So... It's sort of impossible to write the "perfect" follow-up blurb to summarize or crystallize the last 10 posts. (This would be the case under the best of circumstances. And, last I checked, being a mom of a 3 day old and nursing 23 1/2 hours a day do not constitute the best of circumstances!) There is so much I want to say and I hope to continue many of the threads of conversation--and controversy--through many future posts...
Also, rewind, what about the small fact that: I am a mom of a 3 day old! And, as I'm sure you've noticed, I sort of write something that, much to my chagrin at times, would be characterized as a "mommy blog." As such, therefore, Q.E.D. (I know that means something, maybe something mathematical? Trig comes to mind?): I should probably shoot off some of my oh-so-brilliant thoughts and musings about new motherhood right?
Of course! And I will. Minus the brilliant part. Very soon. But in the meantime, let me tell you this: It is really really difficult to take a photo of three children. There were two non-breastfeeding things on my to-do list for the day: Take a shower, and take a photo of all three kids to send around to friends and family. (In my "bonus points" column--come on, you know your to-do list has a "bonus points" column!--I included: (1) Brush my hair; and (2) Read about this so-called "economic stimulus plan" so that, um, I'm not the most idiotic person in America. All I can say is: Better luck tomorrow on the bonus points).
Back to the photo: It's incredibly difficult. You got the 3 year old with the attention span of an MTV crack addict; the 1 year old who for some preposterous reason is more interested in crawling and putting pennies into his ears than in posing for the camera; the newborn who is awake for periods of 27 seconds of a time...There are logistics to handle, cattle/children to herd, faces to get pointed the same way. What's a sleep-deprived camera-retarded girl to do? Lucky for me, I stumbled upon this brilliant suggestion: Throw all the kids in a pack-and-play. Seriously, think about it. A natural frame, a discrete amount of space, lots of fun layering...! I can't really do this just yet seeing that my new baby girl would, um, die under the weight of her two brothers--but soon, soon, a perfect Pack-and-Play photo will be mine. Survival of the fittest my beautiful little S....
Sort of related, I used to think the idea of these cameras with built-in slimming and air-brushing functions were, in a word: Lameweirdvain. However: The dark bags under my eyes in the one photo I managed to procure today of me and my are begging me to reconsider. The Casio version apparently makes your photos "magazine ready" by smoothing out skin-tone and softening shadow. Thoughts? Has anybody tried these? I'm imagining a whole pretend world in which I look like the girl in one camera's photos...but how would I shield myself from the evil world of All Other Cameras?!? In a note of seriousness: A final thanks to all the guest-writers over the last week or so. I have gotten so many email messages from people thanking me for giving men a forum, asking follow-up questions, inquiring about the breadth of commentary. It's been such a great series to read and I am toying with the idea of doing a follow-up feature with women writers, so please email me at deviswithbabies@gmail.com if you are interested in writing something--would love to hear from you. If you have photo tips, all the better...!
Deepa is a wife, mother, writer and she sometimes masquerades as a lawyer as well. She revels in friendship, humor, champagne, and laughing at herself--often. She never ever reads US Magazine, thinks Rushdie is a genius, wishes she could write one sentence as funny as "Arrested Development," and lives in the Bay Area with her motley crew. She can be reached at deviswithbabies@gmail.com
awesome idea. haven't tried the cameras but am awaiting reviews. i don't find anything bad about that function at all. good for gisele, good for me!
haha not exactly the "response" i was envisioning to "man week"! interesting on the cameras though: never heard of this.
hooooold on, this isn't a
'mommy blog"!!!
loved testosterone week but also glad to return to some lighter fare!
that pretend world sounds nice. i imagine lots lo desset and wine there! i have actually tried one of these cameras and it isnt so amazing. it sort of blurs features and it also males objects appear reallllly odd...
cool idea! good luck with the new baby!
wow i could use an airbrush and slimming feature right about now. i am at home with a newborn too. it's wonderful of course but nobody can really prepare you for how crazy, tiring, stressful, lonely it can be too right??
great suggestion, always looking for unique photo ops.
i haven't tried the "make up function" but i am definitely curious; read about it in a magazine and now here. the way i figure: why not...esp for weddings or whatnot.
oh i remember the days of 23 hour nursing very well! you aren't going to believe this but you'll miss it one day so try to enjoy it!
it's nice to hear your voice on the blog again! thoroughly enjoyed last weeks post and am curious to see your take on it all!
oh come on, brushing your hair is overrated!
was so happy to hear about your new arrival! i was talking to my friends about it and they were joking that i act like i know you even though i don't! needless to say: love the blog, hope it's around for a long, long time. it's the first place i have found such a range of topics that appeal to me, that also has a background of mothering.
Photo tip: And sorry if this sounds harsh, but when you are sending pictures out of your kids to a big list, just send a FEW, not entire albums! Better for the recipient, and easier for you to do too!!
Great blog by the way! Found out about it last week through Man Week, will continue to check in.
very cool idea, i am going to try this. what is your policy of putting up photos on the blog, would love to see the new little baby and how your pack and play photos come out!!
Love the idea. Can't wait to hear your synopsis of BOY WEEK!