Wednesday, January 31, 2018

Our 4 Year Baby Photo Project Is (FINALLY) Complete



Those of you who have been reading here for a while may remember how when Essley was born, we decided to take a photo of her every week for her first year. It was fascinating to look back at how rapidly she changed, so once she turned a year old, we couldn't quite give it up. We decided to continue, but to take just one photo each month until she turned two.

Then, a week after Essley turned two, Emmett was born. We decided we'd do the same with him (weekly photos), but only for a few weeks (because the project admittedly felt like a chore after a while, if we're being totally honest here). Once those few weeks passed, we realized we wanted to capture him changing the same way we did Essley. So once again, we took 52 weeks of photos, followed by 12 more in his second year. Even when he was going through the Infantile Spasms diagnosis and on medication that made him bloated and miserable, we took the weekly shots (because it was part of his life and our lives and reality is reality). The photo you see above is the last one. It was taken Monday, and after four years and 128 photos, our project is complete. (The rest of the photos in this post show 1. Emmett's first photo at 1 week, 2. Emmett's photo at 1 year, 3. Essley's first photo at 1 week, 4. Essley's photo at 1 year, and 5. Essley's final photo at 2 years.)


I eventually stopped sharing the photos here on the blog because this just didn't feel like the right space for them. While this is a lifestyle blog and I do include the kids in many of my posts when it's relevant, this project felt more personal, and I decided to just share with family and friends. But now that the project was done, I wanted to revisit it here once more.

If you're pregnant, adopting, or have a little one, and want to visually capture their growth, I have to say, this is a really great way to do it. I don't think I realized how powerful it was until I looked back at every single shot earlier this week. It's a pain in the ass, yes, and trying to photograph a staged toddler in a chair with a chalkboard sign is a special kind of torture. But it was so worth it.


All of the cliches about time going fast when you have kids are spot on, man. It's completely mind boggling. Thank you Essley and Emmett for allowing us to do this for the first two years of each of your lives, even when you didn't want to cooperate. We promise (fingers crossed) you'll be glad we did it someday too.

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14 comments:

  1. I remember this and am so happy you shared again! Is amazing how fast they change. They're so cute!

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  2. Oh my gosh look at the difference! This is such a great idea and something I definitely want to do when I have kids.

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  4. Oh my goodness! This is such a great project! Documenting your child's growth is really worth the wait and effort. I know for sure when your daughter grows up and sees these, she'll be eternally grateful to you. I would! You've captured her smiling in most of the photos. Lovely! Thanks for this inspiration!

    ~ xo Sheree
    PoshClassyMom.com

    http://poshclassymom.com

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  6. What a great idea, time consuming, but such a great idea!! As kids get older they love looking back at all these photos!! I wish I would have taken more pics!!

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  7. Really great idea! The change so much and when you look back at photos it's amazing to see. Love the photos captured here. This project rocks.

    Xoxo
    www.stylemefancy.com

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  8. I love how you take pics of your kids to see the difference and how quickly they grow. My one friend always takes pics of her kids every month almost. It's a nice memory to look back❤️

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  9. I feel the same way. All the cliches are so true. So sad how quickly they grow up and change. It's exciting and heart breaking all at the same time to see them grow up and find their own wings!

    xx Kristina
    DearNovemberDays.com

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  10. Isn't it amazing how quickly our kids change? You will cherish these photos forever, I know!

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  11. Love the photos! Your children are so precious! My heart aches every time I look at photos of my kids when they are babes!
    xo Debbie | www.tothineownstylebetrue.com

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  12. I did weekly pics with both my kids for the first 6 months and then monthly after. I have the coolest collages to show their growth!! Love this and congrats on finishing it.

    Xo
    Jenny

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  13. Wow this is such a great idea !! I'll be sure to do this when I have my first born :)

    http://seraphinafox.com/2018/02/03/infrared-sauna/

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  14. What a great idea!! I love that you take the time to do this and have continued to do this! It’s even more special that you can look at each of them in their stages of life and compare! So fun!
    Xo Jen http://abeautifulinspiration.com

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