Mama in the Picture

I read this great article recently and even though I'm only 2 months into motherhood, it resonated with me.  I only have one picture of myself with Alexander of the million I've taken of him.  Usually because I'm the one behind the lens, but also because I don't think to get in the photo or I'm not 'photo ready' at that moment.

from the article:

"I hesitated. I avoid photographic evidence of my existence these days. To be honest, I avoid even mirrors. When I see myself in pictures, it makes me wince. I know I am far from alone; I know that many of my friends also avoid the camera.  It seems logical. We're sporting mama bodies and we're not as young as we used to be. We don't always have time to blow dry our hair, apply make-up, perhaps even bathe. The kids are so much cuter than we are; better to just take their pictures, we think...

...I'm everywhere in their young lives, and yet I have very few pictures of me with them. Someday I won't be here -- and I don't know if that someday is tomorrow or thirty or forty or fifty years from now -- but I want them to have pictures of me. I want them to see the way I looked at them, see how much I loved them. I am not perfect to look at and I am not perfect to love, but I am perfectly their mother...

...When I look at pictures of my own mother, I don't look at cellulite or hair debacles. I just see her -- her kind eyes, her open-mouthed, joyful smile, her familiar clothes. That's the mother I remember. My mother's body is the vessel that carries all the memories of my childhood. I always loved that her stomach was soft, her skin freckled, her fingers long. I didn't care that she didn't look like a model. She was my mama...

...So when all is said and done, if I can't do it for myself, I want to do it for my kids. I want to be in the picture, to give them that visual memory of me. I want them to see how much I am here, how my body looks wrapped around them in a hug, how loved they are."

So, a couple of nights ago I asked Art to take our picture...in my end-of-the-day half-makeup and a T-shirt.

I'm glad I did...it's a keeper.

(p.s. putting the 'instagram' effect on a photo seems to make you look better... or maybe I just think that?)

Fall in the 'Burgh

This was obviously last week. Glad I caught some of the fall beauty here before it was rained away to smithereens (thanks to storm Sandy.)  My pictures really don't do it justice.  Walking down the beautiful Beechwood Boulevard like this with my man, babe and pup does (did) my soul right. 

Here's to hoping Sandy isn't as great as expected and there's not much damage to any city.

2 Months / Zwei Monate !

Today's my 2-month birthday.  Can you tell I'm growing?

I also do new fun things like smile.

Mommy and Daddy love it.  They are so easy to please, those little people.

Signing off for now...fall is SO beautiful in Pittsburgh and I told my mama we better go enjoy it while it lasts.  I'll tell her to try to get some good shots of the tree-lined streets for you peeps!

xo,

Baby A

(p.s. Happy 396-month birthday to my bestie-auntie Lindsey!)

Update

Hi.  It's been awhile.  Yes, part of it's taking care of Alexander, but the truth is that most of the reason for lack of posts is lack of content.  I don't really have anything to blog about anymore...now that I'm back in the ole USA and well, living the regular life.  A sweet life, I should say.  Look at that face:

 

At a month old.

I'm not sure if I want to continue on as a family update blog more for fam and friends or not.  I have a feeling life will get busier (now it's busy, but mostly newborn busy-ness of staying at home most of the day and nursing and trying to keep up with blog designing and house keeping-together.)  Not sure if I want to continue putting pics of my babe up on the internet either.

Abuela and Abuelo came to visit and we had fun.

  Always love a 3 generation photo.

Arturo, Arturo and Alejandro. :)

 

Inside U of Pittsburgh's Cathedral of Learning.

Showing them the campus. 

 We went out to eat!  I think easier with a sleeping newborn...will get harder in the coming months.

Elsie's mostly gotten over her jealousy, but always wants to be in the action and next to baby... my pictures often contain a furry beast in the corner:

We recently tried out the Ergo Baby Carrier - baby and Dad both love it.

It's perfect for going on little walks at night.  (I could use some exercise. :) ) The trees are starting to change colors and that never gets old to a Texan. (where we don't have this for those of you that don't know.)

He's grown so much already.  I see him developing more everyday.  He loves to look around, coo and gives us the best smiles.  

So, life is good in this hood.  this motherhood and neighborhood. :)

2 Weeks

I fear I'll turn around and it'll be 2 years before I know it.  Trying to savor this time.

with his Pops and Mimi

The other mother.

These booties are cuties!

Boppy + Swaddle + Paci = Happy

Doesn't sleep here quite yet, but seems to like checkin' out his domain.

 Play time with Dad.

Thoughts for Today

Sehr Süss!

Gotta sport the lederhosen onesie while it still fits!

Gotta be kissin' him jeden Moment!

He's Here

And we're in complete love.

A L E X A N D E R    J O S E P H

August 23rd, 2012   ::   8 1/2 pounds   ::   21 inches 

Alexander the Late

Ok, so today's his due date and he's not technically late yet, but he most likely will be.  Do you know how long I've been pregnant?  Oh yeah, you prob. do.  The last week is so slowwww.  I had a minor false alarm on Friday, so that really got my expectations all out of whack and I try to tell myself I have another week, but it isn't working.  I guess this is just the beginning of him teaching me to be more patient.

I hope the next time I write I've got a bundle to show you.

And it doesn't look like he'll be a tiny one.

Alexander's Nursery

My new favorite place to be.

I love to decorate and have a side passion for interior design, but creating a room for your baby is extra special.  I guess it's part hormones and part me and part that I had to wait 7 months in Austria before we moved before I could do anything, but I thoroughly enjoyed this little project.

I wanted his nursery to be fun and colorful with lots of pieces that held special meaning to us. It also needed to be budget-friendly, so things were either DIYd, hand-me-downs, gifted or inexpensive.

There's quite a bit of Austria in here and also many things given to us especially for Alexander from friends and family near and far.  This little guy will know he's loved.  I sometimes come in here at night when my back hurts and sit in the glider and just relax and think.  I can't believe I will be holding him so soon.

Maybe if we write him more notes, he will come. :)

W H E R E    I T ' S    F R O M :

(in case curious minds would like to know)

Crib: Hand-me-down from Art's boss here. :)

(The color of the crib inspired the black chalkboard wall behind it.  I saw the photo below with a dresser the same wood color in front of a chalkboard wall and that was my inspiration.)

Giraffe photo: my sister actually found it and sent it to me.  The baby giraffe was born this past January at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay zoo.  I sent it to Shutterfly to be printed poster size.

Bunting flags: from my baby shower in Houston.

Shelves: Ikea Expedit

Mobile: etsy seller Martianique

Crib sheet: Amazon

Crib skirt: panels sewed by my mom with grosgrain ribbon trim

Rug: Urban Outfitters

Blankets: Blue one crocheted for Alexander by a family friend and the 'bebe' one is a 40-year old family heirloom of Art's from Puerto Rico.

Alexanderplatz poster: a poster I saw and snagged at a coffeeshop in Graz back in April since it had Alexander's name and cute drawings of Graz landmarks on it.  It was for a local play there.  I colored it with markers to make it more fun.

'My Roots Lie Here' poster: gift from etsy from my sweet sister, Molly.

Curtain: originally our shower curtain from West Elm that I moved in here.

Glider: Wal-Mart

Monogrammed Pillow: etsy seller CalicoDaisy

Sheepskin rug: Ikea.  Copied my sister

Stool: hand-me-down from my awesome neighbor here who knew it makes nursing 100x more comfy

Dresser: Ikea with new pulls added.  Copied from here.

Book ledges: Ikea 

Koala: from Graz Australian friends, Lee and Andrew.

Lederhosen man: from Austria, natürlich!

Drawer full of clothes: almost ALL hand-me-downs minus a few gifts.