The Blue Balloon

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Still getting caught up on processing from a couple of months ago. I love this series and I apologize for some of the redundancies, but I just loved them all. All I have to say about the first one is "Like mother, like child". And don't you love Sam's body art? This was after a particularly messy day at school and before the upcoming bath. Bonnie Berry is an Austin, Texas child, family and wedding photographer.

On the Road

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Last week I went to my first NEAWP meeting near Bastrop. I got really lost and missed the first hour (classy huh?) but enjoyed what I was able to catch. And I had a great time with my point and shoot on the road on the way home. Bonnie Berry is an Austin, Texas photographer.

It's Official. I am Brain Dead.

When I picked up my parents at the airport this evening I mentioned that Ben's birthday was today as a little reminder in case my parents were suffering from a senior moment. My mom looked at me funny and said "No it's not. His birthday is March 9th." At which point I realized that Sam's birthday is the 6th (of Sept) and Ben's is indeed the 9th. It is now official. I have lost every brain cell I ever had and my mother's memory is better than mine. About MY children. It is a sad, sad state of affairs. Any day now I will not only have to input every occasion in our lives in my ical and have the alarm beep at me to remind me, but I think programming my own bathroom reminders is around the corner, less we have some unfortunate accidents.

The Birthday Apology

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Dear Ben:Today you are four years old and your mom is in a bad mood. I am afraid this has not been the best of celebrations for you thus far and I am so sorry for that. You are napping now and I am hoping your day will improve steadily. Daddy will take you to Costco and then you will come with me to get Nana and Grandad at the airport. Then it's bbq for dinner and cake for dessert. All of these things should help lift your spirits. I want to be the perfect parent, but I am not. People always throw the "there is no way to be a perfect parent, but there are millions of ways to be a good one," but you and I know that it is cold comfort when your mom is snapping at you. Since I am not in the best place to write a love letter with my words I will write it with film (and these ARE all film--some by me and some by Amy). I love you so much and you love me much more than I deserve. Bonnie Berry is an Austin, Texas child, family and wedding photographer.

Communication

For all of you who have been confused about the communication gaps around here, this story is for you. It used to be that you sent me an email or left me a voicemail message and you received an immediate reply. I am afraid those days are over. I am now lucky if I can check my email once a day. Not only am I madly chasing after a toddler (which I have rediscovered is about as rewarding and as futile as chasing a cat), but I am also spending the day with 'technology nazi toddler'. Sam is OBSESSED with ANYTHING that is a gadget. I even attempt to use the laptop and he bangs the keyboard and screams and screams until I give up and close the lid. And forget about talking on the phone. He bellows at the top of his lungs for you to pass it over to him and nothing will distract him from the prize. Needless to say this makes staying in touch with people in a timely manner pretty much impossible. I am thinking that if you need an answer from me right away that sending a text message to my phone is going to be the best way to get in touch with me. That or drugging my toddler. I can read those messages without Sam seeing the phone and you do not need to be bombarded by the cacophony on this end.Once again I am overwhelmed by the demands of motherhood. I thought that I could watch Sam during the day and work at night and all would be well. After a few days of childcare all day and working in front of the computer until midnight or later, I am realizing that I cannot do it all. I am too old and too tired. I need to regroup. So please be patient with me. If I am not getting back to you about something you need, please just keep hammering me. Or you can be like my friend Sara and just get in the car and come to my house when my response time is a bit slow. I will leave you with some visuals of the technology nazi toddler in action. Bonnie Berry is an Austin, Texas child, family and wedding photographer.

The Ice Cream Debacle

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I actually took these a few months ago when I went with some friends and their kids to lunch. We had a long drive back up North so I bought some ice cream for the boys to eat in the car on the way home. So of course I had to pull out my trusty point and shoot. Cute photos, but big mistake from a clean car standpoint. Sticky, sticky mess. Bonnie Berry is an Austin, Texas child, family and wedding photographer.

The Adjustment Period | Austin Children's Photographer

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Sam and I are now at home together during what was previously my work day and his school day. It has been an adjustment for both of us. I think he misses going to school. Josh thinks that I feel guilty and am just projecting these feelings on to Sam. That is the strange thing I never really understood about projection. Ultimately, what difference does it make whether I am projecting my feelings on to him or he is the person originating the feelings? The end result always seems to be the same.I am in the perhaps unusual position of neither having the aptitude nor the interest for being a sahm. I like to work. I am just not that successful at the whole business thing. You know. Money. So here I am with baby Sam, in a position he most likely did not covet. I can only hope that we both find undiscovered joy and depths in the process of building this new boat together. Regardless, we will be sure to buckle our seat belts. The captain is new at this and the passenger is teething. There is bound to be turbulence. Bonnie Berry is an Austin, Texas child and family photographer.

Change is Hard | Austin Children's Photographer

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Thursday was Sam's last day at CDC. I was so glad that Josh took both shifts for the carpool that day. I couldn't bear going there because I was so sad. Luckily Ben will still be there a few days a week, but he will have changes also. He will no longer be at the Hyde Par location in the mornings and afternoons, nor will he take the van with the other kids since we live closer to his campus off Spicewood Springs. This mean no more Olivia for a bit. We are hoping she will be moved up to his classroom as soon as possible. Until then they will have to have playdates in order to share future secrets. Bonnie Berry is an Austin, Texas child, family and wedding photographer.

The Meat of the Matter

Life has been stressful lately. And when I get stressed out my diet goes to pot. Today, after an amazing massage with massage therapist extraordinaire Sara, my body was screaming out for some meat. And there is no better place to feed the need for meat than here in Texas. So I headed out to Rudy's and ate more meat than seems humanly possible. So I had some brisket, some finger licking good sauce, some crunchy coleslaw with some sweet tea to wash it down. And damn it was good.

Missing Allie

Our dear canine friend Allie passed away unexpectedly last week. We will miss her so much. Through the last year I have taken many photos of Allie, but ironically I took most of these in the last 2 weeks and some of them are my favorites of her. She was a true joy. Bonnie Berry is an Austin, Texas child, family and wedding photographer.

That Camera Is Magic | Austin Photographer

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I hate it when people say that my camera takes nice pictures. More proof that it doesn't matter. I especially subscribe to number 5. Don't get me wrong. I love my fancy camera, but I also love my 50 year old Hasselblad, my Pentax K1000, my $20 Holga and my Canon point and shoot. Want to be a good photographer? Here's a hint: TAKE PHOTOGRAPHS. Just my opinion.I love this old shot of Ben taken with my Pentax K1000 . You can have one today that costs less than a point and shoot : ) Bonnie Berry is an Austin, Texas child, family and wedding photographer.