Back in October, we had a fun family photo session in the backyard. The photographer we worked with was wonderful! She agreed to meet us at our house since it was such a hassle for me to get 3 kids ready and out for anything. After the initial rush of feeding, dressing, and getting everyone ready, we were *finally* posing and smiling. It was a beautiful day, sunny with no clouds in the sky.  Both kids and adults enjoyed the smiling session. The experience reminded me of our baby picture evolution with each subsequent kid and how our parenting mindset has evolved too.

When Noah was born, the hospital had a photographer who came into each of the newborn’s room the day after they were born to take professional pictures of them We had no idea this was a thing at the time, so we were very surprised when this happened. I remember I didn’t want to be in the pictures because I didn’t have any makeup on, my hair was a mess, and I was wearing my hospital gown. The photographer convinced me that it would be fine, and we would just take one picture. I am glad I listened to her because that snapshot of me in my hospital gown holding Noah always comes to mind when I think of that period of time.

We planned to take a picture of Noah every single month for the first year to document his development. My husband enjoyed photography and had a camera that he liked to use. So, he was in charge of the pictures. Every month around Noah’s birthday, he took the time to carefully set up the scene and took Noah’s pictures. 

When Emma came along, there was also a professional photographer who took her pictures. But, we didn’t like how the pictures turned out. My husband took her newborn and monthly pictures, although Emma’s photo sessions were much shorter and less orchestrated than Noah’s. By the time Lucie was born, there were no professional pictures in the hospital due to Covid-19. After bringing her home from the hospital, we were so busy with the other 2 kids that her newborn picture was a snapshot of her next to her siblings. My husband still took monthly pictures, but it was just with his phone camera and nothing elaborate. A couple of clicks and done.

This pattern of less and less time on nonessential tasks is ubiquitous throughout our lives with 3 kids, not just in taking pictures. Parenting little kids takes so much of my time because they are extremely dependent, so I have to prioritize everything that I do.  As a result, I find that “good enough” is sufficient in many areas of my life. I figure that as long as the kids are healthy and loved, then everything else is well … good enough!  Parenting is so draining, and the evolution of parenting practices reflect that, even in the most dedicated of parents.