savoring motherhood

I did all the right things. I read all the books. I watched all the videos. I took all the classes. I went to prenatal yoga classes religiously, took walks with my husband, and daydreamed with him about how we were going to have the “happiest baby on the block.” I savored every minute of my pregnancy and was excited to do the same with our newborn.

We were ready. Or so we thought.

Then she arrived and everything we thought we knew flew out the window. Night was day and day was night. I felt as if the life I once knew was a distant memory and now I was navigating new and very foreign territory. I wouldn’t have traded my new life for the old one, but those early days were hard. Very hard.

Several weeks after Sadie was born, I realized that I had been in a deep fog. While I was wallowing in the exhaustion, she was growing and changing. And I had missed it.

Yes, this has been one of the most difficult times in my life, but I don’t want to lose sight of how wondrous and amazing it is. I want to savor it because it will be gone before I know it.

Never in my life have I been so aware of the passage of time. Becoming a mother has amplified my need to preserve memories. At seven weeks old, I am floored by how fast Sadie is growing. Sometimes, it feels like she changes from minute to minute. She’ll wake up from a nap and I swear she’s gained three pounds. Every morning, I wake up to find a new baby.  

And so I do what I always do when I want to savor a moment in time: I pick up my camera. And when I do, I see for the first time what has been there all along: chubby hands, tiny ruffles, soft skin, itty-bitty shoes, little toes, wise eyes, first smiles, and a whole lot of love.

Yes, in the topsy-turvy life with a newborn, my camera helps me savor the simple moments and remember what is most important.

Share with us the kinds of moments you are savoring this season.

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Darrah Parker is giving away one spot in the Slice of Life Project, a 6-week photography e-course that will help you savor the details of your everyday life. Leave a comment for a chance to win a spot in the winter session, starting February 6.

For more information about Darrah, visit her website. For more information about her e-course, visit the Slice of Life Project web page.

Comments

[Jeanne]

I'm savoring the little bits of afternoon sunlight that come slanting through the window, and the fact that the days are finally getting longer again.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/jeamac/6401108391/in/photostream

[Jen]

Beautiful post! This season I'm savoring my 2 year old daughter. She is growing so quickly and she is loving all the Christmas activities going on. I'm trying SO HARD to stop and savor it with her. Her little tugs on my pants as I fly around the house getting things done and her saying "Momma sit" are just what I need!

[Fishgirl]

I'd treasure the chance to bit into this slice of life experience.

[Lianz]

Beautiful post. I start to realize the little things through the lens and learn to live in the moment, when my little one came. Nothing can prepare one for parenthood, you just have to dive into it.

[Kim Klassen]

oh so very lovely Darrah... I'm so happy for you!
xo, Kim

[Naomi]

Darrah, I find this still to be true after three years. Just today, I thought my daughter had some sort of growth spurt right before my eyes... how she was speaking, walking, even her sense of humor was more sophisticated. I also started taking pictures when she was born because I couldn't keep up with how fast she was changing. So amen, sister!

[Nicole]

Isn't it amazing how quickly children make time go by. I do not have any of my own, but I see those of friends and relatives and realize how much we must savor every moment. Hoping to take your class in February.

[Quadelle]

It does go so very fast. My 5yo is starting school in Feb (we're down under) and I can't quite believe how we got here so fast.

Sadie's beautiful with that sweet smile and so much hair!

[Katie F.]

I still feel this way and mine are older. Capture as many moments as you can. Later the children lOve to look at those moments with you.

[jenne]

wow i havent visited shutter sisters since before little girl was born 4 months ago and checked in today for some inspiration and - this is me today. woke up from the fog that has been the last four months of little girl - i too did all the right things that didnt prepare us for the hell of new motherhood living in the nicu - not knowing what was wrong with her in the hospital right after birth, the finally home not in sync and taking weeks and weeks to get into sync and then attempting to go back to work full time and realizing for us i needed to stay at home - then the holidays - and today, the first day of the rest of our lives together awake and present. i tried to take a picture a day most every day but today decided to get my camera out and really document our days together and not just how big she is now vs yesterday. im going to print out this post and keep it in my camera bag. xo

[Christina]

This was an amazing story. Very passionate! I am not a mother yet, but definitely want that joy one day. I am fairly new to the photography world. It's been a hobby and passion of mine for a while, and I am learning every day! I love being able to capture truly amazing and beautiful moments, whether it's time with my family or something I come across in nature. I would love to win Darrah's Slice of Life Project, because I want to continue to learn and grow with my love of photography as much as I can!

[Rae]

I too am celebrating this holiday season with my first baby girl! She has changed my life in so many ways. Everything seems to be passing in such a blur and it was hard at first to remember to pick up my camera. But, slowly the fog is lifting and while Christmas was so different this year than in years past, I am so blessed to have this beautiful gift in my life.

[Patricia]

I felt the same way when I first became a mom...
Such emotions High and Low...

[Sandra]

New motherhood hit me hard! I had the picture perfect pregnancy but didn't really think about the "after". Crazy, I know! Add in some perfectionism and being used to being in control and efficient and you have the recipe for a few tough months. It got better and I got smarter and learned to let go. It DOES go by fast and I savour every step and stage.

[Helios Binoculars]

that is very lovely post and it remember my old memories.I am acutely aware everyday of that passage of time...something I didn't experience before my two little girls were born. Thank you for a wonderful post that will help me to move a bit slower today and cherish these moments of their young lives even more.Very very thanks for this post.