On October 18th, my daughter was born and I became the mother of three children. Hundreds of miles away, on the same day, another baby girl was born and another woman added the third child to her family. We were complete strangers at that time, but our love of photography and family brought us together. We started to have a conversation about motherhood with images, because we tell stories with our cameras. Since some tales are so similar, and some are not, we decided to collaborate and share a photo a week from a normal day as a mother to three.
“Normal day, let me be aware of the treasure you are. Let me learn from you, love you, bless you before you depart. Let me not pass you by in quest of some rare and perfect tomorrow. Let me hold you while I may, for it may not always be so. One day I shall dig my nails into the earth, or bury my face in the pillow, or stretch myself taut, or raise my hands to the sky and want, more than all the world, your return.” – Mary Jean Irion
While I was pregnant, I would watch the two “big kids” playing together and rub my belly as I tried to imagine you. Tried to picture how you would fit in. How you would mesh with your siblings. How/if they would welcome you into their clique that took them years to form. I don’t why I never pictured this sort of scene. It is one of the sweetest surprises.
photo by Heather Robinson
So many nights, daddy works late. His job is demanding and he cares very much about the good work they do there. Plus, he has a long commute. But he and I both know how important it is to put you all to bed with a story, no matter what kind of day we’ve all had. When he is home in time to do this, it’s like having a small celebration. And maybe I don’t mind a few minutes just to myself at the end of the day.
photo by Olivia Gatti of Click Click Love
this evening you danced for me. it was just you and i and the setting sun softly shining through your bedroom windows. you spun around the floor, jumped on your bed, and laughed. you told me that one day you will be a genius ballerina. i told you i believe in you and know that you will do so many wonderful things. and then all at once the door opened, we heard the baby crying, and our special moment ended. your baby sister had woken up and needed me. i know you understand that i can not spend as much time with you as i once did. that i have to take care of your brother and sister as well as you. once upon a time, it was just you and i all day long every single day. you will always be my first little love. and i cherish these special moments between you and i more than you will ever know.
Please journey over to the Muse Memoirs website to see what all of the ladies shared this week.