14/52 // 2014

the 52 project: 14/52.

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Gracie: The solo chalk artist turned princess. 
Monty Pup: Squirrel? 

I'm exhausted after our first week of daycare / work, however, I'm feeling pretty pleased with myself - ahead of schedule for 52 this week! 

10-13/52 // 2014

01. Farmer's market finds (complete with a hopeful onlooker) // 02. Getting cozy with friends // 03-05. Blossoms! // 06-09. Our recent trip to Whistler. 

"If ever there is tomorrow when we're not together... there is something you must always remember: you are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think. But the most important thing is, even if we are apart... I'll always be with you."

- A.A. Milne, Winnie-the-Pooh

Tomorrow, I make my return to work, after almost three years of raising Grace full time. Tomorrow, Grace makes her foray into days spent outside our home, under the care of others - people who are not me, people who are not my husband. She's still so fragile, yet strong. It's alright (I tell myself), I'm filled with joy over the experience we've had as a family thus far; we are undeniably the luckiest parents in the world.

I will not forget this time. I will not forget these days. I will not forget this. 

I will make Gracie's birth story book - celebrating her adoption and the two families that have become one. I will craft a strong family narrative for Grace, her story sitting atop that of her mother and father, of her extended family. And finally, I will now go figure out how to make an almost three year old a healthy lunch that she will actually eat, in an effort to prevent her from snarfing food off of unsuspecting table mates!

9/52 // 2014

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

the 52 project: 09/52.

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Gracie: Swinging in the wind, with her best friend Bear in the swing alongside her. 

8/52 // 2014

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

the 52 project: 08/52.

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Gracie: She finds magic in the smallest of places (hello, tiny seeds). 

Each week Grace and I pick a day to attend the drop-in art class at Collage Collage where we are endlessly inspired. Once there, we find a pillow on the floor amongst the other littles and listen to a story that will inspire our subsequent artwork. This week we read If You Hold a Seed by Elly MacKay, which describes the magic that happens if you plant a dream with a seed. We drew worms and rocks, cut leaves, and glued a visiting bird to our page. It's all about the beauty of the changing seasons at our house right now (current snowfall notwithstanding). These snaps depict our recent walk in Queen Elizabeth Park - Gracie put all the seeds she found in her pocket to be planted later with a dream or two...

The work of our budding artist:

If you hold a seed - by Grace Markey, 2.5 years old (with some mama help). 

7/52 // 2014

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

the 52 project: 07/52.

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Gracie : It's rainy outside, I need my brella.
Daddy and Daughter: Singing in the rain! 

5 + 6 / 52 // 2014

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

the 52 project: 05 + 06/52.*

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Gracie 05: Oh! I need my sunglasses.
Gracie 06: Here you go, Monty. Sit. Sit. Si-it.

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*So far behind on everything in life right now - hope to keep up with 52 weeks of 2014 with another post tomorrow! 

4/52 // 2014

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

the 52 project: 04/52.

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Gracie: Endless entertainment with a stamp and ink pad.