Four Years Old (Eleanor’s Yearly Photo)

I took a monthly photo of Eleanor in the same Eames rocker, in the same spot in my living room, every month for the first two years of her life. (I did the same thing for her little brother, August, but in a different room.) 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.

At first, I kept her outfit simple so that the focus would be on her as she grew, not what she was wearing. As she gets older, she has more of an opinion about what she wears. I’m letting her personality show by photographing her in the outfit of her choice.

Eleanor is four years old now. Here is her yearly photo.

Four Years Old (Eleanor's Yearly Photo)

Eleanor Balch, Four Years Old

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23 comments

  • That’s so disciplined. I tried something similar with an oversized bear and my daughter as a baby but didn’t stick it out so mong. I might have to revisit the photos and make a ten year comparison.

  • Love this tradition!! My girl’s four also and she’s been completely deprived of creative documentation. Will be so special for Eleanor when she’s older!

  • I’m sorry, it just doesn’t seem possible that she is 4 years old already. Kids grow too fast.

  • Wow! Time really flies – I can’t believe she is 4 already! She looks so happy :)

  • It is cute you did this! I hope you have them framed!

  • how is she FOUR already? that is just crazy to me. such a cutie pie! happy birthday, eleanor!

  • jbhat

    Cheers to all of you. Four is so much fun.

    jbhat

  • jacee kemper

    knees together would’ve made for a more modest shot, but i know how hard it is to control little girls at that age. i remember my parents being mortified when sitting at my brothers graduation commencement, i kept lifting my dress over my head. i was also 4.

    • A

      She’s happy to strip down or lift her shirt/dress over her head. Not much concept of modesty with four-year-olds.

  • She looks more and more like a blonde you! Happy birthday, Eleanor!

  • I can’t believe she’s already 4! Happy birthday, Eleanor!

  • This is a great idea for capturing how (fat) children grow!

  • Oh I love her cute little smile and that twinkle in her eye!

  • Vicky Bunczk

    I was pregnant with my son Will while you where pregnant with Eleanor. Your due date was a few weeks before mine, but in a crazy twist, Will was born 3 months early (!), and Eleanor was due on Will’s due date. Will is my miracle baby – he’s just perfect, even being born so early – and I love every year when Eleanor’s birthday comes, thinking about how that year didn’t go as any of us expected. Happy birthday Eleanor!

  • Oh, she is adorable! Happy Birthday, Eleanor. And I have to tell you that “rainbow toes” (as we call them) are very popular with my two boys right now. :)

    • A

      We call them “rainbow toes” too! I would do them for August, but there is NO WAY he’ll stay still long enough, so it’s just Eleanor that gets them for now.

  • I can’t believe it’s that fast, 4years, ive been reading your blog for 4 years now! :)

  • She is just such a classic beauty! It’s cool to see how much she changed from 2-3. My little girl just turned two! I just did a recap of her party on the blog.

  • Too cute, Eleanor! :)

  • Erika

    Aww my little friend!! I hope she had a good birthday!

  • Okay. I see a definite pattern. :D

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