Hampshire IL maternity photographer
One of the things I love most about building the Messy Momma Community is getting to connect with moms who are right in the middle of the beautiful, busy, and sometimes overwhelming seasons of motherhood.
This year I invited a few women to become Messy Momma Brand Ambassadors, sharing their real experiences of motherhood. Their stories are honest, relatable, and a reminder that none of us are doing this alone.
Today I want to introduce you to Vashti, a mama of five who recently welcomed her newest baby. During her pregnancy we documented this chapter with a maternity session, and I asked her to share a little about what motherhood looks like in this season of life.
Below is her story, written in her own words.
Hello Messy mommas!
Can you believe we are already 3 months into 2026! This year is already going by so fast! My name is Vashti and I am a mama to 5 beautiful kiddos. My husband and I have been married for 9 years and we just welcomed our 5th babe last month and it has been so sweet soaking in the days and watching as our other kiddos adjust to having a new baby in the house again.
When Vashti shared this with me, it reminded me exactly why documenting motherhood matters so much.Every pregnancy looks a little different. By the time you are welcoming your fifth baby, life is full. There are school schedules, sibling dynamics, endless laundry, and a house that rarely stays perfectly clean for long.But that fullness is what makes this season so meaningful.These are the moments that become the stories families tell for years to come.
I am a full time stay at home momma and being apart of the messy momma community has been such a treat. Being apart of a group in such a busy and fun phase of life is so nice, to find likeminded mommas who understand the business of life can be a little crazy and sometimes overwhelming but fun and wonderful is what it is all about.
Why Community Matters
One of the reasons I created the Messy Momma Movement was to build a space where moms feel supported and understood.
Motherhood can sometimes feel isolating, especially when the world often shows only the perfectly curated moments.
But the truth is, most days look a lot more like what Vashti described. Busy schedules, messy kitchens, kids running in every direction, and parents doing their best to keep up while trying to soak in the moments that matter.
I have really enjoyed being a messy momma and totally feel that is a fitting name in this season of life! If someone decides to stop over, chances of my house being clean are slim to none, we constantly are running around to burn energy and keep up with everything our home needs to function and I’m lucky if I remember to put on a bra most days but none the less, we are showing up and soaking up the days with our littles.
The Moments That Often Go Unphotographed
These are the moments that often go undocumented.
Not the perfectly styled ones, but the everyday moments that pass quietly while you are busy living them.
Maternity sessions are one of my favorite ways to pause and reflect on this chapter of life. They give moms a moment to slow down and celebrate the life growing inside them while honoring the family they have already built.
I am constantly trying my best to really soak up the good, the bad and the ugly no matter what it looks like as I am reminded each day how quickly this phase goes.
The Seasons of Motherhood Move Quickly
Motherhood moves faster than we ever expect.
The baby kicks become newborn snuggles.
The newborn snuggles become toddlers running through the house.
And before we know it, another chapter has begun.
Photographs allow families to hold onto these fleeting seasons. They become the reminders of what life felt like in the middle of the beautiful chaos.
It’s comforting to know that we may not all mother the same but we are all just doing our best at the end of the day. Hang in there messy mommas and enjoy it as much as you can, you’re not alone!
Xoxo
Vashti
Documenting Your Own Motherhood Story
Vashti’s story is one so many moms can relate to.
Motherhood is rarely perfect, but it is always meaningful.
These seasons move quickly, and the moments that feel ordinary today often become the ones we treasure most later.
If you are expecting and would love to document this chapter of your story, maternity sessions with Messy Momma Memories are designed to celebrate motherhood in an honest, relaxed, and beautiful way.
✨ Maternity and newborn sessions are available throughout the year for families in Hampshire, Huntley, and the Northwest Chicago suburbs.
Inquire here to begin planning your session.
