The first week I spent time time holding, snuggling, feeding, changing diapers, photographing newness, and marveling at the reality and gift that the Lord had given us a son. It was a change of pace from the last days even months before he came when I was busy working on finishing the to do list. However, now that Kylan arrived everything stopped. It was time to be still. As deep as of the loss and pain that I experienced over the last four years of wrestling and waiting on the Lord, in his timing he has now given me deep love and great joy in this miracle of life. Through the waiting the Lord has also graciously has given me a deep peace and confidence knowing that walks with us, plans each of our steps and rules over all things. My heart is filled with love for Kylan and only know that it was the Lord who sustained him and gave him to us. I am thankful that I am given this gift to experience new life in our life again. Knowing how quickly newborns change and grow I was ready to photograph Kylan in hopes to remember his newness, tiny yawns, his small hands and feet that kicked inside of me, his sweet round cheeks, and how much his big sister loves having a brother. The first week always seems to go by too fast for my heart and these images will always allow me to reminiscence of the days that could not go slow enough. (These were all taken with my Contax, 120 Fuji Pro 400H and developed and scanned by the FIND LAB.) ENJOY!!!
Starting off the new year with an article hot off the press highlighting Elizabeth Reich, designer from Jenkins Baer Associates. Baltimore STYLE writes about Elizabeth’s design of the Bachelor Pad. If you remember the walls were white and this Baltimore condo empty. Elizabeth worked to complete the design puzzle and put all the necessarily design pieces together to create a masculine condo with style. Congratulations Elizabeth on your talent, hard work, and design! You can read the full article here. You can see more images here and here.
Contact: Elizabeth Reich
Jenkins Baer Associates
24 West Chase Street
Baltimore, MD 21201
Follow her on Houzz
Phone: 410.727.4100
Fax: 410.727.4130
Here is our first picture of being a family of FOUR!Back in August I bought a remote to use for moments like this.
So no more self timer and running to get back in position before the shutter goes off.
However it was not working for me so relied on the self timer again.The next pictures (where we are both in the picture) were taken by Myla.
(and no cropping was done)
It was Wednesday night, November 6 to be exact when I confessed to Lyndon that I was done. I was done running errands, stocking my cabinets, editing this years shoots, and blogging them, freezing meals, cleaning and sorting and done waiting. It was not that everything was completed on my to do list; it was that I made it to 39 weeks and I was ready for him to arrive now. I know that I really did not have any control when our little boy arrived; however I was now telling myself he could come; though with one slight stipulation after Thursday. And it had to be after Thursday as Lyndon would be in Maryland all day. I could wait one more day.
Then Friday (Nov 8) in the early morning my labor began. I had one desire with labor that he would be delivered in the daytime. Again, I know that we can not control this but that I could bring this request and desire before God and pray. By mid-morning labor was not progressing. I was cooking what I will term “labor meal” as a way to distract and use time and to also have something prepared to enjoy after the birth. The big pot of spaghetti sauce was simmering and I was watching the clock. It would be evening soon; the clock was ticking. I called my mid-wife Diane and asked what I could do to get my contractions regular and progressing. Well her suggestions worked and labor intensified quickly. Within about a hour after her arriving to our home Kylan Heath was born. It was in the afternoon and that evening we all enjoyed pasta dinner together.
Two months have passed and I have savored these weeks of having Kylan in our family. We are all adjusting slowly to the changes that this sweet new addition brings. Most of I am allowing myself time, thanks to the encouragement of my husband. His words have given me freedom to take the time and as much time off as I need to treasure and enjoy these days with my children. We have waited for this time to come for four years and I don’t want to rush it. I am so thankful for his grace to me and understanding. It has allowed me to take the pressure off myself to get back to the to do list and business of life and to be able to say no to things for a season. It is not that I have not wanted to do things or get things accomplished or started again; but I am learning to embrace my new capacity (that is limited) for this season. It has given me peace as I grow in my new responsibilities to take the time to focus on my new family, to enjoy the time we have together, rest and maybe get a load of laundry done in the day. I will mostly be hibernating til spring and it is because we all know they grow too fast. I am looking forward to this new year, future photo shoots and all the potential that it holds. Here are a few of my favorites from the last two months! ENJOY!!!
happy. healthy and delivered at home.
My midwives were amazing and so thankful to have them “catch” Kylan.New and in daddy’s arms.The joy and emotion watching Myla meet her brother was an answer to many prayers.Bebe and Gigi meeting Kylan and Myla documenting it too!Three days old.Five days oldThis one of Myla and Kylan is my favorite and makes my heart happy.The quilt in the picture below was made by my mother, (Grande) for Kylan.10 days old
Kylan was growing and changing and it could not go slow enough for me.
These photos were taken by my good friend and photographer, Tina Lapp.
I am so thankful for her friendship and time she took to capture these moments of us two.Made it outside before the leaves were gone.
I look forward to next fall with them both playing in the leaves.Above: One month old
Myla is an amazing big sister who loves her brother dearly and is a big helper.
6 weeks oldTwo months old