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Sunday, March 7, 2010

All About MEme: Portrait of a New Mom


with MommyBrain and SupahMommy



It's been said that a picture is worth 
a thousand words.

Well, prove it.

Turn the camera on yourself ... post a self-portrait ...
a portrait of yourself created by yourself

or write a thousand words* about yourself
and use Wordle to create a word picture - so cool!
*give or take a few hundred

Your choice. 
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Earlier today I was on a mission to take a new and fabulous self-portrait.  I set up my camera.  I made a background from a blanket tossed over the side of the crib ... the nursery has great light in the late afternoon.  And the results were okay, but the photo seemed contrived.  Probably because it was ... I staged it.  My expression seemed fake.  My eyes didn't have any of sparkle.  I was feeling like option #2 was going to be my savior.

After downloading the dozen or so shots that I took, I somehow found myself looking at photos from the day CJV was born ... just over three months ago.
  
And then I found this photo.  I knew it was the one to share.  I took it myself, so it definitely qualifies as a self-portrait.  


CPV had left the hospital to pick up Natalie from our friend's house and then my mom from the airport.  

I remember being all alone in my room when the nurse finally brought Charlotte to me.  Because of low birth weight (4 pounds 9 ounces) she spent time in the NICU to monitor her body temperature and blood sugar levels.

Just me and my beautiful baby girl, and I couldn't take my eyes off her.  After months of worry, I had my daughter in my arms.  This tiny bundle - three swaddle blankets - was so content to be snuggled up against me.  Her face was so calm.  Those first few moments together are especially precious to me because Charlotte ended up spending five days in the NICU.  I had to leave my baby at the hospital and visit during the day, and it was one of the hardest things I've ever done.

Somehow I had the presence of mind to grab the camera to capture the moment.  And I am so glad that I did.

This photo seems like the perfect self-portrait for this point in my life.  I feel like I am most defined by my role as a mother ... and most days that's a very good thing!

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Okay, your turn! Link up so I can stop by and see your self-portrait or Wordle.

12 comments:

Lothiriel said...

THIS IS AMAZING!!
It made me tear up!

I was lucky I got to have my baby right after she was born. I would have NOT been able to take it if I had to wait to hold her.

Oka said...

Love the self portrait. I completely relate to "I am most defined by my role as a mother".





Is it me, or is the link tool not up... "(Submissions start March 14, 2010, 5:43 pm)"

Unknown said...

Love that portrait hun.. I could not take a self portrait cause I always cut off my head somehow, or perhaps I do it on purpose cause I hate taking pics lol...

BJ_Mama said...

LOVE that pic! And what an amazing moment to have captured forever! I know you'll cherish it forever, but SHE WILL TOO!

Lee-Ann said...

Aww that is a totally beautiful self portrait. :o)

Janelle said...

This picture makes me cry and makes me so excited for this week.

Kmama said...

How beautiful!! That worked perfectly for this week's meme!

Melissa said...

Wow.... Love, love,love that picture... it's always so beautiful to see the first glance a mama takes at her baby!!

Unknown said...

That is an awesome picture! Like some pictures, you totally can't tell you took it yourself.

Raising Z and Lil C said...

What a beautiful shot! How did you manage to take that???? This shot was a huge reality check...time is flying by! Our baby girls are growing up so quickly (no to mention N and Z...they are practically driving ;)). I wish it would all slow down just a bit :)

Lisa said...

I love this pic...it is so precious.

Sera said...

This is SUCH a precious picture. You look so peaceful, so content, and like you are right where you want to be. And your baby just looks so content as well. I think this is a beautiful portrait of what motherhood means, and I hope you find a space on your wall for this beautiful picture! Hope you're doing well in these early months. I'm wishing you a very restful night of sleep tonight! :)

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