Three Twins ice cream | Glimpses Week 20

(This blog post is part of the Glimpses 52 project over at the Chic Critique Forum.)

Anyone who knows me knows that I am rather partial to chocolate. Liam has apparently inherited this preference from me, whether genetically or by osmosis or both, who knows.

In fact, he recently informed me: "Mama, lemonade doesn't have chocolate, so it's not a treat" meaning "I will only accept bribes that contain chocolate."

Now, I happen to also be rather partial to lemonade but I can't really fault his philosophy!

Friday was a very special day. Liam and I had our first adventure into the city in almost two years (I was pregnant last year and didn't want to risk being stranded on the subway due to a broken elevator and having to carry him up or down the stairs).

We went to the New York City Fire Museum first, then headed to Moomah Cafe for lunch and a special treat - Three Twins Bittersweet Chocolate Ice cream.

Fortunately for Liam, I was so busy taking photos of him eating it that I didn't have time for more than a few bites myself.

Definitely delish though and I would say that Liam was one happy customer!

nyc baby, child and family photographer & architect alethea cheng fitzpatrick is based in brooklyn. she specializes in baby photography as interior design & interior design for babies. view her portfolio of babies, children or families or send her an e-mail here!

Happy Mother's Day | Glimpses Week 19

(This photo is part of the Glimpses 52 project over at the Chic Critique Forum.)

Thank you Liam and Jack for making me a mother.

To all of you mothers out there, Happy Mother's Day!

nyc baby, child and family photographer & architect alethea cheng fitzpatrick is based in brooklyn. she specializes in baby photography as interior design & interior design for babies. view her portfolio of babies, children or families or send her an e-mail here!

Liam and the beam again | Glimpses Week 16

(This photo is part of the Glimpses 52 project over at the Chic Critique Forum.)

With a three year old and a four month old, there can be a lot of drama leaving the house. Today was one of those days... but it was worth it.

(Remember the beam?)

nyc baby, child and family photographer & architect alethea cheng fitzpatrick is based in brooklyn. she specializes in baby photography as interior design & interior design for babies. view her portfolio of babies, children or families or send her an e-mail here!

Cheeks, eyelashes, lips | Glimpses Week 15

(This photo is part of the Glimpses 52 project over at the Chic Critique Forum.)

So my "maternity leave" is over... in so much as there ever was a maternity leave. Turns out giving an online workshop for 267 participants a month after having a second baby does not really constitute maternity leave. Who knew?!

Having a toddler, a baby and a business and figuring out how to juggle all three of these things (not to mention, husband, house and life in general) has definitely been a process, and is most definitely a work in progress. Some days it feels like I'm getting somewhere, other days it's overwhelming.

I always planned on scaling back on the time I spend on my business this year, but that has been easier said than done, especially as I still want to continue to not just maintain but grow the business. You might be wondering, how is that even possible? We shall find out!

One big step for me in the direction of making this possible has been hiring a Program Coordinator for Photosanity to handle all the administrative and technical aspects of the workshop, and we've been working on handing off and also automating as much of the behind the scenes work as possible (there's more than you would think). I'm also making some changes about how I offer the workshop and starting an alumni program for past participants - stay tuned for more details.

Finally, at least for right now, I'm holding off on booking portrait sessions, at least for the next few months. It's been hard to turn down inquiries, and I get tempted each time I get one, but I need to focus on the workshop and on spending the time that I want, while I can, with my babies. (As Liam likes to say "there are TWO babies!" even though he's really not a baby any more. We indulge him.)

One thing I am determined to do is to try and get a better handle on my own photosanity as far as keeping up with editing and sharing my own personal photos goes. To that end, I've decided to participate in the Glimpses 52 project over at the Chic Critique Forum.

This project resonated with me right away as the idea here is to motivate busy photographers to document and share the details of their own lives, one photo per week at a time, on their own blog. I share a lot of my iphone photos on facebook, but it's harder to find the time to sit at my computer and sort and edit my own DSLR photos. I'm hoping that the Glimpses 52 project will inspire me not just to share one photo a week but in the process, keep more up to date with my own editing.

I took this photo of Liam earlier this week and I love how it shows off those still chubby cheeks, the long eyelashes and sweet little lips. I look forward to sharing more photos weekly!

nyc baby, child and family photographer & architect alethea cheng fitzpatrick is based in brooklyn. she specializes in baby photography as interior design & interior design for babies. view her portfolio of babies, children or families or send her an e-mail here!

Giving thanks...

When I think of all the things I have to be thankful for this year, I get a little teary. I blame pregnancy hormones. But the truth is, I can't think of a year when I've had more to be thankful for.

I can't claim to have had a very hard life, but it certainly feels like it's been a long journey to get here, to the point where I spend time on a daily basis with people who make me happy, doing things that I love, both personally and professionally.

People say to me all the time "I don't know how you do it" and quite honestly, I'm not sure either! My life is far from perfect, in fact, it's pretty exhausting… but I love it. And I don't take any single little part of it for granted, not my husband, my marriage, our adorable and hilarious two year old, the relatively easy pregnancy I've had with another baby on the way, the fact that Liam has close relationships on both sides of the family, that we have so much help and support from family and friends both near and far, that motherhood and business has brought so many amazing, inspiring and supportive people into my life, or that I've found a new career running a business that fits so perfectly with my personal life, my talents and my passions. And next year is looking to be even more incredible!

I couldn't be luckier, and I am thankful today and every day.

Here's wishing you and your loved ones happiness and joy. Happy thanksgiving to all!

nyc baby, child and family photographer & architect alethea cheng fitzpatrick is based in brooklyn. she specializes in baby photography as interior design & interior design for babies. view her portfolio of babies, children or families or send her an e-mail here!