One Morning with Vera {A Photo Essay Series}

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“One Morning” is a photo essay series that provides a sneak peek into the everyday lives of the Fairfield County Moms Blog contributors. The morning routine is photographed by N. Lalor Photography and words are written by each mom to tell the story behind the images. It’s a rare and intimate look into each family’s life, one morning at a time.

The secret to a great morning: wake up before everyone else. My alarm goes off at 5:45 am. Right away, I take a quick shower, brush teeth, and get hair/face ready for the day. It makes me feel fresh. This morning, I am headed into NYC for a day of work meetings. Because messy butter-soaked toddler fingers love a freshly dry-cleaned dress, I wear my—ironically white—bathrobe until breakfast is done. nlalor-photography-2015-08-06-one-morning-vera-2

After I’m “so fresh and so clean,” I head downstairs to start cooking breakfast. I find it takes me so much less time to prepare breakfast without the distraction of my husband Brian and daughter Lena. Plus, they both wake up with ravenous appetites, so I try to avoid any “hangry” (hungry anger) moments and feed them as quickly as possible. nlalor-photography-2015-08-06-one-morning-vera-3

We pretty much have the same thing every morning: eggs, turkey bacon, and toast. Lena’s breakfast: a mini bagel with cream cheese, eggs, and raspberries. After breakfast is on the table—around 6:15 am—I wake up Brian, who gets ready and makes the bed. Oh, how I love that he makes the bed. Did I mention he actually loves making the bed? I’m always so tempted to jump on it, and mess it up! nlalor-photography-2015-08-06-one-morning-vera-10Then, around 6:30 am, we get Lena. We’ve been in a good rhythm lately with sleep (knock on wood!), so she’s been waking up chipper and silly. nlalor-photography-2015-08-06-one-morning-vera-13

We do a diaper change and get Lena dressed first thing in the morning. Like me, I find that she’s happier getting “fresh” right away. She also wakes up with wacky hair like me:) nlalor-photography-2015-08-06-one-morning-vera-17We started letting Lena decide what she wants to wear. She asked for a dress this morning, which isn’t typical, but I’m guessing our photographer guest made her want to look fancy. nlalor-photography-2015-08-06-one-morning-vera-19After Lena’s dressed, we all head downstairs for breakfast—around 6:45—which has been keeping warm under tin foil wrap. We eat at the breakfast bar in the kitchen and have the news playing on my laptop.

nlalor-photography-2015-08-06-one-morning-vera-23Bri normally starts packing up his work stuff and getting ready to leave for his train into NYC right after breakfast—around 7 am—and I clean up from breakfast. Bri rides his bike to the train (we live about 1/2 a mile from the Southport station), and Lena loves to watch him ride away. We say our goodbyes and watch “Daddy ride his bicycle to the choo-choo for work,” as Lena says.

nlalor-photography-2015-08-06-one-morning-vera-30

nlalor-photography-2015-08-06-one-morning-vera-34Lena normally plays a little while I finish cleaning up the kitchen. Then we head upstairs to fix her hair and brush her teeth. nlalor-photography-2015-08-06-one-morning-vera-36

nlalor-photography-2015-08-06-one-morning-vera-41Then, it’s time for me to get dressed. Yes, I do actually wear clothes! Once I’m dressed, Lena and I have some quiet time to read some books, play with some puzzles, or, if we have lots of energy, we’ll play chase.  nlalor-photography-2015-08-06-one-morning-vera-42

This morning, we read her nursery rhyme book and sang “I’m a Little Teapot,” which she is currently obsessed with.nlalor-photography-2015-08-06-one-morning-vera-44

Then, it’s back to business. I make Lena’s lunch the night before, so all I have to do is pack everything up. This saves so much time, especially on the days I’m in NYC. I go through the checklist of everything Lena needs for school: milk cup, water cup, lunch, snacks, and Winnie the Pooh (for naps). Then my list: laptop, laptop charger, phone, phone charger, wallet, and keys. nlalor-photography-2015-08-06-one-morning-vera-49While I’m packing up, Lena is getting her shoes on, which she insists doing “BY SELF!” nlalor-photography-2015-08-06-one-morning-vera-47Then, one last step before heading out the door: sunscreen. I apply Lena’s sunscreen every morning before school, and then her teachers do another application for the afternoon. nlalor-photography-2015-08-06-one-morning-vera-50Time to leave! By now it’s 7:45 am, and my train into NYC leaves at 8:15 am. nlalor-photography-2015-08-06-one-morning-vera-53Beep-beep! Gonna be a good day. nlalor-photography-2015-08-06-one-morning-vera-54

Images for this project are captured by N. Lalor Photography, a lifestyle portrait photographer based in Fairfield County, CT. To see all posts in the “One Morning” photo essay series view here

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Vera Sizensky
Vera is the digital director for HealthyWomen.org, a non-profit organization that Dr. Oz calls "the leading health resource for women." Before HealthyWomen, Vera spent several years editing and producing content for the popular digital editions of SHAPE and Women’s Health magazines. Nothing makes her happier than connecting with women who work hard and play hard. Vera earned a journalism degree from the University of Florida and lives with her husband Brian and daughter Lena (born 8/25/13) in Southport, CT.

3 Things About Vera
Fill in the blank: If I had 10 minutes to myself, I would: "Take a long, hot shower."
Describe your perfect day: "Exercise, beach, nap, evening on the back deck with a glass of wine and the fire pit roaring."
Favorite thing to do in your spare {ha!} time: "Discovering new places—restaurants, playgrounds, hiking trails, etc."

Twitter: @VeraSiz

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