Time really does fly! I've been taking pictures of this little cutie since she was born and now she is two! Her Momma and I have been trying to work this session into our schedules and we finally found enough time for a mini-session. Little Miss D was acting surprisingly shy, but we just worked with it (because it was hot and we wanted to get in the pool... and you can only make a two year old cooperate for so long). 

I have recently noticed quite a few blog entries about getting in the frame with your kids. Before reading these articles it was something I thought about every once in awhile, but there was always the ten million reasons why I don't get in the picture... I don't have any make-up on, my hair is a mess, I want to lose 25 lbs, and so on and so forth. But the truth of the matter is that after going through my own childhood pictures and not seeing my parents in them I am now going to make an effort to hand over the camera- no matter what I look like- and be a part of the picture and a part of the memory. The truth is your kids don't care about your hair and make-up or that you need to shed a few pounds they just want you to be there to laugh and play with them. So get in the picture! Years from now you will be really happy that you did. 

Photo credit: Stephen Pointer

I recently saw a group of photographers sharing letters to their son's. I thought it was such a wonderful idea, there are so many things that happen day to day that I want to remember and mean to write down, but forget or get too busy. As a photographer we are paid to capture other people's memories; however, I know I spend a majority of my time chronicling the day to day life of my own family. I am going to try my best to write at least one letter a month. Even though he is almost two (how did that happen?!) I would like to start at the beginning and the moment we first met...
 
To my sweet boy,
I still remember the day I found out I was carrying you. In my heart I knew I was pregnant, but I wanted to make sure before I got too excited. I went to the doctor and she confirmed. I couldn't wait to get outside to call your Dad! You were my dream come true, I was going to be a Momma. 
The pregnancy progressed and I was sure that you were a girl... and then came the ultrasound when we found out your sex. Your Dad saw it first, when the tech set the wand on my tummy you were not modest at all; we were having a boy and I was speechless. Fast forward to October, we had decided on your name, set up your room, gone to birthing classes and you decided that you were going to be difficult and stay in a breech position. The c-section was scheduled 3 days after my birthday; you were the best belated birthday gift that I could ever ask for. I was a Momma... your Momma and you were perfect. 
I am eternally grateful that your Daddy took so many pictures of the all these moments so that I can now look back and see what I could not that day. Someday soon you will see all the pictures and understand all the love I feel for you.
All my love,
Momma 

Photo by Stephen Pointer (my hubby)

Last week was crazy busy. My husband was out of town, my boy was causing all kinds of chaos (as a result of my hubby being gone) and I was a little flustered. My husband got home in the wee hours of morning Saturday which also happened to be his birthday. There was a ton of housework to be done but we decided to try to take the boy to the movies (it was a no-go; too loud and scary) and go for a late lunch to celebrate. I'm so happy I grabbed my camera before we walked out the door because I will never want to forget watching my husband and son interact during our lunch. Many thanks to our waitress for going above and beyond and for the ice cream that got a BIG smile out of our little boy.

Yesterday I mentioned the importance of photographs. Today I want to talk about everyday moments and why I take so many pictures of my son. I stay at home with him so I see him all day most everyday but looking back at pictures from a few months ago I realize that there are things that I have forgotten. This is why I take pictures almost everyday; it is the cure for a horrible memory. I want to remember those chubby hands and feet, his big smile, the way he wrinkles his nose... I want to remember it all. Pictures will help me do that. Because I want to remember as much of it as I can.

It has been a really difficult month or two for my family. We've lost three people very dear to us in the last few weeks and I have been strolling down memory lane with old family photos. As I look through those photos I always wish that I had more. I guess that's why I try to take so many pictures now of our everyday life. I want to remember it all- not just when we got dressed up and posed for the camera. I want my son to have pictures of the faces of people that sadly he may never get to know. 
This post may seem preachy and some may think I am just trying to sell something when I say take LOTS of pictures. They don't have to be professional ones, I understand the economy we are living in, but take pictures- AND print them- so that you can look at them later. And to all you parents out there- get in the picture with your children! Don't worry about your house being messy, or that you want to lose a few pounds because none of the things will matter to your child someday. All that will matter is that they have the picture and the moment frozen in time.

A candid of my son and my Grandmother (who celebrates a birthday this weekend) having fun with bubbles on one of their visits to California.