Isaac's Perspective/ My Perspective

Isaac had his Playskool camera with him today during our road trip to the mountain today. I love looking through his pictures--seeing the world through his eyes, what he finds important or fun. Today was a good example--I thought he was taking a picture of me while driving but he clearly was not pointing his camera at my face. "What are you taking a picture of Isaac?"  "da pone (the phone), mama" which was in it's place on the dashboard.  Ahhhh!  That would make sense!  *wink*

He was equally excited to get his hands on 'da pone' while we were on the gondola:

At one point I think we were at at 60 degree angle going up!
I couldn't look coming down. 

"momma. day teeese"
(momma, say cheese)

Isaac takes pictures because he sees me take pictures. I enjoy it yes, but I also make it a priority...especially pictures of he and I or he and his loved ones. I heard a photographer friend of mine say once long before I knew I would be a mother, that "no one ever complained about having too many pictures with their mom." That is totally true!  I can't think of dozen pictures of me with my mom growing up, yet she was clearly there. My friend went on to say "women tend to say they are waiting until they loose those last 10 pounds or when the dye their roots and certainly never when they are in their swimsuit, but 10 pounds, grey hairs and self-conscience swimmers aren't what kids remember--they remember their mom."  I took those words to heart.  My child was going to have pictures of me and with me, no matter what the situation in life. So...we take pictures!

What makes me particularly proud is our annual video montage of our photos together through our family year. Not every picture is in there (I'll take the self conscience pictures, but good heavens, I know better than to post them!), but just look---nearly 75 pictures of he and I together since last August!  That's more than one a week!  Also, the breadth of experiences we've had over the year!  I love gathering these pictures every August and seeing how much we are able to do--him, yes, but also me as a parent. I think it's ok for mommas to pat themselves on the back from time to time!  Parenting is hard work! What I see in these photos of he and I together is that we aren't held captive by single parenting or down syndrome or adoption trauma or checkbooks or weather or whatever else can be in the way.  We have to make adjustments, yes, but we are living life, even when it's hard: we keep going; we try new things; we go on adventures; we get dirty...and we clean up pretty darn well, if I may say so!

So take pictures!  Even if its out of focus, or the pants are a bit snug or the hair is WAY past it's due date.  Your kiddo will have a physical memory of you being there and as an intimate part of their life <3