Friday, August 15, 2008

Baby Talk

First of all, I would like to extend a very warm welcome to the new moms and mama's-to-be that are dropping by as as directed from Pregnancy & Newborn Magazine's "Sites to Surf"! You are at such an exciting point in your lives and I know how you are feeling: I just went through it for the second time with my Mateo.

Mateo, 4 months. Photo provided by timchin.com

When I started Under the High Chair I knew it would be about all things food related--with a little baby talk mixed it, because, let face it, my boys are the sun, moon and stars to me. Imagine my surprise to find out that Pregnancy & Newborn Magazine has named me one of their Best Mommy Blogs in their August issue!

To quote the magazine:
"To commiserate over the inevitable, and to steal some of this mom and chef extraordinaire's delicious recipes (or at least drool over the yummy photos!), check out her site, Under the High Chair. Good grub guaranteed; clean floor unlikely."

How thrilling to see our name in print!

Here I am with my inspiration for Under the High Chair: Noah, almost 3, and Mateo.
Photo provided by timchin.com

All right, introductions and welcome aside, I now have a confession.
Let's just say this mention was a timely pat on the back. Over the last few weeks I have been contemplating putting UtHC to rest for several reasons, mainly because I don't feel like it is living up to it's full potential. I have a lot to give, just no time to execute and I hate delivering sub-par material. Maybe I am being hard on myself, but we are our own worst critic, right?

However this past week has been extraordinary because I have received a few more personal emails than usual from people who declared they really enjoyed this blog and found inspiration from it. Who is paying them to say that, I'll probably never know, but I sincerely appreciate these individuals taking time to drop me a note and helping to remind me that I'm not blogging into an empty void. Those friendly notes, combined with this very surprising mention in a prominent magazine, has helped refresh my blogging drive.

Thank goodness, because I really wasn't looking forward to joining Oprah's Book Club. I like having this blog as my creative outlet, and a place where I can rant if I need to. Really, it's much cheaper than therapy!

So the bottom line right now is although I don't blog from this studio with a wall-to-wall prop shelf, nor time to follow this fabulous tutorial for my food photography like food styling, lighting or even, heck, an assistant (?), I'll just keep doing what I am doing and that is being real.
After all, I am a real mom of real kids, who rarely gets a solid night's sleep, is addicted to caffeine, hates ironing and has no money for a camera upgrade. Yep, I shoot my photos on top of a washing machine (that is usually running) and edit them while breastfeeding.

Still, as passionate as I am about food and cooking, I am equally in love with being a mother and this little mention in P&N Magazine made my month! This post is for my children and for all the other mama's out there. Isn't motherhood an amazing journey?!

Photo provided by our friends at timchin.com

If you are a new reader, sorry about all the drama, things are usually a little more superficial around here. And faithful readers, don't worry, I'll be back with plenty more recipes and food-related topics lickety split!

Maybe, just maybe though, I can get that digital SLR camera sometime.

22 comments:

LyB said...

Amen to everything you said Aimée! Especially about that SLR though, I want one too! lol!

I'm so glad you decided to keep your blog going, but I understand your doubts, I've had them too. Juggling all the house work with the mealtimes and "photo shoots" is no easy feat, but it's fun. And we should keep it fun right? Hugs! Oh, and you and your babies are gorgeous! Gorgeous, I say! :)

missweb said...

Even though we've never met in real time, I feel a connection to you Aimee! Maybe it the Westcoast, maybe motherhood or maybe blogging. I'd like to say maybee food too but I'm really just a hack in the kitchen living vicariously through your posts. Whatever it is, I'm glad you're not signing off. I'd have to cross the river and start stalking you! LOL.

Deborah said...

I've been a reader for awhile - not a referral from the magazine - but I'm a soon-to-be first time mom, so it was great to read this post. My food blog is also my outlet, and I wondered how I'd be able to keep it up during pregnancy and once our little one is born. So I say keep blogging - you're an inspiration to people like me!!

Aimée said...

Hi Lynne- I know, there's all these cookbook giveaways in the blogosphere, but why aren't more people handing out those cameras??
Thanks for the support,hugs and comments. They mean a lot.

Hi Cara- Hey we don't need to wait until the jam swap to meet, you know! I'm thinking a Mama & Me Cafe somewhere. Or say, do you like rice pudding?;)Watch out though, Noah is pretty popular with the little ladies!

Hi Deb- Thanks for reading and commenting. I enjoy your blog too and keep meaning to update my blog roll with it. Very soon! So for the new mom and a blog: at first the blog will seem rather trivial compared to your little miracle, but in the months to come will be a welcoming distraction from those early and rather thank-less baby days where thy just feed, sleep and poo.:) Email if you have any questions and good luck!

Jen said...

There are probably tons of people who read but never comment, like me! We are out here. Love the blog.

Anonymous said...

I love the pictures, A! You look so beautiful in one with you and the boys... I admire you for keeping with the blog, you're really talented, and I ejoy reading it. Cook on! :)

Rachel@fairycakeheaven said...

Aimeee your babies are divine!!! SO so cute and you deserve this recognition!!!

Emily said...

CONGRATS! That is awesome, seriously. Way to go.
I remember reading in your comments, someone that had been referred from that magazine, and you were like, what??

Keep up the good work!

Ingrid_3Bs said...

Congratulations! That's incredible though I'm sorry to hear that you thought of closing up shop! I'm thrilled to learn that that feeling has passed and you're motivated to continue blogging. I've enjoyed your posts and in fact have been bummed that I am not in your area to visit some of your reviewed hot spots. (give me rice pudding & I want jam!)

With regards to motherhood.....I'm with you sister! My children are my pride and joy and take up HUGE amounts of time and energy! Leaving me drained and just about useless. It doesn't help that I work full time and try to be "super" mom.

The pictures of your family are beautiful and your boys are soooo handsome! I feel guilty now as I haven't had a family photo done in YEARS!

Keep on posting!
~Ingrid
PS I want one of those cameras, TOO! Maybe we could start some kind of fundraiser? :-)

the milliner said...

"Yep, I shoot my photos on top of a washing machine (that is usually running) and edit them while breastfeeding."

Classic! I love that. And I totally get that. :) Since our little guy was born, it seems that the washing machine & dishwasher are running non-stop. Not to mention the breastfeeding...

When you get that digital SLR (notice I say when, not if), you are going to LOVE it. We got one for the arrival of our little guy and it makes picture taking that much easier (and more fun, I might add). Not to mention all the candid shots you can get of the little ones (unlike the regular digital cameras that take sooooooo long for the shutter to release).

Culinary Wannabe said...

Oh I'm so glad you decided to continue on with UTHC! I love reading about all of your mommy adventures and am always amazed by your food. It's people like you who make me want to learn how to cook! Congrats on the mention - it's so exciting and very well deserved!

Valerie Harrison (bellini) said...

What would we do without you Aimee? I so enjoy visiting you and your kids. Life is definitely busy and has so many rewards

Anonymous said...

Hi Aimée! I read your blog all the time (even though this is the first comment I've made)! I love your writing and the reading about the food you make. Keep blogging-- you're one of my favourite stops when I surf the web:)

Aimée said...

Hi jen- Good to know you are out there. Thanks!

Hi Miranda- Awe, sniff, thanks for eating, I guess! :)

Hi Rachel- Well, I think they are pretty cute, but I am biased!

Hi em- appreciate the congrats. yeah, I was like "say what??"

Hi Ingrid- Wow, you are a super mom. My hat is off!!

Hi Suzanne- yeah, the delay is brutal. I can loose my mind trying to photograph the kids.

Hi culinarywannabe- I'm thrilled to be some sort of inspiration. Many thanks!

Hi Val- Amen to that.

Hi Kirsten- Congrats on your fist comment! :)I'm thrilled to have you as a reader, you're such a fantastic baker yourself.

Unknown said...

I'm glad to hear that blogging will remain in your future. I've enjoyed your site tremendously over the months, and love the recipes, narrative and pics.

This one of you and the boys is beautiful.

S

Cookie baker Lynn said...

Wow, what a fun and well-deserved boost! Kudos!

Your blog is lovely and I know how much effort you put into it. But I also love that being a mommy is your priority so I don't mind when there's a space between postings. It just makes me anticipate the next one more!

Cheryl Arkison said...

Oh, I feel just like you some days... but we are in the same boat, right?

Keep at it, I really enjoy coming here... even if you did make cobbler the other day. Put me in the crisp camp here.

Aulia said...

So then when I'm finished
I'm all 'bout my business and ready to save the world
I'm taking my misery
Make it my bitch; can't be everyone's favorite girl

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