Tuesday, September 29, 2015

Harrison's Newborn Photography Session

We had Harrison's newborn session taken a few weeks ago by my friend and talented photographer Katie Myrick in our home. I love all of the pictures and I can't believe how little Harrison looks compared to today. He is growing so fast. I will cherish these photos forever.













It's so hard to believe 7 weeks have gone by so quickly. I love my little guy more and more every second of the day! 

Wednesday, September 16, 2015

Harrison's Nursery

I knew as soon as I found out I was having a boy what direction I wanted to go in with the nursery. I love neutral colors in every room. I think white walls have the potential to become anything you want them to be. I am so pleased with the way the nursery turned out. I hope my sweet boy loves it when he gets a little older. Here was my inspiration for the nursery...














And of course I had to share some pictures of my sweet boy enjoying his new room..



Happy hump day! Hope the weather is as nice where you are as it is here! Happy (almost) Fall!


Sunday, September 13, 2015

One Month of Motherhood

This has been the fastest month of my entire life. It makes me so sad to think about how quickly time will continue to fly by. I just wish I could freeze time for just a few months and soak up every minute of his tiny sweetness. Since I can't do that, I thought I would share a few things I have learned over the last month. First, don't set any expectations for your first month...or probably year for that matter. I think that puts too much pressure on you as a new mother, so go with the flow and when things go smoothly, take it as a win and if they don't go as you expected at least you wont feel defeated. A few things I think are must-haves for a the newborn life are: Gas drops, Gripe water, boppy, a LARGE water tumbler, a breast pump (if you are breast feeding), nipple cream (a prescription strength did wonders for me), breast soothies, nursing bras, hand sanitizer, Tommee Tippee bibs, more diapers than you can imagine and all the help that friends and family offer. We have already gone through a bottle and a half of gas drops and gripe water (I use Little Remedies brand) since we came home. Harrison gets the hiccup at least 3 times a day and gripe water takes them away within literally seconds, it's amazing. Breast feeding has been THE most challenging part of being a new mother but it has become so much easier during the last week. Everyone told me 2 weeks, don't expect to wake up on the morning of week 2 with relief, it took a little longer for me. I know this is a lot of rambling but I thought some of this information may be helpful for other new moms. I am always taking ALL of the advice I can get, I don't think we can be over prepared for life as a new mommy. It it truly the BEST thing in the entire world and I thank God everyday for my sweet boy. Since Labor day has come and gone, I can't wait to start dressing Harrison and myself  in fall and Halloween outfits! Have a great Sunday!





Monday, September 7, 2015

Harrison's BIRTHday

I wanted to make time to share this story before I start forgetting all of the small details. I wanted to share it for people who are nervous about delivery, especially a c-section and I just want to reminisce the best day of my life, the day my sweet baby boy was born. My c-section was scheduled for 11:30 am on Monday, August 10th. I had never been so nervous in my life as I was the weeks and days leading up to the day I delivered. I woke up at 7:00 Monday morning took a shower, scrubbing with surgical scrub, probably 10 times longer than I needed to but wanted to make sure I was WELL prepared. I got ready like I would any other day, took my very last chalkboard picture and my husband and I packed the car and dropped our dog, Penny off at my parents house. We arrived at the hospital at 9:00am and quickly went up to labor and delivery where the awesome staff wasted no time getting things started. I got dressed in a hospital gown as soon as I got to our room and the nurses hooked me up to the monitor so we could hear Harrison's heartbeat and started my IV. They started me on my first bag of fluids and we waited for some of my family to arrive. At 11:00 I told a friend (and fellow labor and delivery nurse) that I didn't think we would start on time since we only had 30 minutes to go and no one had been in from the O.R. yet. Within 5 minutes everyone started coming by, my wonderful Doctor, the OR nurses, the anesthesiologist and I was walking down the hall by 11:25. I felt SO calm, I couldn't believe I wasn't crying or freaking out. I owe it all to God, there is no way I would have made it through the day without all of the praying I did. I walked into the OR and everyone was so friendly. They immediately asked me to sit on the bed so they could administer my spinal block, which was what I was the most nervous about. It went so smoothly and didn't hurt at ALL! I was so relieved, I started to feel my legs get warm and the staff moved me into position on the table. Then I waited, and waited and it felt like forever but was really only about 10 minutes. I began to feel extremely nauseous because my blood pressure was dropping and I started vomiting. It was the worst part of the whole experience since I was temporarily paralyzed and strapped to the table, flat on my back. The staff gave me something for nausea and the feeling quickly passed. Before I knew it my doctor walked in and started to prepare. I know I told the staff 100 times not to forget my husband. They want to make sure you are completely numb before bringing your spouse in. Soon my husband walked in and I immediately felt better. My doctor began the surgery and within about 5 minutes I asked what was taking so long and they just told me "he's almost here". The whole bed began to shake, apparently because he was so high (and breech) it took a few staff members pushing and pulling to get him out. At 12:03 pm I heard "he's here" but no cry, the room the silent. I LOST my mind for a second and started yelling "why isn't he crying" and the staff told me he was just looking around the room and within seconds I heard him cry for the first time. It was the most amazing moment of my life. I had never felt love like before.They held my little boy up for me to see and quickly took him away to recovery, where my husband followed with him. They finished stitching me up and I went to recovery with my baby and husband, It was such a surreal feeling, watching my husband hold our baby. It was an indescribable feeling that I will never forget. Our family was allowed back within the hour and our photographer came up to capture some of the most cherished moments of my life. I will love these pictures forever. I have never felt luckier than I did they day we brought our baby into this world and we couldn't love him more if we tried!
















Photography by Katie Myrick Photography

Harrison, you have made life exponentially sweeter and we can't imagine what we did before you. We love you more than anything in this world.