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Thursday, August 26, 2010

Pictures

This is one of those posts that I wasn't sure would ever be.


I can remember back to the early days of this pregnancy, to the first trimester when we were so worried that this baby wouldn't make it. I remember how it took us a while to believe that this could be the one that survived and the one that we might bring home. I remember all of the kindness and the prayers as we learned to practice taking this pregnancy one day at a time and celebrating every single small victory. The third trimester seemed a lifetime away and I struggled to imagine what it would be like, look like, or feel like to be that close to welcoming a living, healthy baby.

A couple of weeks ago (at 34 weeks) we had a friend take some maternity pictures for us. These pictures capture some of those feelings for me. I hope they communicate at least a small portion of our joy and wonder over this little life. I hope you know that we haven't taken any moment or milestone for granted. We haven't forgotten the long and rocky path that brought us here and made us so very grateful to have arrived at this point.


For the photo shoot I wore a necklace that was given to me by a special blog friend. It is a heart-shaped locket with a clear window in the middle that displays three items: tiny blue baby feet, tiny pink baby feet, and a tiny pink heart that has the word "hope" on it. The sweet friend (Abby) who gave it to me has a set of precious twin boys in heaven. I wanted to wear it that day for her, for her boys, for my six little ones, and for all of you who have experienced loss and those who are still waiting with hope. When I look back on these pictures, I'll think of all of you.

Indeed, even our photographer friend (Crystal) who took these pictures for us has had her own infertility journey, so it also meant something to us that she would be the one to take them. She now has a beautiful little girl of her own, who I know is the apple of her eye!

This post includes just a few of my favorites from the day, but I know we will cherish every single one that was taken.
Thanks for walking along with us!







Just a couple of side notes:
If you'd like to see a lot more of our favorites from the photo shoot, you can follow this link: Maternity Pics. (FYI, the album does include a few real "belly" photos. Just wanted you to know before you click.)

And one last thing: I just noticed that my previous post was post number 200! :)

29 comments:

The Blessed Barrenness said...

You look beautiful Stacey, simply radiant!

Journeymark Cards & Gifts said...

I completely agree with Sharon, beautiful! I love how Chad is wearing pink to celebrate the birth and also love the picture where you all are walking forward.

May the Lord continue to bless you both! Thank you, for being such an inspiration to us, and for the reminder of never losing hope.

Love,
Jessica

andreajennine said...

Oh, what sweet and beautiful photos! The first is my favorite. One of my regrets over Brandt's early arrival is that we never got pictures like these. So glad you got to do this!

katdish said...

AWWWWW!!!!!

So excited for you both! Can't wait to see some baby pics!

Praying for you all.

Annie K said...

Congratulation to you both and I am so happy for you!

~ Katie ~ said...

You guys look so cute! Miss Lily will be here before you know it. Makes me all giggly inside :)

Candy said...

You two look adorable! Congratulations and praying for your wonderful news!

Jenn said...

You are and have always been gorgeous from the inside out!!!

Andrea said...

Happy 200th post!

Awwww! I love these pictures and I am so happy that you are "living in the moment".

Wishing you nothing but bliss as you head to the finish line :)

Michelle said...

Those pictures are so beautiful. I'm so excited for you! You look radiant!!
xoxoxo
~Michelle

Kathryn said...

So very, very happy for you. :)

Dan & Hillary said...

I wish I could be in TX to celebrate with you but please be assured that there are continued prayers and praises being sent from CA:-) You are gorgeous.

A said...

Your pictures are BEAUTIFUL!!!! Continuing to pray for you!

Melody said...

oh these are great pictures!

Birdie said...

Stacey, y'all are so sweet!!! You are so cute pregnant. And I can just imagine how you must be feeling. I feel like someday when I'm pregnant and that far along that I will think, "Is this for real??!! I'm really having a baby!!!!!!" haha I know you must be so excited. :) I'm so very happy for you. And it's so sweet that you wore that necklace.

Katie said...

Oh, Stacey. Just. . . OH. You look so beautiful and just glowingly happy.

I actually awwwwed out loud at these and got tears in my eyes. I am SO happy for you.

The next pictures we see will be of your sweet lil' baby!

Okay, off to aw over the rest of them.

Hope in Virginia said...

You are absolutely radiating beauty, happiness, and peace. Can't wait to see the first pictures of you holding your precious baby!

Connie said...

LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! XOXOXOXXOXOXOXXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOX

Amy said...

Love them! I am going to look at the rest right now. The story of your locket and why you wore it was so beautiful....that you thought to wear that, and were able to include ALL of your family in that picture! Such a sweet and pretty belly...can't wait to see the little gal inside it!

Amazing Life said...

I love the pictures,but I really appreciate all the words that went with them. You seem to express yourself so well and I can relate to all of those emotions!

Shan Herren said...

Abby & I were talking about you a couple of days ago. I pray for you & precious Lily Rae daily. I love me a good miracle/blessing! You look so beautiful in the pictures. So happy for you & Chuck :)

Crystal said...

Thanks for allowing me to take your photos. I'm so happy I was able to capture these moments for you. I can't wait to meet your little angel.

Anonymous said...

I just love these pics. Thank you so much for sharing your story. You're my inspiration. I'm just so, so happy for you!

Paige said...

Stacey:

All the pictures are beautiful. I love the tiny booties by your belly, simply perfect.

So glad I stumbled across your blog. :) Praying for a sweet smooth easy delivery.

Blessings!
Paige

Aubrey said...

You look beautiful! Just a few more weeks and you get to meet sweet Lily. I hope you continue to enjoy these last few weeks.

Jennie said...

Beautiful pictures! You will treasure them! I am a new follower of your blog and so far i have enjoyed it. I love how you talk about your faith and how it has helped you get through your journey. I am currently going through IF and my own journey of faith. Reading your blog has helped me, as i am in a very dark place right now with IF. I have a question. Did you get pregant on your own with lily? I was just curious because it said you had a cancelled IUI and right after was your BFP. I just wondered. Regardless of how it happend i am very happy for you! I always feel hope when others going through IF get pregnant wether it was on their own or through IF treatments. God bless you and your little one!

jennie said...

Beautiful pictures! You will treasure them! I am a new follower of your blog and so far i have enjoyed it. I love how you talk about your faith and how it has helped you get through your journey. I am currently going through IF and my own journey of faith. Reading your blog has helped me, as i am in a very dark place right now with IF. I have a question. Did you get pregant on your own with lily? I was just curious because it said you had a cancelled IUI and right after was your BFP. I just wondered. Regardless of how it happend i am very happy for you! I always feel hope when others going through IF get pregnant wether it was on their own or through IF treatments. God bless you and your little one!

Becky said...

Just beautiful Stacey, absolutely beautiful. Oh, it brings tears to my eyes to see this (the good kind!).

Rachel said...

You guys are so stinkin' cute! I love ALL of the pictures and they tell a beautiful story!