forever thankful

I have never had newborn pictures taken of one of my babies.  I've always waited until the girls have turned about two months old.  Those pictures are so fun, but now I'm so sad that I don't have those precious little newborn faces captured.  There is just something so special about those first few weeks.  I was determined to have Claire's pictures taken in the first week or two, but then my plans changed when she had to be on oxygen for two months.  So this time around?  It was going to happen, darn it.  I had talked to my super talented  (and, as you will find out, amazingly thoughtful, too) friend Nicole, and lined her up to come to the hospital so we could have those first few days to remember forever.

Then, like Claire, Samuel ended up in the NICU, and my plans were shot down.  Again.  I was hoping he'd be off oxygen in just a few days, but that didn't happen either. 

Deep down, I still wanted newborn pictures, and tried to think of a way to make it happen.  Courtney and I even talked about having them done with Samuel still on oxygen.

So when I found myself back in the hospital, I knew I needed to let it go.

But I hadn't taken into account what good people I have in my life.  I should have known better. 

Turns out, Nicole and my sweet sister-in-law Kelsey put their heads (and hearts) together and planned a surprise photo session for Samuel.  While I was recuperating in the hospital, the two of them, along with our moms, made the impossible happen.  Even better, his lungs were doing so good, they were able to get pictures with out the oxygen tubes.

Grandma Croney now tells how touching it was watching Nicole and Kelsey down on the floor with Samuel, snuggling and kissing and loving him into the perfect position.  I cry when I think of the love and unselfish kindness that went into making this happen.

When I called to tell Kelsey thank you, she told me how bad she felt that it was her, not me, who was holding Samuel's feet in one of the pictures.  I don't feel that way at all.  Instead, I feel thankful because every time I see that picture I will remember and say a prayer of thanksgiving for all of the people in our lives who loved, snuggled, and took care of my baby when I couldn't. 

Kelsey and Nicole, thank you so much. It's strange to think that I will never have a little newborn of my own again. Now I will have these pictures to remember this special, oh-so-humbling time of our lives.

You will never, ever know how much this means to us.





(If you are looking for someone to capture amazing moments with your family, you can see more of Nicole's work at http://nicolespixiedust.blogspot.com/  . . .You will fall in love with her and her remarkable talent.)