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.

JANUARY

January always feels like the longest month of the year.  I’m glad that we’re gradually edging closer towards Spring – lighter evenings, blossom and a hint of warmth in the sunshine that will hopefully be putting in a more regular appearance than it has this month, which has been dark and wet and gloomy much of the time.

However, apart from hating winter, I’ve sort-of enjoyed January this year.  It’s been a slow month in many ways and I think that’s actually what I’ve really needed.  I’ve got things done but without any of the usual stress and rushing around.  And the slow moments have been interspersed with fun things like the teenager coming to stay, a weekend visit from friends, maternity photoshoots and Lola’s birthday.

There are a lot of photos at home this month – we’ve hunkered down and stayed cosy.  I’ve found the lack of light challenging and I’ve had to stretch myself and be creative.  It’s felt a little uncomfortable but as always each and every one of these photos is part of what makes us who we are. Each and every one of them tells part of our story. And I love them all, even if they were tricky to capture.  Every month I find I have new favourites and January is no exception.

This is us.