All Posts Tagged with "Project Harley"
Or as I sometimes call her, Punk a Lou Lou. Greg and I are so happy to have a new round of pics of our one-and-only, sweet Harley. My dear friend and second shooter, the talented Jessica Epstein, was down for the challenge. And challenge it was, as our girl does not stop for anyone. Jessica captured our vibrant, dynamic, and exciting little girl perfectly. Harley is a ball of energy, love, and giggles. As Jessica says in her recent blog post, “and she’s got eyes that’ll steal your heart!” We think so!
I can’t believe my beautiful little baby girl turned one in August. The day came and went as perfect as we could have imagined…And poof, my little baby girl became a toddler. Beautiful, independent, and courageous, Harley flies and leaps at every turn. She is outgoing, outrageous, and a ball of energy and fun. I could have never imagined such a more meaningful person in my life. And her presence each day is the most incredible gift. Thanks so much to Jessica for taking these wonderful photos. And for giving us forever memories. And to Marisa at Arteymas (my friend, client, and collegue-pure talent!) who made me the most beautiful thank you cards ever. My family and friends can’t stop talking about them still to this day.
Happy VDay Family!!
I feel like I just woke up from a dream. A scary one, involving my star act, Harley, and what looked to be a three ring circus or Cirque du Soleil extravaganza. Although, there was nothing amusing or fun about this particular show! Call it a “mother’s instinct”, but thankfully when I looked into my baby’s eyes this morning, I knew in my heart that my kid had returned to her body with her typical calm and serenity intact.
I don’t even know how the last five days unfolded, it started with a very out of the norm melt down at lunch with my mother and sister in law (of course!) at my side and ended five days later, two parents wiped to smithereens as we laid down for bed at 8pm (yes, 8pm) last night , praying this night would not be like all other nights and we would finally get some sleep.
I feel like my child was abducted by aliens or the Ringling Brother’s road show over the last week. In what appears to be a very successful “growing spurt”, Harley fed non-stop, cried at the top of her lungs, and reverted to the sleeping patterns of her first month all while she tried to get her mind and body in sync with the numerous developments that were happening internally and externally to her.
As I look down at my baby today in full smiles and giggles as she begs me to help her stand (at 5:40 in the morning!) and repeatedly coos while putting her whole foot into her mouth (yoga style), this girl is a totally different kid. She looks like an entirely different baby, round cheeks,chubby legs, and a full belly. She’s “talking” up a storm, grabbing hold of things, standing (with the tiniest bit of help), feeding herself from a bottle, the list goes on.
No wonder Harley has been screaming with confusion and pain over the last five days, she was on an olympic spree in development. The crazy thing is, no matter how prepared you think you are and how much sound advice you have gotten, you can only question and OVER-analyze what in the world has happened to your baby all day, every day for as long as this goes on. Its enough to make you crazy and to believe that you are back to ground zero, with your confidence and conviction shattered and thrown to the wayside.
And then, the dream “or nightmare” is over, and poof, your kid is back. Your sanity and confidence soar as you see that big smile cross her face and those beautiful blue eyes connect. The alien ship has taken flight, the circus has packed its tents, and I am looking forward to a great night’s sleep.
Of course you hear about the significant milestones in a parent and child’s life; the first time they sleep through the night, eat solid foods, murmur their first words, and pee in the pot. What you don’t hear about is the daily milestones that help you to get through your daily routine rituals. Its these milestones that broaden your growth and learning as a parent and make you feel one step further along as a new mom.
This week has been a laundry list of “baby” steps I have taken to get to the “other” side. From negotiating Blaze in my left hand and the stroller in my right, I finally got our afternoon and evening walks on course. This week’s walks were the first of many where I didn’t run the baby stroller straight into a pole while my neighbors watched amusingly. I am finally getting the hang of the three minute shower, five minute blow dry, and two minute makeup application (on the rare occasion). I have learned to pump free handed, while entertaining my daughter, answering emails, and editing photographs. The list goes on. And although these small markers aren’t typical items on my daily “to-do” list, they are certainly small reminders of the beautiful, joyous, and hilarious journey I am on in life as an urban mom.
You have to look out for…
When Harley entered this world (two weeks early) and I saw her delicate features and this innocence radiating from her, my first instinct was to protect. She looked so fragile, everyone referred to her as “SO tiny”, and when she made a peep…it sounded like one of Blaze’s squeaky toys. I figured I would have to be ultra careful about this one, keep her close and safe from harms way, until she could catch herself up with other babes her age.
Three weeks later, and a doc visit to confirm my observations, I realize this girl is a warrior (luckily, a calm and peaceful one). With the longest of arms and legs, she is constantly in a ready position and everything is about the hands. Usually in a fist, she will have her right arm stretched out forward and her left foot flexed. She takes this pose when she is feeding, so that she can control the situation and remind me of who is really the boss. I love that Harley makes these declarations physically instead of verbally (as I can do without a wailing baby). Her determination and strength is already so visible.
And Harley has been donned “Baby Hoo Hoo”, as in Hoodini. This little lady is an escape artist. The girl loves her swaddle. But even with the best of swaddles (and we are learning fast), this girl can break free in mere seconds. Gazing into her bassinet a few minutes after I have set her down, I love to see her laying fast asleep with her hands free and nestled under her chin (or on the side of her face)…with a hint of a small sly smile as she peers back at me with one crack of a eye open.
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