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If you’ve welcomed a baby into your life recently, you likely have an abundance of photos capturing every precious moment. From the moment your little one took their first breath, their journey has been meticulously documented and shared. With just a smartphone, every milestone can be preserved for eternity. Through texts, emails, or social media, showcasing your adorable baby has never been easier—a true blessing.
My youngest child is five, and I have photos of her from nearly every day of her life. During my hospital stay, I snapped a staggering 266 pictures—just from my phone, not including those taken by my husband, grandparents, or other visitors. In fact, I have more photos of her initial days than I do from the first months of my oldest son’s life, and that makes me a bit wistful. It was never my intent; my firstborn was simply a product of the times.
My eldest, who is now 13, was born in 2008, long before smartphones and social media became integral parts of our daily lives. My husband brought along his bulky camera to the hospital to capture special moments of our firstborn son. We took a few snapshots here and there, and those memories are cherished. Back then, it didn’t cross my mind to take hundreds of pictures. It was just the norm. And while that “norm” may seem like it was only a short time ago, it feels like a lifetime regarding how we document our everyday experiences. I didn’t spend time taking multiple shots seeking the perfect angle; I was simply absorbed in gazing into his eyes and enjoying his sweet newborn scent.
Most of the photos I have of him as a baby are etched in my memory. My husband gifted me a shiny red Kodak Easy Share camera, which was a significant treat for us at the time. We didn’t have much money, so I was grateful to have a camera to document his life. The ability to take his picture and download it onto my computer was revolutionary. When I felt particularly proud, I’d share a photo on Facebook. Our digital landscape was relatively uncomplicated back then, but looking back, I wish it had been more advanced.
It’s true that not having to juggle the pressures of social media was a blessing. I wasn’t competing for likes or trying to impress anyone, but I also missed out on capturing those fleeting moments. I lack videos of him taking his first steps or repeating funny words on cue. Instead, I rely on my own memories to recall those sweet times. Sure, there’s merit in being present, but that doesn’t lessen my desire for more memories of his early years.
With each new child, technology improved. I got my first iPhone shortly before my second son was born in 2010. Even then, I didn’t capture as many moments as I do now. However, I have many more memories of him than of his older brother. His first tastes of food were documented, and I have videos of him giggling as a chubby toddler. I even recorded him singing along to “Call Me Maybe” at age two.
Although I cherish those memories, they still pale in comparison to the collections I have of my younger kids. Fortunately, I have many photos of him as a baby with his older brother, who was his best friend during those early years. While I captured countless moments of their bond, it doesn’t erase the feeling that I missed documenting so much of my oldest son’s early life.
By the time my third son was born in 2013, I had videos from the hospital. His arrival coincided with my increased dedication to documenting my children’s lives, as I began blogging and posting frequently on social media. This trend was common among many parents, and it continues today.
For more than eight years, my kids have been featured daily on my social media accounts, with a significant increase in posts around 2016. After having three boys, welcoming a girl was a remarkable change. The gender of our fourth child was a surprise until birth, leading to a flurry of anticipation. When I announced her arrival, the post received nearly 500 likes—a considerable number for me. As she grew, my followers eagerly awaited updates, and I dressed her in adorable outfits, flooding my feed with images of her and her three charming brothers. This has become a way of life that hasn’t slowed down.
When my children are older, I hope they understand that the uneven amount of footage from their childhoods isn’t a reflection of my love or interest but rather a consequence of outdated technology. I don’t love my oldest son any less because I have fewer pictures and videos from his infancy. In fact, I feel a closer bond with him because our moments were shared privately rather than broadcasted to the world.
If only technology had been more advanced in 2008, I would have captured many more moments from my oldest son’s babyhood. While I feel a twinge of sadness over the lack of photos and videos, I’m not regretful about not seeking validation through social media like I did with my younger children. His early years were the purest, as I wasn’t preoccupied with capturing every moment for others to see. My photos were meant for my family, which makes them all the more special.
I don’t resent smartphones or social media for their evolution. Without these advancements, I wouldn’t have the job I cherish. Yet, I can’t help but feel a pang of nostalgia as I reflect on my memories and notice the disparity between my older boys and their younger siblings. I cannot alter the past or the technology but can appreciate what I have and rely on my memories. The music, scents, and sounds can transport me back to my time as a young mother in the mid-2000s. I will always treasure those days, and while I may not be able to pull them up on my phone, they will forever live in my heart.
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Summary:
Reflecting on the birth of my first child before the smartphone era fills me with nostalgia. While my youngest has an abundance of documented moments, my oldest lacks the same due to the limitations of technology at the time. Navigating parenthood without the pressure of social media allowed for a deeper connection, but I can’t help but feel a sense of loss over the memories not captured. Despite the advancements in technology, I remain grateful for the moments I do have, which live on in my heart.