When I posted the other day about our first egg hunt adventure, I didn’t have the chance to post about L.A. and the blue car. Our daycare provider has a wonderful backyard with all sorts of interesting things for children to play with, but my little guy?
He’s claimed the blue car. Apparently he doesn’t allow anyone else in it, either. On Friday, he was just happy to show it off to his daddy.
I usually try to keep things fairly light hearted and upbeat around here, but yesterday I read this entry from a fellow blogger, and thought to myself – sometimes it’s important to just be real about motherhood – we’re all on the same road here, trying to figure it out. Coincidentally, L.A. decided yesterday was a good time to give some material to be real about.
I had picked him up a few minutes early, and decided that on our way home we’d pop into the drugstore really quickly. There were a couple things we needed, (namely Zantac and Tums – a typical shopping list for me these days) and while C would have stopped, I was really looking forward to spending some family time together and thought we’d run in and run and out. Any mother will tell you that once your child passes the infant car seat stage, there is no such thing as a “quick trip to the store”. My first mistake was convincing myself otherwise.
My second mistake was adding to that scenario a child who had only napped for 45 minutes all day and a mom who is 9 months pregnant. I quickly unsnapped L.A. from his carseat, scooped him into my arms and started towards the store. Lucky for me, there was an abandoned carriage right out front waiting for us. Unfortunately, when I tried to put L.A. in it, he bucked and whined in protest. ”No biggie” I thought to myself… we needed four things, I’d just carry him. He actually did really great as we were walking through the store, but about halfway I realized that I’d underestimated just how heavy he is these days.
As I readjusted him on my hip, hooking his leg up and over my giant belly, we headed to the front of the store to pay for items. Enter the meltdown. I’m still not sure what caused it, but he started to whimper at first, and twist a little, fighting in my arms. I talked calmly to him “It’s alright bud, we just have to pay and then we’re going home”… he didn’t want to hear it. As I waited in line, right behind the woman with a raincheck coupon, a gift card for her partial total and a price discrepancy (of course), all hell broke loose. Without reliving it all, it involved a large scratch to the face that drew blood (mine) and an all out temper tantrum (his).
A line had formed behind us, and I could feel eyes boring into me. You might be wondering at this point why I didn’t just put down my items and walk out. Well, honestly… between the possibility of having heartburn all night long thanks to the baby in my belly and being completely mortified in public thanks to the one on the outside… I wasn’t sure which would be worse. Eventually, Rain Check Lady finished her transaction, and I approached the counter with a screaming child in my arms. The cashier’s face said it all as I walked forward. It was a face I’m certain I’ve made before…. and if I hadn’t made it, I’d certainly thought it. ”Why can’t that woman control her child?” I’d officially become “that woman”. When he handed my bag to me, he said “Good Luck with the rest of your evening ma’am”.
As I walked out of the store I could feel tears springing to the back of my eyes as I tried to readjust a still crying L.A. in my arms and P2 kicked in protest from within. After L.A. was safely strapped in his carseat, I got into the car, and drove home through silent tears. When we pulled into the garage, I put my head on the steering wheel and just cried – choking back sobs. Tears of frustration, of failure, and of fear that C and I had the audacity to think that somehow we could do this times two.
I sat there with my head in my hands as long as I could, until a little voice called to me from the backseat “Mom?”, and I realized that it was time to dust myself off, wipe away the tears, and go back to the job I signed up for… the one I’ve looked forward to for years. So I did just that, and when I opened the back door to retrieve L.A., the smile that spread across his face as he reached out for me let me know that it isn’t personal. It isn’t about me at all. He’s just trying to find his way, too.
C and I are lucky enough to have found an amazing daycare provider for L.A. She is one of the most wonderful, kind and caring women I have ever met in my life, and she treats L.A. as if he were her own son. I thank God every day that we found her, and could go on and on about what an amazing asset she is to our life. L.A. has been with her for a little less than a year now, and he has completely flourished under her care.
Meet Jennifer. In addition to being completely incredible, she holds an annual egg hunt in her back yard with quite the impressive turnout. C and I brought L.A. for his first time this year.
He wasn’t quite sure what to do at first, but quickly caught on with his daddy’s help and filled his basket to the brim. I promise he was having more fun than it appears in this picture 
It was a great time, and we can’t wait for next year when he’ll really be into it with the other kids!
A few weeks ago, my friend Christa called to see if I wanted to accompany her on a newborn shoot she had scheduled. She knows I adore newborns, and despite my ever swelling belly making mobility a bit difficult these days, I agreed. I’m SO glad I did. Meet Gabriella… just seven days old when we photographed her.
Jake just might be one of my favorite little guys to photograph. I first met him back in the fall, and though I didn’t think it was possible, he has seriously gotten even cuter since then. The minute I walked through the door he started squealing and batting his eyes… such a flirt! I love watching my clients’ children grow, it’s truly such an honor to share this time in their lives. It goes by so quickly, and it gives me such joy to capture it.
Today I had my 35 week ultrasound and got to see a glimpse of P2’s sweet face. It was the first appointment in either of my pregnancies that C wasn’t able to make, and I think we were both pretty bummed out about that. I have to admit, up until this morning, this pregnancy has seemed more conceptual than it has real. As if we’re all aware of the idea that we’re adding another little someone to our family, but not really living it yet. Seeing P2’s little hands up against his or her face suddenly brought reality in at warp speed. P2 is currently weighing in at 5lbs 11 oz, and has a full head of hair. No surprise there, I’ve had heartburn for months… I’m totally anticipating a small monkey. P2 also has the sweetest little full lips just like Daddy.
I can’t wait to meet this little stranger… only a few more weeks to go!
Duff is one of the amazing writers over at My Mom Genes, and she and I happen to be due about a week apart. I’ve admired her attitude about parenting and her cool level headed nature for quite some time, so if I’m honest, it’s been wonderful going along this journey of each of us expecting our second child. For some reason I feel a great reassurance knowing we’re on the same road, traveling sort of parallel to each other. Enjoy your sneak peek!
….and my very favorite shot of the day. Actually, it’s quite possibly my favorite mother and child interaction shot ever.
A few weeks ago I posted our beautiful family and maternity pictures that were taken by Christa and Wendi of Dolce Photography. What I didn’t tell you is that I also turned the camera on them before the day was done.
My friendship with Christa started through an online group we both belong to… sharing the same name and passion sort of destined us to be friends. It wasn’t long before we learned that we had far more in common than just photography and we spent many summer nights sipping wine and growing our friendship. I don’t know what I’d do without this girl.
I just met her partner in crime recently, but I absolutely envision some fun times with the three of us in the near future. Wendi is an absolute doll, and these two work perfectly together.
The ladies wanted to get some quick shots to use for marketing and such… but they just wound up cracking each other (and me) up the whole time instead. They’re so much fun to work with.
Thanks again girls for spending the day with my family and I. I can’t tell you how much those pictures to me! I’ll be sure to post pictures once we have our prints up on display. I’m envisioning a big photo wall of some sort… now to just find where!
