// 15/52 //

// a portrait of my son, once a week, every week, in 2015" //

such a rarity. gosh, we adore you.

// 14/52 //

// a portrait of my son, once a week, every week, in 2015" //

"mama, say 'cheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeese', smileeee, mama"

always for you, baby, always.

// 13/52 //

// a portrait of my son, once a week, every week, in 2015" //

when i get off of work, i pick you up at nana's and we visit with her for an hour. sometimes, we get home and daddy arrives shortly after, but most evenings, it's just you and i- depending on our day, we either workout together, or make/eat dinner. we opted for falafels today. you need to have your food separately. so no to wraps, quesadillas, sandwiches, because 9/10 times you take everything apart. so here we have a wheat tortilla, cucumbers, feta cheese, carrots, tomatoes, spinach and falafels. mmmm! love sitting down and enjoying you, baby boy.

// 12/52 //

// a portrait of my son, once a week, every week, in 2015" //

ah, you little character, you! we had a photoshoot for mama's tees, and boy oh boy, you were the most difficult to work with, even though you have plenty of experience with shoots. maybe it was the excitement of all your baby friend being over your house, having to share your toys (we're working on this new concept, still), and having all these beautiful mamas around you...but boy did you make us laugh. this captures you perfectly, baby boy. full of non-stop energy and captured mid- scare to your titi becca! 

// 11/52 //

// a portrait of my son, once a week, every week, in 2015" //

i don't think i could ever tire of watching you sleep. not just because you look so peaceful and innocent and calm and beautiful, but because it is probably your least favorite thing to do. sleep at night is still so hard to come by. but your naps are on cue and i cherish our weekends together, when i can witness your calm.

// 10/52 //

// a portrait of my son, once a week, every week, in 2015" //

oh, son. you have recently discovered your nose has nostrils and your fingers fit perfectly well in there. you're not looking for anything, you just think it's fun to poke, so you'll refuse the tissue and say "no thank you, mine finger!"

// 9/52 //

// a portrait of my son, once a week, every week, in 2015" //

oh, son. that look of determination. you refuse to let us help you. you readjust your helmet every time we adjust it. you want to carry your own bike and want to follow daddy's every move, and then make him follow your path. you are strong and resilient. you fall off and pause. unsure of your next move, you rarely cry at a fall, you simply dust off your hands on your pants, get up and try again. gosh, i admire you. thank you for reminding me to be strong. 

// 8/52 //

// a portrait of my son, once a week, every week, in 2015" //

oh baby boy, this is such a fun age for us as we witness you express your personality through your words and actions. you are so smart, so independent and so wild. 

we love you so.

// 7/52 //

// "a portrait of my son, once a week, every week, in 2015" //

your personality is everything. as is your hair!

// 6/52 //

// "a portrait of my son, once a week, every week, in 2015" //

this blurry snapshot of you melts me. currently, dad-dee is your obsession. all you want is him. there's a part of me that cringes because it's not me...but the majority of me is so melted, happy and enhanced by your union. it is beautiful. i think about how i didn't have that and how lucky you are that you do. because everyone should. you are blessed, and you equally bless us. 

// 5/52 //

                                // "a portrait of my son, once a week, every week, in 2015" //

oh, son, you are such a little character. thank you for putting up with my crazy ideas of capturing you into custom greeting cards for all we love to treasure. we just want to share you with our loved ones and you put up with it each time, most of the time. of course, bribes are always involved. 

// 4/52 //

// "a portrait of my son, once a week, every week, in 2015" //

This last week we celebrated your two years of precious life. Amongst the busy chaos and celebrations, you kept finding a little time to yourself to enjoy the things you wanted to. Always marching to the beat of your own drum. I hope you always remain independent, grateful and humble. A true leader. Continue finding happiness in the little things and appreciation. Stay beautiful, gorgeous baby boy. 

// 3/52 //

// "a portrait of my son, once a week, every week, in 2015" //

Here you are, Baby Boy! On the eve of your second birthday. I am full of emotions. Happy that you are here, growing healthy, intelligently and strong! Yet, sad at how fast time has gone by. It seems like only yesterday I held you in my arms for the very first time. I took in the amazing smell that only babies possess. I put my hand to your chest and immediately calmed you down. I am cuddling you with kisses nonstop today and affirmations of all the amazingness that you most certainly are. I am making sure to keep up with the little traditions we started last year. Like reading certain books, filling your bed with balloons, breakfast pancakes....I know they seem silly but they mean the world to me. Because they celebrate you. You are everything to me. You turn my world into a mess. This happy mess. 

// 2/52 //

// "a portrait of my son, once a week, every week, in 2015" //

This week, my little boy has become OBSESSED with Barney + Baby Bop (and occasionally BJ). He has never been interested in cartoons. A few months ago, on a long road trip, heintently watched videos on trash trucks- it was the cutest thing. This week, Nana told us she randomly found Barney the night before and recorded it. She turned it on for him the following day and he was intrigued, as the TV is never on at her house. He ended up loving it and requesting as soon as we got home. But by then his excitement had become psycho-superfan-like. The following day, Nana found these two figurines and this boy, literally spent the next 24 hours not letting them go (throughout dinner, bathtime, the two-hour sleep scream battle, the next morning, in the car, etc). I arrived at Nana's house and he asked for a picture with them. He chose two spots- by a palm tree and in the middle of dried, dead grass and told them (Barney and Baby Bop) to say "cheeeese!" I was laughing, but now that I look at the picture, it looks like he was signing for "more," the only sign he still regularly uses. The sweetest, cutest thing, yet we are simultaneously weaning him off his obsession that started just a few days ago. All things in moderation, son, all things in moderation. 

// 1/52 //

i have loved following the 52 project  on a few blogs i follow (especially this beautiful mama's) and have been waiting for the new year to to do it, too. in lieu of my monthly updates for oliver, i am now going to do a weekly photo of my growing baby boy. at the end of the year, i can make a book (just like my instagram chatbooks)! a few years ago, i created my own 365 project and didn't get too far before i didn't prioritize it. but i have high hopes for more blogging!

 i love these social communities that connect us and gives a glimpse into sharing each others lives and stories. 

here's to this little project and the many that are to come. 

1/52

// "a portrait of my son, once a week, every week, in 2015" // 

Oliver captured perfectly: rambunctiously sweet, naughty little one year old (for only two more weeks) causing havoc in Nana's backyard.