That Brag Post Took a Turn

I was going to write a brag post about my two-year-old today because honestly, he is pretty amazing.

He is home sick, and I told him it was time for a nap. He had me walk upstairs with him, climbed into his bed, laid down, and looked like he was actually going to go to sleep. All was well. And that tracks for him. He is usually pretty good about going to bed.

Meanwhile, my five-year-old is the complete opposite. He will stay up later than we do if given the chance. We put him to bed at 8:30. We go to bed around 11:00. Big difference in personalities.

Anyway, that brag post did not survive the afternoon.

I had been lighting the Christmas tree because we are decorating it tonight. Then I sat down to pump, because that is just part of life right now. I got everything set up, which is not the easiest process. Pumps on. Machine turned on. Finally sitting.

And then I looked up.

There he was.

My two-year-old was standing on the upstairs catwalk, arm through the spindles of the banister, holding a diaper. Completely naked from the waist down. He looked at me and announced very confidently, “Mom. Poop.”

At this point, I am fully hooked up to the machine. There is no quick exit. I told him to come downstairs while silently praying that he would not accidentally sit his poopy butt on the carpet.

I probably should have been smart and unhooked myself. But I had already committed to sitting down, taking a break, and pumping.

He ran into the kitchen and threw the diaper into the sink.

Not the sink.

Then he came back through the living room with a fresh pull-up, still naked, and ran away. I was stuck watching all of this from the couch, strapped to my pump, seeing only the back of him as he moved from piece of furniture to piece of furniture, thankfully not sitting down.

So I did what any good mom would do in that moment.

I had him grab a clean pull-up, and bring it to me. I then put it over the poop, finished pumping, and told myself I would deal with the rest later.

Because sometimes survival is the goal. Not perfection.

This is exactly why I believe so deeply in documenting women as they are. Luxury photography for women is not about pretending your life is calm or polished all the time. It is about honoring the woman who keeps showing up, even when the day takes a very unexpected turn. These portraits are a reminder that you are worthy of being seen, even in the middle of the mess.

---------------

Life is messy and loud and beautiful, and so are you. At Kristian Hutchings Portraits, I’ve built an experience that takes you out of the everyday and into a space where you’re pampered, posed, and celebrated. From professional hair and makeup to portraits you’ll treasure for a lifetime, this is more than photos, it’s a chance to finally put yourself first.

Kristian is a mom of six, Program Manager by day, active Professional Photographer by trade, and a big believer in finding beauty in the everyday chaos.

_________________________________________

Life in our house is loud, messy and full of literally everything. Love, noise, laundry, laughter, and definitely could use a bit more grace. I'm happily married to my best friend, grounded in my Catholic faith, and fueled by five to six hours of sleep per night and adrenaline.

I try to find joy in the everyday, even when it's wild, because without the little bit of joy, this life would be unbearable. This space is for the moms in the middle of it all, the ones juggling family, faith, work, and wonder. The ones that need someone else's messy life to make their own seem better or somewhat normal. You're not alone, and you're doing better than you think.

Welcome to Six Sweet Smiles, where we celebrate the mess, the miracles, and everything in between.