I'm a little concerned because lately my blog has taken a turn towards the sappy. Unfortunately, this post isn't going to do anything to put it back on its original course. It's about Harlow's one year photo shoot and every time I look at Harlow's little face and that delicate flyaway mop, I want to throw all snark out the window and hold my baby as tightly as possible she buries her heavy little head into my shoulder.
I love when she does that. It makes it nearly impossible for me to leave for work in the morning, but I wouldn't trade it for anything— even a leisurely commute.
Photograhper Jenny Sherouse has been documenting Harlow's first year since a few days after she was born. She took pictures again every three months (here's Harlow at three months and at six months), except we skipped nine months because Jenny moved to North Carolina and wasn't willing to shift her move-in date to accommodate a baby that isn't hers. THE NERVE!
Fortunately for me, Jenny was back in town at the beginning of November and took photos of Harlow just a few weeks before she turned one.
What? You thought we were finished celebrating Harlow's birthday??? PLEASE. I haven't even posted about the birthday party yet. I'm covering Harlow's birthday like I'm US Weekly and it's a Kardashian wedding.
We took these pictures in the garden behind St. Mark's Church, which we found out, is not really open to the public. Ignorance is an amazing thing though, because we showed up while a dance class was taking place inside and they said they didn't mind if we passed through to the back.
The garden is hands down one of the most beautiful hidden gems in New York City. Not that I'm encouraging anybody else to trespass…
For the occasion, I busted out a pretty little headband for Harlow. I don't know why I was always so opposed to headbands on Mazzy when she was a baby. On Harlow, they look just perfect.
Harlow recently started walking, so she tested out her legs on a real challenge— uneven cobblestone.
FYI— my favorite thing about the pictures above might be how skinny my thighs look.
Mazzy was of course there too. Although Jenny did not get many pictures of her because my daughter DOES NOT STOP MOVING.
For a large part of the shoot, Harlow insisted on carrying her favorite new accesory— a 6oz. water bottle. I'm sure when Jenny handed it to her, she didn't realize Harlow would latch on to the thing like it was life support and cry like someone was trying to kill her puppy when anyone tried to take it away.
No matter. Harlow pulls off plastic just as well as headbands.
Harlow has been going through a Daddy Phase lately and seems to prefer being in his arms to mine.
I'll get over it.
Eventually.
There's something about Harlow that makes her feel so special to me. I know it's mostly because she's my baby, but I think there is something extra that's hard to put my finger on.
When Mazzy was a baby, she amazed me in a very obvious way. She's gorgeous. She was very animated and verbal from a really early age. She has always created a big impression on people— both kids and adults— and they respond to her with equal enthusiasm.
With Harlow, she's more understated. There's a quiet sweetness that just kills me. And an intensity that you can't really see in these pictures but never fails to stop people in their tracks.
Harlow is watching and listening to everything. While Mazzy said a word the second she learned it, I think Harlow is being much more thoughtful in how she communicates. She hasn't said much yet. But I get the impression it's because she is too wise for baby talk. She's going to wait until she can form a coherent sentence to let us all know what she has to say.
And now I present "Extreme Cuteness on a Bench":
And "Extreme Cuteness on a Bench Part II: The Mazzy Addition"…
I cannot thank Jenny enough for this year spent documenting Harlow's growth. My family will treasure her amazing photos always. If this is the year we finally get it together to make a holiday card, it's nice to know we have plenty of options.
Good luck to Jenny in her new home! If you are in North Carolina, do yourself a favor and get your family photos taken by Jenny Sherouse. You are lucky to have her there and should take advantage!
(Tomorrow I will stop the sap and proceed as usual. Harlow just gives me a bad case of the happy tears.)
Such beauty can make a grandma cry.
“There’s something about Harlow that makes her feel so special to me. I know it’s mostly because she’s my baby, but I think there is something extra that’s hard to put my finger on.”
Nope, not just because she is your baby since we all sense that something extra in her and most of us don’t even know her. She has so much expression in her face. There is no way around it.
Also I think you have a special soft spot for her because she looks (and probably acts) so much like your husband. Mother nature is smart like that.
And…your thighs are skinny, Bitch.
I kept scrolling through saying “ooh this is my favorite.” And by the end, I had named like 10 different photos as my favorites. So, I’ll just say HOLY CUTENESS I LOVE THEM ALL. Jenny, can your next move be to Nashville PLEASE?
I was thinking same thing as the comment above! (Mary C). Harlow is like an open-book of emotion which I think people relate to. And I also agree re: the looking like your husband – she does, so therefore she resembles the person you fell in love with, so therefore you “fall in love” with her. If that makes sense.
I have very similar feelings about my own kids. They don’t have the same personalities as yours – my eldest is an easy-going, calm, laid back child. My youngest is a little spit-fire. I respond to my youngest more because (1) she demands it more and (2)she is behaviour extremes. When she loves she loves hard. When she hates, she hates hard. She is the one I am worried about as when she falls in love will fall hard, and when she has her heart broken it will break hard. But I love her honest, open, even if they are at times overpowering emotions and I think other people respond to that too – as it is hard to NOT love someone who is shining joy powerfully in your face! And when she turns it off, I think people respond to that because she is still so active in her disregard as opposed to my eldest who was passive.
However – while I recognize their differences, I love my kids equally, so so SO much – not despite their differences, but in a way, because of them. They are just so uniquely THEM.
Harlow IS special. Sure Mazzy is gorgeous too but there is definitely something different about Harlow. Maybe you could call it character and charm, I’m pretty sure my grandmother would have called her an old soul. But there is definitely something special in that little girl.
Your thighs are super impressive! What precious pictures. I can feel the love.
Harlow is definitely an intriguing baby! There are few kids that I feel have an old soul and she is one of them. She has a special class to her that she radiates.
I think bending over must change the shape of them or something. Maybe all the extra goodness goes to the back?
She’s absolutely adorable! 🙂 I also really love your shirt and jacket in these pictures. Where can I get them?!?
You should put some rice and glitter and shiny beads in that water bottle and let her play with it, since she loves them so much… just glue the lid on first! (speaking from experience “oh she won’t be able to get the lid off”) Gorgeous pics!!!
Harlow & Mazzy ARE the Kardashians of this blog. I’d subscribe to US News if I wanted to hear about all the “K’s”, but I’d so much rather celebrate your baby turning “1”! Can’t wait for the “Birthday Party Post”! Hopefully it will be a full page spread. 😉 ps – That whole “all about Daddy phase” that Halow is in? Yeah – my girls entered it and haven’t left almost 8-10 yrs later. I’ve slowly learned to appreciate it. pss – and I agree with the first poster – she DOES look exactly like Mike.
You are blessed with an amazing family. Two very special and unique little girls. My daughters are two very different souls and I love them both fiercely and completely in totally different ways. They are each very much their own person. <3 Blessed are we!
Holy cuteness!! I’m in the same boat as you- my last baby is five months old and I am holding tight to her and more sappiness than I know what to do with, more so than my other two girls (sorry kids!).
On a side note- where is Harlow’s headband from? I love it!
She is adorable and how wonderful you have these great photographs of her throughout her first year! Isn’t it wonderful how different kids are? I love that you know her personality already. Can’t wait to see her grow in this next year!
I am all for sap when it’s this adorable!
Harlow looks just like Mike, but in a girly way. She’s really cute.
Mazzy is very gorgeous, like you state.
You look like a very happy family, all together.
I love what you said about the difference between the two girls. My kids are different, too, and it’s amazing how you can equally adore two totally different people.
I love the year-long photo journey. Beautiful and tender. But I really want to know more about Harlow’s shoes! Who makes them?
I’m an adult, so I’m aware it’s not possible to be in love with children you don’t know. But, shit girl, I love me some Harlow/Mazzy!! Bitches be cute. Again, I’m an adult so I realize it’s probably not appropriate to call your girls “bitches”, but the way I say it is more like “she’s a baddass bitch!”. And you’re cool, so I know u get it. Keep up the good mothering. You’re awesome.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY HARLOW…I love seeing pictures of you and your gorgeous family.
Seriously, it’s not fair that all 4 of you look like catalog models. 😉
Tell you mom I miss her and then tell her that i’m so glad she shares you with us. 🙂
I have always thought Mazzy was a “standard-cute baby” and she is becoming a very adorable, pretty girl. Harlow, on the other hand, has captivating eyes and a sort of attitude that I’ve gleaned from your posts since she was born (in a good way, of course).
FYI, my son was the same way and was always very verbal as well, and never had a problem communicating (and everyone notices him; he has no problem telling strangers stories). My daughter who is 2 years younger (and now 19 months) only just started using actual words (er… word) and her word of choice? “No”, even when its not the correct word for what she means, though when she talks, it is extremely adorable. When people talk to my kids, it is almost always directed at her, I’m really not sure why.
Beautiful photos! I love the one of Mike and Harlow where she is staring down the camera.
I’m pretty positive I have the boy versions of your girls… my oldest is immediately handsome with plenty of personality to go around. He doesn’t stop for one second. His younger brother is absolutely adorable, seems a little more reserved and thoughtful. Even at (almost) 7 months old I know that he is a much different child (thank God!).
Gorgeous! Your words and her photos and your sweet family!! And I can see what you say about Harlow come through these photographs. Absolutely. 🙂