The first six months with my son have been an incredible roller coaster of emotions, learning, and joy. From the moment he was placed in my arms I knew my life had changed forever.
The initial days were a whirlwind. Our little one was born at only 4lbs so we spent a bit of time in the NICU. I took photos during this time, but vaguely remember most of it. I remember shortly after we got home saying “I wish I had taken a few videos so I could have remembered the sounds and the details of that time. The first time I held him, the first time we fed. Pictures just didn’t do it justice.”
Coming home was a whole different adventure. We were not ready to welcome baby boy home at that time. No nursery was set up. We didn’t even have a crib set up. I laugh/cried when we arrived home and there was a moses basket on the porch as a gift from a relative. It was such a godsend for us.
The sleepless nights, the sweet baby smell, the first smiles – each moment etched in my memory like a precious treasure.
Breastfeeding was a challenge. Having been born so small my body was just not ready to provide the nourishment he needed. So we chose to supplement with formula in order to see our little boy thrive.
The house transformed into a nursery, adorned with soft toys, bright colors, and the sweet lullabies that played on a loop. Days revolved around a meticulous schedule of feeding, napping, and playtime. I marveled at the simplicity of finding joy in watching him grasp a tiny rattle or coo in response to my voice.
The first smiles, like rays of sunshine, broke through the fog of exhaustion. It was a magical moment when my son looked at me, recognition sparking in his eyes, and his lips curled into a gummy grin. Suddenly, all the sleepless nights and endless diaper changes became worthwhile.
As the months unfolded, I discovered a new level of resilience within myself. The first time he rolled over, the attempts at sitting up – each milestone was a testament to his growth and a reminder of the fleeting nature of infancy. As a Professional Maine Family Photographer I naturally became a documentarian, capturing every yawn, every hiccup, as if freezing time could prolong this stage of innocence.
I started taking more and more videos. Not really sure what I was doing or what I would do with the digital clips. But it was at this time I discovered a profound love of videos and how some moments were just better captured with movement and sound. As a Maine Family Photographer I started shifting my focus to family films and worked hard to practice and learn anything I could.
Amidst the joy, there were moments of self-doubt. Was I doing everything right? Was I providing enough? Parenthood, I realized, was a journey of constant self-discovery and adaptation. The baby books became my companions, but instinct and intuition often guided me more than any expert advice.
Six months in, and I found myself reflecting on the profound changes within our little family. The baby who once fit snugly in the crook of my arm was now rolling, babbling, and exploring the world with newfound curiosity. I reveled in the evolution of his personality, from a sleepy newborn to a giggling, expressive infant.
In those first six months, I learned that parenthood was a paradox – a delicate dance between surrendering to the unpredictable and embracing the profound joy that accompanied it. The sleepless nights and endless diapers were mere footnotes in a larger narrative of love, growth, and boundless discovery. As I looked at my son, a tiny human marveling at the vastness of the world, I couldn’t help but feel an overwhelming sense of gratitude for the privilege of being his parent. The first six months were just the beginning, a prologue to a lifetime of shared adventures, laughter, and love.
Enjoy this little film I made. This film consists of all clips take prior to any classes or formal instruction. Limited color grading, no transitions or story. Just a mom with a camera learning a new craft.
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