A portrait of my daughter every week, each week of 2014
Something about Wednesday nights provokes the melancholy in me. I drove home from class with a heavy weight on my chest. Lucy can pull herself up now, which means she’s also prone to tumbles. She’s fallen more times than I can count this past week, and it makes me feel 1) like a bad mother and 2) afraid for what surely lies ahead.
Namely, those moments of overwhelming sorrow that all of us face.
I would do anything to keep her from all the tumbles and ills in this world, and yet I can’t. No parent ever can.
But as I type this tonight, I know that it’s often in the darkest hours that we find the depth of our souls. We discover who we are and more often than not, we realize we’re surrounded by love. So just as Lucy fell today and hit her sweet head on the floor, I swept her up into my arms and held her close until her cries turned to laughter.
And this gives me comfort. That no matter what I face, what she faces, what we all face, we’ll get through it…with love at our side.
Speaking of love, I wanted to share something very special: the breastfeeding project. Here in Colorado, I’m capturing moms nursing their children…and I don’t know if I’ve ever had a better subject, besides this little one, of course. Hop on over to cord to see the second set of photographs we’ve published online. 
We are never really prepared for the amount of love, joy but also pain and fear that having a child bring us.
hugs to lucy <3
You are so sweet with your care and thoughts, it makes me smile. So do those beautiful cheeks of hers. Also can we talk about those eyelashes? Amazing.
Your daughter is beautiful! You shouldn’t ever worry – there’s always a higher power watching over her and protecting her. All you need to do is love! <3
xo
Falling is a wonderful thing. And such a good tool for you as a parent. Falling comes from the assertion of more independence, and gives you the opportunity to show Lucy that no matter what she tries, there will always be someone to help her back up – so she can feel free to stretch her wings and explore. You are her safety net – not in catching her so she doesn’t fall, but to be there when she does.
I can’t imagine the terrors that you need to face as a parent. Her smile makes me think that those falls have been forgotten by the love you guys give her. She is such a cutie 🙂
I’ve really been loving reading the cord and as always, Lucy is just a perfect little darling 🙂
Look at those eyes! So darling! And before I forget to mention this, I’m loving reading about the BF’ing project on your FB food, especially as I get ready to do it all over again with Baby #2!
She just gets prettier every day Monet! I can tell you that the things you are experiencing don’t go away when they get older. The kind of tumbles change, but wanting to protect them does not. But watching them navigate the tumbles themselves is very rewarding. 😉
Oh she looks like a little model Monet! She is growing so big and beautiful 🙂
We can always get the through the tumbles and scuffles of life, if we have love to buoy us up. And I have no doubt that Lucy will always have so much love around her. =)
I know I’ve said this countless times, but your posts make me so happy. Your writing style is beyond beautiful and it’s lovely to see what a pretty girl Lucy is becoming.
Hugs to you all <3
Dear Monet, beautiful writing, again, I love it when I come here and can soak up some fabulous food for thought!
Lucy looks like a doll – her eyes are just amazing!
Hugs and many kisses and much success with your new project as well!
Have a wonderful Sunday!
Of course you want everything to be perfect for Lucy, for her never to get hurt or be unhappy. That’s so normal! Alas, as you know, rather unrealistic, too. How do you manage this? Everyone is different, but the three of you will figure it out. I suspect Lucy will instruct you. 😉
Look at those little teeth. Her eyelashes! Beautiful!
It must be terrifying to imagine all that can go wrong, but I think it’s part of what makes us anticipate dangers and act to prevent them.
You both make wonderful parents, do not worry about THAT! EVER! 😉
Being a parent is hard — we can’t keep harm or problems from our children, but we can comfort and love them! Lucy is just the sweetest little girl!
Lucy grows more and more beautiful each day, Monet. I know it’s easy to say, but don’t worry about the falls. When I was a kid, I used to roll down the stairs into our basement. I’d hit my head more times than I could count. I swallowed quarters and once, a pin. I used an old board to pretend I was on a diving board and when I jumped, I impaled my foot on a rusty nail. Once, when I rolled down the stairs, I scraped half of my face and blood was pouring from my lips. I’m 33 now and still alive, lol. You’re a wonderful mom, don’t let the meloncholy moments get you down, and know that Lucy will learn to pick herself up from the falls.
As Lucy becomes cuter and cuter everyday, you’re becoming more experienced mom. 🙂 We can’t prevent everything yet we do our best for the child. I am going to check out your new site! How awesome. You’re already giving back to the mom community. Very inspiring!!
Oh my gosh – I remember when I was nursing Logan in the night, I’d lay him down and hunt through my pantry, usually grabbing a doughnut. Would have much rather had these muffins!!!
Those eyes are magical.
I can’t believe how big she is getting! falls are how we learn to pick ourselves back up and I can’t think of a better teacher than you to show her how to x