Ready for Her Close Up

I have a deep appreciation for pictures.  I don't believe they replace memories or that they can tell the full story, but I love the glimpse into a life you get from them.  I love that they trigger memories and preserve our story.  So when Whitney and Bryan mentioned the idea of capturing the Little Miss in her first days you can be sure I jumped on the opportunity. 

 I just love these images.  She is so new and fresh and it is totally reflected in the white blanket and the soft light.  We got a couple of great family shots too! Bonus! 

I'll let the pictures tell the rest of this story.

But I do believe you should call Whitney and Bryan! Let me know if you want their contact info in a comment!  I'll put you in touch! OR visit their blog altogethersmitten.wordpress.com

you love them already..don't you!  

Whitney and Bryan - we are smitten!!

Reagan Jean :: One Month

We made it! A month zipped by so fast it was incredible.  

I was wondering if I would remember what to do. Did I know how to swaddle? How to bathe an infant? Was I too rusty to remember how to pack a diaper bag? Well, it's like riding a bike.  It felt normal and routine..familiar.  I loved it!

In some ways it felt like Reagan had always been part of our family. It was hard to remember life without her.  In other ways her newness was so obvious and I wanted to savor every minute of it.  I was taken back to when Cooper was a newborn and I would often get such a full heart it felt like I was going to explode. There is something so amazing about a new baby. I am in awe of our Creator and the work He does to intricately form us. Then to be able to have so much love for someone in an instant is also a work of the Lord! 

So what did the Little Miss do during her first month in our home?  Eating and sleeping. Cuddling and smooching. Eating and sleeping. Oowing and Ahhing. And more eating and sleeping.  She had her first outing just days home from the hospital when we took her out to my work meeting.  She met a lot of family and friends. She went to Descanso Gardens to celebrate my birthday and to LAX to watch the planes for Gramps' birthday.  She had her first check-up and her first Sunday at church. She went to Costco and work meetings with Mama. She went to her first bridal shower for our cousin Lauren and her first birthday party.  The girl hit the ground running!! She liked to eat every 2 hours during the day and was getting up every 2 hours during the middle of the night. We were a little sleepy her first month of life!  

Sweet Reagan Jean, our hearts filled to overflowing when you came along. We praise the Lord for your life and allowing you to be ours during our time here on Earth.  We have loved watching you change daily and enjoy little glimpses of what we think your personality is like. We can’t wait to see it grow and deepen as you do.  We pray for your salvation.  That if you understand anything in this life it is that Jesus loved you so much that He gave His life for you.  That you might experience God’s grace and receive forgiveness for your sins. That you would love God’s Word and desire to become a woman who reflects Christ in all you say and do.  We are your biggest fans – sitting front row and cheering the loudest as your journey begins.  

- Photos from the past month -

This elephant was mine as a baby and I loved it!
Reagan will too even though she looks a little frightened of it!

Your brother couldn't hold you enough

Some of your visitors

Your first bath - you were not a fan

 Your first photo shoot (more to come on that one)

Celebrating Mama's birthday with a delicious breakfast and trip to Descanso Gardens

more brother love

Reagan Jean has arrived

A day that will forever hold a special place in my heart.

August 8, 2013 

She arrived and again I was taken. Smitten. Breath gone.

Precious. Perfect. Complete joy. A treasure.

Our little girl, Reagan Jean.

Her birth story is not uncommon :: contractions, labor, epidural, delivery.
But it is totally unique to us and hers alone.

She had me fooled.  I expected her early and confidently told others she would be here early.  Why I was so confident I have no idea. I know better. Timing is not mine to decide. The days crept closer to her due date and then past it. I was baffled.  When would she arrive? On the night of her due date, August 7th, Matt and I were chatting about when she might make her entrance and he commented that she could come any time after his 10 meeting in the morning.  It was one he would rather not miss.

And so, as you could expect...

 ...at 4 am on the morning of the 8th the contractions began and didn't stop.  I spent the next two hours laying on my left side, walking around, praying, packing bags.  At 6 am when Matt's alarm went off I let him know he was going to miss that 10 am meeting...

Grandma came to watch the guy and we left for the hospital. Got there and I was at a 5. Phew!  No sending me home - she was on her way and I was already exhausted, already hungry..oh and excited.  We would finally see her face! I needed to be hooked up to an IV for antibiotics to protect against Strep B and the Doctor preferred 2 rounds 4 hours apart. I decided to get the epidural because of the length of time that I would need to labor.  And the epidural made things stop.  I mean really stop.  Hard labor contractions went from every 2-3 min to 13 and barely a blip on the screen.  Oh well..we had time.

Predictions were made.  Nurse predicted 6:30. Anesthesiologist predicted 7:00. She arrived at 6:45.

She was beautiful. LONG dark hair. Dark eyes. Full cheeks. Tiny fingers and toes...and like I said before I was taken. So was her Daddy. She wrapped him around her tiny little finger in a matter of seconds. He'll have to tell you about it sometime.

She became ours.

Given to us for a time. A precious amount of time that I pray is long and that I won't waste a second of.

We spent the next few hours with friends and family... and In n Out.  Remember. I was hungry.

Introducing
Miss Reagan Jean Poladian
8 lbs 3 oz :: 21 inches
August 8, 2013 :: 6:45 pm

 

Remember. Hungry

Cooper meeting his sister for the first time. A moment that is tucked away in my heart forever. 

Mama snuggles.  I needed one.

..and now we are 4

Taking her home!
She did not want a picture. Modest already.

This is your story, Pretty Girl. I love you.

Love, Mama