10/52

"A portrait of my daughter, once a week, every week, in 2014."

Maile: "Playing science," and utilizing the glass from her and Tim's rainbow-making experiment for a cool drink of water in the morning light.

Maile is fully into doing experiments with her dada; it's a new, special aspect of their relationship, and I love watching the excitement it fosters. 

Last week, I particularly enjoyed Jane Mabel, and Emma's photos. Please, pay their lovely portraits a visit.

If you haven't hopped over and said hello already, please extend a warm welcome to our newest sponsor, Alana; her blog is full of girly inspiration!

7/52

"A portrait of my daughter, once a week, every week, in 2014."

Maile: A little Valentine's Day "princess picture".

Once again, I didn't take many photos this week. I think I have a case of the Februarys, which are much like the Mondays. I'm aching for spring, and I know Maile is too. We've been a little testy with each other, and I'm working extra hard to take deep breaths, count, recite mantras, pray, as we attempt to overcome our cabin fever, together.

I do love this picture, though. There are few things better to me than when I have an idea for a photo, and Maile is equally enthusiastic; we both had fun with her little Love Day photo shoot.

Last week, I particularly enjoyed Gone Tribal, and Lou's photos. Please, pay their lovely portraits a visit.

Maile's dress was made by the talented Jess, of Dream Catcher Baby. The felt heart banner Maile holds was a sweet, handcrafted gift from my sweet friend Cristin, half of the duo behind Camp Wolf.

6/52

"A portrait of my daughter, once a week, every week, in 2014."

Maile: The 'mad' scientist. The picture of concentration.

This week, I have to admit, this project was not at the forefront of my mind. One snowy day, though, we were having a particularly slow afternoon, and Tim grabbed some old Coke bottles, some food coloring, and the two of them had great fun mixing colors.

Last week, I particularly enjoyed Visual Love Notes', and Dressing Ivana's photos. Please, pay their lovely portraits a visit.

Maile's "Wild & Brave" tee c/o Quarkbaby. Thank you, Lindsey!

5/52

"A portrait of my daughter, once a week, every week, in 2014."

Maile: Taking a breath. Jumping on the big bed.

A little girl, full of energy. I encouraged Maile to get her sillies out by jumping on the bed. And jump she did, yelling happily, "Count my jumps, Mama!"

Last week, I particularly enjoyed Alia, and Jami's photos. Please, pay their lovely portraits a visit.

Maile's "Wild & Brave" tee c/o Quarkbaby. Thank you, Lindsey!

4/52

"A portrait of my daughter, once a week, every week, in 2014."

Maile: That gaze. After 6 days of battling flu, we made it outside for one of her favorite activities -- feeding the ducks and geese at a Littleton park. The day wore her out, but it was well worth it to hear her chatter with enthusiasm again (not to mention soaking up some pure Vitamin D).

Part of Practising Simplicity's 52 project.

Last week, I particularly enjoyed Kristy, and Locus' photos. Please, pay their lovely portraits a visit.

Maile's sari trim hoodie c/o The Wishing Elephant. Thank you, as always, Carolyn.

3/52

"A portrait of my daughter, once a week, every week, in 2014."

Maile: This week's portrait is about little details I'll remember about the day ... 

It's hardly noticeable here, but she asked me to curl her hair before our zoo outing. I curled the ends under just a smidgen, and she insisted that I leave her hair like that. "No bow, no bobby-pin. Just like Mama." 

I absolutely hate those silly pink sunglasses, but Maile loves them, and that's what matters; she also loves polka dots. 

The carousel is Maile's favorite thing. She will ask to ride it again, and again, and again ... carefully selecting a new animal she'd like to ride, with each turn. The thing is, you wouldn't know it. Once she's seated, she becomes lost in the experience. Her face stoic. Her eyes gone to another place. I cannot begin to tell you how overjoyed I was to capture this hint of a smile.

Part of Practising Simplicity's 52 project.

Last week, I particularly enjoyed Erica, and Kirsty's photos. Please, pay their lovely portraits a visit.

2/52

"A portrait of my daughter, once a week, every week, in 2014."

Maile: Hot chocolate 'mustache' on her lip, helping Dada take down the Christmas lights, she exclaims, "I the light fairy!" (ISO 100, f5.6, 1/160th)

Part of Practising Simplicity's 52 project.

1/52

"A portrait of my daughter, once a week, every week, in 2014."

Maile: Puzzling with the adults. (ISO 6400, f5.0, 1/125th)

Part of Practising Simplicity's 52 project.

One of my goals for this year's project is to take more nontraditional portraits, photos that may not include Maile's face, but still convey the mood of the moment.

For those who may not be familiar with Jodi's (formerly Che and Fidel) project, you can find out more through the link above. It truly is a precious gift to have a year of pictures of our children. Many creative bloggers also capture photos of their partners or pets. Please, join us!

Finally, a warm welcome to our newest sponsor, quarkbaby! Lindsey, owner and creator behind this adorable shop, makes baby and toddler wear with geeky flare. Pay her a visit, and tell her we sent you!

50/52

"A portrait of my daughter, once a week, every week, in 2013."

Maile: Twirling. (ISO 100, f4.0, 1/400th)

Part of Che and Fidel's 52 project.

Last week, I particularly enjoyed the portraits posted by monkey + squirrel, and Lamb Loves Fox. Please, pay their beautiful pictures a visit.

47/52

"A portrait of my daughter, once a week, every week, in 2013."

Maile: "I'm in the tree!" she exclaimed. (ISO 100, f5.6, 1/160th)

Part of Che and Fidel's 52 project.

Last week, I particularly enjoyed the portraits posted by Jane Mabel, and Preeti. Please, pay their beautiful pictures a visit.

Finally, I feel honored to have another portrait of Maile mentioned by Jodi, the creator of the 52 project. Thank you!

46/52

"A portrait of my daughter, once a week, every week, in 2013."

Maile: Our serious girl. Those eyes. That piercing gaze. This photo is so quintessentially 'her.'

Part of Che and Fidel's 52 project.

Last week, I particularly enjoyed the portraits posted by Kate, and Dee. Please, pay their beautiful pictures a visit.

Maile's scarf c/o Bizzy B Crafts.

44/52

"A portrait of my daughter, once a week, every week, in 2013."

Maile: Tiny chef. I was so thrilled that she loved her Halloween costume as much as I did. Halloween is about our children, not about our pride in ourselves as mothers, and I would never, ever make her wear a costume she didn't want to wear. (Thus, also, the hot pink jack-o-lantern, as opposed to the cauldron I tried to convince her to carry, haha!) Maile is quite the culinary helper in our real kitchen, and I think the look suits her perfectly; she had so much fun this Halloween.

Part of Che and Fidel's 52 project.

Last week, I particularly enjoyed the portraits posted by Amy, and Erica. Please, pay their beautiful pictures a visit.

Maile's costume c/o The Wishing Elephant.

43/52

"A portrait of my daughter, once a week, every week, in 2013."

Maile: She rarely asks for a nap, but she did on this day.

Part of Che and Fidel's 52 project.

Last week, I particularly enjoyed the portraits posted by Melon Pea, and Ashley (again -- swoon). Please, pay their beautiful pictures a visit.

Maile's top c/o Little Starling. Thank you, Amy.

42/52

"A portrait of my daughter, once a week, every week, in 2013."

Maile: Examining autumn leaves.

Part of Che and Fidel's 52 project.

Last week, I particularly enjoyed the portraits posted by Amy, and Ashley. Please, pay their beautiful pictures a visit.

Tomorrow, I have a giveaway for you from Baby Lupo! You won't want to miss it. Enjoy your Sunday night, friends!

41/52

"A portrait of my daughter, once a week, every week, in 2013."

Maile: Her first pony ride, at the local Punkin Chunkin and fall festival.

I've made a personal goal to spend less time 'connected' -- on the computer, my phone, social media. Along with this goal, I have another, to make the time I do spend online more engaged and meaningful. 

I appreciate that you're still visiting me here, as I figure all this out, and have come to realize that you, my friends, aren't here for flashy posts and giant giveaways; you're here because you care, which is amazingly humbling, and encourages me to get back to the basics of blogging. About and for my family, and about and for our friends, be they 'real life,' or the ones we've made here. 

xo

39/52

"A portrait of my daughter, once a week, every week, in 2013."

Maile: Playing in the cold drizzle. Grabbing my leg, exclaiming "Mama! Come run in the rain!"

Part of Che and Fidel's 52 project.

Last week, I particularly enjoyed the portraits posted by Blackberries and Rosemary, and Amy. Please, pay their beautiful pictures a visit.

36/52 | 37/52 | 38/52

"A portrait of my daughter, once a week, every week, in 2013."

Maile: A sweet silhouette in an Iowa cornfield at dusk.

Maile: Early signs of autumn. Footie pajamas, a plush blanket, a movie and snuggles on the couch with Dada, while Mama makes biscuits 'n gravy on a Saturday morning.

Maile: Excited and surprised that she'll have a baby brother or sister come spring! She may not fully grasp what our news means yet, but we're going to do everything we can to make the transition to a family of four a simple one, full of love. (Also, my 'excuse' for getting so far behind on these posts!)

Part of Che and Fidel's 52 project.

Last week, I particularly enjoyed the portraits posted by Claudia, and Sisilia. Please, pay their beautiful pictures a visit.

35/52

"A portrait of my daughter, once a week, every week, in 2013."

Maile: Though she's not always the biggest fan of being in front of the camera, she absolutely loves everything about the process of capturing photos, including (and especially) the cameras themselves. We took a few of my vintage cameras outside for an "adventure picnic" (her term), and she was obsessed with trying to take pictures of the flocks of geese flying overhead.

Part of Che and Fidel's 52 project. 

Last week, I particularly enjoyed the portraits posted by Sash, and Kellie (again!). Please, pay their beautiful pictures a visit.

Maile's hair bow c/o Camp Wolf, whose site launches 9/15 -- you won't wanna miss it!

34/52

"A portrait of my daughter, once a week, every week, in 2013."

Maile: Adventure is serious business. This adventure was serious fun -- my parents have the most wonderful, Neverland-esque playground in their lovely Iowa city, built entirely out of wood and recycled metal and rubber materials. Maile and her cousin Michael had the run of the place for nearly two hours!

Part of Che and Fidel's 52 project.

Last week, I particularly enjoyed the portraits posted by Gaby, and Beatrice. Please, pay their beautiful pictures a visit.

Maile's cardigan c/o The Wishing Elephant.

33/52

"A portrait of my daughter, once a week, every week, in 2013."

Maile: Though it's only her sweet profile, this photo sums up her personality in many ways. Making friends with her "cousins," our little animal lover.

Part of Che and Fidel's 52 project.

Last week, I particularly enjoyed the portraits posted by Adrianne, and Lou. Please, pay their beautiful pictures a visit.