Little Baby Daniel

Over this last year, I have had the privilege of documenting my little Amanda's pregnancy. We made it a goal to take belly pictures, every week of her pregnancy. Who knew that that little project would turn into quite the obsession, healing for me, and a journey that neither, her, nor I, would ever forget. I think only a few will know the whole story, as it is probably too boring to write down, but I am so proud of us for sticking through it all. I cannot believe that almost a year ago, we were both pregnant, taking pregnancy photo's every week, then taking pictures at her baby shower, and then taking pictures of this little angel in the NICU and PICU. It was an incredible journey.

I am especially happy that I was able to take the pictures following Daniel's birth. When I lost my baby girl, and all I had were the beautiful pictures of her that our good friend took for us, I wanted to give that to someone else. I really wanted to be able to give that gift to other families that had lost babies. It's something you don't think about doing, in the middle of that kind of trauma and loss. But I couldn't be more grateful for the gift of those amazing pictures. I hadn't thought about doing it for families of babies in the NICU before, until I offered it to Amanda. She was so sad that she never got those pictures of her and the baby, as he was being born, and after he was cleaned up, and the traditional pictures, because he was taken away so quickly, to the NICU. She never had that first family picture. So, over the 6 weeks (I think) that he was in the hospital, I came and took more pictures of him, and emailed them to my great friends. In the beginning, before his heart surgery, the nurses were going to let me come in and take pictures of him, for them, but they had to change their minds, because of an RSV outbreak. So, instead, I handed them my baby, my camera, and for a week or so, they took all of the pictures and handed them over to me. Ugh, that was nerve wracking for me! HAHAHA! They really did a great job though, and couldn't have been more proud of them.

I hope that some day, I will be able to continue to help other people in this way. I want to give that to people. Kind of a service that I can do for others, to pay Scott and Lisa back for what they have done for me. A pay it forward kind of thing. I don't feel I am good enough yet, to be able to do that for anyone else, but I am loving the practice, and all of the education I am getting by some AMAZING photographers, who have been gracious enough to teach me as much as they can. Soon enough, I will feel like I can do this for others, and feel like I am giving them something I am proud of, and they will love.

Here are some of the pictures from our Weekly Pregnancy Shoots (As we called them):

Our very first one, 7 weeks pregnant

13 weeks pregnant

21 weeks pregnant

39 weeks pregnant

After we got done with the "belly shots", I got to go in and take pictures of what has been inside of my great friend. I couldn't have been more honored, and excited for them! The following are the pictures that they took in the NICU.

I think this was the first picture of Baby Daniel.....but I could be wrong. I'm sure there's one on a cell phone somewhere. :)

I just loved this picture

Daddy

Mommy

I did not include the pictures that I took, right after his heart surgery, because those are a bit graphic. So here are a some from a few days later, after he was healed up a bit better.

His nurse made him this adorable little sign, that hung above his bed. She was a sweetheart!

A few days after surgery. His nurse made him this ADORABLE little mohawk hat. First ever! He's already a rock star.

This one is actually the day after his surgery, but it's one of my favorites, so I included it

She FINALLY gets to hold her baby, after all of that time.

These next ones, he is all healed up, enough to go home, and he got to go home just a few days after these pictures were taken. Sadly, I couldn't be there for that day.

Meet Daniel Paul Weishar, III, Handsome little devil

Their "first family picture"

Cute family

This really was one of the best experiences that I've ever had, besides, you know, birthing my own children, and getting married to my love......but it's up there! I feel so blessed to have been a part of this incredible journey, with these amazing people. They are a strong family, and I can't wait to see this little guy grow up.