Have you looked at them lately? Like really, examine them? Their emotions? Their changing minds? Their faces changing? And the growing! I think I am shrinking; the growing is happening so fast.
Mine.
How in the world is she this big already? I am pretty sure, just last week, she was running around with bouncing little curls, collecting more things for her collections, dressing up in princess dresses, wearing her big sunglasses and an oversized hat, snuggling in tight when she was sad, asking me to rub her belly when she didn’t feel well, and having me sprinkle “magic” dust around her room to prevent bad dreams from coming!
Seriously.
Those memories feel like they were JUST. YESTERDAY.
Now.
Whoa! Or Wow!
We are in that “inbetween” stage - the Tween Years. It is such an accurate description of where we are with our oldest. Moments of still needing us, and wanting us, to more often wanting independence, testing boundaries, and thinking in more mature ways.
I am proud of this tween of mine. She really is an amazing kid. Caring, loving, laughing. Smart. She is so smart. For real, I think she surpassed me in the smarts departments! ;)
Crying. Oh yes. There is still crying, but it is different crying.
Feet stomping and door slamming. Those things happen on occasion over here, do they for you?
Please tell me, we aren’t the only ones balancing Tween emotions? I think often, “Is this for REAL?” I am pulling my hair out, and so is she, and my husband, well his hair is getting silver hightlights! ;)
We kept hearing of these tween years. And being told, “Just you wait,” but didn’t really think we would arrive here so fast.
We. Are. Here.
And we have another girl trailing right up behind, that I am sure will bring even more excitement and emotion to our house.
I truly do love it. These years have pushed me in different ways than the little years. I have grown, and have realized even more so, how much I need to rely on God, and give ALL to Him. These years are pretty humbling. And, I know that it really is just the opening of a door to those way too soon to come, Teen Years.
Oy.
So, I wanted to capture it. I want to capture her sweetness, her sassiness, and her laughter. I think as parents we are great at capturing images and memories of our kids when they are “little and cute”. And somehow, capturing them during this transitional phase doesn’t happen.
They are starting to look older, but if you look closely, you can still see their sweet little kid face.
And, that friends, is where the idea of having Tween Sessions has come from.
Just your Tween.
Before this time passes.
Because we all know as parents, that time isn’t going to slow down. It is only going to get faster.
<3 Tara
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Well...it isn't too bad now.
This is what we did last night.
Family room step - 1 Grant - 0
Thankful for my parents who dropped everything and were over to watch the big three and get them to bed.
My girls were awesome. Totally sprung into action. Cleaned up the blood on the floor, got brothers shoes and sweatshirt so we could leave.
Big G...bless his ever loving heart. Cried crocodile tears because he was worried for his little brother.
Long night in the E.R.
Total tough guy.
4 stitches. Very deep cut. Totally grossed me out.
He had ZERO crying (except for when he first hit his head).
Grateful for smart doctors and more so for their great bedside manner with him.
Beyond thankful that Tom was in town, the last two times (yes, this is the third time!) he wasn't home or he had to meet me at the hospital.
Red Popsicle. The reward when it was all over. And then he was back to his chatty, slightly grouchy self on the car ride home. He wouldn't share one bite!
Now for the tough part. Keeping him from doing some of his favorite things...wrestling, cops and robbers with his brother, hide and seek with his siblings.
This baby of ours. He is the one that continues to keep us on our toes. Always. Love him. Thank you God, for his little life that keeps our lives in constant excitement!
It would be really great if you would just slow down a little bit. I still envision my almost 11 year old like this...with ringlet curls surrounding her face, bright blue eyes, and only three years old without any real worries. And then I see her in pictures now. Tall. Independent. Same bright blue eyes. Same inquisitive nature, just more mature. She no longer is chasing the seagulls on the beach. Instead, she walks and thinks and searches for shells...but is picky now about which ones she wants to keep. I probably should stop looking through our pictures from our recent trip to Florida. It sent me down this path of longing for her to be little, for just another day. She is a really cool almost 11 year old, and I am truly enjoying this age with her. On the brink of wanting to be a big person and wanting to still be little. She still wants to hang-hug, which about makes me lose my balance and fall over as she is only a few inches shorter than me. Yet she's pushing boundaries and showing a bit more of what the teen years are going to bring us all emotionally. Conversations with her now are more deep and meaningful. I love that too. But maybe, Time, just maybe you could freeze right now? That'd be great, ok?
Much love,
The Mom that is way to sentimental this morning...
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Like a really long time.
But, I thought I would take the time to enter a photo into the iheartfaces contest! The link is below! You can check out some other great photos there as well.
The theme this month was "Framed." I thought this image was so fitting. Sweet little man framed between the bookcases at the local library and then hanging on to his Momma's frames...upside down none the less.
Love his blue sparkly eyes, with his bright blonde hair. Such a polite little guy that loved looking through the movies, playing on the computers, and reading Rainbow Fish.
Go have some fun looking through the other entries. Shoot, go enter your own image to join in the fun of the contest. This contest is for everyone. Give it a shot!
This photo was submitted to the I Heart Faces photo challenge – www.iheartfaces.com
Have a great week!
-Tara
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So, in no particular order (because it saves me time) here are some of my past sessions that you may have missed...
Mr. G - 9 months old...ummmm...this was a while back...and I am doing his one year session coming up soon...I have LOVED getting to know him and his mom and dad...sweetest people ever!
Miss E - NO WAY THAT SHE IS THREE ALREADY! I feel like it was just yesterday that I was taking her newborn shots...I adore her personality...and I think this shot captures her cute sassy-ness!
Miss K - Need I say more...newly fresh, sweet newborn!
Miss K and Miss C - These two little beauties are amazing little girls! This first shot kills me with cuteness...and then the second one...HA! Come on, that is real life stuff there! And the last one...I have been having fun with my umbrella...and Miss C looks adorable!
That is my nephew in there...he has now arrived...just last week...and he is coming to see me TOMORROW! Can't wait to capture his cuteness!!!
Mr. M - A stunning young man...that I remember as an itty bitty boy...I am starting to feel old here lately!
Miss R - My goodness, I love her cheekers! She is so sweet, and her mom and dad are so fun to be with too!
Those are some...there are a few more to catch up with...but I am getting there!
We have been having a fun summer so far! Hope you and yours are as well!
Hugs,
Tara
Okay, back to the cutie pie that I am blogging about! Sorting through this session was so much fun! He is such a cute baby...well one year old, now! He looks so much like his grandpa to me...absolutely kills me...I love it!
My history with this family goes way back...like way back to high school. I know, I know, I only look 21, but really, high school was a long time ago! ;) I played shortstop, and momma of Mr. B, was catcher. She was an outstanding catcher...I on the other hand was not that great of a shortstop. :) Thankfully, I can catch a moment on camera better than I can catch a throw down from the catcher! ;) Those were fun days though! In fact, it makes me itch to go play catch with someone...that might be on the "to do" list this weekend!
Fast forward some years...I started taking pictures of Mr. B's big brother, and was in contact with momma here and there, and through FB...the great social network! :) And, then, come to find out, we were both pregnant again, and due just weeks apart. We had it set up to do Mr. B's newborn pictures, knowing it would be pushing it for me, but with Mr. B not being due for a couple weeks after Grant, I figured we could get it to work out!
We were set and good to go...and it almost worked!
Grant was a c-section, and when he was being delivered, he aspirated fluid and filled his lungs to the max! He was blue, not crying, and I freaked out on the operating table. He was handed an immediate pass to the NICU. It makes my heart race thinking back to that day, and the days to follow.
NICU day 3, sitting in the rocker, watching my baby boy still working hard to breathe, and a familiar face appeared. I had totally forgotten that Mr. B's grandma worked in the NICU where we were. When I saw her, my heart skipped a beat. It was such a welcomed relief to see her, and know that she would help take good care of my little baby boy.
Then, as we continued to chat, she tells me that Mr. B was also born...ON THE SAME DAY AS MY GRANT!!! Seriously, what are the odds? It was so cool, but yet, at that point, I knew there was no way that I would be up for a newbie session within the next 10 days! That little turkey, he was supposed to wait for me! :) I still think it is a fun story. I will never forget Mr. B's birthday, and I will always be grateful for the care my little guy received from his grandma. Seriously, she was heaven sent, I have no doubt!
One last cool thing...we currently live in the same neighborhood as grandma and grandpa...so I get to see them and catch up more than I ever would have before. They are a cool family. I am so honored to be able to capture a few memories for them, and it never ceases to amaze me at God's divine plan and working in my life.
So, now that you stuck with me through that whole long story, here is what you were waiting for!
Mr. B...
Happy One Year Birthday Sweet Little Boy!
Hope your Birthday was a SMASH!
Just some fyi info...this session took place in her home. It was fabulous, and definitely aided in helping the little sweetie open up and warm up quickly! Many clients worry that their house doesn't have enough natural light, but if you have a window, we can make it work! :)
For those of you who don't know yet, I am obsessed with baby feet. Actually I love all children tootsies, piggies, toesies! Well, until they hit a certain age. My oldest is about at the age where they start to become less cute...perhaps it is because her foot is almost as big as mine...they are starting to look like adult feet. Adult feet, I am NOT obsessed with! Anyway, I find myself always trying to capture the feet in almost every session. Here is a set of the latest piggies I got to play with...
So, that is about it for now! If you want to catch more of me...well, like from well over a year ago...you can check out my old blog at: www.trarmstrongphotography.blogspot.com. When I figure out how to connect that one to this one, it will be swell, but don't hold your breath...please. It could be dangerous for you to do that. :)
Thanks for reading! Hope you have a fabulous week!