Photographing your Children Inspiration [the end]

Well of course I can't just stop!!!

I had decided about halfway through doing this challenge that I would make this into a coffee table book...as a beautiful keepsake.

So this last photo is one I took on day 61...a photo of my patient, gorgeous 3 little subjects I used for the inspiration!

This will be my cover photo :-)
Photos of the book will be loaded when it arrives!

Photographing your Children Inspiration [Day 60]

I almost can't believe it.
I'm here.
I have arrived at my destination.
And as much as I have loved doing it, I will enjoy just focusing on my grateful project for a while.
Until I start another challenge.
I just can't help myself!!

For the last day of this wonderful inspiration guide, a trip down memory lane :-)

When I was around 8 or 9, all I wanted for Christmas was 'The Jolly Postman' book.  I was fascinated by the idea of a book with little letters and postcards in it.  Little did I know the effort mum and dad had to put in to finding a copy for me.
Until I was older!
I guess...waaaaaay back then you couldn't just google it, or order it online!!!
But I do know I appreciated that my wish was fulfilled :-)

Day 60: Take a photograph of something that reminds you of your own childhood; however, include your child in it.

Photographing your Children Inspiration [Day 59]

Like most 4 and 5 year olds, they have a multitude of best friends (whom they often can't even remember the names of!).  But through it all these two really are like best friends.
With maybe a little more of that love/hate relationship that comes from being siblings ;-)

One of many things they love to do together is watch/play the iPad.

Day 59: Best friends - take a photograph of your child and their best friend.

Photographing your Children Inspiration [Day 58]

Firstly I would like to warn you that I am going to get slightly sidetracked from just this challenge today.  But the subject of today's photos is the reason for my thoughts.

I ummmed and ahhhed for a long time about whether to share this story.  It's not bad, and I by no means think that my life is tough - especially compared to some.  But what I would like to share is raw, honest and perhaps does not paint my mothering skills in the best light.

So, I apologise in advance for how long winded this may be, and how unrelated it is to the Inspiration challenge.

Master 5:  Zach
Our fourth son was born in May 2006 and from the moment he was born he was unsettled.
He was gorgeous. Yes.
But unsettled.

He would only sleep if he was lying on me.  If he was on his own he wouldn't sleep for long.  At. all.  As the months went by he was still difficult to settle and seemed discontent.  I recall friends visiting and bouncing and rocking and trying so so hard for me to calm this child.  To get him to sleep.  Mostly in vain.

When he was just 7 1/2 months ago we discovered I was pregnant.  Again.
I was devastated.  We were devastated.
Five children was the LAST thing I wanted, and if I'm being perfectly honest, the thought of 5 boys almost was the end of me.
Somehow, just somehow, we had a little girl.
She was calm.
Content.
Happy.

Which then made Zach seem even worse.
This still makes me feel awful for having such thoughts...but I couldn't stand him.  I didn't like him in the room with me, I didn't like to cuddle him, everything about him annoyed me.
Then I'd feel guilty.
This was my own child I felt this way about.
And I had no idea why.

When friends had gatherings, their children of the same age were so good.  So quiet.  So normal.
I was embarrassed to take Zach anywhere.

At the age of 3 we took him to a paediatrician who tested him for ADHD and Aspergers.  She said that although he had traits of both he didn't have enough of one or the other to diagnose him.
She said I'd be pleased that she wasn't going to label him.
I wasn't.
I was devastated.
I wanted, no I needed, a label.
I needed reassurance that he wasn't just a naughty kid.
I needed reassurance that I wasn't a bad parent.

I have since found out that she isn't the best paediatrician to consult for those conditions.

So I continued to dislike him.
And be exhausted by him.
And to feel guilty.

Then one day it hit me like a tonne of bricks.
One of the older boys asked me (goodness knows why), 'If you had to give up one of us kids, which one would it be?'.
One of the other boys replied, 'Oh that's easy, that would be Zach'.
I felt sick.
I still feel sick about it.

That's how obvious my feelings for my own child were.
That is the day I knew I needed to change.
I had to change how I dealt with him.
How I managed him.
How I loved him.

I realised that he was just a boy.  Who probably needed his mum's cuddles.  Who needed his mum to explain things to him.  Talk to him.  Get down on his level with him.  Who needed me to love him.

What a difference it made.  He became more 'manageable'.  I became more patient.  And I knew that he had Aspergers.  It felt good that I could then learn how to help him.   Understand his need for routines, for explaining change, for his obsessions, to try and talk things through with him, to not push him to talk to others, to try and teach his brothers to give him some space sometimes.

He has still not been officially diagnosed, however he is very soon about to be tested.  I feel I already know the results, but I am interested where he will fall on the spectrum.  Apparently at school he is really good - but of course the structured routines of the school day are exactly what he requires to cope.  However, when they tried to change his class in week 2 of school (without realising he has Aspergers), they saw firsthand just how he doesn't deal with change.

And yes, I know we shouldn't have to 'explain' why our child acts a certain way - but I need to.
He's not a naughty kid.
I'm not a bad parent.
He just views the world differently to us.

He will always be more of a challenge & require more work than the other kids, but...
He's gorgeous.
He's entertaining.
And I love him to bits :-)


So back to today's challenge: Zach's favourite toy without a doubt is lego.  He lives, breathes (and I'm sure even dreams) about lego.  I know it's normal for a boy to be obsessed with lego, his older brother does too.  But Zach does just take the obsession to the next level - which is a trait associated with Aspergers.

Day 58: Capture a moment where your child is playing with, or being comforted by their favourite toy.

Photographing your Children Inspiration [Day 57]

For this inspiration I changed the rules.  A little!

Problem #1:  I rarely manage to wake up before the kids.
Problem #2:  Nope, number 1 covers it!

So my darling Master 5 who will scream the house down with his 'I'm not tired's' (yup, he's not outgrown that yet).
Yet I know.
I just know.
So on the weekends I try to get him to have a least one sleep.  Even through all the screaming, the denying, the delaying.
I know.

After 3 minutes he's asleep.
I said I knew!

Day 57:  Tomorrow get and and photograph your child sleeping

Photographing your Children Inspiration [Day 56]

The photo I took of Master 8 just days ago seemed to fit today's inspiration, so I thought I'd take a photo of the other two.

Child: I took Master 5 outside but he really didn't want to co-operate!
Promise: Watermelon

Child:  Miss 4 and her one-day-it-will-get-painted cubby house!
Promise:  Grandma's dog could be in the photo

Day 56:  Take a photograph that not only shows their head, but also the world around them

Photographing your Children Inspiration [Day 55]

There is something to be said for doing this challenge with a creative child.  Master 8 just GETS what I'm doing, why I'm doing and more often than not, is very obliging.

Well swimming is fun!
The crazy part was letting him (I did suggest it to Master 5, but it wasn't a good day for him!) jump in fully clothed!

He planned.
He thought out what he would wear.
How he would jump.
What time we should do it.
Asked if I was ready.
And when he jumped once, he asked if he could jump in again.
And when I couldn't get 'the' shot, he jumped in again. And again. And again.
Trooper!

Cute trooper at that :-)

Day 55: Make a fun activity then make it even more fun by suggesting they do something a little crazy

Photographing your Children Inspiration [Day 54]

This is a very familiar sight...Master 5 with his castle and a pile of lego.  Building, building, building.

He is obsessed with lego, to the point that after he received his Christmas presents last year (one of which was lego) he said that next year he doesn't want to get anything else but lego.  Even though he loved his other presents too.  We think!

He lives and breathes lego like none of the other lego obsessed boys have.  Possibly one of his Aspergers traits.

Day 54:  Take a photograph whilst laying on the ground, depicting your child's feet only and what is around them at that time (4:30pm).

Photographing your Children Inspiration [Day 53]

It is so easy to take photos of Miss 4!
I guess part of it is her age...where they still do things that are cute.
You know, before it's not longer cute - when it's annoying, rude or silly.

But an aerial shot of her sleeping is always sweet.  She has the tendency to have a bed full of toys...often ones that are hard and would hurt if she rolled on them in the night.  So each night we have to go in and empty most of the toys (except pony and cat!), so she can actually fit in the bed.  And sleep.

This night was actually a mild night for her - with not too many toys and only one that would be uncomfortable to sleep on!!  She'd even forgotten to get under the covers :-)
Sweet dreams my precious girl.

Day 53:  Take a photograph from above, depicting your child's world below or the whole scene around your child in that moment.

Beautiful little Karlia

I feel very blessed to have met this beautiful, inspiring family.  Karlia's mum has her hands full, but the love she has for her children proves that that despite the difficulty they have every day, she knows it's worth it.  Karlia (and Rachael) clearly know just how special their mum is.

One of my spirit of giving winners said she wished she'd know about my giveaway, as she would have nominated Coraley, Karlia's mum.  Her story caused me to create a 3rd recipient for a photo shoot as it means so much to me to provide memories for those who appreciate it the most.

Karlia was given a very dim outlook right from birth.  But with the love and care of her beautiful mum, she continues to defy the doctors with her own will to live.  With at least 5 conditions, the main one being congenital myopathy, Karlia and her family receive little to no medical support as she does not fit a 'standard' illness category.  You can support and see more of Karlia here.

I'm certainly no expert, nor can I recall all the details - but I could clearly see a determined, bright 3 year old girl, her loving big sister and a mother whose love for her child knows no bounds.

I feel moved and inspired by their strength and love for each other.
And honoured to be invited into their home to take these photos.
xo

Photographing your Children Inspiration [Day 52]

This really was easy...in terms of knowing what Miss 4 would pick as her favourite colour.
Pink.

As for choosing pink clothes...well that's not so easy.  Because I don't like pink, she doesn't really own many clothes in pink (I give in for play clothes...but that's my limit!).

So she picked this dress because she thinks it's pretty (and the bottom layer is a very pale pink!).  I picked up a pinky coloured chair (it's more lilac) and found a pinky coloured shrub.

Despite all this pinkness, I am in love with these photos.  She was the perfect model and looks so sweet.

Proof she's just as comfortable being girly as she is covered in mud :-)

Day 52:  Take a photograph that includes your child's favourite colour

Photographing your Children Inspiration [Day 51]

It would have been very easy to take today's photo of Miss 4 & I...she is very cuddly & always my little  shadow!

I also could have used the photo from another post!
But I really wanted a fresh photo.
And I wanted it with Master 5.
Whom, although he can be cuddly when he wants, when he doesn't - well, not so easy to get a photo!
Of course, I love them all to bits.

With the promise of lego and my apprentice photographer (Master 8) put to work, he survived mums cuddles & kisses.
Just.

Day 51:  Take a photograph of your love for your children

Photographing your Children Inspiration [Day 50]

WOW...I can hardly believe I'm up to day 50...which means there's only 10 days left of this challenge!!

Today I found a little tricky...finding something I love inside my house and taking it outside to photograph.  There are LOTS of things I love in my house...but not ones that are so easy to take outside!
Our couch.
Missy's bed.
The bathroom.

So I chose my latest addition...a cute little stool I bought as a side table for the lounge.  That can hold a pile of cute magazines/books or can even be used as a stool (what would you know!).

So outside we went, with my gorgeous little model.  I chose her white dress because it's a nice neutral colour :-)

Day 50:  Take something from your house that you love.  Match the colours of it to the colours you are having your child wear that day.  Take the item and your child to an outdoor location nearby and photograph them together.

Photographing your Children Inspiration [Day 49]

Shower time.
Every night.
Sometimes (only sometimes) they can shower in our shower.
Facing the mess in the kids bathroom post-shower is not my idea of fun.
Serious.

Day 49:  Capture a routine that occurs in your household every single evening

Photographing your Children Inspiration [Day 48]

What child in their right mind would refuse the offer of ice-cream in the middle of the day...that they can decorate with their own combination of chocolate & sprinkles?
Well not mine, that's for sure.

Master 5 could hardly believe his ears.
And he was all the more baffled when I asked him to put more on because I'd missed the shot!

Of course, with four other children, this treat had to be repeated four more times.
On a slightly smaller scale.
With no photos!

Day 48:  Capture a photograph of your child indulging in their favourite treat or a treat they are not normally allowed.

Photographing your Children Inspiration [Day 47]

Wet.
Muddy.
Fun.

Master 5 & Miss 4 are more than happy to put their 'lives' in their 8 year old brothers hands.
I mean...who wouldn't?
Admittedly, we might not have told his grandma just how wild a driver he is, before we convinced her to hop in with him for a ride once!!
Admittedly, we may have laughed.
A lot.

So with any excuse to flick up a lot of mud and slide around corners, Master 8 is pleased to oblige for the photos.  In all honesty, he actually has incredible control of the buggy.

Oh, did I mention boys & mud last post?
Well I'm sure Miss 4 is half boy :-)

Day 47:  Photograph a new trick, one that your child just recently mastered or is practising.

Photographing your Children Inspiration [Day 46]

I am SERIOUSLY behind in blogging!  Sorry for those of you have been waiting.  Oh. So. Patiently.

I did take these photos 10 days ago, but haven't had a chance to upload them!!

Well we are in the middle of our wet season...so the sky & clouds are often the same colour.
Grey.
Flat.
Dull.
Boring.

But grey clouds means rain.
Which means mud.
Which = boy fun!

The next post will explain this MUCH clearer!


Day 46:  Take a photograph of your child outside.  Make sure to include the sky and clouds.