February 2014 ~ 10 on 10 | A Personal Project

You know how that lady at the grocery store gazing longingly at your baby came up to you, perhaps even leaned in to smell babe’s feathery hair, then admonished, “Ohhh, enjoy every moment…these are the best years of your life!”? Despite the unrelenting lack of sleep, the hamster wheel of laundry, and the clear and very present fact that I will not be able to own anything undamaged or snot-free for at least another five years (probably longer…) – I believe her. Pretty much wholeheartedly. Truthfully, I’ve become quite accustomed to being someone’s Kleenex.

I want to remember it all. And I want my babies, years from now, to be able to look at photos of themselves and know that they were awesome right from the start. I want them to have proof that they brought joy, beauty, and immeasurable love to the world.

There’s this photo of my sister and I taken about thirty-something years ago with our very old and aptly named cat, “Tabby.” It’s the three of us on the kitchen floor. My 13-months-older sister took my bottle away from me (it was in the shape of Fred Flinstone and I can still remember what it felt like in my hands)…and she is sticking it in the cat’s mouth. I don’t remember anything else about the photo except our expressions – Julie, concentrating, as she looks down trying to jam the nipple into the cat’s reluctant mouth, and my bewildered self looking on. I can’t remember the lighting or what we’re wearing but I love that photo and I think of it often when I pick up my own camera to capture life. It’s a process for me, the letting go of ‘shiny, happy, perfect’ in order to document what is real and worth remembering. I like to envision my mom behind the camera as well, probably laughing as she pressed the shutter.

Enter one of my resolutions for 2014 – to spend more time documenting my family and our everyday moments. What is a resolution without a little action? I’ve joined in a circle of photographers shooting 10 images on the 10th of every month. 10 on 10, for me, is a kickstart to let go of perfect, to document life, and to share. I want to zero in on the little things. So here it is then, my first 10 on 10, February 2014.

1. Littlest Valentine Sitting Milestone 2. Brave 3. After School Buddies 4. Danny Teaching Me How to Drive (Hill Climb Racing) 5. She Should be Sleeping 6. Can I Hold Her? 7. Peek-a-boo 8. Lily’s Favourite Birthday Gift 9. Grabby 10. Full Day JK Floored Asleep

Be sure to check out Robyn Russell’s 10 on 10 here and keep going around the circle. xo