Meet Supermom… I mean… Gretchen. She’s sweet, caring, easy-going and downright gorgeous. She also happens to be an amazing mother to four adorable children. So we are celebrating her with some photos I’ve taken of her and her family, and I have quite the collection!
I actually first met Gretchen in a hair salon where she was working. I happened to get her as my stylist at my first visit there. I was engaged at the time, so our entire conversation was basically about weddings. Soon after, she was engaged to Andrew, which led to me to photographing their wedding!
Since then, I’ve had the honor and privilege of documenting the growth and development of their beautiful family of now six!
A few years after Gretchen and Andrew were married, my son actually had Gretchen as his very first daycare provider for the first year and a half of his life. That was until I was pregnant with Samantha at the same time Gretchen was expecting again, and unfortunately we ran into the conflict of having no room in her daycare for another baby. So we sadly had to leave, but we’ve kept our friendship going, regardless!
Here are Gretchen’s answers to some questions about mom-life in general, with photos from throughout the years to accompany them.
Q: What is it like in a day in the life of you as a mother?
A: “As a daycare provider, my children stay home with me while I work. It’s a blessing for sure, but can also be super hard. I like to tell people it’s like bringing your kids to work every day! But I would say getting to nurse and snuggle my babies to sleep for naps is my favorite. As soon as Andrew gets home, it’s all him! I am still present, let’s be real – moms never get a real break. But I count on him for a lot in the evenings. There is not a lot of quiet at our house, but there is a lot of love. And I wouldn’t trade it.”
Q: In what ways do you think your children are like you?
A: “Lincoln, my oldest, likes sugar like me… and big family gatherings and holidays. Hutson, my second, loves to talk our ear off when he’s in bed, which I also did to my parents. But, it’s the only time he opens up to us so we let him get away with it for awhile each night…”
“Graham and Hayden, my third and fourth, hate motion. Even as small babies they would cry if you picked them up too fast. I also hate that feeling, it makes me very nervous… so they are probably not going to be ride lovers!”
“All my children love baths… they would take baths three times a day if they could… and we also all LOVE DONUTS!”
Q: What do you remember about the days you had your babies? What was the experience like and how did you feel?
A: “They were the most amazing days of my life. It didn’t matter how much pain it took to get there. Nothing can beat the feeling of seeing and holding them for the first time.”
Q: What is a special moment that stands out with your kids? Is there something that surprised you or made you laugh or cry?
A: “Any time they slow down enough to just sit and snuggle me. As babies, they would snuggle so tight and the look they each gave me… it was like I was their whole world and was the most important person to them.”
“For Lincoln, any moment he lets me into his world is a special one. When he sits down and tells me stories of things that are going on with him and things that are important to him. For Hutson, I would say any time he opens up. When he lets me snuggle him at nap time on rare occasion. For Graham, it’s any time I can get him to giggle. That kid has such an amazing smile and I love playing with him and tickling him. Hayden loves to just randomly hug my legs and pat my back. She sleeps so hard after nursing that her hair gets super sweaty and she snuggles in tight. Best ever! Another special memory: I will never forget when each of my kids told me “I love you” for the first time in their baby voices!”
Q: Tell me something unique about each of your kids.
A: “Lincoln is a perfectionist. He hates messing up on anything and is very competitive. He is also super loving and would protect his siblings no matter what… he would also be the first to pick on them. He’s also very into athletics.”
“Hutson is wild, full of energy and very funny. He has the look of trouble in his eyes. He is also super loving and caring and has a very sweet heart. I can tell he is always looking for attention, though. He is also very tech-smart and not as athletic-driven.”
“Graham is a big teddy bear. He has big brown eyes that could melt anyone’s heart. He is very gentle, kind, shy and timid to new things. He’s very athletic, too. Mostly, he’s just a very jolly kid.”
“Hayden is always smiling. She has a little spunk to her step. She is calm and very sweet. She’s by far my easiest baby and very easy-going.”
Q: What is the latest milestone or accomplishment your child has reached?
A: “Lincoln just lost his first tooth and graduated from kindergarten. Hutson just learned how to ride his bike and can kick anyone’s butt in video games. He can also count very high! Graham just started to have very engaging conversations with me, with arm gestures and an entire full story… and Hayden just started to walk!”
Thanks for your constant love and support, Gretchen! I’ve loved watching your family grow and being a part of such important milestones, as well as the little moments in your lives.