7 // 52

Always on the move! And trying to get the camera strap. 

*A portrait of my child, once a week, every week for one year. 

(I took my inspiration to join CheandFidel's year long photo series from Bleubird blog )

6 // 52

This kid is busy.

*A portrait of my child, once a week, every week for one year. 

(I took my inspiration to join CheandFidel's year long photo series from Bleubird blog )

6 months.

This month has been my favorite so far, I think. It has brought about so many new things! Søren is much more independent. He's so much more aware and interactive. Also, there were a lot of firsts this month! We went on our first family road trip to Nashville. That's been one of my goals for this year (and in general): travel more! Have more adventures! Nashville was definitely an adventure. Driving 11 hours with a 5 1/2 month old is kinda crazy. But fun. He was really good for the most part! We just stopped a lot more to let him wiggle and stretch. And by the end of the day he was Over It. So was I. ;) It was so much fun visiting Adam's family. Søren was the star, and really? I totally get it. He's pretty special. Anyway he got to meet so much of his family up there and they all loved him to pieces. He learned how to wave while we were there, and mommy and daddy got to go on their first date since before he was born! It was great. See? So many firsts! We went to some if our favorite Nashville places - antique shops, coffee shops, cute boutiques. I miss Nashville sometimes, and all it's people. We met up with some old and new friends and I love them all so much! I also discovered fried pickles and stocked up on cookie butter from Trader Joe's. The night before and the morning that we left it snowed. So technically Søren saw his fist snow, which was lovely, but I was happy to be on our way back to sunnier skies and palm trees. By the time we finally got home that day Søren was stoked to be home.

Since then he's also had his first solid food: avocado! He's not too sure about it yet. He gets excited at first but then once he's had enough he pretends to choke and cry. It's all very dramatic, and I have no idea where he could have possibly gotten that from.....right. I am so loving this age, though, because he's a little bit mobile, but not to the point that I'm chasing him around. He's doing this thing my mom says is called 'creeping' (apparently this is a thing?) where he sort of scoots around or pushes himself forward on his knees. He hasn't quite got the arms and legs coordinated, though it's enough to get to a toy a few feet away. I also love that he's still little enough for me to scoop up whenever I want for some snuggles, but he's big enough to play on his own with some toys while I fold laundry, etc. Yes, this is a good age. He's looking more boyish and less babyish every day. I'm trying to be mindful of that and stay in the moment and soak in all the baby goodness. He's already fitting into some 12-18 month items I thought he wouldn't be anywhere close to wearing yet. We don't have his 6 month appointment for another couple of weeks. I can't wait to see how much he has grown!

5 // 52

Blankets can be tricky to navigate.

*A portrait of my child, once a week, every week for one year. 

(I took my inspiration to join CheandFidel's year long photo series from Bleubird blog )

Lion hearted boy.

Søren,

Today, like every day, you fell asleep in my arms. You slept for a bit, woke up, ate some more and fell back to sleep. You woke up another time and smiled at me, still mostly asleep and put your cheek up against my cheek. You climbed around on me, buried your head in my chest, and fell back asleep. As I watched you sleeping, I caught a glimpse of the man that you'll be. Instead of the soft, pink baby shoulders will be broad manly shoulders. Instead of baby soft skin and rolls, there will be strong arms and muscle. Your smile that lights up my heart will only shine brighter. One day it will light up some special girl's heart in a whole new way. But more than that, I saw the sort of man you'll be. Kind, the way your father is, making people feel comfortable in their own skin and loving the unlovable. Fiercely protective. Thoughtful. Stubborn. Flawed. Loved. Positive. Headstrong. We named you Søren Robert Magnus. To us it means great bright warrior. You are and will be a bright light in this ever darkening world. A beacon of love. You emanate a sweetness and a pure joy. I feel so honored to be your mama, you are truly something special. And so, as the days move along and each day you grow more independent, a bit closer to 'little boy' and a bit further from 'little baby', I'll find solace in this small glimmer I saw today of the man you will become. Sleep sweet, little lion cub. Big adventures await.

Love,

Mama

Yoga Baby.

Today, Søren's cousin Erin came over to spend some time with him. It's his 6 month birthday today. What! I have a kid that's half a year old!!! How did that happen? Anyway, Erin came over and got here before Søren woke up. He decided to sleep in until 9:30 this morning (which I'm totally not complaining about). So, when he woke up Erin and I went in to get him. He was all smiles, and then saw Erin and was a little confused. Then the smiles came back and he was ready to have some fun. We changed him and put him on a blanket on the floor to play and it was go time. He's so entertaining. And he's lucky to have so many cousins and so much family who loves him so much! 

Let me tell you, that little charmer is going to be crawling before I can turn around. The baby yoga going on was awesome. His downward dog (puppy?) is on point. I'm totally not rushing him. Can we freeze time right here? He's still a baby, he sleeps pretty well through the night, the diapers are really not bad, I can dress him however I dang well please, he lets me snuggle him whenever I want, he's not mobile yet…..I mean. C'mon. I know I will love each age, but this age just seems so good. I'm trying not to miss it, to savor those naps he takes in my arms, and the moments when he wakes us up at night. All of it, because before long he will be grown and I will miss this sweet and special time. 

Show off. 

Cousin love. 

Daddy kisses.

Batten down the hatches everybody. Søren's about to be on the move. 

4 // 52

A moment of spontaneous joy at the zoo Sunday.

*A portrait of my child, once a week, every week for one year. 

(I took my inspiration to join CheandFidel's year long photo series from Bleubird blog )

currently.

Can you believe how big this kid is looking these days?! Me, neither.



Watching: Parks and Rec on Netflix! So much Parks and Rec. At first when I watched that show I didn't find it that funny. Now I laugh out loud when I watch it. Isn't it funny how that happens? Such a great show.

Thinking about: How grown up my kid is getting! I love this age. I wish I could freeze time right here. He's almost crawling! Just as I was typing this I had to stop to praise him because he had gotten up on hands and knees and was grinning at me. Such a good boy. I love him so.

Reading: City of Bones by Cassandra Clare. I'm dying over here, people! I love these books! Darn her and her teenage love triangles that I care so much about!

Listening: Right now I'm listening to indie music on Songza. Loving that app right now! It's so much fun.

Eating: Trader Joe's Speculoos Cookie Butter. Oh, man. All the time. On everything. I might have put them on a Trader Joe's Jo Jo and not felt at all bad for liking it, I can't get enough! Also, this week I made chicken noodle soup and we're still on a Brussells sprouts kick. Oh, and when we were in Nashville last week I tried fried pickles and cannot stop thinking about them! So, so tasty. Mmmm. I might be salivating.

Making me happy: Chats with my brother in the hallway at work (we work together!), coffee, my sisters, meeting up with IG friends in real life, seeing Adam's family and some sweet friends, Søren getting to meet his wonderful great grandparents, the city of Nashville.....and cookie butter. Yep. 

Zoo Day

Today was a good day. It was in the 50's, so we decided to take advantage of this nice (and rare!) cool day and head to the zoo. 

Coffee was necessary. 

This kid is the most fun. I love being able to spend time outside with him. He's so good when we go out, just soaking everything in. He's still too little to really know what's happening, but he does like to watch the monkeys swing around. Today he was way more interested in the waterfall in the tiger exhibit than the actual tigers. But, you know, pretty soon he'll be running all over the place telling me random facts about okapi or something. Bottom line, he totally rules and I'm the luckiest mom ever. :) 

The happiest!

Side note: after this we got pulled over because we were 'blocking an intersection at a red light'. The police officer let us go with a warning which was awesome! I think Søren was so cute he didn't want to give us the ticket. :) So thanks to that k-9 officer in downtown Tampa. 

3 // 52

Playing on the floor, trying to figure out this crawling business.

*a portrait of my child once a week, every week, for one year.

*A portrait of my child, once a week, every week for one year. 

(I took my inspiration to join CheandFidel's year long photo series from Bleubird blog )

2 // 52

Helping mama pack before our trip to Nashville last week.

*a portrait of my child once a week, every week, for one year.

*A portrait of my child, once a week, every week for one year. 

(I took my inspiration to join CheandFidel's year long photo series from Bleubird blog )