Tuesday, January 15, 2008

Clara - The Director's Cut


Clara at birth. Look how peaceful she looks. She's sneaky like that.


In the morning our fireball of a baby girl will be eighteen months old. I'll take her to get shots, to be weighed and measured. Then on Thursday we'll tame her mullet, dress her up, pin a bow in her hair and do portraits. They'll take 100 shots, and we'll pick one. One shot of her looking sweet, and smiling, and if we're lucky, a bit of her spunk will show through. And we'll put it in a frame. Our pretty girl. Because she is beautiful. And sweet. Sometimes she really is sweet.

But these pictures. These are the real thing. Of the girl who makes me pull out my hair, and makes my heart do somersaults of joy.


I can't believe I've only known her a year and a half.




An entire year and a half. The time seems wrong, too short and too long all at once.

I just keep thinking how quiet our home must have been before she joined it.


And how incomplete.

And I am grateful. Overwhelmingly grateful that God gave me the chance to be her mama. And for the extra patience and wisdom He surely knows I will need for the job.

8 comments:

Chrissy said...

Beautiful photos, Joy. She is a doll. Isn't it hard to imagine what your life was like before her?

the dragonfly said...

Aww, so beautiful! I love the one of her looking at her tummy. :)

Lindsay said...

The way you express yourself about your children makes me love mine all the more. You express what I sometimes cannot. Many times all I can do is smile and nod as I read. Have a great day and enjoy the 18 month old!

karen said...

Clara is SUCH a cutie! And that look in her eyes? You're going to need all the patience that He can send your way... :)

Lori said...

I think your photos are every bit as wonderful as a professional would take. They capture her essence, her sparkle, and her infectious spirit.

You make me wonder who that "next one" would be for us. I wonder what he or she might bring to the party. I am beginning to think we will never know... but maybe...

Unknown said...

So sweet...

So very, very sweet.

spaz said...

What a cutie!

MARY G said...

She's a truly gorgeous little one, and she looks like the kind of child who will walk when she wants to and not one moment earlier. I had one. She turned into a gymnast by age eleven. (And my hair turned white, no kidding!)
Love your photos.