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Gardening With Baby

White house with triangle peak, large front yard garden & blue skies

Welcoming a newborn baby during the crisp embrace of fall brings a unique warmth to the heart, especially for parents who are avid gardeners. As the season changes, so does the landscape, with hues of red, orange, and yellow painting the world outside. Yet, within the coziness of their home garden, amidst the earthy scent of fallen leaves, this family experiences the magic of harvesting carrots, beets and jalapeños.

Dad holds baby on arm. View is looking up from ground at baby and dad and blue skiesMom, baby, black dog and dad's hand on a green blanket outside. Baby is looking at dog.

 

Ripe vegetables were magic to me.  Unharvested, the garden bristled with
possibility.   I would quicken at the sight of a ripe tomato, sounding its redness
from deep amidst the undifferentiated green.  To lift a bean plant’s hood of
heartshaped leaves and discover a clutch of long slender pods handing
underneath could make me catch my breath.

–  Michael Pollan

Mom and Dad pull carrots from front yard garden. Dad holds baby as he reaches over the garden fence.

With their little one nestled in Dad’s arms, the parents gently pluck the vibrant orange carrots, glossy beets and spicy jalapeños from the soil. It’s a moment of connection, as they not only gather ingredients for their kitchen but also nurture a sense of wonder and appreciation for nature in their newborn.

Yellow, white, and orange carrots freshly pulled from the garden Man pulls beets out of front yard garden.

Back in the kitchen, the real adventure begins as they embark on making homemade pickled jalapenos. With careful precision and a touch of creativity, they slice, season, and jar the jalapenos, infusing each bite with the flavors of their own labor and love. It’s a ritual that symbolizes not just exciting sustenance, but the passing down of traditions and the joy of creating something together as a family.

Freshly picked jalapenos are sitting in a colander in a white sink. Just washed. One green jalapeno lays on a blue cutting board. Man stands at kitchen sink. Back to the camera, illuminated by window light behind the sink. Man slices jalapenos on a blue cutting board. Baby girl is asleep in her mother's arms. Top down view.

Mom holds sleeping baby while checking phone with other hand.

Recipe shows "Quick Pickled Jalapenos" on a phone. Phone sits on top of open, Sunday NYT. NYT crossword puzzle, more than 3/4th complete. Baby burp cloth tossed over it. Black and white. Dad and Mom in kitchen. Mom is holding sleeping baby. Sliced green and red jalapenos on blue cutting board, white counter top and window light. Mom holds baby with left hand, pours salt with right. Dad holds colander with left hand, tongs with right. A large container of vinegar is in the foreground. Baby is asleep in mother's arms as she stirs a pot on the stove with a wooden spoon. Focus on 4 yellow-red apples on dining room table. In the background, out of focus, mother holds sleeping baby and stirs pot on the stove. Man adds green and red jalapenos to a steaming pot of water. Man adds brine to a jar of pickled jalapenos. Alert baby makes eye contact with camera. Spider plant reaches toward the light as it hangs in a corner. Man washes yellow, orange, and white carrots. Dramatic low light in bedroom, Mom holds baby. Baby has eye contact with camera. Heavy shadow.

After their culinary endeavors, they embark on a leisurely neighborhood walk along the water’s edge. The cool breeze kisses their cheeks as they stroll, the baby cooing contentedly in their stroller and arms. The fall foliage reflects in the water, creating a picturesque scene of serenity and togetherness.

Amidst this backdrop,  beautiful documentary family photography captures the essence of the moment: the parents’ smiles illuminated by the soft autumn light, the baby’s curious gaze taking in the world around them, and the bounty of the harvest cradled in their arms. It’s a snapshot of a fleeting yet precious moment in time, a memory to be cherished and shared for generations to come.

Dad bumps the stroller with infant daughter in it as it goes over railroad tracks. Baby girl resting in dad's arms. Dark shadows as mother walks away from a river holding infant daughter. Baby is looking up at sky, mom is looking at daughter. Focus on fall tree berries as family walks away from camera. Yellow leaves underfoot. Sun peeks out from behind clouds as parents walk home with dog and infant daughter. Mom smiles and holds infant daughter and smiles in front of home. Dad holds door open as he tries to get large stroller through the door. Mom, baby and dog wait on the outside, watching. xo,

Jen

 

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Beautifully Ordinary is a trademark of Jen Lucas Photography, LLC.