Snapshot of Time

It was not a great day.

In the arboretum parking lot, Tyler had insisted on being strolled.  Two minutes later, he wanted nothing to do with the stroller, which meant I had to chase after him AND lug an empty stroller behind me!  Seriously, someone invent a stroller that levitates or shrinks or something when your kid isn't in it.  I hate pushing an empty stroller.  We hadn't left the house until after 10, so Tyler and I sat on a bench so he could eat a snack (and I could take a rest!).  Problem was, I hadn't brought myself a snack, and it was nearing lunch time, and I was getting hangry.  More like hungry-cranky, but that's not nearly as catchy of a term.  I was sweaty.  I was losing my patience.

Then, Jason called us over because he wanted to take a picture.  I was way not in the mood, but posed for one anyway.






Photos amaze me sometimes.  I usually think of them perfectly capturing a moment.  This day, though, I didn't want to capture that particular moment.  I wanted to leave and eat lunch and sit in my air-conditioned car with a fully strapped-in toddler.

When Jason got his pictures back (this is another film shot), I was shocked by the photo.  This picture didn't summarize the day we were having, but it caught something much better instead.

I'm not normally a fan of B&W, but love this photo.  Besides, getting my eyes open and Tyler looking (and smiling!) at the camera all in one shot is a miracle.  Definitely one of my favorite pictures Jason has taken with his film camera.


What a beautiful snapshot of time.  Because this happened about two seconds later...

Yes, he is jamming his fingers in my eyes.  Ah, the precious moments of motherhood.