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 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.
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 that it’s really important to me that I capture the ordinary, everyday times that we spend together as well. The bits 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 bits that would otherwise just stay in a folder on my laptop, never to see the light of day.
AUGUST
So far, 2018 seems to have flown by. In contrast, August has felt slow. We’ve had no real plans, just taking each day as it comes. Sometimes it’s been a blessing and exactly what we’ve all needed – the opportunity for us to rest our bodies and minds and just potter about the house, spending time with each other, slowing right down, maybe running a couple of errands in town. And at other times it’s felt completely stifling and I’ve felt the need to get out of the house before I exploded in frustration, feeling like an imprisoned animal pacing back and forth along the bars of it’s cage. Motherhood sure is a messy, beautiful, conflicting and curious thing.
As this month has been drawing to it’s close with the first tiny, subtle hints of Autumn beginning to drift in on the cooler breeze, my thoughts have shifted more and more towards the upcoming season and my favourite month of the year. It’s a strange time – a feeling of wanting to reflect whilst also knowing that we’re on the cusp of something new and different and exciting.
All of these photos from the last month are special and as always, I love every single one of these images. So very much. Every single one has a meaning for me deeper than the surface level of what you see. Every single one brings back feelings and thoughts and moments I want to remember. Every single one speaks to me in so many ways. Every single one is a piece of our jigsaw.
Every single one tells part of our story.
This is us.
Jade @ Captured By Jade
You take the most beautiful photos, especially portraits. I love the pictures with your three girls sitting and reading together. Such previous moments & memories you’ve captured here.
Also, I totally agree – August felt the longest month of life at times. We’ve spent our summer taking each day as it comes also, and I can totally relate on those days where you just NEED to get out of the confines of the house.
A wonderful September to you & your family.
Jade @ Captured By Jade recently posted…Summer (2018)
Chloe Ridgway
Thank you so much Jade, that’s such a lovely thing to say. I hope you’ve had a wonderful summer and that the transition into September has been a positive one for you.
Jenny Taylor
So many gorgeous photos and I love seeing the girls grow up and be so close. They have a special bond one that you can’t buy or get anywhere but from a sister. I this it’s awesome you have three. I would have loved having sisters for MM. What a beautiful summer you have had.
Chloe Ridgway
Thanks Jenny. I’m an only child so I don’t understand my girls’ relationships with each other at all, though I’m doing my best to. I love watching them be together and listening to the conversations they have with each other. I hope they stay close as they get older.
Sarah Christie
Gorgeous photos Chloe, I always love the realness of these posts and your photos. And you are right it is so important to get those moments x
Chloe Ridgway
Thanks Sarah – that’s the biggest compliment you could ever give me. ‘Real’ is what I strive for every single time I press the shutter.
Heledd - Running in Lavender
Ah I need to get back to doing more of this! I used to take so much more pictures. These days if we’ve not on a holiday the camera is just left in its bag and the moments are gone forever and not captured. I didn’t even take a picture of the girls on their first day of school last week… I mean seriously, who am I? I love this idea for a post xxxx
Heledd – Running in Lavender recently posted…Ten Reasons To Visit Kalkan in Turkey
Chloe Ridgway
My camera goes pretty much everywhere with me – I’m rarely without it. I couldn’t bear to miss capturing these moments – they’re too important a part of our story.
Morgana
What a beautifully documented month! I’m so jealous of your photography skills and the fact that you have these gorgeous photos to demonstrate each month of your family’s life together. Gorgeous stuff! xx
Chloe Ridgway
Thank you so much Morgana!
Caro | The Twinkle Diaries
Aaaah I’m EXACTLY the same Chloe!!! I’m taking pictures constantly and there’s only a handful that ever get shown. I loved scrolling through these images. Just lovely. I especially loved the pics of the Chase; made me feel a bit homesick!! xx
Caro | The Twinkle Diaries recently posted…Home Etc 154 | September Edition
Chloe Ridgway
We must meet up next time you come ‘home’ to visit your family.