Metal Meredith

I can hardly believe that today I am the mother of 2 kids. Had you told me 5 years ago, I knew I wanted children but really had no idea what I was getting myself in to.

Phil was nice enough to print me out 141 photos as my gift. We keep all of our photos on computers, so to have prints is a luxury we don’t typically allow ourselves.

As we were looking through them, I saw this photo:

This is a photo of the day after I had Henry. I was just starting to feel the various pain killers wearing off. I was just starting to let it sink in that I had a new kid to take care of. I was just starting to love him.

This one is not so hot:

Vivienne was a far more scary experience, just because I had no idea what I was going to do with this little person. I was so proud of myself for getting her out of me. Now what?

The thing is that although both of these pictures are me without makeup, after a long day in a hospital, I still think these are the most natural pictures of me that I have. I can’t help but wonder why women take a make up case to the hospital in order to ‘look better’ in photos after the birth. My face is broken out, my hair is dirty, I am extremely tired and just running on adrenaline mixed with fear and excitement.

I was telling Phil last night, as it hit me like a tidal wave, these have to be the most natural that a woman can be. These are the most emotionally open I have ever been on film.

This is me, as a mom.