Here in Israel, “Mother’s Day” has turned into “Family’s Day”, but in the rest of the world, people still devote one special day for mothers. Because let’s face it, with all due respect to family, mother deserves a special day of her own.This year, I celebrate Mother’s Day for the first time.
I’ve been planning for a while to take a little break to tell you about my past year’s experience since giving birth to my Lily and about all the things I’ve learned from raising her.
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| Photography: Tali Dovrat |
Honestly, even though I knew that pregnancy and motherhood will have a significant impact on the career I’ve nourished in the last couple of years, I’ve actually been waiting for that change to happen. After a long period of time, in which I created, developed, founded and raised- all on the professional side – I felt I wanted to cultivate something of my own. I knew that having a baby enter my life will force me to slow down and I’ve waited for that expectantly.
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| Photography: Tali Dovrat |
However, during pregnancy I kept my pretty hectic pace of life. I continued to work long hours, trying to get as many things done as possible until the baby comes.
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| Photography: Tali Dovrat |
Lily was born within a half hour after we got to the hospital, after an urgent and stressful drive. Even though I was prepared for the notion that speedy births run in our family, I listened to the doctor, who sent me home with contractions a few hours earlier and I almost didn’t make it back to the hospital on time.
When she came out, I looked at this beautiful sweet baby, with large and expressive eyes, and I knew she looked just as I had imagined her to be.
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| Photography: Tali Dovrat |
Before the birth, I was very relaxed. I thought this mission, like everything else in my life, would be a piece of cake and I’d still have time and energy to respond to e-mails between breastfeeding and diapering.
But in reality, the first months were not easy at all and required me to take a real maternity leave. I devoted myself completely to Lily and I gave both of us the time we needed to get to know each other.
Thankfully (and luckily), I left my business in the talented hands of people I trust with my eyes closed, and they made sure that everything will continue as usual.
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| Photography: Tali Dovrat |
Adding to the difficulty of this new period of my life, Israel was going through a military operation in Gaza and along came sirens and a husband who was recruited to service. We packed our things (and as I found out – the smaller you are, the more things you have!) and went on exile to my parents’ house in Or Akiva. I discovered how pleasant it was to take a break and a deep breath in a different enviroment and most important, I discovered how amazing my parents are. With their calm and endless giving, they’ve made this period of time a much easier one for all of us.
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| Photography: Tali Dovrat |
After a while, we went back home and gradually, I went back to work too. My last collection was designed mostly from home, so I could stay as much as possible near my little one. I realized that I don’t have to work days and nights to get a good result and that sometimes, when you have a limited time, you become more focused and effective. It is a collection I’m particularly proud of her.
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| Photography: Tali Dovrat |
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| Photography: Tali Dovrat |
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| Photography: Tali Dovrat |
Further on, I returned to work in the studio, while I make sure to leave one day a week that is solely dedicated to Lily.
I was glad to get back to work- I love what I do for a living, but I also found myself waiting for my days with Lily, which I spend only with her and give her all my attention, without any job issues or any other distractions.
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| Photography: Tali Dovrat |
Luckily, my studio is very close to our house and Lily’s grandmothers are currently caring for her, so I often get surprise visits in the studio, and one smile from this little one charges me with loads of new energies.
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| Photography: Tali Dovrat |
Unlike in the past, when my work days lengthened without limits, today I abandon everything in the afternoon hours and go outside to hang out with Lily. I found out that Tel Aviv is much more beautiful in daylight. The city has many parks, gardens, cute dogs and great people, all are fun to get to know. Mainly, I discovered that it’s possible to let go. That I can, and should, allow myself to trust others. That not everything must be perfect all the time and that “good” it is sometimes excellent.
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| Photography: Tali Dovrat |
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| Photography: Tali Dovrat |
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| Photography: Tali Dovrat |
This is Lily’s room. These days we are moving into a new house and I am working on designing her new room. I hope I can show it to you soon.
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| Photography: Tali Dovrat |
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| Photography: Tali Dovrat |
Lily is now 10 months old and is learning something new every day. But more than that, every day I learn something new from her.
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| Photography: Tali Dovrat |
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| Photography: Tali Dovrat |
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| Photography: Tali Dovrat |
These lovely photos you see in this post were taken by Tali Dovrat, who is a talented lifestyle photographer and (lucky for me) a good friend of mine. You’re invited to check out her website and book yourself your own photoshoot, that is, in my opinion, an amazing keepsake for a life.
Tali – a huge thanks.
Yours,
Shlomit
