Every story is worth telling. Through the month of August we will tell 31 stories of how mothers give their children breast milk

"Don’t be alarmed, I loved that I could nourish my child with my body, I loved watching her latch and coo at “nursies”. I loved looking at her chunky legs as she drifted off to sleep following feedings. Those are some of the dearest memories I have so far."

"Weaning was just a step, a part in life that signifies growing up. I would now even classify it in the same feelings as him growing out of a favorite outfit, or saying a new word. It pinches at your heartstrings. But it reassures you that you’re doing right as a mother, you are your child are growing up, together. And things are progressing forward exactly as they should be."

It may come as no surprise to many of you the real reason why I was absent for – gulp – almost two whole months…. morning sickness. Yep that is right, we are expecting our next little bundle of joy in October! Hopefully we will make it there!

...I am just here, putting into words, the way us stay at home moms feel. I am here to say that it is okay when in your mind you beg for just five minutes alone. You are not alone momma...

...What do you want to remember most about this moment? The one you are in, right now, breastfeeding your baby?...

...Find your momma-tribe so that you know who to turn to when you need commiseration or advice...

2.3.2017 – I spy…

I spy champions. I don’t care who you wanted to win the game, no one can say this didn’t turn out to be one heck of a super bowl. Congratulation Patriots, please don’t let it come out you cheated. 

...Anyway, I do remember at the beginning sitting in bed, sore and tired in the middle of the night after Hubby brought her to me and just crying because it hurt so badly. That eventually got better and she started sleeping longer stretches which helped me heal a little more...

1.23.2017 - Natural: Breastfeeding is natural. It is one of the most natural things you can do as a human. I will forever advocate for any mom who wants to breastfeed....

But guess what: my baby is about to turn two. And all of the questions, the looks, the snide comments – they are all coming back. Not only from my family but now, more than ever, from strangers. From those people we walk by or sit across the restaurant...

For many years, my mom enjoyed her wine. This little shadow box holds some of the corks (wine bottle toppers) that she enjoyed. I love the texture in them...

You can find a photographer at almost any price point. Sometimes you can even find free photography from someone who is building a portfolio. So if you can always find someone who for less, what is the point in investing in someone else? Many of us see a more experienced photographer’s investment number and wonder why does this cost so much; or maybe why am I paying so much for only 10 images or even no images, where all products are additional?....

For some moms breastfeeding is what they have always wanted to do and for others, it is something they never thought about. Amy grew up around breastfeeding, as her mom breastfed all of her siblings. So when she became pregnant with her first child, it was a no brainer – she was going to breastfeed. “It was an easy decision for me, and I didn't put much thought into the alternative (formula feed). I made sure that my family and doctors/pediatricians knew that it was my plan at the very beginning.”

Shadow - Sure we all make shadows and are attached to one at all times, but I chose to practice some harsh, side lighting for this one. Photographing mostly newborns I don’t get to have the fun of this lighting often but this was the perfect time. This is my brother, graciously modeling for me. We all have two sides, which do you show?

Learn the thoughts behind week one of my 365 photo challenge.

...my daughter is two. And I became determined to love the snow. For weeks we have been talking about all the wondrous things we can do as a family when it snows. So I decided to build a list of traditions for the first snow of the year... 

Maile knew from the beginning that she was going to breastfeed. Her mom breastfed both her and her sister, plus she knew all of the amazing benefits that breastfeeding has to offer. Both mom and baby are benefitted so much it seems that everyone should try once. For her it was a given...

When we were expecting my son I assumed we would breastfeed. I had no bad experiences with my first.   But then I developed Preeclampsia and had to be induced at 30 weeks...

Breastfeeding was a given for us. We knew it would be better for him and I wanted to create that special bond between me and him that can only be done with breastfeeding... this was until we had some issues...