While I was pregnant with L.A., C and I spent so much time wondering what this little baby would look like. We both envisioned a baby with my big blue eyes, a mix of our skin tones, and a big beautiful smile just like C’s.
Instead, he was born with my milky white skin (sorry kiddo), C’s smiling eyes and a set of dimples that neither of us ever expected. Skin tone aside, he looks EXACTLY like C looked as a baby.
Here’s some proof. C circa 1976 and L.A. circa December. Holy smokes, right?
C tried to help us out with the 52 week project, but L.A. wanted no part. So instead, here are our out takes. Hey, it’s real life with a toddler…. running away, pulling my hair and just generally wanting to do his own thing!
I tried last year to keep up with the 52 week project, and well… life got in the way. I’m going to really try this time around to do it.
Though I’m sure he doesn’t really understand what it means, if you ask L.A. “where’s the baby?” he immediately comes over and lifts up my shirt and plants a big slobbery kiss on my belly. Understanding or not, it’s one of the sweetest things in the world.
I love C more than words for grabbing my camera and capturing this last night.
That’s L.A.’s nickname around our house these days since his practice steps always involve his hands either straight out in front of him or stretched way up in the air.
Ugh… don’t you just want to squeeze that little tushy?
Oh, and here’s proof we’re still living in the land of incoming molars. The hands are always in his mouth.
I have some client sessions coming up in the next few days, so I’ll be sharing some things other than just my little guy. Happy Friday everyone!
In general, L.A. is a pretty relaxed, easy going little dude and I thought we’d totally lucked out and sailed through without hitting the separation anxiety phase. Wrong. So, so wrong. In the past week or so, his mom clinginess has increased and I attributed it to the molars that have been working their way in and making our lives miserable. We’re now at the level of complete emotional breakdown if I walk out of his line of sight. I’m talking tears, choking-can’t catch your breath-sobbing if I dare to use the restroom or try to retrieve something from another room.
I’d be lying if I didn’t acknowledge the fact that I typically love his attachment to me. There’s something so sweet about those big eyes that are always searching for me, for reassurance. This, however – is a little overboard. Any been there-done that-moms want to give me some insight as to how long this phase might last?
In other family news, both C and L.A. woke up this morning with coughs and scratchy throats. Awesome. All the wives out there, go ahead and give a sympathetic nod of the head… you know which one of my boys will need more attention this weekend. 
I love you C!
Ten things I’m loving right now.
1. Watching the munchkin practicing his first steps. He can go about 4 or 5 steps before he crashes. Notice the tongue – it’s always out when he’s concentrating.
2. In the past two days, I’ve already read Twilight, and I’m nearly done with New Moon by Stephanie Meyer. The fact that I’ve been able to bury myself in reading is notable in and of itself. Loving this series!
3. Because of the way the holidays have fallen, I’ve gotten to spend tons of extra time with C and L.A. just lounging around the house in our sweats. Here’s a random snapshot C took of the munchkin and I last weekend. I edited this picture in an attempt to make myself look presentable, and it’s still rather scary… but it’s been a while since we’ve had a picture together. So here I am in all my Saturday morning no makeup glory!
4. Italian Wedding Soup. For some reason, the combination of those little meatballs, spinach and tiny pasta have me seeing hearts dancing in my head. Here’s a quick version of the recipe I’ve been using.
INGREDIENTS
DIRECTIONS
I always cook the pasta seperately because otherwise it soaks up all the broth of the soup. I usually add a scoop of orzo to the bowl and then top it off with a few ladles of soup. Mmm… I can smell it right now. A nice crusty bread goes fabulous with this meal. I should have a picture here for you, but I don’t.
5. Speaking of nice crusty bread, one of my greatest loves of late is this Garlic Infused Butter. I’m all about a good garlic bread, and I swear if you can find this in your local store it will change your life (and possibly your pants size). I use it mainly as a spread on a great multi-grain loaf, but you could use it for a thousand other things. The credit for this find goes to my neighbor and good friend who introduced me to it.
6. These bright eyes.
7. My Uggs. They’re ugly, yes, but they’re like pillows for my feet. Absolutely a weekend wardrobe staple.
8. Catching up on other photographer’s blogs. There is an amazing amount of talent and inspiration out there. If you’re interested in checking out some very cool things, here’s Jacob’s Sunrise and Sunsetseries, and amazingly moving slideshow of birth photography by Lyndsay, and my friend Jaidean’s blog who is an amazing photographer and her beautiful daughter was born the same day as L.A.
9. My favorite sound at the moment is my two boys laughing hysterically together over something that I have no part of. My heart swelled when I saw this.
10. This really should be #1 on my list. Since I’m over the holiday rush and in a bit of a lull until mid-January, I’ve been able to take TONS of pictures of my own family. There is just no amount of value I could put on that.
It hasn’t been going so well lately. We’re in the midst of popping some molars through, and despite the fact that his mood has been alright in general, naptime usually lasts about a half hour before L.A. wakes up crying and with this face pleading to be removed from the torture that is his crib.
He will however sleep for hours on our chest, on the couch. This rendered C and I rather useless for hours at a time this long weekend. Honestly? I would have paid to press the pause button. Rare is the time either of us just lounges for more than 5 minutes unless the boy is asleep, and then it’s out of sheer exhaustion. More than that though, L.A. is very quickly outgrowing the sitting still and snuggling phase, so I’ll gladly hold onto these moments as long as they last.
I probably won’t have a chance to post tomorrow, so I’d like to take this opportunity to wish everyone a very Merry, and peaceful Christmas.
I’d also like to recognize those people in my life with whom I couldn’t do without. First and foremost, my husband – who doesn’t always get the credit he deserves. You are my rock, and when I close my eyes at night, I could never imagine my life without you. I am blessed to have you, and I appreciate everything that you do for our family, and for me. Thank you. My son – you are without question the light of my every day and the driving purpose behind all that I do. In the past 13 months you have completely changed the way I look at life. P2 – my unborn baby, thank you for reminding me to slow down. This time flies too quickly, and with each little squirm and kick I’m reminded of how precious it all is.
I’m thankful today for my family, and my in-laws for welcoming me into the madness as one of their own. For my friends – the ones I’ve known for years who can tell by the tone in my voice or the look on my face what is on my mind. Thank you for understanding me. For the friends I haven’t known that many years, I may as well have because you’re just as deep in my heart. For the many friends I’ve met through various message boards, you’ve offered me so much sage advice and encouragement, I couldn’t possibly thank you enough.
Lastly, to my clients – thank you for taking a leap of faith on me in 2008. I’m grateful for the opportunities I’ve had to spend time with so many beautiful families and capture your memories.
May you all have a beautiful Christmas. Much love from the Acosta Family to yours.
