Happy Birthday!

As with most things in life, it is so hard to not look forward to what is coming in the future.  No matter what is being experienced NOW, the tendency to plan for the future and look forward makes it so bittersweet when we finally make it to that future point.

As far as kids go, there are great things to each stage they go through.  There are also some not so great things, wink wink.  Then there's always the curiosity towards what is to come.  Regardless of what we enjoy when they're young and what we look forward to in their future, I truly believe that it always ends up better than can ever be imagined.  But it all goes by so fast that it turns into a giant blur as you look back.  Lately I've felt a need to preserve all of the NOW moments so I can look back on them and remember the little things.  Like recording Marshall when he was getting loopy before going under anesthesia for some dental work and Tyler when he loved and hated Daddy's tricks with the flash paper and fire.  I'm also trying to be better about writing down the crazy stuff Marshall says.  I just don't want to forget...

This whole feeling was the basis of my year long project with this little boy.

Taft's mom is a dear friend and I wanted to give her a baby shower gift that was really a work of heart.

I always try to give new moms gifts that I would have loved or items that were beyond useful.  

And I also always try my best, regardless of the kind of gift, to always put a little extra love into it.

Now looking back, I'm so glad I offered this ongoing gift of portraits through Taft's first year.

He's really grown into quite the little man and I love him almost like he's my own little munchkin.  

(How could I not love this chunky little fellow?)

But now he's reached that mega milestone and turned that magic number ONE.

It's hard to call him a baby anymore since he's an active, independent toddler now.  Which, I gotta tell ya, is way better than an infant in my book.  I love toddlers.  They are busy and curious and the funniest little "sponges" to everything around them.

Yet with such a break through, comes a little sadness.  Some tugging at heart strings, I guess.

He'll no longer be little.  He'll always be walking.  His feet will only get bigger and his rolls will only get smaller.

He's a big boy now and I'll miss our monthly get togethers.  

Although I'm sure they'll still happen -old habits die hard- just without the camera.  

Happy birthday little fella.  You're as sweet as can be and I'm so glad you're my buddy.