Time has been embedded in our brains like a scale that we’ve inherited. It is inevitable, and it never dulls. But still, I don’t give it enough thought. Thinking back on when time was first scaled, I can’t help but think that one of our ancestors took the rapid and astonishing growth of our babies as one of their main points of mark.
I remember reading books telling me what to expect from my new bundle of baby when they were six weeks, or what they should be mastering by month four. And I remember racking my brain with trying to gage and stay on top of milestones that I could help with. It’s a strange and magical time in which we all think, “I hope they are on track” and then when we all get to the 12 month mark we say,”How on EARTH did we get HERE?!”
Every mother before us reminds us that it goes by quickly, and we nod and agree. But it isn’t until that moment where you realize you no longer have an infant, but a bright-eyed curious toddler, that you take a breath and wonder where all of those thousands of hours have gone.
This is when people stop asking, “how old is your baby?” and start asking, “how old is your boy?”
Their chubby feet are still finding their roots and as they bounce each step off of the floor, they inch a little further away from needing the security of your hand as their stability. And we cheer for it! We want so badly for our perfect little bundles to run full speed into the world, knowing that we will always be there to catch them. And as they run full speed ahead, you will be sure to be faced with some obstacles: Scratched knees, sun burn, boundary pushing, temper tantrums, and refusal to eat anything with nutrients are a few that come to mind.
And as you are running around checking every single box to ensure that your wobbly boy finds his stride; I beg you, remember to keep yours.
Remember the smell of his head after a bath, and the heat of his body when you are carrying him to the car after a day at the beach. Keep the way he mispronounces “I love you” somewhere close so you can summon in it on a hard day. When he wants to play Dinosaurs as he jumps on the bed, remember his unfiltered joy, and how there isn’t a single other thing on that planet, that demonstrates living in the moment more than that.
You will pour everything you have into these sweet souls, and you owe it yourself to keep these mystical moments close. Keep them safe. Because as the palms of his feet flatten and the chubbiness of his cheeks shrink, the only thing you’ll have are these moments. Pillow fights, first steps, bad haircuts, and “I luhyews, mama” will only be in your memories. They will always be your very favorite stories, make sure you can show him too. You can’t stop time, but you owe it to yourself, to cherish it.
Check out this adorable first birthday photo shoot below or his six month milestone session!
Jack LOVED his cake smash during his first birthday photo shoot! Mom brought in the most adorable cupcake for him to enjoy during our session. Cake smash sessions have become very popular over the years and I always love seeing these sweet babies dig in!
I had the pleasure of photographing Jack’s first birthday photo shoot and I can’t believe how quickly it passed by! I documented his first few days during his newborn session, his sweet six month milestone, and his twelve month birthday session. With each session, I saw this beautiful baby boy grow into an adorable toddling boy. It’s always bitter sweet at the end of baby’s first year but I can’t wait to document Jack for years to come.
It would be an absolute HONOR to capture your baby’s first year. I offer a lovely baby’s first year plan that will give you discounted sessions throughout the first year of your babies life, documenting little milestones and details you don’t want to forget! Contact me today to chat !
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