Life with you.

My boy. My little baby. My not so little baby now - you are two and half! I can’t quite believe it.

You’ve started talking. And it’s so awesome. Not in full sentences but lots and lots of words and two and three words sentences. We can communicate so much better now. I know what you want and feel (most of the time). You are understanding what I am saying so much more and things seem to be getting calmer. Less tantrums, less upset, less cross words (from me too!).

I’m sure every single mother that has ever existed on this planet would say this about their child, BUT my darling, you are one in a million. You really really are. You are so beautiful and so clever and full of life and so independent. And funny. And affectionate. I couldn’t have asked for a more perfect son. Well, sometimes you’re not 100% perfect. You were a terrible sleeper / napper and you are an awful eater! But on the whole you are PERFECT.

So yes, things are getting a lot easier. Life with you is wonderful. It gives me more fulfillment than any job I ever had. I laugh more and I definitely cry more too. I feel everything MORE. I feel like I was asleep before you arrived and now I’m really awake. Even though sometimes I do feel like a zombie. But I feel invigorated and exhausted all at the same time. I love being your mummy so much.

I love our days. It’s just me and you on the whole buddy, you don’t go to nursery or preschool yet, but you get lots of chances to socialise with the many play dates and toddler groups we go to. We also have beautiful days at home just us two where I will try and keep you as entertained and happy as possible and keep to TV off for as long as I can!

We paint, we draw, we bake cakes, we play with all your amazing toys, we read, we go for walks to the canal to feed the ducks, we go for a bike rides. We make dens.

And yes we also watch TV! You love TV, just like Mummy! You’re favourite shows at the moment are ‘Octonauts’ and ‘If you give a mouse a cookie’. You are also obsessed with counting and animal names and you know so many different animal names it’s so wonderful. 

You are ever so patient when I have to do some house chores and never winge, you let me do what I need to do and I try and do it as quick as possible. 

Our days out are so so fun too- we go to lots of different places. I love getting out and about and you are a brilliant travel buddy, so good in the car and always happy to go wherever I take you even though you don’t have much of a say!

You have brought so much joy and happiness and a renewed sense of self to me. You have made me a better person. You have calmed me down and lifted me up. Our life with Daddy and our surrounding family is lovely. We are so lucky. There is that shadow in the background of my Dad who I don’t speak to currently, but I hope in time some bridges can be built and you and him may get to know each other one day- I do hope so. Edward you are my boy and I love you with all my heart. 

This post is my contribution for the ARTIFACT MOTHERHOOD project that documents our journeys as mothers and creating memories for our children through our photographs and words.

If you are interested in finding out more information about the different types of photo sessions I offer or would like to book a session, click here!

I AM JESS CHEETHAM, AN AWARD WINNING FAMILY PHOTOGRAPHER BASED IN BATH, SOMERSET. I SPECIALISE IN DOCUMENTARY STYLE PHOTOGRAPHY THAT IS UNPOSED, NATURAL AND REAL. EVERY SINGLE FAMILY IS UNIQUE AND THEREFORE EACH SHOOT I DO IS DIFFERENT AND BRINGS NEW SURPRISES, EMOTIONS AND MEMORIES. I AM HONOURED TO BE INVITED INTO YOUR LIVES AND CAPTURE SOME OF YOUR MOST PRIVATE AND INTIMATE MOMENTS. THESE SESSIONS ARE BEAUTIFULLY INTIMATE AND RESPECTFUL AND AIM TO CAPTURE YOU AS FAMILY IN THE MOST AUTHENTIC AND CONNECTED WAY.