks here and there, but overall we stuck to it for a year. The resulting time-lapse demonstrates what we already suspected: babies grow far too fast, and I wear my favorite striped cardi a bit too much. (Hey--I can play the comfy clothes card for at least a year postpartum, right?)

If you have a tiny one on the way, I strongly encourage you to embark on some sort of documentation photo project. We forget so many details of that whirlwind first year!

A free photo slideshow by Smilebox

She's One!

Seems like just the other day she was a wee little thing sleeping in her rock-and-play. And now she's a jabbery, squirmy, motor-noise-making one-year-old!

Rain was born with a calm countenance and wise eyes. Friends constantly say she looks like she could spout off an entire paragraph (although she has only a few words so far). She just looks around like she gets it. She is discovering more and more mischief these days, but even still, there is a certain peacefulness about her that adds so much to our home.

One of the past year's greatest joys has been watching a special bond develop between Gray and Rain. Only fifteen months apart, they are simultaneously competitors and the fastest of friends. They make each other laugh like no one else can, and seek each other out for playtime, giggle fests, and comfort. 

Guilty mom confession: so far her only birthday cake has been a leftover slice of Mommy's from a couple days before. (Side effect of having birthdays so close together!) But come Saturday we will make amends by throwing her a sunshine-themed party. Cheesy? Absolutely! But when you have a little Ray-Ray in your life, cheesy can't be helped. 

Happy birthday, sweet girl! We love you so! 

Photo credit: Black and white family shot by Noelle Bakken Photography 

Sibling Equality (Or a Pair of Toms for Rain)

Kids should be treated more or less equally, no?

Anyway, that's the excuse I made to justify snagging Rain this fun little pair of Toms on Zulily. I bought her brother the cutest gray Toms when he was her age and figured it was a tradition worth upholding.

For those of you who aren't familiar with Zulily, it's an addictive women's and kids' daily deals site that offers up to 70% off designer brands. Zulily is totally free to join, and if a daily email is too much temptation, you can opt to be notified only when your favorite brands roll around. When you purchase something from Zulily, you also get to enjoy free shipping on everything else you order that day, even if it's all in separate orders.

The Toms event is only on through Friday, September 12, but Zulily has lots of other fun deals coming up. (Carters and Horny Toad look promising!) I'm thinking of matching ties for Gray and Daddy and maybe a new construction toy to put aside for when cabin fever sets in. 

Which means I may have to look for another toy for Rain. Have to keep things equal, you know! 

New Nephew

This little snuggabunny is our new nephew, and we couldn't be more pleased. The only thing better than listening to his quick little breaths and marveling at his papery infant skin has been watching his big sisters interact with him. They are absolutely smitten. I can't imagine there's any baby in the world who has received more holding requests, kisses, and snuggles than this little guy.

Welcome to the world, sweet baby! 

Savoring Baby Days

We have a six-month-old in the house, and it's making me a bit melancholy. If Rain's first six months flew by this fast, I know the next six will disappear even faster.

I'm trying my best to appreciate her babyness each day...her thigh rolls, belly laughs, wobbly sitting, excited arm-flailing, and the way she rests her head on my shoulder when she's getting tired.

A mom of three once told me she welcomed her baby's night-waking.  2 a.m. nursing sessions provided a break from toddler meltdowns and phone calls and spilled sippy cups--a time to relish baby cuddles in peace. Now that I have two of my own, I can totally relate. Sometimes I expend so much energy chasing Gray I forget to really stop and notice my laid-back little Rain.

So here's to mindfulness: may we all make time each day to turn off the screen, set down the to-do list, and really take in the beauty and temporariness that is our child right now.