bits and bobs

When he's in his highchair I can't resist: my hands find their way underneath to squeeze his legs, my nose to his nose as he wracks in giggles, squeals in my ear.

Three months premature and just two pounds when he was born, his first shoes are a size three, newborn-sized. He's two weeks shy of his first birthday.

As adorable as they may be, full-term babies are comically enormous to me now, linebackers. Under the cuff of these pants I can feel his calf between forefinger and thumb, his skin chilly there as it always is, skin soft, mine. I could look at this photo in fifty years and have that sensation as clear as today.

Someday he'll be a man, hardened and fuzzy all over, muscled and definitive both in personality and stride. And I'll remember him as he was, lying in humid incubation next to his mirror-brother, waiting for life to begin.

+++++

Baby-feet, lover-torso, sisters holding hands. Show us piecemeal photography today, will you?

Comments

[Heather]

I have always liked taking photos of bits...

http://www.flickr.com/photos/strawberrygoldie/2421806890/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/strawberrygoldie/2418497649/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/strawberrygoldie/2418494837/

[Mama Outloud]

Oh, the bits and bobs of babes...

http://outloud.wordpress.com/2008/04/09/fresh-tablecloth/

[Ginny]

LOVE the pic of your little guy's wee shoes. My little man never could fit shoes that tiny, even as a newborn! I'm quite obsessed with my Monkey's little feet!

http://monkeymemories.blogspot.com/2008/04/shutter-sisters-bits-and-bobs.html

[Chris]

I definitely have a thing for baby body parts, that's for sure! So, I have a few to share:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jeroldssis/2257668674/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jeroldssis/2365886414/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jeroldssis/2372738659/?editreplace=1

[camerashymomma]

my son had five rolls on each of his forearms when born. this is the one last bit of baby roll on his wrist, and i find myself missing it as i know it vanishes a little each day as he grows from babe to toddler to kid.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/camerashymomma/2385858019/

[Lyn]

a few bits -- and not all of babies, though I agree those are the most fun!! Sorry for so many -- I started looking through my flickr sets and was struck by a few of them!! :)

http://www.flickr.com/photos/11439752@N04/2430455124/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/11439752@N04/2273230990/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/11439752@N04/2430344430/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/11439752@N04/2430455124/

[Lyn]

shoot. doubles of that last one -- meant this one... sorry!!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/11439752@N04/2429645099/

[stephanie beaty]

beautiful words kate. a few of my faves. bits that tell stories..or part of them.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3209/2378608427_72fceed866_o.jpg
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2043/2182728769_6eeaf109b6_o.jpg
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2343/2147793350_6dcc2f224e_o.jpg
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1298/1298190117_a633313cf1_o.jpg
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/254/515578297_4cb2ee6722_o.jpg

:) stephanie
http://www.lifeographer.com

[Barbara]

my 17 month old daughter took this of her foot when i was letting her play with my camera--not a great idea, mind you. smudges on the lense and everything... but, this simple little shot is priceless to me:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/sugar_magnolia/2332104564/

[megan]

mine isn't as cute as adorable baby shoes, but shoes nonetheless.:)
http://www.flickr.com/photos/meganmona/2302864823/

[snicketyone]

http://www.flickr.com/photos/snicketyflick/2430619738/

[Mama DB]

Love little feet. And little tiny tennis shoes.

Here's mine. A photo of my daughters then chubby feet.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/23829646@N02/2429912137/

[Lindy]

One of my favorite things to photograph- FEET!!
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2293/2430178839_46d4f6cffb_b.jpg

and fingers
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2272/2431077146_69a5ac6ea6_o.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3164/2431014830_b14a7b97a1_o.jpg
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2324/2431043738_7051778022_o.jpg

[corey (giggletwig)]

my little one felt the grass between his toes for the first time last week

http://www.flickr.com/photos/giggletwig/2423682838/

[Shelli]

What cute feet!! Wonderful!

I've already posted a couple of my favorites, so I had to do some digging. I found this one I took earlier this year:

http://www.mamaofletters.com/Mama_of_Letters/Camera_Happy.html#24

[Samantha D.]

I love the post! Any day now Rob and I will have our own baby to take pictures of, but in the meantime, here are some parts of those we love...

http://robandsamphoto.com/artwork/213068.html
http://robandsamphoto.com/artwork/212906.html
http://robandsamphoto.com/artwork/212824.html
http://robandsamphoto.com/artwork/213130.html
http://robandsamphoto.com/artwork/213266.html

[kristin]

ah the little pieces, they can speak so loudly all on their own can't they? this is my littlest ones foot. her middle toe is squeezed out by her other chubby ones and hides under them. this weekend she got to bury them in the sand.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/14811117@N02/2425998283/

[divrchk]

I love these types of photos. Here is one of mine... http://flickr.com/photos/divrchk/1505951566/ and one more... http://flickr.com/photos/divrchk/408343724/

[Jen]

I love baby feet, newborn especially!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/jlynn28/2410583685/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/jlynn28/2406829010/

[Jennifer]

It is those pieces that make me love the big picture. It is nice to see that I am not the only one that obsessively documents parts...

Everyone's contributions are great!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/veridianblue/2429960473/

[Amy Jo]

Absolutely adorable. My little one's feet, days after his birth:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/sweetrubydeer/2311203212/in/set-72157604048918359/

[Mrs. Eaves]

No feet here, just a little head peeking out of a box:

http://camerashy.atomictumor.com/packing/

[Kathleen]

Each and every day I find inspiration here at Shutter Sisters. You all help me look at my pictures in new ways. Thank you for all of the inspiration!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/23630286@N05/2431269314/

[Andie]

Part of my 30:30 goal. I took this over the weekend.

http://wifemotherpainter.typepad.com/my_weblog/2008/04/morning-snuggle.html

[Amy]

http://www.flickr.com/photos/ellaminnowpeas/2251246921/in/set-72157602753359595/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/ellaminnowpeas/2326611497/in/set-72157602753359595/

[Marcie]

Awhile ago..I did a whole series on my daughter's hands:

http://www.marciescudder.com/PhotographyHalf/port-ComingOfAge/Hands/index.htm

[calissa]

LOVE this!!! I work as a nurse in NICU and completely understand the shift of perspective... 7 lb babies seem enormous now when they're actually average. It's very weird.

Here's some of my favorite bits of babes.....
http://www.flickr.com/photos/marycalissa/2208076918
http://www.flickr.com/photos/marycalissa/2178309184
http://www.flickr.com/photos/marycalissa/1388503868
http://www.flickr.com/photos/marycalissa/1389931858

[Kacey]

Oh, I love that shot! Love the little tennies! My oldest had a tiny pair of Nikes. Loved them. Wish I had pics of them...his foot is now like size 11 !

I have a thing for hand pictures. I took this series of my youngest playing video games. Scroll down for the hand shots.

http://www.wineonthekeyboard.com/2008/03/11/i-do-not-understand-males/

[cuzamora]

Kate-I know how you feel! My son just turned 3 and still can wear anything from 12 to 18 mos for pants...but it just means I still have a little cuddly guy for that much longer...

This is a favorite shot of mine-my dad is learning piano at 60 years old and on our last visit he had an accompanist for practice, his first grandson/my son: http://picasaweb.google.com/cuzamora/HangingAtChateauSzablowski/photo#5091313696141982402

[ginna]

such sweet little shoes! Here are some bits of my silly adventurous little guy.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/ginnahendricks/2315986198/in/set-72157604018879718/

[abbey]

That story touched me.. my little one was 2 months early and 4.2 pounds... and to make you feel better 14 months and in a size 2 shoe! so sweet... here are her piggies!
http://www.photoblog.com/abbeyh13/2008/04/19/337-she-can-wade-in-a-drop-of-dew.html
I love your blog... thanks for the inspiration!
abbey

[Rose]

Here's one of my 4 year old daughter...just her fingers and the tip of her nose and eyes under a hat. I love the little bits of her in this photo.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/rstarrphotography/2430776399/

[natala]

here is a bit..
http://flickr.com/photos/atheart/2345006746/in/set-72157604136144278/

[melanie]

Don't have any baby bits and bobs to share with you guys but i am enjoying all the photos. little feets and hands. very precious and wonderful. :)

[mamie]

just listened to the blog talk radio show with you and tracey. love what you said about everyone should be able to take a good picture because it feeds the soul. lovely.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/16401019@N00/2430363186/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/16401019@N00/2430363182/in/photostream/

[Lawyer Mama]

I love that photo, Kate. It's gorgeous. I have one that's very similar that is one of my favorites of my oldest, who is getting big far, far too fast:

http://flickr.com/photos/lawyermama/2311146993/

And I love these:

http://flickr.com/photos/lawyermama/2351383548/in/set-72157603643073069/

http://flickr.com/photos/lawyermama/2367288407/in/set-72157603643073069/

http://flickr.com/photos/lawyermama/2353570872/in/set-72157603638375698/

[sperlygirl]

it is true...love is in the details. capturing these little glimpses of my son just remind me of that. thanks for such a meaningful prompt & post! :)
http://sperlygirl.typepad.com/sperlygirl/2008/04/little-bits.html

[Sherry]

Some more feet here...I love these little feet.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/25233571@N04/2379857317/in/set-72157604343333178/

[Dawn]

here's my 'bit' from my trip to animal kingdom over the weekend. i think this giraffe is so cute even though you can't see his head.

http://nolegirl.typepad.com/my_weblog/2008/04/weekend-highlig.html

[Liz]

Adorable little dangly feet!

Here's mine. Not a baby, but my baby all the same:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/lizgrandmaison/2432218990/

[Bridge]

http://flickr.com/photos/ridethewavesoflife/2329290794/

Me and my "baby", Claire the youngest of three at 3, I snappe dthis while her and I were on the sofa snuggling by the fire. Her favorite activity. Gosh, not too many more years like this! With gratitude-Bridge

[nicky thomas]

Hello Shutter Sisters

I've been greedy today and picked three for you.

I love that you can just see Cedars face in the background of this one. Bemused.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/nickythomasphotography/2389949585/

I love the light on this one. Ella was another preemie, so so so tiny.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/nickythomasphotography/2359393822/

and because Kate requested it....

http://www.flickr.com/photos/nickythomasphotography/2352353782

Have a lovely day

Nicky x

[simply]

playing a game...

http://bp2.blogger.com/_A1Xbjk4uEks/SAzBwOdMouI/AAAAAAAADLc/ETLcbk53Zoo/s1600-h/bonkey+slide4.jpg

and naughty little toes...

http://bp1.blogger.com/_A1Xbjk4uEks/R4UASjgMRcI/AAAAAAAAB94/Cp_Vcj_d3xw/s1600-h/tp5.jpg

~simply~

[Jenny Rebecca]

SUCH a sweet picture!!!

Here is my bits and bobs picture. :o)
http://www.flickr.com/photos/fanglord2/2432023411/

[Tricia]

Perfectly adorable photo! I love this challenge, I do so appreciate the bits and pieces of loved ones. Here are a few of mine.

http://www.absorbentminds.net/images/dandilionhands.jpg

http://www.timestandstillphotography.com/images/fifeetbw923.jpg

http://www.timestandstillphotography.com/images/hobbit3.jpg

[lizziemarie]

Here is a bit of a lovely girl. Growing up
!http://www.flickr.com/photos/lizziemarie/2433552893/

[Lys]

http://www.flickr.com/photos/lysrian/2251256884/

My boy's bits...

[mnkathy]

I can't take the credit for this one: it was taken by my 10 year-old son who has gotten camera happy since momma got her new Canon and he inherited the old one...enjoy.

http://kathyriddle.blogspot.com/search/label/photos%20and%20stuff

[jillian]

My 14 month old and his sandy toes in the rare Seattle sun:
http://flickr.com/photos/hudster/2408586507/

And a flashback reminder of those delicious baby knees: http://flickr.com/photos/hudster/1330496243/in/set-72157601877824652/

[Cate]

So woefully amateurish but so lovingly shot...

http://ceecubed.typepad.com/photos/simply_sister/dsc_0395.html