Art & Design of Kelli Murray

 The 52 Project – a portrait series of my daughter, once a week, every week, in 2013 

Rylee’s wearing:  Happily Ever After Tee by Peek / Knotted Turban – The Pink Ruffle / Leggings from Target, hand stamped

It was the most beautiful day on Saturday.  The perfect excuse to go down to the Oceanside Pier and enjoy the sun with the fam.  We are starting to really feel the coming of summer here and it makes my heart happy!  Just imaging all the beach days with Rylee, trips to the ice cream shop, evening bike ride’s….weekends at grandma’s pool.  *sigh.  Summer is my season.

Have I mentioned how much I am loving this age Rylee’s at?  (i’m kidding, i know i’ve said it about a thousand times).  I don’t know what it is about 18 months, but all of a sudden her speed of learning has been put on a fast track.  It seems that everyday she is shocking me with a new word.  Yesterday it was blender….and this morning I caught her saying “oh shoot” as she dropped her apple on the floor. ha! WHAT!!?  It’s crazy what a little copy cat she is turning into.  It really makes you think twice about what you are saying and doing as a parent!

Sorry I have been a little absent lately.  I have been working like craaaazy.  But so glad I have weekends like this one to unwind with the ones I love!  Happy weekend friends.

 The 52 Project – a portrait series of my daughter, once a week, every week, in 2013 

One thing I love about this project (52 project) is that it pushes me to document our everyday life.  And it’s also a gateway to share a bit more about my family, so i hope you don’t mind!  It used to be that I only brought my camera with me if we were going somewhere out of the ordinary…or if it was a holiday or a special occassion.  But remembering that I have want to capture a new portrait of Rylee each week, reminds me to take it with me almost everywhere.  To capture not just the special moments, but the simple ones too.  One of our favorite things to do as a family is go to the beach.  We are beach people.  I’ve grown up with it, so to imagine not living near the coast is kind of uncharted territory.  We love every part of it.  The sun, the water, the sand….even the burn indicating you’ve stayed too long (or perhaps that’s just me).  It’s one of those places that I always feel God, and where I am constantly reminded of the beauty of his creation.

As I was looking through my camera to see what I captured from our day at the beach yesterday, my heart melted all over the floor when I saw that last one of Rylee sitting on Sam’s lap.  Sam’s not a regular member of this blog because he’s not big on getting his photo taken.  Most of the time I wish it wasn’t the case because I think he makes for a pretty good looking subject.  I might be bias, but I think he’s a babe. But it’s also something I ironically really love about him.  He is simple and genuine and never wants to make life seem fabricated or contrived.  Which, let’s be honest, happens a lot in the blog world.  Whether intentionally or unintentionally, we show our best sides and hide the ugly parts.  But i’ll tell you right now that even though I share mostly what is “pretty” here, our life is far from perfect.  We face challenges just like any other couple, we fight, we make up, but most importantly, we love.  At the end of the day, we know our love for each other will overcome any hurdle we face.  And I don’t just love him….I really like him.  There’s a difference, you know.  He makes me laugh, he encourages me, and he’s my very best friend.  I’m lucky he’s mine…and Rylee is lucky she’s his.  There is nothing sweeter to me that seeing the two of them together.  It’s no secret she’s a daddy’s girl through and through.

 The 52 Project – a portrait series of my daughter, once a week, every week, in 2013 

These sweet little shoes are by Fox Paws.  Starting today, they are available through PS I Adore You  at a discounted rate and will go to support their Cure the Kids Campaign.  It’s such a great cause and I encourage you to head over to their blog and read about their story!

Rylee lately:

- Her feet smell worse than my husbands (and that’s saying a lot).  I have no idea how such a tiny person can have such stinky feet.  But this girl! She even says “woo wee” when we take off her shoes! I hope for her sake that changes one day, but i’m not counting on it.

- She is really funny, and she knows it.  My favorite time with her is that hour before bed time when she gets a little slap stick.  She loves to rough house, so we always play a game with her on the couch where we toss her into the cushions.  Sometimes she laughs so hard she can’t catch her breath….which in turn, make us do the same.

- Dancing is her thing.  No matter where we are…if she hear a jam she likes, she busts out the moves.  Sometimes I get frustrated that they are not entirely on beat, but I have to remember she’s one.  ha!  I kind of want to put her in a baby hip hop class if there is such a thing.

- She knows what she wants.  A blessing and a curse!  I am honestly loving the age she is at now.  I keep wanting time to stand still and let her stay one and a half forever because I love it so much.  But I guess if it just keeps getting better then i’m all for moving forward.  *sigh.  I wouldn’t mind time standing still for me though!  Anyway, she is getting so much better at communicating and more of her personality is starting to come out.  Stubborn, impatient (i wonder where that came from)…but also super funny, easy going, sweet and sensitive.  It feels like she is learning a new word every day and she is constantly surprising me!  Sometimes I feel like a baby shouldn’t be so smart. I mean, she is already learning the art of manipulation.  I guess it’s time to really be a parent.

Calcada Dress – Anthropologie  //  Necklace and Arrowhead Ring c/o Moorea Seal  //  Bag & Shoes – H&M

So, this dress.  I went out shopping last week for a new pair of jeans, and this is what I come home with.  Of course, I didn’t need it…but you know what my first thought was when I saw it?  How stinking cute it would look with a baby bump!  Ha…it’s the truth….I had to try it on.  The dressing room further convinced me that I needed it.  I don’t know what is happening to me, but all I can think about lately is having another baby.  When I shop, I re-consider purchases that wouldn’t fit an expanding stomach.  I haven’t gotten serious about working out because what’s the point of getting abs if I’m just going to get pregnant again (what a terrible justification) But it’s true.  These are my thoughts. And we are not even “trying” yet.  Sam and I have obviously talked about it….but one of us is still hesitant (clearly, not I).  And the more we talk…. the more I want it.

I think a lot of it has to do with Rylee growing up so fast.  I’ve always imagined my kids being close enough in age that they would grow up being friends.  I think because it’s what I had, I want the same experience for them.  Rylee isn’t my tiny little baby anymore.  All of a sudden she’s turned into this walking, talking, independent, opinionated little person.  Honestly, how did this happen so quickly!?  Where did my baby go?  As much as I love to see her grow and learn, there are times when I really miss the “newness”.  It’s funny how all the hard parts of having newborn get cloudy the older they get.  Maybe that’s when you know you’re ready for another.  Or so I keep telling myself.

Anyway…all this to say.  I’m getting the itch.

Photos by Stone Crandall

 The 52 Project – a portrait series of my daughter, once a week, every week, in 2013

Just feeling extra appreciative of life with this little one lately.  Yesterday morning, while we were sitting together reading stories after breakfast, I stopped and looked at her and said, “Rylee, mama loves you.”  And ever so softly she whispers back “i lu you mama”.  I could have died right then and there.  She tucked her little head down to her left shoulder and smiled, like she does so often when she knows she’s made me proud.    Moments like these I want to bottle up and save forever.

Rylee wears: Top – naartjie kids //  Shoes – converse chucks  //  Pants – hand stamped, inspired by Leah Goren  //  Hat – Oh Cozy Knits