Crystalyn Roberts Photography

Mother’s Day.  A slow day spent being thankful for my three loves, and for the change that motherhood has brought to my life.

Before nap time and bed time, I tell her made up stories about the adventures of a squirrel named Ida.  Ida lives in our neighborhood and her favorite place to play is in our backyard.  She’s convinced that Ida hangs out in this tree from time to time, so whenever she’s near it she peers into the knot and calls out “peek Ida, peek Ida.”  Ida has yet to peek whenever called.  But, she has this uncanny ability to follow us almost everywhere we go, so if you ever hear my daughter exclaim that she just saw Ida, you’ll now know who/what she’s referring to.

His first birthday.  This year has passed way too quickly.  My baby is a toddler and will always be my baby.  He’s a momma’s boy to the core, and I love him with such strength that I ache to carry him through life, but know I’m here just to guide him, and will do my very best to do just that.  But for now, I literally do carry him much of the time — which is why I only have one picture of him on the blog on his birthday and many more of his sister.

Ida aka Betty (White) – our bantam cochin hen – gave us our first egg on his birthday.  A special gift in honor of our sweet boy.

(a bad haiku for you… a compliment to its companion photograph.)

Children are sleeping
Dreamy bath meditation
Behold, my big knees

Welcome, May.

The other day when I was nursing my son while entertaining my daughter, I wished somebody had been there with a camera to capture a fleeting moment that I wanted to remember forever.  I had the same wish when I was snuggled in bed with my daughter last night, caressing her hair while she struggled to fall asleep.  I want photographs of my sweet family of four snuggled in bed together every morning as we prepare to start our day… pictures of my two crying children in my arms as I do my best to love and console them… images of me helping my daughter get dressed; trying to control my son’s acrobatics while changing his diaper; sitting as still as I can while my daughter puts pretend makeup on me; the list could go on forever.  I want pictures of our everyday moments… the moments that make our family who we are… moments that define our love and our bonds.  I want these images for me and my husband, but most of all for my kids to look back on when they’re older and need a little bit of the past to remind them of who we are/were and how incredibly special they are to me.  My sweet husband makes a few of these pictures for us, but I want more.  And we’ll schedule a family photography session to capture some of our everyday moments very soon.

I started this project for two reasons:  to improve my skills by keeping a camera in my hand on a daily basis and quickly editing and processing those photos for posting; and as a tool to insure that I’m documenting my family’s life… mainly so my kids can have something to look back on and know that I love them to the deepest of my being.  It was easy at first, but I’ve become side tracked.  I have several days of photos that I need to edit and post and I’ll do that soon.  But as I think about documenting at least one detail of my day, I become less and less excited… and I think this is why: I cherish the mother/baby bond and I want to celebrate that for myself. I want to be in the pictures.  Maybe soon I’ll add some self portraits.

I recently posted about my project on a photography forum and asked for feedback.  The forum is about being fearless as a photographer, and let me tell you… I’m full of fear that I need to let go of or overcome to become the photographer that I want to be.  I’m comfortable taking pictures of my family, friends and clients… and places where my camera and I are invited, but can be extra-shy about inviting myself and my camera in to other people’s lives.  So, I think that’s my next challenge with this project. I need to put myself out there – work on overcoming some of my insecurities.  It’ll be a little hard to coordinate with our family schedule, but I’ll make it work.  For now, I’ll start close to home.  I live in a lovely 1950s neighborhood and there are some fabulous characters who have lived here since it was developed.  If things go well, I may knock on some of their doors this week, introduce myself and ask to make their portrait.  Wish me luck.

A musical third birthday party for three special friends.  Happy birthday, Abigail, Eleanor and Sarah.  We’re grateful for you and your families and were happy to be invited to help you celebrate!