I took a monthly photo of Eleanor in the same Eames rocker, in the same spot in my living room, every month for two years. (I’m currently doing the same thing for her little brother, August, but in a different room.) I kept her outfit simple so that the focus would be on her as she grew, not what she was wearing. When I came to the end of my two-year project, I decided to keep the tradition going, but to switch to yearly photographs at that point.
My baby girl turned three on Sunday. Here is her yearly photo.
Previous Photos
• View the Entire Series
Comments
29 responses to “Three Years Old (Eleanor’s Yearly Photo)”
I can’t believe she is three already!! I love seeing her personality come out in the photos, thanks for sharing them with us!
Gosh! She’s grown up so much!
I wanted to thank you for the great idea. I was reading when you started and tucked the idea away for “one day when I have kids,” and now I’m coming up on taking my daughter’s 11 month photo! :)
That makes me so happy! I love to hear that other people started photo projects of their own, too.
I absolutely love these!
If you have any thoughts for a photo project like this when a person is adopting an older child (3 years old), I’d love to hear them.
You could still do birthdays, or any day that has meaning, like the first of the year, or a photo before the first day of school each year. I wrote a post with some tips a while back that you may want to check out for ideas.
Hey Whitney,
I know this isn’t a photo idea, but when my cousin was adopted, my aunt had everyone she knew send her a copy of their local newspapers from his adoption day. That way he can see how the country (and the world) was way back when.
Just something to think about!
Aw, I love her little bangs! I’m definitely doing this when I have my little one.
She’s adorable. It goes so quickly, doesn’t it? (Says the mother of an almost-five year old.)
LOVE the 3 year old dress! Can I ask where it’s from?
It was from H&M, but I picked it up months ago.
How, oh how, is your baby girl 3 already?! The years just fly!
I remember when she was in your belly! Happy birthday Eleanor!
Her three year photo is really sweet. This is such an amazing project, I’m sure your children will love these photos when they are older!
It’s so fun to see her pictures side by side, Nicole. Sometimes we forget how our children used to be until we see a picture. 3 is one of my favorite ages, I’m sure that you’re loving all the funny little things she does.
P.S. I personally have seen a handful of copycat photos like these around the web. (In Eames rockers even!) look what you’ve started!
Three years, holy crap!! I have been following along for over three years. Man time flies, like I need to tell you that. Love the photos.
Matty’s turning three next week, I’ve been looking at pictures of him since he was tinee-tiny, and boy does time fly. It just fascinates me how a baby can grow up and develop his (her) personality and entertain our lives like we never thought possible (today Matty said to me that he was willing to swap me for an alligator, ha!)
Best wishes to the Birthday girl :)
Happy birthday to Matty, too!
I think I like the yearly shots even more than the monthly. Eleanor is quite the cutie – love her chic haircut too.
In the photo with the 1 she looks like August. How adorable are your kids!
So sweet…so adorable:):*
But wait! Weren’t you just out there, very pregnantly painting the porch floor just the other day?? I guess time flies; it must be because she’s having so much fun. Look at that smile!
Congrats to all of you. It’s fun to be 3!
jbhat
[…] in My Neighborhood May 3 Bookmark or Share 0 comments We needed flowers for Eleanor’s photoshoot, so she and I took a walk to the local florist.If there’s an upside to Chicago’s six […]
good god. i’ve been reading your blog for so many years now…that i remember you being pregnant…
:)
my youngest is a few months shy of eleanor…3 should be a stitch…
I wish I had done this with my twins. They are 19, is it too late?
pve
Oh she is just beautiful your Eleanor! Like so many of your other readers I remember when she was in your tummy – crazy how time flies. I really like how your photographs capture the personality of your kids. Very inspiring!
I love that her smile at 1 year old is still the same at 3 years old. Happy birthday Eleanor!
lovely photos!happy birthday!!
Hi from Spain. My little Anabel (7 months) has the same dress. It made me smile.
What a cool idea. I think this last picture she’s changed the most. Well ok second most, obviously next to the baby picture. She’s adorable, I’m going to remember this idea for my kids. What a fun way to see them grow!