20, 21 & 22/52

Welp, I'm way behind so here's a three in one. :)

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

This was just two weeks ago but the weather was so much cooler. We spent our late afternoons and evenings in the back yard, soaking up the last bits of spring before the heat hit us like a ton of bricks. When I took this photo, Emmett was telling me about the very hungry caterpillar and all the "nummy" things he eats. He's starting to understand stories. He picks up a book and when I start to read he surprises me by reciting a few words on a page. Like "eat three plums!" or "sun, pop!" He's so smart, and holds on to knowledge to surprise me with it later. I love his little mind!

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

This week, we went swimming for the first time at his grandparents this year. He was nervous at first, but after watching his friend Paul (Ray's best friend) swimming, he lost all fear and started jumping off the stairs all by himself. That's when these arm floaties came in. We're swimming most days now, since that's the only thing we can really do outside now that it's so hot, and he's really taking to it. I love watching him learn new things and his fearlessness.

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

More swimming. I picked him up from his crib after his nap today and surprised him with a trip to the pool. His little smile whenever I mention swimming.. I'd do anything for that smile. He sits on the steps to play in the shallow water, and I just watch his little mind working. Out of nowhere he shouts "be whayel" and jumps off into the water, away from me because he wants to do it by himself. He is still for a few moments, watching the little waves, and then he turns and kicks his feet. "Dolphin kick! Whayel kick! Shark kick!!" he squeals as he tries to squirm his way back to the stairs. It's then that he remembers he needs me. "Up stairs," he says quietly, allowing me to help him. I love that spirit of independence. I want to foster that in him. But oh, how I love it when he needs me.