INSPIRING WOMEN {what she's doing now}

This month I decided to do something a little different in celebration of sweet baby Jayzen. Remember Jessica Dupass and her sweet story, well she had her baby boy and he is home and healthy! Instead of featuring someone new I decided to go out and take pictures of Jayzen.
I love the way a house feels when there is a newborn there. It is so quite, peaceful, and happy. (When they are asleep that is) Being around a newborn always gives me this overwhelming feeling of our Saviors love and what Heaven will one day feel like. I also love seeing a mom with her new baby. There is something so special and so heavenly about the love between a mother and her child. I asked Jessica to tell us her birth story in a mini version.

Here it is...

On August 12, 2014 @ 12:26 PM, Jayzen Maddox Dupass came into this world weighing 6 lbs. 1 oz, 18 1/4 inches, beautiful as ever, and causing a scene. My entire pregnancy was scary and very stressful. So, why would he make his arrival any different?
We had started the morning at the hospital but we weren't there to bring little man into this world! Nope! We were there to have this stubborn little guy flipped into the head down position. He was transverse breech (his head was in my ribs, back up, bum in my other ribs with his cute little toes towards my cervix). We went to the hospital to have a procedure called ECV (External Cephalic Version) done. External cephalic version, or version, is a procedure used to turn a fetus from a breech position or side-lying (transverse) position into a head-down (vertex) position before labor begins. When successful, version makes it possible for you to try a vaginal birth. Well long story short neither of us liked the procedure very much and we both had really bad reactions to the epidural and the Version. Jayzen's heart rate dropped really low after he was flipped so, we ended up in an emergency C-Section. It took 7 minutes from the time his heart rate dropped until he was out. When he was born he wasn't breathing properly and his heart rate was really low. He really likes to scare us! I have a feeling that he's going to be the one that gives me gray hair. Jayzen is the answer to many prayers...He is healthy, beautiful and perfectly perfect!
There have been many pieces to our puzzle that have been missing and with him he brought those pieces and completed our puzzle. I can officially say that he is the beginning to our happily ever after.

I just want to thank Jessica for being so willing to share her birth story. She is an amazing person who deserves so much. Jayzen is so lucky to have her as a mother. She loves her boys with all her heart and cares for them in a way that is unimaginable. Thanks again Jessica! 

LET THEM BE little.

All too often I find myself trying to figure out how to get Emry on the "perfect" schedule. I try to wake up at the right time, feed her at the right time, put her down for a nap at the right time, and so on and so forth. I do this in hopes that I will find the "perfect" schedule which will make it so she has the "perfect" night. 10 hours of uninterrupted sleep like she used to....Nothing seems to be working and my mind...and body...are exhausted.
When I was talking to a dear friend about what has been going on he said something so true...This time goes by so fast, let her be little for a little while. In the broad scheme of things this time in her life and my life is so small. It will, and is going by so fast. I just need to relax and let her be little. Let her be a 7 month old that refuses baby food at times. Let her be a 7 month old that wants to chew on EVERYTHING. Let her be a 7 month old that is having a hard time sleeping at night. Bottom line: let her be a 7 month old.
Yes, I read things and worry that I am ruining her.... "don't feed your baby at night if she has already begun to sleep through the night"... "don't get your baby out of bed at night if she is crying"..."she needs to learn to self sooth"...etc. Don't get me wrong, books about raising kids are amazing and for the most part it's all true. The more info on child rearing the better you will be.....sometimes. Sometimes I find myself thinking there is something wrong with my parenting or my child if she isn't doing exactly what the books say she should be doing. Bottom line, each kiddo is different. Each one needs different things. So, let them be who they are and figure out what it is they need.
Being a mom is a 24 hour job...break time is nap time...if they decide to nap, and if you count doing the dishes as a break. It's hard, exhausting, unpredictable, and so wonderful. If ever you feel like you are about to lose your mind...sit down, look through pics of your little one, and relive those amazing moments. Let those photos remind you of why you are doing what you are doing. Being a mother is the most important job in this world. No job is more challenging, rewarding, or important...and remember that each day passes quickly so enjoy the moments that are happening right now. Let her be little.
Let Emry be the 7 month old that she is because tomorrow she will be one day closer to 8 months, and like everyone says...she will graduate high school in the blink of an eye. enjoy it. don't think the crap out of...or try to "fix" what the books say is wrong with her. Love her. Hug her. Lay by her. She just needs her mama and one day she won't need me anymore.

little Em...

^ photography by Karl Hugh over at Studio West Photography ^