Do you remember leaving your baby for the first time? Not for a quick shower, but for several hours?
I do. It was for the marriage of a very dear friend, who had chosen the child-free wedding option.
My eldest was six weeks old and if I’m honest, I had been looking forward to escaping for a few hours. But, in the end, I didn’t last very long.
When this photo was taken I had just returned from attending the ceremony (so that I could feed him; changing out of my dress to avoid any spit-up accidents…!) and was about to leave again to join my friends at the reception. I only made it through the meal before I knew I’d been gone long enough.
I love this photo.
In the blur of new parenthood there were lots of photos taken of my son; but very few of us together.
And, from the chaos of those first weeks, I struggle to remember much beyond the feeding, crying and sleep deprivation.
This photo proves to me that there was more than that.
That there were moments of pure joy with this tiny, noisy person.
That there were moments where we just looked at each other and smiled.
That we were connected, even when apart.
Sara that is such a gorgeous moment that was captured. You’re so lucky to have that photo. I can see the amazing love between you. I remember going to the cinema for my first outing without my son and it was an awful film my ex took me to (a horror of some kind!) all I wanted to do was go home. My folks were staying over to babysit and offered to have my son in their room for the night but I couldn’t bear to be apart any longer. That bond is super powerful isn’t it! xx
Thank you x There are very few photos where I look anything other than exhausted and shell shocked, this one is special x
Such a beautiful photo of you and your son and you’re so lucky that you have a snap to remember that moment.
I definitely remember leaving the twins for the first time and it wasn’t a positive experience. I sobbed with relief when we were all back together again so I guess I’m happy that no one captured it on film.
It’s funny, I was so looking forward to getting away for a bit, but really a few hours was all I could manage!
Really beautiful post Sara, and a truly lovely captured moment. Those precious earliest days of baby number one feel like a very long time ago now…
They do feel like forever ago now… he’s almost nine, where did the time go!?!
Sarah, you have the most beautiful smile anyway but this smile is the smile only a Mother can understand. Utterly gorgeous xx
That’s a lovely thing to say, thank you x
This is so beautiful. It really is hard to remember those early days- I think my photos start at around 6 weeks as that is when I began to feel normal. There is more of course but we just don’t see past the sleepless nights and endless feeds. So glad you have this photo #MyCapturedMoment
So am I, I really would struggle to remember anything other than the tough bits without the odd photo like this x
Sara, this is just beautiful. I remember doing a lot of cuddling and looking at my son but there are very few photos that actually show it. The first time I left O was to go to a friends wedding meal, they got married in New York but had a meal for friends on their return, I think O was around 5 weeks old. I was in bits all day at the thought of leaving him but we were only gone about 4 hours. I had such a lovely time and was so glad I didn’t cancel as I had been very tempted to do. xx
Yes, I’m really glad I went, I would have hated to miss it, but the few hours I was away was enough x
I don’t remember much of those first few weeks! #mycapturedmoment
No, I have to admit my memory is very hazy, I’m grateful to have the odd photo like this that brings it back :)
Such a gorgeous photo and a beautiful moment to capture. It’s amazing how much you miss them even when you’re only apart for a few hours.
Thank you Louise, it is funny how we can be desperate for a break then find that all you really think about it them :)
This is such a beautiful moment. There is so much love and adoration in both of you eyes. A treasured moment x #mycapturedmoment
Thank you, it is a photo that I love x
This is such a beautiful photo. You look so happy and in love with your gorgeous baby. I hope you have this one framed somewhere in the house. Babies do have a way of changing our priorities don’t they?!
Thank you so much for joining in with #MyCapturedMoment xxx
I do have it framed, in a box though…! They really do change everything x
I found it difficult to leave my son until much later as he was a hungry breastfeeder & we never got to grips with bottles and expressing, so it was more gradual with breaks extending from an hour to longer as he weaned. It’s difficult not to keep thinking about them even when you are away.
Breastfeeding was partly responsible for me too, although my son would take a bottle, so it was a little easier!
Hello there what a lovely picture! I found it very hard to leave my son, and found myself fretting when I did-I think I still do even though he starts school soon! x #magicmoments
I’m not sure it ever really stops :)
Such a gorgeous post huni! Love the picture xx
Thank you Aby x
You’re right about not having so many photo’s of me snuggling with my daughter, but I remember doing it all the time. I’ll never forget the moment she was born and holding her-it was so hot and I was worried about cuddling her too much because of the temperature regulation thingy, but I gave her a kiss and told her how much she is loved. A midwife overheard and looked at me, smiled and said ‘aww’. That’s a moment i don’t have recorded except in my head, but it’s special. Lovely photo x
I think the important moments stay with us, whether we have a photo or not, the photo is a nice bonus x
This is so beautiful Sara, I remember doing the same thing at a wedding, no photo to show though. Treasure yours.
I’m very grateful to have the photo. Thank you Fiona x
That’s such a beautiful photo of you both together. I remember that time just being a blur. I can’t remember the first time I left Monkey tbh, probably with one of his godparents but I’m taking the not remembering as a I sign it must have been ok! #whatsthestory
If it wasn’t for this photo, I wonder if I’d remember this moment… All such a blur!
Ahh those days with a new born. My memory is a bit hazy with the first days with my daughter, and quite understandably so. And there were very few photos of her and I together (and quite understandably so). But I agree with you: when I come across a rare one of the two of us, it reminds me that amidst the chaos we were trying to weed through, there was joy, and happiness, and most definitely love. Thank you for sharing such an endearing piece :)
Yes, these photos are rare, but all the more precious for that x
Aww this is a beautiful capture, you can capture the pure love from you and the look of complete admiration from your son! Gorgeous!
Thank you, I love the expression on his face :)
When my son flew here in the UK ahead of me for medical reasons, I thought that I can used the time without him to do things that I miss. But when he left I am missing him so much. Every cry that I hear would remind me of him. After a week I followed. If its longer I would have gone bonkers so its nice that its only a week. #whatsthestory
I think that the imagining and the reality are quite different. I do enjoy my time off, but even now I prefer it not to be too long :)
Aww how beautiful, I still don’t like leaving mine for anything… I’d much rather be with them! Lovely photo x #whatsthestory