Jesalyn Eatchel

My mom and I went to a lot of concerts when I was young. It was something special we did together. She was a single mom so it was just the two of us. We’ve seen at the Lilith Fair when I was in high school and one other concert probably 20 some years ago. Last night was the 30th anniversary of her album Fumbling Towards Ecstasy, an album I played on repeat in high school and beyond. She was so so good. Her voice has always been so clean and clear and beautiful. I’m not sure how she’s maintained her voice so well over the years but it was truly impressive. Thanks mama for a very fun night!

So grateful to get the chance to be someone’s mama 😍 This perfect one chose me and I marvel every day at the magic that she brings to my life. Motherhood is wonderful and weird and hard and so fun! Happy Mother’s Day to all the mamas out there. 🩷💐🫶🏻
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Happy Earth Day! Having our daughter in nature school has been such a sweet experience and an invitation for us all to embrace the gifts of Mother Earth more. She often asks to go on nature walks and is so present and curious exploring her surroundings. I know I’ve spent more time outside as a result of our nature school girl. In fact, I’m on day 22 of at least a 30 minute walk outside daily which may not sound like much, but is a success in consistency for me. More time outside is great and so needed for so many of us. May we all take the time to love and honor our first mother and stop to smell the flowers.

Yesterday was our 9 year wedding anniversary and our 15th year together. It was overshadowed a bit by a lovely family day but we’ve got a date night on the books for later this week. Things look a little different than they did all those years back when we first met but they are so much sweeter in so many ways. To many more years including a fun trip next year for the big 10!

Merry Christmas and to all a good night. 💫🎄❤️

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We are so lucky to have our health, safety and the privilege of celebrating this season. I couldn’t help but think of how many that’s not true for right now as we set up our family’s Christmas tonight. Grief and joy can coexist and I still can’t wait to see the look on my daughter’s face when she wakes up tomorrow. She’s been looking forward to Christmas Day all month. My hope for all is that joy is among the range of emotions you experience this holiday season.
📷: Brittanee Taylor Photography

This one has lots of questions about Santa and Christmas. And she’s smart as can be so I’ve got to have those answers at the ready. Can’t wait to start going to look at lights at night

Excitement was high tonight. She definitely gets the concept of trick or treating this year! 🧙🏼‍♀️💜

Happy fall and national daughter day. She’s the best little buddy and my favorite girl in the whole wide world. I love watching the world through her eyes. She recently started school and it’s hard knowing there are now hours she spends away from me for the first time in her little life. And I’m excited for her to be out in nature learning and playing with new friends. This parenting thing is a trip!

Thank you for another round of truly special photos of my extended breastfeeding journey with my girl.
This last week of August is Black Breastfeeding Week. There is a clear racial disparity when it comes to education, access and community care around the issue of breastfeeding/chestfeeding for Black parents. have more information about events and resources. If you see any parent body feeding their babies, support and encouragement is the best response always!

Happy World Breastfeeding Week! 3 years in over here and still happily providing nourishment and comfort. I definitely figured I would nurse for awhile but didn’t know exactly what that would look like. I’ve set some boundaries to ‘mostly’ in the morning and at night (or this girl would love to have milk throughout the day too) but it’s still such a special time. To all the nursing parents whether it was days, weeks, months or years, you are amazing!
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Happy 94th birthday to my grandpa Lynn! It was such a special trip to celebrate him and have my daughter meet her great-grandfather. She was nervous about seeing all the family and getting overwhelmed but she went right over and sang him happy birthday. Grandpa didn’t want us to make a big deal out of his birthday but it’s a big deal to make it to 94 and he seemed to be happy and smiling all day.

Happy Father’s Day to this fun, dedicated and wonderful daddy. Aurora is so lucky to have you. You’ll always be the fun parent and also the one she feels safe with. You support her to fly both literally and figuratively. We both love you so much! 📷: (this one is getting blown up for the house, such a cool shot!)

Mom & Dad 💜
Thanks for capturing one of us while our 3 year old adamantly declined any attempts for posed family photos. 🤣 She knows what she wants and it was NOT to pose with her parents.

Happy 3rd birthday to the sweetest little mermaid we could imagine. She’s so fun and smart and spunky. I hope you always sing out loud and let folks know how you feel about life. You’ll need all the fire you can muster in this world. 📷:

New year. Same energy. 💦🧜🏼‍♀️✨
⬅️yesterday ➡️June 6, 2022

Last day of vacation. Enjoying our last buffet breakfast and explaining the bittersweet nature of our fun family trip coming to an end. And that her curls won’t look this good when we get home. 🤣

First cenote experience for all of us. This kid has been the bravest, best traveler ever. I’m so proud and excited for all the adventures to come!

Holiday cards got in the mail in record time. Probably because we’ve been home with a sick toddler since last Tuesday. Somehow I have super mom immunity 🤷🏻‍♀️ and managed to stay well despite the wellspring of body fluids being shared with me 😆. I’m sure it’s just a stroke of good luck.
Thanks to for capturing some beautiful images that graced our cards (and soon will our walls). Hope you are staying healthy and enjoying the season. ❤️💚🌟

Breastfeeding a 2 1/2 year old is definitely not for everyone but this little duo is pretty content and not stopping anytime soon. It’s been such a beautiful part of our life together and I’ve been lucky to have photo memories of our journey captured by twice now. This time it was made even more special because my sister joined the shoot as well. I’m so grateful for the special set of circumstances and privilege that has allowed me to continue for so long.

Super fun seeing the life size dinos at Jurassic World. My husband was stoked and our daughter loved it too. It was the perfect combination of being excited and a little scared for her. She loved the T-Rex at the end and was telling us all day “She was so close. She was going to eat us!” 🤣🦖

We celebrated my husband’s birthday this past weekend with our first family flight. Just like most things in life, travel with a child is a totally new experience. There may have been a total meltdown at takeoff (despite rehearsing all week what to expect) but it was over quickly thanks to some snacks that saved the day. It was super special to show our daughter all the places we used to go when we lived up north and wished we could share them with a child. Seeing her and with their matching hiking sticks was the cutest most heartwarming thing. Belated Happy Birthday and National Daughter Day to my most favorite people. I can’t wait to continue adventuring with you.

Happy Fall! 🍁 Our first go at a nature table for the season. We made our own peg dolls but still have to collect some items from outside. (The leaves we brought in ended up in little pieces all around the house in typical toddler fashion)

🎶 Baby Beluga 🎶
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How did my baby get so big? Nothing like parenthood to make you acutely aware of the passing of time. 😢 📷:

Today was kind of a big deal. Thanks for a super memorable experience for our Frozen loving little. She was so excited. ❄️💙⛄️

Thanks from the for hosting The Big Latch On. After 2 years of not being able to have a proper event, it was fun to join in the chest feeding community. Aurora is always game for nursing so she thought it was fun. A nice end to World Breastfeeding Week. I appreciate the work Robin and her center are doing to support bringing more diversity to lactation consultants. Hopefully one day every nursing parent can get support from a lactation consultant that looks like them and/or speaks their native language.

Best hiking partners this past weekend. Slowest and shortest hike ever but best company for sure.
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One more sweet family capture from . Glad to have by my side for it all.

Stay wild little one! 🌳🌬🔥💦
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