Valentine's Interview with BUNTE.de Magazine

BUNTE.de: "Have you and Ryan planned anything for Valentine’s Day?"

Angenend:

"We don't put a lot of emphasis on Valentine's Day. Ryan does an amazing job expressing his love every day. I make an effort to do the same for him. We especially don't like battling the crowds on V-day! This year, I am excited to make brunch for the whole family, then decorate some cookies with Mia. I'm sure Ryan & I will share bottle of wine after Mia's bedtime, which is fun on any night of the year."

BUNTE.de: "How has life changed since Mia has been born?"

Angenend:

"Everything has changed! I left my 9-5 job to stay home and Ryan started working even more hours than he already was. I've developed a sweeter, stronger relationship with my parents & Ryan's parents now that there is a grandchild in the picture. They are wonderful to Mia! I've lost friends from my single days, and gained friends who are parents. Ryan and I don't always get all the one on one time we would like, but I love all the moments we share with Mia."

BUNTE.de: "Do you and Ryan have any arrangements like a weekly kid-free date night?"

Angenend:

"Ryan is out of town for work the majority of the time. When Ryan took this job, we promised each other that if the travel and the long hours put too much of a strain on our relationship, then the job wasn't worth it. His schedule has certainly presented it's challenges, but it's made us stronger and brought us closer too. They say distance makes the heart grow fonder, and I can agree with that. We have a date night during the week that he is home & we do a lot of family outings with Mia during the day. When he's gone, it's all about good communication. We regularly check in with each other to make sure the separation or the work load isn't too much. If one of us isn't happy or if we're stressed out constantly, we'll make changes."

BUNTE.de: "Do you have any other secrets for a romantic marriage?"

Angenend:

"I am no expert as I am 23 years old & just shy of my 4th year of marriage. I do know that a successful marriage is forever a work in progress. We've found our rhythm and continue to improve it all the time. For example, he makes an awesome omelet, but that's the extent of his cooking abilities. Luckily, I love cooking & then he volunteers to wash the dishes.

Marriage doesn't always feel like a fairytale, but if we hit a rough patch I like to read some of the cards he's given me in the past or think about the hundreds of things he's done that I adore. I can never stay upset for very long.

It's all the little things that keep us falling in love every day. I love it when he get's up with Mia so I can sleep a little longer, brings me coffee in bed, or offers a back rub. He tells me I am beautiful every day, even on my worst of days. It means so much to me every time I hear it & even when I don't believe it. I think that having things to do together on a regular basis is important. Anything from watching a show together to sharing a hobby or kicking each other's butt's in a card game.

We're very straightforward with each other about what we want or need & we're not afraid to have an argument. We've always been able to talk through our disagreements & be better for it afterwards."

BUNTE.de: "Where did the idea come from/what made you start taking pictures like that?"

Angenend:

"I took the first photo, "back to school" as a joke about my real feelings on school starting up last August. I had a lot of fun shooting the photo, and my friends really enjoyed it when I shared it on social media. I had plenty of other ideas to portray the chaos of "Mom Life", so I decided to make it a series. At first, there honestly wasn't a lot of though put in to it, just something fun for my daughter and I to enjoy together. I somewhat regret not coming up with a more creative title for the series."

BUNTE.de: "I've learned that you got pregnant very young. How did you cope with that situation then?"

Angenend:

"It was a bit of a surprise when I found out I was pregnant, but my husband & I had both hoped to have children eventually. We both worked hard during those 9 months to get to to where we wanted to be before her birth. For us, that meant moving into a two bedroom apartment, and my husband (Ryan) getting a job that ensured I could stay home and take care of our daughter. Although we've had our challenges to get here, I am grateful for them because I appreciate the life we have now so much more".

BUNTE.de: "Did you take pictures from other families in those situations too, or have people approached you and asked you to do so?"

Angenend:

"I have not yet been approached to shoot a "mom life" style photos for my clients, but I would love to if it was requested. I shoot a lot of lifestyle family session, and there is usually at least one photo of a crying baby or toddler in the clients gallery. When I plan a shoot for my clients, I always incorporate thing that will portray what their life was like at that time. Sometimes I photograph them doing one of their favorite family activities or hobbies, the kids favorite toys, etc. I think I am doing the same thing with my daughter in Mom Life, since I am capturing some of her phases and our adventures. I have chosen to do it in a more humorous way though".

BUNTE.de: "Have Moms approached you to let you know that they can identify themselves with the situations shown on the pictures?"

Angenend:

"Yes, though not each scenario may be very specific to another mom, it at least reminds them of a very familiar situation they have been in. I constantly hear stories from my friends that they think would be a great mom life photos, there are so many good ones! I've been amazed that this series had been published in so many countries. It goes to show that regardless of culture or parenting styles, when you have a little one come in to your life, we're all getting into the same sticky situations. It's comforting to me, because I think it's a good reminder that we're all probably more alike than we admit too".

See the interview at BUNTE.de here:

http://www.bunte.de/panorama/baby-glueck-danke-mama-116048.html

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