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Gretchen M. Greer

freelance writer and photographer

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Relaxing day at home with travel baby. Favorite foods of the day: rocks, my arm. Favorite toys of the day: the remote, lipstick, pregnancy tests. Favorite places to poop: on me, on the floor, in the bath with me. And worry not, safety-conscious viewers - after passing out on the air mattress she was airlifted to the pack n play. It's not even noon yet. . . . #momlife #momtalk #realmomlife #stayathomemom #stayathomemomlife
For the first week or so after the little one was born it was almost physically painful to be apart from her. My hearing was incredibly attuned to any noise she'd make - the slightest squeak was audible across the house or from outside. That intense connection, that feeling that part of me was outside of me, gradually dissipated - or at least, it seemed to. But then this week I wondered why I couldn't sleep if she wasn't right next to me, and why she starts crying if I step more than a foot away. I'm sure part of it is anxiety - I'm awake wondering if she's still breathing, she's worried I'll walk away - and part of it is habit, since we're never apart. But maybe that connection I felt right after she was born is still there, and maybe it always will be in one way or another. It's exhausting and relentless - doing little things like taking a shower or carrying more than one item at a time are almost impossible, simple daily tasks take an inordinate amount of time, and I literally never have a moment to myself. I get frustrated and tired and resentful. But I wouldn't change a thing. I don't know if all mothers feel this way, or all babies act this way. I don't know how any stay at home mother ever gets anything done, or what will happen if we have another child. I don't know when she's going to sleep alone at night or when she won't need me every moment any more. Maybe she'll always want to be close, or maybe she'll start walking next week and want to run off and explore. All I know is that we're both at our happiest when I don't fight it, and that this bond is the most powerful, beautiful thing in my world. Photo by @paul.metzgar . . . #motherandchild #motherhood #momthoughts #baby #motherdaughter #thesweetlifeunscripted #thehonestlens #daysofsmallthings #simpleandstill #tinytinymoments #littlefamiliesofig #smallmomemtsofcalm #happyselves #analog #filmphotography #attachmentparenting
Feeling like an emotional soup today as I finish up packing to leave tomorrow morning. After a life of traveling I find it just gets more difficult to leave people and places. I know we have so many beautiful things ahead, and I'll be absolutely delighted once we get there, but for now I'm just gazing rather mournfully on everything at home, from the view out my window in the morning, to the teapot, to this old fallen tree. Also, packing for three people, three seasons, three countries, a new house and the rest of the year in two suitcases is no picnic. #procrastinating
When I think of breastfeeding the first word that springs to mind is "hunger" - not so much the little one's as my own. I've spent most of the last nine months perpetually ravenous. I eat constantly - aside from looking after the little one, it's essentially become my primary occupation. I'm lucky that apart from a painful first week, breastfeeding has always physically come easily. I've never once pumped (well, I tried once and got about three drops), and consequently we've never been apart for longer than about an hour. My biggest struggle was with a relatively rare condition called D-MER, or Dysphoric Milk Ejection Reflex, a physiological response to breastfeeding marked by a sudden and severe emotional dip. I could always tell my milk was about to let down because about thirty seconds before I'd suddenly feel stressed, hopeless, nauseous, and be completely unable to concentrate. The feeling would dissipate almost as soon as I stopped feeding her, and, thankfully, has gradually lessened with time. Now mostly it just makes me very, very tired, and I've found being alone in a quiet place helps significantly (otherwise I'm liable to bite the head off of anyone who comes near me). I think my biggest fear with breastfeeding was what I'd do once her teeth came in, but she has six little choppers now, and apart from a couple of bites, they haven't been an issue. So here we are, nine months and counting. My goal is a year, but if she wants to go a little shorter or longer, that's fine by me, too. I'll probably miss eating five scones a day when it's all over. Lovely photo by @paul.metzgar . #worldbreastfeedingweek #dysphoricmilkejectionreflex #DMER #breastfeeding #breastfeedingstory #motherandchild
Nine month old baby, nine month old mother. I've been taking this same picture in this same place every month for a year and a half now, and it seems fitting that the last of these in this spot should come at nine months. All I can say is that nine months with a baby goes a whole lot faster than nine months waiting for one. For all it's little trials, this time has brought more joy and fulfillment than I could ever have imagined. This last month has been especially delightful, with little one starting to crawl off and explore on her own. She's exceptionally persistent and determined, and will practice something (like standing) tirelessly for hours until she gets the hang of it. She's a complete daredevil, and absolutely fearless (as long as I'm right next to her), but still sleeps in the crook of my arm every night and has such a keen awareness of where I am that we've nicknamed her the "homing pigeon." I've been packing, preparing to leave this coming week. We'll be gone for about half a year, so I'm trying to soak in home and it's little rituals - morning walks and coffee, outdoor showers and swimming, and most of all time with my parents. But I'm also profoundly excited for the next step, for a new home, and for seeing what the next nine months bring! And I'll need to find a new doorway to continue these pictures in.
An incredibly special gift from @paul.metzgar - beautiful prints of beautiful moments, thoughtfully captured on film 💕 . #motherandchild #filmphotography #filmportrait
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