Back in August, Well Rounded NY did a profile on me documenting my morning with photos taken by lifestyle photographer, Raquel Bianca.
The reaction was mixed.
On the one hand, everyone thought the photos were beautiful.
On the other hand, many complained the photos set unrealistic expectations of what a working mom's morning actually looked like.
No one was more surprised by the beauty of the photographs than me— I tend to think of my mornings as a desperate attempt to make it out of the house fully clothed without starving the children— so I bet every mother would be surprised by what her morning looked like when captured by the right photographer.
For instance, a still photo doesn't know you went through twenty pairs of shoes to arrive at THE ONE PAIR your three-year-old is okay with putting on her feet. The photo just shows you lovingly putting on your child's shoe.
I asked Raquel if she thought she could do for anyone what she did for me, and she said yes.
To prove our hypothesis (so scientific!), Raquel and I picked four moms from the discussion, based solely on location. They had to be within driving distance so all our subjets are in the NY area. And they are all Mommy Shorts readers, so obviously they have impeccable taste in blogs.
Otherwise, we had no idea who these women were or what their houses looked like.
The first mother we selected was Annie Horcasitas from New Jersey. At the time of the shoot, Annie was nine months pregnant with her third child. She lives with her husband Carlos and their two sons, Carlitos (6) and Xavi (3). She also beat thyroid cancer earlier this year.
In her original comment, Annie described her mornings as "complete insanity" due to still living out of boxes from a recent move and renovating their kitchen. Oh. And that whole, nine months pregnant thing.
Raquel showed up at Annie's house at 6:30am and followed her until she dropped her kids off at school at 8:30am.
Annie's morning began with a scene I know very well— two kids hopping into bed with her and her husband. It is the best/worst alarm clock in the world.
Annie says, "This photo makes me SO happy, I almost didn't notice my lovely preggo double chin. Almost."
At the moment, Annie is a stay-at-home mom. "I have the whole process more organized now since I don't also have to worry about getting ready myself… I maybe fit in two showers a week and always late at night".
Her husband alternates showering each boy every morning while Annie goes downstairs to make breaskfast.
Annie says that while she was battling cancer all last year, her son ate the free school lunch. Now, "it feels really great to pack his lunch every day".
Two days a week, they all eat breaskfast as a family (with music playing) because Annie's husband often doesn't make it home in time for dinner.
Then Annie drives everyone where they need to be— Carlitos to school by 8:05am, her husband to the train and her second son, Xavi to school by 8:25.
Annie says with the exception of getting out of bed, buckling her youngest in his carseat is her least favorite part of the day.
When I first saw Annie's photos, I admit— I got a little nervous.
Much like everyone's reaction to my photos, I thought Annie's photos were too good. Her new kitchen is too nice! Her family is too photogenic!
But then I realized that's the point.
When you are taking care of children, running a household, and bringing a new life into the world— all of that is beautiful.
It would probably be harder to depict it as anything less.
I asked Annie for her reaction to the photos and she had this to say:
"I was surprised at how organized our morning looked. I was also surprised how gigantic I was! Seeing yourself at 9 months (even in photos shot beautifully) is a shock to the system. Mostly, the photos made me very thankful that my children are being sent off each morning having already had many smiles and laughs. I could see the love we show our kids clearly and it made me feel successful as a mother. The feeling of success is often elusive to us as mothers, so that was a pretty special gift."
Annie's third son was born a few weeks after Raquel took these photos.
Welcome to the world, Santiago!
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This post is part of a series called "Monday Mornings", documenting four different mothers throughout the NY area, in order to help us see the beauty in our mornings through an outsider's eye. It is done in collaboration with the amazing photographer, Raquel Bianca.
Oh man, what a beautiful family. These photos are a priceless gift.
I love this! As moms, we’re ALWAYS putting others first and we think it’s chaos. Maybe it is, but it’s a good chaos! It’s good to step back and see those smiles…
Can’t wait to see the rest of the photos! I love this whole morning routine photo shoot idea! 🙂
What a beautiful family!! I love the first one of everyone laughing in bed.
Beautiful!
Love it
I love this! Her morning and house does look so beautiful, I’m excited for the rest of the series!
What a beautiful family.
I do have to admit though, I was glad to see what looks like the liquor cabinet right out in the open. 😉
I would love to see pics of a single parent and their morning ritual. I’m a single mother to a five year old boy and I really want to believe that my mornings are just as beautiful as those of dual parent families…. but I fear they are not.
Seeing these photos, along with yours, does make me realize that despite my own perception of the never ending chaos and the feeling that I’m doing nothing 100% well, from the outside things look pretty lovely. It also makes me remember that it’s the precious little moments, so beautifully captured here, that we rush through each day, that are the ones that truly matter. Excited to see the other sets!
LOVE this. Just love.
I love it! Annie, I think it’s a great compromise that you all eat breakfast together since your husband gets home late. It’s a great solution, and still works that one important family meal in! Congraluations on your new baby!!!
These are wonderful, I can’t wait to see the rest of the series!!
what a fantastic way to bring a family into focus. I loved these pictures. 🙂
The first thing I noticed was the smiles. What a beautiful way to start each day. Gorgeous family and I envy that belly! I so want #3!
Wonderful pictures, and I do think you totally proved your point, Ilana. ;-P I can’t wait to see the other three families! And congratulations to Annie on her family and the new baby!
So beautiful. Love these photos. Wishing Annie and her family all the best as they welcome baby Santiago!
So beautiful! Welcome to the world, Santiago!
Oh my goodness — why am I tearing up?! The photos are so beautiful and this is so well written. Annie’s family is beautiful, and everyone involved captured it so beautifully! Can’t wait to see the others in this series! LOVE.
Beautiful photos! And like you said, how could they not? Raising a family is beautiful, selfless work. It just doesn’t feel that way.
And Annie is right, too – the love her family has for each other radiates in these photos.
Lovely, thank you! Though I can guarantee my house is not that clean or that organized. @ThuShari– your photos might look different, but be assured, the love of a single parent can be something special to behold and is often fierce beyond measure. I’m sure that would show in photos of your family.
What a great idea! Love this.
Beautiful. But showering the kids everyday? I would die of the wait time with my darling daughter.
Sniffle sniffle. All last year i did’t even see my kids in the morning. My husband woke them up after i left for work otherwise they both cried when i left. Now that my daughter is in school i drop her off in the morning and i enjoy the few minutes we have to ourselves.
I tried for 6+ years to become pregnant and after a second IVF, I am finally 7 months pregnant. All I can say is that I can’t wait for the chaos. 🙂
Congrats on your third, Annie! You looked great at 9 months! And that kitchen is beautiful. I love the teal. I love Annie’s reaction to the photos. The kids start their day with plenty of smiles and giggles. Totally agree!