I have heard that it is difficult to fully appreciate the selflessness of your own mother's love until you have a child and become a mother yourself... and now, yes, I wholeheartedly agree.
It's been such a treat to have my mom around, and appreciate her in a new way, but to also watch her take such great joy in our little boy. I thought it was worthy of some special photos of them.
For everything, thank you mom.
There are no rules for good photographs, there are only good photographs. ~Ansel Adams
I've been sorting through my baby and childhood photos with my mom recently, and looking at old photos makes me realize the richness of the investment that I am making every time I snap a shot. I love how these images from my past help me to recall pieces and parts of my story.
My brothers. I adored them then, and I adore them now.
So CUTE! But I'm not biased or anything.
(01.20.11 @ 09:46 AM)That photo of you in Burque flooded back memories. The forts across the street in the vacant lots, your face in the cake, Scott comming up with passwords to get into the room or forts (usually was Bronco).
Great memories.
(01.30.11 @ 11:53 AM)"Happiness comes in small moments while you are pursuing the big stuff. And after awhile you realize that the small moments become the point. " - Marcia Menter
"Never put happiness at center stage. It is the by-product of a life of service, never the chief end of life. Happiness is not a right to be grasped, but a serendipity to be enjoyed." - Richard Foster
all of your pictures are so beautiful i want to grow up and be a photographer. im one of morgan friends and i get on here all the time after seeing the pics you took for loras they were amazing:)
(01.27.11 @ 05:42 PM)The single most given piece of advice that we have received with a new baby is to cherish EVERY moment. The common message we keep hearing is that this is a season of life that truly passes in the blink of an eye.... these new babes only stay this tiny, precious and perfectly snuggly for such a short time. So, we are cherishing every hour, truly.
Here are what the hours of our days are filled with since coming home from the hospital:
Sweet, sweet sleep.
Just hanging out:
And even a couple stroller rides before all this crazy snow:
And more sleep:
man. he's just gorgeous. :) xo
(01.12.11 @ 08:46 AM)precious pictures! best.book.ever.
(01.12.11 @ 10:07 AM)I wish I had you at my house when my babies were at this stage!! :) What a gift to have these photos to look back in so that you can document these passing seasons!
(01.12.11 @ 11:18 AM)Wow. It makes my heart skip a beat to see these pictures. Thank you for sharing these moments with us! He is so precious, and I just love him already!
(01.12.11 @ 11:28 AM)If I don't kiss those cheeks soon and snuggle him, I might burst. Um, are you in your robe? :) Great and precious moments captured.
(01.12.11 @ 02:44 PM)G-g-g-orgeous!!! Love the book one. Wow, he is advanced for his age, isn't he? :)
(01.12.11 @ 04:41 PM)Precious!! I can't wait to see this kid tomorrow! And you guys too!
(01.13.11 @ 07:55 PM)A true gift from God! LIttle man is just perfect and you have beautifully captured his new existence. I can't wait to see you and hold him!
(01.14.11 @ 03:08 PM)Three days before we welcomed our little boy into the world, I was able to photograph another very special little boy and his amazing mama. I met up with them in the NICU and was blessed to capture these images that stir my heart because there is just so much love in her gaze upon him. She already has 2 sweet twin boys at home (who I photographed here and here), but her heart has expanded once again with crazy, true and deep love for this tiny little man... who most certainly has the heart of a fighter. When I visited with them, he had been in the hospital for 6 weeks and is progressing really well. Here is the full story in the words of his mom, Settle.
__________________________________________________________________________
We have so much to celebrate and so much praise and thanksgiving to give. Duncan was born on November 18, 2010 at 7:16 in the morning. He started out tipping the scales at 2 pounds, 12.5 ounces. He has a head full of beautiful, dark hair. We are quickly learning than any update we give is merely a snapshot of Duncan's overall condition. The early life of a preemie is so fluid that what is true in the morning may change by the afternoon.
Duncan started out breathing using a ventilator. He soon graduated to a nasal canula, which essentially provided a flow of air to support his breathing. As of Monday, November 22, Duncan has been breathing room air on his own! This is truly a miracle and an answer to our prayers for God's protection of Duncan's lungs. The head doctor of the NICU described Duncan's breathing as "luck". We know that it is nothing short of miraculous.
He receives my breast milk through a feeding tube. The nurses gradually increase the amount of milk that he receives. So far he has been digesting the milk well. We also received word from the doctor on Wednesday that his head ultrasounds show no signs of bleeding in the brain. This is huge because brain bleeds are very common for preemies and have varying degrees of effects on babies.
I have been able to hold Duncan twice and change his diaper several times. Kangaroo care (time for skin to skin contact) is by far my favorite part of visiting Duncan. Holding my son who I have prayed for and thought about incessantly since my water broke on September 20 is pure bliss.
Duncan still has a long road ahead of him. Before the doctors will consider allowing
him to come home, he must gain substantial weight and learn how to eat from the
bottle and breast. He must be able
to maintain stable breathing and a stable heart rate as well as maintain an
appropriate body temperature. They
tell us to plan on bringing him home around my due date, January 28, if all
goes well. Please continue to pray
for Duncan.
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Thank you for letting me into this beautiful, intimate place. Settle, my friend, I hope that you treasure these images and know that your prayers will cling to sweet Duncan.
oh lord, I wasn't prepared to sit here at my desk and sob like this. Heart of a fighter indeed!!! Love and light to the Monroe family!!!!!!!
(01.11.11 @ 03:31 PM)Settle, my little boy John Clark was born at 28 weeks and weighed 2 lbs 12 ozs as well! He is five now..and it has been quite a journey. I pray that you will have a smooth ride. Please email me if you want any advice on being a preemie mom...! It is such a blessing to be constantly reminded of how precious each little moment is with our little ones!
(01.11.11 @ 04:12 PM)Heart of a fighter indeed!!!! Duncan will love coming home to such a loving, wonderful family. Prayers are with you!
(01.11.11 @ 06:05 PM)What wonderful pictures, Settle ! Duncan has grown since I saw him----What a little fighter ! Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family constantly.
Sooo proud of YOU ! You look wonderful !!! Sure Duncan feels your love !
What wonderful pictures, Settle ! Duncan has grown since I saw him----What a little fighter ! Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family constantly.
Sooo proud of YOU ! You look wonderful !!! Sure Duncan feels your love !
I suppose life is always a miracle, but when I see these pictures of our tiny boy I am reminded of just how precious life is. I am also reminded of the blessing Duncan has in being born into this family and being loved by you and Jeff and so many others. Please thank your friend Amy for sharing her gift with us. It is wonderful to see Duncan and even feel the love through her lens.
(01.12.11 @ 09:41 AM)What beautiful pictures of our grandson. You have a real talent for capturing moments with your photos.
Thank you.
These are SO sweet, and it is wonderful to see Duncan after all these weeks. That hair- love it! I LOVE the one of him looking into his beautiful mama's face. All our love to the Monroe's and the Free's!
(01.12.11 @ 02:30 PM)
Congrats! he is beautiful!
(01.27.11 @ 06:49 PM)too sweet. and so true.
(01.27.11 @ 08:06 PM)love these to much.
ps, i am almost finished editing your pics:):)
will have them ready this weekend.
xxx
sweet boy! love these.
(01.27.11 @ 08:17 PM)amy, you do realize that one day when i have a baby you're going to have to move in, right? CONGRATS on beautiful charlie. he is just perfect!
(01.27.11 @ 09:25 PM)Amy, wow - I loved the moments you captured. Your little man is adorable and looks content! I am looking at CV proof pages of a very beautiful wedding cake, hanging dress, and couple kissing that are going to be used in our FEB/MAR issue. P.45 when you get it.
(01.27.11 @ 09:35 PM)Oh, I just love the picture of them sitting in the window together! Can you come to my house and re-create that for me. I guess I also need to move so I have a big window like that...
(01.27.11 @ 11:40 PM)Sooo precious! xoxo!
(01.28.11 @ 12:13 AM)So very very sweet! I always knew in my heart that you would be such a good little mama! You did have a very good role-model!
(01.28.11 @ 07:56 AM)Parenthood also gives us such an amazing perspective of God's love for his Son and what it meant for Him to allow Jesus to be the payment for OUR transgressions. Wow!!
Thanks for sharing these beautiful pictures! What a handsome little dude!!
amy he is precious! :) your one lucky mom.
(01.28.11 @ 08:45 AM)I CAN'T TAKE THE CUTE! Amy, you make pretty babies.
(01.28.11 @ 10:16 AM)oh amy... these are so sweet. xo
(01.28.11 @ 10:33 AM)amy, thank you for your sweet comments on my blog. you made my whole month. :-) i think you are the best...so talented and a sweetheart on top of it, it is a rare find. i thank you sweet lady and i also extend mommy happiness your way. enjoy that little munchkin. i love these photos....love, love. thanks for being you.
(01.31.11 @ 09:45 AM)Precious!!! What a treat to have these....
(01.31.11 @ 02:53 PM)