The Backstory
I love this family oh so much! I met Taylor and Spencer a few years as I photographed their engagement session and wedding! Since then I have loved following them on Facebook and seeing their lives unfold together. They are some of the sweetest people I have ever met and I love the way they care for one another
When Taylor and Spencer announced they were expecting I was OVER THE MOON excited for them! I knew they would be fantastic parents! A few months into her pregnancy Taylor reached out to start planning for an In-Home session for welcoming Baby Hartley. A few days later I received a message and my heart sank…
Baby Hartley was born at 23.5 weeks old and weighed 1lb 5oz.
I burst into tears right at my computer and prayed to God to bless them on this road they had ahead of them. Here’s a little bit of what Taylor had to say about her experience.
Hartley’s Story
Can you tell me Hartley’s story?
” Hartley was born April 15th almost 4 full months before her due date of August 8th. Her birth was the scariest day of my life. I had no idea what to expect, but being a nurse I knew having a baby at 23.5 weeks was not good. Hartley came out fighting. That night she managed to pull out both of her IV lines and breathing tube. While this concerned me, the nurses pointed out that it was a good thing she was feisty!
Thus began our long NICU journey. While it wasn’t easy, our girl proved again and again that she was here to stay. Every time things got rough, Hartley would rally and jump whatever hurdle was thrown at her. She inspired us and gave me strength through our 135 day stay.
After 135 days Hartley graduated the NICU! She has now been home for almost a month and it has been amazing. We love getting to know her personality as she grows. She is just as feisty as that first night, but also hilarious, nosy, and sweet as can be. “
Can you tell me about the nursery? Themes? Colors?
“Hartley’s nursery was definitely a project close to our hearts while she was in the NICU. Finishing her room at home gave us hope that she would eventually make it home. It’s gray and peach with floral accents. My husband Spencer installed a pallet wall and a window seat with bookshelves. It’s my favorite part of the room as Spencer and I both love to read and look forward to reading her books there for years to come.“
This family truly has the most special place in my heart and I am so so so very excited to watch their family grow and to see Hartley continue to grow and thrive! She is one heck of a fighter and I cannot wait to see her change the world!
Now
As you can see, HARTLEY MADE IT and graduated from the NICU! She even made the news! (You can read the article here)
Miss Hartley wasn’t technically a “newborn” at her session, but we made it work and captured all the love and hard work that went into bringing her home. I especially loved that the nursery brought them so much hope in their time of waiting. Here’s what they had to say about her nursery.
Want to see another Lifestyle Session?
January 22, 2020
[…] early birth of baby Hartley at 23 weeks! (You can see Hartley’s newborn lifestyle session here). Next, was the surprise that they were expecting a 2nd little one! Now the third, when she texted […]