I take hundreds of photos every month, and most of them don’t get shared with anyone, let alone online. And yet the moments in time that those photos capture are just as important a part of our story as the other images that I do choose to share.

I originally created this blog as a way of documenting our lives, a way of watching the girls grow into who they’re going to be and a way of remembering who they once were. It’s something I want them to be able to look back on as they get older, because memories fade but (digital) photographs don’t.  A legacy, of sorts.

It’s easy (and tempting) to only focus on sharing the fun bits, the memorable parts, the highlights and the celebrations. But I’m learning more and more as I continue through this crazy journey of motherhood and life that it’s really important to me that I capture the ordinary, everyday times that we spend together as well.

The pieces of the jigsaw that fill in the gaps to complete the picture.

The tantalising glimpses into who our girls are becoming.

The chaos, the calm and all the moments in between.

This monthly feature – The Moments In Between – is a space for me to share all of those magical and messy parts of our family life that would otherwise just stay in a folder on my laptop, never to see the light of day.

OCTOBER

Many of the months over the last year and a half have felt quiet and still.  Sometimes that’s been a good thing – a time of reflection, a pause on the busy-ness of the world we used to know.  Other times it’s felt less good with loneliness and emptiness taking a firm hold and it’s not until later, looking back, that I realise just how desperately I was trying to keep my head above the water.

By contrast, October has felt almost absurdly full to the brim – of life and movement and fun and people and light and photography and travel.  It’s the first time it’s seemed that life is almost back to normal.

I’ve been trying to figure out why.  What’s been the difference that has made the difference?  And honestly… I don’t know.  There are various factors involved, some within my control and some way beyond it.  It’s impossible to pinpoint and I almost don’t want to analyse it or question it.  Isn’t it enough that I’ve felt good? Of course it is.  Something has shifted and whatever it is, I hope I can help it continue.

So, to borrow a phrase from Morgan Harper Nichols, who’s words and art I adore, and I’m going to let October be October and simply soak up the moments of joy and happiness (in between the challenges and chaos) that these images show because when I look at them all I feel nothing but love.

This was us in October…