Darrah Parker » Slice of Life Photography

05.16.12

i am here

I am here.
Quietly watching from the wings, for once
Saying no to some things
In order to make room for others

I am here.
Walking the baby around the neighborhood
In my pajamas
Because that’s the only way she will nap this morning

I am here.
Reading “Hop on Pop”
Singing “The Itsy Bitsy Spider”
For the twentieth time today

I am here.
Watching the tweets fly by me
Like wind in my face
As other people create and sell and market

I am here.
Closing my eyes for ten minutes
Breathing in and out
Hoping she’ll give me ten more minutes

I am here.
Allowing myself to really be here
Instead of fast-forwarding or
Wistfully wishing for another time

I am here.
Watching biology in action
As limbs grow, sounds emerge,
Joy rises

I am here.
With a new purpose in my life
A purpose bigger than I can imagine
One that weighs a mere 16 pounds, but whose weight is felt in every part of my being

I am here.
Leaning into this moment
And this one
And this one

Posted in iphoneography, motherhood

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Michelle - May 16, 2012 - 9:17 pm

Your posts are always such an inspiration. I still remind myself of the Darius Rucker song, “It Won’t Be Like This For Long”, to keep from wishing days away. (The video of him with his children will definitely bring on a few tears!) As always, thanks for your openness, your honesty, and your willingness to share the beauty in the joy and the struggle.

Catherine Palfenier - May 17, 2012 - 5:33 am

Darrah, I can almost FEEL your posting. It has such a sense of gathering and coalescing. It has such a strength. You are most definitely not watching from the wings, even if it feels like it. You are IN IT. Thank you, once again, for sharing.

Jet Harrington - May 17, 2012 - 9:25 am

Lovely words, Darrah. It’s such a gift for you and Sadie and Jason to sink into this time. I’m so glad you are able to do that. xo

05.02.12

dear sadie rose | 6 months old

Dear Sadie Rose,

Happy six-month birthday, sweet girl! How is it possible that you are already six months old? When you were first born, I would see babies your age and think they were giants. I couldn’t believe our baby would ever be that big. Yet here we are.

I would be lying if I said this was the easiest six months of my life. It was not. What I’ve realized is that having you was like wiping the slate clean and starting over. Everything I thought I knew about life was turned upside down. For a while, I thought this was a bad thing. What I now know is that you gave me the most amazing gift: the gift of renewal. It’s not every day that we get a chance to start over. You gave me the gift of living in the moment, the gift of patience, and the gift of letting go.

Most important, you’ve given me the gift of discovery. We find joy in the simple things together. We touch leaves, watch squirrels, listen to the birds, feel the wind on our faces. All of it feels like the first time for me. We walk through Target or around the neighborhood and I see things that I never would have noticed before: the lights, the sounds, the smells. You are taking every bit of it into your amazing brain and processing it with great curiosity and excitement.

Speaking of excitement, you took some big leaps this month. You are sitting up on your own, you discovered you love story time at the library, and you tasted your first foods. I think we were more excited about that than you were.

Yes, it has been quite an amazing journey the past six months, watching you grow and change and learning how to be the mama you need me to be. You have taught me so much and I’m sure the next six months will bring many more lessons, lots of laughter, and a gazillion kisses.

I love you, Sadie-bug.

xoxo,
Mama

Posted in letters to sadie, motherhood, photos {babies}, sadieTags: ,

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Catherine Palfenier - May 2, 2012 - 9:57 am

What a lovely post. You mentioned walking through that Target and I was struck with the thought of all the new mamas walking their tired butts through the store, marveling at all sorts of things – I did the same thing when Will was small. Sadie is one lucky baby!

Darrah Parker - May 2, 2012 - 10:11 am

Thanks for the comment, Catherine. Yes, wandering through Target at 8:00 in the morning, you see many other tired mamas with babies strapped to them. Who else would go to Target at that time of day?

Pam Hyland - May 2, 2012 - 2:12 pm

What wonderful photos of your little girl. I especially like the wrinkled face as she tastes something for the first time. You are lucky, and I’m sure you know it. Parenthood is an awesome responsibility, but also brings amazing rewards.

Katy - May 5, 2012 - 9:27 am

“The gift of renewal.” Lovely and so true. And right now I’m learning that that gift can come from the most unexpected places at the most unexpected times.

Happy 6-Month Birthday, Sadie Rose!

04.26.12

and baby makes five | seattle maternity photography

In my opinion, there’s nothing more beautiful than a pregnant woman. Last weekend, I had the great pleasure of photographing Cariann and Jason’s family of four. As you can see, the fifth family member is due any day now. Ruby (age 4) and JJ (age 6) can’t wait to meet their new sibling. They were also great photography assistants with fantastic ideas of what I should photograph. I love when the whole family gets involved and excited!

Here’s a sneak peek at our time together. I’ll be photographing the family and the new little one when he or she is born and several times throughout the year, so you’ll be seeing more of these lovely people!

Thank you, Cariann, Jason, JJ, and Ruby for welcoming me so warmly into your home! I can’t wait to meet the baby in a few weeks and document his or her first year!

Posted in photos {babies}, photos {families}, photos {kids}Tags: , ,

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