Monsoon was 1 the first time I showed him how to gather and toss dry, colorful leaves into the wind. I happened, as I always did then, to have my camera... and so the photo shoot at our local park began. They were some of the best pictures I'd ever taken of him. We played, we laughed, we hugged and we discovered. That first year, he was simply happy to be with me.
The second year, he was more independent. He still wanted me close, but the adventure was in discovering how far he could get before I ran after him. By then, he knew the cement lions were only statues and he wasn't afraid of climbing the gazebo steps. He hadn't yet figured out that, even if he couldn't see me, I knew where he was hiding. I can still hear the giggles emanating from behind that tree.
Last year didn't hold quite as many innocent smiles. He wasn't as excited to walk around the historic area of the park; wasn't as content to have only mommy. There were other kids playing on the playground near us, distracting him from the trees and the monuments and... well, me. At first I thought the photos didn't turn out as well as previous years, but then I realized the difference wasn't so much in my camera. He was starting to grow up, starting to look away, starting to drift...
This afternoon will be our 4th fall photo shoot. I'll be carrying tissues in my camera bag.To participate in Wordful Wednesdays, head over to 7 Clown Circus. The theme this week is inspired by the movie MOTHERHOOD, opening this Friday.
15 comments:
These are SO stinking cute! I love them! He is so expressive!
I especially love the little peekaboo tree pose!
Awww!! You'll have to post a few from today! The one from last year reminds me of my Fynn right now... so contemplative :)
Pass the tissues this way please....
Awww....I asked Kamden (now 7) if he would stay little for me forever, he said he would. He changed his mind! :(
It's fun while it lasts. Hold on to those memories Momma!!!
You really caught the beauty of the changes. I'm so glad you are enjoying it now and won't be looking back in sadness thinking you missed it. I fully enjoyed the childhood of my children and now as they grow, I look back with tears of joy knowing that I really experienced it.
Aww, so adorable. And really neat to see his progress each year on your annual Fall photo op. I can understand how in some ways it would make you sad but it has to be exciting too.
I think I need a tissue and I'm not even his mother. :) What a beautiful area you live in, and I love that I recognize you from Twitter!
I'm with Angie - I need a tissue too. Drift? Distracted? No! Say it ain't so! Either way, I think you're pictures are great.
We are still waiting for the leaves to fall here.
What a great tradition! I think I'm going to have a hard time creating traditions with my kids because my husband hates all of my family's traditions! Hates!
This is sweet. Kinda makes me tear up a little. Hope it went well!
So sweet. That's a really great idea. I wish we had more of these traditions - the photo next to the same bear each month and then year and so forth.... We just have the first day of school photo and Santa bringing them a Christmas book each year. You're doing a great job -- and he's such a cutie! Here's hoping the photo shoot goes well.
Oh my gosh, so cute!!!
I'm teary reading this. Sigh. It happens so fast.
The one year old picture is ADORABLE!!!
Great. Now I'm depressed. Having a hard job here thinking my "little one" will be going off to college in a mere 4 years at which point I will need to pick up lots of new hobbies, cause I'm gonna miss the dude!
Post a Comment