The 'Second Child' Syndrome

By:JenniferC

How frequently do we hear about the second child being shortchanged when it comes to photographs? I know that when I compare the number of pictures there are of me to that of my older brother, he comes out ahead twice over! It's the same way with all of my friends, and even with my friends' children.

But not with mine! My daughters are 4 1/2 years apart in age. I was a stay-at-home mother with my oldest until she was almost 3 years old. I took pictures of everything!!! I was working full-time when my youngest came along. You would think that my baby would come out on the short-end of things too.

But something amazing happened between the births of my two daughters. Soon after I began working full-time, I discovered scrapbooking. My SIL got me hooked and I've been addicted since then. Every moment seems scrappable. There's a sticker/paper/page topper for everything the baby does. I just have to buy it all, which means I sit and wait for the pictures to come later.

With my oldest, I photographed the milestones and I took portraits. I got the first steps and first tooth. I would set up the camera and paraphenalia for a photo session every other month or so. I got great shots, but I missed out on a lot too. The messy spaghetti faces, the favorite t.v. shows, the general everyday life stuff. I've made up for it with my youngest.

I have to laugh when I hear my 6 year old complain that there are more pictures of her sister than there are of her. In time things will even out. But until then, my camera will keep snapping pictures and I'll keep putting them in our books!

Tomorrow at dMarie Daily: What I Like Best About dMarie.com..., by Goofy, Sandy, OR