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. :)