Elena Davila (28), Nayeli (5), Tavio (3), and Tobias (8 months)
Oakland, CA
Elena shares -
“I don’t really think about my body much because I’m too busy doing everything for everyone around me. I’m usually that hot mess mama who has her hair thrown up in a half up bun, with left over eyeliner and mascara from the day before, and wearing the same yoga pants as yesterday, because laundry. But when I do remember what I look like, I’m pretty pleased with what I see. I’m happy, a little sleep deprived and stressed out, but so happy I have my family, our own little home, and we are all healthy. My heart is full. There are some pounds I really want to shed, but I’m trying what I can, when I find the spare time. I’m used to my plus size body, its just more saggy and stretched out now, but so very worth it.
Ever since I can remember, I always dreamed of being a mom. Even though it came earlier than expected, it was everything I believed it to be and more. I helped raise my two younger sisters, so I was pretty prepared, but it’s very different when you are the mama.
Motherhood came pretty easily to me, the hardest part probably being sleep deprivation. My first was born with Pulmonary Stenosis, and it wasn’t found until birth, so that was very scary and traumatic. I didn’t expect my first experiences of becoming a mom to go so far left. It also made everything harder because I would constantly reconsider if something was a normal baby issue, or related to her heart condition. But it got easier to handle with time, she still has to visit the cardiologist yearly to monitor her condition, but she is happy and healthy.
My sons were both born healthy, so that was a relief. I think the other hardest part is how different each postpartum experience is different from the rest, and how it gets harder with each addition to the family. Mostly because all of the mama guilt you feel if everyone’s needs are being met.
I’m never really in front of the camera, I’m usually behind the lens taking probably way too many pictures, but capturing all of these fleeting moments I want to remember. I wanted to have something to remember about me, as a mother of three, and I wanted to remember how raw and beautiful that was for me. I think that matches this project a lot because this is what a mama can look like, but there’s no one way to be or look. I also want to show my daughter to be proud of who she is no matter what she looks like. Even though I am self-conscious, I want to show that I have self worth and that I think I’m beautiful and what I do is beautiful.”