Maternity Photos

A few weeks ago, our favorite photographers came back to Kentucky to do a maternity shoot for us.  You may recognize their style from our wedding photos.  We adore Chris and Jen Creed, and become slightly obsessed with their work.  

They gave us the most precious memories from our wedding with their fabulous photos and even more fantastic wedding album.  One of my favorite things about them are that you never see the same photo twice.  Our wedding photos are completely different than any wedding they have ever done.  Each engagement session they do is completely unique and created to represent the couple in the best way possible.  They go way above the call of duty to make sure that each session has its own message.  

We have been so excited to do a maternity shoot with them, and cannot wait to introduce them to Ethan and take a few newborn photos with them as well.  I just wanted to share our top three favorites that we selected from that day.

This one will be used as a canvas print in our living room (I'll show you the finished project after Ethan arrives and we get it situated):

Chris and Jen, we absolutely cannot tell you enough how much we appreciate your work and how much we appreciate the two of YOU.  These photos are just as special to us as our wedding photos and our Christmas mini-session photos.  You have truly given us the opportunity for us to truly remember this moment forever, just as you have done in our past sessions.

And I Thought I Loved You Then...

Spending the day with this handsome man...

...to celebrate 2 beautiful years of marriage.  Happy Anniversary my love!  It's hard to believe that two years ago 1+1=1.  In just a few short weeks, our 1+1will=3.

37 Weeks

 37 Weeks

Total weight gain/loss: 152, making my total is 28 pounds by my scale, 21 pounds by the doctors scale.

Maternity clothes? Non-maternity shirts, skirts and dresses, but ALL maternity pants.  

Stretch marks? Just the ones on the rear.  No new ones on the belly or anywhere else.

Sleep: Pretty decent this week.  There was only a night or two that I was completely restless.

Best moment this week: Getting a quick peak at Ethan! I had my first "check" for progress and since there was absolutely none, they did a quick ultrasound to check his position.  He is head down, and looks just like his Daddy.  Melt.  I have been hoping that he would look like Jason.

Movement: Still rockin' and rollin'.

Food cravings: Eh.  I don't have much of an appetite at all.  I eat because I have to.

Gender: Our sweet baby Ethan Bryant Orlando.

Labor Signs: Nothing at all.  Ethan isn't engaged, my cervix is still closed completely.  He's extremely comfortable in there.

Belly Button in or out? A floutie most of the time, but when he's moving, it's all outie.

Wedding rings on or off? Still on other than sleep!

What I miss: Not having to listen to rude comments.  I bought a dress at Target yesterday, and when I tried it on at home it was too big.  So I went back to exchange it for a smaller size, and told the man I needed to exchange it for a smaller size.  While he was ringing it up, he looked at me and said "You said this was too BIG?!" I of course told him yes.  He chuckled under his breath and said, "Ha well ok then."  It wasn't until about 5 minutes later that I realized that stupid man LAUGHED at me for saying something was too big!  I definitely miss not having to hear people's opinions on my appearance.

What I am looking forward to: Our family baby shower next weekend!

Weekly Wisdom: Get through your moments of discomfort with laughter.  I've learned that I feel a lot more comfortable with my new OB by joking with him.  (Quick story:  I had my first cervical check Wednesday.  I told him that I had misplaced a quarter of mine, and if he could find it, it was his.  His face turned bright red, but then he laughed. He said that if he had a quarter in his pocket, now would be the perfect time to pretend to find it.  It was HILARIOUS.  It definitely made an uncomfortable moment much lighter and helped me become more relaxed for a very uncomfortable moment.)  

Milestones: We reached full term this week!! :)

Did We Really Get This Far?

My Baby Boy,

We grow more amazed with you each day.  It is so difficult to believe that nearly 6 months ago, you and I were fighting for our lives in one of the most frightening situations I have ever been in.  We prayed you would make it through the first surgery without problems, for you were so small we weren't sure if you could survive through any procedures.  You did.  We then prayed during the second surgery that the anesthesia would not result in preterm labor, for you hadn't yet reached the age of viability.  It didn't.  You made it through both.  Many ultrasounds later, we learned that every single bit of you was still 100% perfect.  Your organs were developing and growing, your fingers and toes were growing, and you seemed perfectly on track.  We quickly learned how resilient you must be, and began to dream of the great things that God has in store for you.  We hold onto the faith that you are capable of and will do amazing things in this world, for he intended for you to survive through what we never imagined little you could survive.

We got a quick sneak peak at you this week! The doctors wanted to check and make sure you were positioning yourself to begin considering joining us in the world and we got a quick glimpse of your sweet little face.  You look just like your Daddy.  Don't worry, you'll see for yourself soon what a great thing that is.  We will be fighting the girls off of you before we know it.

I hope you realize someday just how special you are to us.  It may take enough years for you to have your own child, but I hope and pray that Daddy and I help you understand what a precious gift you have already been in our lives.  There will never be a day that we won't remember what it took to get you here, or the love we already have for a little boy we have never seen face to face.

Within the next month, you and I will finally get that chance.  I have no idea how it is possible for me to love you more than I do right now, but I know that I will.  We have so many things we want to teach you, talk to you about, and give you.

Today, you and I have a finish line in sight! No matter if you decide to hang out for 4 more weeks or come within an hour, you will not be considered premature.  You are my little "full-term" miracle.   Today we have been together for 37 weeks.  You and I have come a long way together, and I cannot wait for our very first moment of hugs and kisses.  The doctors have given your Daddy and I every reason to believe that you are safe, comfortable, and perfectly healthy.  I need to see that for myself.  While I certainly believe them, this extra little tug in my heart won't believe them 100% until I see your sweet face and listen to you cry.

Some days, especially today, I think about how I cannot believe we actually made it this far.  Throughout this entire process, I have learned and have faith that you have also learned to keep moving forward.  Sometimes, baby boy, you have to keep putting one foot in front of the other, even if you have no idea where in the heck you are going.  When you get to your destination, you will look back and wonder, how did I ever get here?  Just know, sweet baby, that you didn't do it alone.  Daddy and I will always be there to back you up in your unknown journeys.  Keep your faith and keep praying, and God will walk with you too.  Never forget the journey that gets you from point A to point B, and you will be amazed at the strength you had to get there.

We love you Ethan!

36 Weeks

 36 Weeks

Total weight gain/loss: Holding at 151, making my total is 27 pounds by my scale, 20 pounds by the doctors scale.

Maternity clothes? Non-maternity shirts, skirts and dresses, but ALL maternity pants.  

Stretch marks? Just the ones on the rear.  No new ones on the belly or anywhere else.

Sleep: It varies.  I'm getting up to go to the bathroom a LOT more, to the point that I would think Ethan has dropped, although it certainly doesn't look like it.

Best moment this week: Our first baby shower! Our church family hosted a baby shower for us, and it was so nice and sweet.  Jason and I haven't been very involved with our church other than attending until recently (we just recently joined a small group that we love) so it was full of new friends as well as people we had never even met! It was overwhelming to see how many people wanted to show their support and love to us even though they don't know us very well.  We received a LARGE amount of the most beautiful, thought out, handmade items for Ethan that were even more touching to see.

Movement: His activity has picked back up this week, and has found a new spot on my hip bone to kick me in. :)

Food cravings: Still not much of an appetite most days.

Gender: Our sweet baby Ethan Bryant Orlando.

Labor Signs: Nothing at all.

Belly Button in or out? Half flattie, half outie...so a floutie I guess? ;)

Wedding rings on or off? Still on other than sleep!

What I miss: I miss SEEING Ethan! We haven't had an ultrasound in several weeks, and I miss the chance to check on him every few weeks.  I can't wait to see his face.

What I am looking forward to: Hitting full term on Friday! 

Weekly Wisdom: I have never have any wisdom, are you kidding?!

Milestones: I'm officially 9 months pregnant! :) Sometimes I stop and think about how we thought Ethan would never make it to this day and smile (and ok, maybe cry a little...hormones haha).